Festival season is fully upon us, with the warm weather making outdoor venues an enticing refuge for music lovers. And while the days of shows are best spent in a carefree musical bliss, planning what to bring – or leave at home – and the proper ensemble can make for a relaxed experience. …

Saturday marks the one year wedding anniversary of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, nee Will and Kate, and an event that reignited Americans’ interest in Britain’s royal family. But the wedding of the decade (as it has been dubbed) brought more to the U.S. than Kate Middlton kitsch: It helped bring us the fancy hat.

The infamous day gave us Phillip Tracey, a millinery staple in the U.K., who created hats for guests, including Victoria Beckham, Princess Ann and yes, Princess Beatrice’s swirly, Dr. Seuss-style topper. Tracey has since collaborated with Prabal Gurung in New York, and designed Lady Gaga’s disc constructions for the 2011 VMAs

Once a requirement of proper dress, head wear has faded from our sartorial vernacular. But at the turn of the last century, a bare head was still a faux-pas. During what The Metropolitan Museum of Art refers to as the “heyday of millinery design,” milliners such as Henri Bendel, Braut, Inc. and Theis Importers were creating exaggerate and heavily trimmed pieces.

During the 30s, 40s and 50s, Sally Victor was one of the most prominent milliners, known for her unique designs inspired by artist Henri Matisse and Native American tribes. Victor created several designs based on the large, wide-brimmed style that was popular during the time. From straw constructions with thick ribbon detailing (one of which was featured on the cover of Life in 1940), to flower-printed sheer mesh, her creations exemplified a prim but flirtation image that is still associated with the fashion. …

If you have your heart set on your dream wedding dress but dread the thought of browsing endless rows of white satin, a custom-made wedding dress might be the key to happily ever after. Whether you have hard-to-fit measurements or style that can’t be confined by off-the-rack choices, having a dress made to fit doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive, either.

Because it is usually best to work with a local designer who can conduct fittings in person, begin your search for a designer by asking friends and family if they know of anyone who makes bridal fashion. Always ask to see photos of previous gowns they’ve made, references and to see a dress in person if possible. Often, dresses may photograph better than they look in real life.

Fashion programs at area colleges can also be a good place to find the perfect dressmaker. Professors often take in custom design work on the side or can recommend advanced students who design bridal gowns. It is best to keep in mind that all designers are not created equally, and one who might make a killer cocktail dress might not be up to the intricacies required in bridal couture, such as corsets or bustles.

Theaters are also great places to look for designers accustomed to creating elaborate looks out of luxurious fabrics. As an added bonus, many theater costumers are well-acquainted with creating looks that take movement into account, ensuring you’ll be as comfortable on the dance floor as off. Two such theater costumes — Jenny McNee, costumer at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Va., and Emily Rohm, actress and designer in Bolinbrook, Ill. — shared their thought on and experiences with designing custom wedding gowns. …

Email is the main form of communication in the professional world, therefore it’s important to make sure your writing skills are up to par. Leave behind the LOLs and OMGs, emoticons and chat lingo. Use the good, old-fashioned style and grammar you were taught in school. It will make you look good and hopefully, you’ll get the response you were looking for.

Here are a few basic rules that may seem obvious, but are overlooked. …

Thinking about hosting a spring soiree? Why not gather your girlfriends for a good, old-fashioned Easter egg hunt? With just a few modifications, you can turn this traditional children’s activity into a holiday celebration your guests won’t soon forget.

March is Virginia Wine and Dine month, celebrating Love By The Glass across the commonwealth, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been enjoying an increased presence of Virginia wines in restaurants — and maybe have even stopped by an area vineyard to take a tour and tasting or relaxed on a terrace with a glass of sweet red. If you haven’t been, it’s not too late. With more than 200 wineries and vineyards in Virginia and a tradition of winemaking dating back four centuries, enjoying locally (and often sustainably) made wines is often as simple as a quick trip down the road. …

According to the good folks at the Guinness factory in Dublin, “Everyone’s Irish on March 17.” And what better way to celebrate being Irish than by throwing a St. Patrick’s Day party? So select your green attire, prepare the best Irish accent you can muster and read on for party planning details.

For many couples, an engagement photos session will be the first time they’ll have professional photos taken as a couple. Besides getting to show off what a great-looking pair you are, having engagement photos taken is an opportunity to get used to being in front of the camera — a daunting prospect for some — and to …

Valentine’s Day may have come and gone but there are plenty of other days this year to love on your man. Check out our picks for the special fella. 1. Petzl Head Lamp – for adventurous treks or late night dog walks 2. Rocky Top Soap Shop Manly Man Soap Set – handmade, all natural …

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse (although we really never need one) to host a girls’ night in; and part of the appeal is that such soirees can be thrown together at a moment’s notice. So this year, ditch the boys, gather your girlfriends and incorporate any or all of the activities outlined below to throw your own festive fete.