So I said I would do it.. and here they are...

I was talking a couple of posts ago about how I love fall/winter because the season slows down and I get to spend more time with my boys. We just had our family portraits done with the most amazing photographer named Christin Gause of Fate Couture (http://www.fatecouture.com) and I couldnt wait to post a few of the many photographs she took. I'm so proud to show off my beautiful family.

New CZ earrings

I just got these on the site and I really love them. I'm a sucker for big stones, especially large gemstones. The CZs on these are grade A or better. They are beautiful, clear and have a perfect cut! Yum-my!

My favorite are Deana - just because right now I really love round, square and rectangle stones. By the way - these earrings are almost always available for immediate shipment (no waiting) because they come as is and arent customizable. We stock a few pairs of each. If  you're only ordering the cz pieces, they'll ship right away. 

Alexis CZ Earrings

Deana CZ Earrings

Darla CZ Earrings

Carly CZ Earrings

Karen Marcasite Earrings

Wendy CZ Earrings

Cuff bracelets

I cannot believe it is already fall. I feel like we just got the fall 2008 line out and now it's time for spring 2009! One thing I am working on for the new season is a selection of cuff bracelets. I have seen so many new dresses with awesome detailing - large rhinestones and oversized pearls on the bodice or around the waistline etc - that beg for a good sized, chunky rhinestone/pearl cuff bracelet and long earrings. I'm currently searching for the right stones and putting some things together and I'm very excited about what's coming!

Also on the to do list:more hairvines, some jewelry with the beautiful keshi pearls found here, and a few other surprises. 

Late fall and winter is my time to work on new designs, update the sites, add to the new Amy's Accessories site, and also spend some time with my boys. It gets so busy from Feb-Sept that I really look forward to a couple of slow months that give me time to spend with them as well as volunteering at their school and getting involved in their wonderful world of Super Mario Bros, Pokemon, Diego and Blue's Clues! (yes, they range from 8 to 1 so it's quite a mix of interests!) We take a few weekends in the fall and spring to go camping - which is a blast with 4 boys I have to say - and spend a lot of afternoons in the backyard on the trampoline. Little things I have a hard time finding time for during bridal season. Every other year we've either been expecting another baby or at least knowing we were having more, but this year we're watching our last baby take his first steps so I expect to be spending as much time as possible with them this off-season! It really does go so fast!

I'll be posting some pictures of my gorgeous boys in the next couple of weeks. We found an amazing photographer (fatecouture.com) and have a session scheduled for a week from tomorrow. I can't wait to show them off! Christin is amazing at what she does!

So... that blog started at point A and ended at point Q but I've always been accused of being a bit of a rabbit chaser.

I love golden shadow!!

Swarovski came out with the crystal effect "Golden Shadow" just a few years ago and it quickly became the most popular color choice for our brides. Where "light colorado topaz" used to be the accent for that neutral splash found on so many gowns, it was usually a bit darker and more brown than the actual color on the bridal gowns. But golden shadow arrived and not only did it match so many champagne and neutral gown detailings, but it added shimmering champagne warmth to gowns in solid ivory, white, and everything in between. 

Lately I've had a lot of brides dressing their maids in shades of burgundy and wine again, as well as navys and greens. Something we keep recommending that they pair with those dark luscious jewel tones, instead of matching the colors perfectly, is Golden Shadow. Put a large golden shadow briolette earring (like the Evie earring) with a solid dark red gown and it really looks amazing and isnt quite as "typical bridesmaid jewelry"-ish (wow -like that word?) as pairing the red with red. And it goes for navy too which is hot right now. It also looks great when you mix them in a necklace or bracelet. Golden shadow with ruby or siam,

 

or golden shadow with montana blue

 - very pretty and in my opinion looks better than mixing the red or the blue with just clear crystal which causes the colored crystals to stand out and look spotty.

Another note about golden shadow - it doesnt have to be paired with gold metal. I actually think it looks better with silver.

New Weekly Steal at Amy's and last few days of Buzz sale

So be sure to catch the weekly steal at AmysAccessories.com because each week the new steal ends on Wednesday morning when a new one begins. This weeks steal is the Katy earrings:

The Buzz sale has been going well and everyone is taking advantage (of course!) and it also ends this coming Wednesday morning (9/10) so be sure to get your orders in before then if you want the discount!  Remember it's 10% off when you use the code BUZZ10 in celebration of our new website!

It's up! We have launched the new customizable, everyday jewelry site - Amys Accessories (amysaccessories.com). We are so excited as it has been long anticipated. To celebrate, both sites (amysbridalaccessories.com and amysaccessories.com) have a coupon code for 10% off everything (code is BUZZ10). 

At Amys Accessories, we'll be featuring a design each week at a discounted price. We are calling it the weekly steal, because it wont just be a small sale but a really great discount. This week's steal is the Christen necklace. Normally $48, on sale this week only for $28.  Here's the info:

This week's "weekly steal" is the Christen necklace. Every girl should have a gorgeous Swarovski chandelier crystal to wear with her favorite jeans. Seriously! The regular price is $48, so that makes it $28 this week only which is insanely great. That's why it's not just a deal, it's a STEAL! And yes, even though it's dirt cheap, you can still customize it. So go on, pick any crystal color for that round stone above the drop. And if you know your sister's favorite color, get her one too. Let's not be selfish.

So! 10% off both sites using code BUZZ10 - and the weekly steal at amysaccessories.com. Enjoy!

Late Summer Sale and Amys Accessories

So everyone is taking advantage of the current 15% off sale (code 2008SALE) right now. I need to end it soon but every day I think "one more day"... so we'll see. Get your order in pronto if you're wanting to take advantage!

The new website (amysaccessories.com) is finally coming along. I had about a week of nothing while I waited on the shopping cart system glitches to be fixed. Now I'm trying to add products and get it ready to shop! I'm also heading to a bead store today that I rarely visit (expensive and too tempting!) for interesting pendants and components to use for pieces on the non-bridal website.  So that should bring about some really great pieces.

And then school starts next week. (Yay!!) My kids will be back in school, bringing home homework that somehow always involves more parent-involvement than child involvement (ugh) and I'll either be more productive, or possibly even busier.. I'm really hoping for the former! We are really shooting to get all orders out by the 2 week mark instead of closer to 3 as it has been for a while. Hopefully this will make it possible to catch up!