Anniversary Date Night!

Sunday I spent most of my Day re watching the Royal Wedding.  Could Catherine have looked anymore beautiful?? Such a little girls dream gown!

In honor of the couples anniversary I decided to pull together a flirty date night look for Catherine. 

Now being Royalty Catherine must show modesty in her clothing, so I opted for her classic nude pumps as she is not supposed to wear open toes anymore.  I may be breaking some Royal rules with the Oasis dress though, I am pretty sure the Queen doesn't approve of sleeveless looks.  Wouldn't it look amazing on the Duchess though?? She should be able to show a little skin when out to dinner with her Prince, right?

As for the earrings I am obsessed, how gorge? such a statement seen as no necklace is needed with the neckline of the dress.  Finally as a little throwback to her wedding day I added a McQueen box clutch!

What did/would you wear on your first anniversary??

Date Night

YAY its my favorite part of the week, Friday Fancies!!  I love putting together a look especially where cost is not factor!  My fantasy item right now is a gorge Chanel Purse!  I mean seriously they are perfect & seen as this is a date night look, the fella needs to know whats up from the start!  Designer bags & shoes are always acceptable gifts, along with diamonds & champagne! Right?

For the rest of my date night look, I wanted something fun yet sophisticated & a little sexy!  I am huge fan of the white pants & bright colors right now but wanted to dress it up, so I opted for this silk French Connection top which shows a little skin!! 

and if I had a tan these accessories would look amazing but alas I have  pale English Skin, so they are a no go for me!  However they look fab on my dream date with Adam Levine! He told me to meet him at the Payphone, thats a little wierd?

P.S: We are offering Free Shipping over at Stella Jewelry just enter FREESHIP at checkout! remember its almost Mothers day!

P.P.S : Don't forget the Style Your Block Contest! 

Lots of Studs!!

I always feel naked without earrings & simple stud to complete an outfit, especially when I am wearing a bolder necklace.  Lately I have been bored with my ear candy & searching for something more interesting to my collection.

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Like the pair Leighton Meester is wearing, the design is sweet & interesting without taking away from her gorgeous hair & make up. 

Here's a few pairs I am currently obsessed with, along with my everyday silver studs for comparison. 

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The pops of color seem like an easy choice to brighten up my ears but then I am also loving the organic look of the druzy & hand cut silver looks (2 &6).  And how sweet are the XO pair from BHLDN?  Maybe I should get them all, I mean  that's what you would do right?

Hope everyone is having a lovely week so far!!

Oh & P.S. if you need a lovely Mothers Day Gift take a look at my latest sponsors Ebay Store, they have lots of Willow Tree & Marjolein Bastin pieces!  They are on sale now so go shop for your Mama!!

Make Up Monday

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!  I spent most of my time at home, I barely even changed clothes & put make up on today!  It was amazing until I started to get a cold :(  

While relaxing at home I spent some time cleaning out unneeded clutter.  Which turned into going through my mass amounts of beauty products I never use, or should have thrown out a year ago.

I realized I am in a style rut, I am bored of just eyeliner & mascara yet I don't have much time in the morning for much more. 
It used to be that I would never go out without make up on, now a days I barely put foundation on which I apologize to my co-workers for.  No one wants to look at a zombie on Monday morning.
  

I just to experiment so much more with make up.  I remember layering on the bright blue eighties eye shadow when I was five & adding a dark brown lipstick a'la Posh Spice in the nineties.  Ugh what was I thinking?

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So I am taking to Pinterest for inspiration on a new everyday look. 

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I love the light/brown smokey eye on Victoria Beckham, its not over powering like a gray shadow can be.  Much more work appropriate.  Seen as it Spring though I am loving the cleanness of the second look.  The pale shadows define the eye making her fresh & bright & I can certainly use all the help I need looking like a ray of sunshine in the morning.  I hate mornings ugh. 

Could Adele have a more perfectly structured face with great skin?  I would love to pull off a dramatic liner everyday.  How do you feel about liquid liner for work? To much like Mad Men?

How fun is the yellow & aqua look? I wish I could pull this off every now & then.

What are you opinions on everyday make up? Do you like a clean, simple look or something more glamorous like the smokey eye(#5)?

Monday Already?

Wow I can't believe its Monday already! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend even though I am sure it flew by entirely to fast!  

For a while I have been frustrated with my life & the lack of time I have to put into my business.  It's been hard working through whats holding me back but since I started trying to be more intentional with my time I have seen positive things happening.  I look back on my week & I am really proud of the time & energy I have put into my jewelry.  The website is looking better, I have made new contacts, new designs & put a million ideas on paper.  Its funny how my switch from "I can't do this because of this" to an attitude of "this is what I want & this is how I am going to do it" has made so much difference.  I can't wait to see where this change takes me!

Sunday I spent time with this lovely lady Cole & Kristin Gainey Photography shooting pictures for our new pieces!  I am lovely this sneak peak of one of the looks!  Wouldn't this look good at Coachcella?  

The necklace design is departure from my normal design aesthetic, but I am so glad I stepped outside by box for something more fun.  I can't wait to share all the looks with you!  

Pastels - Friday Fancies

I always think Pastels are super girly & lovely! The perfect option for a Spring day. However I wanted something more urban for Friday Fancies this week.  I know I used a motorcycle jacket for our March Madness look but I am dying to buy this peach denim version so I had to use it today.  How great is the contrast of a feminine color & the edginess of the style.  Plus its from Topshop which always makes me smile. 

You see my love of Topshop goes way back, way back to the 90's! It was our go to store when we were kids.  No one could understand my excitement when they finally brought the store to this side of pond! My friends were like um ok, its a store! To me it was memories of childhood & British fashion and lets be honest Roanoke, VA can be lacking in the fashion dept.

I wanted to keep the rest of the look pretty simple but have no idea what to put underneath the jacket!  I thought about a white tee but that's boring, then I thought about adding another pastel & got stressed about colors clashing!  So I went shirtless, classy!!! Good thing this isn't what I am wearing to work today!

 What top would you add??

I can't wait to see everyone else's looks & really hope some of you ladies enter this contest I am sponsoring.  I would love to see your look & for you to win our jewelry!!

Bag Lady!

I go back & forth with bag styles a lot, I sometimes love Hobos, sometimes clutches but I always seem to come back to a shoulder bag of sorts.  

In high school I loved my Roxy shoulder bag rather than a back pack.  In college after a trip to NYC I was obsessed with the red slouchy leather bags.  Which I had to immediately buy because no one in Roanoke would have one.   

Now in 2012 I am back to wanting a cross body purse.  They are so convenient & freeing when shopping or traveling and I am all about ease right now.  Last fall I found this great option from Express, not to small not to big however it refuses to stay clean.  

So I am now on the hunt for the perfect cross body for summer.

Ideally I would love this Proenza Schoulder options that I have used in many Friday Fancies looks.  However its a little out of my budget.

I can't seem to find the perfect option anywhere locally. So in comes the world wide web!!

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After searching the Internet I can't decide what I am want anymore.  I want a piece that will last for awhile as I want to make intentional decisions with money & style.  No more buying things randomly on impulse. 

I love the large coral option from Topshop but its a little casual.  The smaller options (2,3,4) are sweet but maybe not great for everyday.  I may or may not carry to much stuff in my purse.  I like to be prepared!  

Then options (5,6) are so much bigger, almost to big. What I love about the Brown ONA bag is that it is made to carry my camera in, then can I risk buying white again? Even though it would be fab for summer!

What do you ladies think? Help me pick!!

UPDATE: I just found a great deal on Refinery 29 for up to $185 off Rebecca Minkoff purses! Perfect timing. Get the deal here!

A Day Without Shoes

When I am shopping I hear myself saying I need this dress, I need these shoes, when in reality I don't need anything.  I have more than enough clothes & accessories but in a world of excess we don't want what we have, we want what's new & hot.  It makes me sad to acknowledge how superficial my life is. 

Thankfully we have people/companies like TOMS to remind us that we can shop & help people at the time. 

If you don't know by now that for every pair of shoes TOMS sell a child in need receives a pair.  It is a brilliant concept & makes me think twice when shopping.  I want to give my money to companies who care & make a difference.  It also makes me want to support local business more to promote my small towns economy & to donate the things I don't need.  

Yesterday people all over the world spent the day not wearing shoes to see what it felt like.  So inspiring to see the world care & doing something to bring awareness to a global issue! I wish I could have participated in "One Day Without Shoes" but I have to wear shoes to work.  Instead I showed my support by rocking my favorite Tom wedges & stalking their website.

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I am not sure which pair to opt for this purchase.  Part of me says be practicable & get the flats but how fun are the wedges?  

Did anyone go barefoot yesterday? I would love to hear your thoughts after a day without shoes!

Street Style & Contest

"The best fashion show is definitely on the street, Always has been. Always will be." ~ Billy Cunningham

For 50 years Bill Cunningham has been documenting New York Style.  From Anna Wintour to Royalty to a tourist.  It doesn't matter who you are he will document your look if the clothes speak to him.  

In a world of celebrity stylists & endorsement deals there is nothing more inspiring than the regular girl who knows how to rock their figure & the put a unique twist on fashion.  It's reality & honestly what drives my designs for Stella Jewelry.

Luckily Southwest Va, has their own street style photographer, A. David Verdi & I am lucky enough to be sponsoring his newest contest.

The concept is for you to create a look, grab a friend/photog & style it up.  I know there are so many Friday Fancies ladies that would rock this contest.

For more details & the pictures of the prize hop over to Angels POV.  

I hope you all had a lovely Monday & Happy Tuesday!

P.S. If you haven't seen the documentary on Bill Cunningham & love fashion you really should buy it now!!

Finally American!

Last week was such a long week for me!!  Most importantly on Thursday we  were sworn in as American Citizens! Thankfully no more paperwork or trips to D.C for testing & I get to come through customs as a Citizen instead of waiting in the tourist lines flying back into the country!!

Oh & the little privilege of freedom in this country. 

After driving two hours in awful weather we enjoyed a special ceremony in Abingdon, Va.  I was shocked that local residents took time out of their day to watch the ceremony & congratulate us.  It was very kind of them to come & welcome us as Americans.  

Then the weather brightened up we enjoyed our ceremony & popped some bubbly. 

Due to the tiring week a nice & quiet Easter was perfect. I enjoyed dinner with family, time with friends & a few hours working on jewelry.

This piece is for the partnership with Angels POV coming up, check back this week for details on how you could win this & matching earrings.

I hope you all had a lovely Easter & ate to much chocolate!!

Happy Monday!!

England Part 3

I miss English Food soooo much, I miss Fish & Chips, I miss the fresh bread from the bakery, and I miss the sweets (candy).  I even miss the Chinese food at home! 

Some of it is that I genuinely miss the flavors; some of it’s the memories, fresh bread takes me back to early Saturday Mornings shopping with my Mum.  I loved going to our favorite chinese restaurant on a Sunday with Mum & Dad, however I would love to forget the day I tried Peking duck for the first time.  Immediately after eating my first piece I looked out the window to see ducklings waddling to the Pond on the property! Mortifying for this 8 yr old! 

Those simple memories make me feel nostalgic & comfortable.  Seen as I am not in England & can’t just pick up my favorite take out when I want comfort food, I love to break out my old Yorkshire recipe book & attempt to recreate those meals I miss so much.

It never tastes the same but makes me miss home a little less.

One of my go to receipes is these simple chocolate chip biscuits (cookies) . They aren’t as sweet as American store bought cookies & are lovely if you substitute cranberries for the chocolate.

Theres nothing special about the recipe but a great reminder of my childhood.

All you need:

4 oz Margarine

2 oz soft brown sugar

1 tbsp of Honey (local is always better for you)

1 oz of choc chips or cranberries (I always add more)

4 oz of white flour (you can also do ½ white ½ whole wheat)

1. Mix the margarine, sugar & honey together until fluffy.
2. Add chocolate chips & flour together.
3. Place small spoonfuls on a greased baking tray.
4. Bake at 350f for approx 15 minutes until golden.  I usually take them out between 10-12 min’s so they are a little softer.  

I know people love going home to their Mum's cooking, so tell what your favorite comfort meals are?

Happy Monday

So I sat down this morning to blog about my Jewelry & the pressure I put on myself because I am not where I want to be!  Then I sat back & decided against a negative post.   Well then I had writers block because I wasn't inspired by anything.  I have been letting my weaknesses in business take over the good.  It's clouding my mind.  I won't go into the details, instead I want to share some of the exciting things from the past week! 

The response to the bracelets I posted here has been so overwhelming from friends & family.  It is beginning to become our most popular piece, yet I haven't been allowing myself to enjoy the excitement, I have been pressuring myself to fill those requests & stressing because I can't add the item to online yet.  I am always worried about rushing to add something when its not 100% & then I worry about loosing the online buzz.  Today I decided to stop worrying & appreciate the fact my friends will be rocking the new bracelets.  It always mean's the most when someone you love admires your work.

I am determined to get these online this week!  I just need a name, anyone want to help??

In other exciting news I am teaming up with a Angels POV, (street style blogger) for an exciting little project!  I think all you Friday Fancies ladies will love it!!  I can't wait to share the details soon!  In the mean time go check out his blog.  I am super jealous he photographed Michael Knight from Project Runway.  Micheal was one of my favorites & I'm loving his new Bridal line which he debuted at Charleston Fashion Week.  

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I am also in love with this girls look!  Adorable & on trend top knot, clean make up & a perfectly executed bubble hem.  Bubble hems can look to childish when badly done, where as this dress looks chic & classic with a modern twist.  

Oh & is anyone else excited Adam Levine & his girlfriend broke up?? 

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I know I shouldn't be excited someone is going through a break up but I mean look at him!! Gorgeous & now single, well he's just even hotter!!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend & thank you for the sweet comments on my Friday Fancies look!  I am of to catch up on everyone else's looks now!