Trend Spotting: Ring to Bracelet

I've been loving the dainty, East-Indian inspired hand bracelets that connect your ring to your wrist via a dainty chain. The connecting chain offers that little something extra that catches the eye and will make your jewelry stand out from the crowd.

Which one is your favourite?

pc: Gal Meets Glam

Catbird, Kitten Mitten

Jacquie Aiche, Filligree Bracelet/Ring

Gorjana, Azra Ring to Wrist Bracelet

Over the Rainbow

One year ago I did a post on ombre jewelry (here) and my obsession is still going strong. My favourite piece from my round-up was (and still is!) this Elisa Solomon ombre eternity band (shop it here and here).

The ring is handcrafted in 18K gold and features multi-coloured stones including pink sapphire, garnet, citrine, blue sapphire, emerald, peridot, aquamarine, and amethyst. It's like having a little rainbow wrapped around your finger! It's so unique and I love the sunny, bright colours for summer. I wore it stacked up with a few other favourites for a friend's wedding --but it wears equally as well alone. Welcome to my everyday rotation, little rainbow!

**other rings by Jennie Kwon Designs and nails CND Vinylux in Sage Scarf **

Travel Essentials

We're getting set for a little trip to Paris and it got me thinking about travel neccessities. We're flying with a soon-to-be one year making the need for planning and a very precise packing list quite high. Here are a few travel essentials off of my current Paris trip list.

1. Herschel Duffle Bag. The perfect carry on - loads of room and a stylish print (another fun print here.)

2. An iPad or tablet. Bring your music & apps with you and stay connected en route. Loving this Kate Spade iPad case.

3. Headphones. Block out 3B in style.

4. Jewelry. I like to bring a) stacking rings, b) a few dainty necklaces for layering, and c) a fun statement piece.

5. A travel journal. Jot down your memories in this Rifle Paper Co. journal so you'll never forget them. I also recommend taking notes ahead of time so you don't miss out on any key landmarks, must-try restaurants, and boutiques (write down those addresses!).

6. Ray-Ban New Wayfarers. I love this update on the original. Every holiday needs a good set of sunglasses.

7. Snacks. Snacks for me. Snacks for the baby. Neither of us do well going hungry.

8. A good read. This one and this one are high on my list.

Get the Look: Gold for Days

photo

It doesn't get much better than this. Gold stacking rings for days.

a. Jacquie Aiche Double Claw Ring

b. Kismet by Milka Hand Chain 

c. Nordstrom Pave Ring

d. Gabriela Artigas Rope Ring

e. Anita Ko Diamond Baguette Ring

f. Blanca Monros Gomez Diamond Eternity Band

g. Gorjana Twisted Midi Ring or Catbird Twisted Knuckle Ring

h. Ariel Gordon Double Diamond Open Ring

i. Jennie Kwon diamond shaped Milli Ring

Gift Guide: For the Jewelry Lover

Christmas is just one month away! We put up our Christmas tree yesterday and I've been enjoying peppermint mocha's since the red cups (read: Starbucks) made their debut. This is my favourite time of year, for so many reasons.

I put together a little gift guide ('tis the season!) for my fellow jewelry lovers so that you can share your delight for glitz and glam with your loved ones. Or maybe, just maybe, if you pass this shiny list onto them, you might receive a little sparkle under the tree.

1. Gold Watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $225

2. Glitter Tassle Loafers, J.Crew, $298

3. Glitter iPhone Case, Kate Spade, $40

4. Twisted Stacker rings, Catbird $64

5. Star Necklace, Piperlime $58

6. Shine Bright Like A Diamond Print, Society 6, $18

7. Ariel Gordon Jewelry Case $275

8. Mint Jeweled Necklace, Anthropolgie, $68

9. Diamond Print, Etsy $30

10. Earrings, Anthropologie, $28

11. Razzle Dazzle Tech Charms, Kate Spade, $50

12. Black Jeweled Necklace, Anthropologie, $68

13. Brass Cuff with Stones, Catbird $68

14. Diamond Sweatshirt, ASOS, $31

Line Lust: Satomi Kawakita Jewelry

I first stumbled upon Satomi Kawakita jewelry on Catbird's site. Intrigued by what I saw there, I searched out the entire line. The line is filled with simple necklaces, beautiful rings, dainty bracelets, and organic earrings.

Here are some of my favourite pieces from the Satomi Kawakita line.

All photos from Satomi Kawakita.

Do you have a favourite Satomi Kawakita piece? Share in the comments below!

Embracing Fall: Coats, Booties, and Moody Jewelry

Wearing: Zara Coat, Cake for Breakfast tee, Piperlime booties (similar), Rebecca Minkoff bag (similar), American Eagle sunglasses

Look at me posing like a personal style blogger by some graffiti downtown. This is harder (and more embarassing!) than it looks. Bloggers make it look so easy. Maybe it is easy for the effortless cool and beautiful. I kind of wanted to run and hide every time someone walked by.


I am loving this Zara jacket with faux leather sleeves for fall. And I couldn't be more excited to be wearing boots again! I finished off the look with a soft ampersand tee, dark jewelry, and some shades.

Fall Jewelry pictured above: Lauren Elan necklace, Jennie Kwon Onyx ring, 

Catbird Hammered First Knuckle Ring. 

Must Have Jewelry for Fall

I don't know about you, but Fall is my favourite season for fashion. I love the reintroduction of rich colours, snuggly knits, and leather boots. I also love switching up my jewelry, retiring my friendship bracelets and neon necklaces for more metallic and refined pieces. Here are my top jewelry must-haves for  Fall 2013. 

What are you looking most forward to wearing this Fall?

chain earrings (catbird)

evil eye jewelry (Jennifer Zeuner)

lariat necklaces (Ariel Gordon)

black stones (Jennie Kwon)

dainty necklaces (Vale Jewelry)

Trend Spotting: Ombre Jewelry

Like a bright rainbow after a thunderstorm, these jeweled ombre pieces are a breath of fresh of air. I love the use of colorful stones and the faded ombre look is right on trend. I'll take one of each!

1. Polly Wales (Catbird), Multicolored Sapphire Band

2. Iosselliani, Brass Necklace With Navettes

3. kate spade new york 'coated confetti' frontal necklace

4. Miss Selfridge, Ombre Snake Chain

5. Mocium, custom rings

6. Rebekah Price, Rivoli Necklace in Blue Ombre/Rosegold

7. Meredith Hahn (Max & Chloe) Amalia Pastel Ombre Macrame Bracelet

8. Elisa Solomon (Catbird), Ombre Eternity Band

Get the Look: Layered Rings + a Little Heart

pc

I can't get enough of dainty layered rings. Everytime I come across a sweet stack, like the one above, I can't help but to "Pin" it and then dream about recreating it. I've gone ahead and done the leg work for those of you who are interested in getting this look. How sweet is the tiny heart necklace tucked into this ring heavy photo?

1. Forever 21 Rhinestone Bow Ring

2. Zoe Chicco Bar Ring

3. Catbird Threadbare Ring

4. Verameat Bunny Love Ring

5. Gabriela Artigas Infinite Tusk Ring

6. Blanca Monros Gomez Black Diamond Seed Ring

7. Ginette_NY Circle Ring

8. Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry Mini 1/2" Heart Necklace with Diamond

Trend Spotting: Hello Kitty Cat

Are you a Cat Lady?  Or simply wishing to unleash your inner feline? Either way these cat inspired jewelry pieces more than cute and totally on trend. The Jacquie Aiche Kitty Ring is on my wishlist!  

1. Plain Kitty Ear Waif Ring, Jacquie Aiche

2. Kitty Cat Earrings w Diamond Eyes, Yayoif Forest / Catbird) 

3. Lela Kitty Ring, Brandy Pham

4. Cat Face Ring, ASOS

5. Kitty Cat Ring w Blue Sapphire Eyes, Yayoif Forest / Catbird 

6. Scrappy Kitty Ring, Verameat

7. Bittersweet NY ring - kitten (tiny) & cat (regular), Catbird

8. Cat Face Studs, Catbird (gold version here)

Trend Spotting: Thin Eternity Bands

Nothing prettier than a dainty, teeny, tiny, thin diamond bands. And they're not just for the romantically involved or sequestered to the ring finger. I love them on the index finger, stacked, worn on the first knuckle...anything goes!

I've rounded up my faves. The best of the best below.

1. Catbird, Eternity Band

2. Max and Chloe, Black Diamond eternity band

3. Catbird, Feather Light eternity band

4. Tom Binns, Twisted eternity band

5. Gabriela Artigas, Axis Ring

6. Astley Clarke, Eternity Stack

Get the Look: Black Mani + Killer Rings

pc

I love this manicure and stacked ring combo. Black is edgy yet classic. Fancy up your black nails with layers of pretty rings in different widths, metals, and shapes. Get the look below!

Sephora by OPI, What's a Tire Jack?

1. Gorjana, Daphne Ring

2. Digby + Iona, Atreyu Ring

3. Catbird, Fairy Light Eternity Band

4. Tom Binns, Twisted Diamond Ring

5. Ylang 23, Black Diamond Pave Band

6. Mara Carrizo Scalise, Round Band Ring

7. Gabriela Artigas, Single White Diamond Ring

8. Jacquie Aiche, Turquoise Waif Ring

Trend Spotting: Chain Rings

Chain rings are becoming more and more popular. Instead of a solid, immovable ring base, these rings are taking a cue from necklaces and bracelets and are made up of chain, usually featuring and accent or pendant.  Although, some chain and ball chain rings are pure chain without a stone or pendant. These rings are super comfortable, soft, and flexible. Will you be giving them a try?

1. Tiny Gold Chain rings, Catbird

2. 14K Chain Ring with Diamond, Vale 

3. Chloe Chain Ring, Gorjana

4. Soft Ball Gold Chain ring, Gabriela Artigas (rose gold here)

5. Kennedy Chain Ring, Gorjana

6. 14K Chain & Band Ring, Vale

7. Ariel Gordon Diamond & Gold Chain Ring, Max & Chloe

8. 14K Faceted Bead Chain Ring, Vale

9. Cashmere Chain Rings, Erica Weiner

10. Mini Horseshoe Chain Rings (Silver & Gold), Alibi

#ShowMeYourStack

I thought it would be fun to share our favorite ways to stack and wear our rings! Blogs are supposed to be social, right?! And I want to see what you, dear readers, have got!  I'll kick things off by showing my current favorite ring stacking combination. I choose to keep things in an icy silver shade and even incorporated my wedding band!

So check out my stack below and then head on over to twitter and upload a photo with the hashtag #ShowMeYourStack or comment below with your favorite ring combination!

Rings:

1. Diamond Infinity band (similar here)

2. Club Monaco

3. Club Monaco

4. Catbird First Knuckle Ring

5. Club Monaco

Nail Polish:

Essie's Chinchilly

Don't forget to follow along on Bloglovin' | Instagram | and Twitter!

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!)

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 >>

Review: Catbird's First Knuckle Rings

I just can't resist the look of a first knuckle ring. They're so unexpected and dainty and allow for the best type of layering. Catbird does these babies the best and I've been lucky enough to snatch up two of them to add to my ring collection.  My first, first knuckle ring was also Catbird's first - their classic hammered first knuckle ring in silver. And more recently, my thoughtful husband gifted me with their newest FKR, the Tomboy, in rose gold. I love throwing these rings on for an extra layer, a bit of unexpected style, and uniqueness.  

Here are the rings as they come - nestled in a little box, complete with black velvet. 

An important note on sizing:

I ordered my rings in a size 2.5. This is probably the trickiest part when it comes to ordering - finding your size. They try to help you out by giving the numbers "sizes" - as in XS, S, and M and so on - so you can kind of gauge/guess your size based on your normal definition of how large (or small) you are. My husband used this method, and guessed correctly.  I wanted a more precise approach and took to an online ring size finder to help me narrow it down. I used this one, but there are lots to choose from if you search around. 

First let's look at the original, classic hammered first knuckle ring.

Catbird says that these rings are also known as memory rings.  I agree. The more you wear this thin band the more it takes on the shape of your finger.  It's very thin so it sort of warps away from being a perfect circle, but I don't think this is bad thing. The fit becomes more precise, more unique, more you.  The biggest question I get about first knuckle rings is, "How do they stay on?" Well friends, they just do.  They look like they'd fall off, but they don't. I would likely go for a swim with one on, but for day to day tasks, they stay right in place.

Next up, the Tomboy!

If I had to pick a favorite, this would be it. It's still super dainty but with the added thickness it's more noticeable, shinier, and just looks better on my finger.  This ring has gone up to 2.5mm and it seems like the perfect thickness.  I also have a weak spot for rose gold, and this rose is just so pretty. This ring also feels slightly more secure, but like I said, these puppies just stay on and in place!

I hope that helps clear up any questions about first knuckle rings, especially the ones from Catbird. If you have further questions, leave them in the comments below. Have a nice weekend!

Get the Look: Chunky Meets Dainty Rings

Lately I've been loving dainty, thin, plain rings.  But my old, tried and true self will always have a weak spot for chunky, stone, statement rings. Can my two loves live harmoniously? This image from my Pinterest proves that it can be done and demonstrates us how we can incorporate both looks on the same hand without it looking too gaudy or mismatched.  Here's how you can recreate the look!

1. Robyn Rhodes Gold and Crystal Sappho Ring, Max & Chloe

2. Aurélie Bidermann18-karat rose gold-dipped lace ring

3. C A T B I R D Mignon Memory Ring, rose gold

4. House of Harlowe 1960 Rose Gold Spike ring

5. Rosette Ring, Vale

6. Gabriela Artigas Single White Diamond Ring

7. Mini Pave Diamond Ring, Ariel Gordon Jewelry

 

 

Colour Moment: Rose Gold Round-Up

Everything is coming up roses in jewelry! Rose gold has definitely taken the accessories world by storm.  With it's subtle twist on yellow gold and the fact that it mixes so well with silver, it's no surprise that rose gold is the colour of the moment. And with Valentine's Day just around the corner, why not indulge in some rose gold bling?

1. 14K Rose Simple Band Set of 4, Gabriela Artigas

2. Nixon Monopoly Watc, Shopbop / 

3. Infinite Tusk Ring, Shopbop

4. Vita Fede Mini Titan Stone Bracelet

5. Open I-Beam Cuff, Vale

6. Rose Tusk Ring, Gabriela Artigas

7. CC SKYE Mirror Clutch, Shopbop

8. Cambridge Satchel, Shopbop

9. Rose Gold Solid Heart Single Pendant Necklace, Alexa Leigh

10. Tomboy First Knuckle Ring, Catbird

11. Ray-Ban Oversized Original Aviator Sunglasses, Shopbop

Tell me, are you loving Rose Gold at the moment?