I wish when I started collecting fine jewelry someone would've given me advice on what to invest in first. Jewelry is one of those things that actually can be a sound investment compared to a lot of other material things in this world. 

But unlike real estate or stocks you can enjoy your investment while you own it. My jewelry collection gives me joy and security, which is the best of both worlds. 

The best advice I can give for starting out with your collection is to pick pieces that you truly love. The great part is that stones and metals can all be changed and re-set to make anything. Styles will change and everyone has different preferences but like fashion there are classics and that goes for jewelry too.

Pieces like thick and thin chains, diamond earrings, bangles, cocktail rings will always be classics. I started my collection with rings because I just love rings and I knew that would make me the happiest and would get the most use in my life. So my best advice to you is that, find what you love and start there. 

Till next week,

Excited to share something I've been working on for a while...my Fall '17 Collection inspiration. I've talked about how I get inspired on the blog before so you have an idea about my process but this week I want to talk about the inspiration mood board behind the collection.

It won't be too much of a surprise for you guys because you know how much I LOVE New Mexico and the Native American culture. I spend so much time there that I had the chance for this collection to be very thoughtful and intentional.

 I created a mood board for this collection and am sharing a lot of the images here with you. I wanted the feeling to be bold and sacred while invoking an energy of spirit. Spirit that lives in the earth, the water, the plants and the people. 

The colors I used this time around represent elements of this culture like, light green jade, smoky topaz, red tigers eye, moonstone, etc. The color story is light.

I found these colors in the textiles and homes around the area. I also took a note from mother nature and used her majestic beauty as a compass. I wanted to focus on simplicity, this has been a huge word for me throughout the year. Getting back to the basic elements of my design and my inspiration. 

I think we all tend to make everything more complicated that it has to be. The beauty is right there in front of us, as pure and simple as possible. I hope you enjoy this collection.

Go check out the collection on the website HERE!

Til Next Week,

A few weeks back I told you about our new collection, KANTIS Fine Jewelry. We are launching soon and I'm so excited to tell you that the line will be in stores starting September 1st, whoo hoo! 

Now, I know your next question is where, and I have that information for you too. We will be in stores at Saks Fifth Avenue in the following cities on September 1st: Palm Beach Gardens, Sarasota, San Francisco, Boca Raton, and St. Louis. As of November 1st we will be at Palm Beach, Palm Desert, Phoenix, and Naples as well. 

Now I also have some images to share. I took these pictures myself, well my husband and I did, but I was so excited I couldn't wait for the professional shots. I would love to know what your favorites are. So far I love them all! It's like children right? You can't have a favorite, or can you...  

Til Next Week,

As the summer is winding down, I want to get the most out of it as possible and sometimes a quick little getaway is just the thing. Yes, week-long vacations in some far-away location is always welcome but sometimes it’s just a quick little road trip that’s all you need to refresh and reset for the Fall.

I have put together my three-favorite quick and easy trips for my Floridian friends. If you have a favorite I missed let me know. I’m always looking to add to my list. Florida is full of surprises and here are some of my favorites.

If it’s beaches you’re looking for…Naples!

The southwest side of Florida has a lot to offer that sometimes gets overlooked for the busier trendier southeast side. One of my favorite hotels to stay at is LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. There is plenty of things to keep everyone happy. A beautiful private beach, spa and an 18-hole golf course. One of my favorite local breakfast spots is Sunburst Café, they serve phenomenal coffee and even better sweets.

If it’s art and culture you’re looking for…Miami!

I know that most think loud and busy when they think of Miami but you really should be thinking art and culture. So much has been happening in Miami lately and if you are interested in a bold experience this is the town. First stop should be the Miami Design District which has been exploding lately with some of the world’s most luxurious brands and restaurants. Next up, hit the Perez Art Museum Miami, a contemporary modern art museum with awesome views of Biscayne Bay. You can end the day with some drinks at the museum’s waterfront bar, Verde.

If it’s family time you’re looking for…Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Looking to slow down with the kids and take a break from social media this is the place. There isn’t even a traffic light on these islands. You will need to take a boat ride to get to Sanibel but Captiva is accessible by bridge. Casa Ybel Resort has tons of fun activities for kids and a spa for moms. There is also lots of great spots for family photos like the Sanibel Lighthouse and the “Sanibel Stoop” known for its great shelling opportunities.

While it pains me to talk about the end of summer, I hope these quick weekend vacation ideas add a little (last minute) excitement to your summer.

Till Next Week,

Keep your morning rituals. Morning is the best time to take a few moments, and set yourself up for the whole day. I find that if I just take 5-20 minutes in my room before I head out to greet my family or friends, I feel so much better. I will spend this time doing any of the following: stretches, yoga, mediating or listening to soft calming music that inspires me. This has become my favorite part of any day. (Side note: I don’t always have room to bring my yoga mat in my luggage so I will use a bath towel instead, works like a charm.)

As you know I’m in the middle of a renovation and my home is a bit of a construction zone, but that won’t stop me from decorating for the holidays. This time of year is one of my favorites because the simple beauty of nature shines the brightest right now.

I want to share my favorite (and easy) tips for holiday decorating to show you that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune or take a ton of time to make your house feel festive.

 The first tip isn’t necessarily a decoration but more of a sensory experience and that’s music. I love dedicating one genre to a specific day of the week throughout the year. During the holidays I tend to get tired of holiday music because I play it so much, I combat that by only playing holiday music on the weekends or only at night or in the morning, etc. I also love to go even more specific and create playlists for classic holiday music, these older songs really remind me another time and place when life was simpler.

Second tip is to bring the outdoors in. Go outside and start gathering anything you see, nuts, acorns, pinecones, leaves, etc. The trick is to get a bunch of the same thing and place it in a big bowl, vase or unique container to showcase the volume. You can do this with produce at the grocery store as well, like cranberries or red and green apples.

And finally, don’t forget about the bathroom. Bathrooms get neglected during the holidays and it’s important to put a little attention there. I love to add small tea candles and/or small glasses with a flower or two. I know that when I visit and someone as put fresh flowers and good smelling candles in the bathroom, I feel special.

I hope some of these ideas help you get in the holiday spirit without feeling overwhelmed, because if I have one over-all tip for you it’s to enjoy the moment. The memories we make with friends and family will last forever and the holiday decorations will be put away in January.

Happy Holidays!

First off, let me wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you're enjoying it with friends and family and a full belly, I am! 

Now, on to this week's topic, Black Friday. Many people love it, while others think it’s ruining Thanksgiving. I wanted to share my opinion, because Black Friday has been helping keep my holidays stress-free for years.

First off, I agree that leaving family dinners early or putting shopping ahead of spending time with loved ones, isn’t cool. It’s important to set priorities. Family First. 

Now, it’s important that you do your “Black Friday” homework so you know when and where you are going to get your best deals. I write down everyone on my list I need gifts for and set a budget for each. Once I know who I need presents for, I can get to work and see which stores and brands are offering the best deals.

I love online shopping and so much of Black Friday’s deals are online, which is making this even easier. I really focus on getting everyone done this weekend. If I devote this one weekend to holiday shopping I can really enjoy the holidays. It gives me the whole month of December to be present with my friends and family, and who doesn’t want that?!

Here’s to getting it done and enjoying the holiday season,