ShopStyle and the digital paper dolls
So, I've never really understood the whole "inspiration board" thing. I guess I'm just not a collage maker, so organizing my wedding ideas that way just didn't appeal to me.
Evidently, however, I DO like to play with dolls, because I've recently been sucked into ShopStyle, which essentially lets you create "Looks" based on their big ol' catalog of clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc.
It sounds silly even to a superficialite like myself, but OMG, I've lost several hours of my life to creating Offbeat Bride Looks:
The nice thing about ShopStyle is that, unlike most of the inspiration on Offbeat Bride (where people ask "Where did they get that?" and I usually shrug "I dunno."), if you see something you like in my Looks, you can click it to learn more! Granted, much of the stuff is stupid expensive (we're talking thousand dollar earrings and dresses that cost more than my car) so I'm definitely not suggesting anyone buy any of it, but still it's nice that you can learn more about stuff.
But UG. SO MUCH FUN to play with. And of course I had to start an Offbeat Brides group on ShopStyle where, if you want to make your own Offbeat Bride Looks, you can share them. I LOVE some of the ones that are coming in:
Of course my personal fave is Rainbrow Brite and the Maids of Awesome:
Now, someone stop me. MUST! STOP! PLAYING!
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About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.










Nikki said
Oh goodness, I really needed something else to distract me from actually WORKING!
Taylor said
Woah addictive. This is site is so much fun! It's great to see the fun themes and wedding fashion concepts people are coming up with. Great find! Thank you for letting us know!….I think
Jennifer said
I have those Tsubo shoes in olive-y green, and they. are. AWESOME. (I also see that they're sold out.)
Meghan said
I've never heard of ShopStyle, but I'm addicted to Polyvore! I love that you can add your own images (with some limitations) into Polyvore.
Sara said
Ariel… I've been doing this for 5 hours…
I can't stop making pretty things!
Tamera said
I would definitely recommend Polyvore over that site. It's a wealth of images and really unlimited because you can add your own from any website (or your own personal photos).
Anyway, love your sets! They look great =)
Ashley said
I second this recommendation heartily! But… one word of caution… polyvore is VERY fun and addictive! ^_^
Example… http://www.polyvore.com/wedding_party_in_bavaria/…
AmandaCaleb said
Me too, and I just made a set to show my bridesmaids a few days ago
bridesmaid guide by apoidea
OffbeatAriel said
You can add your own images to ShopStyle too.
amber m said
Hey Ariel – I'd like to volunteer to be your dress up doll. kthxbye.
CrazyShi said
Wow I'm going to have to check this out
lalaland_mamma said
This is so awesome. I love getting different ideas that I can make my own. So much fun!
Alexandra said
This is so much fun. I used something like this to plan MY weding
it was called Polyvore.com
It is so addicting! After my wedding I just started making random outfits
I couldnt stop!