This season is all about gift giving and reflecting on our many blessings, and as we near Christmas, one of my favorite traditions, besides setting up our nativity scene and Christmas tree, is picking out a poinsettia at church. Since I was little my family has always purchased one. They arrive at the church and fill the front with their beauty, and then on the designated day, we were invited to pick ours out, and take it home. This year I am doing the same from the church that Jhonathan and I attend. I have always loved the rich red of the blooms and leaf-like design. The shape is thought to be a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which guided the Wise Men to Jesus, and the color symbolizes the blood of Christ. Learning of these ties to the Poinsettia has only enhanced my love for the flower and this tradition over the years.
For those of you who have been following me for quite some time know that I lost my grandmother last year. This was very hard on me as we are like the same person. Same stubbornness, same humor, same love for sweets and honestly we looked quite a bit alike as well! I know that she will always be with me and that I will always cherish the memories we shared, but I really wanted something special to have that when I saw it, or wore it, it would be for her. James Avery has a line of Remembrance Jewelry which was perfect for what I was looking for.
Jewelry tells a story. It holds memories, represents milestones, and helps to establish ones style.
Since I was young, James Avery has always been a familiar jewelry brand to me. When it comes to mind, the first thoughts I have are; charm bracelets, sterling silver, and impeccable quality. The pieces I have received over the years are still in tip-top condition, and have yet to go out of style! James Avery artisans craft their pieces to last, and with such beautiful detail and care!
For this holiday collaboration, I selected 2 pieces to add to my collection. Those pieces each represent something special in my life, which I am going to share with you now!
The first piece I selected was the Eiffel Tower Charm. I selected it in sterling silver and decided to wear it as a pendant necklace versus adding it to my charm bracelet. At this point in my life, a necklace fits in more with my lifestyle and I love that their pieces are versatile enough to accommodate! I chose this charm because this year for my birthday, Jhonathan and I traveled to Paris for the first time. This has been a travel destination for me for as long as I can remember, and to have the opportunity to visit the “city of lights” was such an incredible blessing! I wear this necklace as a reminder of our adventure, memory of our trip and my birthday, as it was a cornerstone one!
Next up is this incredibly detailed Compass ring. I absolutely love this piece and selected it because of my desire to travel, and explore the world. There is so much out there to see and appreciate, I wear this ring to remind me of where I’ve been and to represent all of the places I’ll go! I suffer from anxiety which, for a short period of time, greatly depleted my ability to live a normal life -much even think about traveling. I promised myself that if I got better I would not let my fears keep me from experiencing all of the things I wanted to with my life and that’s exactly what I have been doing! This ring serves as such an important reminder to me, to not give up, and honestly makes me so proud for all of the things I have accomplished.
Although many people may have the same piece of jewelry, the memories attached, and stories the pieces tell, are as unique and special as the person they belong to, and I love that! So consider picking out a piece for that special someone in your life this season, and if you are in the Houston area, there is a new location off of Post Oak and Westheimer, perfectly located near the Galleria!
Since it gets pretty hot here in Houston, my summertime wardrobe generally consists of shorts. Because of that, I like to find creative ways to spice up my ensemble with sparkling and fun accessories that maybe wouldn’t normally be paired with shorts. Enter this over the top large and in charge statement necklace from Mirina Collections. I had the opportunity to try out their brand and selected two pieces from their collection. This one is by far my favorite! Pairing such an eye catching piece with shorts, and a solid top really changes the feel of the look.
For added fun and sun protection I paired this look with my current favorite grey faux suede hat, and to coordinate with the texture and shade, I am wearing these on-trend mules by Kensie from Stage. This style of shoe is super comfortable and gives any look a little 90’s throwback.
By adding these accessories to my look an otherwise simple top and classic pair of shorts is transformed into a trendy ensemble that demands attention.
What I’m Wearing
The top I have on is from Romwe. I am actually really pleased with the quality of the piece. The design is well crafted and the fit is on point. This top is only available in one size so I am sure it will fit everyone a little differently, but I do like how it fits!
For bottoms, I am wearing high waisted shorts from Shein. These are currently my favorite pair of shorts! They are super flattering and I can pair them perfectly with my cropped shirts for a modestly trendy look.
My top was only $9.99 and the shorts were just $15.00 so if you are on a summer budget, these pieces are definitely worth ordering as they are transitional and can easily pair with other pieces in your wardrobe!
I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with JORD watches, and have had the privilege to wear, and review one of their timepieces. Seriously guys, this is my new favorite watch! Below I am going to explain to you all of the reasons why I am in love with this watch and, why it is the perfect Christmas gift for you to give, and receive this season. AND at the end of my post, check out the link to get yourself an e-gift card from JORD to go towards your purchase! Sounds pretty awesome, right?
To start things off, I will share with you the watch I selected. I have a pretty dainty wrist so I selected the Frankie 35, which is a smaller faced watch, and with with a bright turquoise face for fun and a pop of color. I felt the metallic sheen really stood out against the dark sandalwood. Every watch JORD creates is downright beautiful, and unique. They offer a variety of faces and woods so that there is something for everyone!
When my package arrived in the mail, I could not wait to open it, and I must say, the JORD watch box is something else! A solid wood construction with magnetic closures, and a bottom pull out trinket drawer for accessory pairings! I was amazed by not only the quality of this product, but also the craftsmanship. Once I opened the box, I unveiled my new glorious watch resting on an embroidered JORD cushion. I quickly slipped off and onto my wrist to get a full take of the watch.
As I mentioned, the watch I selected is made of sandalwood. When I opened the watch box I immediately caught the fragrant aroma of the wood, which to me is greatly appealing! This natural calming scent is yet another bonus to this elegant timepiece. Also, since the amount of metal used is extremely minimal, the watch is very light making bracelet stacking and accessorizing effortless.
For the quality, craftsmanship, uniqueness and durability, I think this watch is offered at an amazing price. Perfect for your boss, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, or any watch lover in your life! So skip the lines this Black Friday and hop onto JORD.com to get all of your holiday shopping covered! Don’t forget to check out the link to get your $25 e-gift card gift card!!
Happy Shopping!! <3
Giveaway Link: https://www.woodwatches.com/g/redrhinestone
Giveaway Info: The giveaway will close 12/18/2016 at 11:59 pm. Every person who enters will be instantly emailed a $25 e-gift code to use on the JORD site! Each e-gift code will expire on 02/28/2017.
Check out my Christmas Gift inspiration board of Pinterest!
I don’t know what it is, but I have really been into wearing black right now. It just never goes out of style! So for this look I decided to pair a lot of my favorite textures…I know, just because I like it, does not mean it will pair nicely together, but in this case, I would say… SUCCESS!
Here I chose to mix a chunky textured knit sweater, faux suede skirt, fringe and quilted faux leather booties to complete the look. It does sound like a lot going on, but since everything is the same color, it works!
I wanted to create a fun look-something that would be easy to wear, and ideally for night time occasions. Also, something to keep with the current textural trends, but cool enough to wear out with the weather we are experiencing here in Houston, and I came up with this!
For accessories I decided on a clutch from Ralph Lauren and a gorgeous statement necklace from Kendra Scott. This particular piece is actually from Rocksbox! I am loving this subscription service, and cannot stop raving about it! Since jewelry trends move quickly it is really nice to be able to wear quality pieces and try them out before deciding to invest. I will provide a link and code at the end of the blog if anyone is interested in a getting a free month of unlimited jewelry rentals!
And once the temperatures drop, layering a jacket over this ensemble is all you will need! Here I have styled a black faux suede studded jacket from XOXO with this ensemble to add yet another layer of interesting texture and dimension (but saying true to my color palette.)
Details on the look:
Jacket: XOXO brand Stage Stores
Skirt: Joe B. Stage Stores
Sweater: Calvin Klein Stage Stores
Boots: Hautelook
Necklace: Kendra Scott Rocksbox
Click here to sign up for a free month of Rocksbox! redrhinestonexoxo
So for those who know me, one of my favorite pieces of jewelry to style up an outfit with is a great bracelet. I trend to be an animated speaker so my arm candy needs to always be on point. 😉 When I came across Luca-Love bracelets, I knew I needed to try them out.
When purchasing from Luca-Love you are not only purchasing a beautifully crafted bracelet, but you are helping someone in need. Each and every bracelet is crafted by a Colombian woman, giving her the opportunity of employment, and a skill to provide income to her family. Not only that, but Luca-Love also partners with many non-profit organizations so your purchase goes towards these endeavors as well!
Their website is super easy to navigate and I love how you can get creative when selecting your perfect stack. All macrame bracelets are complementary to one another and are offered in a variety of colors.
I have to tell you, after receiving my order the compliments, and positive feedback began flooding in. I chose a very neutral palette for my first stack and could not have been happier with it! There is a perfect balance between sparkle and natural elements. So you can literally wear them with everything!
Paulina, the brilliant mind behind Luca Love, was so kind as to send me a few additional pieces which I have started to incorporate, and LOVE! The glimmering turquoise is such a fun color and I really enjoy wearing it.
This small statement makes such a huge impact, and I must say, it’s so nice to feel good about what you are wearing. Not only because it is a cute accessory but because each piece goes towards a greater good. Each bracelet tells a story, and you get the privilege to spread the word! Be the change and make a difference this month! Support a wonderful cause and be proud to wear these beautiful bracelets wherever you go. I know I do. <3
Featured brand: Luca-Love
Bracelets featured:
- Baru
- Dani Fatima Hand in Satin
- Ally in Sepia and Gold
- Maite
- Luca Tree of Life in Satin and Gold
- Juan Fish Hook in Turquoise and Silver
As I start the transition into fall, faux suede and fringe come to mind. The downside to this is thick fabrics, layering, and the fact that it is blistering hot here in Houston. So, for this shopping outing I wanted to wear something comfortable and cool but still toss in these warmer elements to ring in the new season. Here’s what I came up with!
I have a feeling I will be pairing this lightweight fringe vest over many ensembles this season as it has such a lovely color, great length, and flattering fit. And this dress! I cannot say enough about this dress. It has a faded denim print and a lovely floral embroidered bodice, perfect for this hippie boho look! Paired together, I was ready to conquer the day.
To tie everything in, I chose a pair of comfortable platform heels with faux leather and suede elements, and accessorized with stacked bracelets, a giant deer ring, and horn necklace which added some sparkle and shine.
This look is going to be wonderful for early fall as it is short, and the materials are lightweight but give off the appearance of thicker and warmer fabrics. Since our temperatures here aren’t leaving the 90’s any time soon I can welcome fall in style with ensembles like this without melting!
Until next time…peace, love and keep cool out there!
<3
Dress, vest shoes: Stage Stores
Handbag: Henri Bendel
Accessories: Henri Bendel Baublebar Sam Moon