Baubles on a Budget: Under $55

June 28, 2017 by jessica Leave a Comment

1. Kate Spade Second Nature Short Necklace, $38.40 (on sale) | 2. Marc Jacobs Champagne Brooch, $25 | 3. Nordstrom Signet Ring, $14 | 4. Shashi Ball Drop Earrings, $50 | 5. Elizabeth and James Torrens Pinky Ring, $38 (on sale) | 6. Kenneth Jay Lane Gold-Plated Necklace, $45 (on sale and just one left) | 7. Gorjana Chloe Mini Stud Earrings, $32 | 8. Shashi Sidney Earrings, $50 | 9. Kenneth Jay Lane Gold-Plated Cuff, $33.75 (on sale and just one left) | 10. Rebecca Minkoff Triple Tier Chandelier Earrings, $48 | 11. BIKO Dot Ring, $32 | 12. Madewell Winking Hinge Cuff, $32

These and more baubles under $55 below!

Behind the Baubles: Anna Davern

June 15, 2017 by jessica 1 Comment

Maybe it’s just me, but every now and then I daydream about being bedecked in gemstones the size of my palm. This fantasy usually crops up when we’re traveling and admiring the royal jewels of a country, but now it’s becoming closer to reality with Anna Davern’s jewelry. Sort of.

Australia-based Anna Davern is one of the most innovative jewelry designers I’ve come across recently. She creates trompe l’oeil earrings that resemble staggeringly expensive, oversize precious gemstones by using a sublimation printing technique on old biscuit tins and tin trays. The end results are unexpectedly gorgeous statement earrings that don’t need to be reserved for special occasions – or protected by armed guards!

*These are my favorites. They’re replicas of the Oppenheimer blue diamond, which became the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction.

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Time for Spring

April 13, 2017 by jessica 1 Comment

This week has just been slipping away from me! I’ve barely had enough time to take care of my priority list at work, let alone blog in the evening! So, it’s especially fitting that today’s post is all about the watch brand that I’m currently obsessed with: Welly Merck. Welly Merck was founded by a couple that met on a trip to Italy: Merck, an American man who was born into a steel artisan family, and Welly, a Swiss woman who came from a traditional watch-making family. After a transcontinental romance, Merck eventually moved to Switzerland to be with Welly and the two merged their artisan skills to launch a watch brand commemorating their love story.

The timepiece these two lovebirds created is absolutely stunning! If you saw my Instagram story last week, you know I was already over-the-moon with the company based on the packaging alone. I mean, a turquoise gift box with a magenta ribbon?! Be still my beating heart! Of course, the piece nestled inside that box was even more beautiful. I chose the “Classic Chicago” design with a gold-plated mesh band and a white face. The watch has a nice weight to it that feels luxurious rather than heavy, and the flexible mesh band and clasp allows you to size the watch without going to a jeweler. (I have tiny wrists and I always have to get links taken out of watch bands. I love that this one can be easily adjusted for my pint-sized wrists.) My favorite aspect of the watch is that the substantial mesh band looks like a luxe piece of jewelry that you can stack with your other beloved pieces. It also comes in rose gold and silver, allowing you to pick the piece that will coordinate with your collection. You know I’m all about my gold costume jewels, so I felt I’d get the most mileage out of the gold version. Although, that rose gold watch was awfully tempting! (There are also leather straps available if metal isn’t your thing.)

The watch is an investment for many budgets, coming in at $265. While I received a complimentary sample, I do feel like the quality is in line with that price point. It feels — and looks — more expensive than it is. Plus, after a week of wear, it seems like it’ll be scratch-resistant, keeping it picture-perfect for years to come.

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A big thanks to Welly Merck for partnering on this post!

10 Tassel Earrings Under $100

April 10, 2017 by jessica 3 Comments

It’s no secret that oversize earrings are my favorite trend this season, especially when it comes to tassels — and it seems I’m not the only one craving tassel earrings this spring. I wore the pair above in New Orleans last month and received countless compliments on them. I’m not surprised, though. Who can resist the playful swish of shoulder-dusting fringe?! No one. 😉

Below, you’ll find 10 of my favorite tassel earrings for less than $100. (Most are well below that price point, though!)

The fringe on these drip-dye tassels is unique with a white-to-navy ombre effect.
Can’t decide between hoops or tassels? These are for you.
I featured these in my jewelry roundup last week, and I haven’t stopped thinking about them since. I’m torn between the royal blue and turquoise.
These full silk tassels come in navy and coral.
Kate Spade knocked it out of the park this season with these pompom tassel earrings that come in a rainbow of colors. The yellow pair is my favorite.
These $15 silk stunners are long enough to graze your shoulders. They come in green and turquoise.
How cute is this pair of clustered tassel earrings? The petite size is perfect if you don’t want to go overboard with the fringe.
These neutral color-blocked beaded tassels will go with all of your summer LBDs and LWDs.
These beauties come in eight colors to choose from.
All about color this year? Try these.

Baubles on a Budget: Under $75

April 5, 2017 by jessica 4 Comments

I started “Baubles on a Budget” because there are so many pieces of inexpensive jewelry that, well, look cheap. But that’s not always the case. It takes a fair amount of time to sift through pieces online to find costume jewelry that looks more expensive than it actually is. I know that setting the cap at $75 might even be too expensive for many budgets, especially if you’re not as heart-eyed for jewelry as I am, so I’ll always try to include a range of price points in this monthly roundup. You’ll also notice that I typically stay away from jewelry that’s overly trendy. Those pieces are unlikely to get much love after one season and I believe that anything you buy — budget or not — should be something you’ll want to wear for more than one season. With that in mind, here are the wallet-friendly gems to add to your collection this month:

1. J.Crew Beaded Tassel Earrings, $65* | 2. Lele Sadoughi Solstice Earrings, $55 (on sale!) | 3. Elizabeth and James Bea Ring, $49 (on sale!) | 4. Serefina Fringe Drape Earrings, $66* | 5. Madewell Beaded Charm Necklace, $38 | 6. Bauble Bar Vida Crispin Drops, $34 | 7. Tuckernuck Petite Mixed Lantern Earrings, $48 | 8. Jenny Bird Ariel Earrings, $65* | 9. Rebecca Minkoff Palm Tassel Hoop Earrings, $68 | 10. Meg Carter Pearl Blossom Stud Earrings, $65 | 11. Noir Jewelry Linear Drop Earrings, $56