Would You Wear a Knock-Off Wedding Dress?

It's wedding season! I do love this time of year, and even though I got married a few months ago I still find myself reaching for the latest CS Brides. (Chicago Brides: if you haven't grabbed a copy of this magazine, you absolutely should.)

We all know that finding that perfect dress ranks as one of the most important parts of planning your big day. But I read something today that produced a very extreme eye roll: Lord & Taylor is now selling knock-offs of Kate and Pippa's Royal Wedding ensembles.

The Royal Affair Collection

(I'd like to preface this with saying that I think the Duchess looked absolutely stunning in both her dresses, and her sister looked fabulous. I was actually surprised she was allowed to look that fabulous.)

I know that when a celebrity wears a showstopping dress, it sets a new trend and stores begin selling items inspired by the original. But an exact replica?! Everyone should be complimenting YOU on your wedding day; not discussing another bride's dress.

Desgined by ABS by Allen Schwartz, a retailer already famous for Oscar dress replicas, Lord & Taylor will begin selling these dresses in mid-July. The "Kate Bridal" dress will retail for $1,100, the "Catherine" second wedding dress will go for $450 and Pippa's maid-of-honor dress will sell for $390.

Ladies, what do you think of these dresses?


It's a "Zombie Lilacs Air Sex" Kind of Weekend

Royal Wedding events seem to be the big thang this weekend, but there is life after Will & Kate. (Although I'm currently obsessed with watching footage of the wedding.)

Unfortunately it appears Chicago is in for another rainy weekend, so try one of these fun activities to try to help cure that MAD case of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Zombie Pub Crawl - Saturday, April 30 2:30 p.m.
I'm not one to rip my clothes and spend hours perfecting that "un-dead" look, but watching a zombie pub crawl would be pretty damn entertaining. This hugely popular event will hit Andersonville tomorrow and day-of participants will pay $25. Don't have the right eyeliner to match your gaping wounds? Fantasy Costumes is providing zombie crawlers with a 20 percent off coupon.

Tim Meadows @ iO - Sunday, May 1 10:00 p.m.
If you haven't been to iO yet, this is the show to go to. Tim Meadows will perform with Second City veterans in Uncle's Brother, Meadows' popular iO LA show. Tickets are $10, and if I were you I would reserve them ASAP.

Air Sex Championship at The Empty Bottle - Saturday, April 30 11:59 p.m.
Yeah, it's what you think it is. Bring your own music and costumes. Be the best at fake doin' it, and you could win a prize. $10 admission.

The Lilac Festival - May 1 - 15
I am NOT a fan of the suburbs, and I try to stay in the city as much as possible. However, there are a few events that will compell me to spend my freetime in suburbia. The Lilac Festival is one of my favorite events because Lilacia Park is gorgeous, and the giftshop is full of the most awesome kitschy crap you'll ever find. I also like to pretend I'm a photographer, and the Lilac Festival makes it easy to take amazing photos.

Unfortunately this crappy weather is probably going to put a damper on the lilac blooms, but hopefully it won't be too bad. Here are some of the photos I've taken in years passed.

I think I'm developing Royal Wedding Fever

I have to admit, I'm getting excited for the Royal Wedding. I thought for sure I'd have to reach for my vomit bag, but I find myself obsessively absorbing the details of the ceremony and reception.

Chicago has plenty of ways to celebrate the Windsor nuptials, but there are only a few worth going to. (The rest are just 'let's put the wedding footage on our TVs and make crappy themed cocktails.')

If you're a fancy lady...
My favorite of the bunch is the Royal Wedding Tea Party at The Drake Hotel. First, hats and gloves are required, which is fabulous. Attendees will experience the traditional high tea while watching royal wedding footage and enjoying live harp music floating in the background. There are two seatings, noon and 3:30 p.m., each with a fashion show. You can also take a tour of The Presidential Suite 550 where Princess Diana stayed during her visit to Chicago. Tickets are $35, and you need reservations.

If this wasn't smack in the middle of the day I would absolutely be there!

If you just want a cocktail...
For those of you who WANT the bar celebration, I would highly recommend the Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club. This venue is awesome to begin with, but toss in royal wedding footage played on their huge projection screens and some hot drag queen diva performances, and you're gold. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night, and for $30 you'll get a two-course meal and (of course) a themed martini.

If you're a royal wedding fanatic...
Hotels LOVE to create packages to tie in to Chicago events, but they're usually just an overnight stay, breakfast and tickets to whatever event. The Park Hyatt Chicago, however, has created the NUTS “A Touch of Royalty” package. Guests will get "sweets and treats" (don't know what that means), a horse drawn carriage ride, two "Kiss-Me Kate-inis", two “No More Waity, Katie” nail lacquers by Butter London and two tickets to The Art Institute of Chicago’s “Kings, Queens, and Courtiers” exhibit. But there's more! You'll also get a 4:30 a.m.wake-up so you can watch the wedding live AND an English breakfast in bed. What?!

Just for fun, here is an homage of awesome hats:

BTW I'm in love with the "No More Waity, Katie" polish from Butter London, and I think my own personal royal wedding treat will be spending $21 on nail polish. ($14 plus shipping from the UK)

The Grande Dame of Royal Wedding Memorabilia

Sweet baby Jesus this is NUTS! There is a royal wedding commemorative refrigerator!

This wedding has gotten the Brits so worked up that GE is offering a legit, 5'9" side-by-side fridge freezer adorned with one of Will and Kate's official engagement photos. How did this come to be? GE's UK Facebook fans were asked what they would like to see on one of the company's new customizable appliances.

I can't handle it!

For When You Need to "Throne Up"

Priceless!!! If I were a Brit I'd probably be so annoyed by all the royal wedding hype too. British graphic designer Lydia Leith has created this perfect addition to your Will & Kate collection.

Introducing the Royal Wedding Sick Bag, available in bold shades of blue and red. If you find yourself feeling a little nauseated on April 29, just reach for one of these bad boys.

A Modern Glass Slipper

I have a new obsession. I'm loving all of the stupid kitschy Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding memorabilia. I mean, the royal condoms are hilarious, but that's a gag gift. This is for real!

My first float in the parade of royal wedding crap is this delightful pair of Keds.

 

Have you been wishing that you were in Miss Middleton's shoes? These slip-on sneakers are the next best thing! Truly fit for any princess, they're both comfortable and lovely. Wearing these are an absolute must as you watch the royal wedding on TV, sitting on your cat hair-covered couch in your snuggy, drinking Yoo-hoo. And if you're looking for a more subtle nuptial display, be sure to check out this pair.

Stay tuned for many more monarchy-inspired memorabilia...

Lie Back and Think of England

The royal cash cow that is the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton has reached a new height: souvenir condoms. This requires no commentary. Simple read the product description below, and be prepared to be amazed.

To celebrate the engagement of Prince William of Wales to Ms. Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, Crown Jewels Condoms of Distinction has commissioned a unique heritage edition Royal Wedding Souvenir boîte de capotes.

Combining the strength of a Prince with the yielding sensitivity of a Princess-to-be, Crown Jewels condoms promise a royal union of pleasure. Truly a King amongst Condoms.

• Presented in a timeless souvenir heirloom collector's box.
• Contains three individually wrapped condoms.
• Includes a collectable portrait of the Royal Couple as they might appear on their wedding day – exclusively created for Crown Jewels.

To purchase our fine condoms, click here.

To stock Crown Jewels in your own emporium, inquire here.

Crown Jewels Royal Wedding Souvenir Condoms are not supplied to, or approved by, Prince William of Wales, Catherine Middleton or any member of the Royal Family.

Crown Jewels Royal Wedding Souvenir Condoms are a novelty condom not suitable for contraception or protection against STDs.