a few of my favorite things...

magpie collections.

Am currently loving these two beauties from magpie collections.

 

karel jewelry design.

It really was love at first sight.
And I am not a huge jewelry person.
I like to keep things simple.
But now....

I have fallen in love with Karel Jewelry Designs.  Her jewelry is simply breathtaking.  Each lovely is delicate + feminine + colorful + fun, all combined to make the perfect piece of jewelry at a reasonable price.  Karel, the brilliant lady behind the company, designs and handcrafts each piece herself!  She is constantly striving to keep her designs "fresh and innovative".

"Everyone deserves to feel unique and beautiful. It was always important   to me to express my individuality through fashion, but I often found it   difficult to find unique, quality pieces of jewelry that I could afford.   That's how this company was born...I thought, if I can't find it, I'll make   it myself."

This probably sounds a bit silly but I do feel pretty when I slip a piece of her jewelry on.  I somehow transfer from mom to a woman ready to be taken out on the town, even if just for a moment.  It is that last special piece to your outfit that will take it up just a notch more.  Although some of you may find the prices just a touch high, trust me when I say that the quality is superb.  The gemstones used are absolutely beautiful and the pieces never feel too heavy or awkward.  It was like they were meant to be worn, by you of course.  My favorite piece, okay well two favorite pieces are the Aussie Princess necklace and the Chrysalis earrings.  What is your favorite piece?

 

wendy culpepper.

Contemporary
Handcrafted
Designer
Jewelry
by Wendy Culpepper.

Her style is unique, her design is simple yet intricate.  Each of her collections has a fun story of inspiration behind it, which I found fascinating.  Wendy describes designing jewelry as an art, and truly it is.  I found myself being drawn to the Flower of Life collection.  I loved the simplicity of the shapes and lines and how they all intertwined together.  The fact that most of her pieces go with my every day attire is a definite plus.  They are just enough to spice up my wardrobe of fossil tees and buckle jeans.  Besides designing gorgeous jewelry, Wendy also gives back.  Her "ignite" collection was designed to support three different charities depending on which stone you choose.

Rhodolite = Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Peridot = American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Blue Topaz = Parkinsons' Disease Foundation

Her price range runs from affordable to a little bit out of my league but really you are paying for art.  It just so happens to be art you can wear.  So what collection is calling your name?

dogeared.

I am totally digging this fabulous line of jewelry, Dogeared!  Their designs are simple + stunning.  I would love to receive one of these for mother's day.  I spotted them at Nordstrom's not too long ago and was excited at how reasonably priced they are.  My favorites are the karma, pixie and four leaf clover.  What are yours?

kiki & lele GIVEAWAY.

I am very excited to announce the giveaway for today!  Kiki & Lele are back!  I talked about them here and am still in love with my hand stamped necklace.  I can honestly say I wear it most days.  It is simple + lovely!

Kiki & Lele was created by two friends, Kacey and Leslee.  They are wives, mothers, sisters, friends and more importantly designers of gorgeous jewelry.  I know, as a mom, I like to feel pretty even in the midst of getting spit up on and changing diapers.  Although my typical attire is jeans and a tee, that doesn't mean I can't add a little something extra.  Kiki & Lele give me just that.  That extra little something that helps me feel like me.  They have beautiful custom jewelry or if you don't feel like being a part of the creative process, you can choose from there fabulous line.  Their pieces are simple yet still have a statement all their own.

"This is a company that started out with a simple conversation. We are moms, sisters, daughters, friends. We’re just like you. We both have the type of life that we like to describe as “happy chaotic.” We both have toddlers and Kacey has twins as well, need we say more? .

We want to create jewelry that inspires you, because when you are inspired you can do amazing things. When you have a fire of inspiration beneath you, it is contagious. We would be honored if one of our pieces gave you that type of energy, or at the very least, just made you feel really good every time you wear it."

On a daily basis I may not do anything amazing except make it through another day but I do love wearing my necklace with both my boys' initials on it.  Mother's day is right around the corner, and what woman doesn't like being given a lovely piece of jewelry.  Be sure to tell your husbands to check out their darling little etsy shop.  The prices will not break the bank, so there really is no excuse.

But today one of my lucky readers will have the chance to win a custom piece of jewelry.  That means you get to pick exactly what you want or you can choose from one of their stunning designs.  But either way, you get to pick.  Simply fabulous!  All you have to do is follow the simple giveaway rules and then check back Friday for the winner!  A big thanks to Kiki & Lele for there generous donation!! 

Giveaway Rules:

*enter a comment on this post
*please enter only once
*currently we cannot ship internationally [maybe you have a good friend with a domestic address, who can then ship it to you, if so join in the fun and leave a comment]
*contest expires Thursday, May 1st at midnight (CST)
*one random winner will be announced Friday, May 2
*the winner has 48 hours to claim his/her prize or a new winner will be chosen

*this giveaway is now closed*

kiki & lele.

I think every woman likes a bit of glam; something to make her feel pretty.  Sadly I have come to realize I am not a big jewelry person.  My boys are still young and their tiny fingers always seem to wrap around necklaces and pull at the beads.  I have actually had a couple broken and have watched the beads fly and scatter.  Although I do not wear a lot of jewelry, I like simple pieces that are versatile.  That is why I was excited when I was introduced to a new up and coming jewelry boutique, Kiki & Lele.

Created by friends Kacey Randolph and Leslee Phillips, the company is based on their shared love of jewelry.  The pieces are fresh and inspiring.  Each piece is handmade and can be personalized with your own special message.  If you would rather not come up with something of your own, check out the lovely designs they feature on their blog.  The messages are sweet and simple and most hand stamped tags can be adorned with a fresh water pearl charm.  Kiki & Lele also have a beaded collection if you are more partial to that style.

I love mine and have found that I can wear it with just about anything and everything.  It is delicate and a sweet reminder of my two rambunctious boys.  I chose to have my sons initials stamped on the tag, along with a delicate charcoal fresh water pearl dangling beside it.  It is quite lovely!

 

Kacey and Leslee not only design charming jewelry but have also decided to give back. Now each time you purchase a stunning piece you will know you are helping out in a small way.

"A major component to our company is our commitment to charity. A portion of our annual proceeds will go to benefit our local Neonatal Intensive Care Unit....In addition to the local charity that is close to our heart, we have also made a commitment to buy products that benefit a charitable cause to incorporate into our designs. Keep a look out for our designs that feature Acholi beads. Refugees living in the Acholi Quarters slum in Uganda make Acholi Beads. As they struggle to rebuild their lives, the sale of Acholi Beads provides a vital income that supports their families. These designs will be coming soon!"

Keeping in mind that Mother's Day is just around the corner, be sure to check out their lovely new collection focused on mothers and love.  Happy shopping!

shop parcel.

                                                                        

Love these cute little charms at shop parcel.  Mine says mom.  What would your charm say?

baubles.

Who doesn't like baubles on rings + necklaces + earrings?  I love throwing on something flirty and fun for a night on the town with my hubby.  It is a nice change from the typical "mommy" clothes {tee + jeans} that I usually wear.  I la la love this cocktail ring by kuo ting.  It is a bit out of my price range but a girl can dream, right?