WHIMSY

The mood of fashion this summer is easy, breezy and comfortable. The thought of ironing makes me swoon in this heat, so I personally tend to gravitate toward easy care fabrics that either shake out or look better a bit rumpled.

Lucky for me, I found the perfect summer go-everywhere dress from Mata Traders. Pictured here in mint green, the Cadeau dress is a knit tank dress with a perky polka dot skirt. The fabric is not only adorable, it also contains a history and preserves an art.  Hand block printed with eco-friendly vegetable dyes, this is an artisan based textile tradition existing in India for centuries.

Ultra flattering, the top has a razor back and the skirt hits just at the knee. I love that this dress does double or even triple duty. Wear it for a fun barbeque or outdoor party, as a quick beach cover-up, or even with a cardi and slides for dress down Friday at work! Retail $52.00

Mata Traders is my new secret style weapon against the ongoing sluggish economy because it’s such a great resource for all sorts of wonderful, fashionable pieces that won’t break the bank. From accessories, to bags, to all types of clothing and even fun jewelry you’ll find it there.

But Mata Traders offers more than just great style. The company actually empowers women around the globe because Mata Traders works with organizations that educate and employ women.

Mata products are original designs handmade in India by women’s cooperatives and artisan groups that practice fair trade principles. This means that their producers are paid a livable wage in safe and fair conditions, and do their work at home and in small workshops rather than factories.  Services like on-site day-care, medical check-ups, and even over-time pay are offered!

Mata also uses fair trade certified cottons, which means that they support small family farms that are paid a fair price for their cotton and follow environmental standards that restrict the use of agrochemicals and encourage sustainability.

For a store near you, visit Mata Traders or see they entire line of beautiful items in the online Mata catalog.

Summertime and the livin’ is easy …

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Summer offers the perfect opportunity to incorporate playful pieces into your wardrobe. At what other time of year can you wear Lilly Pulitzer prints to the office or sandals with huge colorful flowers on top?

For me, jewelry is the easiest way to tap into that mood and my favorite online retailer, Rue de Chic has a multitude of choices! From funky earrings, to statement necklaces, to beautiful bangles, to bold cocktail rings and even brooches, this is my one-stop shop for jewelry with an attitude.

One of the best pieces I found just recently is the Olivine ring, pictured. This is costume jewelry at it’s most whimsical. The adjustable  ring features an adorable owl (I call mine Hedwig!) crafted of sparkling crystals in shades of caramel, lime and jet black. It’s perfect for everything from work to weekend. Retail $15.00

Now, you can win an Olivine ring of your own!

So many easy ways to win:

1. MANDATORY – Follow Rue de Chic (please leave a comment to let us know)

2. Leave a comment with this post, 1 entry

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Already a follower?  Just leave us a comment that you follow.

Contest is open until midnight on July 19 and the winner will be notified July 20!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait!and Susan Said What?!

UPDATE 7-20-2010 The winner of the Olivine Owl Ring is Nikki I. from Redwood City, CA. Congratulations Nikki!

EXCITING STUFF!!!

Today, we had a photo shoot with Carlos, our fantastic photographer who took all the images you see on the WHIMSY™ website. We were particularly excited this time around because our new station necklace and matching earrings were the subjects, and we LOVE them! (Although we’re a little biased…)

As you can see in the photo I took, our model, Barbie, continues to help us create beautiful shots that Carlos makes even better with his creative vision.

These two pieces will be the next release from WHIMSY, so stay tuned for the professional photos from the shoot today so you can get an up-close look of what’s new and upcoming!

-Keri

Close your eyes and imagine turquoise. What comes to mind? The sun glinting off of the inviting waters of St. Tropez. A cloudless sky in Hawaii. Or maybe the flash of a tropical bird in St. Thomas. Whatever you envision, turquoise is without question, the color for summer.

Ever since Pantone named turquoise the color of the year for 2010, Keri and I have rhapsodized about this gorgeous shade. Turquoise is one of those perfect colors that just makes everyone look more beautiful. And, it’s so easy to incorporate into your wardrobe – whether it’s a snuggly sweater, breezy scarf or a new belt, the addition of turquoise is an instant update.

I love turquoise throughout the year, but I think it’s absolutely essential for summer. Against bronzed skin, paired with crisp white, or used as an accent, turquoise tops my list of summer must-haves. And of course, I have three of my favorite ways to add turquoise into the mix for you this summer!

First, is a sexy bikini from Voda Swim. This bikini is called the Envy Push Up Aqua Splash String Bikini and is a glorious shade of turquoise. Because this particular color by Voda Swim is also available in several other styles, it was a hard choice. But the simple design of this top will withstand beachside activity a little more strenuous than just sunbathing — from to surfing to volleyball! Retail $110.00

Voda Swim also has a secret!  The magic is in a new patent pending Envy Push Up bikini top which was created by international model Yulia.

The bikini top has a soft enhancer that gives a full, rounded contour with a natural bouncy movement. The Envy Push Up top visually increases bust size by up to two cup sizes and provides great support with a natural lift and flawless cleavage.

The push up pads are made of high density polyester foam which absorbs a very small amount of water. They keep their shape and form when immersed in water, and – best of all – no sagging!

Voda Swim has been discovered by celebs all over the world, and now the rest of us can look that wonderful, too. Check out this month’s magazine covers – from Seventeen to Glamour and see if you don’t agree!

Photo courtesy of Voda Swim.

Next, I absolutely love this wrap watch from La Mer in turquoise. The ultimate summer accessory, this one is appropriately called Turquoise – Gold Seaside and has an extra-long soft leather strap topped with a double chain, plus adorable nautical charms.

All of the La Mer Collections contain classic watch faces designed exclusively by Martine Ilana. These are paired with beautiful leather straps, each of which is hand assembled in the United States. The watches have a Seiko watch movement and are nickel free. Retail $110.00

La Mer was established in 2001 when fonder Martine rummaged through her jewelry drawer and could not find a simple, stylish and feminine watch to wear. Combining her passion for design, love of quality materials and simple beauty, La Mer Collections was born.

Martine’s inspiration is drawn from her journeys: South Africa’s colorful markets, Bali’s lush flowers, Italy’s gorgeous leathers and Thailand’s clear blue ocean. Each season La Mer’s color palette is chosen from these bright and colorful experiences. And, lucky for us, this year’s collection includes stylish turquoise!

Photo courtesy of La Mer.

Finally, my handbag addiction has reared its ugly head once more, because I don’t have a – gasp – turquoise handbag! I found the perfect solution at Rue de Chic. The Turquoise “Eva”" Clutch is sophisticated handbag that I can pair with work ensembles, weekend wear — even a casual sundress! Retail $40.00

Rue de Chic is one of my newest, favorite shopping haunts. For the unique and unexpected with a distinctive European flair, this site is a must-see. In addition to this fab turquoise clutch, Rue de Chic offers a huge array of fashions, accessories, trendy jewelry – just about everything you’ll need to enjoy your summer in style!

Photo courtesy of Rue de Chic.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Maybe it’s the heat or the feeling left over from years of hooray-I’m-out-of-school summer freedom, but from June through August, I just can’t dress seriously! No stuffy pinstripes, no matched suits, and no more black!

Instead, I favor bright reds, lime greens and hot pinks (sometimes all in one print!), strappy shoes and a much more playful attitude. The addition of whimsical jewelry and accessories that would look decidedly out of place in my “real” wardrobe are a daily delight (and surprise to my coworkers!)

To celebrate the joy of my favorite season, I found several key pieces that you can easily and affordably add to your wardrobe to keep that summer feeling alive.

First, from Danforth Pewter are these adorable Dragonfly Pewter Mini Wire Earrings. The earrings have exquisite details and are created from 100% lead-free fine pewter. The French wires are surgical stainless steel, which is perfect for me, since I have base metal reactions. Retail $15.00

In addition to the adorable dragonflies, Danforth Pewter has a host of other charming creatures from which to choose. From baby sea turtles to gangly tree frogs to elegant hummingbirds!

Each piece is handcrafted in the Danforth Peweter’s  Middlebury, Vermont workshop.  Fred and Judi Danforth founded Danforth Pewter in 1975, reviving a Danforth family tradition that stretches back to 1755 when Thomas Danforth II opened a pewter workshop in colonial Connecticut. You can even find early American Danforth pewter in Colonial Williamsburg’s collection, the Smithsonian and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston!

Photo courtesy of Danforth Pewter.

Next, I discovered Sea Fairies in San Diego. Sea Fairies may be continent away from rural Vermont, but offers the same fanciful attitude that perfectly meshes with my summer mindset!

The Watermelon Ring by Sea Fairies is absolutely luscious! Gorgeous smooth slices of watermelon toumaline mix perfectly with little rondelles of multi-colored tourmaline in this quirky cocktail ring. The pompom of tourmaline is poised on a triple band of lightly hammered gold filled wire. Retail $65.00

Sea Fairies also offers an exceptional range of gorgeous necklaces, bracelets,  earrings, as well as additional must-have rings, all crafted of striking semi-precious stones.

Photo courtesy of Sea Fairies.

Finally, I can’t face summer without a new bag from Kura Design! I have a well documented handbag addiction which Kura is happy to feed. My most recent addition is the Kitten, a fanciful pink and green swirl design, beaded with thousands of tiny glass seed beads, fully lined, with an easy snap closure. The bag has a soft frame and unlike many beaded bags, is actually large enough to hold my cosmetics, cell phone, keys, credit cards, and all that mysterious stuff I seem to carry! Retail $68.00

The Kura line of bags is wonderfully extensive. In addition to my preppy little bag there are exquisite beaded bags for evening events, weddings, proms and more. Kura also has beautiful bags in lizard, fabric – even spectacular feathered bags!

The Kura story is also inspiring. After living overseas for nearly four years, Kura Founder Margo Schlossberg got used to being able to pick up items that were stylish, unique and crafted with quality — all for an affordable price.

Returning back to the US and working the normal 9-5 life, she dreamed of something more exciting. It became clear that Margo needed to start her own business, capitalizing on a love for color, style, and uniqueness. And so, Kura Design was born.

The word Kura is actually Indonesian, meaning “turtle.”  Since each tortoise has a unique shell and swims freely in the sea, Margo’s thought was that each Kura bag would have a unique style that would allow you to express your freedom.

Photo courtesy of Kura Design.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

“A fashionista without any effort.” That’s how actress Reshma Shetty describes her character Divya Katdare on USA Network’s summer smash series Royal Pains and I agree!

Divya, the practical, efficient physician’s assistant for HankMed is also always impeccably dressed in elegant, simple silhouettes. She accentuates these classic choices with an incredible wardrobe of jewelry that frequently pays homage to her Indian heritage. Large scale beaded necklaces, armfuls of bangles and spectacular, shoulder-dusting earrings are all part of her unique style.

I absolutely love her look and to incorporate it into my own summer wardrobe, I started searching for some Bollywood-esque earrings of my own. And although I was only looking for earrings, what I found was a whole selection of incredible, must-have beaded bracelets, necklaces and earrings from The Bead Dreamer.

Charlene (the dreamer herself) has been creating beautiful jewelry all of her life. Her unique, handcrafted designs are truly spectacular. Through her travels, she searches for unusual beads and materials to incorporate into her striking designs. Her inspiration is found in every aspect of the world — whether it’s the shape of a leaf, a door or window with architectural interest, or the color of the sky at a particular moment.

Charlene’s LuLu earrings (pictured) would fit perfectly in Divya’s jewelry box (and mine!). A turquoise glass bead and delicate yellow crystals hang from a gold-plated, ethnic style finding, creating a design that is equally appropriate for dressy outfits or casual jeans.  The earrings are 2 ¼” long and have gold-filled French ear wires. And, they retail at only $18.99!

Want some of Divya’s style of your own? The Bead Dreamer’s beautiful pieces are sold in fine boutiques and shops everywhere. To find a store near you, simply visit The Bead Dreamer. You can also shop online, but I will warn you… you’ll want everything in her shop!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Photo courtesy of The Bead Dreamer.

Jamison Rae Designs
I’d been lusting after these cute little sterling silver and 14k gold filled stacking rings I found on Etsy a while ago, so when I found out that the designer, Jamison Rae, actually sent a stack of six to us, I was giddy with excitement! What a coincidence!

I love the idea of being able to wear one or a whole bunch of anything, and it’s even better that these adorable rings are handmade by an inspired independent artist, making them even more unique. They’re lightly hammered for texture, with a satin finish for a little shine that really brings out the gold color. Wear one, wear them all, wear just silver, or wear the gold rings—it’s totally up to you!

Jamison Rae also sells a variety of other jewelry, including necklaces and earrings. Her prices range from $20 to $62 and include elegant, minimalist designs with gemstones such as labrodorite, moonstone and druzy.
(Photo courtesy of Jamison Rae)

WHIMSY Jewelry
Another way I can update my look everyday is to simply change the beads in my WHIMSY™ interchangeable bead jewelry. They sell beautiful little “Elizabeth” earrings that unscrew to accommodate Murano glass beads from Trollbeads, Chamilia™ and many other glass bead companies. I have plenty of beads to choose from, so I like to change them according to what outfit I have on. Today it’s bright pink!

All of their jewelry is crafted using recycled materials, which is pretty neat. The earrings retail for $125, so they were a bit of an investment for me, but it was well worth it because it’s like getting a thousand different pairs of earrings in one!

What I like best about them is how well they showcase the beads I’m wearing—it really is all about the color and depth of each tiny little bead! And it only takes a few seconds to change the beads in them, meaning I have no excuse not to have cute, coordinating jewelry.

There are TONS of options out there for interchangeable, mix-and-matchable jewelry–leave a comment with a link to your favorite piece!!

-Keri

I’ve always been a fan of companies doing good, but I’ve never before seen anything like Love Heals.

Love Heals is a mother, son and daughter jewelry design team based in Ojai, California. They work out of a 30-foot domed tent, creating unique and beautiful jewelry designs that promote two incredible causes:

For every piece sold, TEN trees are planted in Africa and the United States. According to their website, 404,212 trees have been planted in the past few years. They’ve even planted fruit-bearing trees in Ethiopia to create work and food for the people there. And, as if that’s not enough, Love Heals donates to Vitamin Angels to prevent a child from going blind for a year for every piece of jewelry sold. The website says, “Vitamin Angels provide critical nutrients to children on the verge of going blind in inner cities of the U.S and internationally.”

Their Love Does Heal collection does even more by protecting 4 at-risk children from blindness, by helping to plant 50 trees, and by saving one child from slavery in Darfur per piece sold. “Amazing” doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Suddenly, their $400+ price tags seem a lot easier to swallow because you’re not paying for a designer name brand, you’re paying to help the Earth and the people who inhabit it.  I’d buy three of every piece on their website if I could, and I’d wear any of them.

Incorporating an ethical, eco-friendly piece from any of their collections will instantly update your wardrobe this summer. They have gorgeous multi-strand leather cord cluster necklaces that would look very boho-chic dangling over a long gauzy summer dress. They also have delicate pieces for a more demure look. I’d wear one just to start a conversation about the causes the jewelry supports, if not simply for the fact that the jewelry is fantastic.

If you can’t afford to buy a piece, you can also help to plant one tree by telling your Facebook friends about the company.

We love Love Heals!
(All photos from LoveHeals.com and used with permission)

-Keri

How often have you found a fantastic piece of stylish fine jewelry, only to peek at the price tag and cringe? It happens to me on a regular basis—I don’t exactly have an extra $400 in my budget to trade for every fabulous sterling silver and pavé diamond ring I come across.

While attending the JCK Las Vegas Jewelry Trade Show two weeks ago, I noticed a small company that sells amazing, huge cocktail rings in both sterling silver and bronze, which, in most cases, slashed the price in half! Needless to say, I spent at least 45 minutes trying to pick out which one (okay, two) I wanted, and I ended up spending a very affordable $54 on two statement cocktail rings.

CJ Recht, a jewelry design company in NYC, has the same idea—offer a fine piece of jewelry for that occasional splurge, as well as a more affordable counterpart. You get to choose whether you want to treat yourself to the real deal, or get the same look for much less!

CJ Recht’s designer and metalsmith is Mindy Recht, who studied biology and became a lawyer before pursuing a career in design and jewelry-making. Talk about a drastic change! According to their website, she named the company after her dad, who encouraged Mindy to be a designer even though he was a lawyer himself.

It’s evident by looking at her pieces that Mindy’s true talents lie in designing beautiful, statement jewelry. She has fantastic bangles (like those pictured on the right), stackable rings (pictured left), station necklaces and more in a wide variety of metals including silver, gold, bronze, vermeil, gold filled and aluminum. Some pieces even include pearls and semiprecious stones for a bit of added color.

All of Mindy’s designs are original, but she makes multiples of each piece and is always willing to reproduce a “retired” style for a customer.

“I just replaced a lost earring for someone who bought the pair from one of my retailers about a year and a half ago,” says Mindy. “Even though I don’t make that style anymore, I was glad to make her happy.”

Celebrity talk show host Kelly Ripa wore a CJ Recht ring on Live! with Regis & Kelly back in March, which she talks about on Kelly’s Fashion Finder.

Clearly, everyone’s going crazy for Mindy’s designs because she says her stackable rings and bangles are her most popular pieces, and customers are buying them in multiples. And with different materials and styles to choose from, buying a bunch is totally doable!

Mindy says, “Jewelry is something that has real value and can be worn every day as a sort of signature.” What a bold, stylish signature she has!
(photos from www.cjrecht.com)

-Keri

This weekend I saw the fabulous movie Coco before Chanel starring  Audrey Tautou. I’ve been dying to see it since it was released last year — and it did not disappoint!

If you haven’t seen the film yet, this is the truly inspirational story of the very early years of Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel. Of course, I was expecting to see the invention of the LBD and the use of ropes of pearls, but some of her other innovations really surprised me.

One of my favorites was her incorporation of nautical blue and white stripes, taken directly from while watching fishermen on a seaside holiday (Adrienne Tautou pictured). Nautical tradition in fashion is so commonplace today, that it is hard to reconcile that in Chanel’s day this styling was nothing short of revolutionary.

Since today is the official start of summer (no school!) I wanted to showcase an easy way to add Chanel’s whimsical, nautical style to your summer wardrobe without looking like the Gorton’ Fisherman! And Shiraleah has the perfect tote – sporting preppy, nautical style and created using renewable natural resources, reclaimed materials, plus environmentally friendly technologies.

The sturdy blue and white Shiraleah canvas tote (pictured here in blue, also available in raspberry) has silver metallic, vegan “leather” straps and trim, fun anchor and wheel charms, and is lined in bright pink. Secure zipper top, interior pockets for a phone, keys, and more. Perfect for the beach or boating, this tote will remind you of the shore, even when you’re landlocked! Retail $63.00

Shiraleah’s fabulous designs are available at Inspired Living, Bossa, and Ebags.

Now let’s hit the beach!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!