Do or Don't: Jeweled Headpiece

In my books, Miroslava Duma can do no wrong. She's cute as a button, has killer style, and everything she touches turns to fashion gold. When I saw this photo of her from the Menswear Shows in Europe, I wondered if jeweled headpieces might be the next new jewelry trend or if they're too hard for mere fashion mortals to pull off.

Do you think this look is a do or a don't? Sound off in the comments below!

pc: style.com

Trend Spotting: Watercolor Jewelry

The summer brings out the best breezy dresses, wonderfully oversized sunnies, and a slew of pretty, soft colors. Why not take a cue from mystical mermaid this summer and don some watercolor inspired jewelry? There are plenty of pretty choices to choose from that will keep you looking cool and on trend this summer. My favorites below!

1. Purple Paparazzi, This 'n That Necklace
2. Anthropologie, Recoletos Earrings
3. Anthropologie, Ombre Swirl Earrings
4. Lauren Elan, Aja Bracelet
5. Nixon, Watercolour Acetate Watch
6. Antrhopology, Ocean Tubes Necklace
7. La Mer Collections, Soho Wrap Watch

Without further ado, I am excited to announce the winner of the Robyn Rhodes necklace giveaway!
Random number generator chose #18:

 Congrats, Danielle! I'll be in touch soon about your new necklace!

One Piece, Three Ways: Jeweled Headband

There is no better time to wear pretty headband than in the summer. The look is light, keeps your hair off of your face, and is down-right lady-like. When I saw this pretty pink version from ASOS I couldn't help but share.

The details: This hair band is made by ASOS Collection and features a curved band bound with a satin ribbon and large faceted crystals. And at $19.88 USD this little number wont break the bank.


Here is how you can style this headband for three different occasions: for work, as a wedding guest, and meeting the boyfriend's parents. 

Get the look!
For Work:
Suit jacket: Tribune Standard
Suit shorts: Tribune Standard
Tote: Foley & Corinna
Shoes: Aquazzura
Necklace: Mettle Pendant Choker

Wedding Guest:  
Dress: Alice + Olivia
Shoes: House of Harlowe 1960
Clutch: Whiting & Davis
Bracelet: CC Skye

Meeting the Parents:
Blush Jeans: Siwy 
Top: A.L.C.
Ring Set: Gorjana 
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff
Shoes: KORS Michael Kors 

Tell me, will you be wearing headbands this summer?

Designer Spotlight: Aaron Ruff of Digby & Iona

I first discovered the Digby & Iona through the Brooklyn-based jewelry shop, Catbird. I was instantly smitten with the line's quirky pieces - like the Big Bunny Ring - and the pretty gem pieces - like the Atreyu ring. 
 
The man behind the beautiful jewelry line is Aaron Ruff.  As a young boy, Aaron was fascinated with the idea of stumbling upon hidden treasures and unearthing ancient relics. Today, he transforms the beautiful treasures and trinkets from his mind’s eye into stunning and sometimes quirky jewelry. Created in 2006, and named after two quiet seaside towns in Nova Scotia,  Digby & Iona represents Aaron’s connection with the small province and wanting to maintain a level of anonymity.

Read on as Aaron offers us glimpse into his day-to-day life in his Brooklyn studio, where he draws his inspiration, and how his childhood fantasies influence his work. Once you've seen his work, you too will be dying to get your hands on a Digby & Iona piece.  I for one can't take my eye off of that Bunny ring!

Let's start at the beginning. How did you get into jewelry design? Are you formally trained, self-taught, or some combination of the two?  

I took a class when I was in school for furniture design. After graduating and a few years of running a wood shop, I started messing around with jewelry again - and from there is was a lot of trial and error.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? 

Almost all of my work is historically based - whether it's a specific time and event, like the current collection, war of 1812, or just based on the feel of a period, like the wanderer series.

Who would your dream client be? 

Well, the practical answer would be someone with unlimited budget and love for gems! But in reality I don't have an ideal. I really enjoy working on custom pieces because each one reflects the client's personality and presents a different challenge.

Being a jewelry designer, what do you like best about your job? What are some of the trials or toughest parts of running your own business? 

Being able to set my own hours and design what ever comes into my head is a pretty ideal way to work. The hard part is always the paper work. This presented the greatest learning curve, for me, since they don't really prepare you for that aspect in design school.

What is your typical day like? 

It really varies depending on whether I'm designing a new collection or working on any custom jobs that day. I generally split my time between the bench working on jewelry and the computer.
 

If you could go back and give your 20-year-old self some advice, what would it be? 

A few business classes would have gone a long way, although my 20-year-old self would probably have just ignored me.

Stars for the Fourth

Happy Fourth to all of my American readers!  In honor of the holiday I thought I'd showcase some patriotic star jewelry. If you don't see yourself decked out in stripes and red, white, and blue for the holiday, consider accessorizing with some fun star jewelry for a subtler take on the Fourth of July look.

1. Kabiri, Large Rose Gold Star Necklace 
2. Minor Obsession, Gold Star Pendant Necklace
3. Warehouse, Abstract Star Stud Earrings
4. Simply Silver, Gold Plated Sterling Silver Star Stud Earrings
5. Pieces, Star Bracelet
6. Kabiri, Rose Gold Star Ring
7. Z Designs, Star Charm Necklace
8. Nissa Jewelry, "Star" Stud Earrings
9. Gorjana, Super Star Necklace 

How will you be celebrating today?

Trend Spotting: Wishbones

Some people just need a little extra luck. Wearing jewelry as good luck charms has been around centuries - and it doesn't look like this idea is going anywhere! I've been seeing wishbones popping up all over the place.  Trust me, this collage could have been four times as big! My modest eight favorites, below:

1. J.Lingnau, Wishbone Necklace - silver
2. Jennifer Meyer, Tiny Wishbone Bracelet - Yellow Gold 
3. Belle Noel, Multi Wishbone Necklace
4. Belle Noel, Wishbone Stud Earrings
5. ASOS, Dogeared Gold Teeney Wishbone Necklace
6. Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry, Mini Wishbone Necklace
7. Jennifer Meyer, Pave Diamond Wishbone Ring
8. Parc, Gold Mini Wishbone Necklace

Do you have a have a piece of jewelry that you wear for good luck?

GIVEAWAY: Robyn Rhodes Egypt Necklace

I am so excited to share this giveaway with you guys!

Remember this post (here) about Egyptian inspired jewelry? Now is your chance to rock this trend for yourself! Celebrity jewelry designer, Robyn Rhodes, is giving one lucky Jolie Jouel reader the Egyptian necklace I am wearing in the photos above. It is such a cool piece and makes quite the statement. It's a good size and weight and features beautiful hand painted colors.

All you have to do to win is:

1. Comment on the post and leave an email address (in case you win!)

2. Follow Jolie Jouel on twitter (@JolieJouel)

3. Follow Robyn Rhodes on twitter (@RobynRhodes)

Winner will announced and contacted in one week - Monday July 9, 2012.  Best of luck!

Lately

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

 Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster necklace

 VERAMEAT Foxy ring

 Biko Wishbone necklace

Robyn Rhodes Egypt necklace.

Stayed tuned for an exciting giveaway for your chance to win this Robyn Rhodes necklace next week! I love this necklace so much - it's so different than anything else I own - and I am thrilled that one of my readers will also get to rock this necklace too. Check back on Monday!

Do or Don't? Arm Bands

It's no secret that I am a fan of Catbird and all of the lovely designers whose jewelry they sell at their store.  I am on their site at least once a day scouring for new finds and mentally rearranging my wishlists.  Yesterday I saw this The Bearhead Factory Arm Band under their new items and it made me stop in my tracks. Are arm bands coming back? There was a time when they were ultra cool - made popular by people on opposite ends of the style spectrum like Sienna Miller and Pamela Anderson.  Wow, never thought I'd mention Pamela Anderson on this blog, but there you have it.

Tell me, so you think arm bands are a Do or a Don't? Are they rocker-chic or too tough/grunge to be cool?

Summer Wish List

It's been awhile since I've put together a wishlist...it's time!

1. Max & Chloe Crystal Leaf Necklace
2. Juliet & Company Mirage Necklace
3. Digby + Iona Big Bunny Ring
4. Jezebel Evil Eye Ring
5. Nixon Kensington watch
6. Satomi Kawakita Bar Ring
7. Gemma Redux Sasha bracelet
8. Forever 21 Beaded Collar necklace

I had no idea I was wishing for so much gold until the collage came together! If you had told me two years ago I'd be looking at gold jewelry instead of silver, I wouldn't have believed it. But there you have it folks! Gold is just so pretty. I am a convert.