Crystal Crush

Looking for an authentic, meaningful and stylish Christmas gift for a special lady in your life? Read on...

One of my recent curiosities: crystals. I am drawn to crystals due to their varied colors, textures and healing attributes.

Needless to say, I was ecstatic to discover JaxKelly's handmade crystal quartz and gem stone jewelry line during a recent visit to Therapy, a gift shop in Berkeley. A few of my favorite designs, which can also be found at her Etsy shop, include:

Gold Dipped Rose Quartz Studs - Rose Quartz has a faint pink hue and is known as the "love stone."

Silver Druzy Quartz Studs - This sparkly gem is attributed to stabilizing inner energy and enhancing creativity.

Gold Dipped Turquoise Stud Earrings - Turquoise, one of the oldest stones in the crystal/gem stone family, is associated with friendship and truth.

As featured in the above images, JaxKelly's motto is: "these studs are handpicked to compliment each other. They are sisters, not twins."

Rock on, JaxKelly.

Pantone Color of 2015: Marsala

Last week Pantone, the global color leader, announced "the" hue of 2015: Marsala. This brownish red hue reminds me of a dark red wine. As Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, stated, Marsala "has an organic and a sophisticated air." There have also been comments that it evokes both an earthy feel and a vintage vibe.

I didn't have to look to far to find a coveted accessory in the Marsala color family. As always, Madewell is on top of their game and updated their tried and true Transport Tote in Pantone's color of the year (personalization available, as pictured here, for an additional $10).

Madewell Transport Tote:

https://www.madewell.com/newarrivals/bags/PRDOVR~B2427/B2427.jsp

Article about Pantone's Color of 2015:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pantone-has-spoken-2015-color-of-year-is-marsala-2014-12-05

Mantra Magic

After a hiatus, I am back and ready to share more eye candy with you! So, let's get this (arm) party started...

As many of you know, I am a sucker for a motivating quote, comforting prayer or inspiring word. When a certain message moves me, you will be sure to find it displayed in my apartment or included in one of my social media posts. 

That being said, you can only imagine how amazed I was when my cousin and fellow accessory fan, Kate, recently posted this photo on Instagram....

Two of my most favorite things: jewelry + meaningful words = magic. Hello, MantraBands!

MantraBands are gold, silver and rose gold bracelets inscribed with uplifting messages, as pictured below... a literal fashion statement ;) They serve as gentle reminders, such as "this too shall pass", "blessed", and "smile, breathe and go slowly", just to name a few.

The icing on the cake is that MantraBands' designs are "made with love" as stated on their website. Heartfelt through and through.

Choose your Mantra here:

http://www.mantraband.com/products/inspirational-bracelets

The Sweaty Band Solution

Ok, ladies. Has your hair fallen into your face during a workout as your headband slips and slides? Not fun. Not cute. The solution? Sweaty Bands. 

A few months ago at the Big Sur Half Marathon Expo, I came across a Sweaty Bands booth. The stall of headbands was a feast for my eyes: a variety of sparkle, colors, prints and patterns. I was intrigued by the unique designs, but also by their tag line "OMG...they don't slip!" 

After wearing my silver sparkle Sweaty Band in that race (pictured above), as well as during both high and low impact classes (i.e. kickboxing, yoga), I can honestly say "OMG...it doesn't slip!" The velvet-like fabric on the backside of the headband stabilizes the accessory comfortably on my head. 

Functionality is the key component of Sweaty Bands. But you can express yourself with their vast assortment which includes bling, seasonal, dots, stripes, sports teams and sororities. Below is a photo from their website, showcasing their stars and stripes collection in honor of the 2014 Winter Olympics. 

You can be sweaty - but still stylish!

Visit Sweaty Bands here:

http://www.sweatybands.com/

Making Tracks

With a background in children's retail and my "kid at heart" spirit, I smile when I come across a must-have, pull-at-the-heartstrings product for little ones. My recent discovery was made at the Crewcuts website. While perusing through their Vacation Shop assortment, the Kiko+ Ashiato Animal Footprint Toy Sandals stopped me in my tracks... ;) 

These Toy Sandals are offered in three designs, including the Pink Cat (pictured above), Turquoise Dinosaur and Coral Monkey. The traditional Japanese-inspired shoe silhouette, paired with the colorful footprint sole detail, are an unexpected, playful combination. 

This creative accessory will be an interactive addition to a beach or playground outing during the warmer days and months ahead. 

Time to make tracks, kiddos!

Find the Kiko+ Ashiato Animal Footprint Toy Sandals here:

http://www.jcrew.com/girls_special_shops/vacationshop/PRDOVR~04820/04820.jsp

*Please note ~ these are toys; not intended to be worn as regular footwear.

Hello Spring!

Spring officially arrives this week. Hooray! Bring on the sunny weather styles.

An accessory that caught my eye recently is shown above on singer, Lana Del Rey, via Refinery29. She exudes glamour in her dramatic, floppy straw hat. This striking look is classic, yet current, as it showcases trends of today, including stripes and the black & white color combo.

Whether lunching outside or reading at the beach, make a Spring style statement with the help of a sun-friendly accessory.

Refinery29 article featuring Lana Del Rey:

http://www.refinery29.com/2013/03/44405/lana-del-rey-l-officiel-paris?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ldr

A comparable hat can be found at J.Crew:

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/accessories/scarvesandhats/PRDOVR~32542/99102985164/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~0~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~straw/32542.jsp

A Lucky Find

Top o' the morning to you! 

As I noted in my St. Paddy's theme post last year, wearing green on March 17th is a must for me because it's a lighthearted way to celebrate my Irish heritage.

Fortunately, since Emerald is the 2013 Pantone Color of the Year, there's a wide assortment of green accessories readily available this season. A favorite find that I recently discovered is pictured above ~ Steve Madden's Kstudd suede flat. Not only is the on-trend hue holiday appropriate, the stud detail makes the shoe current and classy.

With these on your tootsies, you can't help but kick up your heels and do a little Irish jig on St. Patrick's Day!

Find details about the featured shoe here (available in additional colors):

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=91602&vid=1&pid=503575042