Wedding Lovelies

Dennis Viera Photography, The Treasured Petal florals

Katherine O Photo

Erica Berger Photography

Erica Berger Photography via Bride Sophisticate

Joy Marie Photography

Shawn Connell for Christian Oth Studio

via Style Me Pretty

Cupcakes Take the Cake, feat. texturl

Boutwell Studio + Jill La Fleur planning, on The Bride's Cafe

Once Wed, featuring Umee Honolulu, Dolci Odille,  Nancy Neil Photography,

Steep Street Photography, Our Labor of Love Photography

Beloved Photography

With all these wedding lovelies, the only highlight today I have is this simple message: love yourself, as much as you love your loved one.

Okay, and this, which I "wear" on my car every day (and can't find for sale anymore, but love....).

Little Luxuries in Purple

VieModerne

5eizen

KissCurl

Mollusa

Break the Cycle: a national organization that focuses on addressing teen dating violence.  Based out of offices in LA and DC, they have improved the lives of more than 150,000 youth nationwide. They try to reach youth from every direction, in every stage of their dating lives, and focus on providing:

• preventive education (an evidence-based program teaching teens to recognize that they have the right to safe and healthy relationships; what is domestic violence and what is a healthy relationships; and the law);
• encouragement for youth activism through raising awareness about dating violence among their peers, offering a web-based tool-kit to raise awareness; and
• fostering systemic change through advocacy and intervention, by providing an online community for teens seeking help; offering technical assistance to local support organizations and schools; and explaining how a person can influence policy.

From Break the Cycle's website:

• One in three teens will experience abuse in a dating relationship and two-thirds of them will never report it to anyone. Dating violence is not just dangerous, it is devastating to a young person’s health and safety.
• The effects of dating violence are long-lasting. Teens who experience abuse in relationships act out exhibiting higher rates of drug abuse, school drop-out, high-risk sexual behavior, acts of violence and suicide.

Purple Glam

Metrofashion Studio sketch

(c) Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Nicollette Sheridan in Angel Sanchez

Posh Girl Vintage

(c) Theo Wargo/Getty Images North America

Marchesa Spring 2010, via zimbio

Oliva Wilde & Rumer Willis in Reem Acra, via Bloomacious

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: this is one big powerhouse, with a lot of programs + in-house teams to focus on a lot of sub-issues in the DV area; to provide support to state and local DV organizations and groups; and to impact legislation. 
Neat programs/partnerships they have:
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Support (CRS) Program, the only direct-service program they offer to survivors, specifically targeting those who have been physically scarred by an intimate partner or spouse.  Partnered with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and American Society of Dermatological Surgery, NCADV offers survivors the opportunity to remove those physical scars. 

Remember my Name: an ongoing project dedicated to compiling the names of women and family members killed as a result of domestic violence, and producing posters annually to display the names of victims and building a comprehensive database on cases of lethal domestic violence. [At the time I'm drafting this, it can be seen here.]

Featured statistics from the org:

• Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. (U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Intimate Partner Violence in the United States,” December 2006.)
• There are 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million (medically treated) injuries due to intimate partner violence annually, which costs $37 billion. (The Cost of Violence in the United States. 2007. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control. Atlanta, GA.)

Purple Love

tree stump gnomes by IllustrationByGosia;

eggplant tutu by ILuvUTutu

The Sage Leaves (grey + eggplant) clutch by notes

photograph by Erin Tyner

Pencil box by SymetriColour

invitation suite by buddyandbean

What, pretties AND learning?  Why yes, that *is* fabulous!
Seriously, though, in the spirit of this month, I'll be posting a weekly double feature of lovely purple items, followed with a highlight of a terrific organization that fights domestic violence.  Enjoy the lovelies, and hopefully learning a bit more about what's out there for those who need it.

pearl + leaf earrings (with 50% of proceeds to DV victims in rural ares) by thepiperandthepea

Plum leather journal by PeaseBlossomStudio

Cherry Nesting Bowls by palumba (okay, not purple, but pretty!)

Lace tee newduds

wood-handled purse by littleteaparty

pale lavendar stone necklace by anotherfeather

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−SAFE (7233)
TTY number, 1-800-787-3224, to find programs and services prepared to help the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing.

Help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services. If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Featured statistics on this organization's website:

• 
  
  Four million women are abused each year by their partner.
  
• 
  
  500,000 are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing.
  
• 
  
  From the 2004 Allstate Foundation National Poll on Domestic Violence, 74% of respondents said they perosnally know someone who is hor has been a victim of domestic violence.