Support Local

I recently had the opportunity to visit my friend Kevin and his chickens.  I got some fresh eggs and I must say nothing compares to the quality of eggs from happy free range hens.  Did you notice the slight color variation of the shells?  Each egg is from a different type of hen.

Double Your Fun with Accessories

Double your fun with the White Iris Hair Comb that can also be worn as a corsage.  I love accessories with options.  We make our accessories so they can be worn and enjoyed numerous ways.  Wear it on your wedding day, then for an evening out on the town.  The accessory above is made of tulle, white iris flower, pleated silk, pearls, and beads. 

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Vintage Lace

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

We've been making new necklaces in the studio outside.  We're loving this weather! 

Choose from white or hand dyed purple bib statement necklace.  Each necklace is made from up cycled lace, bead pearls, and sequins. 

It's such an quick way to quickly dress up a tank top or t-shirt.

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Watercolor Tutu

We've been working on some new tutu designs.  Above are pics of our Watercolor Tutu - multi colored layers of hand dyed bridal veil illusion. 

Monet inspired, watercolor petals
Layers of hand dyed rainbow colored tulle make this tutu extra special. Each piece is hand cut into a petal shape.

Dress it up different ways!

DANCER LOOK
Wear the tutu with black leotard or leggings and a tank top if you plan on dancing.

TRENDY LOOK
If you're a tad more daring with fashion, like Carrie Bradshaw, pair the tutu with a short skirt and blouse/tank (maybe a blazer if it's chilly) with a few strands of pearls and stiletto heals.

* elastic waist
* Hand dyed tulle and a few purple rayon fabric strips embedded in tulle
* tutu colors - pink, orange, blue, light blue, white, purple, yellow, green-yellow
* Made in USA

Visit our shop www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

We hope everyone has a fabulous three day weekend!  Party like it's 1999  ;-)

What to Wear to a Black and White Ball

We had a fashion emergency yesterday.  My mother received a last minute invitation to a Black and White Ball.  We searched the internet for inspiration, then we decided we needed to design a new hair accessory.  We made two new necklaces and a hair adornment (it's amazing what you can create when you have a short deadline).  Our creative juices were flying and it was a beautiful sunny day in Western New York. 

When dressing for a black and white ball - keep it simple and classic.  When in doubt it's best to overdress.

For ladies - wear a solid black or white dress and play it up with fun accessories (necklace, hair comb, gloves, a wrap, hand bag, etc)
- Black and White Hair Adornment (white flowers, tulle)
- Black Tulle Wrap.
For men
- classic tux (think James Bond)  ;-)

Pictured above is the new Rice Rafferty hair accessory.

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Hope you have a happy and relaxing Sunday!

6x6x2011

Looking for a unique event to attend soon? 

The Rochester Contemporary Art Center is having a small fund-raising project entitled 6x6.  Artists from around the world donate artwork that is 6"x6" in size in all mediums which includes anything from a collage, painting, to sculptural work.  The artists names are on the back of the artwork, so nobody knows exactly which artists' work they are purchasing.  Each piece is for sale for $20.  I saw some sampling of the pieces that will be included in the show and I'm very intrigued by the idea and the wide spread attention this exhibition has created.

June 4-July 10, 2011
Opening Party June 4, 4-6pm ($5)

Rose Corsage Inspiration

Recently we received a really fun custom order request.  We were asked to design a corsage that matches a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.

Above is the finished corsage (black and white tulle with a lipstick pink and red orange rose) and the inspirational Jimmy Choo shoe.  In the background of the top right photo is a rose painting I painted in college.

I've always felt strongly driven by beauty, nature, and fashion.  In fact they used to call me "the shoe girl" in my drawing and design classes because I was always drawing shoes.  It's interesting in life when things come full circle.  I once painted roses on canvases and now I'm making them as 3d corsages, necklaces, and hair adornments.

I'll probably paint roses again on canvases one day.

Custom Blusher Veil, Pouf, and Iris

I'm so excited to finally share the recently completed custom bridal veil for a fashion forward bride.  The veil consists of a front and back blusher made from bridal veil illusion tulle (also removable), white iris, and bead and pearl embellishments.  The veil is light and whimsical, but full of elaborate details that make it truly one of a kind and unique.  This veil was a design for a customer in Washington state.  I can't wait to post photos of the bride from her wedding day.

We love custom orders!  If you're interested in this veil we can make an identical veil for you or make changes to your taste.  If you dream it; we can make it!  Just ask!

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

New Developments

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a few days.  It has been so busy here. The images above are the new ads for our friend Jennifer's Blog - check it out www.jennasaurus.com  It's a really fun lifestyle blog.

We just sent out our giveaway earrings to Kaytee and we finished making a custom order - a corsage pin (will post pics soon).  We've also been working on a new tutu design. 

Between my 9-5 marketing job and working on rice rafferty orders I've been trying to soak up the sun.  The weather has been so beautiful the past several days.  I find I'm much happier when the sun is shining.  I feel more inspired and full of energy.  I LOVE Spring!

Have a beautiful weekend!
<3

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com  NEW accessories have been added!  Check it out!

Winner of the Pay it Forward Giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered the Pay it Forward Giveaway.  The winner of the copper and paper mache earrings is....Kaytee!  Congratulations! 


Have a great weekend everyone!  Stay tuned for more giveaways :)

Coral is HOT for Summer 2011

As you know, we just participated in a fashion show and one of the major colors in our collection was CORAL.  Coral is the hottest color right now for Summer 2011.  I did a little trend research and above are my findings for both men and women. Coral is everywhere right now.  You will find the color coral in everything from Smashbox lip gloss to polo shirts, to sundresses and beach totes.  The photos are from Jcrew, The Gap and Rice Rafferty.

www.ricerafferty.com

Pay it Forward GIVEAWAY

In honor of Pay it Forward Day we're hosting a Giveaway.  I've seen some lovely giveaways lately, so we felt inspired to join the fun.  We've received some good ripples and we want to send more into the universe.  Positivity and kindness conquers all :)

We're giving away a pair of our Rice Rafferty handmade Dreamsome Golden Copper Paper Mache Earrings ($25 value).

Visualize your dreams coming true with these golden earrings. Painted Gold Paper Mache wrapped in copper wire, dangle as wear them. Light and wearable for your daily routines or for a special evening out. Inspired by spirals and dreamcatchers to invoke positive energy.  Lightweight design makes them easy and fun to wear.

To enter: leave a comment under this blog post with your name, email address, and the city you live in.  NOTE: for this and future giveaways become a blog follower.

One person will be chosen at random.

The Giveaway is now thru May 5, 2011.  All are welcome to participate!

Good luck! 

For our complete collection click below
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Roses and Daisies Bridal Veil

Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet???

Our White Rose and Daisies Bridal Veil is such a fresh and youthful bridal veil alternative.  There are so many options these days for brides.  There's a veil for every bride.  Our veil hangs mid way down the back which gives such a fun and flirty feel.  The veil design can also be a communion veil since it's shorter in length too (as shown above on the little girl - Photo 4).  I wonder what type of veil Kate Middleton will wear on Friday.  What's your guess a long veil, short, bird cage, or a blusher?  Photos by Jessica Elizabeth

For more veil options visit our etsy shop www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Runway 4.0 Recap

me and mom

Last Saturday was such a busy day!  The months of preparation for Runway 4.0 paid off though.  Everyone did such an amazing job and looked fabulous! 

My mom's clothing collection looked amazing!  My mom had surgery 3 months ago for breast cancer and here she is on stage with her gorgeous collection.  It made me so proud.  She's my hero and the strongest person I've ever known.  She thought I was crazy for suggesting she designed clothing for the fashion show this year, but the idea quickly grew on her and before I knew it we were both researching and gathering concepts for designs.  The doctors think designing was very healing for her and I'd have to agree with them :)

The clothes were made from 100% up cycled denim and vintage 70s psychedelic fabric.  We used up cycled denim by redesigning old blue jeans into fashionable, fun and sexy garments. The designs consist of halter tops, short skirts, a maxi skirt, a denim vest, a dress, and a poncho.  We made bib necklaces made from denim, hand bags from denim pockets, colorful birdcage veils, denim floral pins, and a denim wrist corsage.  The colors were coral and bright green other details included hand beading, embroidery, and silk screened images.

It takes a village to put such a spectacular show together.  Thank you to everyone involved!

Hair by Vanity Salon
Makeup my Michele Mclaughlin at Estee Lauder

If you're interested in some of the designs above please message us
info@ricerafferty.com
or visit www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

The models pictured above are Alicia Faye, Amy Lee Reusch, Anna Hartzell, Emily Wiech Christ, Jennifer Mergenhagen, and Laura Lemke!

Rice Rafferty Trashions

Happy Earth Day!  What have you done to give thanks to the earth?  We at Rice Rafferty often use up cycled materials and try to minimize waste whenever possible.  The photographs above are from the Runway 4.0 Buffalo, NY event at the Pierce Arrow building featuring our dresses made from plastic bags art installation of wearable art - Trashions at the VIP party before the fashion show. We had an installation as well as a performance art piece which really caught a lot of attention.  Special thanks to Crystal and Alicia!

We also donated a $50 basket full of sewing supplies to a lucky Fibers student at Buffalo State College.  We awarded a student who shows great skill in fiber.  Congratulations to Erin Curry!

Hair by Vanity Salon
Makeup by Kristen Legg and Michelle Mclaughlin - Estee Lauder

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com
www.ricerafferty.com 

Make Your Easter Special

Spring is my favorite season!  I wanted to share some images of the things that make Easter extra special. When preparing your food and decorations always remember "devils in the detail." The little details on your table are going to be the most important to really make your holiday unique.  Choose a color scheme and stick to it.

The top photo shows some hard boiled eggs I dyed using rubber bands and dye.  Boil the eggs, wrap the rubber bands around the eggs, and dip them in dye until you've reached your desired color.  It's a really simple way to make a fun, quick pattern - very fashion forward!  Next to the eggs is the famous "butter lamb."  It's so cute.  I always feel bad cutting him. The butter lamb is a big hit in the Buffalo, NY area. I've never heard of them anywhere else.  You can buy them at most grocery stores around Buffalo or for the hardcore Easter fans you can make a trip to the Broadway Market. At the Broadway Market you can buy some chocolate, platcek, pierogies, and kobasa.  Next to the butter lamb are handmade chocolates.  I always make some chocolate using my grandmother's chocolate molds.  It makes me feel closer to loved ones who have died carrying on their traditions.

Spring flowers are beginning to bloom!  A sure sign that warmer weather is on its way.  Easter wouldn't be  complete without the aroma of lilies. 

And of course my favorite part of the holidays is sharing the day with my family, friends, and loved ones.  Hope you found some of my tips helpful. 

HAPPY EASTER!  :-)

Vanity Salon Style Party

When I first walked into Vanity Salon I immediately felt at home.  The wall is lined with antique vanities with oval and rectangle shaped mirrors, a leopard print couch sits in front of the display window, and chandeliers hang from the ceiling.  The decor puts you in the mood for some fun styles!

Vanity Salon located at 1413 Hertel Ave Buffalo, NY 14216 is responsible for the amazing hairstyles for Carol Ann Rice Rafferty's collection in Runway 4.0.  Vanity Salon offers Style Parties for you and your girlfriends!  Enjoy wine, cheese, a fabulous up do, and a lesson on simple ways to style your hair!  Honestly I can't think of a better way to spend an evening out.

The owner, Gina Calamita, invited us to a Style party last Wednesday to practice the looks before the day of the fashion show.  Above are photos from the Style Party.  I was so pleased with them!  The hairstyles were better than I had ever imagined.  I knew I wanted simple, sleek and sophisticated up dos with a vintage flare (kind of 50s with a modern twist), high pony tails, beehives, buns, and side swept curls.  The hairstylists were very fun to work with and they knew the look I was going for immediately.

THANK YOU so much Vanity Salon, Gina Calamita, Mallory Pemberton, and Alexandra Mary Damis!  I'm definitely coming back soon!

To book an appointment at Vanity Salon Call 716.836.4574 / vanityofbflo@gmail.com

Tues & Thurs, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fri, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Designer - Carol Ann Rice Rafferty
Accessories by Rice Rafferty
Marketing Coordinator, Design Consultant, and Fashion Stylist - Kara Rice Rafferty (me)
Styling by Rachel Mancini
Visit www.ricerafferty.com for photos from Runway 4.0 (coming soon)!