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 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?

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.

Shop for wedding gowns straight from your phone

This weekend marked my first jaunt to the bridal salon to try on wedding gowns. And it was an amazing experience! But for someone like me who virtually lives and breathes shopping in the digital world, I would have loved to have the chance to shop for dresses virtually as well.

Well, as luck would have it, starting today, BRIDES Magazine launched the “Brides Dressing Room“, the first ever wedding dress locator on a mobile device. You can browse a variety of wedding and bridesmaid dresses, sort by silhouette, designer or price, check availability of the dress and schedule an appointment with a local bridal salon. You can also email photos of a gown to your family and friends to get their feedback.

I love this idea! It makes gown shopping so much easier, more efficient and fun for all digi-fashionistas like me. Download the app by going to iTunes and searching for “BRIDES Dressing Room”.