Trend Spotting: First Knuckle Rings

I am loving all of the dainty knuckle rings I've been seeing on everyone from celebs to bloggers. I own one first knuckle ring - the Mr. Kate bow crown ring - and absolutely love it. I get so many compliments on it, I believe, because it's so unexpected. Now I have my eye on Catbird's first knuckle ring, a dainty alternative that can be worn everyday as part of my basic jewelry uniform. What do you think about first knuckle rings?

1. Free People, Sparkle Midi ring
2. Tobi, Kate Mid Knuckle ring
3. Catbird, First Knuckle Ring
4. Free People, Dion Ring
5. Mr. Kate, Bow Knuckle ring
6. Mr. Kate, Sif Knuckle ring
7. Mr. Kate, Screw Knuckle ring
8. Free People, Sterling Silver Midi Ring
9. Free People, Delray ring

Do or Don't: Jewelry at the Beach

Is jewelry with a bikini entirely editorial or perfectly practical? When you hit the beach or weekend at the cottage, do you remove all of your jewelry or pile it on for a stylish look?

When I am in a bikini I tend to shed my jewelry so that I can play in the water without fear of losing my pretty baubles. Also, funny tan lines, anyone? Tell me in the comments below what you do when you hit the beach!

DIY Friday: Rope Necklace

Time for another DIY Friday post! This one is a real stunner. I found it over on Honestly...WTF and was blown away. It's totally reminiscent of something Holst & Lee would make.  It's also perfect for summer since it's nautical in nature with all of the rope pieces.

Enjoy the photos below and head on over to Honestly...WTF for the full instructions.

All photos from Honestly...WTF

Maternity Jewelry: For the Expectant Mom

Baby bumps are becoming one of the most fashionable accessories a woman can have. Every website I visit seems to have one celebrity announcing their pregnancy and another stylishly dressing their baby bump. Celebs have definitely led the way to stylish dressing and accessorizing during pregnancy and women have followed suit! Gone are the days of hiding behind baggy sweatshirts. Fitted maxi dresses, trendy tunics, and skinny jeans are the new maternity wear.

One of the best ways to highlight your bump is with a bump skimming necklace! Take a cue from Jessica Alba and wear a long necklace to show off your bump. Wearing your impending bundle of joy's initial around your neck is another fun way to accessorize during pregnancy. And you can continue to wear your sweet charm once baby is born. My favorite choice from the bunch? The long bump skimming peanut necklace I found on anthropologie.com. The peanut charm will rest on your little peanut and subtly signal to nosey stranger that yes, you are in fact expecting.

Jessica Alba / Felis necklace, Anthropologie / Peanut Necklace, Anthropologie / Due Date necklace, Go Belly Go / Mom necklace, Robyn Rhodes / Diamond Letter necklace, Jennifer Meyer / Wing Tile Necklace, Anthropologie / Mommy necklace, Jennifer Meyer /  Evolution Ball neckalce (available in pink & blue!), Anthropologie

This or That: Evil Eye Jewelry

I have been obsessed with evil eye jewelry since I did this post a few months ago. I am not superstitious in the least, but rather the evil eye is just aesthetically appealing to me. It's usually a dainty piece of jewelry, in either silver or gold, and sometimes includes accents of blue or red. All things that I love!

After searching around for the best of the best evil eye rings, I've narrowed it down to these two. Which one do you like better? The silver version from Catbird or the gold and blue version by Astley Clarke Biography. Let me know in the comments below!

Celebrity Jewelry Style: Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad knows a good thing when she sees it.  Rarely veering from her laid back California style and long highlighted hair, this gal is confident in her defined and simplistic modern style.  And with an enormously chic following there is no denying that she's got that special something.  A trend setter since her reality TV days, Lauren continues to offer stylish advice through two websites - laurenconrad.com and The Beauty Department. And we can't forget the loads of fashion inspiration from her daily, lust-worthy paparazzi pics. 

There is no exception to Lauren Conrad's impeccable styling when it comes to jewelry. She remains faithful to her favorite pieces, choosing to wear them over and over again. Whether she's on the red carpet or hitting up Whole Foods, Lauren can usually be seen wearing her dainty, coral drop necklace. This just goes to show that if you find a peice you really love and defines your style, why not wear it for dress and casual!

Enjoy the photos below of Lauren Conrad's jewelry style and maybe you'll pic up a few more tips on your own! Here's a hint: Lauren doesn't go for big statement pieces. So if you're wanting to recreate her look, go for a dainty necklace, a few gold rings, or some thin bracelets piled on over a wrist watch.

pc: gemgossip.com / stylebistro.com / ibtimes.com / people.com / weheartit.com / 

Back to Nature

I spent a glorious weekend at the cottage in my bikini and surrounded by nature. The lake, the towering trees, and even the noisy birds inspired this post. Enjoy! And why not get back to nature? Put a bird on your finger and your feet in the sand!

1. Veramenat, Antler Magic
2. Verameat, Song Bird Blue Jay
3. Verameat, Eagle Animal Power
4. Anthropologie, Nodule Sylph Bracelet 
5. Colby June, Sticks and Stones ring set
6. Mr. Kate, Twig and Rain bracelet
7. Mr. Kate, Bark Necklace
8. Mr. Kate, Bark Tie Cuff
9. Verameat, Bunny Love
10. Colby June, Horizontal Branch Necklace
11. Colby June, Twig Cuff

Lately...

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

Photo 1: c/o Robyn Rhodes Egypt necklace / Photo 2: c/o Lauren Elan Elise necklace / Photo 3: c/o Lauren Elan Jemma necklace / Photo 4: Necklace by me! / Photo 5: Stella and Dot Renegade Cluster necklace + Lauren Elan Jemma necklace / Photo 6: Lauren Elan Jemma necklace and Biko Wishbone necklace.

Follow me on Twitter for more jewelry photos just like these (@JolieJouel)!

This or That: Metal Ring Vs. Colored Ring

Macha jewelry recently released some new jewels and among them is the Yeats Ring. This ring is very unique - originally formed from a piece of rope and two forged nails. How cool! The question is not whether or you like it, the question is, which version would you choose if you were going to buy it? It comes in metal (brass and sterling silver) and five colored versions - tomato, lime, sea mist, forest, and antique white.

Let me know in the comments below which ring you would choose. If you're going for color, fill us in on your favorite shade. My pick? I am loving the tomato-red one!

Take It All In

Currently obsessed with these images from around the web:

the glitter guide tumblr / goldandgray.blogspot.com / islands child tumblr / of unicorns and pixie dust tumblr / stylecaster.com / 24 media tumblr / Blair Eadie Instagram / greyandscout.com / all things girly and beautiful tumblr

All images can also be found on my Pinterest. Follow me there!

Trend Spotting: Jewelry In Bloom

It's summer and that means one thing: jewelry is in bloom! There are so many pretty flower inspired jewelry pieces for the season. Try wearing a flower ring to a summer BBQ or pretty flower studs to a wedding. Feeling like going all out with the flower trend? You'll love J. Crew's stunning flower lattice necklace. Take a peek at the other pretty flower options below.

1. J. Crew, Flower Lattice Necklace  
2. Betsey Johnson, Flights of Fancy Flower Stud Earrings
3. Erickson Beamon, Confetti Flower Bracelet
4. Dorthy Perkins, Flower and Stone Bracelet
5. Love Peace And Hope, "Love Peace And Earth Jewelry Collection" Flower Ring
6. Marc by Marc Jacobs, Flower Ring
7. Lindsay Phillips, Crystal flower sandal clip on 
8. Harrods, Amethyst Pave Diamond Flower Earrings
9. Coach, Flower Domed Ring

Which Would You Rather: for $545

I can never decide if it's better to invest in pricier but more quality pieces or to get the most bang for my buck and choose quantity over quality. There are so many pieces that I would love to own that are just out of my price range. But if I saved up and stop buying cheaper pieces I would be able to buy fewer, but more expensive pieces. I am not totally sure which is better, and like most things, it probably depends on the situation. If there is an expensive piece of jewelry you're in love with and know you'll get a lot of use out of, you'll probably save up. For trendier pieces I am guessing most of you would choose cheaper options.

But let's get specific. Would you rather this Gemma Redux necklace for $545.00 or eight pieces for the same price?

Gemma Redux, Cordelia Necklace, $545
------- Or -------
J. Crew, OGJM azalea bracelet, $74
ASOS, Aztec Triangle Drop Earrings, $13.26
J. Crew, Crystal Cupcake Necklace, $138
J. Crew, Classic Link Bracelet, $102
ASOS, Multi Chain Rounded Collar Necklace, $19.88
Shashi, Neon Nugget Bracelet, $22
Frieda and Nellie, Ravishing Rodeo bracelet, $160
ASOS, Spike Stretch Bracelet, $13.26
+ a cup of coffee = $545


Let me know in the comments below which you would choose!

DIY Friday: Long Pendant Necklace

Happy Friday! I present to you, a little DIY action to start your weekend off right. I was inspired to make this necklace when I realized I didn't have that many long necklaces in my jewelry arsenal to wear! I have so many short and medium length necklaces - they seem to be my go-to these days. But not today. I wanted a long necklace with a fun pendant. Without further ado, the DIY Long Pendant Necklace:

You will need:
- Three stones
- Three pin heads
- Silver chain
- One clasp
- Three jump rings
- round nose and flat nose pliers


Directions:
Put a head pin through a stone of your choice. I chose turquoise.

 With a pair of round nose pliers, curve the end of the head pin over to create a loop.

 Repeat 2 other times for a total of three stones.

 Open a jump ring and loop it through on end of the chain. Close it off.

 Attach your clasp to the other end of the chain, with another jump ring.

 Now you will have a long simple, silver chain necklace like this.

 Put all three stone pendants onto other jump ring and attach jump ring to the center of your chain.

 Close it off, and you're done!

The final product:

Will you try making this long pendant necklace for yourself?

Trend Spotting: Chain Linked Rings

Like tiny handcuffs for your fingers, chain linked rings are popping up everywhere. The look is edgy and sexy so keep your other fingers bare for a look that's decidedly clean and uncomplicated. Styling tip: wear the rings so that that chain lays in the top of your hand.

1. Maison Martin Margiela, Chain Double Ring
2. Ha-Yeon Lee, Double Chain Ring
3. Made Her Think, Double Band Chain Ring Silver
4. Top Shop, Spike Cross Link Ring
5. Ha-Yeon Lee, Chain Ring
6. ASOS, Locksmith Chain Linked Rings
7. Top Shop, Pearl Mix Chain Ring
8. Kabiri, Carnivore Double Ring

Tell me, will you be trying this chain-linked ring trend?

Line Lust: The 2 Bandits

Tamar Wider grew up in Texas, and the southern influence definitely shows in her jewelry line, The 2 Bandits. Southwestern and North American influences clearly merge to create a look that is equal parts vintage elegance and bohemian charm. The 2 Bandits is a collection of necklaces, rings, earrings, belts, charms and boot trim that will have you feeling like a glamorous, free-spirited, and all-American.

Feast your eyes on The 2 Bandits Holiday lookbook below:

My favorite below!

See them all at The2Bandits.com!