The First Dance Collection - Lou Lou Belle Designs

Tomorrow sees the launch of Lou Lou Belle Design's Spring collection, The First Dance.  This new collection is decadent in design reminiscent of bygone Hollywood glamour.  With a combination of diamante details and Swarovski pearls the First Dance collection offers vintage inspired bridal hair accessories.

Fandango

A bride and grooms 'First Dance' symbolises the union of the newlyweds and each piece in this new collection from Lou Lou Belle Design takes its name from renowned dances, including the Waltz and the Fandango.

Mambo

Every piece in the collection is designed and handmade by Lisa Longhurst who started Lou Lou Belle Designs in 2007.   She also offers co-ordinating necklaces, bracelets and earrings which are available to complete the bridal look.

Samba

Lou Lou Belle Designs

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Photo credits - Foto Create

Hair & Make Up  - The Pamper Party Experience

Julieann Beads - New Bridal Collection

Tomorrow sees the start of the National Wedding Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where many designers will be showcasing new collection alongside their better know designs.  Julieann Beads will be launching a beautiful new collection, Verity Fleur, that is an extension of their bestselling Verity bridal colllection.  This new collection is beautiful and fits the current trend for flowers in bridal design, seen on many gowns this season. 

The Verity Fleur collection includes a bridal pendant necklace, hairgrips and hair combs.  Each piece is handcrafted using Swarovski diamante encrusted filigree to create a beautiful flower design incorporating sprakling clear crystals and silver lined glass beads. 

Julieann Beads offers exquisite bridal style at highly affordable prices, with a fantastic array of beautiful designs in different sizes and colours, in their fabulous collections. 

The Verity Fleur collection will offically launch tomorrow at the National Wedding Show, along with two other new collections, Allure and Cherish.  Please visit Julieann Bird, owner and designer, on Stand J21 to view these new collections and their best selling collections. 

Vintage Sparkle Workshops

Have you been comtemplating making your own bridal headpiece but were afraid to try without the guidance of an expert?  Fear not, Paula, the designer and owner of Vintage Sparkle is your fairy godmother and is offering you the chance to create a bespoke headpiece for your wedding.  Paula will be on hand to help you create a tiara, haircomb or headband using a selection of vintage and new components.  Then you can choose from vintage pearls, Swarovski pearls, fresh water pearls, diamantes or crystals to surround your choosen compnent.  All the tools that are required to create your bespoke bridal headpiece will be provided and there will also be coffee, tea and Danishes served mid morning.

This fabulous workshop is taking place on 5 March, 9am to midday at Audley's Wood Hotel in Hampshire.  The cost is £200 for you and a friend who can help you design and make your headpiece and you could even inccorporate a family heirloom into the design.

For more information or to book a place please contact Paula at Vintage Sparkle.

Chez Bec - 2011 Collection

Today fabulous and award winning bridal jewellery designers, Chez Bec are launching their new 2011 collection.  Staying on trend with their vintage inspired designs Chez Bec jewellery is classicaly elegant and will delight brides, whichever bygone era they have choosen for their wedding theme.

This new collection features gorgeous, diamante encrusted Swarovski filigree flowers finished with delicate freshwater pearls. Rebecca Doyle, head designer, explains that these are perfect for the romantic ruffles and flower embellished dresses that are set to be big news this year. 

Of course the new collection from Chez Bec would not be complete without beautiful hair accessories.  There are delectable applique headbands, sparkly diamante hair combs, clustered freshwater pearl hair pins and stunning silk flowers. 

This year will also see the launch of Chez Bec's Luxe Collection, which will run alongside their 2011 Collection.  The Luxe Collection will feature a premium range of exquisite hair accessories, including headbands and bird cage veils.

Every piece in the new collection is handmade and Chez Bec has one of the largest bridal collections available online.  It is no wonder then that they are finalists in the Wedding Ideas Awards, where they hope to retain their crown for Best Bridal Accessories.

Don't forget you can also book a bridal consultation with Rebecca at her stylish studio in Royal Tunbridge Wells to choose hair accessories and jewellery that will perfectly compliment your dress.

{New Year Offer - Ends Midnight Tonight - 15% off every order - Enter NY11 at the checkout}

Chez Bec

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Cocktail Party

It's time to polish that silver cocktail shaker and find your Martini glasses from the back of the cupboard as the party season has arrived.  I'm sure we all have a favourite cocktail or maybe you love experimenting with different flavours.  My favourite is a Vodka Martini but I would love you to share your favourite recipes! So if you are planning a cocktail party or attending one here are some gorgeous finds to help that party go with bang.

I'm a huge fan of these coaster invitations from Aliroo. 

 They make more of an occasion of a drinks party at home.

An LBD is essential!

from Anusha

Or how about green for a change?!

from Alexandra King

A clutch bag is essential.

from Zoe & Drew

Fabulous jewellery is a must.

from Eni

from Esemee Fascinators

And of course a cocktail shaker is compulsory.

from Whisk Hampers

So chin chin and enjoy!

Don't forget to share your favourite recipes in the comments!

Adorn your LBD

It's here, December is upon us and let the festivities commence....or at least the preparations!  For many of us the festive season delivers invitations to parties that give us the perfect excuse to dress up a little and often rely on our little black dress for many occassions.  Whilst our budgets may not stretch to a new LBD we can always update our dress with some new accessories.

For todays post I contacted Juliet, the editor of Adorn London, to put together three looks for the same dress, to help us all feel a million dollars this festive season even when our budgets will not stretch to a new dress for every party.  So lets join Juliet to find out how to adorn this gorgeous dress from Monsoon.

Maris Mesh Dress - Monsoon

Whenever I am thinking about what jewellery to wear with an outfit I consider three things:

How I will be wearing my hair?

The neckline of the dress

The sleeves

I then look at the occasion, in this instance, we can assume with the party season imminent that it is all about lunch with the girls, cocktail hour and evening glamour. I love the versatility of a LBD and will look at three styles based on three style icons: Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis.

Grace Kelly Style: Cocktail Hour

Known for her grace and elegance, pearls were synonymous with Grace Kelly. Pearls bring a level of sophistication to the look and can be layered for a more contemporary style. Update your wardrobe and embrace coloured pearls for that winter sizzle.

Blue Chunky Pearl Necklace - Debenhams

Hematite Crystal Ring - Debenhams

Audrey Hepburn: Evening Glam

Audrey Hepburn always wore a mix of cascading diamante and pearls. The bow drop earrings and diamante choker teamed with a faux fur stole and long gloves would add the wow factor to a red carpet affair or Christmas Ball.

Audrey Bow Drop Earrings - Oasis

Elegant Crystal Necklace - Oasis

Jackie O: Lunch with the girls

Jackie would often wear a short choker style triple pearl strand necklace and was often seen wearing a brooch pinned to her nipped-in-at-the waist dress. This is the season of the brooch. Wear pinned to a jewel-tone cardigan over your LBD and pearl button stud earrings for a chic lunchtime look.

Gunmetal Bow Brooch - Wallis

Freshwater Pearl Earrings - House of Fraser

We look at the Style Icons and the way they wear jewellery on Adorn London this week

Pearls & Style Icons

1960s Vintage Jewellery

Thank you Juliet, these choices are fabulous.

For weekly jewellery style updates and trends sign up to Adorn London's newsletter.

 

Chez Bec

Chez Bec, the award winning bridal jewellery and wedding hair accessories designers has recently opened a private studio for bridal consultations.  In the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells you can relax in the beautiful studio browsing and trying on different pieces from Chez Bec's award winning collections.  During your appoinment you will meet with head designer, Rebecca Doyle, who will talk you through your choices and discuss any bespoke requirements.  To ensure you choose the perfect piece to compliment your dress for your big day it would be beneficial to bring along your dress and other accessories.  Rebecca offers appoinments during the day, in the evening and at weekends, but they are limited, so book in advance.

So to book your appointment and feel like a princess whilst trying these gorgeous tiaras, headbands and jewellery contact Chez Bec. 

Sparkles and Secrets

I am sure once you have brought your dress your thoughts will turn to accessories.  Obviously the style of dress you have choosen will perhaps determine your choice of jewellery and hair accessories, but it can all seem a little overwhelming as there is so much to choose from.  Panic over, a group of jewellery designers have joined forces to help you.  They have collaborated to bring you the answers to the questions they are asked time and again when helping brides and grooms to-be choose the perfect accompaniment to their dream dress or wedding outfit.  Through their new blog the jewellery designers will showcase the latest designs and trends and share insider tips from the industry experts. 

So if you have choosen your dress and now need some help in choosing your jewellery pop over to visit Sparkles and Secrets

And if you would like to know a little bit more about the designers behind Sparkles and Secrets you can read their interview on Beyond Beyond stationery designers blog. Read the Q&A session here.

{Ivory Flowers Headband from Rose Garden Accessories}

{photo credit Jonathon Ryan of www.PeopleByRyan.com}

Sparkly Tiaras

Tiaras seem to be an essential part of a wedding day outfit, whether worn by the bride herself or her bridesmaids, they can add some extra sparkle to the big day.  There are some truly gorgeous tiaras available from some very talented jewellery designers and by working with your chosen designer you can truly accomplish a beautiful bespoke tiara.  Infact some are too gorgeous to keep just for weddings, why not wear it to a Christmas party too?!

from Tiararama

from Bunny Loves Evie

from Rachel Helen Designs

from Carole Allen Jewellery

from Wellydog Designs

from Chez Bec

from Gift Wrapped & Gorgeous

from Gift Wrapped & Gorgeous

Supplier Showcase - Jewellery

The Showcase - Jewellery