As I was flipping through the latest issue of New Jersey Bride the other day, I stumbled upon a fun article about bridesmaid’s gifts. I know I was truly tortured by this decision when I was in the bridal driver’s seat, so I am now forever on the hunt for fun, cute, slightly functional but also meaningful gifts – always up for a good challenge! Seriously, it’s a tough gift to give since you really want to get your gals something special, but you also may not want that to be the reason you completely blow your budget. That is why I think this idea is genius and so chic. Cocktail rings for your ladies-in-waiting! You can select different rings based on your friends’ personalities and style- classic, conservative, bold, funky, etc., or you can select the same ring for all the ladies in a style and color that you feel would compliment their wedding day wardrobe. Love it! To top it all off, many of these beautiful baubles would look fab with a pair of jeans and your favorite T or tank – the possibilities are endless…

Check out the selection below, hopefully this will inspire you to begin your own hunt. By sheer coincidence (I SWEAR!), by best friend is getting married in May (@ the Liberty House in New Jersey-LOVE). I have a feeling this post will be making it’s way into her inbox any minute now. :)
xx
Sal

Banana Republic Jeweled Ring Flower Ring $35 – Banana Republic

Kate Spade Damask Ring $145 Comes in 2 different colors – Nordstroms

Kate Spade Marmalade Mushroom Ring $145 – Nordstroms

Kate Spade Park Avenue Ring $125 – Nordstroms

Marc by Marc Jacobs Owl Ring $88 – Nordstroms

Brielle’s Designer Style Cocktail Ring $92 – Emitations

Calliope’s Faux Pearl Cocktail Ring $75 – Emitations

Illuminada’s Dome Cocktail Ring $315 – Emitations

Cara Accessories Crystal Ring $75

Rachelle’s Bow Cocktail Ring $149

Rici’s Curved Cocktail Ring in Rose Gold $189

Tabitha’s Tear Drop Canary Ring $85

Raine’s Stimulated Aquamarine Ring $159

]]> http://alwaysablogsmaid.com/2009/10/30/bridesmaid-baubles/feed/ 4 http://alwaysablogsmaid.com/2009/10/14/i-heart-hazel-harlow/ http://alwaysablogsmaid.com/2009/10/14/i-heart-hazel-harlow/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:44:41 +0000 The Blogsmaid http://alwaysablogsmaid.com/?p=3259

So, it’s been a while since I’ve done a good, quality jewelry post, which I absolutely love for bridesmaids gifts or as funky accessories for brides on their wedding day or at their rehearsal dinner. So I was excited to get the heads up on Hazel & Harlow!  This lovely company hand carves all of the designs and they are all made out of sterling silver or 24K Gold vermeil. AND I love the price point- $25-250 per piece. Here are a few of my favorite pieces.

From soy candles to recyclable centerpieces, making eco-friendly choices for your wedding has become not only more popular, but easier. But what about those items that last beyond the day itself? What about your wedding bands? This may conjure up visions of hand carved wooden rings that fall short of the glam factor, but that needn’t be the case. GreenKarat uses recycled precious metals to cast their jewelry and can even use your old gold to create your rings. Here is their “Gatsby” set.

Similarly, you can seek out estate jewelry sets from retailers like Doyle & Doyle. It’s a great way to capture vintage style and re-use something gorgeous. Of course, some couples may want their eco-choices to look, well, a little more eco. Simply Wood Rings creates gorgeous, glamorous WOODEN rings using recycled lumber.

Most of them are simple inlaid wood designs, but others, like this recycled silver with rosewood ring, have a lovely, modern look to them. Just remember, wooden rings require special care and need to avoid water.

Are you making any eco-friendly choices with your wedding?

I am practically in tears because Jessy and the team from Fleurs did the MOST AMAZING flowers (both at their table AND for the event) and she didn’t bring a camera and MY Photos of her tables are terribly blurry- apparently I needed to set for candlelight, but didn’t.   Anyway, I’m going to track down photos, but here are some of amazing, inspirational photos from some vendors I hadn’t met before and familiar faces.

Leslie of Mark Joseph Cakes showed the most lovely cakes. The yellow is soooo sweet.
Greenwich Jewelers wowed us with their amazing designs. They will also refurbish and re-design pieces.  Here is one of their gorgeous rings.  Mille Fiore created this amazing piece with cherry blossoms…. Cake Alchemy (they do that show on the food network, Ace of Cakes, I think? NO, i just checked her site and she is on AMAZING WEDDING CAKES) showcased some gorgeous creations, including this very cool tropical cake!  And, Colin Cowie lifestyle wowed me with Carnations (and made us feel good about using carnations at our table).

At our Always a Bridesmaid table we raffled off a 10 Hour Consulting package AND I’m pleased to announce the lucky winner is Beckett Fabbie!  We’ll be getting in touch with you ASAP!
Mayra and I love this event because we get to meet brides, AND meet new people and connect with our vendor friends. We get glammed up (thanks Luis for hooking me up. He’s the greatest, and I recommend him strongly. He’s at the Chanel counter at Saks and available for wedding day makeup) and My Hair and Makeup glammed Mayra up .

Some of the great people we got to spend some time with are (top to bottom): Jessica Alton of Thomas Preti Events to Savor; Cheree or Cheree Berry; the stunning (and glowing newlywed) Lisa Hoffman of CECI with Ron Ben-Israel; Kate Diago of CECI, the talented photographer Mel Barlow, Eyal Tessler of In Any Event, Lisa, Ron, fabulous Mayra and me and the most ridiculous expression on my face; Mayra and Marcy Blum; Mark Ingram.  LOL, it’s like NY Wedding Diary. ;-)