Bling Fancy: Vintage Engagement Rings

As the holiday season sets in for this year, I thought that I would post something that matches the glittery, sparkling tone of the season… I’m talking about diamonds, of course!

And, as far as diamonds go – I have a penchant for vintage jewelry.  So, here are some fantastic engagement rings from decades past:

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From the Marlene Harris Collection, a beautiful .76 carat diamond ring from 1940. ($3,600)

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Also from the Marlene Harris Collection, a .27 carat diamond ring from 1935. ($1,000)

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Marlene Harris Collection from 1930, in gold with a pretty inset design. ($300)

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Cha, cha, cha… a breathtakingly huge Colombian emerald (4.44 carats!) in between 1.3 carat diamonds, from 1940. Kentshire Antique & Vintage Jewelry, priced over $50,000 (must contact for exact price.)

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Another emerald & diamond creation from Kentshire, circa 1900. Priced between $10-20,000 (must contact for exact price.)

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Wedding Lingerie… Less is More Comfortable!

With all of the fuss spent on your wedding dress, the undergarments can sometimes be neglected – believe it or not!  Then, when you do go searching for your perfect underwear – you are bombarded by options that are covered with straps and other details that look less than “comfy…”

However, modern wedding dresses (in many cases) do not require the “old-school” concepts of undergarments… in fact, many have built in cups that rid you of wearing any type of bra – and, the layers and linings included mean that you don’t even have to wear a slip, or a thong!  (This isn’t true for every dress, of course… but, it is true for a lot of the styles being worn these days!)

This leaves you with one choice, really… what to do about skivvies?  My vote is always for comfort, when the fashion allows it!  And, why not stick with “black and white” wedding formal, when choosing the shades you wear under there?

Here are few of my favorite options to match the black and white wedding theme, and still keep you comfortable the whole day (click photos for links):

“Fifi” by Agent Provocateur, $110

Wedding Set Tie-Side Panties with Pretty Blue Bell Back Graphic from Agent Provocateur, $70

“Trixie” by Agent Provocateur, $90

“Sandy” Bottoms (and cute little top for later that night!) from Agent Provocateur, $125/$225

Very Pretty “Love” Brief from Agent Provocateur, $100

Le Mystere Heather Boyshorts by BareNecessities, $27

A little color for fun, Honeydew ‘Rumba’ Mesh Boyshorts by Nordstrom, $18

Felina Print Boyshorts by Nordstrom, $26

Huit Salon Prive, Low Rise Boyshorts from Nordstrom, $57

Black and White – D&G Intimates Hipsters from Nordstrom, $55

♥ For those that like a little bit of personalization, but can’t stand the cheesy options available for such services – try this on for size:

Elegant lace, and still a bit of screenprinting from Rubyfox, $45 (for bralette and panties)

Also available on Cosabella undies - from Rubyfox, $23

Also available printed on Mary Green undies... from Rubyfox, $26

Pashmina Is Your Friend For Fall Weddings…

Before you know it, Fall will be here… and, this signals a change when it comes to accessories for both you and your bridesmaids.  The temperature will be slowly dropping as we ease into FAll- when it comes to weddings, you need something that easily fits that “sometimes warm, sometimes not” characteristic experienced during Fall…

I will suggest to you now, what I suggest to everyone no matter the time of year… pashmina.  It is the answer to so many problems!  The capabilities of these scarves are amazing in both casual and formal attire, and unlike so many “warmth” accessories out there – covering yourself with a pashmina only adds to your look instead of detracting away from what you worked so hard for that day!
Another bonus: many retailers provide you with hundreds of choices in color!

For Brides:
The subtle differences between pashmina styles is what determines your price factor – you could pay anywhere between $40 and $300!  Fortunately, there are many in between to choose from… so, depending on the quantity you need to buy for your bridesmaids (plus one for the bride!) you can have some flexibility to stay within your budget.

Here are a few options that look like they would be amazing to wear:

Top Row (see bottom row descriptions…) Middle Row from left to the right: HoneymoonWrap from White & Warren, $275, Golden Sandal Stole from Shawls Unlimited, $22, Azuri Classic Cashmere Pashmina Shawl from Nimli, $70 (on sale.) From bottom left to right: Airy Ribbed Cashmere Wrap from Nordstrom, $99, Close Up Fabric from previous item, The Wedding Wrap from White & Warren, $175.

For Bridesmaids:
Obviously, you can get into more colors here – but, you can also add a little something extra if you are planning to give these as gifts for your bridesmaids!  Like many wedding items, a pashmina can easily be monogrammed make each gift unique – but, I just love the idea of a very tiny monogram at the edge of the scarf to make this something that they will want to hang on to.  (Don’t rule out embroidery on your own scarf, brides: a tiny blue monogram would make a fantastic “something blue” for you!) You can use somebody near you to do the work on scarves purchased elsewhere, or you can order from a retailer that has the ability to embroider prior to shipment!  (One of my choices below is noted as such…)

Here are some brightly colored bridesmaid options (click images for links):

Wrap Up Scarf by White & Warren, $175

Ruffle Wrap from White & Warren, $275

Only one of 110 colors to choose from! Feather Pashmina Wrap by Nimli, $85 (on sale)

Just several of the many colors available to embroider as you wish! By Rocky Mountain Emporium, $59 (on sale)

♥ Lastly, for anyone that needs help with learning the versatile ways to wear their pashmina scarf, this may get your started!

Keep those arms covered, and stay warm and fabulous!

New Blog Series… Wedding Gifts for the Vintage Bride

This series is the hardest thing to research… i want to buy everything!  Obviously, I fall under the category of “vintage bride.”

I will be splittning the series up into several posts… because, there is just too much stuff out there to rave about!

Now, a quick note on this series… when I talk about buiying “wedding gifts for the vintage bride” – I am talking about the a wedding where your best friend is the bride.  You must know somebody, to know that they would crave a household of vintage collectibles – so, my advice for anyone that does not necessarily know the recepient?  Go to te registry!

This also brings me to another note worth mentioning: for those brides out there that would love to receive these types of gifts  – if the idea of a flawless set of blue and white, butter print, vintage, Pyrex mixing bowls makes you excited?  You ARE one of these brides!  So, another piece of advice for you, I will suggest… do not limit yourself to the “standard” registry spots!  If you want you kitchen to built by Etsy – you can have it!  Etsy is a great resource, because it is so user-friendly… you can ABSOLUTELY set up a regsitry system via Etsy!  It can be easier than you think!

Now that I have said my forwarding words – the vintage brides can wait with anticipation for the first round!  (It’s soon!)

... from a previous prayer candle series by GaGaVida

Host Aprons for the Bride!

I really want one of these for myself… I absolutely have to wear an apron when I cook – otherwise, I make a huge mess.  So, when I found this cute little apron, I fell in love!

It’s called the “Here Comes the Bride” Apron!  I found these at a shop on Etsy, “Annie’s Attic” – and there are many other adorable styles to choose from… I suggest you check it out!

Links from this post:

Annie’s Attic, hosted on Etsy