DIY Friday: Make A Christmas Gift!

Sometimes the most special gifts are the ones that people make. You know how you feel when your niece gives you a handmade card? Why not pass that feeling along to a loved one by making them this DIY necklace!

You will need:

- Silver chain

- 4 beads

- 4 links of thick curb chain

- 2 jump rings

- 2 wire guards

- 2 crimps

- 2 crimp covers 

- 1 clasp

- Beading wire

- Snips and flat nose pliers

Step 1: 

Create a loop in one end of a small piece of wire with your wire guard and crimp. Next, string two of your beads onto the same piece of wire.

Step 2:

Loop the other end of your wire through the silver chain. Use a wire guard and crimp to secure.

 Finish with a crimp cover and snip excess wire.

Step 3:

Repeat steps 1 & 2 with the other two beads.

Step 4:

Use a jump ring to attach one end of the thick curb chain to one of the beaded units. Use another jump ring to attach the second bead unit to the other end of the thick curb chain.

Step 5:

Attach your clasp to one end of the necklace and a jump ring on the other.

Finale:

Will you be making any of your Christmas presents this year? 

Happy weekend!

Do or Don't? Brooches

What do we think ladies, are brooches old-lady-ish or making a stylish comeback? If they're done right they have the potential to be fun and flirty. I especially like the over-sized flower pom-pom ones. I am thinking, ban.do?

pc: Atlantic-Pacific

What do you think, leave it for the grannies or bring it into 2013?

'Tis the Season: Holiday Earrings

I am self-admittedly not an earrings kind of gal. On a day-to-day basic my lobes go bare, hidden under piles of wavy locks.  So really, what's the point? But one time I always jump at the chance to wear earrings is over the holidays. Whether it be a holiday work party, a Christmas party with friends, Christmas-Eve or New Years Eve, those are the times to go all out with a little ear sparkle.  Below are my top picks for festive earring for the holidays.    

 Will you be wearing sparkly, festive earrings this holiday season?

1. Emma Drop Earring Club Monaco $69.50
2. Kenneth Jay LaneWaterfall Earrings, Shopbop $169.00
3. Snowdrop Earrings, ASOS, $26.39
4. Sabrina Cluster Earring, Club Monaco $49.50
5. DANNIJO Alexis Earrings, Shopbop $392.00
6. Oval Drop Earrings, Juicy Couture, $39.99
7. Crystal and color statement earrings, Lulu Frost for J.Crew, $138.00

Watch Round-Up

I am in the market for a new watch and have been doing lots of online window shopping.  The problem is, there are so many pretty, cool, and unique watches out there, I can't seem to choose just one! Do I go for an everyday boyfriend watch? Something fancier? Or something that's totally different and unique? I might just have to get a few!

Which one is your favorite?

1. Timex Modern Originals, Timex
2. The Capulet Watch by Nixon, ASOS
3. The Kensington Watch by Nixon, Shopbop
4. The Bobbi, Nixon
5. DKNY Sparkle Strap Watch, Nordstrom
6. The Camden Chrono, Nixon
7. Michael Kors Midsize Chocolate Leather Watch, Michael Kors
8. Slim Runway Watch by Michael Kors, Shopbop
9. Georgia Leather Watch, Fossil

Gift Guide: For the Guys

Possibly the hardest-to-shop-for culprits on your list: the men.  Whether it be your boyfriend, husband, father, or brother, these specimens tend to be somewhat of a mystery when it comes to finding the perfect present.  I've rounded up the most stylish and useful "guy" accessories I could think of, from jewelry to tech accessories and nifty gadgets for food and drink.

1. Leather Wrap Bracelet, J.Crew
2. Terrace Woodgrain Sunglasses, Smith Optics
3. Leather Belt, J.Crew
4. Rubber iPhone Case, J.Crew
5. Three Piece Knife set, Williams-Sonoma
6. Leather Shoe Laces, J.Crew
7. Salut Flask, Catbird
8. Ring, Titan Factory
9. Switchblade Necklace, Digby + Iona
10. Leather Weekender, J.Crew
11. Compass Key-Chain, Catbird
12. The Monopoly watch, Nixon
13. Sterling Silver Tie Clip, J.Crew
14. iPhone lens, OlloClip Lens

Obsessed

Here are the jewelry photos I've been loving lately. So much inspiration to be found on Pinterest! Enjoy!

All photos from my Pinterest! Follow along with me! And happy weekend!

Line Lust: Mr. Kate SS13

Mr. Kate was one of my first online jewelry loves and for that reason, will always hold a special place in my heart.  Yesterday she launched her Spring/Summer 2013 line, inspired by the shapes and textures of  seahorses. I always find it interesting what inspires other designers. Sometimes it's something just so small and unexpected - like a seahorse - that it really makes me sit back and try to think about my surroundings and little creatures and nuances in the world.  The seahorse's delicate yet spiny texture definitely makes a lot of appearances, as so do a few actual seahorses. As usual, the jewelry pieces are available in three different gold tones (white, yellow, and rose) and there are two necklace styles that feature either turquoise or white howlite beads mixed with custom Mr. Kate metal fin pendants and handmade beads.

Mr. Kate SS13 Lookbook:

Jolie Jouel Favorites!

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:
seahorse bangle, $94 / fin necklace. rose gold with white, $95 / flat vertebrae bangles. pair, $210 / basics mixed metal cuffs set, $75 / basics mixed metal stack rings set, $38 / mummy snake bangle, $98 / vertebrae ring, $58 / vertebrae cuff, $299 / basics mixed metal bangles set, $58 /

Celebrity Jewelry Style: The Olsen Twins

Every fashionista's favorite set of twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, are under our jewelry style microscope today. These two pint-sized moguls are ironically fashionable. With their center-parted blonde locks, signature sunglasses, and cutting edge fashions, they're always on the top (or bottom!) of someone's fashion list.

With the success of their fashion lines - The Row and Elizabeth and James - it's no shock that these sisters have ventured into jewelry design by adding edgy pieces to their Elizabeth and James line.

While Ashley tends to keep her jewelery a little more understated and classic, Mary-Kate likes to pile it on in excess.  Like opposing ends of the spectrum, these two balance each other out perfectly. Take a look at the photos below for more Olsen Twin jewelry inspiration!

Do or Don't? Perfumed Jewelry

I love multipurpose products. With two-in-one perfume and jewelry products hitting the shelves it got me thinking whether or not I would actually wear or use one of these items.  There is something intriguing about being able to bring your signature scent along with you.  But are the aesthetics up to snuff?

Clockwise from top left:
Viva La Juicy Solid Perfume Necklace / Stella McCartney Stella Solid Perfume Necklace /
Chloe Solid Perfume Necklace / Hello Kitty To-Go Ring

Vote in the comments below!

Gift Guide: For the Moms on Your List

Your very own mom, your friends who are becoming moms, and moms-to-be all deserve a little extra thought around the holidays. It's a selfless job and moms don't always get all the recognition they deserve. Spoil the moms in your life this holiday season with bejeweled accessories and jewelry. She'll love the gift of a little extra sparkle!

1. Yellow Gold & Diamond 'M' Pendant Necklace, Jennifer Meyer
2. Ciate Caviar Manicure, Sephora
3. Glitter BlackBerry Case, Kate Spade
4. Gold Mommy Pendant Necklace, Jennifer Meyer 
5. Case-Mate Gold Glitter Coated Glam Case, Amazon
6. Glitter Ball Coin Purse, Kate Spade
7. DKNY Sparkle Strap Watch, Nordstrom
8. Glitterati Twist Scarf, Ban.do 
9. Solid Perfume Necklace, Chloe 
10. Glitter Belt, Kate Spade
11. Peanut Necklace, Anthropologie