Ring in the New Year

This New Year's Eve there is a simple formula for what to wear.

Embellished sweatshirt + skinny black pants + high heels + lots of bling = Perfect Evening

Follow our suggestions below and you are guaranteed to look great and have fun.

Moda Operandi features this fabulous embellished piece.

http://modaoperandi.com/opening-ceremony/resort-2014/rtw-1787/item/sparrow-quilted-embellished-sweatshirt-212600?utm_medium=Linkshare&utm_source=Linkshare&utm_content=Hy3bqNL2jtQ&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-bCLBttMjxxV2jr_5gRQeCg

We envision the Moda Operandi top with our glitzy/fun Maria earrings made with emerald hydroquartz and vintage pressed glass posts with marcasites. Email us at themontagecollection@gmail.com if you must have them to ring in the new year!

Here is another great option. Rebecca Taylor has designed this sparkly cob web top which we love, love, love as a fun way to usher in the new year. http://www.rebeccataylor.com/tops/embellished-sweatshirt/invt/rt613525b094?source=239_75&cm_mmc=Google_AdWords-_-tops-embellishments-ebaarrivals-wxf-201-wxf-225-_-Embellished-Sweatshirt-_-884092531563&gclid=CLCxnfS-1rsCFSEV7AodH2cAvA

Our Dagmar earrings would definitely fill the bill here for a night on the town.

Our final sweatshirt suggestion is from J. Crew. Of course, we had to offer a gray option, so simple and so right for the occasion. http://www.jcrew.com/womens_special_sizes/xxs/knits/PRDOVR~04967/04967.jsp

Push up the sleeves of your fun sweatshirt and wear with one of our Quincy Swarovski cuffs and you are good to go! Oh, and one more thing......

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

HERE'S TO A FABULOUS 2014

Spring Shopping Guide

Net-a-porter is a great fashion resource and today I have researched their site to share some of my favorites from their new spring collections.

I can't help but love this tank from See by Chloe. It's young and fresh and can work from day to evening. The deep scoop neckline calls for a fun necklace.

From our Lexie Collection, we suggest pairing the Endicott necklace with this top because it is flirty and fun.

http://www.myrnahalpern.com/458390/endicott-necklace/

Here is another fabulous top to add to your spring wardrobe. It is from one of my all time favorite designers, Marni. I would choose pale gray cropped pants with it.

Keep the accessories simple here. Just push up the sleeves of the sweater and add the Buckley bracelet. http://www.myrnahalpern.com/557258/buckley-bracelet/

This stretch dress by Kenzo is sophisticated, but far from stodgy. Just a fabulous pair of earrings is all you need to highlight it. 

Our Bella earrings in gray recycled glass are the perfect counterpoint. http://www.myrnahalpern.com/557248/bella-earrings/

This fabulous dress by Erdem is a work of art. The silk fabric is simply stunning and the accessories need to be simple.

We think it is important to keep the accessorizing to a minimum here and we have chosen our Spencer bracelet, feminine and yet edgy to add the finishing touch. 

http://www.myrnahalpern.com/557256/spencer-bracelet/

What's Trending for the Holidays

I am often asked about my best sellers. In a few words I would say that gunmetal chains, pearls, and purple gemstones are really it! Just this week we have shipped gifts to lucky ladies in Chicago, New York, and Atlanta as well as to our local Southern gals. There is definitely a trend going on. Take a look.

Two fortunate women will be finding this beautiful gunmetal necklace under their tree.This one features gray pearls, amethysts and garnets. One lady will also be getting a gunmetal and amethyst short necklace to layer.... smart move!

This great duo features our Shari necklace of purple jade with the Marquette Cape amethyst earrings. Who wouldn't be thrilled to unwrap this beautiful gift.

In keeping with our purple trend, the purple druzy necklace on the bottom was the chosen gift for a very fortunate lady, and a purple agate necklace with black and gold chains is planned for an unsuspecting woman in Chicago.

Guess which of these bracelets was received this week by one of our Atlanta customers? Yes, the one with the gunmetal stones! These are actually hematite beads hand woven to embellish a black rubber bangle. Sweet!

Now on its way to a fortunate woman in New York, is the Leah necklace with its interesting combination of gunmetal chain and freshwater pearls, an interesting mix of edgy and feminine.

And, finally, our set of three Leah bracelets again featuring gunmetal and pearl, has been one of our most popular gifts this season.

To see it all online, visit www.myrnahalpern.com

To have a chance to win the Shari necklace, log in to our Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/TheMontageCollection

Happy Holidays!

It's Party Time!

Wow, anyone who knows anything about anything knows that the end of the Thanksgiving holiday ushers in the beginning of the holiday season also know as Party Time! Hopefully you have at least  one fun party on your list during the month of December. What better time to talk about "party clothes!" Some of my favorites dresses may be found on http://www.net-a-porter.com

Let's begin with this stunner from Lela Rose. Love the shape and the irregular stripes. No, they would not make you look fat!

Wouldn't our hand woven onyx earrings add the perfect finishing touch!

This fabulous lace sheath by Burberry Prosum has party time written all over it. It passes all test.... seasonless, very flattering shape, and tres chic.

Our Dagmar earring would be the perfect compliment with just enough sparkle and just enough edge to keep the lace dress from getting too prissy.

Yes, her perfect legs definitely are an attribute for this sequined party frock by DKNY. Can't you see her out on the dance floor in a spin!

Gotta have our Squire earring to properly show off the DKNY dazzler spinning around on the dance floor. The gold stardust beading and onyx drops.... yes, Perfect!

Can't imagine anything more sophisticated than this sleek sheath by Roland Mouret. Wear with attitude, pah...leaze!

And, finally, add an unexpected touch of emerald green hydroquartz to the mix.... jaw dropping!

Let the good times roll, and enjoy!

Visit www.myrnahalpern.com for more info on the earrings.

Montage Muses

Creative people rely on inspiration. No one can create in a vacuum. Artists quite commonly are inspired by nature.... the weather, a sunrise, waves, clouds, even smells. Beauty abounds in many forms and reinterpreting beauty into a new form is what creativity is all about. In today's blog we are going to talk about muses.... people (in this case women)  who are a source of artistic inspiration.

Be sure to check out our Pinterest board called Montage Muses:
http://www.pinterest.com/myrnahalpern/montage-muses/

Here is the exquisite Lana Del Rey. Her beauty alone qualifies her as a Montage Muse. She has a timeless air about her that we try to capture in our designs. We love the classic style of her bracelets and the quirky vintage boomerang fabric on which she is perched. All of it serves as inspiration.

Who doesn't adore the brilliant actress, Jemima Kirke. There is a certain complexity and mystique about her that is fascinating. We try to bring those qualities into our designs through the use of unexpected combinations of textures and colorations. Thanks, Jemima, for your inspiring beauty.

Cara Delevigne reminds us of a flower child of the 60's. Not only do we want to put flowers in her hair, but we want to outfit her with piles of our funky and eclectic statement necklaces. We are channeling the 60's in our Spring/Summer 2014 Collections and she is definitely our muse. Cara reminds us of two 60's standouts, Twiggy and the late Sharon Tate.

Last, but certainly not least is our very own Montage Muse, Stephanie Alabaster, a native of Seattle who works in the corporate offices of Nordstrom. Stephanie is the gorgeous model featured on our website who brings our jewelry alive with her classic beauty and "Alabaster" complexion! Stephanie's charm and good looks is a great source of inspiration in our designs. You can see lots of photos of her on our website www.myrnahalpern.com

And don't forget to like our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/TheMontageCollection

A Girl's Best Friend

No, it's not a dog. That's man's best friend! Diamonds are a girl's best friend. That's why we are delving into diamonds. We at The Montage Collection have created a stunning collection of eye catching pave diamond creations designed to be worn every day with jeans and yoga pants, yet versatile enough to accompany your most alluring cocktail wear. Take a look at this tiny sampling of our new collection.

This "knock your socks off" necklace features a yellow sapphire bezel set in sterling silver with pave diamonds, freshwater pearls, pyrite rondelles, and Swarovski chunks. This Erica necklace is now available at Joseph in Memphis, Tennessee.

These are our Nanda bracelets with pave diamond and sapphire centerpieces on adjustable macrame bracelets. Start collecting... they look great in multiples and come in endless color combinations. The Nanda bracelets are featured in Atlanta at Deka.

Moonstone is a personal favorite of mine. I love its iridescence. Flaunt these on your ears and heads will turn!

If simple and elegant is your look, then the Dakota is your necklace of choice. So far it has been extremely popular because it just works with everything. This necklace features aqua chalcedony and pave diamonds. Mmmmmmm.

More exciting news about the pave diamond collection coming soon!

And don't forget to like our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/TheMontageCollection

Inspiration

I recently toured the new Chihuly Exhibit at the Seattle Space Needle. I'm sure that designers everywhere would find it inspirational in so many ways

Chihuly's use of texture and color is incomparable. Perfect weather added a stunning backdrop.

 

These glass balls we're enthralling and I wished that they were miniature beads for me to utilize in a one of a kind necklace.

I felt like I was making an underwater discovery of an unknown sea urchin when I came upon this masterpiece.

Chihuly's use of interesting textures in juxtaposition is evident here......love this "montage!"

 

Could have stared at this for hours on end as the whole was even greater than the sum of its parts!

When you are in Seattle, put this exhibit on your Must See list!

 

Posted with Blogsy

New York City.... From the Ridiculous to the Sublime!

Tomorrow morning is going to come early as I leave on a 6 a.m. flight for The Big Apple. So I thought I would share some of my NY favorites and they do range from the ridiculous to the sublime! Let's start with food.

Perhaps you recognize this gentleman. He runs the Halal falafel truck (last time I found him at 49th and 6th.) He serves the best felafel on the planet. When time is of the essence and you want to throw caution to the wind, he's the man to see for fabulous felafel on pita with an amazing sauce.... a great combo of grease and carbs!

Here is a more well balanced offering from the truck. I'm sure it is delicious, but I've always gone for the felafel on pita... indescribable.

So much for the ridiculous, now let's talk about the sublime, lunch at Jean Georges in the Trump Hotel at 1 Central Park West, a real splurge and well worth it. I can never decide which is the best, the ambience, the service or the food.

OK, so it is a far cry (and a short walk) from the falafel truck, but have you ever seen such gorgeous food? There are actually two restaurants there. This trip I am having lunch at the less formal restaurant called Nougatine. I will let you know how it goes. Really looking forward to it!

I bet you are wondering what I do on my walk from the felafel truck to Jean Georges! Like any good jewelry designer, I am checking out the street scene. Here is a great pic I found on a blog. It was taken during the last NY fashion week. Don't you just love her necklace!

Here is another photo from NY fashion week. Love, love, love her charm necklace paired with a NY shirt and denim jacket, so very street smart. 

I promise to take pictures of my actual trip, the good the bad and the ugly. It will be a 48 hour whirlwind to tell you about. Stay tuned.

Jewelry Pyrotechnics

If you're looking for a fiery finish, check out our Fire Collection for Autumn Winter 2013. Here is where we turn on the dazzle, and with the holidays just around the corner, you may just need a piece of jewelry to create some fireworks in your wardrobe.

For a winter wedding, holiday party, or a night out with friends we recommend the Miranda necklace to add fuel to the fire. Black Diamond Swarovski stones are enhanced with a fabulous pearl tassel and black satin ribbon. Pair with your very favorite little black dress or try Miranda under the collar of a crisp white shirt worn with dark jeans and pointy toed pumps. http://www.myrnahalpern.com/561856/miranda-necklace/

We also love, love, love the Tess necklace with its unexpected combination of cotton cords, suede, gold chains and emerald rhinestones. Tess is a great eclectic mix and the emerald rhinestones add that touch of fire to make life interesting. http://www.myrnahalpern.com/561842/tess-necklace/

A perennial favorite from The Montage Collection are the Quincy bracelets in your choice of fuchsia, crystal or emerald. Their classic style always works, and don't be afraid to wear them during the day. Rule to remember.... Rhinestones rule! Really!

http://www.myrnahalpern.com/561850/quincy-bracelets/

And, finally, we introduce the "knock your socks off" Alton earrings in your choice of black diamond or blue indigo. These stunners definitely call for an updo to show them off. Now you see why we call this collection FIRE! http://www.myrnahalpern.com/561858/alton-earrings/

All of the gorgeous jewelry is available at www.myrnahalpern.com

And don't forget to like our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/TheMontageCollection