If one of the most famous Water Dragons is an indicator for this season, it’s Mae West. Full of energy and creativity, it’s hard to find another woman quite like her. And that’s exactly how most Dragons prefer to be – incomparable. Therefore, the Water Dragon will inspire looks that frame the face and accentuate the body. Why? Well, the truest of Dragons prefer the plainest looks because many cannot be bothered with the fuss of buttons and bows. Dragons select clothes that are no-nonsense and never distract from their conversation.  The base of looks will be simple and clean – the perfect canvas for lots of accessories or the simple additional detail. But whatever you choose, don’t over think it. The Dragon’s look is easy and natural. The element of Water will make looks more relaxed and less severe. With the Dragon’s natural connection to the spring season, colors will be especially vibrant, with primary colors, true greens and distinct contrast.

It's almost 2012, and we're less than a month from the Year of the Water Dragon! Lunar new year is January 23, 2012. Stay tuned for more discussion of the coming Dragon Year.

Yesterday, the always elegant Anne Hathaway got engaged. I'm not only excited for her and the fun that comes planning a wedding, but also selfishly for me because I can't wait to see her dress. :) Anne is born in the Year of the Dog, which makes her a Guardian Bride. We saw a fantastic example of Guardian Bride fashion this year with the wedding of Kate and Will. Congratulations to Anne and look forward to a beautiful wedding in 2012 - the Year of the Dragon!

Wedding feng shui can inspire thoughtful gifts for the fabulous women (or men) who’ve played a big role in your wedding.  The best gifts show appreciation by inspiring friends to follow their dreams and goals in life.  Here are some suggestions (and an inspired Polyvore collage below) that go beyond the literal expressions of the five elements of feng shui that can inject some symbolic good wishes to your bridal entourage.

Wood: Green represents the natural energy of wood.  Apart from beautiful flowers and plants as gifts, vertical lines and tall shapes represent this element and have the added benefit of inspiring your fashionable friend to be ambitious and pursue bigger and better things.

Fire: Red is synonymous with the strong spirit of fire, but so do geometric patterns such as stars, jagged lines and triangles.  Gifts with these design elements represent the fiery spirit of a dynamic friend.  

Earth: Browns and yellows represent the grounding effect of the Earth element.  Items that include horizontal lines and square shapes can help a loved one find more focus in her busy life and connect better with others.

Metal: White and metallic pieces symbolize the metal element.  If you have a friend who is looking for stability and needs encouragement, choose items that have circular elements as a feng shui hug.  

Water: Blues and greys represent the healing power of water.  Give the gift of creativity and inspiration with accessories that showcase abstract shapes, wavy 

Mid-Autumn festival always brings wonderful desserts - the traditional, and increasingly more modern options for celebrating the season. I wrote last about my favorite dessert this past month to make its debut in Singapore - Canele's Limited Edition Mid-Autumn Asian Macarons. It was the perfect fusion of Asian flavors with the beautifully simple and delicious macaron. This would be a great way to bring in a bit of Asian flare to a dessert table at your wedding. Check out the flavors and descriptions below from Canele's catalogue for inspiration. (My personal favorite was the Gula Melaka aka Palm Sugar. In my opinion, Gula Melaka makes everything better.) And, if you're in the mood to try making them yourself, here's a Macaron tutorial from the always helpful Martha Stewart. 

My favorite dessert time of the year is Mid-Autumn because I don't think there's anything better than mooncakes! Every year the options get more and more creative - great inspiration for a bride looking for some culinary excitement for her dessert table or flavor inspiration for the wedding cake.

I've only begun making my list of what I'll be tasting this year, but I've already seen some great new uses of texture (crunch from toasted rice and nut brittles) as well as chewy new fruit blends. The most exciting debut has to be Canele's Limited Edition Asian Macarons. I literally cannot wait for my order to arrive. From Gula Malaka to Lychee-Yuzu inspirations, the macarons look beautiful, and I wish I could have something like this for my guests at my wedding. Stay tuned for a review of the Mid-Autumn taste test.

I'm excited to announce that the Knot's Chinese weddings site now features Wedding Feng Shui as a site they love, and the feeling’s mutual. :) Of course, every bride knows of the Knot as a great resource, and their Chinese site is a great bridal resource for ideas and info on Chinese themed weddings. We've been collaborating over the past few months on articles based on Wedding Feng Shui. Check out the site by clicking here for more inspiration on Chinese-inspired weddings! 

While I was walking down Orchard Road in Singapore, I saw this set of symbolic wedding pendants and thought Wedding Feng Shui readers would appreciate it. (Full disclosure: I don't have any relationships to Poh Heng Jewellery. I sincerely thought these were beautiful and wanted to share it.) In Wedding Feng Shui, I talk a fair amount about Chinese wedding symbolism and really enjoyed writing about the meaning of the various wedding gifts given to the bride and groom which also serve as well-wishes for their new life together - happiness, prosperity and children. The Poh Heng matrimonial set is a creation of charms some of the most popular items such as the ruler which symbolizes abundance and plenty, scissors for a long-lasting marriage and mirror which brings good luck. Here's a link to the full collection. I think these eight charms would come together into a lovely charm bracelet - and a very lucky number too. Can't beat that. Stay tuned for more wedding finds as I start posting some of my shopping adventures in Asia. As always, if you have any recommendations or questions, feel free to contact me via facebook, email or twitter @weddingfengshui.

It’s not easy keeping up with Kim Kardashian, and that’s just how she wants it to be. Just as the Royal Wedding fever has died down, there’s another wedding extravaganza to count down for – the big day for Kim Kardashian and her sports star fiancée, Kris Humphries. Kim is no stranger to the limelight, so what can we expect for her upcoming big day?

According to Chinese Astrology, Kim was born in the year of the Monkey, a sign known for its playful sense of mischief as well as its mind for business. In Wedding Feng Shui, this sign is known as the Innovator Bride. These ladies love to express their individuality and stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s intricate beading or daring necklines, Innovator Brides like to set trends, not copy them. They’re rather cunning about it too, so expect Kim to go to great lengths to make her dress a showstopper. Innovator Brides like Kim are often criticized for being opportunistic and, dare I say, vain. But, that’s where this sign is misunderstood. While Monkeys are certainly not known for modesty, they are the very definition of confidence, and their fans love them for it. Innovator Brides know what they’re good at and are quite skilled at focusing on it. Fittingly, Kim shares the good company of the glamorous Diana Ross and the late great Elizabeth Taylor who knew a thing or two about bling herself. Innovator Brides believe in making a statement. Their absolute nightmare isn’t being named worst dressed - it’s not being named at all.

An ambitious woman like Kim needs the right combination of support from a husband, and she may have found it in Kris Humphries. Kris is born in the year of the Rat, the Initiator Groom, which is known for working well with Kim’s native sign. Hard working and intensely loyal to family, the Rat native admires the quick-witted Monkey and is comfortable with playing a supporting role rather than a lead. (Interestingly enough, Kim’s younger sister Khloe shares the same sign.) Innovator Brides like Kim enjoy the VIP treatment and, it’s practically impossible to smother them when they’re in love. Luckily enough, Initiators like Kris are known for getting special joy out of spoiling their princesses. Can we say 20.5-carat engagement ring?

Kim’s Wedding Feng Shui profile forecasts big and boastful flowers like hydrangeas and metallic accents. As Innovator Brides are natural entrepreneurs, Kim is already ten steps ahead when it comes to capitalizing on her big day. It’s only natural. With Kim’s popular presence on reality shows, endorsements, and a background in retail, Kim knows her wedding has the opportunity to influence many other brides. But, we shouldn’t let the camera-ready scene trick us into it believing we’re seeing it all. Innovator Brides are die-hard romantics to the point of childlike naïveté, and they prefer to keep this part of them a secret. There is bound to be a private ceremony or secret getaway that the couple is planning, with their wedding day as the ultimate diversion.