Month: August 2013

Wedding Inspiration: Bollywood, Indigo, Bohemian & More

Let’s savor the last weekend of the summer with a “summer sip that’s a little bit spicy and a little bit sweet.”

We’ve found so many epic wedding inspirations, we’re making a post of it. So just sit back and live vicariously through wedding ideas that exemplify pure style, joy and romance. We hope your weekend is beautiful!

The new BHLDN collection has some really chic, luxurious dresses. The intricate beading reminds us of some of our more sumptuous designs.

This Indigo-themed wedding inspiration is so fresh and beautiful. We love it.

This gold one we also love.

Here’s a real wedding we absolutely love. Every picture is just so full of joy and personality, it just doesn’t get any better. And the featured image above shows the incredible tree from the ceremony.

The headpieces and hair are a little silly, but this Bohemian wedding inspiration has the biggest, best bouquets. We’re in love!

And our favorite part of this Bollywood wedding inspiration is also the bouquet. We didn’t think jewels and flowers could be so perfect together.

Bright objects hypnotize the mind. But we already knew that.

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Kelly Clarkson Eloping: Celebrity Trend Alert

This week, Kelly Clarkson announced plans to elope with fiancé Brandon Blackstock, canceling their October wedding just one day after telling Ryan Seacrest wedding planning was “overwhelming” and that she’s “so over” it.

We wrote about her engagement here, and her lovely, trendsetting halo engagement ring. A wedding is such a personal choice in every way, we hope that Kelly and Brandon declare their love in a way that feels perfect for them!

Clarkson isn’t the only celebrity to choose privacy and intimacy over a lavish celebration.

Some of our favorite celebrities opted for elopements, like Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, who eloped in a sunset ceremony at her Bahamian estate in April 2008.

Longtime loves Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas in 1996. Goop style maven Gwyneth Paltrow married Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in Santa Barbara, Calif., in December 2003. The surprise wedding didn’t include any family members.

And famously private couple Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart eloped in a surprise ceremony that included their son Liam, in Santa Fe in June of 2010.
So how do you feel about elopements? We think they can be exquisitely romantic, as long as you don’t cut corners on the ring!
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Bethany Hamilton married Adam Dirks

“Soul Surfer” Bethany Hamilton married Adam Dirks on Sunday in Kauai, Hawaii.

To unwind on the morning of the wedding, the bride “went surfing on the beach where I first surfed with one arm. I caught a few waves and messed around on a longboard.”

Attended by 300 guests, devout Christians Bethany and Adam exchanged vows at a private estate among gorgeous plumeria and orchid blossoms. “When I looked in Adam’s eyes, I almost started crying,” said Bethany.

Staying true to their spirituality, they shared their first dance to Ben Harper’s “The Three of Us,” and served local coffee in lieu of alcohol.

The couple met last year on a blind date where they jumped off a 40 foot cliff! We wrote about Bethany’s incredible story and her engagement here. She’s been an amazing inspiration to us and so many others, with her incredible strength and optimism.

We wish the adorable young couple a happy and exciting life together!

Photo via.

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We Love: Perfect Black Jeans & Shopping for Charity

We can’t hide from fall forever, so here’s a lovely list of links to get acclimated to cool weather and crisp new styles.

Summer’s almost over. so if you’re all wedding-ed out, check out these chic City Hall weddings. How beautiful are these couples?

And how romantic is this surprise proposal?

And the kiddos are headed back to school. Let’s reminisce with “Yuck,” the documentary about yucky school food directed by a kid.

The perfect inky black skinny jeans.

And how about these stud earrings for a cool-girl, wear everyday signature accessory? You know we love the rose gold so so much.

A-Thread has some affordable basics and cute accessories, and we love that your purchase benefits great nonprofits like LA Animal Services, Kiva, Thirst Relief and Children of the Night.

Now having shopped, want to eat dessert and feel good too? Try “This Dessert Saves Lives.”

And gentlemen, these Don Draper-ish sportcoats are so cozy and handsome. Please wear them.

Here’s a helpful guide from their blog on how to match necklaces with necklines.

It wouldn’t be fall without changing your lipstick. Here’s how to wear bold, dark color.

And a must for fall: the basics of pie.

Till we meet again, cheers!

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Featured photo via.

ask jeff cooper: buy me a ring

The question we hear most often from our clients is, “How do I pick a ring?”

The next most frequently asked question is, “How to do I get him to pick a ring I love?”

There’s some sound advice with a sense of humor over at East Side Bride, but we thought we’d offer some sensible advice from our experience.

If you want your love to propose, just nurture your relationship. Be thoughtful, be affectionate, be a great listener, but also have a life of your own so there’s some intrigue and mystery there.

Most people can’t gracefully come out and say “here’s what ring to get me.” But there are some ways to subtly influence your partner’s choice. If someone is thinking of proposing, they will take notice when your taste in rings comes up.

1. Tell your mom, sisters and all your girlfriends what you like. “I really love princess solitaires. No yellow gold. I love anything by Jeff Cooper.” Keep it simple and they’re sure to remember when he comes to them for advice.

2. Compliment rings you love in his presence, and be specific. “Your solitaire engagement ring is fabulous! What brand is it?”

3. Use language that helps your partner describe your personal style. You could say, “I love old fashioned jewelry. Or, “My style is really sleek and simple.”

4. And finally, if you don’t mind being a little more obvious, Like’ and ‘Share’ rings you love on Facebook, and repin them on Pinterest.

If you get a ring that’s not what you have in mind, you have two choices. Make the best of it, or ask to exchange it. As with any gift, graciousness is key. Be positive and grateful. We’ve known many brides who’ve said something like, “This ring is so beautiful I want to cry. You are the best fiance a girl could ever want. It is a little fancy for me though, how would you feel about us picking our something simpler?”

Your partner proposed to make you happy, so compromising on a ring is only as big a deal as you make it.

Love our featured image? It’s the Heidi Cushion Eternity Set from our vintage inspired Heirloom Collection.

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Summer Bride & Backyard Wedding Style

As summertime fades into fall, we have this bittersweet desire to hold on a little while longer. We’ll miss gorgeous vegetables and flowers from the garden, swingy summer dresses, and the sound of kids playing in the sun.

So here are some inspiration links to make the most of that Indian Summer feeling. Enjoy!

This backyard engagement party looks so fun and casual. We love the bowls of summer fruits and the playfully mismatched roses and carnations. Why be serious? It’s summer!

Speaking of nothing serious, we love this inspiration shoot, too. It’s based on reminiscing about summer: swimming pools, bikes and picnics.

An easy 70s outfit that screams summer.

We also love Mod for summer. The bateau necklines and short hems are so carefree and amazing,

A mojito taste test.

And light, beautiful Italian recipes for summer.

The featured image is our eternally blooming garden of our Laurel Collection. See them all here.

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African Wedding Inspiration and How to make the best chocolate chip cookies

Bargain shoppers, this is our weekend. H&M just launched their online store and it’s cool. This lace dress is adorable, and 100% cotton dresses are hard to come by in fast fashion.

Want some wardrobe inspiration? We were skeptical, but styled like this, Birkenstocks actually look sleek and sophisticated. Navy and white is so crisp  and classic, we love it.

Want to check out some celebrity hairstyles for weddings? Sure you do. Stephanie de Lannoy’s chic twist when she married Luxembourg’s Prince Guillaume incorporated her silver floral silk and tulle veil and a delicate platinum and diamond family tiara. And it was amazing.

We love anything “rings,” and this breakdown of engagement ring trends by city is actually really fun.

We need this cake in our life.

We love Joanna Goddard so darn much. Here’s her guide on “How to do anything.” 

We especially love “How to plan a fun vacation.”

And “How to talk to strangers at parties.”

And, of course, “How to make the best chocolate chip cookies. (And guacamole.)”

African wedding inspiration! Gorgeous, and really unique.S

And finally, a great looking vineyard wedding in New Zealand. Which is where our featured photo comes from, by Andrea Seymour Photography.

Have a delicious, fashionable, romantic weekend!

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Zach Gilford’s Wedding Photos

Way back on December 29th, “Friday Night Lights” actor Zach Gilford married Kiele Sanchez. Now amazing wedding photographer Jonas Peterson has shared their beautiful wedding photos on his website.

The mood in the pictures is pitch-perfect.

We love the way the bride’s mermaid gown complements the drama of the Campovida farm and vineyard, and the emotion on everyone’s faces.

Cheers to the happy couple!

we love: the round solitaire engagement ring

If your personal style is classic, you might love a round solitaire engagement ring. They never go out of style, and they look good with any style of clothes or accessories. They’re kind of the little black dress of diamonds.

Queen Elizabeth II received one from Prince Phillip, with a 3 carat diamond from his mother’s tiara. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden wears a simple round brilliant diamond solitaire engagement ring set in white gold, very similar to our solitaire styles here.

Over and over, we’re seeing stylish celebrities and our own clients return to the classic simplicity of a round solitaire, and we do love designing them.

Lovely Kerry Washington wears a round diamond, and so does heavy metal heiress Kelly Osbourne. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alexis Bledel and Carey Mulligan are a few more of the recently engaged stars making round solitaires hot again.

Have you seen any amazing round solitaires lately? If you have one of your own, share it!

Our featured image is the Tess Round Set.

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How to Kiss a girl & signature jewelry

wanderlust [ˈwɒndəˌlʌst] n. a great desire to travel and rove about.

This week, we’re feeling eclectic and adventurous. We want a break from routine. It’s the height of summer, yet we’re getting that unmistakable little flutter of activity and excitement that comes with fall. Here are a few things to start your weekend off with the spirit of adventure. Let’s travel and rove about!

Have you read this super romantic Missed Connection that’s making the rounds?

Madonna’s diet. She does not mess around.

Need a hug, after reading that? Puppy rooms are a thing.

Do you watch The Newsroom? Have you ever noticed Mackenzie’s signature gold necklace? We love the idea of personal, signature jewelry that you wear everywhere, and that’s just what this NY Magazine article and slideshow are about.

And yes, there’s a Jeff Cooper version!

Birkenstocks are trendy now? We’re not falling for it. Would you wear them?

Want to be more productive or more creative? (We know, who doesn’t?) Here’s an interesting article on the effect of order and disorder on creative work.

How to kiss a girl.

Summer white, uber-chic french women and a kohl-rimmed eye are so timeless.

What else is timeless? Kindness.

The perfect, effortless dinner? Don’t mind if we do.

Let’s socialize on Facebook.