UH OH OPALS

Remember that time I said opals are fugg ??

Am now eating my words BIG TIME.

Go shop the new WWAKE collection over at Catbird.

look who didn't need any help

July 8, 2013

Dear ESB,

My boyfriend and I are eloping to Vegas in two months time and we're very excited! Before everyone shudders at the thought, we are getting married by an officiant in the desert under an old tree. We originally loved the idea of an old Vegas chapel, until we read all the terrifying reviews.

We have found a great photographer that takes photos only on film and are going to be taking some shots around various mid-century style locations in Vegas and also in the Nevada desert.

Because we are eloping nobody knows and therefore my sisters and girlfriends can't help me in terms of my outfit, makeup and hair. So I'm counting on the sisterhood of ESB - please help me!

This is my dress [pictured above] (except I will be wearing a white slip underneath). I know it's going to be boiling hot, but it's going to be hot regardless of what I wear.

My flowers are going to be a bunch of white daisies. These have been ordered already.

Now for the things I have no idea what to do:

I was thinking for shoes white, pointed heels, like this but where do I find something like this that doesn't cost the earth? Also open to other suggestions for shoes that don't look like this... (I don't like my toes however, so maybe no open-toe suggestions)

I have straight, medium length brown hair...any suggestions for a hair style? 

I've absolutely no idea.

And for make-up, I want to keep it all quite romantic and natural, no red lips.

Thank you in advance!!

- Secret bride

*****

Nov 11, 2013

How did you accessorize???

*****

Nov 11, 2013

hello :)

I wore white patent leather pumps by Marc Jacobs, Satomi Kawakita tiny pearl studs (from Catbird) and that was it!

I mean. THIS IS PERFECT, AMIRITE?

Photo by Gaby Jeter (with more to follow!)

New from Catbird!

Gorg lil (affordable!) rings....

Sleeping Beauty, 14k white gold setting + rosecut white diamonds, $498

Maleficent, 14k rose gold setting + rosecut black and white diamonds, $364

And you might need the lil matching studs to get married in.

14k rose gold setting + 3mm rosecut white diamonds, $376

A Brooklyn travel guide for wedding sh!t?

Hi there,

I've loved the travel guides you've been posting recently. As a new reader, please forgive me if I missed the Brooklyn wedding version. (I promise I did look through the archives.)  

Where besides Catbird should I go to find interesting/artisan/unusual/finely designed/ohpleasegodnotthis rings, and to browse wedding dresses that don't make me feel like the dress is wearing me? The honest truth is I used to live in Brooklyn, but at that time I was 100% never ever ever going to get married, so now that I'm eating my words I need someone to remind me where all those awesome places I saw out of the corner of my eye but insisted on ignoring can be found!

Thankyouthankyouthankyou

*****

Brooklyn is the jewelry-that-I-love capital of the world. Catbird, Scosha, Macha, and Erie Basin are all worth visiting, and if you don't find SEVERAL rings you love, there is something wrong with you.

Brooklyn is not, however, a good place to shop for a wedding dress. I am sorry to say. (Or maybe not that sorry actually. Go to Soho? Or make an appointment at Stone Fox Bride. While you're in the neighborhood, you should probs make an appointment with Anna Sheffield, too.)


Miranda Kerr by Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar

Dear ESB: I have a gnarly knuckle rash....

Dear ESB,

I have been married almost a year now, and still continue to be in need of your advice :)

I have developed a nickel allergy and I cannot wear my engagement ring or wedding band without developing a painful rash. My rings are my Grandmother's and this development sucks. I still want to wear some type of wedding band. 

Problem is, from what I read, platinum and titanium are the only 100% nickel free rings. I normally wear yellow or rose gold metals. Also, all the platinum/titanium rings I have found are ugly. Really ugly. 

Any chance you or you readers can help me find a new nickel free that is attractive?

-Gnarly Knuckle

*****

If you search "platinum" on the catbird site, you'll come up with a bunch of options. I'm partial to Satomi Kawakita's eternity band [pictured above]….

Dear ESB: Want to keep running with the men's ring theme?

My fiancé is the WORST shopper ever, and I need help getting him to shop smart for a ring. He claims he doesn't care about things, but then is very picky when it comes to actually purchasing/wearing anything. He's the kind of guy that is perfectly content with a limited wardrobe, has to be convinced that yes he does actually need a dress coat, even if he'll only wear it twice a year, but will spend 3 months shoe shopping to replace the shoes he wears almost every day even though the ones he's currently wearing are so worn down they almost have holes in the sole.

He is convinced he will never get used to wearing a ring, that it's too bulky on his finger and he doesn't like jewelry. In the same discussion, he says he will wear his wedding band. He says he's not picky, but doesn't want to spend "a lot" of money on it. He works in food service management, so he uses his hands a lot, but he's not chopping things all day long. He gravitates towards rings in the 6mm size with more of a matte finish.

My dilemma is I know it's possible to get used to a ring, he doesn't yet believe that. I think the best plan of action is to get him a cheap ring now, let him get used to it and let it get beat up a bit and then I'll gift him a ring with nicer materials as his forever ring in a year or so when he's more comfortable wearing one. However, the cheaper rings all seem to be heavier and more bulky, which sorta throws a wrench in the idea that he'll get used to the ring. He also has slender fingers (size 7.5) so we haven't been to a store where he can try on rings and get a true idea of what they'll feel like.

He really liked this ring at Bario Neal in Palladium, but he thinks it's too expensive for "just a ring." 

I think he'll also like this Bittersweets ring from Catbird in a white gold. 

He'd like it Hammered, but I think down the road he'd be happy if it was just a traditional finish. If I was the one making the decision, I'd just get him one of these.

Any ideas of a good "temporary" ring I could get? Or a way to make him see the light and get something that's more likely to last and be comfortable now?

Thank you!

*****

This guy makes me REALLY TIRED.

Tell him it's his fucking WEDDING RING and he'll be wearing it EVERY DAY for THIRTY YEARS. For the palladium band or the thin band in white gold, that comes to approx 5 cents per day.

If he needs a training ring, tie a fucking twisty tie around his finger and make him wear it until the wedding.



Fuck's sake.

Iggy Pop by Pierre et Gilles via Room 26 via Vejde Gustafsson via Susannah

well hello there, sparkly sparkles

Cleopatra's Ring by Lauren Wolf NEW! at Catbird



I mean, I did have to get that toilet brush off the top of the blog, gorg as it may be.

Seeking: An engagement ring for a fat finger

Dear ESB

I'm having a lot of trouble finding larger engagement rings. I'm a size 8.5 and I like a lot of what you post. Our budget is under $4k but I really like stuff like this: 

Nora Kogan Rapture Ring (pictured above)

Anna Sheffield’s Hazeline Ring

Anna Sheffield’s Bea Ring

Satomi Kawakita Hexagon Ring (the only one that has my size)

Thanks!

*****

My little birdie at Catbird tells me:

We can order most anything in her size, including the Satomi hex ring. 

ALSO: 

Katie Diamond Suri ring

These guys are on sale! We can resize them for her.

p.s. If you do fall in love with a ring from somewhere other than Catbird (WHYYYYYYYEEEE? but anyway) don't be afraid to ask about special orders/resizing.

This would make an awesome wedding gift

(For the right people, obvs. Let's not freak anyone out.)

Hand-drawn Tarot Deck by The Wild Unknown at Catbird

pin-o-RAMA

Every once in a while when I'm procrastinating, I do a little "market research" on pinterest.

If you type: http://pinterest.com/source/eastsidebride.com (but insert your own url at the end, obvs) you'll get a quick overview of what people are pinning.

There are two images from this here blog that keep coming up over and over: This adorbz pair of budget-ish sandals, and this seeeelammin turquoise ring.

Weird, right? 

I mean, not weird. But I guess I'm always hoping ppl will pin images like this. (They don't.)

Anyhoo.

Thought you should know the Jeffrey Campbell sandals are avail at Nordstrom in red and black.

(And they're on sale over at UO in white.)

You're on your own with the vintage turquoise. KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED. 

Or: Here are a few lovely modern options....

(Four Square Turquoise Ring from Mociun)

(Aili Tulum Ring from Catbird)

(Rad Turquoise Ring from Scosha)

______________________________

*All credit goes to Bri for the tip.

What do I get for my dad who just eloped?

Hi,

I wrote you a few months ago about a friend's wedding dress, and the suggestions were very useful (several readers called it when they said she'd wind up with a Jenny Packham). 

I've got another, unrelated question for you/your readers:

My dad eloped with his long-time partner (woman, for some reason I feel I should specify that.) He had indicated they would be getting married and that they would be having a ceremony with just the two of them. I assumed I would get a phone call beforehand telling me when it would be happening, but instead I got an email saying, "We're married!" 

We're having a party for his birthday in a few weeks that will be doubling as their "reception" and I'm wondering if I should be getting some sort of a gift for them both? What on earth does one get for one's father after he has eloped? Surely a KitchenAid Mixer or salad tongs aren't exactly appropriate (especially since he got those the first time around...) and please don't suggest nice sheets (shudder.)

Help?

Best,

Attempting to be adult about a very juvenile situation

*****

I need a little info about your dad:

1) City or Country?

2) Sweet or Savory?

2) Mac or PC?

4) Beethoven or Neil Young?

*****

Hm,

Country, savory, Mac, Neil Young (though Pink Floyd would be perhaps more accurate.)

*****

OMG I LOVE THIS GAME.

Obvs you should get them.....

The Wild Unknown Mirrored Prism from Catbird ($65)


Or.....

Sign up for shop updates from Herriott Grace and buy them a little salt bowl ($45 CDN) for good luck.

THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE DIAMONDS

May 14, 2012

Hello ESB -

It's simple: I like old, he likes new. I like a story and a particular style, he likes shiny and flashy. I collect allsortsofthings and have a clear aesthetic identity, he... well, not so much.

We both work with our hands (he's a touring musician, I'm a photographer, mixed-media artist, waitress, and teacher) so our rings have to be durable.

I have been looking at a wide range of engagement rings from vintage/antique (eriebasin, ebay) to new but off-beat (catbird, bario-neal, conroy & wilcox) and just can't find something that's NEW (and according to him, doesn't have anyone else's SHIT attached to it) but has the kind of soul I want. Here are some rings that have appealed to me thus far and perhaps you can make some other suggestions?

Elisa Solomon Ancienne (with matching band!?)

Digby & Iona Bears

Erie Basin Deco

EraGem Deco


As you can see I am all over the place. HELP?!

Though we aren't even engaged yet, (yes I am thinking this far ahead), I want to engrave a wave-form into a ring kind of like Sakurako Shimizu (i do rings) but engraved rather than cut through for his band (don't worry, they will say something other than "I do..") and am looking for an artist who is capable and would enjoy a commission like this. (I might get a matching one too, just daintier.. but it would have to be just right...)

We just moved from down South to Boston for a bit, but don't know where we will be getting married. He travels all over so location isn't much of an issue for checking out rings. Thoughts?

Also, I love reading your smart-assery and I think you always have spot-on style suggestions.
kthx.

xo

*****

May 24, 2012

Hello Again Sweet ESB,

Sorry to be a bother again, but I saw your twitter post of one of the new Digby & Iona Diamond rings and figured you'd have the downlow on when the collection would be released and if one would have to be in some super-special club to get their hand in one.

(I emailed you a week or so asking about rings and I'M SORRY TO BE A SQUEAKY WHEEL AND ALL THAT CRAP.. I know you must get annoyed with obnoxious repeat emailers, last time, I promise.)

And I love their stuff. And I know my man is paying close attention to my strategically left open tabs of your posts about different ring styles I like and my fav vintage finds etc. as he has informed me he is doing it all on his own without consulting my friends or mother.

*****

Voila!

Leave this baby open for a few hours.

Dots Dot Dots

Dear ESB,

Marrying a lovely lovely man in 3 months. Have a dress but nothing else. (I know, I know. I despise bhldn. But the dress is so pretty!) We're having a small brunch wedding, so pretty casual and possibly an outdoor venue. Any shoe and/or accessory advice?

I've never been terribly comfortable in heels, so I'm thinking a beautiful pair of ballet flats or sandals would do (I'm also short and curvy, so trying to keep me from looking shorter and curvier is a priority), easy to wear but still special for the day. 

Also, my fiance gave me an AMAZING engagement ring (an oversized copper disc with an asymmetrically-placed silver disc inside), and I'd like to be able to keep it as the focus of my jewelry.

Oh, and our general palette for the wedding is bright pink, yellow, and orange (read: citrus). We're pretty non-traditional, and want to keep things light and fun!

Thanks!
Shoeless but Shiny

*****

Dot earrings, obv.

And then…. Would you consider a slight heel?

There is no ballet flat on earth that will make you look less short.

Digby + Iona does weddings

Aaron Ruff of Digby + Iona just debuted a few brand new pieces at catbird.

WEDDING PIECES, PEOPLE!

Full disclosure: My engagement ring came from Digby + Iona, so I've got a sentimental attachment to this stuff. But I am beyond excited.

Aaron told me:

I've been working on the the design end of this collection for a year and I've been squirreling away the diamonds for almost 4 years. I feel like this is a really huge step forward for the brand and that these pieces mesh extremely unique jewels with the kind of design details that digby has become known for.

The ethos of the brand has always been to create pieces that would have an instant history and become heirlooms for years to come.

Wave Band - NEW! (from $280, pictured at top) + Wave Ring with Yellow Diamond - NEW! ($1200, pictured above)

And then of course there are the Heart + Diamond Signet Rings (from $170).

These are not new, but I've been obsessed with them for some time. CAN YOU SAY MANGAGEMENT RING?

Be sure to check out Aaron's Q&A over on the catbird blog. And shop the full selection here. 

Seeking: Victorian wedding earrings

Dear ESB,

Longtime listener, first time caller.

Just got my dress and it was a tad more traditional than I thought it would be: tiny straps, very simple, but with a kinda schmancy lace bolero to go over it. I'm also wearing a black or navy velvet ribbon at the waist. Tres Victorian.

Now that the stress of finding a dress is over — because I hated the search, honestly — I'm looking for the right accessories to gussy myself up. The neckline of this thing will not work with a necklace, so I'm thinking earrings are the key. I'm also wearing my hair down and am thinking I probably won't wear a veil or any sort of head-piece, because of all the lace I mentioned. (Seems like overkill.) At most, I'll be wearing some sort of antiquey barrette in my hair.

So, earrings! I'm generally not a doorknocker earrings kind of lady, and I preferably want to have something I'll wear again. However, I am so confused over what to wear with this get-up, and it seems like earrings are the only accessories I'm going to have, so I need something to balance against the rest. Gold and pearls seems a bit too traditional for something with this much lace. Antique Czech glass might be nice? (Not so into diamonds or shiny things, either.) Simple, smaller earrings seem like a waste. I guess I'm just worried about them being too busy, big or small, I guess. Indecision!

In a nutshell, I want simple and bold. Is it possible? Yellow gold, blue, black or coral are all colors I'm into.

Some ideas I've had thus far:

Gold and pale olive earrings

Black lucite clip earrings

Liquid gold spear earrings

Gold vermeil chip earrings

Black mother of pearl chip

Cheers,
Earrings Coming Out My Eyeballs

*****

I can't fathom why you wouldn't shop at Catbird.

I was gunning for this art deco pair, but Leigh (aka your personal shopper over at Catbird) has some other ideas:

Classic Gold Hoops they put online just for us. Yes, these babies are expensive, but OMIGAH I WOULD WEAR THEM EVERY DAY.

Black Mother of Pearl Leaf Earrings which Victoria herself would be proud to wear.

Sparkling Leaf Earrings that Leigh said "I'm wearing right now - cheap but they really feel luxe and glamorous without being doorknockery."

Emily Blunt as Young Victoria (have you seen this movie? it's pretty great) via Madame Guillotine

on the Catbird set

I can't tell you how much fun we all had making our short.

Can this man rock jewelry, or can he rock jewelry??

I didn't even notice the heart tattoo when I cast him. (And by "cast him," I mean..... accosted him on the Lower East Side two days before the shoot and made him PROMISE TO CALL ME. Thank fuck he did.)

We ladies almost died when he started trying on wedding bands.

Funny story.

Teepee's mama told me that bananas were her favorite food, so all day we kept trying to use bananas to get Teepee to jump up on the bed and interrupt the smooching.

No go.

That is one polite chihuahua.

It was finally a little bit of leftover BEEF from my nacho lunch that did the trick.

And Anya is adorable, no? I knew we had the right girl when H's friends kept asking him if they could see ALL THE FOOTAGE.

Photos by Cary Tijerina