Tag: Jewelry

Five fun things: treat yo’ self edition

~ cdelacuadra ~ 2 Comments

Thanks to COVID-19 and perpetual working-from-home-in-sweats days, it’s been a hot minute since we talked about, well, wearing real clothes. Nordstrom Rack is having their Clear the Rack sale this weekend, though, so I decided perhaps enough was enough. (Not a sponsored post, I just love a deal.) Here are a few excellently-priced pieces to get the ideas flowing if you, too, think maybe real clothes on occasion might be a fun change of pace. I’m not talking about too high a bar — just some easy pieces that might be a tiny step up from a sweatshirt. And if you decide to wear any or all of these with sweatpants? Zero judgement here! Lunar New Year or Valentine’s Day make fine excuses reasons to treat yourself.

This sweet short-sleeved sweater looks as easy as a tee, but with just a little something extra. I went with the “marled oreo” grey, but this oatmeal-ish olive is just as cute.

Also super easy: this striped crewneck sweater has a classic shape, and the heathered stripes give just enough visual interest. Also, stripes, so I had to!

For a nice little Valentine for yourself, you could definitely do worse than this ridiculously well-priced diamond eternity band. It would be lovey balanced out with a chunky, slightly tough-girl curb chain bracelet like this one.

I’ve been dying over these ultra-cool loafers by Freda Salvador for ages, so imagine my delight at finding them on sale! Slip on and go, but you know, in a stylish look-how-I-great-I-look-with-zero real effort kind of way.

Best of: Makers I ❤️

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Some of the makers I love have been up to fun new somethings, and I just had to share!

Block Shop is offering a free VOTE pin with every order shipped from their studio this month, and it is seriously the cutest version of this hugely important message I have seen so far. Also, if their Instagram is any indication, they will have masks back in stock next week! All mask profits go directly to support meals for garment workers in LA, plus they are super stylish and adorable. Win-win.

Heath Ceramics just debuted their 2020 Winter Seasonal Collection, and I couldn’t love it more. Dubbed “The Season of Hope & Love,” it is full of stunning icy whites and greys along with the happiest buttery yellows and a hint of wildflower purple. Gradations in glazes are meant to signify transition, which I find beautifully poetic for this tumultuous time. I think we can all use some hope and love right about now, and the gradient yellow trays and vases in particular are perfectly sunny and delightful.

Finally, Baleen Jewelry has some beautiful new arrivals to peruse. I am in love with the organic simplicity of the pebble necklace, and want to add the sweet little XYZ studs to my rotation immediately. As always, all of their pieces are sustainably handmade in the USA, with zero-waste manufacturing and recycled materials.

Enjoy!

Wonderful small things

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This is becoming a year of wonderful small things.  The big things have been overwhelming, to say the least: we are still in the middle of a worsening pandemic, our government continues to make our country a hateful and divisive place, Black Lives Matter is still not considered a universal truth, police brutality is an ongoing issue… there is so much for us to cope with.  To remind myself that it is still worthwhile to get out of bed every day, I am trying to remember the small things.  This way I will always have something to look forward to, to enjoy, or to revel in.  A particularly good lunch.  Snuggles with my pups in the morning.  The way the light filters into my bedroom on a weekend afternoon as I lay down for a nap.  A package out for delivery.  It’s these kinds of tiny daily joys that help me keep perspective, and keep me fueled to keep fighting for a better world.

Each time I venture out to Trader Joe’s for much-needed groceries, I buy a bunch of silver dollar eucalyptus leaves. I love having fresh greenery in my home, and it feels like a luxury even though it only costs $4. Plus, they last forever compared to cut flowers!

The new perfume I ordered arrived this week.  ‘REPLICA’ Lazy Sunday Morning is a unique scent that somehow perfectly captures the feeling of fresh crisp sheets on a breezy, sunny morning.  I sampled this perfume on my last outing with friends before the pandemic really hit, so it carries thoughts of dear friendships as well as idyllic lazy mornings.

Also, I was so happy to receive the Rain + Bow necklace I ordered a few weeks ago.  It is weighty and so well made, the packaging was so sweet with it’s little extras, and it is a wonderful daily reminder that I am always in the process of overcoming.  Also I am thrilled that a $10 for every necklace sold is donated to Mental Health America.

Be well, stay safe, and don’t forget to wear a mask. We’ll get through this. Little joys are there for us to find, even though it may seem bleak right now.

Living in lately

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It’s been hot and unusually humid, so constricting denim has been last on my list.  I found the perfect pair of wide-leg jeans, though, that are breezy enough that I have been wearing them constantly.  The most flattering, perfectly soft tee, wide-leg jeans, sandals, and my old Coach Bleecker duffle have been my late summer uniform.  Oh, and pretty gold earrings, just for fun.

black v-neck tee  wide leg jeans  half-bow sandal  duffle (similar)  drop earrings

 

I ❤️ Baleen

~ cdelacuadra ~ 3 Comments

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This lovely maker was a happenstance find while in Seattle — meet Baleen!  Billy and Leah started Baleen in 2013 when they saw a niche for quality, affordable handmade jewelry they decided to fill, and their fresh and sculptural jewelry is all handmade in Seattle, WA.  Their jewelry is eco-friendly in a number of ways: about 95% of their materials (silver, brass, and gold-fill) are made from recycled metals, they are a zero-waste manufacturer, their nickel-free and conflict-free gold-plating facility is also zero-waste, and their packaging is printed locally on recycled paper made in Michigan in a green, water-powered factory.  And besides all of this, their jewelry is just plain beautiful!

I fell in love with their Fifty/Fifty earrings when I came across them in the Seattle Art Museum store, then bought yet another pair of their earrings as I shopped at the delightful Butter Home shop at Melrose Market.  Their Herkimer studs almost came home with me as well and still might.

If you’d like to visit, Baleen’s workshop and storefront is located right in Ballard, or you can shop online to your heart’s content.  Necklaces, bracelets, pins, rings… so many fun things to choose from.  And as someone with a mild nickel allergy, I can vouch that their jewelry is comfortable and worry free to wear.  Thank you, Baleen!

More picks: flux necklace  mint bangle  love pin
Via shopbaleen.com

 

Lustrous

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anne_sisteron_bar_pearl_tori_ring_modeled

As much as I find the culture (ha!) of pearls fascinating, I am rarely drawn to pearl jewelry myself.  I think perhaps it usually seems overly fussy to me, or too fancy for my everyday life.  However, today I stumbled upon Anne Sisteron‘s beautiful jewelry, and I am all kinds of smitten.  While she has lovely designs in all manner of gold and gemstone combinations, it is her pearl rings I have fallen hard for.  To me they are the perfect combination of minimal and sculptural, delicate yet noticeable.  Considering my birthday is just around the corner, I may or may not have placed an order.

Born in Paris and currently an Angeleno, Sisteron’s model background clearly honed her eye for style and line.  Her jewelry mixes classic and contemporary in a very LA way that I love.  Here are some of my favorites:

bar and pearl ring  pearl pillar ring  disc and pearl ring

 

If something catches your eye, you can click here to receive a code for 15% off!

images via annesisteron.com

 

 

Marquise, if you please

~ cdelacuadra ~ 1 Comment

For some reason marquise-cut stones have never been a favorite of mine, and yet in the right context, they can be truly stunning.  I realized the two rings I most want to wear of late are both marquise-esque, so here is a roundup of what I’m wearing, and what I wouldn’t mind wearing.

I love the playful asymmetry of this Alexis Bittar Fine ring: a gold marquise-ish center embellishment echoes the horizontal stone set off-center.  The David Yurman ring, on the other hand (ha! hand) is a much more classic option.  I think the bezel setting and the two-tone element make it modern, and I like the clean look.  These are on heavy rotation lately.

I do like a good stacking ring, and this sideways diamond ring from jlmetalsmith’s Etsy shop I think is just perfection, with it’s diminutive size and delicate gold setting.  The horizontal setting is a fun twist.  I also love this one from MinimalVS on Etsy.  It is even teenier and the bead detail on the band is adorable.  I would not mind either of these making the leap into my jewelry box.

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Lastly, this sapphire and diamond band from James Allen was a tenth anniversary gift, and I love wearing it stacked with my wedding rings.  Classic, but a little unconventional with the blue.

Bonus: you can envision yourself as a noble marquise or marchioness for the day wearing their namesake cut, even if you’re wearing your baubles with sweatpants while watching Netflix!  Glass of wine encouraged, but not required.