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

Vintage Inspired Jewelry

Want to channel your inner 1950s housewife?  Swath yourself in pretty pastels and vintage inspired creations.  All the colors of these pretty pieces remind me of poodle skirts, petite hats, gloves (like the cute ones above from Jess James Jake on etsy), and homemade icebox cake.  Go ahead, pick your favorite.

Peach Moonstone from the Mistura collection

Princesa del Boaque 

Miami in yellow jade

Miami in faceted milky green jade.

Sonho de Lavanda - Lavendar chalcedony

~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

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

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

Mix and Match Your Jewelry

A jewelry wardrobe should be diverse and full of pieces you love.  There's nothing wrong with slipping some fun, inexpensive pieces from Forever 21 in with your classically, well made pieces from your favorite jewelry or Monsieur Pamplemousse (of course!).  Mixing your jewelry together, be it bracelets or necklaces, is a great way to freshen up your jewelry routine.

Here are some of our favorite mixes:

~Pair gold and silver together, it's no longer a "don't"

~Mix pearl with crystal

~ Cluster a chunky piece with a more delicate one (like in the photo above)

What's your favorite way to mix and match your jewelry?

What to Wear: Bridal Events

Photo from: Creamy Life

Summer usually finds lots of young women attending their fair share of bridal parties...engagement parties, showers, weddings, etc.  Everyone always thinks about shopping for jewelry for the day of the wedding, but don't forget about all the other events.  Whether you're the bride or just a fabulous friend, you'll want to make sure you arrive in style with jewelry for all your outfits.  Here are some of my favorite ideas for the top four wedding related events.

The Engagement Party - Classic and sophisticated pearls are always in style.  They're a classic wedding style (check out our blog on the meaning of pearls for more info)  If you're the bride jazz it up, make sure everyone knows who they should be toasting!

The Bridal Shower - Light, fun, and with a touch of sophistication should be the name of the game at a bridal shower.  Think drape-y necklaces and layered looks - bright colors can help you celebrate in style while silver, gold, or copper goes with almost anything.  If you're rocking out a sleeveless or strapless dresssmall clustered bracelets lend a modern feel.  I like this pretty peach moonstone piece from Alex's Mistura collection.

The Bachelorette Party - Let out your inner vixen with sultry, dark colors to match your smokey eyes perfectly.  This is the perfect occasion for  chunky, layered jewelry and lots of black and silver.

The Morning After Brunch - This occasion calls for something that screams "congrats to the happy couple" or "I'm now a Mrs."  A perfect blend of sass and sophistication goes from morning after to the honeymoon - like this Labradorite necklace.  It would be perfectly at home in a penthouse or a beach side resort. 


No matter how you choose to accessorize, have fun and remember the spirit of the occasion!
~Kirsten

June Birthstone: Moonstone

Happy Birthday to all our June readers!

The Moonstone is one of your birthstones!  According to American Gem Society, your three birthstones are Pearl, Alexadrite, and Moonstone.  Did you know Moonstone is considered a sacred stone in India?  Let's learn a little more about this pretty gemstone from the American Gem Society:

It was given its name by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone's appearance altered with the phases of the moon — a belief that held until well after the sixteenth century.  Moonstones show a floating play of light (called adularescence) and sometimes show either a multirayed star or a cat's eye. Considered a sacred stone in India, moonstones often are displayed on a background of yellow (a sacred color) and are believed to encapsulate within the stone a spirit whose purpose is to bring good fortune.  

Of course Monsieur Pamplemousse makes a birthstone necklace for you!  Check out this beauty: made of Moonstone, Labradorite, and 14k gold fill.  Want to buy it for yourself or as a rock star birthday gift for your favorite June girl?  Contact Alex via email alexagudo@mpbijoux.com or on our facebook page, but hurry, this piece is one of a kind!

~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

The Meaning of Pearls

Freshwater pearl necklace with Crystal Pave Ball
Monsieur Pamplemousse

Pearls are considered timeless, elegant, and often a staple of the sophisticated.   They're unique in that they come straight from the sea and do not require polishing to reveal their natural beauty.  At weddings, pearls are often a gift passed down from grandmothers to mothers to daughters to wear as they walk down the aisle. But why?  Pearls are one of the oldest jewels, often gifted to brides because of they symbolize purity,  innocence, and some say pearls prevent crying.  So how was the tradition started?  According to PearlOasis.com...

In the Rigveda, an ancient Hindu book dating back to 1000 B.C. Krishna, the preserver, brought forth pearls from the depths of the sea to give to his daughter on her wedding day. Thus started the tradition of giving pearls to the bride.

We often see pearls adorning the necks of women and clothing of men in paintings throughout history - Queens of England are some of the most popular subjects.  We all remember Anne Boleyn's pearl necklace with a dangling "B" (left), especially after it was replicated on the hit show The Tudors.  In fact, the Tudor Era of the 1500s, The American Gem Society calls the "pearl age." 


Queen Elizabeth II's even donned strands of creamy pearls worn when she wed Prince Phillip in the world's first ever white wedding gown.  There's also the famous painting that inspired The Girl with the Pearl Earring.  Check out this great article on pearls throughout history for more info, it also sheds light on how pearls became as popular as they are now:

The invention of the technique used to create cultured pearls made them more widely available and more affordable in the 20^th Century. Until then, large natural pearls were outrageously expensive and were worn only by the upper classes (although delicate seed pearls were much loved by women in the middle class). 

10mm white glass pearl and grey pearl necklace

Monsieur Pamplemousse

The pearl's long association with royalty has given them an aura of good taste and sophistication, and their widespread availability has made them a popular choice for jewelry making and wearing.  I love the look of pearls whether wrapped around the neck, worn on the ears, wrists, or even pinned into the hair.  It's hard to go wrong with pearls, especially if your occasion calls for a touch of sophistication.


How many pearl jewelry pieces do you own?


~Kirsten
Adapted from a piece originally written for "Everything but the Dress"

Accessorizing the Bridesmaid Dress

Photo from Ruffled Bridal Blog

Congratulations!

You're a bridesmaid in a wedding, the bride picked out a dress (or maybe let you pick your own?), and isn't buying you cheap, matching baubles to wear on her big day.  Hooray, but now you're tasked with selecting jewelry to wear with your bridesmaid dress.  How do you choose?  Follow our five tips for picking out the perfect jewelry to match your dress.

1.  Do what the bride says.  While you may have escaped getting a monogrammed necklace with your maiden name on it, you still do have to play by the rules.  If the bride asked you to only wear stud earrings or abstain from wearing a chunky necklace, you should comply.  It's not worth risking your friendship for an accessory.

2.  Pick something tasteful.  While you may be known for your collection of Lego jewelry or never seen without a skull and cross bones, it may not be the best choice on someones wedding day.  Think about what you liked on your wedding day or what you someday would want your bridesmaids to wear - if your favorite piece doesn't fit into that picture, skip it.

3.  When in doubt, match colors.  If you're unsure what color to wear, keep it simple and match the dress color.  Pink dress, wear colors in that family: magenta, rose pink, red, etc.  You can never go wrong with a simple chain necklace or earrings and colored gems - like the 14k gold filled necklace below, which dangles a Bordeaux coin pearl.

4.  Stick to two accessories.  While sometimes more IS more, at a wedding where you're not in the spotlight, it's best to stick to jewelry in moderation.  Pick a bracelet and earrings or necklace and earrings, not all three unless they're really subtle.  Let the bride have her moment.

5.  Wear what you love.  Don't forget weddings are supposed to be joyous occasions.  Wear jewelry you love and feel comfortable in as you'll be immortalized in photos for years to come.  Try on any new jewelry and wear it around the house for a while to make sure it feels comfortable and you're happy with your choice.

What jewelry are you wearing to your summer 2012 weddings?

~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

Mistura: New "Mix" Collection

Alex created a new collection of simple, subtle, yet still stunning jewelry yet again.  The collection: Mistura.  Meaning mixture is Portuguese, it's a collection of mixed metals and stones and it's perfect for summer!  Pop on a long necklace with a bikini and sarong or wear one dangling at your collar bones for a backyard bbq.  Your summer jewelry should be like summer itself: easy and breezy.  See what Alex said about his new jewelry collection:

"I had so much fun creating this collection. Mistura is Portuguese for mix, which I think it's appropriate for this collection. I mixed different metal, stones and techniques. I hope you enjoy this collection. Obrigado!"

See some of my favorite pieces from the collection and then check out more photos on our facebook page.  I love how the mixed metals will make these pieces transition gracefully from spring in to summer and summer into fall.  My favorite new necklace?  This sweet blue stoned piece (shown above), created with Gunmetal ring, Blue Chalcedony Briolettes, on Silver Chain.

I love this piece for its versatile possibilities: it could just be fun rings or even a perfect present for a new mom - push present anyone?  It's ingredients: Oxidized Silver, Gold tone, and gunmetal rings interlocked to each other. On silver rolo chain.

I'm a sucker for any clear crystals that catch the light so it's no wonder I love these pink topaz and gold hoop earrings.  I also love the subtle mix of silver attaching the hoops to the hooks.  

These earrings?  Simple and will go with everything!  I can just see them sipping cocktails one day and planting some basil in a pot the next.

Which are your favorite from the new Mistura collection?

~Kirsten