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For me, one of the highest compliments is when other artists buy my jewelry. Because, personally, I think there’s nothing more awesome than a badass artist rocking a statement necklace while working in the studio! And to prove it, I pulled on my own painting apron and snapped a few pics while wearing the Vivian necklace!
Before I embarked on my one dress, thirty ways challenge, I was actually planning on doing more blog posts showing how to wear pieces from my Contra Collection with more casual, everyday clothes. Because as much as I love dressing up, I also love comfy casual clothes. (I have a shocking number of oversized cardigans from athleisure brands like Lululemon and Athleta.)
So yesterday’s snowfall seemed like the perfect opportunity to show you how well pieces from the Contra Collection work with more casual style. Like this sweater layered over a sweater. (Because if I’ve learned anything from my one dress challenge, is that layering is almost always the answer.) And adding a Contra necklace (like this one, which I’m wearing with a 2” chain extender) is a great way to make even the most casual outfit look a little more put together.
Ok, one more post with my new Nickichicki hat, because I’m a little obsessed. (Seriously, her hats are hands down the warmest, best winter hats I’ve ever owned!)
I actually call this first pose the Leslie Knope – “Look off into the distance and think about all the strong female role models in your life.”
Truthfully, the combination of edgy (with the jacket and steel chain) and sweet (with the faux fur pom and gorgeous stone) actually makes me think of another Leslie Knope reference, when Donna says to her “Knope, you’re a total softie, but on the inside, you’re a straight up bawse.”
And you know what, any look that makes me feel more like Leslie Knope is definitely a keeper!
Even though it still looks (and feels) like fall here, this year I’m ready to embrace winter. I’ve already watched White Christmas at least five times (this year), I released a batch of Contra Collection pendants that remind me of winter snowscapes, and I’ve got this new hat from Nickichicki to keep me warm! Let’s do this winter!
This year, I’ve decided to totally embrace winter. Because even though I hate being cold, my brand is pretty much a winter color palette to begin with. (Not to mention the fact that many of the stones in the Contra Collection look like tiny winter landscapes.)
Luckily, I’ve got this new hand knit hat from NickiChicki to keep me warm!
Confession time: I always love the idea of wearing a statement necklace over a t-shirt with writing, but almost never do it because most t-shirts look like crap on me. (Thanks, broad shoulders.)
Which is why I was pretty psyched to find this workout tank top that’s a reference to my favorite sport AND a Beyoncé song.
And while I might wear it to workout, I love it more as a total boss look, layered under a blazer and statement necklace.
This is one of those times where the final images really don’t reflect the ridiculousness required to get to them. I really wanted to do a shoot that incorporated one of my statement necklaces with some fall leaves before they all come down. But the only tree at my disposal where the leaves were even remotely close to reachable was on a hill in my front yard. So I balanced my tripod on the hill and hoped people wouldn’t look at me too funny as they drove by. And then not long after I finished the shoot, it started to snow. Because fall is very pretty, but very weird.
I recently got a new toy – a Fuji Instax 90 – and of course, I couldn’t resist taking a few selfies with one of my biggest statement necklaces! I love how the instant pictures let me show the details of the necklace and it being worn in the same shot. Definitely something I’ll be playing with more in the future!
PS. This one of a kind statement necklace is available in my online store. I promise you, it’s not nearly as heavy as it looks!
A month or so ago, I headed into my studio with a little challenge – make some giant leaves and turn them into some really giant earrings.
Little did I know that this challenge would produce what have become my new go to earrings. After wearing them (CONSTANTLY) for over a month, I’m happy to announce that the Vivienne and Gabrielle earrings are now online!
And what better way to introduce them than with some new portraits!
Above: Tara wearing the Vivienne earrings in steel and gold-filled. These are the biggest earrings I’ve ever made (well, for production anyway!) yet they don’t wear like giant earrings. In fact, they’re really comfortable.
Above and below: With no other model at hand, I guess I’ll just have to show off my new favorite earrings on myself! The Gabrielle earrings are my new go-to earrings and are available in steel, silver, and gold-filled. I’ve been wearing them with everything – they look stunning on their own but work just as well when paired with a statement necklace like the Maya.
And all the earrings are now available in my shop!
I just got a beautiful new portrait lens for my DSLR, so you can expect to see a lot more portraits on the blog. (Oh, and if you come across my path off-line, don’t be surprised if I ask to take your picture.)
As my best friend, Tara gets the brunt of my new portrait excitement.
Tara is wearing the Maya necklace (with a few extra links added) and the Kathrine earrings.
And, I couldn’t resist snapping a few shots of Tara’s daughter Lola on a walk this weekend. I mean, look at that face!
