Classic Combos: Jewelry for Dressy Occassions

Have a dressy cocktail party coming up?  A baptism, anniversary, or chic day out on the town?  This pretty Monsieur Pamplemousse pieces (all available on etsy) will look fabulous with your dressed up attire, but aren't so dressy you can't wear them everyday!

The Little Black Dress

Just about everything goes with a little black dress!  We love the look of black on black and these three pieces look ravishing when paired with a simple black frock.  The Moooy Bonito Necklace, wear it long or short, it measure 36",  La Nuit C'est Magnifuque which translates to "a wonderdul night" means these earrings are perfect for your LBD (little black dress), and Blue Fire Stretch Bracelet, wear one for an elegant look or a stack for something more contemporary and casual.  All of these pieces would look fabulous with this dress we saw in Fitness Magazine.

Cocktail Party

Cocktail parties are a time to embrace your fabulousness!  Echo the rocks in your cocktail with these petite Clarismo earrings created with crystal quartz and this cuff bracelet, Argent, which adds a bit of steam punk to an otherwise girly outfit.  Another way to look fabulous?  Add a pop of bright color with the Miami necklace.  Pair the poppy yellow with a contrasting blue or pink for the most cheer like this dress from Mod Cloth.

Summer Wedding

It's all about love and accessories at a summer wedding.  Don't be afraid to go bold, a statement necklace goes a long way and can jazz up an ensemble.  This pretty in purple Ametrine bracelet adds a pop of color but will let your amazing Laboridite and Chain Statement Necklace stand out.  Don't forget your wedding classic: pearls with these petite Beyond the Sea earrings.  Dress from Polyvore.

What's your favorite pairing?

~Kirsten

The Healing Power of Gemstones

Labradorite and multiple chain necklace  

Gemstones throughout folklore and history have always been said to have healing powers.  So while you pick out jewelry because it looks pretty or you're drawn to it, you may be getting some extra benefits in return.  Check out this great list from American Gem Society of the different healing powers gemstones are said to have:

Amber - Thought to aid memory loss, purify the body, alleviate headaches, and bone and heart problems, Amber is known for its stress relieving and calming properties.

Amethyst - Aids in the reduction of insomnia, arthritis, pain relief, and circulatory issues. Amethyst is considered the gemstone of meditation, peace, balance, courage, and inner strength.

Aquamarine - Aids the liver, throat, stomach, jaw, teeth, eyes, and ears. Aquamarine is also known for releasing fear, calming nerves, and bringing mental clarity.

Citrine - Considered the gemstone to provide greater or increased hearing, Citrine also promotes success, abundance, and clear thinking.

Garnet - Aids blood, heart, and lungs and is known to promote romantic love, passion, sensuality, and intimacy.

Lapis - Thought to aid in the alleviation of insomnia and depression, Lapis is also known for creating openness, truthfulness, and creativity.

Onyx - Associated with the root chakra, Onyx brings spiritual inspiration, and control over emotions.

Pearl - Known for its calming properties, the Pearl is said to aid purity, charity, integrity, truth, and loyalty in its wearer.

Peridot - Healing stress in relationships, lessening anger and jealousy, and slowing aging, the Peridot promotes abundance and prosperity.

Ruby - Aiding the emotions is the Ruby's calling card. Also known to increase integrity, devotion, and happiness.

Sapphire - The gemstone of creative expression and inner peace and meditation, the Sapphire also aids in personal expression and the alleviation of pain.

Topaz - One of the most powerful gemstones, Topaz facilitates the balance of emotions and provides protection from greed.

Turquoise - A gemstone steeped in lore and tradition, Turquoise is a healing and balancing stone.

Ladies Who Lunch: Jewelry before noon

Photo from Advanced Style

One of my favorite blogs to look at for inspiration is Advanced Style, a blog that photographs fabulous older women on the street.  Every time I see it, I always think of "ladies who lunch," fabulous women with all the time in the world to sip and chat at chic restaurants like Ralph Lauren and Spiaggia shopping bags in hand from Saks and Nordstrom.  So what should you wear if you want to channel your inner lady who lunches?  Here are three things to keep in mind:

1.  Look for jewelry that accentuates what you're wearing, but doesn't blend in.  Take the beauty wearing the vintage Channel suit, she stays in the same buttery color scheme, but creates a focal point with a chunky statement necklace.  Follow her look for earrings too, if you're wearing a large necklace pair it with simpler earrings.

2.  Stay classic.  If you're dinning in a structured, classic ensemble, you'll want jewelry that stays in simple shapes. Think stud or tear drop earrings, round necklaces, or a simple pendant necklace.  The ladies who lunch crowd don't usually go for unusual shapes.  Classic shapes won't go out of style.

3.  Wear well fitting bracelets.  If you're going to be sipping a glass of champagne, you don't want bracelets sliding back and forth on your arm.  Luckily for you, Alex can make them made to measure!

Now that you have those three tips in mind, check out some pieces that I think would look divine at your next lunch hour.

This pretty Czech Glass and Brass necklace gives you the chunky statement necklace feel with a structured feel.

Pearls are always classic and timeless, but if you want to step out of the box a little, try a necklace like this, the space between the pearls is refreshing while their amorphous shape gives them a contemporary feeling.  I can just see it peeking out from underneath a crisp, white, dress shirt.

These simple earrings are bound to go with almost anything!  Their light color makes them perfect for blending in with neutrals or pastels or standing out when paired with a chic, black turtle neck.

Are you a lady who lunches?

~Kirsten

Designer Q&A: Learn more about Alex Agudo

Being a lover of Alex's jewelry designs, I wanted to dig a little deeper into his process and inspirations for designing.  So I sat down for a little Q&A with Alex in one of his fellow artist's glass jewelry studio on a hot day in June in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood.  Here's what he had to say all about his jewelry designing process.

What's your design process like?

Whatever mood it is.  For example, the Mistura collection was inspired from dancing.  All the dancers from my Samba Class at the Old Town School of Music are different nationalities and personalities, but when dancing, we all come together as one.  Just like the metals, I like to mix metals and see them in harmony.

When did you start designing?

2002.  I started as a hobby/extracurricular activity when I wanted to give my friend a bracelet and couldn't find anything I liked in my price range.  Then I found Caravan Beads.

What are your favorite pieces to design?

Necklaces.  You don't have to do too much and you can be creative and bold or tiny tiny and someone is going to like it.  Earrings have to be just so and really light and bracelets are hard because the wrist is so discriminating size wise.  The necklace just has more versatility.

Where do you source your materials from?

Lots of places, Caravan Beads, Afgan Travel Arts, Ebrima Shilah in Chicago as well as my travels: Equador, Peru, Colombia.

You always use pearls in every piece?  As a signature?

Yes.  It's an homage to my mother, I try to include a pearl in almost everything.  Everything starts like a grain of sand, like a baby in the womb.  I include a pearl as we're all unique and are all priceless, just like a jewelry.

What are your favorite stones?

Moonstone, Jade, Emerald

What jewelry buying tips do you have?

*Make sure jewelry flows, it should have mobility and movement and is not stiff.

*Get a piece that goes with everything, like a pendant necklace with a plain chain.

*Buy handmade - support local artists.

"Life's too short to be wearing department store jewelry!"

What do you think of the "take off one piece of jewelry before leaving the house" rule?
That does not apply to me!

Have a question for Alex?  Leave it in the comments and I'll make sure he answers it!

~Kirsten

Color Trends: Ocean Blue

Need a way to cool down in the hot summer sun? Pop on some ocean blue jewelry.  Why blue?  The color blue is considered to be beneficial to the body and mind.  Light blue is associated with health, healing, tranquility, understanding, and softness.  Not to mention, it reminds us of the openness, coolness, and calmness of ocean waters.  So if you're feeling the heat, pop on some ocean blue jewelry and channel your inner cool.

Here are some of my favorite ocean inspired blue pieces designed by Alex.  See one you like?  Make sure to snap it up, they're all one of a kind!

Which blue piece is your favorite?

~Kirsten