Six Picks: Brave

This weekend, I headed out to see Disney/Pixar’s latest film, Brave. Originally titled The Bear and the Bow, this film is a first for Pixar: not only does it feature a female protagonist (the spunky Scottish princess, Merida), but it’s also the studio’s first period piece.

All of Pixar’s films are visually dazzling, but this one was just breathtaking. From the first scenes, I was stunned by the detail, down to the textures of the fabrics.

I’d recommend seeing the film for the visual appeal alone. I also thought that the film’s core mother-daughter story line was a nice change of pace from the usual wicked stepmother/tormented princess plot.

In honor of the film, here’s a roundup of jewelry that features some of its main themes.

Transformation Necklet, Gaelsong

Note: This necklace features magnets that let you wear it in the two ways shown in the photo. Love it!

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Tartan Earrings in Sterling Silver, MariannMonika on Etsy

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Bear Paw Print Necklace, Hendywood on Etsy 

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Copper and Brass Kilt Pin, celtsmith on Etsy

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Silver Arrow Necklace with Mint Green Wire, BlackStar on Etsy

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“Our Fate is Our Destiny” Talking Message Ring, AzureBella Jewelry at Amazon

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Bonus Pick: This Brave-inspired charm bracelet includes just about all of the movie’s themes.

Brave-inspired Silver Charm Bracelet, PrincessCameos on Etsy

Six Picks: Bicycle Baubles

It’s summer(ish), and that means you’ll find me doing at least one of these two things every weekend: yard work (meh) and cycling. I would definitely still consider myself to be a novice on the bicycle, but I really enjoy it and feel so blessed to have GORGEOUS trail options that are available nearby. Exhibit A:

That doesn’t even capture the sight of creeks running through the trees, the sounds of birds, the smell of leaves. Sigh. It’s love.

Since I’ve had bikes on the brain lately, I decided to use them as inspiration for a six picks post. Here are a few of my favorite bicycle-inspired jewelry pieces.

1.

Bicycle Wish Bracelet, pier7craft on Etsy.com

This bracelet is so cute – and affordable! I’ve been a sucker for aqua/turquoise lately, and it’s everywhere! Plus, I’ve been wearing a vintage-looking cord bracelet almost nonstop lately. It might be time to add to my collection…

2.

Recycled Bicycle Bracelet, Re-Cycled Accessories

The bracelet above isn’t inspired by bicycles – it’s made from them! The company that sells it makes several pieces from recycled bike parts. Stylish and green.

3.

Red Plated Vintage Bicycle Necklace, zazastory on Etsy.com

This necklace is more whimsical than the jewelry I usually wear, but it’s so fun that I think it’s worth stepping outside the comfort zone. The bike has moving parts, and the cheerful red color is so charmingly nostalgic.

4. 

Marianne’s CZ Bicycle Earrings, Emitations

On the other end of the spectrum, these stud earrings are a subtle tribute to this mode of transportation. It’s hard to go wrong with CZ studs in a slightly abstract bicycle shape.

5.

Titanium Bicycle Ring, Titanium Buzz

A durable titanium ring is appropriate for rugged cyclist types. (Like me – ha!) In any case, I think the tire tread marks and water bottle, among other motifs, are fun touches.

6.

“i love bicycles” Handpainted Wooden Bracelet, Aramar on Etsy.com

Everything about this bracelet is sunny, from the color to the handpainted bicycle motif. Too bad a front basket would look funny on my bicycle. Or would it?

Six Picks: Playing Catchup

After an unintentionally extended hiatus, I’m really back this time! And so happy to be blogging again. Thanks to all who have checked in.

This week’s Six Picks will be a little less categorized than usual. I’m featuring a few of the things that have caught my eye during my break.

1. Danielle’s Mini-Me. I was excited to open my email and discover this announcement from Kendra Scott:

The jewelry designer’s beloved (and much coveted by yours truly) Danielle earrings now come in a smaller version. I loved the Danielle earrings ($60), but I wasn’t sure I could pull them off because of their size. The smaller Elle earrings ($52) look just right.

2. Hunger Gems. With the first Hunger Games movie hitting theaters, it was hard to miss Katniss et al in action. I’ve been swept up by the books and the film myself, so I enjoyed Gemvara’s suggestions for tribute token-inspired jewelry.

Birds of a Feather Ring, Gemvara

This lovely (mockingjay, perhaps?) feather ring is beautiful and – at $272 in sterling in garnet – affordable.

3. Shades of Green. Not to be confused with the Disney resort, this topic is all about the green jewelry I’ve seen in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day – and spring.

Green Bees Vintage Charm Bracelet, BumbershootDesigns on Etsy

I love the fresh springtime feel of this green charm bracelet. The soft and muted shades, plus the bee and leaf charms, make this the perfect way to enjoy the season.

4. It’s Electrifying. This season seems to be all about bright, saturated, and even neon colors. The fluorescent tones are everywhere, and they’re perfecto for those who are tired of playing it safe.

Fluoro Necklace, Bauble Bar

Take, for example, this bright collar necklace. The stunning shade would make a statement with your spring wardrobe.

5. Brilliant Bangles. In keeping with the bold color theme, you can also find bangle bracelets with striking shapes and bright colors. Wear just one, or several at a time, to customize the look.

Anna & Ava Bubble Enamel Bracelet, Dillards

The gold-tone bracelet above ($20) features a playful throwback bubble pattern. As of this writing, you can save $10 by buying two Anna & Ava items. (Click the link for details.)

6. All Aflutter. If you’ve been jewelry shopping recently, you know that butterflies and butterfly related motifs are everywhere. It seems the winged insects have caught designers’ imaginations once again.

Elle Jewelry Butterfly Wing Ring, Amazon.com

I really like that this ring pays a subtler tribute to butterflies. The ring’s design is inspired by the pattern on the insects’ wings, rather than being a direct translation of the butterfly shape.

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Six Picks: Get 2012 Oscars Style

Last night’s Academy Awards red carpet offered up a gorgeous array of accessory styles that any jewelry lover could appreciate. The celebrities showed off many great looks that let us live vicariously through their sparkle.

That being said, many of these looks can be captured in accessories that the rest of us can afford. Here are a few of my favorite red carpet jewelry picks, with examples of pieces that allow you to get the look.

1. Glittering bangle bracelets (as seen on Penelope Ann Miller – Celebrity-Gossip.net) provide a touch of glamour to any outfit. The one below captures some of the vintage style of Miller’s bracelet.

Kalina’s Fancy CZ Cuff Bracelet, Emitations.com

2. Show-stopping emeralds (as seen on Viola Davis – JustJared) will never get old. Let’s be honest – the Lorraine Schwartz jewels that Davis wore are unparalleled. But these dramatic emerald earrings are beautiful in their own way.

Emerald and Diamond Earrings, Ross-Simons

3. An oversized link bracelet (as seen on Emma Stone – JustJared) is just about all you need to accent an outfit. I love the scale of this one, and it could go with a lot of different looks.

Kenneth Jay Lane Large Link Bracelet, Amazon

4. Double diamond earrings (as seen on Milla Jovovich – JustJared) provide a gorgeous touch to an outfit. The graduated stones in the earrings are classic and beautiful.

Nadri Framed CZ Drop Earrings, Bloomingdale’s

5. A glittering necklace (as seen on Michelle Williams – JustJared) was just about all that Ms. Williams needed to accent her lovely, vibrant gown. I think a necklace like this one would be beautiful on a bride.

Masterpiece CZ Necklace, With This Bling

6. Sapphire chandelier earrings (as seen on Tina Fey – Celebrity-Gossip.net) were a nice change from the diamond and/or emerald earrings that have been abundant on red carpets lately.

Sapphire and Diamond Chandelier Earrings, Zales.com

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Druzy Jewelry

As I was researching this month’s amethyst birthstone post, I came across a term I hadn’t seen before: druzy. (Can you tell I’m not a jeweler? I’m not a jeweler.)

“White Opal” Druzy, DruzyGem.com

Druzy, (sometimes written as drusy) refers to the characteristic of being covered by crystals. I’m a girl who loves some sparkle, so… it definitely wasn’t a chore to investigate the topic further. I came across some really beautiful examples of this type of stone in jewelry. I easily could have featured twice as many of my favorites.

1. What’s not to love about these double drop druzy earrings? They offer the best of both worlds: rough druzy stones and shimmering, iridescent faceted ones.

Gray Druzy Double Drop Earrings, Julianne Blumlo at Etsy.com

2. I’ve always been fascinated by geodes, so the idea of a small wearable one in ring form is especially appealing. I find it interesting that the band on this ring has some pattern to it, too.

Purple Druzy Ring, Tazzie’s Custom Jewelry at Etsy.com

3. In a move that surprises no one, I’ve included a necklace with briolettes. But the faceted stones do complement the teardrop shape of the black druzy centerpiece.

Black Druzy Necklace, RubyLane.com

4. If you’re looking to add a feminine accent to an outfit, these druzy studs would do the trick. They’re definitely not dainty in size, but their petal pink color makes them work for everyday wear.

Pink Druzy Earrings, Nakia Design at Etsy.com

5. This bracelet is one of those pieces that I just can’t stop looking at. Everything from the sparkle of the druzy stones to the lovely lilac color of the amethysts makes this a stunning accessory.

Titanium Rainbow with Amethyst Bracelet, DruzyGem.com

6. I love the bold metallic look of this druzy pendant. The setting is plated in 18k gold that provides a nice contrast to the titanium druzy.

Marcia Moran Organic Titanium Druzy Necklace, RainCollection.com

If you’re interested in more specific information about druzy gems, I found Barbara W. Smigel’s website to be particularly helpful.

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Six Picks: Get 2012 Grammys Style

Given Whitney Houston’s untimely death, I was certainly expecting a more subdued tone for last night’s 2012 Grammy awards fashion. Despite a notable exception (Nicki Minaj) or two (Fergie), that’s what the Grammys delivered.

Black, white, and gold gowns dominated the scene, accented by a few notable jewelry looks. Here are a few examples of my favorite accessories, with suggestions for affordable, wearable pieces that the rest of us can pull off.

1. A gold bib necklace (as seen on Alicia Keys – JustJared) can make a big statement. I like this linked bib necklace from Modcloth, which offers a more casual look.

Newsworthy Style Necklace, Modcloth.com

2. A longer-length pendant necklace (as seen on Kelly Clarkson – JustJared) is lovely with a low neckline on an evening gown for a night out, or with a jacket or sweater during the day.

Sterling Silver Black Enamel Pendant (with 30″ chain), Amazon.com

3. Coordinating bracelet and earrings sets (as seen on Katy Perry, click over for the hair if for nothing else – JustJared) are an elegant way to make sure your accessories match. (Perry’s reported $2 million accessory ensemble is the stuff of dreams.)

CZ Bracelet & Earrings Set, Amazon.com

4. Glittering drop earrings (as seen on Miranda Lambert – JustJared) are expected at awards shows, but I think they’re a good reminder that we can all use a little more sparkle in our accessories.

Celia Earrings, Ziamond.com

5. A touch of gold (as seen on Taylor Swift – JustJared) is all you need when your apparel already has some embellishments – or in Swift’s case, many embellishments. I like the extra dimension that the citrine stones bring to these gold earrings.

Citrine Drop Earrings, Ross-Simons

6. Statement hoop earrings (as seen on Kimberly Perry – OK) are certainly acceptable on this more fashion-forward awards show’s red carpet. In your everyday wardrobe, they can go a long way.

Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Classic Marc’ Hoop Earrings, Nordstrom

As a side note, the Kismet by Milka dove necklace that Kimberly Perry wore during her performance as part of The Band Perry has gotten a lot of buzz. You can get more information about it here.

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Six Picks: Heartless

In celebration of a certain upcoming jewelry-receiving opportunity holiday, this week’s Six Picks features some romantic jewelry gift ideas.

Since you can’t chuck a charm bracelet* without hitting a display of heart-shaped jewelry, however, I’ve chosen a few of my favorite pieces that convey the romantic spirit of the holiday in other ways. (Nothing personal, heart-shaped jewelry. I still love you.)

1. Initial necklaces like this one from cinnamonsticks on Etsy are incredibly sweet. It would be fun to get your first initial and the initial of your significant other. I love the vintage “wax seal” look, too.

2. Roses are a Valentine’s Day staple, and these earrings (available at Amazon.com) will definitely last longer than your average bouquet. These are made from 14kt gold, with bezel-set diamond accents.

3. Personal notes are always appreciated on special occasions. This necklace (available at Red Envelope) can be personalized with a message that fits into the envelope pendant.

4. These earrings from izuly on Etsy feature a lovely pink color palette. The shades of pink found on the rose quartz and tourmaline stones are a subtle nod to the romance of the occasion.

5. If true love is forever, then the infinity symbol on this bracelet from Tiffany & Co. is the perfect reminder. In classic Tiffany style, its simple, tasteful design could make it a wardrobe staple.

6. Pinterest jewelry addicts may have seen this ring from metalnat before, but I think it deserves a place in this roundup. It’s made by hand from sterling silver.

* Sorry. That’s so stupid, it’s funny. (Maybe that should be my new tagline?) It has just been one of those days, you know?

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I was not paid or otherwise compensated to write about the jewelry shown in this post. All opinions are my own.

Six Picks: Starry Eyed

Due to a technical difficulty that was definitely not caused by operator error (cough), you may have gotten a sneak peek at this post.* Sorry about that.

On to this week’s Six Picks, which is all about classic star shapes. Five-point star motifs offer a fun, instantly recognizable touch to a piece. Actress Kristin Bell is even wearing a star-shaped necklace on the February cover of Self magazine (see photos at Celebuzz).

1. These Swarovski starfish earrings from JAMJewelryShop on Etsy are a playful twist on the five-point star. I love the golden champagne-like color.

2. Star-shaped jewelry definitely isn’t all demure. This chunky sterling silver ring from Overstock is simple but makes a statement.

3. There are a lot of great stamped/custom jewelry options on Etsy, but this bracelet from JCGemsJewelry stood out to me because of its oversized ring paired with dainty charms. The four stamped charms give you plenty of space for the initials of your favorite people.

4. Speaking of customization, Things Remembered is well-known for its personalized jewelry. This sparkling swing star necklace shows off the black-and-white gem trend.

5. If you’re a fan of vintage-inspired jewelry (which I definitely am), these earrings from 1928 are a sweet choice. They have a touch of sparkle that’s not over-the-top.

6. This Carrie Saxl necklace, available at Max & Chloe, is the most casual option of the bunch. The cutout star dangling above the larger pendant is a very nice touch.

The title of this week’s post was inspired by the song performed by Ellie Goulding. If you need a workout/get motivated song, check it out:

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*I blame the blog goblins. (Bloglins?) They’re real and they’re everywhere.

Six Picks: Get Golden Globes Style

The jewelry at last night’s Golden Globes wasn’t as bright and dramatic as I was expecting overall. However, the awards did deliver some great pieces (and potential trends for the coming months). Here are some of my favorites – and examples of items that could help you get the looks.

1. Chandelier earrings (as seen on Jessica Alba – JustJared) are nothing new on awards show red carpets, but they certainly steal the show when they’re done right. These earrings from Nordstrom could definitely help you channel your inner starlet.

2. Gorgeous green gems (as seen on Debra Messing – JustJared) highlight what seemed to be the color of the evening. This three-stone ring from Overstock has a great look that’s reminiscent of the one that Messing wore.

3. Dark faceted stones (as seen on Helen Mirren – JustJared) offer a sophisticated alternative. These three-stone white gold earrings from Amazon could look great with so many outfits.

4. Glittering headbands (as seen on Charlize Theron – JustJared) let you add a touch of sparkle to your hair, too. I love the one below  from Zappos. Click the link to see more photos – so cute.

5. Gemstone studs (as seen on Emma Stone – JustJared) contribute just the right amount of glitz to an outfit. I’m so crazy about this set from Ross-Simons. The studs are interchangeable within the diamond “jackets” that come with them. Genius!

6. Statement necklaces (as seen on Freida Pinto – JustJared) were relatively few and far between. But the ones that were seen on the red carpet were memorable – just like this collar necklace from Kate Spade.

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I was not paid or otherwise compensated to write about the jewelry shown in this post. All opinions are my own.

Six Picks: Metals of a Feather

Feathers seem to be appearing everywhere as a metal jewelry motif. Symbolism and spiritual significance aside, feathers make for some beautiful jewelry.

1. This necklace from Hulamoonjewelry because combines two of my current loves: peacock feathers and briolettes. The color of the briolette is just perfect. Sigh.

Update: The necklace above was sold since I wrote this post, but you can find similar ones by the same artist here.

2. When two-toned jewelry pieces are done right, they’re so appealing. This feather bracelet by Joey McCray definitely gets it right.

3. On the opposite end of the spectrum, feather-inspired jewelry can be very simple. I really like how the etched lines in this ring from RootsJewelry convey the feather motif.

4. Here’s another simple take on the feather motif. These feather earrings from Anthropologie are available in silver-or gold- toned metal.

5. I don’t generally think of feathers as being fancy, but this necklace from Buy.com may have changed my mind. I’d pair it with simple CZ stud earrings to add sparkle to an outfit.

6. This bracelet from the appropriately named threebirddesigns has a beautiful antiqued look. I like many of this shop’s bird-themed pieces.

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Fun fact: The feathers that inspire these jewelry designs (and make up the outer layer of a bird’s feathers) are called “vaned feathers.”

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On Pinterest? Repin this jewelry and other pieces from my boards, and don’t forget to follow!

I was not paid or otherwise compensated to write about the jewelry shown in this post. All opinions are my own.