Behind the Baubles

Behind the Baubles: Holst + Lee

February 26, 2014 by jessica Leave a Comment

Let’s just start by saying that any brand citing Carmen Miranda as the inspiration for its newest collection earns a place in my heart. It’s just a bonus that the design duo behind Holst + Lee creates irresistible pieces of jewelry and, as you’ll see below, have incredible personalities. Natalie Holst and Rochelle Lee discovered their shared passion for design while working at New York’s upscale restaurants and nightclubs. They began creating pieces to complete their own edgy looks for work and soon realized other women wanted to wear their designs.

Shop It: Under the Sea Necklace, $475 // Papaya Tree Necklace, $235 // Turquoise Mesh Bracelet, $165 // Black Mesh Bracelet, $165 // Glass Menagerie Crystal Studs, $75 // Coconut Earrings, $155 (my favorite!) // Island Paradise Necklace, $225 // Midnight Storm Necklace, $235

Follow Holst + Lee: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Behind the Baubles: Lee Renee

February 19, 2014 by jessica Leave a Comment

After working in advertising for many years, Lee Renée decided to pursue her first love: jewelry design. She trained under St. Martin’s and London Hatton Garden’s finest silversmiths for three years, officially launching her brand in July 2012. Her collection is full of wit and whimsy and it’s probably no surprise that the Miami-inspired collection is my favorite. The Art Deco flamingos and the dainty pineapple pendant are irresistible.

Shop It: Pineapple Necklace, £89 // Rock Princess Ring, £144 // Cathy Heart Pearl Ring, £92 // Miami Circle Earrings, £118 // Heloise Drop Earrings, £135 // Juliet Bangle, £159 // Flamingo Necklace, £95 // Voodoo Legba Ring, £159 // Miami Arrow Ring, £58

Follow Lee Renee: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

Behind the Baubles: Jane Pope Jewelry

January 21, 2014 by jessica Leave a Comment

As many of you know, maintaining blog is a lot of work, but it’s also one of the most rewarding hobbies I’ve ever had. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to “meet” inspirational bloggers and designers on a regular basis and Jane Pope Cooper is no different. Her collection is perfectly imperfect with organic designs and mixed metals (I’m most fond of the lip ring), but it’s radiant personality and optimism that makes me adore the collection even more. (I had tears in my eyes when I read about her brain tumor recovery.) She’s the perfect example of why I started this series; jewelry is infinitely more beautiful when you appreciate the person behind the baubles.

Shop It: Delicate XO Necklace, starting at $198 // Rhodonite Pyramid Studs, $498 // Frond Earrings, $618 // Large Lips Necklace, starting at $355 // Delicate Heart Ring, starting at $111 // Lips Ring, $210 // Slate Bar Earrings, $198 // Skeleton Stack Rings, starting at $627 // Raw Diamond Ring, $582 // Sand Dollar Studs, $630

Follow Jane Pope Jewelry: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blog

Behind the Baubles: Lionette by Noa Sade

January 7, 2014 by jessica Leave a Comment

Noa Sade (right) and Vanessa Lee instantly bonded when they first met in 2008. Pairing Noa’s design talents with Vanessa’s expertise as a former fashion buyer, the duo launched Lionette by Noa Sade the following year creating one showstopper after another. While it’s hard to choose a favorite with so many unique designs (even microphone gloves!), the Gizele necklace tops my list. It would look as fabulous on a tropical getaway as it would under a jacket at work.

Shop It: Alma necklace, $598 // Orian earrings, $265 // Gizele necklace, $388 // Dillen earrings, $345 // Avish necklace, $198 // Sera bracelet, $278 // Coco earrings, $158 // Kip ring, $135 // Badu bracelet, $278

Follow Lionette: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Photo by Divine Light Photography

Behind the Baubles: Sarah Magid

January 3, 2014 by jessica Leave a Comment

Based in NYC, jewelry designer Sarah Magid has 15 years of experience designing for brands like Henri Bendel, Coach, J.Crew, and Etienne Aigner—but I think we can all be grateful that she eventually branched out on her own. She masterfully mixes brightly colored stones with sculptural metalwork to create pieces that can best be described as art. (Heck, I’m just as crazy for those pink crazy lace studs as I am for the larger jewels.)