StyleSchool

Though rye whiskey’s often considered a masculine drink, (ri)1 is redefining the traditional spirit. The perfect base for feminine, flirty cocktails, (ri)1—pronounced “rye one”— boasts light, spicy flavors and a sleek, elongated bottle. Make this stylish beverage the centerpiece of your wedding with delicious sips like the Gold Standard, created by Christy Pope and Chad Solomon, whose resumes include hotspots like N.Y.C.’s Milk & Honey and Little Branch.

(rī)1 Gold Standard

1 part (rī)1

½ part freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ part house-made clover honey syrup

2 parts Brut Champagne

In a mixing tin, add spirit, juice and syrup. Fill tin with ice and shake vigorously for 6 seconds. Strain into a flute and top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.

-Randy Miller, Editorial Assistant

Welcome back to our roundup of the best of the blogs. For your inspiration and enjoyment this weekend, we bring you candlelit décor and a few ways to dress up your escort cards.

—Jessica Derschowitz

Photo courtesy of Grise Photography

Etsy.com, the online international marketplace to buy and sell handmade items, has so many inspiring treasures for wedding planning. The question isn’t whether you should go, but rather, where do you begin? With hundreds of handmade invitations, vintage inspired jewels and gifts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But don’t fret, busy brides! Allow us to welcome you to the Etsy Find of the Week! We’ll do the legwork and find all the greatest items on Etsy for your wedding, so all you have to do is follow our lead (and links) to some inspired wedding day goodies. 

 This week we’re kicking off the fun with these adorable handmade and custom painted lovebird cake toppers from Little Vale in Singapore! These little clay birds are a great alternative to a traditional bride and groom cake topper and add rustic charm to any wedding cake. 

 The birds can be painted in any color and will even have your initials and wedding date etched into the bottom to serve as lifelong mementos of your day. Because they don’t look like traditional toppers, they can blend right into your home décor and add flair to a bathroom table or bookshelf. They are only $45 and will arrive within 7-10 days of placing your order. Click here for ordering information, and stay tuned for more Etsy finds!

 — Darcy Newell

Picking dresses that please and flatter all your bridesmaids is nearly impossible. Fortunately, though, designer Lynn Lugo is taking the guesswork out of the bridesmaid dress hunt. She recently added an amazing feature to her Web site that allows you (or your maids) to create custom dresses!

The custom dressmaker has over 50 dress silhouettes to choose from that can be customized in color and fabric. You can pick a classic silhouette, then let your girls choose tones of the same color. Or, you decide on the color and have your maids order the silhouette that best flatters their specific body type. There’s a convenient email feature that lets you and your maids send your designs around for approval. What’s more is that even your mother and future mother-in-law can join in on the fun. In addition to the dress styles, Lynn Lugo also has gorgeous jacket, skirt and pant combinations in the same materials and colors as the dresses.

Once everyone’s decided on their design, just head to one of the dozens of bridal boutiques around the country that carries Lynn Lugo to place your order. Visit lynnlugo.com to find a retailer near you and to design the dresses of your dreams in just a few clicks!

—Darcy Newell

Not sure what beauty products are must-haves on your honeymoon? Mark your calendar for COS BAR of El Paseo’s “Travel in Beauty, Travel in Style”event this Thursday at the La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs, California. The 60-minute seminar, hosted by El Paseo’s beauty expert manager Sydney Rucker, promises to teach women about the most essential beauty products while traveling and how to pack them!

COS BAR carries a selective lineup of beauty, body and skincare brands like Chanel, La Mer and Frederic Fekkai. They also have underground favorites, like Sisley, Cle de Peau and Kanebo.

To reserve your spot at the “Travel in Beauty, Travel in Style,” call COS BAR of El Paseo at 760-341-6699.

If you can’t make this week’s event, don’t despair: COS BAR locations offer multiple classes and fun beauty events every month that members can register for only $69. For more information on COS BAR events, products and its other locations, visit cosbar.com.

–Christa Joanna Lee

Love jewelry designer Leslie Greene’s elegant and timeless designs, but don’t live near one of her boutiques? You’re in luck! The award-winning jeweler just added e-commerce to her Web site, which means brides across the country can shop her exquisite collections!

With a seemingly endless variety of styles, stones and metals, Greene has something for every bride-to-be. Be sure to peruse the Couture collection of diamonds and gemstones, which are all set set in18-karat gold, and the newly added Sterling collection, which features the same design aesthetic at a more affordable price. Of course, the Bridal Collection is also a must-see: it features an array of pieces crafted with a stylish bride in mind.

To view all of the collections, learn more about Greene’s work and see the gallery of celebrities who have donned her gems, visit lesliegreene.com.

—Darcy Newell