New Year's Fashion Resolutions

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

NEW YEAR. NEW LOOKS. Here are our top five resolutions for 2013.

BE DAZZLING IN SPARKLING SWAROVSKI STONES. Choose the Willow necklace in neutral stones like sand opal (left) or clear crystal. The detachable pendant adds extra bling. Willow is also available in mint (very big color for spring 2013) and turquoise, a perennial favorite.

GIVE YOUR LOOK A LITTLE EDGE WITH MATTE BLACK CHAIN. We love the way this gorgeous black chain creates a feminine yet funky look. The Erica necklaces are meant to be paired with everything from a black tee and jeans to your sexiest LBD.

ADD TEXTURED BRACELETS AND PILE THEM ON. The Alexandra bracelets sport natural stones, chunky links, suede cords, and antique flowers. This is the perfect combination to add interest to your ensemble.

PRACTICE YOUR GEOMETRY. The amazing Rica earrings are hand woven in squares of sparkling blue goldstone to work with everything from a tiny bikini to your flirtiest party gear.

THE BOLDER THE BETTER. No longer do you only rely upon a necklace to make a statement. These eye popping rings set in 24 karat gold plate make a statement all their own.

Contact us so we can tell you the name of a store in your area that will be carrying our jewelry for Spring 2013.

WISHING EVERYONE THE HAPPIEST NEW YEAR EVER!

Ho, Ho, Ho, Going, Going, Gone! Countdown to Christmas Cheer

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

Tis the day before Christmas, and all the Montage Jewelry elves are off celebrating with their families. All I have to do is pick up the holiday trunk show at Kittie Kyle because they asked us to hold it over 'til Christmas Eve. "It's going to be a nice quiet day," I think to myself, "Mmmmm, I'm going to reorganize the studio." 

7:23 a.m. The phone rings, Last minute shopper checking to see if she can pick up the earrings she ordered for her aunt. "No, not ready yet. You said you were coming at noon." (And remember I was planning to reorganize the studio.)

8:06 Cell phone tells me I have a text. There is a picture of a necklace and the message reads: Do you have earrings to go with this? I answer, "Yes, but who am I texting.?" (I've already taken apart part of the studio, got to get it back together before he gets here.)

8:30-9:30 Go to Spinning Class and think the whole time about how I am going to reorganize the studio.

10:00 Repair pick up. One of our sweet clients had had a little mishap at the kitchen sink with her beautiful chocolate pearl necklace. No problem.

10:20 Gentleman (who texted) here to check out some earrings. Yes, we had the perfect thing.

11:00- 12:30 Woo Hoo. I am reorganizing the studio and making a little progress! 

12:30 Earring pick up from 7:23 caller.

1:38 Client arrives to have her mother's beaded necklace restyled.

2:15 Kittie Kyle calling to see when I'm coming to pick up trunk show. OK, forget reorganizing the studio today. It just ain't gonna happen.

Arrive at Kittie Kyle at 2:45. We had had a great show!

Displays look gorgeous!

Carol rings up the final sale, and I pack up my wares.

3:15 Hugs all around.... and then the last of the last minute shoppers arrives. "Do you still have those gold triangle earrings? My friend's birthday is on Christmas Day?" (Why of course!)

And this really is Julie ringing up the final sale of the day. Ho, ho, ho. Going, going, gone.

I'll reorganize the studio another day.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Time for a glass of wine.

The Story Behind The Suzanne Necklace

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

The Suzanne necklace is actually a mutation. It was morphed from one of our former styles known as the Martina. (See above.) Martina was always popular and I wore a version of it done in gray pearls to a shower at the home of Suzanne. She loved it and wanted it, but when she actually tried it on, she decided that she would prefer 5 rows of bauble enhanced chains instead of 3. Great idea I thought. Martina was pretty, but maybe it did need more pizazz, and, of course, I named it the Suzanne.

Here it is with 5 rows of embellishments looking great. That is why it has been become our all time best selling necklace. No matter how many ways we make it, it always sells!

We even glamourized it by plating the chain in matte gold and adding pearls. This glamourous version was chosen for a magazine shoot.

And now a happy note about Suzanne. Shortly after she purchased the very first Suzanne necklace, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was tough and brave and fought a very successful battle and is doing so well now. At the end of her treatments, we presented her with what was then our current version of the Suzanne. She is the only girl we know with two Suzannes, and very well deserved. Thanks, Suzanne!

  

And the Suzanne necklace lives happily ever after. Here is our latest version for Spring 2013 done in matte gold and champagne mother of pearl, always a winner, like its namesake!

Inspiration At The Candy Store

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

Who else could get inspiration for their next collection from a trip to the candy store! Loved these candy colors so I took a few pics:

And then did a little research:

I should tell you that this whole thing started in the summer of 2012, but I plan ahead. I was just putting the finishing touches on my first Lexie Collection for Holiday 2012 / Resort 2013. My mind jumped ahead to Lexie Spring/Summer 2013. So I snooped to see what colors Prada was showing.....

Then took a look at another favorite, Jimmy Choo

That cinched it. I decided then and there that pastel yummies like Jordan almonds and candy coated chocolate mints would serve as the perfect inspiration for Lexie, Spring/Summer 2013.  Here's a sneak peek. And the story behind this piece is....... tribal meets whirly girly, our answer to keeping a simple tee more interesting. 

Think meltaways, pastel conversation hearts and nonpareils. Lexie Collection Spring/Summer 2013 will launch January, 2013 and is only available online at www.myrnahalpern.com/. Proceeds benefit Pancreatic Cancer Research.

One of our Favorite Fashion Bloggers,  Dani Roche, Featured in December, Marie Claire 

My first trip to NYC was at age twelve. I was on a business trip with my "Aunt" Jane, fashionista extraordinaire, who ran the Chicago showroom of a high end costume jewelry company.  As a preteen I had to know THE most important thing in jewelry at that moment, and she answered me with two unforgettable words, "Aurora Borealis." There my fashion story began, but even I didn't know it at the time!

How proud are we that Dani made the December issue of Marie Claire! Love her shoes and famous long legs.

And here she is wearing our Rebekah necklace as seen in her fantastic fashion blog http://dani.kastorandpollux.com/?paged=2, October 11, 2012.

Up close and personal. Love the combination of textures.... neon with black fur. 

Another brilliant idea from Dani, her styleboard featuring our Rebekah necklace.  Wear Rebekah under the collar of a plaid button down. Pop it on top of a striped dress and add a military jacket. NICE!

The story behind Rebekah is really all about textures, ridged grosgrain ribbon mixed with smooth recycled glass beads and lime jade stones, chunky oxidized links and the final touch... neon hiking cord.

Click here to see it on our website: http://www.myrnahalpern.com/458404/rebekah/