DIY Jewelry Storage

This post is from the fabulous, awesome blog LaurenConrad.com. If you haven’t checked it out yet, hop on over to her site for everything from style advice, recipes, DIY projects and organizing tips. You might lose track of time clicking around… Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

From teacup trinkets to cheese grater earring stands, we’ve shared several clever solutions for storing your accessories here on LaurenConrad.com. Today I wanted to share another DIY idea for stylish jewelry storage. Not only will this chic design keep your earrings organized in one place and display your favorite necklaces, it will also showcase your beautiful baubles in a decorative way. It’s an easy way to add some feminine flair to your walls, and it will keep your necklaces tangle-free too. Just think of your chains, and studs, and jewels as wearable works of art. Here’s the how-to…

Here’s what you will need:

• mesh screen (available at hardware stores, where they will cut it to size for you)
• wooden frame (thick enough to put knobs through)
• decorative knobs
• cordless electric drill

Instructions:

1. Begin by removing the back and glass from your frame.
2. With a pencil, mark where you would like to place each knob. Use an electric drill to drill a hole for each knob.
3. Screw your knobs in the frame.
4. Fit your screen into the frame, trimming the edges more if necessary.
5. Fill with jewelry and hang on your wall or prop atop your dresser or vanity.

   

   Check out the original post at LaurenConrad.com

Hello Handbag Reviews Stella & Dot’s Best-Selling HDSDI Bag

My friend Annalee over at Hello, Handbag recently reviewed Stella & Dot’s best-selling How Does She Do It tote bag in navy stripe on her fashion and style blog. See the original post on Hello, Handbag HERE.

Review: Stella and Dot “How Does She Do It”

Meet the beautiful How Does She Do It by Stella and Dot.

I took this bag to work, to the gym, on errands, to the park, to happy hour, anywhere and everywhere. It’s light enough to carry on a two mile walk, functional enough to survive a 15-hour day-to-night extravaganza, and beautiful enough to incur compliments from strangers.

Best feature: the How Does She Do It transforms from a carryall to a satchel with two side snaps. The sides fold in to create a rounded top, as pictured above. I tended to carry the bag on my elbow in satchel form and over my shoulder as a carry all.

My bag was a little stiff, which made it hard to transfer from the carry-all to the satchel form. But with about two more days of wear that stiffness would have worn off. The canvas is pliable and lightweight, somehow without sacrificing a beautiful texture and feel. And, although I didn’t test this, there’s a “spill resistant” coating that makes me feel great about choosing the navy and white striped option.

The orange polka dot lining is divine (you can see it peeking out here). There are several inner pockets including a nice large zipper pocket. And, best of all, a little side inner pocket specially made for a water bottle. A single open side pocket (also lined, beautiful!) is perfect for go-to items, I mostly used it for lip gloss, my phone and earbuds. The whole thing zips up on top, making this a great buy for the airport or busy city streets.

On the website, Stella and Dot describes this bag as “…a carryall (and boy, do we mean all).” They really do. I put this bag through the ringer. I carried a set of Halloween lights, lint roller, heels, a bottle of wine… really I threw in anything I could find. It carried it all. So often lightweight bags feel flimsy, but not this one. I trusted this bag completely, enough to carry a 13″ Macbook. It handled it beautifully with room to spare.

Final decision: If you’re an on-the-go kinda lady, make this investment. At $89 the How Does She Do It is a steal. You’ll thank me later.

Many thanks to the lovely Erin Markland, an incredible stylist and Stella and Dot’s youngest Director, who introduced me to this beauty. If you’re ready to transform your style, she’s the one to call.

* And while you’re at it – Please follow Hello, Handbag on Twitter and Facebook. *

Bethenny Frankel Wears Stella & Dot Necklace on Ellen Show

Talk about color play! TV personality & entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel wore the Spring Awakening Statement Necklace from Stella & Dot on the Ellen Show earlier this month on May 10, 2013. She paired the bright pink and orange necklace with a green dress on the show. And if you’re interested in knowing more of what Bethenny wears, she mentions the clothing brands that she is wearing on her blog, seen here.

See Bethenny wearing more Stella & Dot jewelry HERE.

The Every Girl Profile’s Jewelry Designer Maya Brenner

Meet Maya Brenner — A celeb jewelry designer who is known for her delicate necklaces and drop earrings, as well as her collaborations with couture fashion brand Stella & Dot. The lovely lifestyle blog The Every Girl profiles Maya in a recent article. See the original article HERE. And be sure to follow The Every Girl on Twitter and on Facebook.

Photography:
Kimberly Genevieve Photography

Copy:
Elizabeth Duszynski

Maya Brenner is the type of woman for whom the word inspiring is an understatement. As CEO of the eponymous jewelry line Maya Brenner Designs, she’s the brains and creative force behind a company that has graced the pages of big-time magazines such as Lucky, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. Her designs are timeless; classic and chic with a hint of whimsy—and they’ve caught the eye of some of our favorite starlets from Rachel Bilson and Mandy Moore to Anne Hathaway and Salma Hayek. Even leading ladies have donned Maya’s jewelry on a number of TV shows including The Everygirl’s favorite, Sex and the City.

So what led her to where she is today? A leap of faith. Once a young social worker spending her days with substance-abusing teens, Maya turned to jewelry-making after hours for stress relief. It wasn’t long before people started to take notice of the one-of-a-kind pieces Maya was sporting—and soon after, her fledgling business slowly and steadily began to take shape.

Now, a veteran in the field, Maya shares with you the road to discovering her passion, the business of running a start-up, and the importance of living what you love.

Name: Maya Brenner
Age: 41
Year you started Maya Brenner Designs: 1998
Educational background: Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from UC Irvine and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work

What was your first job out of college and how long did you hold that position?
Just out of college, I took a job as a waitress at a beer pub in my hometown of Berkeley, California. I lived at home for a year and figured out that I wanted to move to NYC to pursue a higher degree in social work.

How and why did you decide to switch careers and pursue your creative passions?
I was a 25-year-old social worker living in New York City working with drug-addicted adolescents, so I started making jewelry at night to calm my nerves. I wore the necklaces and started getting stopped in the street with people asking to buy them. From that a business was born.

Switching from a professional career to a creative one was quite the leap! How did you find the courage to make the transition?
I did both jobs for a while since I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to support myself as a jewelry designer. Luckily (or unluckily) I wasn’t making that much money as a social worker so I didn’t need to sell too many necklaces to match that! The more accolades I received from my designs and the more money I was starting to make from jewelry sales, gave me the push I needed to fully leave my job.

Within a year I quit my full-time job and launched Maya Brenner Designs. I didn’t know anything about starting a business, but I knew that I had made the right decision because I was happy and relieved.

Please share with us about the process of starting your own business from the ground up. What should an Everygirl know about becoming her own boss?
I did everything myself in the beginning. I designed and made the jewelry, took the orders, shipped, and kept the books. I was working off of my kitchen table for about 14 hours a day. And it was awesome… until I literally herniated a disc in my neck from being hunched over for hours and was forced to hire help. So, it’s best to do as much as you can on your own, but don’t hurt yourself doing it. My best advice to the Everygirl looking to start her own business is to start small—don’t feel as if you have to have a huge business overnight—and take help where you can and call in favors from everyone you know.

How did you overcome the financial hurdles of starting your own company?
Prior to leaving my full-time job, I borrowed $3,000 from my grandmother and moved in with my boyfriend. I also grew my business slowly and did not make larger financial investments until my business could afford it.

How were you able to successfully market your line of jewelry? We often hear struggles from Everygirls about trying to make their products well-known. How were you able to get MBD out there?
I quickly learned the act of the “schmooze”—giving away tons of jewelry to people I knew would wear and talk about it. I also began working with stylists who are the key to getting the jewelry on celebrities and then the magazine placements came from that.

What are the biggest rewards from being an entrepreneur? Biggest challenges?
The biggest rewards are seeing positive reactions to something that I’ve created. The biggest challenge is learning to not work all the time at something you are so passionate about.

What is the most important thing you have learned over the course of starting and running your own business?
Start small and let your business grow organically.

Did you face any significant hurdles when starting Maya Brenner Designs? How were you able to overcome them?
There are hurdles every single day. From sourcing, shipping, rising price of metals, staffing, quality control, etc. I try to stay calm and repeat to myself, “It’s just a necklace.”

What advice would you give budding entrepreneurs?
Believe in yourself and be passionate about your product or idea. And hire people who know more than you.

What does a day in the life of Maya Brenner look like?
I’m up early to check emails, social media etc. Then I get the kids to school. Since, I run my own business, I’m always working while at the same time taking care of my other responsibilities (kids, house, dog). My offices are in downtown LA but I try to work from home as much as possible or even in my car! I spend a lot of time in my car on my iPhone, answering e-mails, etc.

How do you balance your career, creative passions, and family?
I’m not sure I balance it all! I try to explain to my kids that even though I’m home with them that I might need to check an e-mail or make a phone call, and my office knows not to call me during dinner time. But it’s a constant work in progress.

What has been the most rewarding experience since starting Maya Brenner Designs?
My jewelry was featured on The Today Show last year, and we sold 25,000 necklaces in one day! I’m also particularly proud of my design partnership with Stella & Dot.

What advice would you give your 23-year-old self?
Your passion or hobby can actually be your career!

Stella & Dot Rio Coin Necklace Featured on “The Find”

This post is originally from The Find. Read it HERE.

Well, Carnival is over, but whether or not you’re going to make it to Brazil next year, the Rio Triple Strand Coin Necklace from Stella and Dot’s latest Viva Brazil Collection is an obvious choice for any far-flung getaway. Or, better yet, rock it on your “stay-cation” too.

But if you are going somewhere to soak up some sun, the triple strand necklace has an effortless layered look so you don’t need to over pack accessories. Plus, the hand-polished coins each have a different finish giving it an even more lustrous, hidden-treasure feel.

And although the Rio looks great over any of the warmer seasons’ punchy, bright colors, why not create a sultry evening outfit with a trendy maxi dress? A floating print version with a plunging neckline can be a beach cover-up by day, then add your Rio necklace and your favorite stack of wooden bangles to complete the look. Grab a solid pashmina just in case and even dare to be bold with a contrasting color. And maybe the best part of a relaxed beachside evening? You can even keep your gladiator sandals on. All that’s left is picking out a matching destination.

– Enid Hwang

To inspire your spring wardrobe, our friends at Stella & Dot are giving away $500 shopping spree! The lucky winner will have the chance to indulge in items from Stella & Dot’s entire collection including the eye-catching Viva Brazil collection as well as the new-for-spring Destination Morocco and The Palm Beach Collection. Enter now!

5 Ways to Wear a Brooch

This post is originally from Goodwill’s website blog, written by Amanda Aileen Fisher for Goodwill. See the original post HERE.  

Brooches have always been one of my favorite pieces, ever since I fell in love with all those colorful, bejeweled pins my great-grandma had tucked away in her jewelry box. Don’t steer clear of these seemingly outdated pieces when you spot them at Goodwill; there are more ways to wear this classic accessory than you might think! 

Maybe you’re used to seeing a big brooch paired against a cardigan or a winter coat, but what makes a brooch so versatile is its simple pin-back. This little pin can attach to nearly everything, making more than just your outerwear a statement piece. Here are my top five unexpected ways to wear a vintage brooch.

1.) As a Pendant on a Necklace. This is easily my favorite way to show off my collection of brooches! Attach one to a simple string of beads or a chunky chain to make your own unique pendant. The pin-back should fit right in between the beads or in between a link of the chain. Oftentimes, I’ll set it off to the side of the necklace for an asymmetrical look.  

2.) On a Headband. Attach a smaller brooch or pin to a cloth headband. All you’ll need in your set of headbands are a few simple solids, and then coordinate them with your outfit by what you attach to them.  

3.) To Decorate a Purse. I love to use brooches on purses to give them a little something extra. It’s especially fun to pair several brooches with a patterned purse, finding ones that mimic or compliment the pattern nicely. If you use more than one brooch, you can cluster them or spread them out.  

4.) To Finish off a Scarf. If you’re tired of looking at last year’s scarf, update it with a brooch! Place it where you tie the scarf together, or at the tip.  

5.) On a Hat. My rule is that if it’s an accessory, you can probably find a way to jazz it up with a brooch! Hats have made a comeback, from the knitted slouchy berets to the vintage variety. Either type would look smart with a vintage brooch along the side.
 

Try one of these Stella & Dot brooches to update your style for fall:

  

 

From left to right, Stella & Dot brooches: Vintage Starburst Brooch in gold, $49; Vintage Maltese Cross Brooch in coral, $44; Sasha Flower Brooch in grey silk and Swarovski crystals, $34; Anastasia Brooch in dip-dyed 100% silk ribbon, $59.

Receive 25% OFF Brooches & Cuffs — October Only!
Contact me for more details.

 

Stella & Dot Featured on Who, What, Wear

Online fashion blog Who What Wear featured the Stella & Dot Bloom Flower Charms and Bracelet in their summer fashion story for June. The colors are soooo much fun, I just love how they put the outfits together. It reminds me of the sassy designer duds of Sex and The City, as costume designer Patricia Fields mixed and matched prints, hues, fabrics and styles. Remember the giant flower pin? Or the fanny pack? LOL.

Giving Away Free Stella & Dot Earrings!

Please check out the giveaway on the fin, quirky blog Spearmint Baby. A winner is picked by random.org on Wednesday, June 3rd. Please follow the instructions to receive an entry for the giveaway. Ends TOMORROW Tuesday, June 2nd at midnight EST. Winner must have a valid US or Canadian shipping address.

Win a Pair of Earrings, up to $50 Value!

Stella & Dot Featured on Luxaholics.com

Well-known gossip show Extra featured Stella & Dot jewelry on its style website, Luxaholics.com. The site is aimed at providing its readers with tips on how to “live a luxe life for less.” It featured the Kelly Cuff, Bloom Flower Charms, Happy Flowers Necklace and Bloom Flower Ring in Yellow on its website. What did the fashion blog have to say about Stella & Dot jewelry? Take a look:

If you haven’t stopped by Stella and Dot lately, it really is a must. Their spring jewelry collection of cuffs, necklaces and earrings are simply adorable and just make you smile!

Win a free Kelly Cuff from Stella & Dot at Luxaholics.com! Enter online for the free giveaway.

Stella & Dot Redefines the Party Plan Industry

From 7×7 San Francisco Magazine, April 22, 2009:

Jessica DiLullo Herrin is reinventing the idea of your grandmother’s Tupperware party. In little more than a year since founding the jewelry company Stella & Dot, which works with sales representatives to market its trendy goods through an e-tail site and at-home soirees, the 36-year-old Stanford Business School grad has propelled it into a multimillion-dollar venture. Her mission is to help women, especially moms, create their own flexible, independent businesses. “People don’t want to gather in a living room and listen to a two-hour presentation,” says Herrin, an effusive mother of two who previously co-founded the popular weddings website WeddingChannel.com from San Francisco before relocating to Burlingame three years ago. “I was thinking of something much more fun for the busy, drop-by-for-coffee kind of gal.”

Instead of hosting a Sunday afternoon of tea and cookies, Stella & Dot “stylists” (who currently total 1,200 across North America) plan weeknight trunk shows over Evite, serve wine and cheese and use Facebook to network and sell the jewelry, most of which costs less than $100. On average, Herrin says, stylists make $300 on a 90-minute party.

Herrin piloted the party-planning concept in 2004 selling bauble-making kits. After learning the ropes, she recruited jewelry designer Blythe Harris, a former merchandising manager for Banana Republic, who would become Stella & Dot’s chief creative officer. Harris’ chunky cuffs, gemstone earrings and Parisian-inspired necklaces have snagged a celebrity following (Demi Moore, Paris Hilton and Debra Messing are fans) and continue to catch the eye of the national fashion press. So why jewelry? “I have two daughters and I’m quickly realizing it’s an innate thing,” says Herrin, who admits to crossing the finish line at this year’s Nike Women’s Marathon mainly so she could earn her prize of a Tiffany necklace. “It’s an affordable luxury. And all women love sparkly, colorful things.”

What she’s wearing.

Derek Lam cinched silk dress ($1,790) and Balenciaga leather rubber-sole sandal ($1,195) at Barneys New York, 77 O’Farrell St, 415-268-3500. Stella & Dot silver glint pave Circle necklace ($34), silver glint pave Teardrop necklace ($34), silver glint pave Key to My Heart necklace ($34), silver pave Heirloom Deco bangle ($89) and silver pave Deco Rings ($49 each), all at www.StellaDot.com/Emarkland or GotStella@yahoo.com.

The Basics of Choosing and Wearing Your Jewelry

Accessories and jewelry are a great way to create a fun, versatile wardrobe. You can update your classic pieces with funky jewelry to get an entirely new look. One belt, bracelet or scarf can take you from the office to the bar, or from the PTA-meeting to dinner. But… sometimes too many jewels and too many accessories scream “tacky.” So keep in mind these basic tips when buying and wearing your gorgeous, one-of-a-kind jewels: 

Stella & Dot Artemus Stone Necklace

1.) What is the occasion?
Your door-knocker, shoulder-grazing chandelier earrings are probably not appropriate for the Little League field. Choose your jewelry based on where you’re going and what you are doing. This way, your son can get all the attention on the field – not you.

2.) Placement is key.
The greatest thing about jewelry is that it draws the eye to wherever you wear it. An over-sized brooch may bring too much attention to a large bust. Sparkly earrings would be better to draw the focus away from your cleavage and to your beautiful face instead. If you just came back from the nail salon, wear a pretty ring to show off your manicure.

3.) Size it up.
Jewelry should not overpower you. Some larger pieces can be too chunky and clunky for a petite figure. And small pendants or rings could get lost on a larger, taller woman. A good rule to follow is to match the scale of your jewelry to the scale of your features, body, and presence. Think of Natalie Portman, who has very delicate features. She usually wears very pretty, fragile, small pieces of jewelry. Now think of Charlize Theron or Elizabeth Taylor. Both women are taller and have an enormous presence and tend to wear larger jewlery.

4.) Don’t repeat the shape.
If your face is on the rounder side, round earrings will only makes it seem fuller. Repetition of a shape just emphasizes it even more… Which may or may not be a good thing.

5.) Ok, break the rule… but only this one.
Wear silver jewelry if you have cool-toned skin and wear gold jewelry if you are on the warmer side… Blah Blah Blah. This is one rule that can – and should – be broken. Don’t be afraid to mix your metals and have some fun. Gold and silver look spectacular on all women — so just go for it! Wear silver to the office and switch to gold in the evening to add a little more impact and to change your look. Or mix your metals for a unique, fun style that’s  all your own. (Not sure about wearing both at one time? Wear one small piece, such as the Brushed Silver & Gold Necklace from Stella & Dot, to get yourself comfortable with wearing both silver and gold.)

Stella & Dot Brushed Silver & Gold Necklace

Got Stella?

Stella & Dot is a brand new jewelry company that launched in the U.S. in April 2008. All the jewelry is hand-crafted with precious stones and made with sterling silver and 14kt gold vermeil. It’s luxe, couture jewelry for a steal!

As your Personal Jewelry Stylist with Stella & Dot, I can help you update your style with a few pieces of jewelry. I’ll be able to show you how to take your look from simple to sensational… in a snap! And I’ll be showing you how to do that on these pages of my blog!

Stay tuned for more style info….

Stylishly Yours,
Erin
🙂