little bit of this / little bit of that

sweater

Arg, I think I might have lied to you. Remember that time when I first found out that I was pregnant and reassured you that this would not turn into a baby blog? Well, I didn't foresee the irresistible pull of all things baby. I'm a goner. 

submerged

I was excited/perplexed when Ashley, photographer extraordinaire of To Live. To Love. Photography, asked if I wanted to loan a couple pieces of jewelry for a underwater bridal photo shoot. Familiar with Ashley's work from the vineyard shoot a couple years back which graced the popular wedding site, Style Me Pretty, I had to say yes and eagerly waited the results. I can barely take a good photo with my point and shoot and still remain on the auto setting on my "nice" Rebel camera (tis tis) so I am blown away by these beautiful and captivating photos. Take a look at the whole set... 

The theme of the shoot was soft colors (grays/pastel hues etc.) so I put together a necklace with soft pink and peach jade with gray gunmetal  faceted drops. The other piece is a natural cut smokey quartz collar which I had a feeling would make a statement but not overpower the bride and groom. I'm so happy that both pieces added to the photo shoot. Thank you for including me Ashley!

fashion inspirations

Sometimes a gal just needs some fashion inspiration. Pregnant or not pregnant, I can tell you that I'd love to rock all of these goodies. Yeah, I'd be sporting the bump with knee-high Jesus sandals on, mhmm?

During the summertime I gravitate toward the boho peasant dress. So carefree and comfy, how could you resist? I'm absolutely loving the Theodore and Callum scarf used as a swimsuit coverup. Might have to pick one up for our babymoon... yes I said it... we're going on a babymoon. (I'm definitely taking advantage of all of these made up pre-baby extravaganzas - babymoon, dadchelor party, push gift? Bring it on). Enjoy!

Theodore and Callum scarf wrap // Krystal Schlegel

graphic print dress with clutch // Riches for Rags

more boho, please and thank you // Patterson Maker

some ridiculous sandals

wearing this Gucci dress would be a dream // L'extravagance

and maybe this Merrick Jewels pretty thrown in the mix?

if you like it / wear it

via theyallhateus.com

This mantra has been scanning across my pinterest feed for the past day and I could not agree with it more (esp. being 22 weeks preggo tomorrow)!!  Can I change it to...

Forget the rules

if it fits

wear it

Happy Thursday! And remember to wear what you like. 

fur clips anyone?

As a girl who has always been into everything vintage and a jewelry aficionado(which probably started by being totted around as a child by my mother and grandmother to garage sales and estate sales), I have quite the little vintage collection going. Some pieces I use in my designs which usually brings on withdrawal like symptoms when they leave my possession and others are forever locked in my "private collection". Above is just a glimpse of my pin selection that I posted on my Instagram. I'm an addict.

le weekend

Since I am zipping across the metroplex today buying supplies for orders, running errands, and meeting up with a lifelong friend for our monthly "business meeting" aka chit chat sesh... I thought I'd leave you with this classic look. Looks like the perfect go-to outfit. I'm still hunting down the perfect ankle booties for my collection. If you have any leads send 'em my way.

Last night we had a successful jewelry session at the women's shelter in Dallas. I was planning on having a post ready for today outlining our volunteer night (2 fabulous girls from my church small ground came and volunteered and we might have devoured some Chik-fil-a after our creative exhaustion) but since we got home at 11+pm we'll save it for Monday. 

Enjoy your le weekend!

image from my Pinterest via 

leading lady - light vs. dark

After completing my first half marathon Sunday morning, all I wanted to do/could do was lay in bed and be lazy. Thank goodness the Oscars were on! While dissecting the red carpet fashions, I noticed the division between between light and airy gowns vs. dark metallics with a few saturated hues sprinkled in (horray!). Here's a quick rundown...

neon neutrals

pink + red: a little Vday eye candy

Since I will be spending Valentine's Day coaching and corralling 25 teenage soccer girls {how romantic}, I thought I would bid you a very lovey dovey Valentine's Day and inspire you with some red + pink. Don't you love? 

I also want to remind you that there are still a few pieces left from the Valentine's Sale! Don't forget to browse before we spring into the new season {see what I did there??}. And for those of you who are paying attention I'm taking another 15% off. 

Before you go, I know F/W 2013 fashion week is going on right now and this is way off season and sooo last year but I just fell in love with the Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2012 show. Talk about an explosion of color combos {plus perfect examples of the red + pink we're talking about here}. 

Check it out: Salvatore Ferragamo - Spring 2012 Show via Vogue


Happy XOXO day!

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Grammy's!!!!

Melissa wearing our rock crystal and gold chain necklace at the Grammy's

Wow, what did you think of the Grammy's last night? Our remote got a good workout switching between Downton Abbey, the Walking Dead, and the Grammy's but I would have to say the bits I watched I was pretty entertained (well, except for Frank Ocean's Forest Gump bit... keep running Forest).

PLUS, if you are a fan of my facebook page you would have noticed that one of my necklaces made an appearance at the Grammy's on my stunning art advisor friend Melissa Flory Mathis! She killed it in a hugging black number and rock crystal necklace {see above}. LOVE.

Here are some other ladies that I thought were a HIT:

love RiRi's red number by Azzedine Alaia, probably could have used a little more coverage but hey it's RiRi

Kelly Rowland in a geometric peek-a-boo George Chakra Couture gown

Karlie Koss in Michael Kors - flattering cut out in an electric robin's egg blue

And then the MISS:

Adele you are amazing! but I am not a fan of this Valentino floral mess

as a jewelry designer I admired the beading detail on top of Katy Perry's Gucci dress but found the low cut, long sleeves, and color a little off

Guiliana Ranci - arg! I hate that you are on my MISS list because I love you so much but girlfriend this just washes you out *sad face

Do you agree with my picks?

Images via

be mine

Valentine's Day is around the corner and I would bet that it hasn't crossed my hardworking hubby's mind... yet. So, I'm being very subtle by posting my little wish list ALL over the internet. Mmmkay? Some of these items have been in my wish list for a little while and some are newbies. I tried to stay very cost conscious with some under $15 and a couple around the $50 range and one sneaky exception! See if you can find it... gimme.

Number one might be in my cart before Valentine's Day because this is such a good idea. I used to journal all the time - pages and pages about boys and blah but as we all know in our late 20's "ain't nobody got time for that". A sweet one liner every day is perfff. Loving the rhinestone studs in rose gold (edgy and chic) and I will have those leopard pillows on my couch ASAP. As they say, "I've never met a leopard I didn't like" (me and Snooki both, ugh). Will post some Merrick Jewels Valentine's goodies later this week. Smooches.

P.S. Someone make me those Geronimo heart balloons. I'll be your friend forever. :)

1. one line a day 5 year journal - Urban Outfitters/Amazon 2. Vince Camuto rose gold rhinestone pyramid studs - Nordstrom 3. Geronimo heart balloons - DIY at Hobby Lobby 4. sea urchin gold sculpture - Pieces 5. velvet leopard throw pillows - Arianna Belle 6. Karen Walker sunnies - Shopbop

scoring j.crew

j.crew yellow scroll shorts

Every girl loves to share a new fashion find and scoring a great deal on an item she has been coveting. I just have to share my J.crew finds and deals that I came across this weekend! Beware, girls get excited about sales and clothes and clothes on sale so there are a lot of {!!!} in this post!

I absolutely died over the image above and will get back to its amazingness later in this post.

First of all they are having a 50% additional mark down on sale items making everything extremely affordable (almost stealing) and a great way to inject some color into your wardrobe. Their color combos/shades have been amazing as of late, no? Shopping the sale I came across the cafe capri pants in navy tweed - one pair left which happened to be in my size.

j.crew cafe capri pants in navy tweed - but please buy then in store for extra savings!

I've seen the pattern pants trend prancing around all fall/winter and not knowing quite how to process it I let it pass me by until now.

images from Pinterest

So, the pants were marked from $148 down to $29 and then take an additional 50% off making them $15. I could have a meal that is more expensive than these festive pants so in the cart they went!!

Second item is one that I've been watching online for a while in hopes that its $245 price tag would drop. Seeing as Texas weather is like a a box of chocolates... you never know what you're going to get {har, had}, I've been needing a "inbetweener" coat - a coat that I can wear that's not a long fancy coat and not a tedious ski jacket to go check the mail (zip liner in, put arm in sleeve, fleece liner cinches up near elbows, fishing for lost fleece sleeve... you get the drift), hop over to the grocery store etc. yet still look chic. Enter wintress puffer coat...

While browsing the sale racks in store, I spotted my beloved puffer poofyness in my size. Score! Yet still full price. Not score. Knowing that it was on sale online for $189 + 30% off I asked the attendant if they would honor their online price since they didn't have my size online. She said she would ask the manager. Doesn't hurt to ask right? Fingers crossed, fingers crossed. She comes back and says that he will honor the sale price and then take 50% off because of the in store sale! Whaaaa!?!? I'm in a time warp - it must be Christmas or my birthday or something!??! So, this warm wonderfulness came home with me for under $100. When you put it on it's like a cup of hot chocolate giving you a hug, that good.

My last j.crew score comes from drooling over the first image in this blog on my pinterest. This is fabulous casual yet statement look with all the right elements rolled into one. So I'm going over in my head if I have the ingredients to make this bangin' recipe happen. 

- statement jewels, I happen to know a jewelry designer *wink* {check} would also be great with these earrings or this necklace

- classic denim shirt Ralph Lauren or a lighter chambray color {check}

- bold sunnies {check}

- desolate yet perfect sandy dune with soft cloudless sky... err will work on that

- art nouveau patterned yellow scroll shorts {NEED} 

I have hardly any yellow in my wardrobe so this would be an educated purchase. That legitimizes it right?

Scouring online, looking in stores... they are nowhere to be found. Finally, I called up ole j.crew - maybe Jenna Lyons would answer? and asked for a nationwide product search. Apparently they are sold out online but haven't hit all stores yet so there's a good chance I could snag up my size? J.crew emails you when they find the item you have requested and 12 measly hours later they found my size and have shipped the shorts. Hooray! Get ready for these shorts this spring/summer people. It's going to be awesome. 

Moral of the story/blog... ask and you just might receive, seek/search the vast inventory of j.crew and you might just find a sold out item, knock on door of a j.crew store and check out their 50% off sale! :)

drooling over Downton

Growing up as child sheltered from all the wonderfulness that is cable TV (shakes fist at parental units and asks why, why, WHY?!?! {in jest, mom, in jest}), I was stuck with about eight watchable channels in the north Texas area. In my middle school years, my shows ranged from Hanging with Mr. Cooper, Step by Step, Sister/Sister, Boy Meets World... you get the drift or maybe you don't because you were watching the Nickelodeon channel and knew what MTV was when it was actually playing music videos (why, why, WHY!?!?). Tragedy. Well, when there weren't any good shows on guess what... I'd have to drift over to the educational channel, 13/PBS, and watch british comedies. Either that or infomercials on a new Boflex. Now it's time to feel sorry for me.

My parents boiled over laughing at shows like Faulty Towers, Are you Being Served?, Keeping up with Appearances, and of course Mr. Bean. Let me go off on a tangent for a second and tell you this about Mr. Bean. One would think that when becoming Mrs. Bean and having a real life Mr. Bean my Mr. Bean would love Rowan Atkinson's simple minded character. Exhibit A:

However, as we have come to conclusion by many tries is that my Mr. Bean is NOT a fan of Mr. Bean. So don't ask. :) 

Anyway, having being brought up on british comedies being a fan of Downton Abbey is a given. With the premier last night, we were glued to the TV in anticipation of the fashion, relationship toils, and drama galore. I do have to say that I believe that Shirley MacClain's outfits really brought it and even out shined the ever popular Countess of Grantham, Dame Maggie Smith. I do love her one line zingers... "What is a weekend?"

see what I mean...

love Lady Mary's headpiece for her wedding

and of course the beautiful grounds

Do you watch Downton Abbey? What did you think of the premier?

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excited for emerald

As some of you may already know emerald was named the pantone color of the year for 2013. Yes, yes, yes! I've been a fan of miss emerald for a while now. Malachite has always been one of my favorite stones and although seen as a more old fashioned stone (along with tiger's eye and lapis... what, what?) I'm in love. You can go from 0 to LUXE with a touch of malachite. Can't wait to see this color rockin' down the runway. Plus I think it compliments every hair color, no?

Merrick Jewels custom malachite and vintage chain bib necklace

Merrick Jewels jade and chrysoprase necklace

Time for me to go buy that malachite box I've been drooling over for a year now. 

Are you excited about emerald??

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seasonal sale featuring the Citadel necklace

Hello Monday! How's it going? As some of you are familiar, seasons in fashion are all out of wack. Resort collections prance down the runway in winter and designers start putting together their spring collections in late summer if not earlier. It's all topsy turvy. So, it was no surprise to be asked to participated in Sheridan French Spring 2013 look book photo shoot in late summer. I was thrilled and honored to have some pieces featured in the shoot. The feel was fun and playful yet terribly stylish with a ton of glamour. Not a huge shocker coming from miss Sheridan. Stay tuned here for the full release of her spring line. 

That being said I couldn't help but share one of my favorites from the shoot.  Styled with the flowy and fabulous Melissa dress in cornflower ikat (which if I were a betting woman I would guess it was named after our mutual friend and art expert, Melissa Flory Mathis), the Citadel necklace completes the perfect combo. Sheridan is not one to shy away from the brights and she makes the perfect marriage between neon yellow and vibrant blue ikat. I dig it. With six strands of hand-knotted neon crystals and a vintage Afghan silver pendant it's hard to miss. Take a closer look...

Yum.

And, good news! It also happens that this stunner is on sale here along with other goodies that are 50% off for our holiday sale. I can also see it styled with Olivia Palermo's neutral look for fall so no need to wait till warmer months to pick up this beauty. I'll fight ya for it...

Image via Sheridan French Spring 2013

cool coats

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I'm guilty of waiting till the last minute to think about outerwear. When sales come around at the end of the holiday season and J. Crew coats {my weeeakness} are 40% am I thinking of snatching one up for next year? Nooooo, I'm already on to bikinis. Quoting an SNL skit, "What's up wit dat??" For some silly reason I seem to wait till that random Texas freeze to think about bundling up. Per usual, here I am talking about coats when December is knocking on our door. Granted there have only been a couple of dips in the temps in Texas but they have been enough for me to go searching for a new coverup. The styles above are up for grabs to add to this years arsenal of coats. 

{1&2} Usually I shy away from leather (maybe the Wilson's Leather store scarred me for life), but these versions really get my creativity going. I pulled the trigger last year and purchased this Zara version {2} then returned and now I'm kicking myself. I also love quilted details in a leather coat - a classic detail, very Chanel-y. The key for me is not too many zippers to be confused for a biker gang member but enough to get some street cred. Tough girl. These might be contenders... Trouve Leather jacket and for a different color Neiman Marcus.

{3} Ugh, this leopard coat is divine! Love the way Blair has paired it with hot pink bow flats and a shawl. Here's the drool worthy Emerson Fry version. THAT is heaven people. Maybe I'll try this ASOS version?

{4} The structured coat. This one tricky to find but stunning when you get it right. With the wrong fit they can come of boxy and not flattering but with a properly fitting coat you'd be one modern mama.

{5} Last year my in-laws gifted me this exact coat (similar here) for Christmas and I have loved loved every minute wearing it! Camel is a great transitional color with a lot of ways to mix and match. I also have another short J.Crew peacoat in a chilly watermelon color that I have had from college. Talk about getting your money's worth - that coat is ancient and still a classic. Without these two coats I'd be naked. Not cool.

{6} An enormous shawl as a coat? Genius! Think of all those wool capes that seem a little red riding hood-esque that can be roped in with a belt. I'm especially liking the Aztec print on the one above. 

Hopefully one of these lovely silhouettes can make it into my shopping cart this season. What cool coats are keeping you warm?