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But we're not just talking idal fashions. Nope—there are other opportunities to explore style in wedding planning, and one of them is in the idesmaid gifts. Inexpensive, but meaningful bags, accessories, or pieces of jewelry can make for the perfect trinket with which to thank the girls who stand by your side on your wedding day. And since buying locally is really our style, we rounded up five favorites under $50 in our area. Here's the scoop.
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When these adorable custom-made personality-packed necklaces from Origami Owl made their way into our inbox, we couldn't help but take note.
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Origami Owl is a business made of a collection of independent designers who create custom jewelry, and their “living lockets” are the perfect way to cele ate and thank the loved ones in your life. Each necklace is unlike any other, and you, the consumer get to put it together. Start by choosing the perfect locket, add charms, tags, and other personalized touches, and select the perfect chain. Boom! A one-of-a-kind, stylish keepsake. Starting at around $35 a pop, they're perfect for adorning all your favorite girls. Contact a local Origami Consultant to explore the option.
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2. Mantra Gems at Lilac Bijoux
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The Mantra Gems collection at Lilac Bijoux is one of our faves.
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Made of totally eclectic materials such as onze, ass, pyrite, and gunmetal, their understated charm goes with everything. And with a variety of different designs—from the ass whale necklace, to the arrow bangle, and the anchor ring, you can collect them, stack them, or wear them independently, and any way you do it, it's adorable.
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Most of their pieces range from $30–50, with a few pricier options, but there's surely one for everyone, and it's easy to pick them for personality.
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On any given day in this office, you're bound to see a Thirty-One bag somewhere. My favorite is my thermal lunch box; our operations publisher is obsessed with her utility bag. Want to know where she first learned about Thirty-One? From a ide!
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With patterns to please everyone, monogramming available, and bags starting as low as $12, they make for fantastic gifts. And while I swear the thermal line will rival any hard cooler, we think the two-in-one cosmetic bag ($35) is perfect for idesmaids on-the-go. Editor's note: Thirty-One is sold through local consultants; use the Consultant Finder on the site, or ask a friend for a referral.
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Ellen Allen is a local designer with adorable bags (you'll see a few in the fashion spread in the March issue of What's Up? magazine!), and the most charming part about them? They're all locally named. The Club Case--which, at $26 is a great thank you gift--is perfect for stashing sunglasses, is water resistant (hello, boat ride), and comes in colors such as Calvert Green, Steele Navy, Pinkney Pink, and East Street Orange. What a cute concept for an Annapolis wedding, right? If you can't decide on your favorite color, pick your favorite street in town. Any way you choose, you'll look stylish.
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We first discovered the Rae style Hobo bag at their Handbags for Hunger event back in November. At first glance, we, (maybe like you), thought "I'm not sure my lipstick needs its own bag," and passed over it in favor of a coveted wallet. But then a few weeks later, when our favorite red Chanel lipstick separated from its top inside our favorite winter white Kate Spade bag, suddenly the Rae was #1 on our Christmas Wish List. Now, we're obsessed. These little puppies are adorable, convenient, and let's face it--protective of our favorite lipsticks and our favorite bags. And coming in at just $38 a pop--and in five different colors--they make for great gifts!