Shopping for my Mom is one of the easiest (and fun) tasks I look forward
to each spring. Although having somewhat similar tastes gives me a solid starting point, the greatest enjoyment comes from the challenge of finding something
meaningful and unique that will bring a smile to her face. For Mother's Day this year, I've scoured Uncommon Goods and have fallen in love with their selection. From sentimental and sweet to kitschy and fun, there is truly something for every mom! I admire that they support artists and designers (half of what they carry is made by hand) and nearly a third of their assortment incorporates recycled or up-cycled materials. It doesn't get more unique than that! Here are a few of my favorite ideas.
P.S. Mom, your gift isn't pictured here but I couldn't be happier with it! ;)
Disclosure: I received product or compensation in return for this post, however, my opinions are my own, based on my experience and interaction with the brand or products. As always, if I don’t loveit, I don’t tell you about it. (Or I'll be brutally honest about why I didn't.) You can read my official (i.e. “wordy”) disclosure here.
Did anyone watch Chime for Change on Sunday? (What an amazing event!) I was drawn to Jada's shark tooth necklace. Honestly, I haven't given shark's tooth jewelry a thought since leather ankle bracelets from a souvenir shop at any beach sometime around 14 years ago. But I'm digging the grown up necklace versions and covet all of the above. The earrings are pretty rad, too. And you know how I feel about dainty earrings with attitude.
For the last 6 months or so I've been loving smaller, daintier earrings. (Possibly because larger ones are always getting caught in my scarf or jacket collar. Is it summer yet?) But small doesn't have to mean subtle or sweet. These zippers are a favorite, as are a pair of safety pins (similar) and most recently, wishbone's for good luck. Lately, these twisted nails keep popping up online and catching my eye. Cute with just the right amount of 'tude!
I'm super squealing over Emerald being named Pantone's Color of the Year for for 2013. This rich, green hue is one of my favorite colors, especially in jewelry. I don't know about you, but the last two choices (Tangerine Tango and Honeysuckle) have been uninspiring in my opinion. I can't wait for more Emerald products to start popping up, perhaps this necklace is still available?
I'm pretty old fashioned when it comes to politics and prefer to keep my opinions on the down low, but when I stumbled on these jewels I was instantly curious how some of my fashionable friends feel about it. While the notion of wearing your support on your sleeve is nothing new, these are some of the more subtle I've seen, with necklaces available in sterling silver, gold, and diamond options, ranging from $150 to $1,000. So my question is, would you wear political jewelry or apparel with pride? Or keep your choice to yourself? Obviously, there's no right or wrong answer. As with choosing a candidate, we're all entitled to our own opinion. :)
Speaking of, I've joked with friends about needing a chart to break down and understand the issues this time around. Honestly, I'm a little exhausted of it all. But after watching this video, while hilarious, it made me realize even more, how important it is to be informed before hitting the polls. I found this candidate match quiz super useful for helping narrow down the choices based upon your stance on some of the major issues. Whether you're undecided or just want to double check your choice, it's quick and easy, complete with a "learn more" button at each question that breaks down the support or oppose position in understandable terms. I took the test and it turns out I'm about a 60/40 split! I guess it's like dating, you have your "deal breakers", and you take the bad with the good!
The good news is, we're under the 10 day mark now, then our personal Facebook news feeds can go back to being pictures of cute babies and what we had for dinner...
Mine consisted of two trolley events (mardi gras & brewery tour), a blogger brunch/jewerly preview, coconut milk ice cream, a kitchen deep clean (I keep staring into the refrigerator in awe at it's interior beauty), and of course, the Oscar's! A great one I'd say, and just what I needed to kick off 2 very busy weeks. Sooo, what were your red carpet thoughts - I wasn't wowed by anyone in particular this year, you?
Happy Fat Tuesday friends! Any plans to party gras on Mardi Gras?
We have a Mardi Gras themed trolley party coming up this weekend. Any advice on what to wear? I have a mask but I'm still debating on the apparel portion. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans? I'm such a sucker for any celebration involving costumes... why hasn't this been on my bucket list before now??
You guys have heard of JewelMint right? The subscription jewelry line that offers new pieces of jewelry every month for $29.99 per piece?Before I go further, hang in there, this might get wordy but it'll be worth it...
(If you're really pressed for time skip down to the bullet points for the cliff notes version, I've got your back busy ladies. But otherwise, I hope you'll settle in for a minute.)
It's easy to fall into the trap of cheap accessories. And while cheap pieces aren't bad, they're often exactly that. Fading, breaking, lost stones, etc. "Ah, I'll just toss it." we say. But as I'm declaring this my year of the 'cleanse' I'm trying hard to rid myself and my home of junk. I've been debating over ordering from JewelMint for a while now - one, because when I normally pay 'the cost of lunch' for a new necklace or bracelet, $29.99 seemed pricey. And two, because I wasn't sure the quality would be worth it. (Another celebrity's name attached to a less than stellar product...) (This line is designed by actress Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter.)
But, I received my first JewelMint order over the weekend and was more than pleasantly surprised. I say pleasantly surprised because I consider myself pretty critical of products in general. After all, I get paid (in my full time job) to figuratively pick apart apparel products and analyze the details to negotiate for the best cost, quality, etc. So you can see why I might be a picky consumer. However, after my first experience with JewelMint I have nothing but great things to say. Starting from viewing the individual video's per piece (more on that below) things felt right. Then the package arrived - black and sleek and mysterious. I opened the box revealing my first awesome piece and was thrilled with the weight, sturdiness, security of clasps and overall quality. More than anything, it's so easy. I do love shopping but I rarely make enough time to do it properly. It's so nice (and thrilling) to be able to have a new showroom emailed to me each month and make a selection from high quality, on trend pieces. In fact, my favorite realization was that each piece has qualities making it unique and special, yet feel like something you've had for ages.
It's a 'jewelry of the month club' subscription service offering new pieces each month at only $29.99 per glorious piece. Yup. Pretty amazeballs.
You can skip a month if you want (though I highly doubt you will.)
The designs run the gamut, there is truly something for everyone.
Shipping is free! I don't know about you but nothing makes me happier than getting to checkout and finding out I don't have to pay for shipping. *happy dance*!
You don't have to fight stores, research trends or even put forth much effort. Each month, just pick a fabulous piece from your personalized showroom.
In addition to the monthly video to excite you, each piece features an individual video telling you about the design inspiration, how to wear it and other fun facts. This little discovery put me over the edge. I think I've watched each one in my showroom at least 3 times. So much thought and detail over each piece, don't you love it?! It's so helpful in getting a feel for scale and how it looks on.
Curious yet? Check out the February video. Can you spot my manicure inspiration?
So guess what? JewelMint is being so kind and offering 50% off your first purchase when you use the code: BIG. Oh, snap! That translates to $14.99 a piece. This is major folks. Use this code and make it work! Offer is valid until 2/29/12 (First time users only.) Grab the code and go!
I wanna know... have you ordered from JewelMint? What was your experience like? Please do share!
Disclosure: I received product in return for this post, however, my opinions are my own, based on my experience and interaction with the brand. As always, if I don’t love it, I don’t tell you about it. Read my official (i.e. “wordy”) disclosure here.
P.S. Thank you soooo much to everyone that voted in the H.Bloom 'Give Love That Lasts' contest... WE WON the grand prize for Chicago! And it still hasn't sunk in yet :) (More deets here) Mwah!
Last night leaving work I passed a deer, as I sometimes do, and was inspired to share my affinity for the dear little creatures. I don't know what it is about them but I'm always captivated and slow down to watch (for safety too, of course.) I love how the white underside of their tails stands out and how delicate and graceful, yet powerfully strong they seem. And to be honest, it breaks my heart a little every time I pass one that met the end in an unfortunate car accident. Last year, I found this image online and thought it was the most fabulous ring ever but was never able to locate the source. Apparently, the store has disappeared. One of those internet mysteries... what a shame. *Update 3/2/2012 - found it!
I credit a lot of my deer enthusiasm to my Grandfather, who was a bit of a nature lover and who, to me, represented grace and sweetness in the most strong and powerful way. Seriously, I wish you all could have known him. Ok, ok you say, what does this have to do with regular programming? Well, I'm honored to own one of his black onyx deer cufflinks (they were a gift from my Grandmother). My mom turned hers into a pendant and I'm dying to transform mine into an awesome statement ring. Can't you just imagine? When it happens, I'll be sure to share it here. In the meantime, I've been wearing this necklace quite a bit.
In other relation, I acquired this little guy over the holidays and he's currently housing my assemblage of rose gold which I absolutely cannot get enough of these days.
Halloween is just around the corner and I can't think of anything better to get in the spirit than gazing upon a few fabulous jewels from Jennifer Fisher. The skeletons have real diamond eyes, swoon. And there's a certain playfulness about wearing a gold dagger pendant close to your heart. A little goth, all glam.
P.S. Spiders aren't just for Halloween, I sport this one year round.
Picked up this sweet bow necklace for a whole $2.80 on Saturday after our last minute matinée viewing of the (super cute!) movie 'Paul'. (Forever 21 happens to be right next door to the theater.) Gotta love a day date and a new accessory. Won't it be delightful peeping out of spring necklines?
Emerald was the color for awards season - first the gowns of the Golden Globes, now the gorgeous jewels of the Oscars. From light and ripe to straight up shamrock, the stars paired their gowns with unexpected grassy gems, creating a fresh, modern look that dazzled on the red carpet.
Quick! You're trapped in a glass room loosing oxygen by the second and the only way to survive is to pick one of the above - which do you choose?? (Come on, it's to save your life!)
P.S. My sincerest apologies for being a bad blogger friend lately, things are crazier than expected. I miss you all and can't wait to catch up. Special thanks to Johanna & Diana for the features last week, if you visited via them, welcome and thanks for stopping in! I promise I'll swing by and say hello as soon as I get caught up with life!
The news of Prince William proposing to Kate with Diana's gorgeous sapphire engagement ring got me all excited about this potentially becoming a trend. (Jessica just got a ruby!) I love the idea of wearing something other than a diamond. Though they're beautiful, I've never understood why that was the chosen stone to represent love and marriage. (I'm sure there's a reason, I'm just too lazy to Google it.) Eight years ago I swooned over a sapphire not knowing it would become my engagement ring just a short while later. A few times at the beginning I wondered if it would be alright for the rest of my life, blending with my wardrobe or standing out like a sore thumb. But it quickly became me and not once did I regret that it wasn't a diamond. I still find myself gazing at it and love that it represents Alex's birthstone (though not why we chose it). People often ask if it's my wedding ring and I get to feel like a newlywed again and again when I tell them yes, I can't imagine wearing anything else. Though... I don't think I'd mind an emerald for our 10 year ;)
What about you, do you have a non diamond or would you be up for it? Do you think colored stones will catch on??
Happy Friday kittens! I hope you have a lovely weekend planned. We're attending a birthday party on Saturday, birthday's are the best....A full day of celebrating someone you love! Here are a few of my party favorites.
Living in a diverse city it's always interesting to find out where people came from. I love the idea of state representation and these necklaces are the most recent on my list. Catching up with a friend last week she mentioned that it took her 12 years to finally move to California. I'm thinking it would be pretty neat to own one of these pretties as a 'goal' piece...
Lately I've been loving the look of over sized rings. During summer, my go to was an antique gold/pearl/crystal beetle (a $5.80 Forever21 find!) but I'm putting the little buggy to rest until spring. For chillier weather, I'm thinking this cameo ring would pair lovely with the textures of the season (layered dresses and sweaters, leather and wool). And $12 to boot!
Striking enough to wear alone, simple enough to wear together - these pieces by Gorjana make great transitional pieces as fall quickly approaches. Pair them with flowy dresses and sandals now, add tights and cardigans later.
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