Treasure Finds: Engagement Rings

I don't know about everyone else, but I feel like the majority of TV commercials are one of two things: prescription ads, lame attorneys, or cliche jewelry stores. You can only take so much before the "Every Kiss Begins With Kay" jingle starts running through your head. If you are like me, and one, tired of the same song, and two, wanting a ring that is not a copy cat mold, then you should take your jewelry shopping to Etsy land. Etsy has developed into a world of true craftsmenship. Artisans continually produce both unique and quality products that are found no where else.

I took a browse session over on Etsy this afternoon and not my surprise, I found some amazingly beautiful rings. The thing I love about Etsy is that there is something for everyone, literally. No matter what your style, taste, budget, or needs, Etsy seriously has it all. Check out some Treasure Finds below...these rings make Jared Jewelers look like a thing of the past. Links to the respective artisans are below as well -- true talent if you ask me!

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Modern Style

  

AdziasJewelryAtelier

Franziska

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Contemporary Style

 BendTheFish

ChrisMuellerJewelry

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Vintage Style

TreNove

AdziasJewelryAtelier

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 Alternative Style

SamanthaMcIntosh

mariaburgos 

Treasure Finds: Some Seriously FABULOUS Shoes!

Alright ladies, if you are a daily reader of this blog, you already know what kind of a "shoe freak" I am! Nothing makes you feel more feminine than slipping on a sexy pair of stilettos or a beach-chic pair of wedges! I am always on the look out for a hot pair across the web and absolutely LOVE seeing what people are wearing under their dresses these days. For a quick shot at some of the fabulous heels out there, check out a past post: What's Under That Dress?

My dear friend, and mastermind behind Love, GiGi jewelry line, Mary Morris is my partner in crime when it comes to all thing SHOES! It is not odd to find us texting or e-mailing pictures of shoes we see while out shopping! Furthermore, we are both huge Etsy fans, so it should not be a surprise that we were somehow able to put the two together. Mary sent me over a link to an Etsy Shop called Bride and You - A CUSTOM SHOE SHOP! Are you freaking serious?! Custom, and I should add "couture," shoes for your BIG day - sign me up (too bad my chance has already come in gone)! Sojin Kim's, owner of Bride and You, talent in the art form of shoes is truly stunning, and she offers a range of styles, colors, textures, & embellishments. I encourage all you Bride-To-Be's to head on over the Bride and You to start working with Sojin Kim on your fabulous BIG day shoe creation! Here are some clips from her store front!

Treasure Find: Couture Style Never Seen Before

Every girl knows that find the PERFECT dress easily qualifies as one of the top memories along your wedding journey. Nothing makes you that much more anxious to walk down the aisle then slipping on a dress that makes you feel that you are glowing with radiance. Today, there are a million choices for your dress-to-be, from all over the world, and from a plethora of designers - nevertheless, finding your perfect dress can be an adventure (or a maze for that matter) in and of itself. And, just like high school PROM, no girl wants to wear a dress like anyone else's - we want it to look like it was made just for us; but, only a few major bridal shops most metro areas and so many designers "copy-catting" each other' work, how are you guaranteed to find a dress that is purely unique? Answer: Etsy. Although Etsy started off being a virtual store front for many "do-it-yourselfers," the site is now filled with an abundance of true artists offering their masterpieces to the public. Fashion designers, of every sort, are popping up daily on Etsy to present their couture lines worthy of New York Fashion Week. If you are looking for a unique wedding dress style (not so main stream), a custom dress to your specific order, or just a couture dress that has never been worn before...head on over to Etsy and SHOP AWAY!!! You will be true eye-candy as you walk down the aisle looking as though you are straight out of a designers studio! Below is a SMALL sampling of some awesome wedding dress designers I spotted on Etsy - click their link to check out their virtual shop or go on over to Etsy to explore it yourself.

"Some Kind of Wonderful" by clairelafaye

"Maggs" by AngelsBridalBoutique

"Silk Fusion Mermaid Dress" by PureMagnoliaCouture

"Vintage Lace" by yourfairytalewedding

"The Wide Open Spaces" by ArmoursansAnguish
photo by Scott Woodman

"Lace Dress" by  dressmaker2011

Treasure Find: Wedding Day Rememberance

The wedding day - a day that should be one of the most meaningful days of your life! Full of fun, excitement, joy, and of course, lots of LOVE! With so much going on on your BIG day, you will wonder how in the world you are going to ever remember what that day truly felt like as each year passes. It is always nice to have a wedding "token" in your new home to constantly remind you both of the joys had on that special day. There are lots of different ways you can express the remembrance of your BIG day that will surely last you a lifetime! 


Wedding Sign
In an earlier post, I noted how a wedding sign, can easily be transformed into a piece of wall art after your wedding. Use the sign as a fun, artistic way of directing your guests - after the event, find an empty wall to hang it on! The sign, especially if it looks vintage, will truly seem like a nostalgic souvenir from the day.

Monogram Plaque
These make for GREAT wedding shower gifts that are sure to impress! Have your new initials painted, designed, or framed for a plaque. Add a wedding date tag line at the bottom to make it that much more personal. These plaques are great accessories to the entry way of any home - it will make it extra 
personal and welcoming.

MrCWoddsProducts on Etsy

Day in Photographs
This type of art has become really trendy over the past three years! Spell out your new last name by using architectural photographs of letters. Date tag lines can easily be added, and again, this is a great shower gift as well. The black and white photographs make this a perfect piece for your man's office!

ArtofWhimsyPhoto on Etsy

Portrait Art
Order a custom art piece surrounded by your favorite wedding portrait. Use verses from your first dance, words from your vows, or a poem to surround your picture. Accompany your new art with a great frame worthy for any wall in your new home!

PhotoFrameOriginals on Etsy

TheSugaredPlums on Etsy

Each of the art form above will insure long lasting memories of your BIG day. They are also all WONDERFUL wedding shower gifts that will long be cherished. Etsy, or your local gift shop, are perfect resources to find all the ones listed above and more! SO head on over to the amazing world of Etsy and get to searching so your can find something for your empty walls!

Treasure Finds: Something Blue

Yesterday's post was all about how to take a spin on tradition - in particular, Something Blue! I went on a scavenger hunt for new ways to put some BLUE into your BIG day - and these are some of my favorite finds!

1. Feather Bridal Fascinator by YJDesigns

2. Ivana by RSVP

3. Rosette Garter by SweetlyFallenBridal

4. Little Blue Gems by RyeleighRose

5. Vita by RSVP

6. Blue Feather Hair Clip by TheHeadBandShoppe

7. Blue Crystal Shoe Stickers by YourHappilyEverAfter

8. The Devi Fascinator by Satanica

I have to say, my favorite is all this PEACOCK trend! Peacock's have such a vibrant yet sophisticated aura about them and I think adding a hint of it to any wedding would be a plus!

Again, it is all how YOU want to but a spin on tradition - some things are meant to be carried the same throughout history, while other traditions could use a creative interpretation - you be the judge :)