Wanna help me choose a wedding handbag?

As much as I write about bags, bags and more bags, you’d think the first thing I’d nail down for my wedding is a handbag! But lo and behold, the big day is a month away and the only thing I have yet to get is a bag! Maybe it’s because I’m not a huge evening bag kind of girl. I’d take a large shoulder bag, satchel or hobo over an evening bag any day! But I know a big bag would look absolutely ridiculous with my princess wedding gown so a small clutch or minaudiere will have to do for the day. And I do love the beauty of a good jeweled clutch. I’ve been browsing the selections of Judith Leiber bags at Avelle (formerly Bag Borrow or Steal), and have decided I’d like to ‘borrow’ one of them for my wedding. (Which will help me meet the ’something borrowed’ requirement too). I’ve got my eye on a few – the ‘Goddess’, the ‘Princess’, the ‘Mini Twilight’, the ‘Streamline’, the ‘Package’, and the python ‘Blaze’ and several others. Which one do you think I should pick? Which is your fave?

        

Unique bridal buy: Tom Binns Tough Chic Skull & Rhinestone Earrings

Wondering what to gift the tough-as-nails bride? Try the TOM BINNS Tough Chic Skull & Rhinestone Earrings. This cool mix of rhinestones and edgy skulls are sure to satisfy her ’something new’ traditions with her ’something badass’ tendencies. Made of rhodium, these dangling earrings feature a sterling silver skull post with tiered crystals hanging 3.75″ below. The combination of silver and stones blends so perfectly, if you blink you might miss the skull smiling at you!

She’ll certainly be unlike any other bride before her.

Need another reason to buy? Michelle Obama is a fan of Tom Binns too.

A “one-carrot” ring and more from the “Tough Love” bridal collection by Solange Azagury-Partridge

Let’s keep it real – every girl wants a couple of carats on her finger. That’s ‘carats’ though, not ‘carrots’. Jewelry designer Solange Azagury-Partridge ’s new “Tough Love” 30-piece bridal collection pokes fun at a girl’s best friend by replacing a diamond with a carrot atop one ring. Other cheeky pieces include a double decker diamond ring and a diamond-studded lips ring.

The launch will take place in May in the form of a bridal shower at the designer’s studio – complete with cocktails and manicures. Prices range from $1,500-$226,000.

Ed: The ‘one-carrot’ ring would make a fun addition to my upcoming wedding day. Alongside my multi-’carat’ ring, of course.

Via WWD

Pour La Victoire to launch bridal shoe collection exclusively on Zappos

Just when I thought my search for bridal shoes was over, I found out some news that made me pause. I just discovered French-inspired, Brazilian-crafted footwear brand Pour La Victoire is set to launch its bridal footwear line in March! Imagine the European-styling of a sexy Pour La Victoire shoe combined with the elegance of a beautiful bridal gown and ta-da! – you’ve got a gorgeous collection of fashion-forward wedding footwear.

I checked out the collection and there are some interesting looks, including your typical heels, flats and wedges, embellished with bows, beading, lace, crystals, ruffles and floral details. In total there are twelve bridal styles and I love them all! But one of my favorites is the Divia Wedge in Ivory. At times I prefer wedge shoes over stiletto heels, and the design of these with the side bow detail makes the shoe look elegant and feminine, and not at all clunky (like some wedges can).

There’s no word yet on pricing but it will likely be competitive with other bridal footwear brands, as well as Pour La Victoire’s mainstay footwear line, which ranges at around $200. The collection will be available exclusively on zappos.com.

Which one is your fave?

Check back to see which shoes make the cut for my big day!

Bridal beauty pick: Chanel Glossimer Lévres Scintillantes

Typically a woman who strongly believes ‘less is more’ when it comes to my face, I do want to spice things up for my wedding. However, my day-to-day beauty and makeup regimen consists of little more than facial moisturizer, the occasional bit of bronzer, and my Chanel Glossimer lip gloss. Although I want to ‘do it big’ on my eyes and cheeks for the big day, I’ll keep my lips simple with the low-key Glossimer.

I have been using Glossimer for years, since I first saw it on Jada Pinkett Smith in a fashion and beauty spread in Essence Magazine. And I’ve been hooked ever since. My ’signature’ color is Twinkle, which is a pinkish, peachy color that is about the same tone as NARS’ ‘Orgasm’, but with flecks of gold shimmer that gives my lips a gorgeous sheen. I’ve also tried some similar Glossimer shades like Waterlily, as well as some limited-edition colors. I love that it goes on smooth, thanks to the wand applicator, and its sticky enough that it lasts for a while, but not as sticky as other glosses I’ve tried that make you feel as if you’re wearing three coats of Vasoline on your lips. The colors are more muted on than they appear in the packaging, which is fine because it highlights your skin tone without overdoing it. But there is that ever-present hint of sparkle and shine. And it’s water-resistant, so it doesn’t disappear after you take a sip of drink, or even a bite of food.

Wonder if it withstand our first kiss as husband and wife?

Buy Chanel Glossimer lip gloss, for $27, at Saks or Chanel.com.

Bridal find: Badgley Mischka Women’s Randee T-Strap Sandal

On your wedding day, doesn’t the perfect gown deserve the perfect shoe? Unfortunately, most bridal shoes are dyeable versions that make your day less wedding, more prom. Luckily, designers Badgley Mischka realized the lack of bridal shoe options and came up with some beautiful selections to blissfully grace my soon-to-be-betrothed feet. I can’t stop eyeing the Badgley Mischka Women’s Randee T-Strap Sandal - in multiple colors so it CAN be worn again. The pink is lovely and the gold satin is divine, but the ivory is a perfect match for my two (yes two!) wedding gowns. Made of silk and satin, the Randee is an elegant choice for that once-in-a-lifetime event. The 4 1/2″ heel and gorgeous floral ruffle down the front reads ‘high-fashion’, while the recessed platform and leather sole add a bit of much-needed comfort and balance. A delicate T-strap completes the look. And at $200, they’re well worth the wear!

Buy for $200 at endless

Bridal fragrances: J’adore by Dior and The One by Dolce & Gabbana

In planning my wedding, I’ve planned my look down to the last detail. Wedding gown? Check. Floral bouquet? Check. Shoes and accessories? Check. Makeup and hair? Still to be determined. But then it dawned on me that I hadn’t yet chosen a fragrance for the most special day of my life. Since my wedding look consists of a mix of traditional, sensual, glamorous, haute couture and sophisticated, I decided on two perfect perfumes for that big day.

Dior J’adore eau de parfum is “radiant, sensual, sophisticated” and for the “confident, sensual woman who celebrates her femininity”, with notes of mandarin, champaca flowers, ivy, African orchid, rose, violet, Damascus plum, Amaranth wood, blackberry musk.

 

 

 

Dolce & Gabbana The One eau de parfum is equal parts “tempting, modern and glamorous” and its strong scent contrasts with a golden sweetness. The top notes include bergamot, mandarin, lychee, peach, Madonna lily, muguet, plum, jasmine, vetiver, vanilla, amber and musk.

Both J’adore by Dior and The One by Dolce & Gabbana evoke passion, romance and love, which lends the perfect final touch for my wedding look!

What are your favorite bridal fragrances?

Shop the Saks Fifth Avenue bridal sample sale

WHAT: Saks Fifth Avenue New York Bridal Salon hosts bridal sample sale at its New York flagship store

WHY: 70% off original retail prices on hundreds of gowns from the foremost designers including Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Monique Lhuillier, Anna Maier, Ulla-Maija, Melissa Sweet, and more!

WHEN: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - Sunday, December 6, 2009
Store is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 to 8:30, Sunday 10 to 8

WHERE: Saks Fifth Avenue New York, Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets, On Nine

Bridal bauble – the bib necklace

As a bride-to-be, I find myself following a lot of wedding traditions, but the fashionista in me wants to add a little haute couture to my wedding day look. So I’ve already purchased a gown that’s equal parts traditional and couture and now am on the hunt for some non-traditional accessories. My strapless gown begs for a bit of adornment around my neck and I feel a simple necklace just won’t do. So I’ve been considering a jeweled bib necklace. It worked for Beyonce at the Golden Globes – she wore a 200 carat diamond bib necklace by Lorraine Schwartz. Now while I am no R&B diva/red carpet fixture, I think I can still pull off the look on my wedding day. I found several haute options that are a touch more affordable than Beyonce’s billionaire-style baubles:

From left to right:
Carolee Crystal Bib Necklace, $295
Kenneth Jay Lane Large Fancy Bib Necklace, $1,040
The following are available for rent at Avelle (the new Bag, Borrow or Steal)
Miriam Haskell Pearl Choker & Earring Set
Kenneth Jay Lane Three Row Teardrop Bib Necklace
Kenneth Jay Lane Fancy Crystal Bib Necklace

Bridal find: the Aspinal of London diamond clutch

On the hunt for the perfect (non-traditional) bridal bag, I may have finally found one that fits the bill. The Diamond Clutch by Aspinal of London looks like a million bucks (but is just under $500). This handmade beauty comes in silver mirror calfskin, (there’s also a brown mock croc version), and features a removable nickel chain and a chic clasp closure, complete with a diamond inset on the signature shield. Diamonds and handbags – two of this girl’s best friends, ‘clutched’ together in one glitzy little package!

Dimensions of the bag - 5″ x 10 x 1.5″; removable chain strap - approximately 17″

$490, Aspinal of London. New customers get 20% Off their first order With code AFUS20OFF.