Everything But The Dress: 2/1/10

Friday, February 26, 2010

CS Brides Contest Winner

Say Congratulations to Margaret J. who is our lucky winner for one VIP ticket to the Chicago Social Brides "An Evening of Bridal Luxury."

Thank you to everyone who entered our contest. Keep your eyes open for another contest coming soon!

Think Pink! Pink Bridesmaid Jewelry

Did you know the first reported use of the word pink was in the 17th Century? Pink is often thought of as "the sweet side of red" and used throughout nature. It brings to mind cotton candy, bubble gum, and gorgeous flowers. We love pink jewelry for bridesmaids and spring weddings. Whether your girls are wearing pink, orange, or a lovely lime, draping them in pink jewels is sure to brighten your wedding day. Above, this pretty Dazzle Brooch, $29, would look stunning pinned on a sash or bridal bouquet.

The customizable Lissa Necklace, $44, by MEG Jewelry is a perfect way to say thank you to your best friends for being your bridesmaids. Better yet? If you order three or more from The Left Bank, you receive 10% off!

Cute lip shaped crystal "Bisous Bisous" barettes add an element of fun to any updo. $18 each.

These $36 pink and gold earrings are subtle, sweet, and oh so affordable. Give them to your girls or keep them for youself to wear at all those parties, showers, and dinners thrown for you.

These necklace blends just the right amount of vintage inspiration and modern color. $42.

5 Tips for Being a Better Bridesmaid

Colored Flower Hairpieces

Can My Bridesmaids Wear Black?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Flower Hairpins

Silk flowers for your hair are always in season. You don't have to worry about them wilting or falling apart, and you still get all the joy of tucking a flower behind your ear. Check out some of our favorite tiny flowers for your hair. Above, Camilla, $109, an organza flower with a crystal bicone and rhinestone center surrounded by English tulle.

Mini Gardenia by Laura Jayne, $48

Sophia by Laura Jayne, $98

Lani, $68

Mini French Tulle Fascinators

Feather Haircombs

What is a Fascinator?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Haute Bride Trunk Show Photos

We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make our Haute Bride Trunk Show a smash success! Plenty of champagne cocktails made for a fun weekend of jewelry shopping for brides and bridesmaids. Here our some photos from our fabulous weekend.

Our brand new case for gold and champagne jewelry, veils, and more made its debut this weekend as well.

Beautiful Bracelets in all shapes and sizes.

Our trunk show was even better with hand made boleros by Marina Kostina.

Topiarius dropped off some gorgeous tropical inspired flowers to brighten things up.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Five Favorite Low Heeled Wedding Shoes

Everyday we help tall brides stay shorter than their grooms at the altar, rescue flat loving brides from too tall shoes, and solve all sorts of shoe related problems. We take the work out of finding stylish, comfortable, and LOW heeled wedding shoes. Here are our top five picks for low heeled wedding shoes.

1. Angela Nuran Astoria - This brand new shoe is the ultimate in comfortable bridal shoes. Designed like a dance shoe, Astoria is super cushion-y, boasts lots of support and padding, sueded soles, and a sparkly finish.
Measures 2.5" tall, costs $249.

2. Benjamin Adams Renee - Finally beautiful, flat shoes designed for brides. Renee is made of luxurious silk, swarvoski crystals, a cute rounded toe, and is completely flat. This shoe is perfect for brides and grooms that are close in height.
Measures 1/4" tall, costs $195.

3. Saugus Robin Ava - Robin's liquidy silk bands will cradle your foot and make it oh so comfy. The ankle strap is accented with crystals and adds just the right amount of stability.
Measures 2.5" tall, costs $98.

4. Dyeables Nikki - A blend of retro and modern makes this shoe perfect for almost any wedding gown. A chunky heel feels deliciously retro while the cut out side keeps it feeling fresh. Made of totally dyeable satin, wear them in white for the wedding and dye them black for your first official date as a married couple.
Measures 2.5" tall, costs $72.

5. Pink Camelia - A precious, yet stylish kitten heel adds just enough lift to feel pretty. The pointed toe feels sophisticated with gentle rouching. Available in any color stain fabric.
Measures 1 1/4" tall, costs $79.

Related Posts
Low Heeled Wedding Shoes
Tips for Ordering the Right Size Wedding Shoes

Friday, February 19, 2010

Dramatic Headbands

Are you a bride with a flair for the dramatic? Asymmetrical hair pieces create a powerful and gorgeous statement. Indulge your glamorous side with these dramatic wedding headbands. The new for 2010 Rivini Tiara, $209 above, can be worn atop your head or pinned in place on the side of your updo for a contemporary twist.

Clarice Headband with plume feathers, $149

Enchantment, $129

Cresent Vally, $120

Where to Buy

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Nature Inspired Jewelry

Nature is often cited as an inspiration for lots of things, art, poetry, and even jewelry. These pieces will help you pay homage to Mother Nature and still look like the beautiful bride you are. Above, the Fleur Cuff, $39.

Crystal & Pearl Swag Hairpin, $88

Mariell Haircomb, $199

Taki Hairpin $249

Crystal & Pearl Twist Set $88 with matching earrings

Teri Headband by Avant Bride, $325

Monday, February 15, 2010

Haute Bride & Marina Kostina - Double Trunk Show

Haute Bride & Marina Kostina - Double Trunk Show

February 19-21, 2010

This weekend come shop for bridal baubles galore! Haute Bride has become the hottest jewelry line in the bridal world with their signature chunky stones and big bling. Their pieces are full of sparkle and perfect for the hot, trendsetting and fashion forward bride. We'll also be featuring fashion and knitwear designer, Marina Kostina. She will be showcasing her beautifully hand made bridal boleros at our first double trunk show of the year. No appointments are necessary. Stop by to sip on bubbly and shop til you drop!

Our 2010 Trunk Shows

Friday, February 12, 2010

Monogram Bouquet Pick

No holiday makes it more appropriate to talk about flowers than Valentine's Day. We can't think of a better time to show you these gorgeous flowers and fun bouquet picks. Fleur Chicago donated these gorgeous bouquets for our Avant Bride Trunk Show and they made a perfect back drop for the newest addition to our shop. Monogram bouquet picks are a great way to add a personal detail to your wedding day flowers. These little beauties are about 2" tall, available in all 26 letters, made entirely of Swarvoski crystals, and only $24 each.

Here are some fun ways to use them during, and even after, your wedding.

*Slide one with the initial of your new last name into your bouquet for the walk down the aisle.

*Buy one for each of your bridesmaids with their initial on it to add a unique touch for each bouquet.

*Convert it to a pin afterwards and use it on your honeymoon luggage, winter coat, or to keep a pashmina together.

*Wrap them around napkins at the reception for a beautiful, personal napkin ring.

*Make your flower girls feel special with their own initial on their petal basket.

Do you plan on using crystal accents in your bouquet? Have a fabulous idea you think we missed? Send us photos or leave a comment, we always love to learn!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Beth's Top 5 Favorite Wedding Shoes

We make Beth think hard and pick her top five favorite shoes for brides from our shoe room, which was no easy task considering we have around 90 different styles...here are her five favorite pairs!

1. Benjamin Adams Lopez - I can't get enough of this sparkly shoe. $499

2. Grazia Vanessa - Sexy, stylish, and sparkly. I have a pair in black and love them. $195

3. Grazia Valentine - These sleek shoes feel very fashion forward and runway with their 4" heels. $195

4. Salon Jessica - Simple and super comfy. These strappy sandals go with everything and come in lots of colors, I have them in metallic silver. $75

5. Benjamin Adams Winslet - I like the modern and vintage twist these heels have with the peep toe, rouched fabric, and deco brooch. $220.

Related Posts
Tips for Ordering the Right Size Shoes
Sky Scraper Tall Wedding Shoes
5 Tips for Buying Bridal Shoes

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

CS Brides Evening of Bridal Luxury Giveaway!

CS Brides Presents An Evening of Bridal Luxury 2010

Everyone in Chicago knows that the Chicago Social Brides Evening of Bridal Luxary is the swankiest bridal event in the city...and we want you to go. We have one VIP ticket to giveaway to a lucky bride! Your VIP ticket gets you free admission for you and one guest to the fabulous event at The Ritz-Carlton on March 24th, a luxury swag bag for the bride (including fabulous earrings from The Left Bank), and seats at the exclusive runway show featuring Vera Wang.

To win all you have to do is send us an email at TheLeftBank@sbcglobal.net with the subject line "CS Brides Giveaway" and give us your first and last name and wedding date. We'll be accepting emails until Tuesday, February 16th. We'll pick someone at random and post the lucky winner on the blog by Friday the 19th.

Want more details about the actual event? Click here to pop over to the Chicago Social website.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Big, Beautiful Bridal Gems

I capital LOVE big chunky stones and giant gems for brides. Nothing says high fashion and glamour like wedding jewelry with lots of big bling. Look fabulous in the spotlight with these fun, sophisticated sparkling stones. Start with some magnificent hairpins like the Chinley (above) $129 for a set of two.

Hollywood Glam Hairpins, $149, set of three

Tessa Hairpin, $149

Rivini Tiara, $209

Custom Gabriella Earrings, $98

Also available in clear.

Patricia Bracelet with ivory ribbon, $175

Deco Chandelier, $88

Showstopping Bridal Necklace

Friday, February 5, 2010

New Bridal Hair Jewelry

In January we celebrated a first at The Left Bank. Ellen Hunter of Avant Bride NYC brought her brand new 2010 bridal jewelry collection to our shop for our first ever Avant Bride Trunk Show. Ellen's custom, hand painted pieces were a quick favorite of ours and our brides. Here is a handful of some of her best headbands, hair combs, and fascinators. Above, Callie Headband, $220.