Currently Loving: January 2014 ed.

January has to be one of the most universally hated months. Christmas is over. Diets wars are waging. The weather is dismal. But despite the month's bad rap, there are things to get excited about in January. New beginnings! Getting healthy! Motivation to go after your dreams! I for one feel rejuvenated and focused. Here are a few of the things I am loving this month. 

Statement Earrings

Sincerely, Jules

Unicorns
(prediction: the next big thing.)

blah blah dolls

Simpler Arm Situations

Pinterest

Sparkly Pants
(why not!)

Late Afternoon

VONBON baby apparel 

Sage all decked out - blanket, hat, bib! 

Grey and Red

Burju Necklace 

Trend Spotting: Karen Walker Number One Sunglasses

These oversized, slightly cat-eyed, and angular sunnies have been popping up in my blog reader all month! Check out how some of my favourite bloggers style their Karen Walker Number Ones below. 

Want to join the club? Get your own here (tortoise shell) and here (black).

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 

Do or Don't? Casual Sweatshirt with Fancy Earrings

Would you rock fancy rhinestone earrings with a totally casual sweatshirt? 

Vote in the comments below if you think this look is a 'Do' or a 'Don't'!

pc: Sincerely, Jules

Earrings: BaubleBar

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

 

Get the Look: City Cool Arm Party

pc: Sincerely Jules

Looking to add and edgy cool arm party to your everyday look? We have you covered with how you can recreate the look above. This look is heavy on mixed metals, spikes, and interesting shapes. Get the look now!

 

1. Vita Fede, Mini Titan Crystal Bracelet

2. Vita Fede, Titan Gold Bracelet

3. Shashi, Delicate Swarovski Bracelet

4. Jennifer Zeuner, Evil Eye Bracelet

5. Gabriela Artigas, Pyramid Cuff

6. Michael Kors, Oversized Watch   

Would you rock this look?

This or That? Neons vs. Neutrals in the Winter

Do you like to tone down your look in the dreary winter months with soothing blush tones, standard metallics, and neutrals? Or do you prefer to combat the winter dull-drums with pops of neon and primary colours? I think both looks are appropriate and fun, depending on your mood. But where do you stand? Neon only in the summer? Or do base metals simply bore you?

Vote on your winter jewelry of choice - neons or neutrals - in the comments below!

pc: Brooklyn Blonde (wearing a neon Lauren Elan necklace) 

and Sincerely Jules (in a variety of neutral base metals)

Obsessed: Winter 2013 Jewelry Inspiration

Out with the old, and in with the new! Here are some jewelry heavy images to inspire your jewelry selection, layering, and new buys for 2013. I am already compiling quite the wishlist! Oh, and wait until you see the last photo - cuteness overload!

All images can be found on my Pinterest. Follow along here!  You might be especially interested in my jewelry board. 

pc: theyallhateus.com / Refinery 29 / Sincerely Jules Blacks / Gold Stacks / Blair Eadie / Glitter Guide / Refinery 29 / Atlantic-Pacific / inspired-design.tumblr / Ashley Olsen / Sincerely Jules Blush Tones / misszeit.tumblr / Colored Nails and Rings / Sincerely Jules More is More / Diamonds and Bird /  Fancy French Bulldog

Gift Guide: Your Trendy Friend or Sister

It's hard to believe Christmas is less than one month away! I love the month leading up to Christmas maybe even more than Christmas itself. I can't get enough Christmas carols, baking, decorating, and scheming up the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Today we'll start with the "easy" to buy for people on your list - your best friends or sisters! Why are they easy? Well, because they're the most like you! If you like it, want it, and have it on your list, chances are it's on theirs as well.  Here is my list for your trendy friends, at all price points. Enjoy!

Jennifer Zeuner, Mini Eye & Hamsa Necklace / Anthropologie, Orbiting Rivets Cuff / Lauren Elan, Nova Necklace / Forever 21, Bow Ring / Catbird, Hammered First Knuckle Ring Silver / Giles & Brother, Hook Cuff /  Michael Kors, Slim Runway Watch / Anthropologie, Braided Bracelet / Anthropologie, DIY Friendship Bracelet Kit /  Gabriela Artigas x Sincerely Jules, Mila Necklace &/or Headband

Do or Don't? Backward Necklaces

Sometimes the best ideas come from flipping the norm. Necklaces normally worn dangling in the front suddenly seem chic and modern flipped around to the back. The result is unexpected and dare I say, sexy? But tell me, what do you think? Is this flip a "Do" or a "Don't" in your books?

stockholm streetstyle | sincerely, jules

Designer Spotlight: Gabriela Artigas

I first came across Gabriela Artigas on Sincerely Jules' blog and was instantly taken by the stunning designs and unique, edgy pieces. After a little investigating on my own, I found her website and the many other beautiful pieces of jewelry she has to offer. I needed to know more. I reached out to Gabriela and she and co-owner and Sales Director, Tere Artigas, graciously answered my questions. Here is an inside look into the Gabriela Artigas jewelry line.

Take us back to the start. How did you get into jewelry design and what is your training? 

T: Everything started very unplanned, Gabriela was 21 leaving in Mexico City when our mom needed a necklace for a wedding, she didn't wanted to wear her usual jewels because the city wasn't at it's safest. We bought some gems and Gabriela made her a coral and silver necklace. The two of them came to LA for a little holiday and a recognized buyer bought that same necklace for our mom's neck, then we knew something was about to start. 

 

G: Tere has always been a sales person, she would sell everything to her friends, even my clothing when I was away! She enjoys the experience and the thrill to sell, that's why we make a great team. Together, we started running the company in 2008.  Before that it was me with my brother and my mom. It's been a family business but now is just the two of us. 

 

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

 

G: Everywhere. It's more about the experience than the inspiration. We try to do as many trips as possible and we drive a lot, so its pretty much from there that I get inspiration, from the laughter in the car, from the driving stories, to the places we visit. We are always researching new ways to have fun with pieces.

Who would your dream client be? 

T: All of our clients are really nice. When you are dealing with someone who is appreciating what you do, that speaks for it self.  The people that we deal with are people who have a lot in common with us and our aesthetics. We are thankful for that.

 

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

Running your own business it's always very hard, it takes a lot time, money and effort. Whenever you are about to start something, think it through and start it with ambition, but always be planned and thoughtful.

 

Always keep in mind that you are never at the top, even if things are going great for you, sit back, breath enjoy where you are and keep working hard.  Remind yourself that you are never at the top, you always have to fight to get a little closer to it, but you never reach it. 

 

Don't take things for granted, Be humble to learn from others and from yours mistakes. 

 

What is your typical day like?

 

G: Work, work and work.

 

T: We wake up early, try to workout every morning if we are not exhausted, have a freshly squeezed juice and start or day. Believe me is not always fun to run a business, but at the end of the day it totally worth it! 

 

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

 

Enjoy it! Your 20's go so fast!

Thanks Gabriela and Tere! Please enjoy some photos of their favorite blogger-muse with her Gabriela Artigas jewels. All images from Sincerely Jules.