Personality Style Challenge for Brilliant Earth

Last week I was contacted by the folks at Brilliant Earth - makers of ethical origin fine jewelry - and asked to take part in their blogger Personality Style Challenge.

If you know me well, you are aware that I'm a bit of a magpie ("bit of a" might also be a HUGE understatement!!) and I cannot resist anything that sparkles. And if you've read this blog for a long time you know that I am not in the habit of partnering with companies, so you know this one had to speak to me.

Before I get to the style challenge, let me introduce you to this fantastic company:

Brilliant Earth is a jewelry company with a cause. They are committed to offering quality diamonds and fine jewelry which are ethically sourced. At the same time offering great service as well as contributing to the jewellery industry - donating 5% of their profits to benefit communities affected by the blood diamond trade and the jewellery industry.

I know that can all seem pretty heavy for a little lifestyle/fashion blog, but diamonds are fashion and I think most people forget that lives can be on the line in the diamond trade. If you purchase your wedding ring/engagement ring/diamond earrings from a company like Brilliant Earth you can rest assured that you are part of the solution and not the problem. I like that. Fashion with a conscious. This is part of the reason I like to shop second hand - it reduces waste and reuses perfectly good - and sometimes stunningly beautiful - clothing that might otherwise be unused.

And more to that note, I was also quite excited to learn that Brilliant Earth offers a curated selection of antique jewelry, engagement and wedding rings. Please click the links and prepare to swoon (Christmas is only 8 days away people! haha!)


So now that you've had a proper introduction, onto the style challenge! I was sent a list of personalities with corresponding jewellery from Brilliant Earth and was asked to make a style board to compliment the jewelry and personality of my choice. It wasn't a tough decision. I had to pick the vintage girl - who loves vintage dresses and thrift store shopping (sound like anyone you know?!?!).
I've called her "Vintage Loving Gal"

1. The Promenade Earrings - Brilliant Earth

2. Black 30's Tilt Slouch Hat with Rhinestones - Etsy

3. Polka Dot Blouse with Removable Flower - Jacob

4. Cream Leather Motorcycle Jacket - Danier Leather

5. Black 30's Hand Embroidered Evening Clutch - Etsy

6. White Gold Hudson Ring - Brilliant Earth

7. Eternity Diamond Ring - Brilliant Earth

8. High Waisted Keynote Address Pants in Teal - Modcloth

9. 40's Kelly Green Leather Platform Peep Toe Pumps - Etsy

10. Ruby Woo Lipstick - MAC

Choosing Brilliant Earth's antique and vintage inspired jewelry was a no-brainer for me…I mean, The Promenade Earrings…they've got me seriously swooning. Please, click on the link above or enlarge my collage to see them clearer…you won't be disappointed.
I also love their choice of rings for the vintage loving gal - the Hudson Ring and the Tiara Eternity Diamond ring - both in white gold. They are both beautiful and classic with just enough vintage style without being garish. I would wear them on the same hand or stack them on one finger for maximum bling.

I've paired the jewelry with an outfit I would wear in a heartbeat any day of the week, chosen from my favourite modern retailers and peppered with vintage accessories from Etsy. I think I could even manage to wear this outfit to work with flats!

As usual, it's all about the mix. I love the bling, not only from Brilliant Earth's jewelry, but also in rhinestones on the vintage hat paired with a tough, but chic leather motorcycle jacket from Danier Leather. For me, no outfit is complete without a fabric flower - here on the polka dot blouse. Which I hope would poke out above the collar on the jacket.

More feminine detailing in the delicate 1930's clutch - a nice counter balance to the graphic print on the blouse.

The high waisted teal pants are not only a nod to vintage fashion, but also right on trend both in colour and fit - the best of both worlds, in my opinion. And I couldn't help but pair them with a beautiful pair of vintage 40's platform pumps in a similar colour.

And no vintage loving gal's outfit is complete without some lipstick. What better shade than MAC's bold Ruby Woo?


I had a lot of fun taking part in this challenge (Brilliant Earth will pick 3 winners to be featured on their Pintrest page this Friday!) and frankly, I think my credit card is in danger right now - I am seriously debating buying myself that outfit. Or at least the hat and the clutch! haha! And I've also let The Boy know about Brilliant Earth…you know, in case he finds he needs to do some jewellery shopping for me…*hint hint*.

What do you think of my style board? Anything you would add? Subtract? 

Lisa.xo

Disclaimer: This post is part of Brilliant Earth's blogger Personality Style Challenge. 

All opinions are my own.

Dressing Up a Gift Card

Sorry I've been away all weekend. Two days seems like an eternity on the internet doesn't it?

I've been busy with family functions. A funeral on Friday and a wedding shower on both Saturday and Sunday.

Oh, and I started work this week. It's Prep Week for my next show.

With all this going on I've had little time to buy shower gifts. So a gift card was in order (And really, who doesn't like spending other peoples money?!). The only problem with giving a gift card is that they're not very visually appealing.

I set out to fix this problem with some pretty vintage wrapping.

Both of the Brides-To-Be got a gift card in a box like this:

The paper is vintage wrapped around a small box with a lid. I wrapped the ribbon so to open the box all you have to do is lift the lid!

And of course, the bow and tag are both hand-made by me!

I wish I had taken a photo of the other box, it was similar, but different paper and I made a different bow and tag. Ah well...

Don't you think this makes getting a gift card so much more special? And you can keep the box!

Lisa.xo

Fur Alternative

I've been enthralled by the conversation over at Tuppence Ha'penny regarding the virtues/vices of fur: vintage and new.

I personally love my vintage fur stoles. But for those who may not love fur at all, but crave some of the glamour fur can offer a vintage outfit I have a solution.

While browsing Etsy (my new favourite place for online shopping!!) I found these cute guys at celapiu:

Handmade, felted fox stoles!!!



And my personal favourite:



Are they not awesome!? I am honestly trying to find a little cash in my budget for one of these guys. I am smitten.

Lisa.xo



Great Gift: The Bridal Emergency Kit

I am an uber organized individual. I love to be prepared for any emergency. That's why I think a Bridal Emergency Kit is a great shower gift for any Bride-to-Be. They have so many other things to think about and plan for that sometimes the tiny details are overlooked.

So what better way to give them a head start than starting them a kit for the big day!

I have made a few of these kits over the years and they never fail to be a crowd pleaser. The one I'll show you today was for The Boy's brother's fiancé (let's call her D.). If The Boy and I were married she'd be my sister-in-law, but since we're not (but are as good as married in every other way), I guess she's kinda like my pseudo-sister-in-law...but now I'm just getting off track...

Back to the gift!

The greatest thing about these gifts is that you can go as elaborate as you want. The budget can also be incredibly flexible. I've spent as much as $70 dollars on one of these kits and as little as $20.

Start with a bag. I bought this one at the Dollarstore. I like to buy a bag that is pretty and can be used again. Try to think about the Bride's sense of style. Do you know her wedding colours? The vibe of her wedding? This can be helpful as this bag will be around on the big day.

D. is a non-nonsense kinda girl with modern, down to earth style. I loved the bold stripe on this bag and the long handles. It also features a zip top to keep all the goodies in.
I'm also a fan of custom labels, so I made the tag with some lime green card stock and some ribbon.

Here's what I included in the kit for D.

Here's the breakdown of what I've got here.

1. Band-aids in several sizes
2. Cough Drops
3. Mini Sticky Roller
4. Mini Hairspray
5. Hand Sanitizer
6. Hand Lotion
7. Lip Balm
8. Tums
9. Dental Floss
10. Emery Boards
11. Manicure Set. including two sizes of nail clippers, manicure scissors and tweezers
12. Sewing Kit. try to buy one with thread the same colour as the bridesmaids dresses.
13. Tampons and mini-pads
14. Kleenex
15. Q-tips
16. Hair Elastics tied with ribbon
17. Bobby Pins
18. Here's a close up of #18:

19. Gum. you could include mints instead if you'd like
20. Mini Mirror

I also included a small make-up case to store some of the smaller items. You could include several if you'd like.

When putting together a kit I try to think of any emergency that may occur and what would be needed to fix it quick. I've consulted other lists online in the past, but now that I've made a few of these I've got my own list stored on my computer.

When making these kits I also include a list of other items the Bride may want to include in the kit on the big day. I think this is an important part of the gift for two reasons.
1. I don't have the bride's make-up, deodorant, contact solution or nail polish. She will want these with her on the big day.
2. If funds for the gift are a little low, you can also include items that may break the bank on here that the Bride can choose to add if she likes.

Here's a close up of that list for you:

This card was super easy to make. I found the bride and groom clip art free online, typed up a list, printed it out and glued in onto some more card stock.

Voila! A great gift for any Bride!

Lisa.xo