you all know there’s nothing i love better than discovering new designers, except maybe finding great deals.  so, when the two converged, i was thrilled. 

designer jean jackson of double j designs recently got in touch to tell me about her new jewelry line, and i couldn’t wait to share.  it’s exotic, stylish, and amazingly affordable.  if you spend time on her website, you’re sure to find some gems there.  her brand new nefertiti earrings (above center) have such a fantastic, modern shape.  those aptly-named puerto rico earrings (above left), made of copper and tourmaline would be the ideal addition to my travel case for an upcoming tropical getaway.  and i’m pleased to report that her skagway necklace (above right), is now happily residing in my jewelry box.  so, i can honestly report that her designs are even more lovely in person.  jean’s attention to detail is evident in every piece - from the hand-beading on her necklaces to thoughtful details like using copper instead of gold or silver to set off the tourmaline stone on an earring.

but best of all, if you can believe it - every piece i’ve pointed out is under $20 (okay, the puerto rico earrings are $22).  i have no idea how jean makes it happen, but i’m so glad she does.  take advantage while you can, and pick up a handful of her stunning designs from her website or her etsy shop.

ps…don’t forget to enter the giveaway for that gorgeous pleated frame bag from nest!  just go here to enter!

i can hardly keep track of what’s going on at target lately - designer collections are lining up so quickly, it seems like a new one releases every week.

as usual, though, i’ve fallen for one that’s gotten almost no recognition.  dean harris, a jeweler whose designs you’re usually accustomed to seeing in gorgeous, upscale shops like barneys (with extravagant prices to match) has lent his eye to a new jewelry line for target.  and it’s actually quite lovely.

harris is known for his edgy, twisted-wire pieces, but my favorites from the target collection were those with a little more panache.  the notable exception are these lovely silver leaf earrings ($24.99), which have just enough edge to keep them from being too precious, and are the perfect size for daily wear.  there’s a similar version which includes a dose of green quartz, and i admit i’m torn between the two.

i have to admit, though, i’m most excited about that fantastic double-layer beaded necklace ($59.99)  i have something similar from the lovely and talented jennifer tuton (stay tuned, by the way, for a peek at her newest wares soon!), but the aquamarine stones in her version aren’t quite as versatile as the clear quartz in the dean harris version.  for the price, it should be a fairly substantial piece - i’m excited to check this one out in person.  i think the styling options are endless, particularly with the 24″ length, which should lend to its versatility.

of course, you can get a much lighter look from this gorgeous green quartz necklace ($39.99).  i love the way the stones look like random bubbles on a chain, and i’m dying to wear this with a silk blouse and heavy tweed trousers this fall.  it’s also available in clear and rose, but that green is just lovely.

i also love this twisted vine bracelet, but for $99.99, this is one i have to see in person - $100 for jewelry from target is tough for me to swallow.

in general, this line is impressively well-made, i have to admit.  they’ve used semiprecious stones and actual metals, instead of plastic, and the beaded pieces are individually knotted.  it’s definitely better than i’d expect from a target jewelry line.

check out the entire line at target - they’re offering free shipping on purchases of $50 or more from the line, which should be easy enough to accomplish.

this sale is slowly killing me.  literally every piece is stunning, and all are right about $500 - which means 60-80% off.  hell of a time for a budget-crushing career change.  

still, you should at least check out the eye candy.  as always, let me know (editor at shoppingsmycardio dot com) if you need an invite!

remember the gorgeous alexis bittar jewelry i mentioned a month or so ago?  well, gilt groupe has gotten hold of a whole slew of the designer’s wares, most priced well over 50% off.   

run, don’t walk.  and as always, feel free to email me at editor[@]shoppingsmycardio.com for an invite!  

before i announce, i’d just like to get sappy for a moment and really thank everyone for going gangbusters over the new site.  your comments were so wonderful - they gave me serious warm fuzzies.  and so many of you sent your friends, coworkers, and even family over to check out the new site - it’s been so fun to see so many new faces, along with all of our regular loyal readers that we so adore!  anyway, it’s just beyond thrilling to have each and every one of you around…i’m so flattered, and so grateful.  

aaaaaaaanyway…

my trusty random number generator tells me that the lovely alison is our winner!  alison’s very kind comment:

I really like the new look, especially the header. It looks like it should be easy to navigate as well. Congratulations on the upgrade! 

thank you so much for the kind words, alison!  email me by monday morning with your shipping info, and the lovely ladies at two sisters jewelry will send your goodies right on out!

for those that didn’t win, well, stay tuned.  we have loads of fabulous giveaways planned this month to celebrate the new site (including one we’ll announce monday!).

and in the meantime, for those that didn’t win it, but still covet it - two sisters is offering all of us free shipping through the end of July.  just use code JULYFREESHIP at checkout.  their prices are already so fantastic, the free shipping makes their jewelry such a deal you’d be just silly not to pick something up!

welcome to the fabulous new home of shoppingsmycardio!  if you haven’t already figured this out, it’s time to update your bookmarks and your RSS readers to the new address:  http://www.shoppingsmycardio.com.

to celebrate the new site, i’m so excited to announce a giveaway, sponsored by the lovely ladies of two sisters jewelry.  i just can’t get enough of their new hammered silver collection - it’s the ultimate summer accessory.  the winner will be receiving this fantastic hammered silver necklace and cuff bracelet!  both are just amazing in person…nothing dresses up a tank top and shorts like one of these gorgeous statement pieces. 

to win, just post a comment below and tell me what you think of the new site.  one entry per person, but if you have a friend come by and enter, and if they use your name in their comment (ie, “love the new site, sarah a. sent me!”), that’ll get you a bonus entry. make sense?  oh, and anonymous comments don’t count, of course.

the contest closes thursday at midnight, and i’ll announce a winner on friday, july 11 - be sure to check back then, as you’ll only have until monday morning to claim your prize!  

in the meantime, there will be lots of other goodies this week to keep you busy too…including more giveaways, and an exclusive interview with shoppingsmycardio favorite rebecca minkoff (complete with a sneak peek at her fall line!).  so, sit back, grab a glass of bubbly, and take a look around…i hope you enjoy the new digs!

for all of the time that i spend shopping (and trust me, it’s a lot), i rarely come across a jewelry designer that gets me really excited. i see a lot of “oh, isn’t that cute,” or “if only i could afford that”, but it’s rare for me to really fall hard for a jewelry line. so when i find a designer whose pieces are stylish, well-made, unique, gorgeous, and affordable…well, i have to sing their praises.

the lovely peggy li is my latest find, and i couldn’t be happier. all of her designs are delicate, stylish, impeccably made, and impossibly affordable.

i’ve been wearing her gorgeous ‘diamonds in the rough’ necklace nonstop since it arrived, and people literally stop me on the street when i’m wearing it. i adore the organic shape of those raw diamond beads, and their unusual chocolate brown color. and the chain is this impossibly lacy, delicate link chain…details i would expect from a truly high end designer. in a million years, you’d never guess it was only $65.

another piece i just love is her rudilated quartz spy pendant. it just looks like something you got in some fabulously overpriced antique store, or better yet, in the jewelry department at barney’s. the chain has fabulous detailing, and the stone on that pendant…it’s just such a fantastic statement piece. oh, and did i mention you can order her necklaces in a range of lengths? just makes me love her even more!

and i was just coveting a pair of earrings almost exactly like these brushed gold ovals for an entire episode of gossip girl - how exciting to find them on peggy’s site…for under $50! once again, the detail on these is what makes them really special. that gorgeous brushed gold detail, the wire wrap at the top to add texture - they’re just perfect.

best of all, the designer is just about as sweet as can be - and i always love buying from designers that are still as involved in their product as she is. every piece is still made by hand, by her…and it shows.

head over to peggy’s website, and i think you’ll enjoy getting lost in her world as much i did!

since i love both the flower and the spiny sea creatures, i decided to see what would happen if i just searched for “anemone” on etsy…

anemone photo pendant, $35, adornjewelry

“an enemy or an anemone?” original photograph, $40, janeofalltrades.

not exactly an anemone, but so cool nonetheless. “charming creatures 12″, $100, by lisa congdon.

and now i’m just completely digressing…because these are sea urchins, of course. this is what etsy does to you. sea urchin stationery, $9, by pixelimpress.

i sort of can’t believe this amazingly detailed piece of glass is only 2″ across. anemone gazing orb II, $95, by zenartglass

aren’t these just lovely?? bangles really are all the rage this year, as are punk-inspired studs. but, in both cases, most of the styles out there are a little too predictably trendy for me.

so i was thrilled to find these lovely bangles from gorjana. they manage to incorporate both trends seamlessly…and tastefully. naturally, i couldn’t resist - and it’s all worked out beautifully. these have been a near-perfect addition to my jewelry wardrobe this season - i’ve worn them constantly since they arrived. individually, the style is delicate enough for everyday. but combined, the differing size and shape of the stud accents make these the perfect statement piece.

pick them up (separately, here and here) at gorjana’s website - i love the yellow gold vermeil, but they’re also available in silver. you’re sure to get a lot of mileage out of either.

now this is the ultimate right-hand ring, for those of us that aren’t in the diamond-buying phase of our lives. i love the amazing impact it has, but i also love the incredible detail when you look at it closely. plus, it’ll give me something to fiddle with when i’m at the office! and, it’s actually affordable in sterling, at 330 euros (not so affordable in yellow gold, at 2800 euros, but hey, my wedding ring is platinum anyway).

pick it up from the very talented christa reiners, who will ship you anything you like from her studio in brussels via fedex, at no charge. while you’re there, take a look around - every piece really is incredibly unique and gorgeous. i even love the (amazingly expensive) keychains!