Photo courtesy of Oprah.com

It’s springtime, and it’s time to think about freshening things up. A new haircut? Some spunky highlights? Testing out great eyeshadow colors? Well, we have teamed up with Emily of Body Works Day Spa & Salon and Crystal of Crystal George Studios to bring you something fun and exciting… someone is getting a makeover and some beautiful photographs to go along with it!

What do you do? Well, you can either nominate yourself or another woman. Is there someone that inspires you that works hard, in fact too hard to take time to pamper herself? Why not nominate her for a fun day? Are you a stay-at-home-mom looking for a sassy, easy to maintain look? Why not enter yourself? So fun!

Photo courtesy of Essence.com

We are looking for women of ALL ages and ethnicities, so no holds barred. Here is what you have to do below, and we would like to close entries on June 1, 2012.

1. Write a short story about the person you are nominating and why she deserves a fun makeover (try to keep it short… under 300 words).

2. Submit a photo along with your story.

3. Email everything to info@theclutchguide.com on or by June 1, 2012.

It’s as easy as that. We are SO excited about doing this for a special lady, and we can’t wait to share the results with you!!

As soon as I was introduced to my first Nancy Drew book as a young girl, I was hooked. As the star of stories filled with suspense and anticipation, Nancy was level headed, smart and resourceful, much like her male counterpart, Frank Hardy of The Hardy Boys mysteries. Just like a thrilling novel, love can hold the same secrets of the unknown while causing feelings of intrigue. So, armed with the memories of staying up late at night to read the children’s mysteries and a love for books, I propose a twist of fate… a secret unlocked within the City of Seven Hills. Meet our Frank and Nancy, whose life together begins when the books debuted in the 1930s, as they play out their story at the Old Jones Memorial Library in the historic city of Lynchburg, Virginia.

This fourth installment in our weditorial postings focuses on the library itself… the actual room that housed the books, complete with lingering shelves, glass flooring and a mysterious feel. With scenes also set in the main hall and the attic, the feeling of mystery lingers on for Frank and Nancy. Enjoy!

As soon as I was introduced to my first Nancy Drew book as a young girl, I was hooked. As the star of stories filled with suspense and anticipation, Nancy was level headed, smart and resourceful, much like her male counterpart, Frank Hardy of The Hardy Boys mysteries. Just like a thrilling novel, love can hold the same secrets of the unknown while causing feelings of intrigue. So, armed with the memories of staying up late at night to read the children’s mysteries and a love for books, I propose a twist of fate… a secret unlocked within the City of Seven Hills. Meet our Frank and Nancy, whose life together begins when the books debuted in the 1930s, as they play out their story at the Old Jones Memorial Library in the historic city of Lynchburg, Virginia.

As a sidebar, I would also like to mention that our “models” are a real life couple… both local students who were dating at the time of our photo shoot, but they are now engaged. We like to think we had a little to do with their true to life love story, and we wish them many happy years together!

Ok, on to Frank and Nancy…

What do you think of when you hear New Orleans? A city that survived? A party that never ends? A place rich in history and architecture? Well, all three of those present themselves as a trifecta in this amazing wedding photographed by Crystal George of Crystal George Studios.

Like New Orleans, Emily and Courtney are a couple who had been through a lot as individuals before their life paths crossed, and this wedding has a Mardi Gras theme, creole style food and a building that has beautiful lines. It is also a great example of a DIY feast for the eyes!

Emily had each of her bridesmaids give her a pair of their own comfortable shoes to make over for the wedding, so she presented each of her attendants with an upcycled version of their shoes along with fun masks to wear. Their bouquets were also functional for the wedding, yet they were comprised of several pieces that could be worn as brooches and accessories long after the wedding was over. Being a hair and makeup artist, Emily also did the hair and makeup for herself and her bridesmaids… quite a task on her own wedding day!

Emily also wrote an article for the pages of clutch, the bride’s guide to have and to hold, and you can pick up a copy locally or click HERE to see more of her wedding photos and read her wedding story starting on page 64. Ok, enough reading. It’s time to enjoy this beautiful wedding.

Photography: Crystal George Studios

Hair and Makeup: Bodyworks Day Spa & Salon

Ceremony Venue: Grace Memorial Episcopal

Reception Venue: The Aviary

Bride’s Dress: Vera Wang at David’s Bridal (customized)

Maid’s Shoes & Masks: Customized by Bride

Cake: Family & Friends

Catering: Avenue Foods

Bouquets: Custom by Skull Fly

Decor: Kasey of Boudoir and Tabitha of Skull Fly

Band: Almost Brothers

Lighting: Castle Event Lighting

Videography: Lynchburg Live

Tux: Men’s Wearhouse

As soon as I was introduced to my first Nancy Drew book as a young girl, I was hooked. As the star of stories filled with suspense and anticipation, Nancy was level headed, smart and resourceful, much like her male counterpart, Frank Hardy of The Hardy Boys mysteries. Just like a thrilling novel, love can hold the same secrets of the unknown while causing feelings of intrigue. So, armed with the memories of staying up late at night to read the children’s mysteries and a love for books, I propose a twist of fate… a secret unlocked within the City of Seven Hills. Meet our Frank and Nancy, whose life together begins when the books debuted in the 1930s, as they play out their story at the Old Jones Memorial Library in the historic city of Lynchburg, Virginia.

In our first of four postings, we are focusing on the setting, which our vendors of Hill City Bride so thoughtfully put together at the library on Rivermont Avenue. Enjoy, and we hope that you can draw a few decor ideas of your own.