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ask jeff cooper: wedding day rain & cool umbrellas

Rain on your wedding day is actually considered good luck, according to Hindu tradition!

In Italian they say, Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata, or Wet bride, happy bride. So why are we so worried about it? The hair, the makeup, the dress, the pictures.

Outdoor weddings are so beautiful and trendy, but there’s a great deal left to chance!

We were inspired to write this by the incredible wedding photographer Heather Jagger, who shot a friend’s wedding recently and she wrote, ” It rained all day but it only seemed to make it better somehow.”

So before we get any further, look at this. Beautiful, right? Your wedding will be, too!

Just prepare a little, then don’t worry. Like the Beatles said, Love is all you need. That is what makes or breaks a wedding, not a little (or a lot of) rain!

First tip: Wedding day makeup is a special genre and has to be danceproof, cryproof, hugproof and cakeproof, anyway. Everyday makeup doesn’t always cut it, so be prepared, and be a good sport, and all they’ll notice is you.

Second tip: Do your research.

Third tip: Rain (or potential rain) is a great excuse to express your style. There are cheeky umbrellas. Umbrellas that create an amazing pop of color in your pictures. And statement umbrellas like this or this.

Fourth tip: You may as well splurge on some chic boots, too! The blue gloss would make an amazing “something blue.”

Tip five is really the only tip you need: If it rains on your wedding day, own it!

Featured Image via Jagger Photography.

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Refined Simplicity & Marcella Hazan

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo DaVinci.

In honor of the late, great food writer Marcella Hazan, the maven of simplicity, it’s all about simple, relaxing pleasures this week.

Here’s Marcella’s famous 3 ingredient tomato sauce. Nothing could be simpler, or better.

The colorful office supplies company Poppin is having an anniversary sale with 20% off everything. Their tagline is “Work Happy, ” and their design aesthetic is sleek and contemporary with every candy color you can imagine. So much fun.

And here’s a simple way to do good and look good. Pick something gorgeous to wear (or to share) from the Live in Pink Collection, and 60% of the purchase goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Here’s a cool find. Flower paintings with a simple gesture that cuts through the prettiness.

A simple way to give his wedding outfit a little personality: a statement shoe for the groom would look great for a vintage-themed wedding.

Pumpkin bread, made with Amish simplicity.

Sometimes, it’s simpler to say “I’ll have what she’s having.” Especially when it’s all this chic.

Have a simply gorgeous weekend!

Our featured image is our Gwen & Tess set.

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Breast Cancer Charities & Awareness

If, like us, you’ve been directly affected by Breast Cancer, our heart goes out to you. Fighting cancer is a cause that’s very important to us, and we’re please to have been recognized as one of Britt’s picks over at JCK online. We adorned our Leah ring with a pink sapphire and are featuring it all month as a symbol of courage, strength and solidarity.

We also noticed some other businesses bringing attention and donations to the cause, and we want to give them a shout out. We’re only including company’s that donate 100%.

Rao’s, (the exclusive NYC restaurant with the high-end pasta sauce) is selling a pink gift basket full of incredible products, and all the proceeds go to The Cancer Center at NYU Langone Medical Center.

Philosophy also donates 100% of net proceeds from sales of Shower for the Cure.

And if you like to give directly, here’s a breakdown that compares Breast Cancer Charities and how they rate.

 

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Lauren Conrad Engaged

This weekend, Lauren Conrad became engaged to her law student beau, William Tell. They’ve been together for almost 2 years, and he popped the question with a classic solitaire engagement ring. Well done, Mr. Tell.

Lauren wrote, “I am very excited to share with you guys that William and I got engaged over the weekend. I am beyond thrilled! Get ready for lots more wedding content here on LaurenConrad.com as we begin the planning process.” We can’t wait!

Congratulations to both of you!

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Mar y Sol & the little gold dress

Here’s the week’s lovely list of links to help you give back, live well, pick a wine, and travel in style. Have a full and wonderful weekend!

Mar y Sol designs are so amazing, and so is the story, and the mission. Check out their vibrant fair trade bags, hats and pillows. We love beautiful things that make the world better!

We love a good party outfit, and this gold dress and hairstyle are so amazing! We might save this one for the “official” holidays, though.

A fun little flow chart for choosing a wine.

You gotta love fancy sweatshirts.

Drinks I want to try,” from Bleubird blog.

Nine pumpkin recipes.

Heirloom-quality travel gear that’s meant to last forever and age beautifully. (Great wedding gift!)

And on the other end of the spectrum, 30 bags that look expensive, but aren’t.

Happy reading!

Image via, by Brian Hatton, a New York City wedding photographer.

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Naya Rivera engaged to big sean

“Glee” actress Naya Rivera is engaged to rapper Big Sean. Sources say Sean proposed with a cushion-cut engagement ring on a pave diamond band.

And of course, we have our own version. How much do you love this one?

Well cushion cut and pave is always classic, we can’t wait to see it.

The couple, who met on Twitter, went public this April when they attended the premiere of the film “42” together. Glamorous!

We wish them all the best!

Featured image via.

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we love: jewelry blog Adornmentality

Jeff Cooper Sales VP, resident Twitter and Instagram-er, and jewelry industry insider Barbara Palumbo has launched a new jewelry blog, and we love it.

She told JCKOnline she loves “knowing that someone may walk away from reading it with any type of emotion. Emotions are what affect life.” We couldn’t agree more!

If you like glamorous jewelry, dishy pop culture talk and a killer sense of humor, give Adornmentality a read!

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Featured image via Mervis Diamond Importers, an authorized Jeff Cooper retailer.

 

 

think pink for breast cancer awareness & Cycle for Survival

October is here, and it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We’re thinking pink, so here’s our Leah Engagement Ring, sporting a pink sapphire in support of all the brave mothers, daughters and sisters who have battled breast cancer. We are so incredibly proud and in awe of you!

And here’s another cause that’s dear to us, and that we want to promote.

Our own David Cooper is cycling to raise awareness and money for rare cancer, for the third year in a row! Cycle for Survival is a great cause, and since it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, we want to recognize his efforts. Go David! Let’s kick rare cancer’s butt. To learn more and donate, go here.

It’s also Bullying Prevention Month, so check out the inspiring #awkwardyearsproject on Twitter.

Didn’t cry yet? Five hundred and eight adolescent girls living in poverty in 14 countries across four continents were asked what they need to have a chance to reach their potential. It’s called The Girl Declaration, and we dare you not to cry.

And here’s one last link to inspire you. This bold 8 year old girl’s activism got sexist books removed from her bookstore.

Be the change you want to see in the world, everybody! And let’s all make a difference this weekend.

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Featured image is our Jeff Cooper Larissa Rose.

 

 

 

Kate Bosworth Wedding Details

Catherine Ann Bosworth-aka Kate Bosworth-married writer/director Michael Joseph Polish in Montana on August 31st.

Martha Stewart Weddings was there assisting as the fashionista bride was married in all the splendor and drama of Big Sky Country.

We love Kate’s sleek modern yet classic style! It’s the perfect companion to our philosophy of Refined Simplicity. On that note, the elegant bride wore two dresses by Oscar de la Renta, and the groom wore Brooks Brothers.

And who doesn’t love to spy some fabulous wedding details? Here’s a slideshow sneak-peak of behind-the-scenes pictures from the event.

Our sincere congratulations goes out to the happy couple!

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Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Engaged

The top-ranked men’s tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, is finally engaged to his girlfriend, Jelena Ristic!

Novak proposed this weekend in Monte Carlo, where he lives, to his longtime girlfriend Jelena, after an 8 year “courtship.”

“We’re engaged!!! Getting used to introducing Jelena as my fiancé and future wife,” Djokovic posted on Instagram accompanied by a picture of his fiancee kissing him on the cheek. “Couldn’t be happier.”

The high school sweethearts plan to be married next year.

Congratulations to this beautiful couple!