Ogle: Alison Lou Jewelry

Every now and then I find something that is just so spectacular that I can't look away.  Recently, while poking around on Instagram, I ran into Alison Lou Jewelry.  The piece that pulled me in wasn't even that weird.  It was a really cute "Mrs." Ring.  I think she's kind of known for them.  They're adorable:

She does these rings in white, yellow, and rose gold and you can choose your initial and the stone.  Loved it.  Upon further investigation, it turns out that Alison Lou isn't really just about this sappy, just married, new initial flinging audience.  She's WAY more than that.

Enter into her world of emoji jewelry.  Beware that you can get sucked in quickly.  Her stuff is all super whimsical and hilarious.  Like this Sh!t ring.  I LOVE IT SO MUCH.  I CAN'T LOOK AWAY.

She does a lot with emotional smileys, I'm a big fan of the Smiley stud...

 

And this really cute Celebration bracelet!

Downside?  This stuff is expensive.  They're not timeless enough that I want to sink a couple thousand dollars into them, but I do think they're really amazing and really cute.  While I start to feel kind of cliché for liking the Mrs. rings, that's actually the one item that I would probably pay the price for.  What do you think?  Would you rock that Shit right?? :)

Birthday Week: Day 2 Super Ogle, Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra

In Day 2, the daydreaming continues....with Van Cleef and Arpels.  While I'd love to have everything and anything that is Van Cleef and Arpels, the Alhambra is what I truly covet.

Amazing Rose Gold Bracelet from the Sweet Collection

Diamond Pendant from the Magic Collection (ahhhh it IS SO MAGICAL)

Classic Alhambra necklace from the Vintage Collection

I hate to choose something so cliché, but I've loved this collection from Van Cleef and Arpels for a while...a very long while.  You've seen it- it's the clover wrapped in gold.

Last year, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum featured an exhibit that put years of Van Cleef and Arpels jewels on display.  They were incredibly lavish, uber-decadent and some, even gaudy (it pains me to say that, but it's true).  The bling in that exhibit was SO serious.  They displayed jewels that had been donned by the infamous Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace Kelly.  

While the exhibit faced some harsh reviews, I think that I got out of it what was intended- a feeling of amazement and joy seeing all these glittery gems all around me.  It was like I was five again, dreaming of all the beautiful things that princesses had (literally!).  Millions and millions of dollars worth of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and the like surrounding me- I mean, I don't think there will be another time in my life when I can lay my eyes on such extravagant jewelry.

I think that the Van Cleef and Arpels brand is so beautiful and classy.  So many luxury brands out there have given away their prestige to make an extra buck (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi..you get the idea), but I feel like Van Cleef and Arpels has been able to keep themselves elevated and maintain a level of luxury that so many brands have sacrificed.  God, that sounded so snobby, but if something is expensive, it should BE expensive.  It should be reserved for those that can afford it not priced at $600 for a fabric bag that can be easily knocked off.  I'm just saying.

Anyways, I'm really starting to like this business of blogging just about crazy things that I can't have.  It doesn't make me want them less, but at least I can get it off my chest.

Obsesssss: Alison Cutlan

Pinterest is a funny thing sometimes.

Sometimes it leads you down a rabbit hole on tumblr, where click after click after click after click, you still can't find the source of what you're looking for.  Unless you have some savvy pinning friends, forget finding the true source of an image.

I remember when I first pinned this image, bracelets by Alison Cutlan:

I clicked through and was taken to The Henrik Vibskov Boutique where the bracelets were no where in sight.  I did Googled Ms. Cutlan and came up with a site that was a work in progress, but no information on where or how to find these adorable bracelets.

I was at a loss.  I gave up.  I momentarily hated Pinterest for leading me on and making me covet a bracelet so much, but not giving me a way to find it.  In retrospect, I was really angry at the interwebs for not making the bracelets easier to find  (I shook my fist at Google), but I moved on.

THEN my web life and my real life joined and magic happened.  This weekend, while strolling around SoHo this weekend,  I came upon the Henrik Vibskov store- I didn't even know that this store existed in NY!  What a nice surprise!  I walked in.  I can't say that I was really hopeful about finding the Alison Cutlan designs, but I looked.  I glanced into the accessories display case and saw nothing.  Slightly disappointed, I started to walk towards the back of the store.  Suddenly, next to the register, THERE THEY WERE.

"They just came in!" said the very friendly sales girl.  She was just as excited to tell me about them as I was to see them.  They were amazing in person! While they appear to be fabric, they are actually a mesh wire on the outside that appear to be spray painted to give them a gradient colored effect.  Inside the mesh are small glass beads that make the bracelet seems almost glittery when they catch the light just right.  In short, I LOVE THEM.

Luckily, the internet is fast and constantly growing world and now it's actually possible to find these bracelets (AND necklaces!)

Here are some places where you can pick them up:
Asos (of course.  They have everything)
Henrik Vibskov Boutique
FarFetch

While I love these bracelets, I have graduated to wanting to pay more than $50 for accessories...I've made some (FEW) exceptions, but I'm going to marinate on these.  If I see them again, I might just have to get one.  They would be awesome for layering in with other bracelets.  I particularly love this one:

Oh, and Pinterest and I made up. We're still in love and doing well.  Thank you for your concern.

Ogle & Obsess: Valentine's Day Diamond-Encrusted Cadeaux!

Ooh la la!  As you can see, I'm excited about the upcoming Jour D'Amour!  Well, to wet the gift-receiving appetite of my girly readers, I've curated a lovely list of gifts that I (or many other girls, for that matter) wouldn't mind receiving.

We all know diamonds are one of many best friends of girls (my best friends also include dark chocolates, flowers delivered to the office, red velvet with cream cheese frosting, stuffed animals, and home cooked meals that require me to use my hands).  Don't worry random boys that stumble onto my site, none of these bear any resemblance to an engagement ring (in appearance or cost!) so, breathe easy...but they are still quite costly...

One more disclaimer is that I will never recommend that someone gift heart-shaped diamonds for Valentine's Day (or for any occasion, for that matter) and I will also never recommend "love" engraved jewelry.  It's so cheesy!  There are so many excellent jewelry designers out there.  Not to say that "love" or "amour" jewelry can't be cute and have lots of meaning, but on Valentine's Day, it's so cliche.  Let's hope our men can be a little more original (and will dig deep into their pockets for these...!).

Let's start with the earlobes.  They are such a wonderful canvas for bling.

These Julieri studs are gorgeous- a pretty mix of black and white diamonds against rose gold.  These are making me so giddy...so obsessed.

If something a little more dramatic is your taste, then these occasion earrings by Jude Frances are probably going to drive you nuts.  The touch of coral is such a nice burst of color.

Necklaces are probably my favorite thing to obsess about and there are plenty of diamond adorned options out there.  Like these...!

Zoe Chicco is a brand that I love because of how dainty and delicate the designs are.  This rose necklace is the perfect amount of romance for Valentine's Day without being a cheesy heart necklace.

For something that's a little more personal but not just your average initial necklace, Mauri Pioppo does these cute ones called "Love Letter" that have a small diamond in the center to mark the initial.

Moving down to the wrists, I'm going to continue to Ogle the Cartier Love Bracelet, but if that doesn't happen, these next few bracelets are pretty awesome, too.

If you're looking to decorate your wrists, there are some dressy and casual options to suggested to your beau.  Let's start with this more casual Scosha bracelet.

If you want something a little more decadent and sweet, this Finn bracelet makes me want to fall out of my chair.  So delicate!

If you're getting nervous about the pieces I posted above, let me warn you, below this line is RINGS.  Yes, a RINGS.  Calm down!  I already said no engagement rings, but I HAD to post these because they're pretty and I like showing you pretty things.


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This one is from Jordan Scott. I'm in love with turquoise right now and this ring is beautiful and not too over-the-top.  It has simple diamond and yellow gold accents around the turquoise stone.  It has kind of a Loree Rodkin feel, but it's a little less medieval and a much cheaper.  Also, maxandchloe.com has a Valentine's Day promo going on right now that will get you an extra 20% off (code: VDAY20MC).

If you liked the Jordan Scott ring and you're into the Loree Rodkin jewelry style, Hari Jewels has a pretty version as well.  Not turquoise, so it's not for me, but hey, that doesn't mean that it's not for you!

Here's hoping you get something a little sparkly on the designated day of love!  If these all look a little expensive, it's because they are.  Don't fret!  A more affordable Valentine's Day list is coming your way- stay tuned.

Own: Adorable Jewels by Vinca

Are any of you guys on Fab.com?  If not, you should join it.  I know-I know-I know, there are SO many of these timed sale sites out there, but the cool thing about Fab is that they have a trending board (very reminiscent of Pinterest.com) so you can see what's trending- what people are buying, liking and sharing.

Anyway, I discovered the brand Vinca on that site.  SO glad I did.  The jewelry is fun and whimsical and isn't an investment at all.  I think these would make great gifts if you have nieces with newly pierced ears or girlfriends (like me!) that LOVE animals and anything cute.

Adorable Bear rings!  They are so cute!  They look like they're just peeking out to say hello.  The neon ones are only on Fab.com, but the glitter one you can get here.

Mirrored bunny stud earrings available here and here

I LOVE THIS.  How wonderfully weird is it?  SO WEIRD!  Available on Fab.com

Moustaches continue to be all the rage.  Get some for your earlobes here and on sale at Fab.com

Prices are mostly below $20.  The Moustache studs are on Fab.com for only $6!  Talk about cheap...forget about getting them as gifts for others- for $6 you can afford to treat yourself once (maybe even twice if you like them that much).

Own: Kwiat to Support Charity: Water

This has definitely been the year of bracelets and looking for the right one has been something that has boggled the mind.  Cruising around on outblush.com, I saw something that really caught my eye- Kwiat.

This brand is definitely not a new brand to me, but it's usually a brand that wouldn't fall in the "own" category at all.  Unless it came to you as, say, an engagement ring.  HOWEVER, Kwiat has partnered with Charity: water, which makes this purchase even easier at a price point of $100 in which 100% of the proceeds go towards the charity.  Be a good Samaritan today and make a donation and buy a little something sparkly for yourself.

Buy this lovely bracelet here.

Obsess to the Max: Mociun Jewelry

My favorite kind of jewelry is the kind that is completely wearable every day and eventually becomes something that people associate with you.  For me that has become tiny groups of rings and delicate necklaces.  The jewelry that I wear are like trinkets and bits of my life that I've just collected.  Because I love them (and partially because I'm lazy) I wear them all the time.  It's no surprise then that I'm completely and utterly obsessed with Mociun's jewelry line.  Walking around in Williamsburg one day, I discovered this adorable jewelry brand in the Jumelle on Bedford ave.  They do a lot of amazing work that integrates turquoise which is something I haven't really seen done tastefully until now.  here are some of my favorites:

 

Two sided ring <3

 

Beautiful!!!

I love these beautifully mismatched earrings

 

Another really unique and lovely wedding band option

Love it.