Line Lust: Vita Fede

Definitely at the top of my wishlist is anything from Vita Fede.  I can't get enough of the open, hinged bangles with delicate geometric points and the similar open rings. If I could, I would line my arms and fingers with these beauties!  Take a look below for some styling inspiration (all from Vita Fede's instagram) and my top Vita Fede picks.

Buy here and here.

Taking the rest of the day to reflect on Good Friday and spend time with family. I hope you all have a fabulous Easter weekend!

Trend Spotting: Getting Lippy

Bisou bisou! Puckering up has never been easier thanks to the help from some lip inspired jewelry. Lips are popping up everywhere - wrapped around fingers and dangling from ears!  I am a big fan of the Solange Azagury Partridge enamel lip rings and I recently fell hard for the Lulu Frost lip (and pearl teeth!) necklace. What a funny little symbol to wear on different body parts. If you hop on this trend, you may just have earned yourself a conversation piece. Tongues will be wagging and lips will be parting to find out more about your little lippy jewelry. My favorites below!

1. Hotlips Enamel Rings, Solange Azagury Partridge

2. Betsey Johnson Gold Status Lips Non-Matching Earrings, Zappos

3. MARC BY MARC JACOBS Brass and Enamel Lip Stud Earrings, Net-A-Porter

4. Lulu Frost Lips necklace, J.Crew

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Lips Print Bangle, Shopbop

6. Vivienne Westwood Valentine Kiss Bangle, Zappos Couture

7. Red District lip shocker bracelet, Aurélie Bidermann

8. Elodie K Black Silver Lips Stud Earrings, Max & Chloe

Which set of puckered lips is your favorite? 

Get the Look: Easter Ready

Planning on dressing up for Easter this weekend? Why not try this pretty look! With blush ruffles and a show stopping arm party, you'll be the belle of your Easter dinner.

photo

1. Sweet Valentine Dress, Free People

2. Rhinestone + Chain bracelet, Piperlime

3. Rhinestone bracelet, Delia's

4. Chain bracelet, Piperlime

5. Heart charm bracelet, J.Crew

6. Bow ring, Max & Chloe

Through the Looking Glass

I love unique statement necklaces.  Have a pendant with a funny animal, a piece of food, or a surprising inanimate object? I'll likely fall hard for it.

So it's no surprise that when I saw this vintage gold magnifying glass necklace from the 1970s, I knew it had my name written all over it.  The necklace is the perfect length (bonus points for showcasing...and magnifying...the bump!). It is very comfortable to wear, despite its size, it's not too heavy. And yes, the glass inside actually magnifies.  This necklace isn't just for looks, it actually works!

Thanks to Frippery Vintage for sending this unique piece over.  Check out this vintage jewelry site for one of a kind pieces that you wont find anywhere else. Isn't there something magical about owning something from the past that stands the test of time? Oh what stories these jewels could tell.... Most pieces are one-offs (so if you see something you like, you better snatch it up!), but she happens to have another magnifying glass necklace in her shop if you're interested. Don't wait too long or it will be gone! More about this awesome vintage jewelry shop here.

Colour Moment: Pretty in Pink

Nothing says springtime like fresh pink flowers and blushing brides. Taking a cue from our newest season, I compiled a group of pretty pink jewelry pieces and I also included a few other inspiring rosey images. I hope you enjoy this pretty in pink mood board and jewelry pieces! Which one is your favourite? I am partial to the exquisite pink bib (#12), the pink rose bracelet (#4) and the Loren Hope art deco bracelet (#6). Happy spring!

Jewelry

1. The Ropes Maine

2. J.Crew, Translucent stone bracelet

3. The Ropes Maine

4. Anthropologie, Floribunda Braided Bracelet

5. J.Crew, Classic wide bangle

6. Loren Hope, Leda bracelet

7. Anthropologie, Blushing Pearl Bib Necklace

8. Anthropologie, Guided Sail Necklace

9. pink necklace

10. J.Crew, Translucent stone necklace

11. Anthropologie, Crowned Tassel Earrings

12. Anthropologie, Caminito Collar Necklace

Other

pink drink /pink  peonies / windows / pink couch / tweed jacket / BHLDN dress /  peonies vase / painting /

Trend Spotting: Open Heart Rings

A hollow heart usually isn't a good thing; but when it comes to dainty little rings, they're just what the doctor ordered! These rings are trendy, sweet, and easy to stack. Here are the top three on my radar:

Double fist: Sincerely Jules Instagram

1. Forternal Infinite Heart ring

2. Ariel Gordon Jewelry Silhouette Heart ring

3. Catbird Bittersweets NY Open Heart Ring (+ mini version for first knuckle rings!)

Hoop Earrings Round-Up

In high school I could often be found wearing large silver hoops. They were my go-to accessory. And well, everything old is new again! I've been noticing everyone from style bloggers like Sincerely, Jules to celebrities like Ashley Madekwe and Rhinana rocking this trend.  So now I am on the hunt for a new pair of hoops (since I've since lost/thrown out my faithful '90s pair). Here are the options that I've gathered up below!

1. Astley Clarke, Sea Shell Hoop Earrings, $135

2. Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry, Small Hoop Earrings, $99

3. Rachel Zoe, Bear Claw Hoop Earring, $95

4. ASOS, Flat Hoop Earrings $16.95

5. Lucky Brand, Medium Oblong Hoop Earrings, $20

6. Tophop, Smooth Round Hoop Earrings, £7.50

7. Gorjana, Arc Large Hoop Earrings, $54

8. Kate Spade NY, Scallop Hoop Earring, $53.99 SALE

 

Trend Spotting: Soft Elastic Hair Ties (+bracelets!)

Tired of traditional ponytail holders that break and dent your hair? These hair ties, made from a hand knotted soft and stretchy material, are just the solution! They double as bracelets, and with the endless colour and pattern possibilities, you can be sure to find one (or two!) to coordinate with your outfit. 

I've been seeing these soft hair ties popping up everywhere. I can't seem to find who made them first (Emi-Jay maybe? Let me know if you know!), as I like to give credit where credit is due...but it's likely there are so many brands and versions because they look relatively easy to make.  If you know how to tie a knot, you can go into business. Not looking to DIY? Here are some of my favorite hair ties below!

Styled photos: ManeMessage

1. Anthropologie, Multitude Hair Ties, $16

2. Nordstrom, Kitsch Hair Ties (5-Pack),

3. Nordstrom, Emi-Jay Silver Glitter Hair Ties, $6.97

4. Shopbop, Bop Basics Solid Neon Hair Tie Set (18), $36

5. Nordstrom, Emi-Jay Chevron Hair Ties (3-Pack), $6.97

6. Anthropologie, Crystalline Hair Ties, $24

7. Anthropologie, Charmed Hair Ties, $24

8. Free People, Free People Elastic Printed Hair Ties, $10.23

9. Etsy, Hair ties by The Tye, $5

Celebrity Jewelry Style: Emma Stone

Style setter, hair chameleon, and hot actress, Emma Stone has a lot going for her. It girl du jour, Emma seems to have a new movie coming out every other week and we get to ogle her red carpet and promotional outfits from afar.

For her go-to look, Emma tends sweep back her lust-worthy locks and accent those doll-like features with statement earrings. Her other go-to accessory? An interesting necklace. Rarely opting for the dainty version, Emma chooses necklaces that are big and bold. See below for some Emma Stone jewelry inspiration and how you can get the look for less!

1. Hive & Honey, Multi Tier Fringe Pendant Necklace

2. Vanessa Mooney, The Amphitrite Earrings

3. Sabine, Beaded and Metal Triple Row Necklace

4. Vanessa Mooney, The Mesa Dangle Earrings

5. Sabine, Flower Cabachon Statement Necklace

6. Vanessa Mooney, The Stars of Crystal Earrings

7. Kate Spade, Field Day Statement Necklace

8. Deepa Gurnani, Embellished Chandelier Earrings

9. Hive & Honey, Gold Fan Statement Necklace

10. Ben-Amun, Turquoise Chandelier Earrings

This or That? Bunny Rings

Easter is just around the corner and there is no better time to sport some bunny jewelry! I found two adorable bunny rings that are just screaming to be worn for spring. Which ones strikes your fancy? Verameat's HopHop Love in gold brass (left) or Digby + Iona's 22k gold-plated silver version (right)? Prices are similar so take your pick!

<< left: Verameat || right: Digby + Iona >>

Friendship Bracelets: My Latest DIY

Happy Friday! This week flew by for me. Maybe it's the hint of warmer weather we've been having and the increased sunshine that's making the days seem brighter, fresher, faster.

I wanted to share these fun friendship bracelets I've been making in anticipation for summer. I've ordered a bunch of colourful cord and fun rhinestones in hopes of making piles of these bright bracelets to spice up my arm party (and my friends'!).  I am going to do a giveaway with one of these beauties when I reach 200 twitter followers or 200 followers on Jolie Jouel - whichever comes first! Friendship bracelets are a fun way to add colour to your outfit and they're easy to stack up with your other favourite bracelets.

Have a great weekend!

Jewelry for a Cause: Mae Movement

I love when two of my favourite things come together. In this case, jewelry and a good cause. Allow me to introduce you to Mae Movement and the stunning Nepalese-made bracelets for a good cause.  

Mae Movement began in 2011 when mother-daughter team, Haley and Dee Cairo, started selling their Nepalese bracelets. The two discovered the bracelets while on vacation in Florida and brought them back as gifts for friends. Soon everybody wanted some! After doing a lot of research on the bracelets, and where they come from, Dee and Haley started to buy them in small quantities. With the demand increasing, they started to buy more at a time and before they knew it, they had a created a nice little business on the side. 

But Mae Movement is more than just selling pretty arm candy. It gives the Nepalese women who make the bracelets a sustainable living and encourages others to make their own positive movements as well.  These little bracelets are very special, each one is hand crocheted by a women artisan in the Katmandu Valley of Nepal. The Bracelet’s take up to an hour to make and range in thousands of colors, finishes and pattern’s. The bracelets are made with Czech and Japanese glass beads that are crocheted into intricate patterns.  

Nepal, like many other countries today, has a high rate of Human Trafficking. It is unsafe for women and their children to travel for their work. The women who make bracelets are able to safely bead from their homes, on their sunny rooftop decks with their friends and family. When Haley and Dee purchase the bracelets the women are given a fair wage that enables them to live a more sustainable life, where they can provide for their families. The more bracelets sold, the more young women can be trained to learn this trade and provide a way of escape from poverty and enslavement.

Visit maemovement.com to buy your bracelet (perfect for a summer arm party!) and feel good while doing it!

 

A little more about Human Trafficking

Ever year between 10,000-15,000 girls are tricked or sold into slavery, either as domestic, factory or sex workers. The girls are valued at extremely low costs, comparable to animals, usually between $600 and $1,000 dollars depending on age and beauty. Some of these girls are sold as young as 7 years of age. Living conditions for these girls is horrid. They are imprisoned in rooms and cages. Beaten, starved, and raped until their will is broken. More than half of these girls are HIV positive and do not receive any health care. If girls are not sold they are often expected to work in areas of hard physical labor. They are lucky if they make 50 cents a day. By purchasing a Nepalese Mae Movement Bracelet you can help these women and children create a better life than one plagued by this tragedy.

Get the Look: Gold + Chambray

Want to try this chic look for Spring? Here is how you can get the look for less!

1. Chambray shirt, Madewell

2. Gold Link Necklace, J.Crew

3. Tortoise Shell Sunglasses, Topshop

4. Gold Link Bracelet, ASOS

5. Gold Spike Bracelet, CC Skye 

Line Lust: Gemma Redux SS13

Gemma Redux SS13 was revealed last week (I am always on the edge of my seat, eagerly waiting new Gemma Redux pieces!) and it does not disappoint. The collection is composed of a mix of fabulous turquoise and aqua pieces, simpler curved metal pieces, and brass gemstones that look like tiny bars of solid gold. Each piece is handmade in New York city. My favorites are below or you can click here to see the full line!

All jewelry images from gemmaredux.com

Jewel-spiration

A little jewelry inspiration for your Monday morning! All images can be sourced on my jewelry board on Pinterest. Won't you follow along there?

:: All images from Pinterest ::

Neon Necklace Review: Park Lane Jewelry

The lovely Amy from Park Lane Jewelry sent over this bright little gem after seeing this post on neon rhinestone necklaces.  This necklace is nearly identical to #5 in my neon collage...if not the same.

Neon necklaces are perfect for the warmer weather and as we gear up for Spring, it really is the perfect accessory for brightening your day!

If you haven't heard of Park Lane yet, you definitely need to check them out! Amy has her own Facebook page, filled with helpful styling tips and is another great place to place your orders. Amy is a pleasure to work with and very helpful, so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask her!

Will you be rocking the neon necklace trend this season?

Colour Moment: Turquoise

The first jewelry I fell in love with was a tray full of turquoise and silver jewels from a shop on a Native Reserve near my cottage. Something about those two colours together just spoke to me and will forever remind me of gloriously hot summers, teepees, and the sweet smell of a warm summer breeze. I wanted every piece of turquoise jewelry in the tray.  The chunkier the better. To this day I still love turquoise jewelry and the bohemian luxe flair that it ads to any outfit.

As a throwback to my first jewelry love, I've rounded up my current favourite turquoise pieces on the market.

1. My own turquoise ring. Acquired during my high school years, I'll never let it go.

2. DANNIJO, Perra Cuff

3. Samantha Wills, Bohemian Bardot Ring

4. The 2Bandits, Daytripper Necklace

5. Samantha Wills, Cleo's Secret Earrings

6. Samantha Wills, All For You Earrings

7. The 2Bandits, Teepee Cuff

8. The 2Bandits, Morning Glory Necklace

9. Samantha Wills, Cameo Lover Collar Necklace

10. The 2Bandits, Canoe Paddle Earrings

11. Samantha Wills, Back to the Garden Ring

12. The 2Bandits, Concho Wing Cuff

13. Samatha Wills, Belle Dejour Ring

14. Gemma Redux, Turquoise Pendant Necklace

Treasure Hunt: Double Evil Eye Necklace Found!

For weeks I've been looking for the double evil eye necklace that Kelly Ripa has been wearing on her morning show. There is good news and bad news. The good news? She finally(!) revealed the designer behind the dainty necklace on her Fashion Finder web show yesterday and I wanted to share with you all!

The necklace is by Bettina Javaheri and I found it online here and here.

The bad news? It retails for about $1,250 USD.  But it sure is pretty with its turquoise pops and black and white diamonds. Sigh.

Get the Look for Less: Poppy Delevingne

The always stylish Poppy Delevigne grabbed my attention with this girly meets rocker look. And the focal point of this outfit? Her showstopping necklace.

Her necklace is none other than Lulu Frost, which she paired with a Jonathan Saunders skirt, a yellow handbag, and a simple white tee!

Lulu Frost's Offshore Necklace.

Here's how you can get this same feminine edgy look for less!

Necklace, Urban Outfitters / Lot78 tee, Nordstrom / Ikat skirt, Forever 21 / Yellow Tote, Piperlime / Nude Heals, Piperlime 

Are you loving her look and the look for less?

Show & Tell

This weekend I finished a jewelry making course and wanted to share with you guys what I made! The workshop was called Lost Wax Casting and took two weekends to complete. The first Sunday I carved wax molds of my pieces and then they were cast in silver. Yesterday I got the raw molds back and had to finish (and sand and file and polish...) until they were complete.

I made a cool bangle (by dropping hot wax into water for the piece on top) and a first knuckle ring, since I am clearly obsessed. I also made some fortune cookie charms for necklaces, but they're not finished or ready to show yet.

Here are some more shots of the bangle (you can see the FKR in the photo above).