Trendy Bridesmaid Hairpieces

Surprise your Bridesmaids and best friends by letting them wear hair accessories that are current, hip, and fun. We're loving the 2010 runway trends of chic, petite hatlets, chapeaus, and fascinators. Your girls will look great walking down the aisle in matching crystal accented ribbon barrettes (above) or fabric wrapped Fleurette headbands (below). They're available in assorted colors and at only $22 each, will guarantee your bridesmaids will be a fashionable bunch!

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Sneak Peak - NEW Wedding Shoe by Angela Nuran

Angela Nuran Debuts Brand New Wedding Shoe!

This weekend at the Chicago National Bridal Market, shoe designer and ballroom instructor, Angela Nuran will unveil her brand new shoe design. Since we loved her first ultra comfy bridal shoe so much, we wanted to give our readers a special sneak peak at her newest design!

Meet Astoria. This new Angela Nuran wedding shoe has all the great features of her first design, Eternity, like the "pillow top" padding, flexible front, and drop in ankle strap. Plus, this new shoe features a slimmer heel and art deco inspired toe closure. Just like the Eternity, Astoria is fully adjustable. It features three separate holes all covered by the crystal encrusted toe piece.

Astoria comes in bridal white, ivory, and black silk fabric in either a 2.5" heel or a 3.5" heel. We expect them to be in stock in December of this year. $249.  But we still have her original super comfy shoe Eternity in stock to try on for only $229, or you can buy them at our site here.

Can't wait that long to see them? Check them out in person at Angela Nuran's First Dance Masterclass this Monday, October 5th. Starting at 6:30, you can see the shoes, sip champagne, and learn how to twirl in style with your groom at whiteCHICAGO. There are still a few spots available. Call 773.929.7422 to take advantage of our special price, $50 per couple. Find out more details here.

How to Wear Wedge Wedding Shoes

Colorifics Victoria (bottom), Pink Cherry, Grace Brooke

Wedge platform heels are back in fashion. They can be a comfortable alternative to traditional wedding shoes for the bride and bridesmaids alike, but the trick is figuring out how to avoid a sprained ankle. Edmundo Castillo, an award winning shoe designer for Sergio Rossi, offers these tips to Marie Claire..."Platforms can be difficult because they don't flex in front. A tight fit helps, so buy Foot Petals or an insole for heels. And as with any high shoes, always step on the ball of the foot and roll to the toe."
We couldn't agree more, in fact, we recommend foot petals to brides regardless of shoe style. Foot Petals' Tip Toes (pictured below) are made from Poron performance urethanes and protect the balls of your feet by providing extra cushion where you need it most. They'll keep you comfy all night long, and at only $6.95, they'll keep your wallet comfy too!

Can My Bridesmaids Wear Black?

Photo by 5th Floor Photography

Absolutely. Black is a very chic and formal color and totally acceptable for bridesmaids now. Your groomsmen wear black, so why not let your girls wear black too. 

Nervous about all black? Opt for a contrasting sash in your wedding colors or have the girls wear colored earrings or necklaces. Don’t forget they’ll have colorful bouquets to hold too. 

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Gifts for the Bride to Be

Looking for a gift to pamper the bride to be? Whether big or small, bachelorette or birthday, she's sure to appreciate any gift to make her feel special during this exciting, although somewhat stressful, time.

Clockwise from bottom left:
Gianna Rose Linen Scented Candle, $24
Merci Beaucoup Thank You Notes, set of 6, $16
Bon Chic Soy Travel Candle, assorted scents, $13.50
Handmade "Bride to Be" Crown, $39
Lovebird "With this Ring" Holder by Mindy Weiss, $21
White Lace Hanky, $36
Ivory Floral Lace Hanky, $48
Chinese Lantern Matchbox, $6

Big Bridal Bling - Giant Stones for Your Wedding Day

If there's ever a day to incorporate the motto "go big or go home," it's your wedding day. Big bling with lots of sparkle is the perfect way to show the world you're the bride. Love the idea of giant stones being part of your bridal look? Check out some of our favorite giant gems.

Clockwise from bottom Left:
Trillium Cuff $98
Decadence Petite Cushion Cut Bracelet by Haute Bride $169
Patricia Ribbon Bracelet by MEG $175
Emerald Cut Drop Earrings $88
Austrian Crystal Drop Earrings $64

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Avant Bride Mini Trunk Show

What is a mini trunk show? We'll tell you! Designer Ellen Hunter of Avant Bride New York City just shipped us a wonderful selection of her latest bridal hairpieces and asked us to preview them before her collection debuts at The New York Couture Bridal Market in October. We love them, so we're keeping it in the store a little while for our fabulous brides! Come visit these fabulous pieces from Saturday, September 19th through Wednesday, September 23rd!

Ellen wanted to provide something new and fresh for brides around the country, so she created Avant Bride NYC, a line inspired by the elements of nature. Her pieces echo the feelings of the old world using jeweled leaves, branches, and dew drops. She creates these vintage inspired bridal baubles using channel settings, hand painted flowers, marquis cut Swarovski crystals and antique plating. Best of all? Everything is completely customizable.

Our photos don't do Ellen's beautiful pieces justice. Make sure you stop by The Left Bank Jewelry in Chicago to see these goodies in person or give us a call for more details?

5 Tips for Being a Better Bridesmaid

Be A Better Bridesmaid in 5 Steps

Photo by 5th Floor Photography

1. RSVP to all your events. You know you’re going to the reception, but fill out your card and pop it in the mail anyway. The bride already paid for the stamp, plus you might have to select an entrée.

2. Keep the lines of communication open. Respond to your fellow bridesmaids’ and the bride’s emails in a timely fashion.

3. Pay up! Owe the Maid of Honor money? Write your check asap to make everyone’s wedding weekend smoother.

4. Call the bride just to say hi. A no pressure check in lets her know you’re there if she needs you.

5. Don’t bitch to the bride. Hate your dress? Loathe the Junior Bridesmaid? Keep it to yourself or find a friend who’s not in the wedding to complain to.

Tips for Ordering the Right Size Wedding Shoe

Whether you're a bride or a bridesmaid, finding the right wedding shoes can be tricky. Keep these simple tips in mind when you're searching for shoes to make your shopping as enjoyable as possible.

*Don't wait until the last minute. Shoes might need to be ordered in for you in better size and color. Especially if you're searching for a summer wedding, which is the most popular time, shoes may become back ordered with the manufacturer.

*Go later in the day. Feet tend to slightly swell throughout the day and going later ensures that the footwear will fit you at your "widest."

*Ask for help. Go to a shop that has a large selection and personal service. Give your associate the size you normally wear and be open to suggestions.

*Try on the shoes you're interested in, or at least try on shoes by the same designer. Each one is different and sizes aren't standard.

*If you can't make it to a shop to try shoes on, check out the designer's website for a size chart and measure your foot.

*Don't by the wrong size because you think your feet will "swell" or the shoes will "stretch out" If your shoes are too big, you will be uncomfortable.

*Always try on both shoes. Everyone's feet are naturally slightly different, so it's important to feel them on both feet.

*Have fun and don't get too serious. Shoes should always been fabulous and fun.

Any other tips you think we missed or things that helped you shoe shop?

Bridesmaid Gift Bags

Your bridesmaids are your tried and true go to girls during your wedding. Say thank you the right way, by gifting them with treasures they will adore. Your girls will love a beautiful jewelry roll stuffed with gifts they can use again and again. Here are our suggestions, clockwise from the bottom left.

Sugar Ball Double Necklace, gold or silver, $36
Silk Jewelry Pouches, pink, lilac, or black, $11 each (in a set of 2 for $22)
Crystal Hoop Earrings, gold or silver, assorted sizes, $16
Pansy Hair Pins, set of 3, $18
Mosaic Mirror Compact, $16
Merci Bien Match Book, $6
Seda France Travel Candle Tin, assorted scents, $8.50
Shoe Charm Bracelet, $46
Colored Crystal Bling Ring, assorted colors, $10

The grand total? $167.50. Even better? Order three or more of anything for your bridesmaids from The Left Bank and receive a 10% discount. That brings your total down to $150 per girl. A perfect gift they're sure to adore! There's no better way to say thank you.

What did you get, or are planning to give your girls as a thank you?

How to Dry Your Wedding Bouquet

Your bridal bouquet is one of the most beautiful parts of your wedding day. Wedding flowers are gorgeous, and often expensive, so it seems such a waste to let them die. If you don't want to spend the extra money to freeze dry your bouquet, consider hang drying it. Drying is a super easy way to preserve the beauty and memories that came with your flowers. There are a few different methods, but the easiest is to tie a pretty ribbon around the stems and hang them upside down.

The trick is to hang them before the petals start to wilt or droop. This method take several weeks, or more in humid climates, but is the most fool proof. Save a beautiful piece of your bridal memories with a dried bouquet. Stop by our little shop and see our collection for inspiration.

1st Dance Wedding Master Class

Bride plus Groom, plus 90 minutes with Angela Nuran
equals a fabulous first dance!

This is not a typical wedding dance class. Structured specifically to get brides and grooms through their first dance, professional choreographer and wedding shoe designer, Angela Nuran will guide couples through simple rules and basic steps to turn the agony of "de feet" into the thrill of dance floor victory. The Rules? Grooms lead, brides follow. Expect spins, dips, some serious giggling, and a grand finale to polish it off. You and your fiance will feel accomplished when you find out that it truly takes two to tango. See who enjoys it more...you or your wedding guests!

The Details

When: Monday, October 5, 2009
Where: white CHICAGO, 222 West Huron Street, Chicago
Time: 6:30 Champagne welcome, followed by a 90 minute class
Cost: Early Registration: $50 per couple until September 25th, regular registration: $65 per couple
RSVP: Space is limited! Call 773.929.7422 or email theleftbank@sbcglobal.net

This event is sponsored by whiteCHICAGO and The Left Bank Jewelry and Wedding Shoe Boutique, the exclusive Chicago retailer of Angela Nuran Shoes

We hope to see you there!

The Eternity Ballroom Bridal Shoe

Photos courtsey of Angela Nuran

Square Shapes for Wedding Jewelry

Why consign your bridal look to regular old circles and ovals? Consider the spunky square. We're seeing tons of square shapes on shoes, earrings, and bracelets. Check out some of our favorites...

Shoes
Eternity $229 (Left)
Francesca $175 (Right)

Bracelets
Engraved Monogram Cuff, 7 inch, $52
Haute Bride Petite Cushion Cut Bracelet, Price Upon Request

Earrings
Palais Triple Drop, $88 (On T Bar)
Square Crystal Drops, $88 (On Shoe)

Behind the Scenes - Bridal Shoe Room

Wallace, Marilyn, Renee, Liza, Seymour, Lopez

Meet our shoe room! The third room of our little boutique is home to our over 90 different styles of bridal and bridesmaid shoes! Once you walk past the row of custom designed veil samples and wedding clutches you see our newly redecorated shoe room! Next to the brand new ottomans, we carry the lines of Angela Nuran, Benjamin Adams, Colorifics, Dyeables, Grace, Grazia, Martinez Valero, Pink Paradox London, Special Occasions by Saugus, Salon, and Something Bleu.

Check out some behind the scenes photos! Above, our secret back stock of Foot Petals resides in the tiny drawers under the Benjamin Adams bridal shoe display.


Here's me engaging in the weekly activity of adding new shoes to the shelves. Once new shoes come out of the UPS box, they get inventoried, tagged, and set in numerical order by shoe style. Angela Nuran's sleek, shinny black boxes are my favorite; they have a magnetic closure flap on the side.

Under our antique cream colored bench is where we keep all the shoes that have been special ordered. They're eagerly waiting to be picked up by their respective brides!

Here's Beth reshelving and reorganizing. Sometimes things get crazy and lots of shoes are out of the boxes after a personal shoe fitting, but they always get put back in their homes. Dyeables and Salon shoes live on the stairway in alphabetical and numerical order!

We're always considering new styles and lines to carry. Suggestions? Any other behind the scenes stuff you like to see? Leave a comment and let us know!

Reception Table Trend - Miniature Wedding Cake

Here's a reception trend we love....miniature, individual wedding cakes for the table. Make a cute mini for each person, a slightly larger version for two to share, or a jumbo mini for the table to split.

Check out this delightful little cake on a shortbread cookie that was made just for us by the pastry chef's at The Signature Room at 95th.

Need a place to put your cake? Check out these cute personalized plates!

Giftcard Giveaway!

The Left Bank is having a Gift Card Giveaway!

Help us reach 100 fans on facebook so we can get our very own url user name. We are currently 22 fans shy of lucky number 100! Everyone that becomes our fan up to #100 will receive a $10 gift card. All you have to do is visit our facebook Page by clicking here, become our fan and if you're our number 83-100th fan we'll give you a gift card.

The details...Gift card value is $10.00 and must be picked up in person at the shop (or you may send a self addressed stamped envelope). Card is not redeemable on previous purchases and must be surrendered at time of use. One card per person, not valid or replaceable if lost or stolen.

Sky Scraper Tall Wedding Shoes

Valentine $195

Looking to add some height to your look for your wedding day? Tall, skinny heels not only make you look tall, but if you're wearing a short dress, they give you the illusion of slender legs. Plus, the muscles you use to maintain balance while you walk, your calves, end up looking fabulously toned. Check out some of these sexy, modern yet totally classy wedding shoes, all with 4 inch heels (and the one in the center bottom tops out at 4.25 inches).

Brit $149, Crista $169, Letty $149, Bunny $145, Crystal $175

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