Archive for the ‘Gift Guide’ Category

When it comes to buying gifts for our men, we all know that it’s no easy task. Especially when you’re on the hunt for fashionable, unique, affordable options. We recently stumbled upon Pretty Handsome, a local Sacramento company, that makes amazing vintage lapel flowers.

Pretty Handsome creates one off pieces in small runs to keep everything original and fresh. They use vintage fabrics, buttons and jewelry to create amazing pieces of art for our stylish men! The best part is, these lapel flowers are bride approved! Chances are that you can find one that goes perfectly with your wedding decor — perfect for your groom’s attire for the rehearsal dinner, don’t you think?!

Ok, so we can’t let the guys have all the fun! These great pieces could be worn as shoe clips, purse accessories, hair bands and more! The sky’s the limt with these little beauties!

Pretty Handsome’s lapel flowers can be purchased online at youareprettyhandsome.com. And, stay up to date with their new releases on Facebook here!

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Pretty Handsome.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

To say that I love these Kate Spade bridal necklaces is an understatement. I’m literally on the verge of secretly buying one and pretending I got it on my wedding day two years ago! Is that so wrong?

These necklaces are the perfect sentimental gift to give to any bride for her wedding shower, on her special day or even as an anniversary present. They’re gold plated, 16″ and say either “I Do” or “Mrs” in a beautiful script font. And, if diamonds are a little out of your budget, you’ll love this designer necklace’s affordable price-point at $78.

 If earrings are more her thing, Kate Spade also has these super cute gold plated ”Mrs” studs for $48.

You can purchase these Kate Spade beauties online at katespade.com.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.

Photos courtesy of and copyright Kate Spade.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

As a woman, you should always be prepared!

As a bride, you should be extra prepared!

Real Weddings Magazine has always encouraged brides to create a custom “wedding day emergency kit” for all of the unexpected challenges that could possibly arise on your wedding day. In the pages of Real Weddings Magazine, we have suggested the following items:

Well, we just added more to the list! Braza products are an essential addition to your wedding day emergency kit. Braza has thought of EVERYTHING… and I mean EVERYTHING!

The Braza product line includes a wide range of sweet little “helpers” to assist us girls with everyday fashion emergencies. Fashion dilemmas don’t stand a chance with Braza’s convenient, comfortable and discreet fixes.

Braza even has taken the guesswork out of creating your own emergency kit and offers complete kits for all sorts of different situations. They even have a “Bridesmaid’s Diva Kit” that would make a great bridesmaid gift (one that your besties can actually use after the wedding).

Even if you end up problem-free on your wedding day, these products will never go to waste. I keep a fashion emergency kit in my car and it has definitely come in handy. You never know when you might need some flash adhesive tape (or as my hubby calls it, “tata tape”)!

According to Braza’s company slogan, no need to worry about a thing, “Problem Solved!”

Check out all of Braza incredible products at www.brazabra.com

Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, resident Girl Tested, Bride Approved Columnist.

Photos courtesy of www.brazabra.com

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

On occasion, even our most adored and admired pair of shoes can let us down and leave us limping with aching, tired and sometimes blistered feet.

Soleil Shoe Company figured out a way to alleviate sore feet without sacrificing fashion. They have created a rollable, foldable ballet flat that fits right in your purse… how cool is that?

These folding shoes are ideal for any occasion and they’re perfect to keep on standby at your wedding.

I tried out a pair for my bachelorette party. I, of course, had to begin the evening in a super hot, super high, pair of heels! Eventually, the hotness of my heels wore off as my feet throbbed with pain.

Thank goodness I had my (still pretty hot) patent black Soleil shoes in my clutch. I did the swap and my bachelorette party continued without a hitch.

At least my super hot, super high, pair of heels got to make an appearance. Unfortunately, the rest of the girls weren’t so lucky; they ended their night barefoot on a dirty dance floor.

These shoes form to your feet almost like socks. The bottom of the shoe is very thin and you can feel the texture of the ground more than other shoes (but, that’s what makes them so compact).

The company does warn their customers to watch for sharp objects as they walk. But, I’d rather be on the lookout for potential hazards than hobble around in misery.

Soleil shoes come in 4 colors:

Spring White (perfect for brides!)
Patent Black
Silver
Pink

Plus, every pair of Soleil shoes comes with a protective drawstring pouch to keep your heels safe when they’re not being worn. Gotta love the gift with purchase!

Get your own comfy shoes for $24.95 a pair at www.soleilshoeco.com

Blog Post by Aimee Carroll, resident Girl Tested, Bride Approved Columnist.

Photos courtesy of Soleil Shoe Company.

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

As we celebrate 2010, Tiffany & Co. introduces a new collection from favorite jewelry designer Paloma Picasso. Inspired by the animals of the Chinese zodiac, she offers 12 beautiful charms, one for each year cycle of the horoscope. 

“The Chinese zodiac is a wonderful birthday tradition,” said the designer. “We all have a curiosity about the zodiac and whether it influences our lives.” 

Paloma’s Chinese Zodiac captures the vitality of each animal — and the human personality it represents – the inquisitive monkey, restless tiger, self-assured rooster, quick-witted horse, passionate dragon, resolute ox, sensitive rabbit, sensual snake, determined ram, loyal dog, patient pig and tenacious rat. 

Beautifully handcrafted and innately charming, these 18K gold pieces would make delightfully personalized gift for each of your bridesmaids. To figure out her zodiac sign by year, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac. 

Pictured is the Tiger Charm Pendant, photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co. 

Learn more about these and other Paloma Picasso charms at Tiffany & Co. in the Roseville Galleria, 1151 Galleria Boulevard. 916-872-2129. http://www.tiffany.com/. 

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.