Happy Birthday, To Me

I am so excited to share my birthday gift with you guys! It's something I've had my eye on for a very long time and had been at the top of my wishlist for many months. And thanks to my loving husband, she's now all mine. I may never take it off!

Introducing my gold shark tooth necklace from Vale!

I am so happy with this little gem, you guys will likely be seeing in lots of upcoming posts!

What's on the top of your wishlist?

Hawaii Photo Diary

I just spent 10 blissful days in Hawaii, celebrating my birthday and anniversary. I am one lucky girl.  We even made home to the east coast last night despite Hurricane Sandy's best efforts. Thankfully Toronto was hit a little later than NYC. Phew. What a shocking change from sunny Kauai!

Here are a few Kauai photos while I get Jolie Jouel organized for the week. Hopefully those of you who are house-ridden due to Sandy are staying safe and dry and can enjoy a little Hawaiian escape via my trip photos.

Oh, and don't forget to enter the giveaway I am hosting with Verve for a chance to win a delicate gold necklace!

Back to regularly scheduled jewelry news tomorrow!

Giveaway: Verve Jewelry

This necklace is perfect in its simplicity. Made by Verve Jewelry, a small gold vermeil swoop pendant hangs from a 14k gold filled chain. It looks great alone or layered with your other favorite gold pieces (like I did here with a wishbone necklace). This is the perfect everyday piece, looking equally great with a white tshirt as it does with a little black dress.  The bottom line? The swoop necklace is the epitome of versatile.

Enter to win your own Verve Swoop necklace in 3 easy steps!

1. Like Verve Jewelry on Facebook
2. Follow Jolie Jouel on Twitter
3. Leave a comment below!

DIY Friday: First Knuckle Rings

I love first knuckle rings (proving it here, here, and here) and am always on the lookout for new ones. When I came across this DIY on A Pair and A Spare I just knew I had to share. I always hear from people how they have trouble finding first knuckle rings, so if that's you, then why not make one! On a side note, Catbird has great ones if you're looking to buy.

DIY first knuckle ring (full instructions over on apairandaspare)

Will you try this fun little DIY?

Celebrity Jewelry Style: Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie is a true style chameleon. She does the bohemian look better than anyone else, looks effortlessly cool while rocker chick, and can look perfectly preppy.  Often seen wearing her own House of Harlow designs, this girl looks great with jewelry piled on or toned down.  One of the first to rock sequined headbands and hippy headpieces, Nicole is a true trendsetter.  I cant wait to see what she does next!

pc: stylebistro.com

Line Lust: Karla Deras for Roman Luxe

Two of my favorite things: bloggers and jewelry. And when they come together I just can't resist. This is Karla's second line for Roman Luxe, brilliantly named, Lapis of Luxury. Featuring lapis and crystals, the line is bold yet clean in its simplicity.

My favorite pieces below!

Shop at Max & Chloe!

Do or Don't? Choker Necklaces

Confession: When I was in High School I wore a piece of black leather cord tied around my neck nearly daily. Flash forward a decade and we see Blake Lively sporting a pink, beaded, wrap around choker while filming scenes for the final season of Gossip Girl. Have chokers come back full circle? Are they a "Do" in 2012 or should they stay in the 90s?

pc: justjared.com
Vote! Would you rock a choker necklace today? If it's good enough for Serena van der Woodesen...

Studio Spotlight: Dannijo

Collage Vintage recently got the thrill of a lifetime (my words, not hers) and got to tour Dannijo's jewelry studio in the Meatpacking District. For the 2% of you unaware of Dannijo, is the brain child of the sister/sister team behind the uber popular jewelry line known for bright colors, bibs, and statement cuffs.

Grab a Kleenex because you'll probably drool: photos of their show room below!

 All photos from Collage Vintage.

DIY Friday: Gold Spider Ring

I came across this gold, Tom Binns spider ring a few weeks ago while I was working on my Halloween jewelry post. It got me thinking about a more affordable DIY alternative for Halloween. I was reminded of the plastic spider rings we used to wear as kids and headed out to the craft supply store to investigate. The result is a pretty good dupe for the Tom Binns version and will save you a ton of money.

You will need:
- plastic spider rings
- gold paint (I used Martha Stewart's liquid gilding in gold)
- paint brush
- optional: rhinestones or beads for extra bling.

Prep the area with newspaper, cardboard, or construction paper. Shake up the paint and lay out the spider rings.

Cover the rings in gold paint. Make sure to get in all the nooks and crannies. Let dry and then flip the rings to paint the areas you couldn't get to on the first coat. One coat was enough with the Martha Stewart paint, but if you're using a different brand it may take two or more coats for a solid finish.

Add rhinestones or beads for an even glitzier look! Use super glue (carefully!) and get creative. Or you can keep your spider pure gold a la Tom Binns.

Ta da! You're all set for Halloween and will have the prettiest spider ring out there.

Will you try this DIY ring for Halloween?

Halloween Costumes for the Jewelry Lover

Halloween is just around the corner so it's time to get your costume lined up! If you're like me, you love any excuse to pile on the jewelry. For my jewelry-conscious readers, I've come up with a few costumes that will allow you to dig through your jewelry box or maybe even give you an excuse to buy something new! You will wear it again, right?

Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Don't forget those pearls or that hair pin!

Anne Hathaway's Catwoman. Get the look with a pretty mask, cat ears, and again with the pearls! 

Honey Boo Boo. This little firecracker would make for a fun Halloween costume. Grab a pink party dress and a glittery tiara to finish off the look.

Flapper Girl. A fringed dress, a knotted, long necklace, and feather head piece will have you looking like you're straight out of the 20s.

Hippy. I know this is a picture of Nicole Richie, but she just does the hippy look the best. Grab a long flowy top, a long peace sign necklace, and a groovy headpiece. This is one costume you'll definitely be comfortable in!

Have any other jewelry-heavy Halloween costumes you'd like to share?

Celebrity Jewelry Style: Gwyneth Paltrow

Known for her classic, minimalist style, Gwyneth Paltrow prefers clean lines, sleek silhouettes, and and understated accessories. Everyone's favorite girl crush, Gwyneth undoubtedly has a style that effortlessly cool. Gwyneth accents her outfits will jewelry that tends to blend in and enhance her outfit, rather than choosing spotlight-stealing statement pieces. Interested in emulating her jewelry look? Get some inspiration below!

pc: stylebistro
I love me some Gwynie. Time to find some cool chains and pretty earrings.

Have a celeb that you want to see featured in a jewelry style spotlight? Leave suggestions below!

This or That? Piled On Vs. Minimalist

There are two schools of thought when it comes to necklaces. You either love the chunky, statement necklaces or prefer dainty smaller pieces. Where do you stand on layered necklaces? Piled on in excess or understated minimalist?

pc: laurenelan.com and sparkandpepper.com

Vote!

Do or Don't: The Hand Bracelet

Salma Hayek has been making the talk show rounds for her new movie Here Comes the Boom. I saw her on Live with Kelly & Michael and Jimmy Fallon and both times she was wearing a very eye-catching hand bracelet. She claims that "all of the girls in Paris are wearing them" and she's probably right. She does live there and is married to the CEO of PRR, François-Henri Pinault.

What do you think? Is this new trend a 'do' or a 'don't'? Totally cool or probably uncomfortable?

pc: Daily Mail
Vote!

Layering Necklaces: High, Medium, and Low Price Points

I am really into layering dainty necklaces these days. There is something beautiful about things in threes and this number is also ideal is when it comes to layering necklaces.  Avoid pendants that are too chunky as your layers could end up looking messy and random. Instead, look for delicate pieces, on thin chains, that will give you a cohesive, put together look.

Here are some fun layering ideas at every price point!

1. ASOS, Handcuff necklace, $10.55 / 2. Topshop, Triangle Pendant, $28/ 3. Shopbop, Pave Ball Necklace, $49

1. Catbird, Owl Necklace, $110 / 2. Vale, 14K Baby Heart Choker Necklace, $215
/ 3. Vale, 14K Hammered Bar Pendant Necklace, $250

1. Vale, 18K Diamond Slice Necklace, $795 / 2. Vale, 14K Tiny Arrow Necklace, $275
/ 3. Catbird, Diamond Filigree Necklace, $735

Which layered group is your favorite?

Line Lust: Atlantic-Pacific x BaubleBar

Reining blogging Queen BEE, Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific, launched her own jewelry collection with BaubleBar yesterday. Cue the excited squeals! The collection includes a classic Blair-esque pieces in bright colors, preppy styles, and geometric shapes. Pick up a colorful statement necklace or stack some of her trademark rings. Either way, I am thrilled that we can now we can all get our hands on some Blair Eadie jewelry favorites. Now if only BaubleBar would ship to Canada...

My favorite photos are below, but you can shop the whole collection here.

All photos from BaubleBar and Atlantic-Pacific