Monday, November 30, 2009

How Did Brooches Get To Be So Popular?

A Brief History of the Joy of Getting Pinned

Marina Fleurette Brooch, $64

The bejeweled brooch was an accessory that arose from a practical need to attach clothing in the same way we now rely on buttons or snaps.  During the Roman Empire they were used to secure tunics and cloaks, and in the Bronze Age they were encrusted with  gemstones.  Scandinavian women often used them to secure their traditional pinafores.  During the Victorian era, women enclosed pieces of human hair and engraved inscriptions  to memorialize a loved one.  Queen Victoria's love of jewelry helped inspire a wealth of designs from wreaths to insects.  During the roaring 1920s, the fashion world had its way with what the French call a "broche." a skewer, or long needle.  Top French jewelers such as Verdura, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chanel elevated these pieces to be haute couture accessories.

Anchor Vintage Brooch, $129

Whether they are costume or fine jewelry, use them to dress up a hat, shoes, evening bag, secure a shawl, adorn a coat, jacket, evening gown, sash, bouquet, or traditional collar.

Claudette Vintage Brooch, $98

Have any ideas you want to share on unique ways to wear a brooch?  Please share them with us! 

Maia Marquis Vintage Brooch, $88

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25 Perfect Presents - Part 25

In celebration of the upcoming holiday season, we've decided to help you shop for everyone on your list.  Here is our 25 part series on Perfect Presents.  We'll count down the days and show you one fabulous gift everyday until December 25th!



Today's gift....Monogram Book Marks.  Perfect for a teacher, bridesmaid, doorman, or any reader in your life, these sterling silver bookmarks can be monogrammed with your choice of initial and font.  $24 each.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Sale Wedding Shoes - Martinez Valero 50% Off

Just for our readers and fans of The Left Bank, we're pleased to let you in on a secret.  We have too many bridal shoes in the shop, so we're cleaning our our metaphorical closets and passing the savings onto you!  All of our remaining styles and colors of brand new Martinez Valero Shoes are 50% off.

We only have a limited selection of these current and brand new sizes, styles, and colors which means you'll have to act fast, but we're excited to be able to pass these savings onto you.  See the photos and size/color listed below for which shoes are available and call us (773-929-7422), email us (theleftbank{at}sbcglobal.net), or visit our website (leftbankjewelry.com) and mention you saw them on the blog to receive the sale price.  All these lovely shoes are first come, first serve, and final sale.  Shipping available.

5.5 White, 7 Ivory, 7.5 Ivory, 8.5 Ivory
$175   
Now $87.50

 
6 Ivory, 8 Ivory
$175
Now $87.50

 
8 White, 9 White, 9.5 White
$149
Now $74.50

 
7 Ivory
$149
Now $74.50

 
6.5 White, 7.5 White, 8.5 White, 9.5 White
$175
Now $87.50

Martinez Valero Letty
6.5 Ivory, 8.5 Ivory
$149
Now $74.50


Friday, November 27, 2009

Comment Contest Winner!

Say Congratulations to Naureen, the winner of our November Monthly Giveaway.  Thank you to everyone who commented.  Be sure to keep your eyes open for our December Giveaway.

Naureen, send us an email at theleftbank{at}sbcglobal.net and we can get your earrings to you!

NEW Wedding Shoes


Beautiful new wedding shoes from Pink Paradox London and Benjamin Adams.



Benjamin Adams "Bisset,"  $239





Benjamin Adams "Winslet," $239





Fabulous Low Heel Pink "Coral," $88



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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Big, Sparkly Bridal Earrings

Decadence, $129

Nothing says "Glamorous Bride" like a pair of big, beautiful, statement earrings.  Here are our top four picks for the bride who wants to feel like a star...there's no shortage of sparkle here!


Diamond Drops, $98

Tears of Joy, $64

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Monday, November 23, 2009

Pearl & Vintage Crystal Necklaces


Love vintage jewelry as much as we do?  Check out these new designs by a recently discovered designer, Penellibele.  These beautiful necklaces are made of Swarvoski pearls and vintage crystal pieces.  These one of a kind necklaces are like a gorgeous pearl necklace with built in bling!  Perfect for a classic, sophisticated bride.  Penellibelle creates custom pieces, so if you already have a treasured brooch or crystal piece, drop by The Left Bank for and let us help you create unique.  Above, The Jeweled, $299 (SOLD)




Twilight Oleander, $279 (SOLD)




TheWindsor, $299 (SOLD)

Check out more One of a Kind Pieces that are still available on our website.

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Friday, November 20, 2009

Organic Bridal Necklace by Meg Jewelry


In honor of our MEG Jewelry trunk show, we wanted to show you a fabulous, new wedding necklace from her 2010 bridal collection.  Meet the "Roxy" Necklace.  We love this organic feeling piece.  A stunning 16" long drapy necklace, is made of brilliant briolettes, silver backed Swarvoski crystals, grey shade stones, fireballs, clear crystals, and droplets of silver.  The "Roxy" is a petite, and at $299, much more afordable version of Meg's stunning "Roxanne" necklace.  It's a fabulous way to make a statement and perfect for the glamorous bride.



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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Inexpensive Bridesmaid Sets


Want to treat your bridesmaids to a fabulous gift without over extending your budget?   We've found some great jewelry sets your girls and your pocket book will love.  See our three favorite selections for budget friendly bridesmaid sets.  Above, custom designed Meg Jewelry in eleven different colors.  Shown on the right, above "Snow" necklace, $58, and "Joen" earrings shown in Paprika, $42.  On the left, "Mini Isabelle" neckalce, $49, and "Mini Isabelle" earrings $48, shown in Olivine Green.


Crystal Ball Set.  Colored pearls with fireballs available in nine colors, Dark Ivory, Grey, Lilac, Rum Taupe, Ivory, Peach, Pink, White, and Champagne.  Necklace, earrings, and bracelet set $78.  Mix and match available at sold seperately prices, Necklace $56, Earrings $28, or Bracelet $28.



Colored Crystal necklace and earrings available in four colors.  Purple, Champagne, Dark Grey, and Blue.  Earrings $24, and bracelet $29.

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Monday, November 16, 2009

Meet the Designer - Meg Lammers

Welcome to our new series, "Meet the Designer."  Now you can learn a little more about the fabulous designers we work with and just why we like them so much.  Kicking off our brand new series is Meg Lammers of MEG Jewelry.  We've been so fortunate to be the exclusive Chicago retailer of MEG jewelry and getting to know her has been great fun.

Meg, 3rd from left, and The Left Bank Ladies at the DEBI Awards.

Meg hails from the beautiful rivertown of Guttenberg, Iowa. Her studio is perched high above a serene landscape overlooking the winding Mississippi River.

She's been an accessories kind of girl from a very early age and turned her passion for creating one-of-a-kind jewelry when she opened Bella Jewels in 2001 in picturesque Galena, Illinois. During this time she saw a need for beautiful and fashionable bridal jewelry. Determined to fill this need, she set out to create perfect bridal accessories for woman across the world and in 2003, MEG Jewelry LLC was born! Her designs complement the woman, her personal style, and the gown. Meg's pieces are created with the highest quality components, made in an eco friendly environment in the U.S.A, and they are affordable as well. Her goal was to design bridal jewelry that could be worn after the wedding day and give the bride a reminder of her special day, and give the bridesmaids a gift to cherish.



Meg's inspirations have always been nature, history, fashion eras and women from all over the world.  Her latest collection is fun and flirty with bold influences. Think of a modern Mae West who once said, "better to be looked over than overlooked."  Come see the new collection and meet Meg as we welcome her back to our boutique on November 21-22, 2009 to showcase her sparkling 2010 collection.

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Win FREE Earrings - Our Montly Giveaway


Welcome to our first of many monthly giveaways!  Every month we'll be giving away a fabulous piece of jewelry or chic accessory to some of our great readers. 

For our November giveaway, we'll be gifting these gorgeous gold faux topaz earrings.  Topaz happens to be the birthstone for November.  It's golden color ranges from a deep yellow to cognac and was believed by the Egyptians to be the glow cast by the sun god Ra.  Its magical powers are said to strengthen one’s capacity to give and receive love and symbolize friendship.  Perfect for fall, these golden earrings are a mélange of light and dark topaz.

How to Win - To win, leave a comment on any, or every, blog post between (now) Monday, November 16th, 2009 and Monday, November 23rd.  Don't forget to leave your name..."anonymous" can't be a winner.  We'll select a winner at random.  Check back on Friday the 28th to see if we picked you!  The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win.

Happy Commenting!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Ribbon Bridal Headpieces



Ribbons are one of the sweetest and most romantic bridal looks, perfect for placing atop your head.  They're a fabulous alternative to the traditional veil, or a great way to change your look for the reception.   Choose a ribbon in a dress matching ivory or white, or be bold and use one of your accent colors or a pretty baby blue as your "something blue."  Above, Bride's Head Revisited Satin Ribbon Headband, $199.


This beautiful piece has a slip out ribbon, perfect for switching to a different color after the ceremony, or changing to a black ribbon for your first night out as a married couple.  Completely rewearable. 
Deco Filigree Ribbonette, $199


Repurpose this beautiful double sided embroidered ribbon as a sash, ribbon belt, or choker.
Embroidered Silk Bandeau, Jessica Sash, $298

Love it? Want one for yourself?  Contact us to purchase at anytime.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Pearl and Rhinestone Jewelry - Earrings


Is it okay to mix pearl and cystal or rhinestones?  Of course!  Even if your dress has crystal beading or no pearls on it, you can usually always add some pearl.  Here are some of our favorite earrings that have a touch of pearl and a touch of crystal.  Above, Flower Pearl Studs, $54.




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Monday, November 9, 2009

Escort Cards vs. Place Cards



So many cards...what do they all mean?

An escort card lists the guest and their spouse or date and contains their table assignment. Sometimes cards with table numbers are place inside petite envelopes with the guests' names on them for easy switching in case Aunt Winnie sits at table five instead of table nine.

A place card sits at each place setting on the reception tables letting guests know where they should sit at the table.

Don’t care where guests sit after they get to the table? It’s perfectly acceptable to skip the place cards and let them choose their seat at the table. Just make sure the wait staff knows how many place settings each table needs.



Friday, November 6, 2009

Big Brooches

Need some bling that's bigger than your average brooch?  See our choices for brooches that make a statement.  Perfect for embelishing that bridesmaid dress, bouquet, or sash.  Above, the Bouquet Brooch, $68. 

Starburst, $68

Ribbon Twist, $68

Flower & Pearls, $68

Crystal Spray, $68


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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Feather Haircombs - Part Two

More beautiful haircombs with feathers for a fun, flirty bridal look...

Natosha Hairpins by Sara Gabriel, set of three, $209

Petite Vintage Brooch Haircomb, $98

Clarice Headband, $149

Bow Accent Clip, $72

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