Sample Sale at Jenny Yoo

We are absolutely smitten with Jenny Yoo Collection's modern bridal and bridesmaid dresses featuring beautiful fabrics, fashion-forward tones and perfect fits. (In fact, we featured some of their bridesmaid dresses in a recent post!) We're even more enamored with the fact that they are having a sample sale from July 31-August 1 at their flagship Chicago store, which means these beautiful dresses will be available at amazing prices!

And if you're looking for some shoes or jewelry to go with your wonderful new wedding gown or to accessorize your bridesmaids, The Left Bank will be participating in the sample sale along with Erin Gallagher jewelry.

No appointment is necessary for this open-house style event - simply stop by Jenny Yoo anytime between 10am to 7pm during the sale: 300 W Superior Street Suite 102, Chicago IL 60654 (map).

Bridesmaids Dresses They'll Actually WANT To Wear Again

It's a problem almost as old as weddings themselves: if you've ever been a bridesmaid there's a good chance you were forced to drop a pretty significant chunk of change on a dress the bride gushed "you could totally wear again" that, in reality, would get stuffed in the back of your closet and never see the light of another day. 

Luckily, this scenario is becoming much easier to avoid. The options for bridesmaids are as limitless as your imagination and creativity. Try going somewhere unexpected for your dress, like a favorite retail or online shop (sites like ModCloth have great dress options). Even if you stick with traditional wedding-oriented shops, it is so much easier to find a dress that -- gasp! -- your maids will actually want to wear! We rounded up a few of our favorites that we wouldn't mind hanging in our closets...

Blake // Alexa // Justine // Kate

Jenny Yoo Collection makes beautiful, simple dresses for both brides and bridesmaids. Available in a range of colors and fabrics, her styles are timeless and flattering. They're perfect if you want a classic look for your bridesmaids. (PS - like what you see? We are partnering with Jenny Yoo for a sample sale July 31st-August 1st, 2012 at their Chicago flagship salon!)

Lemon Meringue Dress // Vivacity Shift (more colors available)  // Seaside Holiday Dress // Gens Du Monde Dress 

BHLDN is a favorite of brides looking for that vintage, chic flea-market vibe. (Which makes total sense given that it's a divison of Anthropologie!) It's no surprise that their dresses are listed under "bridesmaids and partygoers" -- they're perfect for attendants and guests alike.

Arabelle // Heidi // Lucienne // Sinclair

J. Crew is another favorite with beautiful, wearable dresses. Simple and chic, their styles are perfect for a contemporary wedding. The flirty chiffon styles above would also be perfect for dates, summer soirees, or even as a wedding guest!

Becca Halter Dress // Ethereally Ombre Dress // Mariposa Lace Dress // Sangeet Dress

Anthropologie is perfect if traditional wedding shops seem a little too... well... traditional for you. Their dresses were not designed specifically for bridesmaids or weddings, which makes them perfect "wear-again" candidates. Like their sister company BHLDN, Anthropologie dresses have a distinct vintage vibe, but many of their dresses would work well at more traditional or classic weddings too (like the navy one above!)

And for a fantastic selection of designer bridesmaids gowns, visit Bella Bridesmaids which has locations in many major markets.

With just a bit of savvy and creativity, it's possible to find dresses that your bridesmaids won't have to clear space in the back of their closets for... in fact, don't be surprised if you see them out and about in their fabulous new frocks!

Blue Wedding Shoes

Our lovely bride, Ilona wore her custom dyed brilliant cobalt blue Angela Nuran
wedding shoes from 11am to 2am at night! If you're looking for comfortable wedding shoes, you must try these on....feeling is believing!  We love how her bouquet looks like a soccer ball in the photos below dotted with blue orchids amongst the roses and stephanotis. 

Ilona danced the night away in her comfortable wedding shoes by Angela Nuran

Inspiration Board: Bastille Day

Celebrate Bastille Day with some classic French wedding inspiration, featuring a traditional color scheme, a croquembouche cake, champagne towers and - of course! - macarons. 

If you are in Chicago, stop by The Left Bank, where we'll be celebrating le quatorze juillet with flutes of St. Germain La Rosette, macarons from Toni's Patissere and discounts on La Vie Parisienne bijoux. Mais oui!

Ribbon decor // French invitation // French cakes
Invitations // Love locks in Paris // decor
Macarons // champagne tower // French chalkboard

5 Signature Wedding Cocktails with a French Twist

Signature cocktails are a fun and personalized way to put a personal spin on your wedding. Since Bastille Day just around the corner, we couldn't resist rounding up some "drinkspiration"...with a French twist, of course!

Kir Royales

The Kir Royale is a quintessentially French cocktail, a simple combination of Chambord and champagne. Go chic and classic or put your own spin on the drink - maybe a blackberry Kir?

Lavender Champagne

We also love this simply elegant lavender champagne. Can't you just imagine sipping this in the South of France?

Sparkling Sweet Tea

If you're a Southern Belle as well as a Francophile, we think this amazing Sparkling Sweet Tea from Snippet and Ink would be just perfect! It's made with St. Germain, a French elderflower liqueur. It's elegant, light, not too sweet, and perfect for toasting new couples.

St.-Honore 75

Another super-customizable drink is the St.-Honore 75. Pictured here with lemon juice and a twist of lemon, this cocktail has endless possibilities. Substitute grapefruit juice or fresh fruit for the lemon juice and garnish with everything from fresh raspberries to delicate flowers.

Marital Bliss Signature Cocktail

Custom cocktail "Marital Bliss" is a blend of St. Germain, gin, lime and soda crafted for California couple Eunice and Daniel by sommelier Jeffrey Porter. We're loving the presentation, too - so whimsical!

Will you be incorporating a signature wedding drink into your big day?

How To Throw A Bastille Day Party

Not everyone has the luxury to travel to France for Bastille Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the French version of Independence Day right from your home.

Bastille Day, July 14th, is a French national holiday. The occasion commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, an act that led to the French Revolution. Today, Bastille Day is celebrated in France with fireworks, parades, festive food and drink and getting together with friends and family much like our Fourth of July.

Les Decorations

Decorate your home in red, white and blue. Just as everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, everyone is French on Bastille Day. Show your support for the French by donning your table with red, white and blue--the colors of the French flag. Place small flags and Eiffel Towers around the room for a French patriotic effect.

Art De La Table

French style is all about understate elegance. Your linens, glassware and dishes don't have to be expensive, just chic. Simple white stoneware adapts easily to French Style. Add blue and/or red napkins with these adorable Eiffel Tower napkin rings and tablecloth and you've got a festive Bastille Day table. Instead of flowers, rethink the bakery aisle and have a grouping of long bread baguettes as a centerpiece that of course, get pulled apart for guests to nibble on.

Eiffel Tower are available at The Left Bank Jewelry & Bridal Finery

Le Menu
Serve simple and classic French food such as a platter of salade nicoise, petite ratatouille tarts and a delicious country pate.  While French wine is très aproprié, we also suggest a wonderful cocktail crafted of St. Germain Liquor and rose champagne to make your guests will feel festive.

Simple sweets such as Macaroons, palmiers, and if you wanted to send your guests away with a little remembrance favor, these Eiffel Tower butter cookies are the perfect parting gift.

La Musique 

Entertain your guests with French music. Get into the spirit of Bastille Day by playing a selection of French songs. Of course, you must include the French national anthem, the "Marseillaise". In addition, choose a CD of Edith Piaf chansons and classic French folk songs. Our favorite that has an essence of French is by a Portland, Oregon based petite orchestra called Pink Martini, the CD Sympathetique.

La Gartier Designer Wedding Garters

Some bride's either love or hate the idea of wearing a wedding garter, but these new designer wedding garters made by La Gartier will make you really want to wear one! The wedding garter tradition has changed drastically over the years.  The tradition began as a way to prove the consummation of marriage and by the husband removing the garter (by witnesses in the bedroom, gasp!) was proof.  Today, the wedding garter toss is a fun element to add to your wedding reception and the lucky man who catches it is said to be the next to be married.

La Gartier Wedding Garters specializes in luxe garters that are refined and elegant. Some of them can be created specifically for a bride with amazing detail! Each garter is created by hand and they are all very sophisticated of fine quality.  See the complete collection on our website The Left Bank Jewelry & Bridal Finery in the Accessories department under wedding garters.

The popular "Isabella" is stunning and available in both silk white and ivory with a gorgeous brooch embellishment

The "Pierce" Garter is made of baby blue dupioni silk with a gorgeous pearl adornment.
If you do not prefer pearls, we make this with an all crystal rendition. This will make the perfect "Somthing Blue"

 The "Corrie" garter is crafted of delicate chantilly lace with silk ribbon and a diamante embellishment

The "Janice" Lace Garter with a soft champagne silk ribbon and a precious locket

Place a photo of a loved one inside to create a lovely heirloom