We're on Bravo!

Check us out!  We were featured in the on Bravotv.com's city guide to Chicago!  They called us "the ultimate eye-candy shop filled with pretty, glittery things everywhere you look."  A must for Chicago brides and single ladies with plenty of sparklers.  Many thanks to Bravo Tv, we couldn't be more excited!  Check out the listing here.

An Interview with Susan

Our fabulous friends at Greatest Expectations have a fabulous feature on their blog called "While Sipping a Glass of Champagne With..."  Our very own Left Bank owner, Susan, was the latest to sip and chat with Heather.  A fun fact, Heather and Susan first met when Heather was selecting a headpiece for her wedding!  Check out this fun interview at the Greatest Expectations blog here. 

And since we LOVE Greatest Expectations so much, we gifted them with a gorgeous brooch to giveaway.  The Ribbon Twist Brooch is sparkly, gorgeous, and free to one lucky winner.  Make sure to read Susan's interview to find out how you can enter to win!

Colored Flower Hairpieces

Brides aren't the only ones who can have fun with faux flowers in their hair anymore!  Bridesmaids can now grab on to our favorite wedding trend of 2010...fascinators!  Blooming Additions just arrived at our shop.  It's a new line of bright, colorful silk and tulle flowers for brides, bridesmaids, flower girls...anyone can have fun with these little flowers.  They come in four sizes and tons of colors.

Each flower comes with a loop and a pin on the back as well as it's own "additions" bag complete with ribbon and bobby pins.  That give you tons of options for wearibility.  Pin it in your hair, wear it on a ribbon as a headband or belt, clip it onto a clutch, wrap it around your wrist  as a chic bracelet.  Your imagination is the limit.  Our favorite idea?  Gift one to each of your bridesmaids and let them wear it in their favorite way.  It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Blooming Additions $12-$18 each

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Chunky Necklaces for Bridesmaids

We love discovering new designers and Alex Agudo is an up and coming favorite.  This young designer uses gorgeous cuts and brilliant colors to create custom designs for brides, bridesmaids, and wedding guests that any woman would love.  Here are some of his fantastic chunky gems new to The Left Bank.  All of Alex's pieces are hand created, completely customizable, and very affordable.  Above, one of my personal favorites, a 14 k gold necklace strung with black and clear Chinese crystals.  $45.

Amber crystals with silk and tiger eye beads, $65

Clear crystals, pearls, and silk, $65

Alex finishes the backs of his necklaces with beautiful silk

Orange coral, swarvoski bicone crystals, and silk, $65

Olive brown smoked topaz beads, olivine swarvoski bicone crystals, $65

Stop by the shop to see these beauties in person or to order your custom designed necklaces for all your bridesmaids.

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Avant Bride Trunk Show

Thank you to everyone who came and made our Avant Bride Trunk Show a huge success.  We had fun all weekend with designer Ellen Hunter and fabulous brides to be.  Here are some photos of our great weekend.  Look for a post with some of our favorite pieces from the show coming soon.  Best yet?  Ellen left her gorgeous pieces in the shop until Friday.  So even if you missed the great bridal jewelry, you still have a chance to see the collection.  Shop until Friday and receive 10% off your Avant Bride purchase.

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Fairytale French Wedding

As avid Francophiles, we would love to host a fairytale French wedding. Become a true princess bride and rent a luxury French chateau in the heart of the Loire Valley, just two hours outside Paris.  The Chateau de Guerinet is a breathtaking castle filled with spectacular French  architectural details. If you’ve ever dreamt of a wedding in France, you must set your eyes on this property that offers amazing rentals for an intimate French wedding.

Here are our picks for must wear jewelry to your French Wedding.

Our exclusive “Les Beaux” tiara

$249

The Parisienne Chandelier Earring

$129

The Duchess Cuff Bracelet

$78

Love the idea but just can't make it to France?  Pop on one of our favorite French pieces and pretend you're there while you watch the Chateau video.

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Pearl Illusion Necklace

All the January snow brings thoughts of warm, sunny beach weddings.  With destination weddings becoming more and more popular, we have the perfect necklace for a beach bride.  The Bridal Illusion necklace is made of Freshwater pearls strung on clear jewelry wire.  It's light, gorgeous, and very organic.  Better yet?  It's only $56, and you can gift your bridesmaids with matching bracelets in peacock or champagne colored pearls.

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Avant Bride Trunk Show This Weekend

Don't forget the Avant Bride Trunk Show!

 

 Preview Day ~ Friday, January 22nd ~ 12pm - 7pm

Saturday, January 23rd ~ 11am - 5pm

Sunday, January 24th ~ 12pm - 4pm

Appointments recommended, but not required.

773.929.7422

theleftbank@sbcglobal.net

Looking for more information? 

Click here.

Sex and the City Blue Wedding Shoes

Ever since the Sex and the City movied debuted in 2008, brides have been going crazy for Carrie's something blue bridal shoes. In honor of the second movie scheduled to open in May 2010, we wanted to share our version of Carrie's famous shoes. Angela Nuran dyed this pair of her new bridal shoe, Astoria, "Sex and the City Blue..."

...the best part about our version?  They don't come with the Manolo Blahnik price tag.  The Astoria Blue is only $279.  Purchase a pair here.

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2010 Bride's Choice Award

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced The Left Bank has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Bridal Accessories and Wedding Shoes!  The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds. The Left Bank is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that The Left Bank is among the very best bridal accessory and wedding shoes salon within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

Written by ~ WeddingWire.com

Wedding Color - Purple

Looking for some color inspiration for your wedding?  Consider purple!  Once a color reserved for royalty, purple makes a perfect addition to your bridesmaids, bridal flowers, or even as a pop of color on your wedding gown.  There are tons of sizes, shapes, and shades to choose from.  Here are some of our favorite purple pieces.  Above, Crystal Ball Earrings, availabe in multiple colors, $29 each.

MEG Joen Necklace, $44

Available in multiple colors.

Petite Brooch, $18

MEG Garnet, $50

Where to Buy

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Real Wedding - Patty & Jack

The Wedding of Patty Beazley & Jack Swiatowiec

November 21, 2009 

 

Say congratulations to Patty and Jack who tied the knot on November 21, 2009!  Their wedding sparkled with lights as they took photos at The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Michigan Avenue. Patty purchased her beautiful fresh water pearl earrings and handmade French tulle and silk flower "Edelweiss" veil by MEG at The Left Bank.  She glammed it up with a beautiful vintage mink and a reception at Spiaggia...she was truly a glamorous bride!

 

 

Congratulations to Patty & Jack!

Want to have your wedding featured on our blog?  Click here to learn more.

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Antique Inspired Gold Earrings

Victorian Drop $46

Champagne is not only a fabulous drink, but a continually popular wedding color.  One of our favorite pairings for a gorgeous champagne dress is a pair of beautiful antique inspired gold earrings.  These are our picks for no fail baubles sure to get you compliments all night, whether you're a bride, bridesmaid, Mother of the Bride!

Baroque Pearl Dark Champagne $36

Baroque Pearl Ivory $36

Deco Prisim $48

Where to Buy  

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Chick Chat Tuesday Evening

Come see The Left Bank Owner, Susan at Chick Chat tomorrow evening!  Chick Chat is a monthly soiree for "bringing women together in interesting and inspiring venues to try new products, learn about topics and issues and meet Chicago’s entrepreneurs and each other; all while sipping delectable cocktails and noshing on great food."  This month's theme is all about France!  Let Them Eat Cake: Door Prizes & Shopping.  Susan will be representing The Left Bank and handing out a fabulous gift certificate to the shop, along with other sponsors, for lucky doorprize winners.

The Details
When: January 12th, 6-8pm

Where: Mike Bell, Inc at The Merchandise Mart.  222 Merchandise Mart, Suite 1869, Chicago.

Tickets: $30, available at the door

Mini French Tulle Fascinators

Obsessed with birdcage veils but not sure you want to wear one across your face?  Check out these miniature fascinators, all decked out with silk flowers, feathers, crystals, and French tulle.  They're perfect for the bride that wants a birdcage veil look without the commitment.  Above, Laura Jayne Bridal's Kaylee handcut silk flower, $129.

Ostrich Feathers and French Tulle, Louise, $225

Custom designed feather flower with French Tulle, $98

Swarvoski crystal Eclat, $98

Champagne crystal accented Brandy, $72

Are you wearing a miniature veil or fascinator to your wedding?  We'd love to hear about it!  Leave a comment and tell us your story.

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Announcing Our 2010 Trunk Shows

AvantBride NYC

January 22-24, 2010

Ellen Hunter, chief accessories designer of this Manhattan based wedding line will be doing an exclusive Chicago appearance. An original southern belle from Alabama, Ellen went to “finishing school” at the prestigious London College of Fashion and later became a bridal specialist for Nicole Miller in New York City.  Avant Bride boasts a unique and eclectic collection of combs, headbands, pins and veils.  Appointments suggested, but not required.

Haute Bride & Marina Kostina - Double Trunk Show
February 19-21, 2010

Haute Bride has become the hottest jewelry line in the bridal world with their signature chunky stones and big bling. For the hot, trendsetting and fashion forward Bride.
Fashion and knitwear designer, Marina Kostina will also be showcasing her beautifully hand made bridal boleros.  No appointments necessary, sip on bubbly and shop til you drop!

Laura Jayne Bridal
March 13-14, 2010

Designer Laura Jayne will be on hand to help you navigate her beautiful collection of handmade veils and bridal headpieces.  Her hand made veils, hair jewelry, and wedding accessories are both elegant and romantic. This annual Trunk Show is always a don’t miss event.  Appointments recommended.

MEG Jewelry Trunk Show
April 24 - 25, 2010

Jewelry designer Meg Lammers showcases her shimmering collection of stunning gems for the bride and her attendants. Let Meg help your create or custom design your own look and vision. Her custom colors of Swarovski crystals and color palettes cannot be duplicated.  Sip champagne cocktails all weekend as your try on Meg's large collection of bridal, bridesmaid, and everyday jewelry.  Appointments recommended.

The Left Bank’s 15th Birthday Party

May 2010

Come celebrate our 15th year with cake, champagne and conversation all month long!  Enjoy Champagne weekends and specials all month long as our way of saying thank you for 15 years!

Brideshead Revisited Roadshow

May 21 - 23, 2010

Two New York City designers with a passion for fine millinery techniques tapped into their experience as costume historians at MOMA to create a beautiful line of bridal jewelry, hair pieces, and accessories.  Lucky for us, they're bring their show stopping collection to The Left Bank.  No appointments necessary.

Haute Bride

July 12 - 13, 2010

We love this line so much, we're having two shows this year.  If you're looking for big, beautiful, and blingy, Haute Bride is for you.  Haute Bride has become the hottest jewelry line in the bridal world with their signature chunky stones and big bling.  No appointment necessary.

Angela Nuran

September 16, 2010

4pm - 8pm

Come sip cocktails and meet shoe designer Angela Nuran.  She'll be offering custom shoe fittings of her "ahmazingly" comfortable wedding shoes as well as debuting her brand new shoe Starletta.  Be one of the first to try on the newest shoe to the Angela Nuran collection.  Appointments suggested.

Store-Wide Sample Sale

Friday, November 5th ~ 12pm - 7pm
Saturday, November 6th ~ 11am - 5 pm
Sunday, November 7th ~ 12pm - 5pm

Don't forget to stop by our Annual Sample Sale! Our boutique will be brimming with gorgeous jewelry, hairpieces, veils and more all up to 80% off. Practically everything in the store is on sale! We'll be selling brand new pieces, over stock, and designer samples. You won't want to miss this once a year event!   No appointments necessary.

All Wedding Accessories 10%-50% Off
Hair Gems & Headpieces 20%-50% Off
Monogramming Special 20% off
All Store wide Gifts & Jewelry 10-50% Off
Custom Veils 10% Off
Sample Veils on Sale $25-$45

Monsieur Pamplemousse Jewelry Launch & Trunk Show
December 11 - 12, 2010

As part of our pledge to shop local this holiday season we're bringing in Chicago designer Alex Agudo for a one of a kind jewelry trunk show featuring his world travelers collection of semi-precious gems and pearls.  Shop for special handmade baubles and gifts for everyone on your list, including bridesmaids!  No appointment necessary.

MEG Jewelry Holiday Trunk Show

Saturday, December 18th ~ 11am - 5pm

Sunday, December 19th ~ 12pm - 5pm

Our favorite holiday tradition continues...The MEG Jewelry Trunk Show.  Every December we have one of our favorite designers send to Chicago her unique and special collection of jewelry for brides, bridesmaids, and especially this time of year...gifts!  December always celebrates shopping local and buying gorgeous one of a kind things and MEG Jewelry is the perfect way to do it!