The Anti-Bride: Non-Traditional Wedding Jewelry

Looking for jewelry for your late summer or fall wedding but don't want the traditional over the top sparklely piece that are for sale at most bridal boutiques?  Check out these gorgeous pieces, all hand made and 100% brilliant, but pieces you'll be able to wear again and again long after you say "I Do."

Pink has become a increasingly popular color for bridesmaids and brides alike.  We love the sweet, feminine nature of these pretty in pink pieces when paired with an all pink gown.  5 pink topazes create the Kirsten Necklace while the milky pink crystal and hammered gold Tyra Earrings bring an edgy femininity.  Dress from Celebrity Bride Guide.

Wearing a traditional dress but want less than traditional jewelry?  Opt for a simple, crystal bracelet that will not only look gorgeous with your wedding gown, but also with your little black dress, honeymoon outfits, or even your jeans like Clarismo, and the Crystal Clear Necklace. Photo from MyWedding.com

Need something blue?  This necklace is perfect!  Dill has two layers one of clear crystal and one of blue  amazonite or pop on these pretty bright Blue Chalcedony gold tear drops.  Now all you need is something old, new, and borrowed!  Photo from TheKnot.com

What type of jewelry are you planning to wear to your wedding?
~Kirsten

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

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

Summer Chic Bracelets

Want to look instantly chic and totally appropriate at your next summer soirée, backyard bbq, or beach get together?  Try bracelets!  Allure Magazine interviewed Sarah Easley, co-owner of a NYC Boutique and frequent beach house party thrower and this is what she had to say about looking effortlessly chic:

Skip Fine Jewelry: A mess of costume jewelry bangles on both arms looks sexy.  Pick a theme like wood and gold, or lepord and fushia.  Or do colorful tassel earrings - I adore folksy beading right now.

We couldn't agree more!  Check out some of my favorite Monsieur Pamplemousse bracelets for stacking above (photo by Tania Rodamilans) and below.

What's your favorite way to wear bracelets in the summer?

~Kirsten

What to Wear: The Perfect Jewelry for a Baby Shower

Welcome to the second of our What to Wear posts.  Last week we gave you 5 Tips for Accessorizing a Swim Suit  (read it here if you missed it).  Today, we're helping you with the Baby Shower!  When a friend or family member has a baby shower, it's a joyous occasion and time for celebration.  Showers are your chance to channel your inner Jackie O.  It's a time for classic, simple looks filled with sophistication.

Here are a few simple things to keep in mind:

• Since Grandma to be, and possibly even Great Grandma to be, will be in attendance, it's best to keep your look sophisticated and tasteful.  Skip plunging necklines in favor of boat neck, scoop necks, and moderate hemlines.  Look to sophisticated ladies First Lady Michelle Obama for ideas. 
• If you know the shower could have babies on the guest list, opt for shorter earrings and necklaces that won't scream for little hands to tug on them.  Studs are a perfect choice.
• Pastels are always in style at a baby shower.  You can't go wrong with shades of baby blue, mint green, yellow, or pale pink.  Want to take it one step further?  Wear the gender color of the baby to be.  Is your friend having a girl?  Break out the pink pearls!

Our Jewelry Picks:

Clockwise from top left: Rose Quartz adorned with a single rose pearl, Fresh water coin pearls and a drop of pale jade, Lilac Czech glass, leather, and silk, and Peach moonstone in gold tone rings.

Top Photos from: Rentthe Runway.com, FashionList.wordpress.com, More 4 Kids, Rose Quartz and Leather Bracelets from Monsieur Pamplemousse.

You're sure to be the best accessorized person at the shower!
~Kirsten

Jewelry and Shoe Pairings

Photo from Tampa Bay & Co.

We all know about wine pairings, but what about jewelry pairings?  For summer days when your shoes are in focus just as much as your jewelry, it's important to think about how they work together.  Here are some fun jewelry and shoe pairings that we love from the current collections of Monsieur Pamplemousse and current shoe collections.

BCBG Landee pump in Mojave pairs perfectly with the cut outs of this yellow/white fire agate necklaces.  The contrast between the angular cutouts of the shoe and the amorphous cutouts of the necklace make sure this pairing isn't too matchy matchy.

Embrace the sunny, Earthy nature of these Classic Yellow Crochet Toms by pairing it with an equally Earth-inspired fire agate cuff.  This pair is perfect for a concert in the park or street fair.

Echo the curve of the pretty lace bow on these Valentino Lace Pumps with roundness of this Mistura necklace.  Created with oxidized silver, gold tone, and gunmetal rings, it keeps these shoes from looking too frou-frou.

Fresh water pearls meet Badgley Mischka.  A perfect pairing of classics for brides.  You can say "I do" in style.

What would summer be without wedges?  Pair these poppy polka dots from BC Footwear with the round baubles of Alex's Czech glass and antique brass necklace.  Pop on both of these and you'll look perfect strolling through the local farmer's market.

How often do you match your jewelry to your shoes?
~Kirsten

What to Wear: 5 Tips for Wearing Jewelry with Swimsuits

Welcome to the first of a new series - What to Wear?  We'll take common accessorizing conundrums and help you through them.  First up - the swim suit!

Photo from Agendamag.com

Swim suits don't have to be bare!  If you're planning a day at the beach, a backyard pool party, or sipping cocktails poolside at a resort, throw on some jewelry with that swim suit!  You think about your sunglasses and footwear, so why not continue to accessorize.  Here are our top five tips for selecting your beach wear jewelry:

1.  Look for jewelry that is low maintenance and matches the feeling of your swim suit.  If your suit is all black class it up with something gold like this yellow/white fire agate necklace from Alex's new Mistura Collection.  Something with a little length is nice because it gives you the versatility to wear it long or short.

2.  Bracelets are a girl's, or a boy's, best friend.  Stacked bracelets that you can stash in your bag when its time to get your swim on are a must.  Stack them in odd numbers for the best look, 3, 5, or even 7 if they're small enough.  Choose contrasting colors to your suit for extra pop.  Above, orange and black acai berry seeds and turquoise beads on waxed cotton string with pave crystal balls.

3.  Make a layered statement.  If you want jewelry you can wear in the pool, opt for short pendant necklaces.  You can even wear two or three at a time if the lengths are complimentary.  Above, a simple silver chain holds an oxidized silver ring, currently available at Embellish Boutique.

4.  Keep the earrings simple.  The carefree feeling of beach season demands simple, unfussy earrings.  Leave the chandeliers for the after dinner party and put on a pair of short, simple stunners.  Studs are universally flattering, but drop earrings under 2" also look good.  I think these Chrosphase and hammered gold disks are perfect!

5.  Pick one or two, not all three.  Since you want to keep it casual don't wear earrings, necklaces, AND bracelets.  Just pick one or two and skip the third.  Bracelet stacks and a necklace, a long necklace and simple studs, or even just a pile of necklaces.  The possibilities are endless.  Above, two leather and fresh water pearl bracelets.

Don't forget to put sunscreen on at home (out of the sun application is most effective anyway) and let it dry before you add on your jewelry.  If you plan on doing serious swimming, it's best to take your jewelry off so the chlorine in pools doesn't tarnish your pieces.  Stash them in a cute jewelry roll in your beach bag.  Most important?  Just remember to have fun - it is supposed to be a day at the beach after all.

~Kirsten

Bright & Big Stone Statement Jewelry

Real Simple has declared bright and baubley, vibrant stone sparklers to be the latest jewelry trend.  Big, showy jewelry is a perfect match for the spring and summer seasons florals and bright colors.  Mix these baubles with a casual day look for extra sophistication, a pop of color with a little black dress, or as a fun touch to a beach side look.  Check out our favorite big stoned jewelry from Alex's latest collection.

Shown above, a focal bead bracelet - Alex says this of his poppy orange bracelet: "This piece is very special to me. The focal bead is my first bead that I made. I want to say thank you to Dobrilla Pintar for being a wonderful and patient teacher."

Orange Acai Berry Seeds on Waxed Cotton w/ a pave crystal bead, Turquoise Beads on Waxed Cotton w/ pave crystal ball, and Black Acai Berry Seed on waxed cotton w/ pave crystal bead.  Wear them stacked together or one by one.

Carnelian and Blue Chalcedony Earrings

Labradorite and oxidized silver necklace

Will you take Real Simple Magazine's advice and "put on a pair and expect major outfit fireworks?" We agree when they says wearing statement jewelry makes even your plain tank top seem special.  Which one is your favorite?
~Kirsten