Do you know about the “arm party” phenom? Of course you do…stacked bangles haven’t been this big since Madonna. But I’m a little too, um, something, to rock the full arm of plastic bracelets like I did when I was 12. Plus, most of us have jobs now, that necessitate both typing and not looking like we just came from an all-night dance club, which means the full-fledged arm party just isn’t practical for most of us.

But that doesn’t mean you have to sit this one out. No, I’ve honed my arm party to a carefully-calculated science, friends – it’s the perfect balance between fashion and practicality, and I promise – totally, utterly wearable.

Here’s my formula:

{First my feet, now my arm…what’s next? Full body shot? Imagine!}

Yep, that’s my very own arm. See? It’s like arm-party-lite. It still makes the statement, while keeping your wrist free to conduct business as usual. Want the details on all that beautiful bling? Of course you do.

Those delicious gem-studded bangles are from Kara Ackerman – the green prehnite at the top is my favorite, with the rose quartz running a very close second. If you love them, you are going to loooooove the party Kara and I have cooked up for Black Friday (that’s what we like to call a “teaser.” You’re on the edge of your seat, right?).

The studded bangles, and that gorgeous rose gold leather wrap bracelet are all from Gorjana, a perennial favorite of mine for making luxe, on-trend pieces you can actually afford. That leather wrap is especially wonderful because it fits trim to your wrist. Layer it closest to your hand, and it will keep everything else from sliding down (and from banging on the desk while you type).

There are a few vintage bangles mixed in there, which you can find for about $1 at just about any thrift shop. And the sparkly crystal ones are from J.Crew, though I don’t recommend them as they’ve snagged about 800 of my sweaters.

Last but not least is the big chunky watch. Mine was my grandfather’s, so you can’t possibly get that cool, I think. But Michael Kors makes my absolute favorite menswear-inspired watches – if you don’t already have one, it’s a must. The big watch really anchors this look, and takes it from Material Girl to Thoroughly Modern Millie. Or something like that. Just make sure you put fitted bracelets on either side of the watch to protect it, or the watch will clunk around and end up getting scratched. Lesson learned the hard way, friends.

What do you think about the arm party? Are you ready to give it a try? Be bold, my friends…and mighty bracelets will come to your aid.

I am so excited to show you this beautiful new collection – and not just because it was designed by a dear friend, the incredibly talented Amy Wing. Not even because this gorgeous lookbook, shot in Oregon wine country, was styled by another dear friend. Just because it’s so beautiful, so unique, and so perfect for this cozy, cold time of year, I can’t imagine anything more perfect.

Amy was inspired by the beautiful ironwork detailing she saw on a recent trip to Venice…and every single piece in this collection takes me straight off on a mental Italian holiday. Since an actual Italian holiday isn’t happening any time soon, I think the least I could do for myself is pick up one of these pretties and call it a souvenir.

Take a little mental vacation of your own by checking out all of these gorgeous lookbook photos, or do as I usually do, and head straight for the gift shop.

(PS – if you look closely, you’ll see my very own Hunter boots made a cameo in this shoot! I just hope all the fame doesn’t go to their head.)

Oh, Gemma Redux…just when I thought I was over all of those beautiful tangled chains, you had to update your look…and once again, I’m utterly in love. Designer Rachel Dooley (a fellow ex-Esq.) is sheer genius when it comes to setting trends instead of following them. I hardly know where to start.

I actually gasped…out loud…when I saw that last piece. (I think my husband thought I’d injured myself while web-surfing. Now he just thinks I’m crazy.) Smitten doesn’t even begin to cover it. All of these, really, are fantastic not only for their design and beauty, but for the endless versatility. I’d absolutely love to pair any of these with a dress, of course, but imagine wearing one of them with a simple cream cashmere sweater and a slim trouser, or even a straight-leg denim. Unbelievable. And, really, not entirely prohibitive…all of these pieces are under $500, which astounds me.

Check out all of Rachel’s gorgeous creations over at Gemma Redux, and just try to escape without a gasp. I dare you.

Happy Friday, everyone…what a week it’s been! I’ve hardly had time to breathe, let alone blog, but that hasn’t stopped me from amassing quite a list of Friday Finds. Even when I’m swimming in things to do, I always manage to find time to covet.

First, I’ve found a new love: BeautyAddicts’ “Double Deception” concealer. The right half is lighter and creamier, so it’s perfect for under the eyes, and the left side works wonders for the rest of your face. It’s all very Alice in Wonderland/magic caterpillar mushroom, but the results are flawless.

I’m obsessing a little over wanting a new pair of ankle boots for the fall. While I’m terrified of light-colored suede for a number of reasons (rain in Portland + denim = blue stripes all over my boots. Not cool.), these are calling to me. And, at $120, I can actually afford to listen.

Have you seen the latest goodies at J.Crew? I’m obsessed with a couple of things: specifically, this tweed jacket and that sequined top. Truthfully, I dream of being able to pull off sequins for day, and I’m thinking if ever there was a reasonable candidate, it’s this one.

And speaking of glitz and glam, I am fascinated by this ring. I can’t exactly figure out how it would look on, but how wrong could it be? I’m smitten.

Even though I’m mad as hell at Target over my whole Missoni debacle, I have to show you this Sonia Kashuk brush set. The brushes are great, the metallic tweed clutch is adorable (and actually cute enough to be carried as a clutch), and the whole thing is $25. I’d have bought the clutch alone for that price, so consider the brushes a highly useful bonus.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends. I’m hoping to spend a couple of hours with my husband and George Clooney…and I’ll see you back here next week!

Every so often, I get a wild hair about a DIY project. I see something ( it’s usually jewelry), and I say to myself, “Self, you have to have that! But it’s $200/$400/$1,000,000!” Then comes the scary part. You know what’s coming…say it along with me. “You know, I could totally make that!”

We’ve all said it at some point, no? And then it goes into our mental DIY file, the place we put all those projects we plan to do, never to be seen or heard from again.

But, for once in my life, I actually finished one of these little DIY dreams. Can you imagine? And so, blatantly plagarized for your enjoyment, the Etten Eller necklace I couldn’t live without:

And my version:

What do you think, friends? Not quite as wonderful as the original, but it’s not bad for $50 in beads, I think. I do have some residual guilt about knocking off a designer piece, but the I-did-it-myself pride is doing a good job of mitigating that for me. Of course, if you factor in the 15 hours I spent hemming and hawing, finding suppliers, actually deciding to order the goods, and the relatively minor 45 minutes it took me to make the necklace once I had everything, I’m not sure I actually saved any money. But if you’re more decisive than I am, it’s definitely worth the effort!

On the off chance you get a wild hair about doing the same thing, I’ll give you a list of materials and tips after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

You are going to absolutely flip for our newest sponsor, friends – I’ve been a fan of hers for ages, and am so thrilled to welcome her to the fold at SMC!

Grayling Jewelry just launched its fall collection – Northern Lights – and the pieces are maybe my favorite she’s ever done. Full of bold, faceted stones and rich, decadent chain, these are pieces that make a statement, but still manage to be incredibly wearable.

When I told Katy Kippen, the uber-talented designer behind Grayling, that I’d be writing up a little something on her line, she suggested that I pick one piece to feature. It’s like choosing one piece of candy in a store, friends…I’d never be able to choose between the cinnamon bears and the marshmallows. And so it is with Katy…but I’ve managed to narrow it down:

{Clockwise from top left: Tail Arc earring, $88; Magnetism necklace, $315;
Cassini bracelet, $145;  Pytheas necklace (it’s reversible!), $295.}

So many pretties! And one of my favorite things about Katy is that she’s always thinking about versatility – so many of her designs are reversible or variable in a few different ways. Which brings me to one of my top two pieces:

Yes, that’s one piece, friends. One long necklace you can wear dozens of different ways – in fact, it converts to a lariat-style drop pendant too. No wonder it’s called the Variability necklace.

Yep, I think that’s my favorite. Well, except for this:

How could I possibly choose? Sure, the Northern Lights can’t be rearranged in a thousand different configuations, but there’s something about those champagne-colored crystals and drapes of chain that I just know I’d want to wear every chance I got (as evidenced by the fact that, when I borrowed it for a photo shoot recently, I kept it much longer than was at all appropriate).

Go check out all of the stunning eye candy over at Grayling Jewelry and show them some SMC love, won’t you?

Welcome back, friends! I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. And a special welcome to the stylish readers of Corporette, where I’m filling in for the lovely Kat all this week while she adjusts to life with a brand new, bouncing baby boy.

It’s the most wonderful week of the year, friends: my birthday week! Long-time readers will know I take my birthday pretty seriously, so this is exciting stuff. I get to spend all week hanging with friends and loved ones, eating junk food and plotting fantasizing about all the presents that will be waiting for me when the Big Day finally arrives.

As always, my wish list is long…not to mention aspirational. Still, what’s the point of having a blog if you can’t use it to indulge a few retail fantasies? These are just a few of the pieces I’m hoping will magically appear at my house this week.

Kara Ackerman’s pieces are always high on my wishlist…she just has a way with me. This year, I’ll admit I’m mostly dreaming of her amazing Audrey disc necklace (so, so divine!), but I’d be tickled blue to see that perfect turquoise bangle appear, especially with a couple of her Bamboo bangles to stack alongside.

{Kara Ackerman bangles, $50-150 each}

I’ve been wanting one of these Proenza Schouler PS1 pochettes since they first launched, but this limited edition for Fashion’s Night Out (at right) has me more determined than ever. Best event souvenir ever, don’t you think?

{Proenza Schouler FNO wallet, $195 – photo courtesy of Vogue.com}

I’m fully into fall boot mode already, and these chic little Austin boots from UGG, of all places, are going to be an amazing transitional shoe. That Navajo detailing on the collar makes them right on trend, and they look infinitely pricier than they are.

{UGG Austin boot, $200}

There’s nearly always something from Vince on my birthday list…they do fall like no one else. This year, it’s the bouclé fringe-trim jacket, which takes just a touch of inspiration from the Chanel I so idolize, but with an edgier, youthful vibe (not to mention infinitely more affordable).

{Vince contrast-trim boucle jacket, $395}

Every fall I start craving a new coat. This year, the color’s red. The DVF version I’m lusting after is almost certainly cost-prohibitive. But this updated peacoat from Talbots (who is really hitting it out of the park this year) strikes the perfect note between sporty and sleek, and that deep cherry red is exactly what I’m after.

{Talbots Marmount peacoat in red berry, $245}

Lucky girl that I am, I did get one pair of beautiful Loeffler Randalls for my birthday already (proof that obsessive pining works!). Could I possibly be lucky enough to score a second? These patent black wedges scream classic, but somehow feel as perfect for jeans as they do for trousers. I’d be so, so happy to add these to the Loeffler collection in my closet.

{Loeffler Randall Risa wedge, $395}

A set of custom calling cards has always been a dream of mine – especially a set from Rifle Paper Co. Honestly, I’ve spent so much time thinking about what custom illustration I’d have them do…I could probably have just buckled down at work and paid for the cards by now if I were smarter. But where’s the fun in that?

{Rifle Paper Co custom calling cards, starting at $135}

And, on the more reality-based end of the spectrum, these pieces from Deep Dark Africa (fast becoming a new favorite of mine) are unbelievably affordable, impeccably on-trend, and manage to do some good for people far away. But mostly, they’re just beautiful.

{Deep Dark Africa horn & brass bead necklace, $29, and bangles, $10.50 (for a set of 3!)}

It takes a lot for a photograph to impress me…I spend most of my days looking at them, and I have a very talented photographer for a husband. So, when I tell you I adore this photo of Paris, and am dying to have it on my wall, you know it’s something special.

{Paris is a Feeling, by Irene Suchocki, $125}

Who says I’m hard to buy for?

Friends, I have a couple of new sponsors to introduce you to…and, as always, I hope you’ll give them a wonderfully warm welcome. Not only are they incredibly talented, stylish designers, but they’re fantastic people, each and every one.

Today, I’m excited to show you the latest and greatest from Acanthus Jewelry. Her designs have such a beautiful, delicate aesthetic – I can imagine wearing any of her pieces my whole life long. The newest collection at Acanthus is just the tiniest bit edgier than some of her other pieces, but still has plenty of that femininity I adore. I’m a huge, huge fan.

That chevron locket just belongs on my neck – the longer length is so fresh and chic, I know I’d never take it off. Luckily, her pieces are incredibly affordable – most are under $100, in fact. Definitely worthy of giving yourself a little weekday treat, don’t you think?

Happy Friday, friends! Are you relishing these last few summer weekends? I’ve been woefully neglectful of my barbecue, which I’m hoping to remedy this weekend. Also, we finally have a backyard that’s habitable, and I can hardly wait to bust out our patio set. Here’s hoping we get a few more rain-free weekends to put them to good use.

And, with that, on to this week’s Finds!

First, I have to tell you about the two beauty products that have been saving me this summer. I didn’t quite realize their collective power until I spent a weekend at the beach, and had not even a trace of a sunburn on my alabaster (well, pale, at any rate) skin. Honestly. No sunglasses tan lines, no new freckles…nothing. Considering how much my hair bleached out over those two days, I think that’s pretty impressive. So, first, props to DDF Weightless Defense UV Moisturizer SPF 45 (wow, that’s a mouthful).

Yes, it smells like sunscreen – but only for a second when you first put it on. No, it didn’t make me break out, not even a little. Not even when I first switched over. That, friends, is impressive. If you have sun in your future, switch to this immediately.

Second, Sue Devitt’s SpaComplexion tinted moisturizer with “hydrating marine minerals”. I’ve actually had this on hand to try for a few months, but my skin was still too pasty pale from the winter. (Yes, their lightest shade was still too dark for me. Don’t judge.) But my skin finally colored just enough for me to start using this about a month ago (before I’d switched to the mighty DDF sunscreen, mind you), and I’m completely infatuated. It looks and feels like there’s nothing there at all (so you can claim that “no makeup” look), and does a masterful job of glossing over the bad, and generally evening out my skin tone. And again, no breakouts…unlike the 4 other tinted moisturizers I tested.

But enough about my trip, right? This has been a huge jewelry week for me – possibly because I’ve had samples from some of my favorite designers lying around my house all week. Sadly, they have to go back. But in their place, I’m thinking very seriously about some new little bauble for myself. This stunner of a statement necklace from DANNIJO is unbelievable. Cocktail dress? Sure. But just picture this with a grey tee and cutoff shorts. The design is exclusive to my friends at Charm & Chain, which makes me want it even more! I do love a little exclusivity.

And speaking of jewels, Lulu Frost’s collection for J.Crew just debuted. Isn’t it pretty?

It’s possible I’ve been reading too much of The American Heiress (fantastic guilty summer read, by the way), as I’m clearly craving an awful lot of sparkle these days. Speaking of, have you seen all the gorgeous mirrored and sparkly shoes at Topshop right now? They remind me of a grown-up version of Dorothy’s ruby slippers. I’m envisioning them with jewel-toned tights and a great 1940s-inspired dress…unbelievable!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend in store, friends – as for me, I have a huge pile of SEPTEMBER ISSUES staring me down. Best time of the year! I can’t wait to curl up at Peets with my trusty cappuccino and dig in. What do you have planned?

Happy Friday, friends! As usual, there’s no rhyme or reason to this week’s list, though I am noticing an abundance of ultra-bright color. It must be summertime.

The hubs and I have some fun travel plans over the next few months, and I can tell you there’s nothing I’d rather be toting my travel gear in more than this bold blue weekender bag. I love the bright hue, the tribal vibe and the leather trim, and I have a feeling it’d be light as a feather.

It’s still a little early to be thinking fall trends, but this ladylike silk blouse from Madewell will be just the thing with those below-the-knee skirts this fall.

After spotting this beautiful street style image from Atlantic-Pacific…

…I can’t stop thinking about adding a chic pair of bright pants to my denim-centric wardrobe. While I’m normally terrified by the idea of a capri, these candy-colored versions from J.Crew look more like an ankle-grazing length than a mid-calf affair, rendering them infinitely more stylish. Now, to pick a color!

And, now that I think about it, that emerald blouse would look pretty amazing with any of these – especially the blue. Be bold, friends!

While I was never a big fan of Gretchen Jones while she was on Project Runway, I have to admit that her new line of jewelry for Piperlime is good. A lot of the pieces miss the mark by *that* much (a spiked earring that would be so much more amazing if the post weren’t dead center, and a long necklace that would be strikingly perfect if the pendant pieces were a bit further down the chain), but there are some styles I’m seriously contemplating. But…no returns allowed on these pieces, so I’m proceeding with caution.

I almost never swoon over baby/kiddie goods (I’m pretty sure I’m missing a gene), but these prints from Heather Ross are a little too perfect. They’re called “Cranky Princesses” – hysterical! Now I just need some little girls to buy them for…

And now, I’m off to spend a fun, relaxing weekend with my BFF, who’s coming to town. I can’t wait! Hope you have something equally fun in store.