Cute bridesmaids compact mirror

Okay, well, these custom embroidered compact mirrors are just cute so I thought I'd highlight them here:



Available in lots of different fabric choices and any color embroidery. Fun, different, and full of personality, no?

Birdcage Veil Colors

How fun and glamorous is this? Don't you want to walk around in this all day?

Some of you might not be aware of all of the colors that are available for birdcage veils. It doesn't have to be a funky color like turquoise, either - we offer veils in champagne, peach, light pink... just about any shade you can think of, actually, including metallics! I want someone to order one in metallic gold or silver and then send me a picture!

Weddingbee Contest

Mrs. Bee over at weddingbee is graciously hosting a contest for us. We'll be giving the winner a $500 gift certificate for anything on our website! To enter, click on over to the post and write a comment - tell me what your favorite designs are! The deadline is tonight at 8:00pm so hurry!



I have had such a blast reading all of the comments so far!

Modernizing the Tiara

Today I'm going to show you how to update the traditional tiara. Below are tons of ideas... ok 8.

They can be worn in the traditional princessy sort of way:



(Look! She's an ice princess!)

You can also wear them in a traditional way with more untraditional hair for a modernizing effect:



You can wear them upside down for a totally different look:



You can wear them flat against your head like a headband:



You can wear them on the back of your head around a bun:



You can find them in unusual materials like real leaves and flowers, or chandelier prisms!



You can wear them asymmetrically on your head:



You can add color!



So, you don't have to be royalty or a pageant queen to wear a tiara. The tiara is dead, long live the tiara!

XOXO

Tulle Bracelets

One of the things I'm most excited about with the Luxe collection are the new Scarlett and Zoe bracelets. The night before our photo shoot, I was whizzing around the studio getting all of the samples ready and trying to figure out what I'd forgotten. I had lists and lists with model photos and hair styles and samples... then I saw our bolt of russian netting sitting next to some brooches. I just LOVE russian netting, so of course I started to play with it. I was absently wrapping it around my wrist when... Wow. That looks really cool! Sort of a modern "like a virgin" (if you're old enough to remember 1980s Madonna...

So how do they work? There's enough tulle netting to go around your wrist about 3 times. More than that and it looks bulky. I put little silver loops on each end, so you can use a hook (included) to clasp it together. Then, you can just attach the brooch to the front of your wrist over the fabric you made. It's so great, because now you can wear it as a brooch too! And you know what else? It totally works in your hair a la the Scarlett headband:

New Collections

I hope you love our 2 new collections - Luxe and Timeless.

I went all out with Luxe. I actually made the signature piece, the Alvina Headband, last October and had to build a collection around it. There are some really interesting styles that I've never done before, which I'll blog about this week, like the Zoe and Scarlett bracelets. What pulls it all together is absolute opulance. I didn't ask questions with this collection, I just let the pieces be whatever they wanted, even if that took me weeks to create. It's definitely an extention of 2 previous collections, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Organics. I just love the natural elements and taking them to the next level, and the magical vibe that creates.




Timeless has been developing for a while now (ha!) - you've seen the necklaces on our website for a few months. The collection is a little more understated elegance, though a few of the necklaces are quite breathtaking on their own. I think the pieces are some of my more classic looking designs, but there's still drama and romance. I love the subtle sparkle of the Minuets (earrings, bracelet, necklace, comb) and I had so much fun coming up with all of the different hair ornaments.

For the first time ever, there are no new tiaras in the collections! I just wasn't feeling it this season. There are a few headbands that can be worn in a tiara-ish way, and certainly some of the combs have the tiara vibe. Are tiaras over? Heavens no! We love the tiara. More about that later this week too.

XOXO

Dollface Collection

We never got to do a proper photo shoot for our Dollface Collection. So, even though the designs already made their official debut last October... introducing, once again, Dollface!

XOXO

Alvina Headband

I just had to post this preview of the Luxe collection! Look for it online Monday!

Fascinators

We had a photo shoot yesterday for our new Fall/Winter 2008/2009 collections!!



It's always one of my favorite days of the year because my vision actually comes to life. We'll be adding the new pieces to the website this week, including both of the above birdcage veils and fascinators.

So, you might not be familiar with the term fascinator. Fascinators are pretty much anything you wear on your head that is fabulous that's not a hat. They're usually made of feathers and crystals and flowers - that sort of thing. None of the veils have anything attached to them, but you can add a fascinator anywhere to it because they're all on little pins or combs. I find fascinators to be aptly named. I can sit and play with them for hours.