Mixed Metals Vs. Pure Metal

*All necklaces Gemma Redux*

It's time for another This or That post! Where do you stand on mixing metals? It used to be a major faux pas to wear gold and silver at the same time and now, not only is it acceptable, it's encouraged and stylish! Do you tend to mix things up or keep your jewelry strickly silved toned or gold toned at one time?

Still not convinced about mixing metals? Take a look at how these ladies have mastered the trend.

pc: Atlantic-Pacific, Shop Bicyclette, Brooklyn Blonde

Spring Wishlist

As I was thinking about today's post I sort of scratched my head and didn't know where to begin. My Spring Wishlist...it could be miles long if I wasn't careful.  I knew there were hundreds of swoon-worthy items that I have been wanting and filing away for another date but I felt overwhelmed at starting the search over and combing through the back of my brain for each item was and where I could locate it. Then I remembered Pinterest. Problem solved. All of my jewelry and wish-listed items in one place and easily linked to the source. Are you on Pinterest yet? Follow me here, if you'd like!

1. Anita Ko, Cat Mask 18-karat gold ring / 2. Shourouk, Baraka Killy / 3. Giles & Brother, Dresser Ring / 4. Anita Ko, Bunny 18-karat gold diamond and emerald ring / 5. Lauren Elan Collections, Carter bracelet / 6. Brooklyn Thread, Teal Druzy Ring / 7. Bibi Bijoux, Joyful Bracelet / 8.CATBIRD, Alphabet Rings / 9. Anthropologie, Nodule Sylph Bracelet / 10. Shourouk, Phenix Alabaster

The World's First All Diamond Ring

Hold onto your hats, ladies! The world's first all diamond ring has arrived and...it's massive.  At 150 carats the ring is valued around $70 million. So while most of us can't afford to be the lucky wearer of this gem, we can still dream.  Watch the video below and let you mind take you to a place where this ring could be a reality. I know I will.


Seriously interested? Here's the link to the Swiss jewelry company's website: shawish-jewellery.com

Ps - Just to put this ring into perspective, Kim Kardashian's massive rock from her quicky marriage to Chris Humphries was 20.5 carats. Gulp.

Trend Spotting: Wear like an Egyptian

Forget walking like an Egyptian and try wearing like one! Egyptian inspired jewelry has been popping up left, right, and center. I first noticed it while checking out Robin Rhodes' new line (for our interview here) and have since seen it in multiple shops and by various designers.

This fun, geographic, bold trend is one that any girl can pull off, but stick to one Egyptian-inspired piece at a time. Try a necklace reminiscent of a hieroglyphic or long structured earrings.  You'll be feeling more confident, and dare I suggest a little more exotic, in no time. Tell me, which piece is your favorite? The cat pieces from Top Shop make me smile, but I am keeping my eye on the hieroglyphic inspired necklaces or the Max & Chloe bracelet.

1. Etched Hieroglyphic Bracelet, Forever 21 / 2. Cleo necklace, Robin Rhodes / 3. Horus necklace, Robin Rhodes / 4. Isis necklace, Robin Rhodes / 5. Scarab Pendant, nOir / 6. Turquoise Scarab Ring, Kenneth Jay Lane / 7. Cleopatra Cuff, Forever 21 / 8. Trina Turk Egyptian Disk Bracelet, Max & Chole / 9. Egyptian Necklace, Wolf and Moon / 10. 25th Floor Egyptian Nugget Earrings, Urban Outfitters / 11. Unique Long Egyptian Cat Necklace, Top Shop / 12. Egyptian Waves Hoop Earrings, Belle Noel / 13. Egyptian Cat Brooch, Top Shop

Casting Workshop Part II

Yesterday I had the second and final part of my casting in silver workshop. [See part I here] I totally fell in love with the lost wax casting process and will definitely continue to make jewelry this way. I can't even explain to you how satisfying it is...so I'll let the pictures do the talking.  Here are the final products!

I made two rings and bracelet.

Here I am modeling the finished pieces. I am soooo happy with them! The bracelet especially, it's so comfortable and looks so smooth and polished yet detailed at the same time.

Hope you guys like them!

Meet Robyn Rhodes

It's hard not to like Robyn Rhodes. After a few emails back and forth, she already feels like an old friend. After working several years in the TV & Film industry, Robyn decided to channel her creative desires into her own line of jewelry, and boy, are we glad she did! So are her many celebrity clients.  Robyn has seen great success among Hollywood's elite with Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Penelope Cruz, Sofia Bush, Kristen Bell, and Minka Kelly all sporting her line.  Robyn has been featured in InStyle, ELLE, Lucky, People, Los Angeles Magazine, Rachel Ray, Seventeen, and now, Jolie Jouel :)  Read on for an inside look into the life of one of Hollywood's hottest jewelry designers.

What inspired you to start your own jewelry business? 

I have always been crafty, ever since I was a little girl, however, I went to school for Film and Art History.  I was working in Film and TV when Sept. 11th happened and production just stopped.  My cousin gave my aunt this glass/wire wrapped $20 necklace for her birthday and I took one look at it and said, "I can not only make that, but I can make it better."  It was from that moment on that I have been making jewelry.  

How would you describe the woman who wears Robyn Rhodes jewelry? And who would your dream client(s) be?

My clientele is a woman who typically does not wear jewelry.  They don't think they can wear it, but they start with one simple piece.... then it gets to a point where they feel naked without any jewelry on!  My line is simple to funky and you can layer it on or I do the layering for you.  My dream clients would be Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Michelle Obama, just to name a few.

What are the greatest challenges to running your own jewelry line?

Being a boss and having employees means being the bad cop all of the time.  In addition to that, it’s also a challenge keeping my line current, yet being 3 steps ahead of the game.  

What is your typical day like? 

It’s the gym and then off to the office.  There, I’ll be designing, making jewelry, and putting out any possible fires.

I noticed that you have a "maternity" section on your site. What makes this jewelry suitable for Mom's To Be? And do you see a big market for maternity jewelry?

Regardless of the economy, women are still having babies.  The line is not in your face, "mommy jewelry."  The mother will walk around wearing a beautiful piece of jewelry, and no one knows that those stones have special meaning in her life.

What advice would you give a young aspiring designer or someone toying with the idea of making jewelry? 

Don't give up!!!  Design all of the things that come to your mind, you never know what a customer will like.  Don't be afraid to take chances!! 

For more beautiful pieces, check out robynrhodes.com.  Plus, stay tuned for an exciting give-away with Robyn in the coming weeks for your chance to win your own Robyn Rhodes piece of jewelry! Thanks Robyn!

Help me Accessorize: Wedding Guest Edition

One week from Saturday I'll be attending the wedding of one of my oldest friends. We went to elementary school and high school together...and now she's getting married! I have the dress. It's a pretty taupe knee length number from Anthropologie circa 2010. The label says Moulinette Soeurs.

Help me accessorize!  With a solid color and a few pretty ruffles, it's a fairly simple dress. So I can go big on accessories. Would you do show stopping earrings or a statement necklace? Nude shoes or colored? Gold or silver? Keep it neutral or throw in some color?

Give me your two cents below and I'll be sure to report back with how I styled it and I'll be sure to include a few photos from the wedding.

xxjj

Sunglasses Report

Left: Brand: Spy. Model: Dallas.                       Right: Brand: Smith Optics. Model: Ramsey in "mint".

These are the last two pairs of sunglasses that I own. I used to have a pair of black Ralph Lauren ones...that I lost...and then I replaced those with a pair of black Tom Fords. I have since, ahem, misplaced those as well. I hope my husband isn't reading this. He knows. But he doesn't need to be reminded.  So I am definitely in the market for some new black or tortoise shell sunglasses.

Inspired by the beautiful weather that is upon us I decided that an eye wear post - jewelry for your eyes, anyone? - was not only appropriate but very timely. It's time to pull out your old sunnies, or look for some new ones.  If you're in the market, I pulled some great options, below.  I've included some more affordable options for us losers...wait, that doesn't sound right..."misplacers" sounds better.  And some more expensive eye wear for those of you who can afford them and rarely misplace things.

Mosley Tribes / Ray-Ban Erica / Ray-Ban Cats / House of Harlow Linsey / A. J. Morgan Wendy / MODO Seberg / Tom Ford Leopold / ASOS / Mango / Grey Ant Tuff /

Trend Spotting: Tribal Jewelry

Let your inner wild woman reign with tribal inspired jewelry! Get back to nature and let your basic instincts fly with geographic shapes, interesting spikes, and bright colors. Get the look below!

First row:
Miss Selfridge  / House of Harlow ring / Pamela Love / Biko / House of Harlow cuff
Second Row:
Fiona Paxton earrings / Fiona Paxton necklace / ASOS / Biko / Orly Genger / Free People /  Banana Republic / Forever 21

Do or Don't: Plastic Jewelry

Even though the temperatures have felt Spring-like for weeks, today officially starts the start of Spring! Yay, we made it! With the change of the season upon us, I am thinking about incorporating more bright jewelry and pops of color into my daily outfits.  Most colorful, affordable jewelry is plastic or resin, which begs the question, is plastic jewelry a do or a don't?

Where do you stand? Do you think it's cheap looking and looks like something your barbie came with? Or do you think it's fun and the best way to incorporate bright jewelry into your rotation?

Let me know if you think plastic jewelry is a Do or a Don't!

Asos / Asos / Wallis / Asos / Kate Spade
Mod Cloth / Shanka / Kate Spade / Kenneth Jay Lane / Max and Chole 
Principles / Tory Burch / Banana Republic /  Loft / Fair Trade

Designer Spotlight: Frieda and Nellie

Friendship bracelets collide with old school glamour in the Frieda and Nellie jewelry collection. Combining campy friendship bracelets with vintage jewelry give these fun, brightly colored bracelets a modern look with a vintage feel.

Meet the designers, New York City based best friends, Stacy Herzog and Sarah Reid. After traveling to Ecuador in late 2009, the duo were inspired by the diverse array of intricate knotted friendship bracelets they saw. Inspired by their travels, they began to hand make bright detailed knotted friendship style bracelets and combined them with pieces from their grandmothers’ vintage jewelry collections. Frieda and Nellie is named in honor of the designer’s glamorous and creative grannies (<--love this!)

Here are a few of my favorite designs!

Head on over to their site, www.friedaandnellie.com, for more!

DIY Friday: Double Bead Necklace

Spring is in the air! Time for a pretty spring time DIY project.  I whipped together this pretty greeny-blue necklace and thought it was perfect for the season. Doesn't it look like something you'd see in Anthropologie?
You're just a few steps away from your own one of a kind necklace!

 (I totally forgot to use the silver spacers - so that's why they're optional! ;) I was going to put one between each bead.)

Your Treasure Trove...Evolved.

Remember the Little Mermaid's treasure trove? "How many wonders can one cavern hoooold?" Gosh, I love the Little Mermaid and her organized, bordering on hoarding, cave of wonders.

As much as I admire people who can keep everything in its rightful place, I am a little more...scattered. I am working on it.  We just bought a new house and I've been dreaming of jewelry dressers, organized baubles, and a fresh start ever since.

How do you store your jewelry? In a tangled mess on your counter top? Or meticulously organized in a drawer? Do you use a jewelry tree or jewelry box?  Here's a look at some innovative ways to keep your jewelry organized and tangled free.  Plus, it can be an interesting display for you to admire! Why keep all of your bright jewels hidden away when you can have them on display. I am taking notes for my new house....

Pastel or Neon?

Both photos from the ingenious Blair Eadie. Pastels: Asos rings and bracelets.  Neons: Lauren Elan Misel bracelets. 

My last "versus" post, here, on thick vs. thin rings got such great feedback that I've decided to start a regular series of "this or that" posts. You can weigh in on which you prefer, what you wear more of, or what you wish you could wear more of! 

So this week, the million dollar question is, if you could only choose neon accessories or pastel accessories this spring, which would you choose?

Trend Spotting: Double Cuffs

There is no doubt that thinly stacked bracelets are the hottest arm accessories du jour. But lately I've been noticing the double cuff has entered the race for top contender.  Double cuffs are matching, usually quite thick, bracelets or bangles that are worn on both wrists at the same time.  Kind of like handcuffs without the insolent chain connecting them together. 

Sometimes this means you need to buy two of the same bracelet to get the look and sometimes, if you're lucky/if the retailer knows a good thing when they see it, they'll sell two in a set.

Get the look!

Spring Street Design Group Python Print Cuff
ASOS Pack of Two Smooth Double Cuffs
Tory Burch 'Hook' Leather Wrap Bracelet Marc by Marc Jacobs Turn-Lock Leather Cuff Bracelet
Juicy Couture Keep Me Hanging On Leather Charm Cuff
ASOS Thin Smooth Double Cuffs
Flat Python Cuff
Streets Ahead Italian Hair Calf Cuff Bracelet with Zebra Print
ASOS Hammered Double Cuffs
CORNER STUDDED CUFF HOT PINK

Meet Mr. Kate

To me, the photo above shows the true personality of Mr. Kate (aka: Kate Albrecht), the creative brain behind the jewelry line, the brand, and the blog that is Mr. Kate.  She's fun, bright, bubbly, and oh-so-cute.  Mr. Kate is all about blending masculinity, beauty, and humor.  Her logo, the mustache and beauty mark, work beautifully because they are two iconic images that represent these exact things. For more on the ebullient Mr. Kate, keep reading!

 

What inspired you to start designing jewelry?

I have always loved wearing jewelry and admired my grandmother's knack for layering her beautiful Native American jewelry. She used to give me costume jewelry when I was little to play 'dress up' with, so I always associated jewelry with fun and feeling good. I was inspired to make jewelry after I took classes in jewelry making in college and realized that there were designs in my head that I couldn't find anywhere but really wanted to wear. So, I started making jewelry for myself and it eventually became a business. Now I make jewelry that I feel great wearing and make other people feel good and happy wearing it too! 

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Everywhere! I'm inspired by a huge range of things. For each collection it may be a set of inspiration that I use to dictate the 'look' of the collection. But overall, as an artist, I think you have to be open to inspiration coming from anywhere, whether it's a trip to a museum or a hike in nature or a stylish person you admire.

How would you describe the woman who wears Mr. Kate? And who would your dream client(s) be?

The women, and men, who wear Mr. Kate jewelry are confident and unique. My favorite thing is to see how each individual wears my jewelry in their own unique way. That's the key to style; making it your own statement that reflects who you are. My dream clients are really anyone who is moved by my pieces, I'm just as flattered when a non-celebrity loves my stuff as I am when a celebrity does...as long as they LOVE it! That being said, I'd love to see how Nefertiti or Joan of Arc would rock my jewelry, but they've been dead for years!

What are the greatest challenges to running your own jewelry line?

The biggest challenge is the business side of things. I am a creative brain and would love to just design and make and wear all day long. But there are necessary logistics that you have to tend to in order to have a functional business and those things take time and focus. Fortunately now my business has expanded to the point where I can have help in those areas to free me up to just be creative! But I still have an awareness of the business as well, that's just as important.

What is your typical day like?
Ha, there is no typical day at Mr. Kate! Because I have the lifestyle side of my business, with my blog and videos, etc., I'm always doing so much more than just jewelry! Some days I wake up and blog, then shoot a DIY video, then have a business related meeting, then go somewhere or do something for my blog again or edit jewelry photos, etc. I'm usually working on and off from 8AM to 11PM. Being an entrepreneur means you can have your own schedule, but to be successful, you have to work a lot!

 What advice would you give a young aspiring designer or someone toying with the idea of making jewelry?

Make sure you love what you're doing and be committed to working over-time to make your 'big idea' work. Rather than paying attention to trends, pay attention to your customers, they hold the key to how your business will flourish. Be an expert in your field and take classes so you know exactly what goes into making jewelry. Even when you get your business to the point where you can out-source your manufacturing, if you have an intimate knowledge of the process, you will still be in charge. Be critical of your work and remember to edit so you're not bogged down with too many pieces in a collection, keep the strong ones and let the weaker ones go. Stay inspired and energetic and do whatever you have to do to keep going!

All photos from mrkate.com -  head on over there for loads of inspiration and fun videos! Thanks, Kate!

Lately...

A few snaps of the jewelry I've been wearing lately:

Featuring: Mr. Kate worm cuff, Lauren Elan Lily, Forever 21 flowered choker, Joe Fresh heavy metal chains, and Stella and Dot renegade cluster necklace.

Home is where your...ring is?

Now you can wear your home town, favorite place, or dream vacation on your fingers! Paris based jewelry designer, Philippe Tournaire, has created a line of famous buildings from around the world. Did you leave your heart in New York City? The remedy for you might be to slap the skyline onto your ring finger and get on with your day. I can't get enough of these!