A sweet confection for a young girl’s room we designed.
Tag: jewelry
JL Rocks at Bungalow
One of my favorite shops to visit and explore is Bungalow in Westport, CT.
One of my favorite shops to visit and explore is Bungalow in Westport, CT. As soon as I step into Bungalow, I find myself wandering throughout the shop, visually devouring all of the beautiful items. From furnishings to jewelry, Bungalow has a wonderfully curated collection of pieces. Owner Wende Cohen launched Bungalow after moving from Manhattan to Westport and wanting to pursue a business that would incorporate her passion for travel, antiques, and decor. With sources ranging from local artisans to European craftsmen, it’s no wonder she has turned Bungalow into a vibrant success.
Bunglaow is one of the places I love to shop for furniture, accessories, and lighting for clients. I can find true one of a kind pieces here. Bungalow is a real gold mine! It’s one of the first places that comes to mind when I want to accessorize an interior.
Sometimes while shopping for clients, I discover other things to fall in love with. One of my favorite finds at Bungalow is the jewelry line JL Rocks. Featuring artisanal and designer jewelry, JL Rocks has a modern, but sophisticated, approach to jewelry design that is so appealing. Here are some of the pieces that really caught my eye.
Hollywood Glamour at Boston’s Museum of Fine Art
The 1930s and 1940s were perhaps the most glamorous years in Hollywood history, creating an iconic style that is still recognizable today.
For a limited time, the Museum of Fine Art in Boston is running an exhibit titled Hollywood Glamour: Fashion and Jewelry from the Silver Screen. The 1930s and 1940s were perhaps the most glamorous years in Hollywood history, creating an iconic style that is still recognizable today. The exhibit showcases gowns and accessories worn both on and off screen by famous starlets of the era. To round out the exhibit, film stills and clips showcase the pieces on display and give visitors a glimpse of this golden age of Hollywood.
The Hollywood Glamour Exhibit will be on display until March 8, 2015. To plan a visit or learn more, visit the MFA website.
Lema J Jewelry
I stumbled across Lema J jewelry while browsing online and instantly loved what I saw.
I stumbled across Lema J jewelry while browsing online and instantly loved what I saw. These handmade shagreen cuffs are simply gorgeous and make such an impact with a pop of color.
Lema J was founded by sisters Jenny Benscher and Jill Becker in 2013. The cuffs are made from stingray leather and lined with lambskin, available in custom combinations of amazing colors and patterns. The texture of the shagreen is so striking, and the cuffs have wonderful scale. They can be worn with a casual look or something more dressy. For work or an evening out, a Lema J cuff would make a great statement.
This jewelry doesn’t just look good; it supports a fantastic cause. When owner Jill Becker’s daughter Cara passed away from leukemia in 2012, her family started a foundation called Karma for Cara with the goals of engaging youth, awarding unsung heroes, and tangibly helping patients with leukemia. All profits from jewelry sales go to Karma for Cara, so you can feel good about buying something handmade by a small business which supports a worthwhile cause.
To learn more about Lema J or see their full line of cuffs, visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
MeiraT Designs
I first stumbled across jewelry by MeiraT Designs when looking for a Christmas gift for my mom.
I first stumbled across jewelry by MeiraT Designs when looking for a Christmas gift for my mom. I wanted something a bit unusual, which is exactly what I found. When I later visited the MeiraT website, her philosophy of “designed for a woman, by a woman” really resonated with me. These pieces are meant to be wearable day and night, beautiful and noticeable.
MeiraT has had a lifelong interest in jewelry design, drawing inspiration from her European and Middle Eastern background. What I love about MeiraT Jewelry is the asymmetry of many of the pieces. Some elements of her designs have a rawness to them, as if the stones are are just dug out of the ground and left unpolished. At the same time, they are delicate.
There’s a consistent rhythm to the jewelry across the brand. The pieces are organic, dainty and pretty. There really is something for everyone with MeiraT Designs, whether you prefer diamonds and gold or a more earthy tone.
You can see more jewelry by MeiraT Designs on her website. She is also on Facebook and Twitter.
Ashley Pittman Collection
During the winter, I tend to gravitate toward chunkier jewelry like the pieces designed by Ashley Pittman.
During the winter, I tend to gravitate toward chunkier jewelry like the pieces designed by Ashley Pittman. Her jewelry is so edgy and can make an entire outfit. I like the way many of these jewelry designs make sounds as I wear them, adding another layer of sensation.
Ashley Pittman Collection jewelry is handmade in Africa, with a portion of the profits helping to fund education and health improvements in rural Kenya. Each piece is hand crafted from natural indigenous materials such as ethically sourced horn, bronze, and semi-precious gemstones. I consider my Ashley Pittman jewelry to be heavy artillery in my collection of accessories.
You can find Ashley Pittman on Facebook or see more of her designs on her website.
Jewelry from J Crew
For a statement piece or to dress up an outfit, these are my favorite examples of J Crew’s current jewelry line.
I picked up a J Crew catalog the other day and saw this amazing jewelry. Many of the pieces have a retro look with great colors and textures, a sort of Art Deco vibe that I find so appealing. For a statement piece or to dress up an outfit, these are my favorite examples of J Crew’s current jewelry line.
1. Compass Rose Necklace: From the Lulu Frost line by Lisa Salzer, inspired by estate jewelry. I love the modern twist to this retro style.
2. Embroidered Cascade Necklace: I love the rich tones of this asymmetrical piece.
3. Compass Rose Earrings: Great pairing of modern and vintage design.
4. Citron Stone Necklace: Love the contrast of citron and darker hues.
5. Fanned Leaf Necklace: Great texture to this necklace.
What would you pair these pieces with?
Day to Night Fashion
When it comes to my own wardrobe, I don’t think of it as being divided into day or night wear.
I am so fortunate to have the freedom to wear what I want during the day without being obligated to follow a corporate dress code. Most times, what I wear when working can be easily translated into what I wear for a night out. My approach to dressing stems from watching how my mom handled her wardrobe when I was a kid. She had clothes for working during the day and clothes for going out at night, but she never mixed the two. She had an approach to dressing that worked for her, and from that I learned to be confident about developing my own style.
When it comes to my own wardrobe, I don’t think of it as being divided into day or night wear. My style is similar to my taste in other areas, which is to start with a basic look that’s appropriate for meeting with clients or working around the office. My typical outfit of black clothing and heels is often perfect for going out after a day of work. Here are some examples of items I’m likely to wear during the day:
When making the transition from day to evening, having a simple base wardrobe means you can change out accessories to give your look an edgier vibe. By changing your shoes or jewelry, you can give yourself a funkier look that’s perfect for drinks out with friends.
There are other items that I’d easily wear both during the day and at night. I’d be as comfortable meeting a client to look at samples as I would meeting my best friend for dinner dressed this way. If you don’t have the same wardrobe freedom at work, starting with a few basics that can be mixed and livened up with different accessories is a great way to be ready to unwind and have fun after a day at the office.
What are your strategies for taking your look from day to night?
Eddie Borgo’s Fall Jewelry Collection
I’ve always found Eddie Borgo’s jewelry designs very inspirational.
I was reading through the most recent issue of Harper’s Bazaar over the weekend and was so glad to see a feature on Eddie Borgo, one of my favorite jewelry designers. I’ve always found his designs very inspirational.
For the Fall 2013 collection, Borgo found inspiration from the ancient Egyptian world of Cleopatra. As with his past designs, Borgo spent time carefully researching designs and themes before creating his own interpretation of Egyptian jewelry, visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art many times to study examples from this fascinating, lush time period. I love the story of Cleopatra and think every girl at one time or another wishes to live that kind of lavish life – I know I did. To see Borgo take his inspiration from Cleopatra is really exciting.
With mixed metals and stones such as jade, howlite, and onyx combined with Egyptian iconography such as the eye of Horus, this jewelry line presents a modern, graphic style while still paying homage to the fascinating and mysterious life and times of Cleopatra.
To see more of Eddie Borgo’s designs or to find a retailer, visit his website.
Charlotte Brody
Charlotte Brody’s collections feature exactly the details and qualities that appeal to me.
I was fist introduced to the Charlotte Brody clothing line by Will of Holland and Sherry’s Bespoke store in NYC and I immediately loved what I saw. I’ve always been inspired by fashion. Interior design and fashion are two separate worlds that are connected by trends and creative influences. The intricacies of a beautiful fashion piece are things I can incorporate into design. Charlotte Brody’s collections feature exactly the details and qualities that appeal to me. I really appreciate such well tailored, well made things.
Charlotte Brody’s fashions show a great use of color. It’s a very well-edited collection, with such interesting key pieces. Apparel from the Cabana line is ready to wear, or clients can choose their own fabrics to create a specific and unique wardrobe. Charlotte Brody’s fabrics include Italian cashmere, Scottish tweed, silk, and linen and are hand embroidered by select artisans.
Even items like bags and accessories show smart choices in their design. The jewelry is great!
To see the full Charlotte Brody collection, visit their website. You can also connect with Charlotte Brody on Facebook to learn about trunk shows, new designs, and other events.