Lately...

I haven't been a good photographer lately; I guess I just haven't had the energy for it. But, I have captured a few images with my phone camera and thought I would share a little glimpse of my world, lately, with you.

Inspiration: Stillness in the Midst of Chaos

“I feel that art has something to do with the achievement of stillness in the midst of chaos. A stillness which characterizes prayer, too, and the eye of the storm. I think that art has something to do with an arrest of attention in the midst of distraction.”  -  Saul Bellow

It seems life has been one big distracting mass of chaos recently. We have so much hinging on one decision, a decision that isn't even ours to make, that our nerves have been frayed to their very ends and focusing on anything but this decision has been nearly impossible. Our life feels as if its been on hold for over two years now and we're more than ready to pick it back up and start living again. The one bit of solace in all this frustration has been working in my studio. I haven't had as much energy to devote to it, but when I walk into that room, pick up the colored strands of thread and begin knotting them with my tired hands, this art that I create gives me a stillness and calmness that I haven't been able to find in anything else. The world somehow seems to slow down and the questions and worries that constantly invade my thoughts somehow seem to fade away.

image credit: "favourite place" by Hannah and Landon Metz

LOOK: Bracelet Stack

The 4th of July is coming up so I thought it would be fun to put together an easy, laid back look in celebration of our country's independence. Nothing says the 4th of July like backyard bbqs and nighttime fireworks, so I'm keeping it comfortable and cool with a jersey dress, some retro shades and some classic American kicks; a cute tote bag big enough to carry the essentials for firework gazing, like a bottle of wine and a blanket; and of course some cute bracelets to spice things up!

Jersey Dress/Tote Bag/Bracelet Stack/Star Bracelet/Retro Sunglasses/Keds Sneakers

Take Notice: Etsy Front Page

As a fairly new seller on Etsy, it sure was fun to see one of my bracelet stacks make the front page yesterday morning; a pleasant departure from my usual Monday morning blues! It's amazing how that little bit of exposure really brings people to your shop - I had over 1600 listing views yesterday. So fun!

Classic Films: Great Film Directors

It's been a while since I've been able to indulge in watching some classic films. Between my full time job and working on the shop, I just don't have as much free time as I used to. However, when I caught a glimpse of the  Great Film Directors Stamps released by the Postal Service, I told myself I need to make time in my schedule to do so. I suppose I know what film I need to watch next too...The Maltese Falcon. It's the only film portrayed in these stamps that I have yet to see.

I've seen many a John Ford movie, including The Searchers, because N, like many guys, loves a good western, especially a John Ford/John Wayne western.

Frank Capra's film It Happened One Night was one of the first classic films I saw - the energy and charisma between Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable is absolutely magnetic.

And Billy Wilder never disappoints when it comes to having a good laugh and Some Like it Hot is about as good as it gets. Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe...enough said.

image credits: Stamps/John Wayne/Clark & Claudette/Jack, Tony & Marilyn

A SALE: 25% Off All Necklaces!

I'm having a summer sale on all necklaces in the shop! I'll take 25% off the listing price when you use the code SUMMERDAZE12 at checkout. So, the super fun, perfect for summer Jess necklace is only $21!

As is the Midnight necklace, only $21! The Circle Squared necklaces are only $13.50!

And one of my favorites, the Kalahari necklace, regularly $38 is only $28.50!

Be sure to head over to the shop and check them out - absolutely ALL necklaces are 25% off! Treat yourself to a new necklace this summer with code SUMMERDAZE12 at checkout!

LOOK: Cicely Bracelet

Summer is here, which means wedding season is upon us. I thought it would be fun to pull together an outfit to wear to one of those summer weddings I know you've been invited to using one of my pieces. Since most of my pieces are fairly casual, it was kind of a fun challenge to try dressing it up. And it goes to show that most any jewelry can be either dressed up or dressed down depending on what you pair it with. 

For a afternoon wedding, I would wear the Cicely bracelet with this gorgeous dress from Anthropologie. With my hair curled and pulled back into a low chignon with this sparkly bobbi pin, I'd done bright red lips and a sweep of shimmer on my cheeks. So fresh and beautiful for a day of celebration!

Havana Clutch/Marbled Waters Dress/Blue Topaz Drop Earrings/Laura Mercier Illuminating Powder/Cicely Bracelet/Nars Lipstick in Heat Wave/Stella Heels/Crystal Crush Bobbi

Inspiration: When It's Over

“When it’s over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was a bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened
or full of argument.

I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.”

-Mary Oliver, "When Death Comes"

I'm not much of a poetry person, but when I read this excerpt from the poem "When Death Comes", something stirred in me. The last line... it took my breath away...it made me think...and it inspired me to start living in a new way.

image credit: "Stories of Étretat" by Veronika Tumova via Bon Parisian

NEW in SHOP!

A few new bracelets in shop this week. I'm slowly churning out more bracelets and I'm transitioning some listings into bracelet stacks, like the one above. I still have them at the special price of 3 for $20, regular price is $26.

This new design is the Cicely bracelet and it's available in white (pictured), grey and white and turquoise; new color combinations are coming soon.

The Harbor is now available in turquoise and lime green, as well as white and cobalt blue. I'm also working on some new color combinations in this design too.

Are there any specific color combinations you're craving this summer? Let me know in the comments what color combinations you might like to see in the shop next!

LOOK: Aix Necklace

This week's Look features the Aix Necklace, one of my favorites! I love the mint colored leather and the unexpectedness of the square beads paired with the round ones. Wouldn't this necklace look great with that geometric tee? Wishing I had this outfit on to get some work done in my studio today!

Happy Sunday!

Aix Necklace/Theory Tee/Snakeskin Belt/Leopard Sandals/Black Shorts/Madewell Bag (similar)