Archive for the ‘Jewelry’ Category

We’ve Got Etsy Envy!

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

You love Etsy. We love Etsy. So what’s not to love about a new HWB Etsy feature? Periodically, we’ll be putting together some of our favorite finds from everyone’s favorite “everything handmade” site. This week, our picks feature vintage-contemporary delights, including jewelry, accessories, perfume…and the sweetest lil’ silver cake forks EVER. Dig in and enjoy! And if you see something you really love, drop a comment—and tell a friend. There’s plenty for everyone.

1. Olive Yew Jewels ~ 2. Bag Noir ~ 3. Saras Boutique ~ 4. Trinkets 818
5. The Lonely Heart ~ 6. SIGNS2LOVE ~ 7. Olive Yew Jewels ~ 8. Simple Traditions

Inspiration Board: Retro Hollywood Glamour

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

It’s no mystery why style-minded brides turn again and again to Hollywood of the 40s, 50s and early 60s for wedding inspiration. Heyday Hollywood will forever be a time and place simply brimming with high-drama glamour and mystique. Hear the words “Old Hollywood” and your mind fills with iconic visions: va-voom mermaid gowns and Veronica Lake waves, twinkling chandeliers and tinkling grand piano keys, potted palms and tuxedo-clad waiters tipping Champagne into diminutive glasses, diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds. There’s no need to go into theme territory with your vintage Hollywood wedding design (unless, of course, that’s your kinda thing). Feel free to take cues from golden-era Hollywood rather than scouring thrift and prop shops for the actual thing. Instant glamour. Timeless allure. See credits below pix for details!

Old Hollywood Glamour WeddingOld Hollywood Glamour WeddingOld Hollywood Glamour WeddingOld Hollywood Glamour Wedding

Photos: (Box 1 clockwise) “Fanal” gown, La Sposa~Slingback, Christian Louboutin~Earrings, Libby Sweets~(Box 2 clockwise) Vintage Fred Leighton choker, Portero Luxury~Sunglasses, Vince Camuto~Sofa, Hancock & Moore~(Box 3 clockwise) Birdcage veil, Lady K Bridal~Bracelet, Luxe Deluxe~Vintage Bentley, Classic Limo~Chandelier, Garden Lights Plus~(Box 4 clockwise) Lingerie, Electric Wedding~Vintage Champagne glasses, Gilded Age Affaires~Bouquet, Aileen Tran

Romance? There’s an App for That!

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

What Makes True Love iPhone

We love a good wedding app, don’t you? And we especially love a good wedding app that makes us feel…good. Which is exactly what legendary jeweler Tiffany’s new “What Makes Love True” app does. Rather than matching happy couples to their perfect rings, like its earlier iPhone app does, the new, multimedia-heavy app—FREE, and compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad—takes users on an interactive romantic journey. After you watch a short film about proposal stories titled “Will You Marry Me?” from director Ed Burns (which left nary a dry eye among us, truth be told), you can peruse tons of classic and exclusive films and music “for the heart,” enjoy audio-slideshow “love stories,” or avail yourself of romance advice. There’s also an awesome feature that lets you tag your most romantic memories anywhere on the face of the Earth. Like, say, Houston.

So far, users have raves for this romantic, interactive app. We’d love to know what you think of What Makes Love True. Download, explore, and comment here! No i-device? No prob. What Make Love True is also online!

What Makes True Love iPadEd Burns

Did The Amazing Ring Race ROCK, Or What?

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Art Carved Diamond Engagement Ring

…especially for the adorable couple who won that truly spectacular $15,000 Art Carved diamond ring. As for the rest of us, the Amazing Ring Race was one heck of a good time (despite the winter chill…brrr!). Thanks so much to Thomas Markle Jewelers for making this awesome event happen last Saturday, and for bringing all those sweet, enthusiastic and VERY DETERMINED Houston brides and grooms out to The Woodlands for so much fun. We’re thrilled to have been a part of it.

Check out all the excitement, anticipation and race-day spirit, perfectly captured in this cute KPRC Local 2 clip!

 

Can You Find This $15,000 Diamond Ring?

Friday, February 18th, 2011

ArtCarved Diamond Ring

If you can, you get to keep it. How cool is that?

Here’s the deal: A stunning $15,000 ArtCarved diamond ring from Thomas Markle Jewelers has been hidden somewhere in The Woodlands. And on March 5, one lucky couple will follow clues and challenges delivered by iPhone, Android or text, and find it. And keep it. Forever. Will it be you and your honey?

Participation in Thomas Markle Jewelers’ Amazing Ring Race is free, but you must win a spot to play. Register here and, as a member of Weddings in Houston community, enter the code “WEDDINGS15″ to be placed in an exclusive pool of candidates for participation. And make sure to tell your to-be-wed pals. After all, what’s better than a little friendly competition?

To Do This Week: Stephen Webster Trunk Show @ Judith Ann Jewels

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

Judith Ann Jewels Stephen Webster trunk show

Looking for a stocking stuffer or special gift for your hip, fashion-forward fiance? Or maybe an incredibly cool little something for yourself? Don’t miss the Stephen Webster trunk show at Judith Ann Jewels tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 22. Check out pieces from the famed British jewelry designer’s collections, which feature thorns, daggers, skulls and otherworldly aquatic motifs, in silver and 18K gold, set with precious and semi-precious gems. Rock stars and celebs alike love Webster’s edgy elegance and exquisite craftsmanship. As for you, Houston bride, expect star treatment from the Stephen Webster rep who’ll be on hand to answer questions and help you pick the perfect gift.

Peanut Butter? We Like Ours Smooth. Bridal Jewelry? We’ll Take Chunky All The Way!

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Itty-bitty pearl drop earrings and delicate little diamond pendants are perfectly fine for weddings. Really. But the hottest look in bridal jewelry these days, like the hottest thing in soup (hey, those chilly nights are just around the corner!) is bold, thick and chunky.

We are crazy about these chunky wedding jewelry pieces—and we hope you are, too. No wallflowers here, thought fabric flowers aplenty (check out that peach-satin and black-glass bib from RiRiFisch—gorgeous!). Plus chunks of crystal, big fat faux pearls and lots of lush color.

MEG Chunky Bridal Necklace

MEG Chunky Bridal Bracelet

How yummy are the two styles above (necklace on top, beautiful ribbon bracelet below) from MEG? “MEG is a brand that has the chunky style down,” says our friend Lindsey Brewer, bridal consultant extraordinaire at Brickhouse Bridal, who’s seen many a Houston bride fall hopelessly in love with the line’s lovely, statement-making pieces.

Pearl and Crystal Bridal Bib Necklace

The “Ellen” necklace by Erin Gallagher is like a cascade of sparkle–imagine how stunning this would look draped against your decolletage at your candlelit reception.

Chunky Blue and White Bridal Necklace

Peach Fabric Flower Bridal Necklace

The “Your Majesty” bridal necklace by Etsy’s Sol Bijou (above) combines Kyanite, Labradorite, Blue Mystic Topaz and Rock Quartz with polymer clay and organza flowers, faux pearl clusters and French satin ribbon, all in grays, blues and shades of white. And, like your wedding, it’s one of a kind. Wow.

With its matte peach satin blossoms accented with jet glass beads, RiRiFisch’s “Dianna” necklace is a vintage-inspired vision of loveliness. It comes with black ribbon ties (a hint of elegant edginess we LOVE for winter brides), but you can switch out for a different color if you so desire.

Romantic, Nature-Inspired Accessories from Twigs & Honey

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Like its name, Myra Callan’s Oregon-based Twigs & Honey takes its inspiration from nature. Hair accessories come in categories like flora (silk blooms) and fauna (goose, pheasant, ostrich feathers), while belts and jewelry blend flowers and feathers with crystals, pearls and faux berries.

If you’re planning to wear a simple, sophisticated, unadorned bridal gown, or one of those currently coveted ethereal, diaphanous styles we all know and love, Twigs & Honey’s enchanting bridal accessories will add a little something extra special to your bridal look.

PS: Twigs & Honey just debuted its brand-new collection, available on its brand-new online store, so be sure to check it out!

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http://houstonweddingblog.com/2009/06/beautiful-bridal-bracelets/

Buy for Your Wedding, Help Haiti in the Process

Monday, March 29th, 2010

It’s no secret that the Houston Wedding Blog has some serious love for haven-of-all-things-handmade, Etsy. And now we have yet another reason to love the ubiquitous online artisans’ marketplace. You see, the Etsy Wedding Team Shop has launched a team event to raise money for Haiti, which, as we all know, was devastated by a massive earthquake, and subsequent aftershocks, on Jan. 10.

Here’s how it works:

Members of the Wedding Team—these are artisans who make wedding-related items, from jewelry to favors to décor, and more—have donated a selection of their wares to the event. Purchase a donated item and the proceeds (minus Etsy and PayPal fees) will go directly to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. It’s that simple.

The items themselves, on the other hand, are intricate, elegant, fanciful, fun and unique. Check out, for instance, this delightful floral headband—perfect for your most fashionable flower girl.

Flower Headband

Flower Headband

Or how about these filigree and glass-pearl earrings? We think they’re a very pretty pairing for an ivory bridal gown, and also great for a bridesmaid gift.

Filigree and glass-pearl earrings

Filigree and glass-pearl earrings

And weren’t we delighted to find this clay-flower accent arrangement from DK Designs (remember when we blogged about Martha Stewart discovery Diane Phillips way back in November?). Those peach-hued English roses and creamy magnolia blossoms? Hard to believe they’re not real flowers!

Clay Flowers

Clay Flowers

You’ll also find cupcake pick tags (cute!), wedding signs (handy!), coffee cup corsets (darling!) and other wonderful wedding extras. So check it out and pass the word along. Haiti needs our help, and Etsy’s got a terrific opportunity to give it.

Beautiful Bridal Bracelets Part II

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

This spring and summer’s bridal gowns are all about the right to bare arms, and we support it! But bare doesn’t have to mean naked. At your wedding, Houston bride, those pretty arms and hands of yours are going to be on constant display (holding your bouquet, exchanging rings with your beloved, cutting the cake, etc., etc…). We recommend you dress your wrist appropriately, with a beautiful bridal bracelet that catches the light just so.

A couple of things to consider when choosing a bridal bracelet:

Matching is not required. Sure, you can select a coordinating set that includes necklace, earrings and bracelet. But it’s equally fine (and even a little more fashion-forward) to go with mismatched pieces, like chandelier earrings and a chunky, bejeweled bangle, or an Art Deco pendant and a filigree cuff.

Don’t get snagged. Make sure to take into consideration your gown material when choosing a bridal bracelet. If the skirt of your gown is tulle or lace, you may want to avoid gem-encrusted bracelets, and bracelets with sharp edges or catches, and instead stick with smooth bangle styles. If, on the other hand, your skirt is sleek satin or silk taffeta, you can get away with just about any bracelet construction.

Buy for the future. Choose a bracelet that you really love, and that you will want to wear over and over again. This may mean selecting something that complements your ring set, or an heirloom or vintage piece that makes an enduring statement, and that you can pass down to future generations. Your wedding-day jewelry is special, of course, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stuck in a safe or jewelry box once you’re wed.

OK, now for the fun part. Our best local jewelers offer a spectacular selection of bracelets from classic to ultra-contemporary, so drop in and try on a few styles.

Beyond Houston’s borders, here are a two more fabulous bracelet finds to tempt you:

Bride and press fave Tejani has a big, beautiful selection of bridal bracelets that are not just stunning, but surprisingly affordable, too. Among our most coveted styles is this 1½-inch-wide sterling silver, zircon and crystal bangle…but you can have your pick from bracelets grouped by categories including Daring, Dainty and Antique.

Tejani Bangle

Tejani Bangle

On the edgier side, there’s Melinda Maria, whose statement pieces have won celebrity fans including Vanessa Hudgens, Anne Hathaway and Faith Hill. We’re crazy about the Infinity Pod Bangles, and slightly daintier Mini Pod Bangles. But with a drapey, stately goddess gown, nothing would be more beautiful than this lovely leaf bangle, don’t you agree?

Melinda Maria Leaf Bracelet

Melinda Maria Leaf Bracelet