Ania Designs

Love silk, lace, pretty things...even more, loving to use those in order to help fight injustice in the world. If only a tiny bit at a time. (Photo courtesy Benjamin Images)

Friday, January 30, 2009

Ethni Photography

Yesterday was the first day in over a week that I started feeling like a human again. I've been sick, so many apologies for the lack in posting! And, in feeling better, I had the opportunity to escape the house and the office and head over to see Jane - the lovely owner of Ethni Photography.

I've known her for almost 4 years now, and just before Ania came about, Ethni was beginning. I take that back. I'm positive God had begun to weave Jane's vision for her company together for years prior to today. 25% of the proceeds from all of the shoots go to a missions organization of your choice. And that is something that rocks my world, as you've probably picked up on with the other organizations and people I blabber about on a consistent basis.

Jane does everything: weddings, seniors, portraits, and babies! I'm in a baby mood today, get used to it :) Go check out her newly remodeled website and her beautiful work. You'll get lost for at least an hour in there. Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Gorgeous, gorgeous


I'm absolutely in love with this jewelry by BridalEmunique. Click on the photo above to visit their online shop through Etsy. Grab a napkin, you'll need to wipe up your drool :)

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Letter from Zimbabwe

We are finally starting to get awareness out about Congo, but the truth is, there are multiple crises going on around the world, and so many still in Africa. I received this letter yesterday from a friend of mine. Let's do our best to create awareness, because without it we can do nothing.

I reckon that these are the last days of TKM and ZPF. The darkest hour is always before dawn.


We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy next........I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar houses and one family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging anything when 100 riot police came in with AK47's and bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and pine ceilings - because it was 'too close to the airport', so we are feeling extremely insecure right now.

You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night, but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be with us - that is a help -but I feel so cut off from you all knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you will feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave here so that is not an option.

I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how, and let me know that you are thinking of us and sending out positive vibes... that's all. You can't just be in denial and pretend/believe it's not going on.

To be frank with you, it's genocide in the making and if you do not believe me, read the Genocide Report by Amnesty International which says we are - IN level 7 - (level 8 is after it's happened and everyone is in denial). If you don't want me to tell you these things-how bad it is-then it means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does not help me to think you are turning \your back on our situation. We need you, please, to get the news OUT that we are all in a fearfully dangerous situation here. Too many people turn their backs and say - oh well, that's what happens in Africa

This Government has GONE MAD and you need to help us publicize our plight---or how can we be rescued? It's a reality! The petrol queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all around our city is a reality, the thousands of homeless people sleeping outside in 0 Celsius with no food, water, shelter and bedding are a reality. Today a family approached me, brother of the gardener's wife with two small children. Their home was trashed and they will have to sleep outside. We already support 8 adult people and a child on this property, and electricity is going up next month by 250% as is water.

How can I take on another family of 4 -----and yet how can I turn them away to sleep out in the open? I am not asking you for money or a ticket out of here - I am asking you to FACE the fact that we are in deep and terrible danger and want you please to pass on our news and pictures. So PLEASE don't just press the delete button! Help best in the way that you know how.

Do face the reality of what is going on here and help us SEND OUT THE WORD.. The more people who know about it, the more chance we have of the United Nations coming to our aid. Please don't ignore or deny what's happening. Some would like to be protected from the truth BUT then, if we are eliminated, how would you feel? 'If only we knew how bad it really was we could have helped in some way'.

[I know we chose to stay here and that some feel we deserve what's coming to us] For now,--- we ourselves have food, shelter, a little fuel and a bit of money for the next meal - but what is going to happen next? Will they start on our houses? All property is going to belong to the State now. I want to send out my Title Deeds to one of you because if they get a hold of those, I can't fight for my rights.

Censorship!----We no longer have SW radio [which told us everything that was happening] because the Government jammed it out of existence - we don't have any reporters, and no one is allowed to photograph. If we had reporters here, they would have an absolute field day. Even the pro-Government Herald has written that people are shocked, stunned, bewildered and blown mindless by the wanton destruction of many folks homes, which are supposed to be 'illegal' but for which a huge percentage actually do have licenses.

Please! - do have some compassion and HELP by sending out the articles and personal reports so that something can/may be done.

'I am one. I cannot do everything, ---but I can do something.. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do.' -Edward Everett Hale

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Answers to my "Betcha" Post

Without any further adieu, here are the answers to my post regarding Style Me Pretty's post about stylish wedding gowns from 2008. I think if you know me well enough, or if you've seen any number of my fashion sketches, you'll have picked these out pretty easily.

1. Top choice, this caught my eye so quick, yet held my attention for quite some time. Though that's not hard to do with this one! Row 2, the gown on the right. I really enjoyed the different forms of fabric manipulation and the geometric detail, both in the bodice, and at the lower half of the skirt. Totally unique and lovely.

2. Second choice: Rows 10/11. It only took me a moment to imagine how absolutely lovely she must have felt wearing this gown! What did it was seeing the top right hand photo of somebody holding up her train. How elegant to wear layers of chiffon, so soft and feminine. Not forgetting the beautiful detail on the bodice paired with the timeless covered buttons. Loved it.

3. Let's face it, you now see the pattern. I have a love for geometric-inspired design. My third choice is from row 13. I adore this! Tell me you have seen something identical to this and I'll call you a liar (ok, unless you were at that wedding or you yourself designed this gown). The pairing of the very feminine beading and the crisp folds of silk are a wonderful contrast.

The one thing I wish could be done: finding out who the designers were! I'm sure had I been keeping up with trends in wedding gowns while I was tending to a career in mortgages for a few years, I would probably know. But I'm just now getting back in the game - so forgive my lack of knowledge. :)

I hope that was fun for you to see some of my own personal style. I'll try to do more of this in the future, as I really had a good time. I love gawking at beautiful things...and shiny things...they don't call it "Attention Deficit...ohhh SHINY!" for nothing!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Sweet blog post + I Betcha

Here's the scoop: Style Me Pretty just posted a sweet set of photos highlighting wedding gowns from 2008. As we all know, this is the time of year that most brides begin looking for their gowns for their upcoming weddings. I know this full well, I have a handful of clients I am beginning to meet with this month to discuss their gowns. It's a thrilling time of year!

My "Betcha" is this: I betcha can't guess my top three gowns out of the smorgasbord of photos this post contains. If you guess them...well...I'll buy you a latte. I'll post later which ones I chose and why. It's a fun game, right? Thought so. :)

To view this post, click here.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Congo Learning Group

It's a little bit of late notice to be announcing this, but oh well. Better late than never!

There's a learning group going on for the next 6 Monday nights starting tonight about the Democratic Republic of Congo. Anybody can come, and it's free. It will be a good opportunity to have your eyes opened about this crisis situation, as well as give you the information you need to continue creating awareness in your sphere of influence.

It is held at 6:30PM at the Kilns Bookstore and Boutique. Directions are on their website. I hope to see you there.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Crate & Barrel

I love that friends often email me wedding-related media and fun finds. It's like having extra sets of eyes all over the place gathering info for you. I'm only one person and I can only do so much research without wasting every minute of my day. Believe me, I could. I usually spend the first hour or two of each day with my coffee, the internet and any number of books and magazines.

On that note, I just found out that Crate & Barrel has a wedding guide. From what I can tell, they began publishing in 2008. They must have done something right, because here it is again!



I'm going to order it soon, so I will be posting about it again to tell you what I think of it. Of course, as a die hard fan of Crate & Barrel, I'm sure that I will love it.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

An Interesting Article

A friend of mine posted this article that was written for the Times Online, and it was very interesting! It will only take a moment of your time, so I thought I would share.

Click here.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

New Favorite Wedding Blog!

By some miracle I happened across this blog, and it has become my favorite place to visit each day! If you're getting married or even helping a friend plan a wedding...you need to see this. So many beautiful and fun ideas that I can hardly believe it!

Style Me Pretty


On another note, I promise that things will be back up and running this week. I have been on a mini-vacation the past couple of weeks visiting friends, family, and flying all the way to Ohio for a wedding. My best wishes to all for a wonderful new year!