Spring Forward, Fall Back

Like most designers, I sometimes have no idea what season I am living in. We just celebrated the first day of spring and I did "spring forward." However it is still cold outside, and more snow is expected in many areas this week. To add to my confusion,  I am now finishing my collection for next fall. For me springing forward and falling back can morph into one. I know I am getting ahead of myself, but I thought I would share a few sneak peeks from next fall's line.

Had to start with one of our best sellers, the Quincy bracelet. This cuff sports five rows of Swarovski rhinestones and we have added two gorgeous new fall colors, light smoked topaz and cyclamen opal. The cyclamen opal is a close cousin to the 2014 color of the year, radiant orchid. Looks great with gray, burgundy, chocolate brown and navy.

For some drama in your life, here is our new Diana earring, shown here in pyrite, a metallic gemstone in a stunning shade of bronze. I would not save these earrings for a special occasion but would wear them with my favorite silk tunic and skinny jeans or leggings.

The "hot off the press" Chesney bracelet embodies our entire color story for fall with lots of rich colors mixed with metallics. All the beading is hand done and all the beads are faceted gemstones. Sweet.

Hoops are a perennial favorite and our Hollis hoops feature tiny tiger eye cubes mixed with gunmetal coins. Can't you just see them with a cashmere turtleneck and camel wool boyfriend jacket over your favorite cords!

 Yes, I am getting a little ahead of myself. Like most of us, I still need to finish clearing my closet for all those sleeveless tops and sandals. Surely warmer weather is on its way.

Red Carpet Predictions

It's Oscar night and I have absolutely no idea who the winners will be, but I sure do have some predictions about the jewelry they will be wearing.

 Let's start with necklaces. Since Kate Blanchett arrived at the British Film Awards in that gorgeous bold silver necklace, I have had a feeling that other stars will follow suit in some fabulous long, bold piece like our Tillie necklace shown above in rough cut aquamarine with pave diamond toggle. It's definitely more of a statement piece than is usually seen, but I think you will definitely see that look tonight at the Oscars.

That being said, there is no doubt that the delicate diamond necklace will also take center stage. Our Dusten necklace made from tiny raw diamonds with a blue chalcedony and pave diamond pendant is a great classic style that is always good.

 Bracelets will feature the "dripping with diamonds" theme, but also look for colored stones with touches of pave like our Hollins style featuring labradorite, yellow sapphire, or emerald. Color is important here.

The Monroe earring style featuring pave diamond posts is a must have for Oscar night. Some celebs will opt to wear just one pair of bold earrings like these and wear no other jewelry at all.

Finally, be on the look out for the "double down" look featuring pairs of gemstone slices like our Doe earring in moonstone. Again, one pair says it all. 

So now it is time to pop the popcorn, and fluff up the pillows on the couch for an evening of people (and jewelry) watching. Have fun!

 See more at www.myrnahalpern.com

Effortless Chic

French women can be so stunning in such an unassuming way. My favorite part of visiting France is people watching, or more specifically, French women watching. (My husband likes it too!) 

 I like to call their style "effortless chic." The way they tie their scarves, or how they put an outfit together is just an innate talent. A great French designer who inspires me is Isabel Marant. If you haven't seen her clothes, be sure to take a look at them at www.net-a-porter.com. The outfit above features her Bradi black leather jacket, the perfect addition for a cool walk down the Champs-Elysee.

 Shown above is the casually sexy Alden one shouldered dress. I love everything..... the fabric, the cut, the ruffles and the skirt is the perfect length.

 Talk about an unexpected mix! Isabel's Joliet skirt is a witty counterpoint to her Fujiyama sweatshirt.  Can't you picture this ensemble on some cute young French girl leaving Lauduree with several macaroons in hand!

 The Adriana top shown above is a personal favorite.  I could also see it with white jeans and a leather jacket. Ooooh la la!

And, finally, you wouldn't be French without some fabulous fringed scarf to throw around (effortlessly of course!)

Warm Breezes Sure Trump Arctic Blasts!

Yes, this has been one of the coldest, snowiest winters in the U.S. which brings us to the topic of the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. We were recently introduced to this fabulous resort and some quick research convinced us that we should spread the word about it. You can find out more by visiting this link http://atlantis.com The buyers for the Atlantis resort stores bought a wide array of our spring/summer line. Our jewelry is just arriving there, so we thought we would take a closer look to see what they had to offer.

 The verdict is a definite thumbs up. Accommodations look fabulous.

This is a view of one of the many casinos on the property. Wouldn't you love to throw your money away here!

Sure looks like a great shopping destination.

Here are some of the pieces we just shipped there. If you are lucky enough to be able to plan a getaway, we heartily recommend the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas!

Find out more about our jewelry here: www.myrnahalpern.com

My Super Bowl Picks

It's Super Bowl Sunday and this blog is not about football! Instead I prefer to take up the topic of all things super (as in superlative) in the realm of food and travel. 

My favorite restaurant (shown above) is Don Alfonso in Sant'Agata, Italy.

Not only is the restaurant itself I sight to behold, the food pictured above is truly superior. All superlatives apply. Be sure to take a tour of the wine cellar in the basement... jaw dropping.

http://www.donalfonso.com/ristorante.asp?lingua=ing

Super Bowl Pick for favorite vista would have to be the Ponte du Gard,  an ancient Roman aqueduct in Southern France. My favorite picnic spot... really!

Had to mention the Hotel Eden in Rome in my list of superlatives. Here is where I got permanently hooked on linen sheets. Note the view out the window.

http://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/rome/hotel-eden

For a change of pace, consider Harry's Bar in Vence, France. Yes France. Not Harry's Bar in Venice. The ambience is unparalleled and the morning espresso is superb. Couldn't find an exact picture, but this neighborhood photo gives you a feel for the setting. A 7 a.m. visit introduces you to the town alcoholics getting started for the day.

Finally the best place on earth to veg out, Port Townsend, Washington in the summer. This body of water is the area where Puget Sound opens into the Strait of Juan de Fuca,  a super spectacular site!

And as far as the Super Bowl, GO SEA HAWKS!

Coldest Day in Central Park in 118 Years!

January 7, 2014, 4 degrees above zero with very below zero wind chill. Yikes,  I had a lot of work to do that day in the Big Frozen Apple.

Actually I had arrived in New York the afternoon before and sped right over to the ENK Accessories Show for a little inspiration. Always love to visit the booth of My Flat in London which is so gorgeous and sophisticated. Besides it helps to start your venture with a little food for thought.

Awoke the next morning to the coldest day in Central Park in 118 years! Since I was born and raised in Chicago, I bundled up like my mother taught me to do in the Windy City, and I began my day with a good hot breakfast at an old favorite, Andrews Coffee Shop at 35th and 8th. (My hotel was in Chelsea, so I had walked 6 blocks uptown, only 25 more to go!)

My mission that day was to see several of my favorite NY vendors and then meet my hubby for a late lunch at Jean Georges in the Trump Hotel overlooking Central Park. First stop, Beads World, a great resource for all the little trivial items that only a jewelry designer could appreciate!

Fearing frostbite, my plan was to walk no more than 8 or 10 blocks at a time. It worked. Here is the last vendor I saw. I was at 48th Street where I warmed up and emptied my bank account!

I then decided to detour over to 5th Avenue to complete a little "research" checking out the jewelry at Saks, Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman, ten more blocks. Freezing his buns off, is the police officer guarding Rockefeller Center. Baby, it's cold outside!

From Bergdorf Goodman I headed west and finally made it to Jean Georges.....from the ridiculous to the sublime!

The ambience is amazing.

And the food is off the charts!

My next stop was Sola Showroom, the showroom representing my "jewels." It is on 20th. Yes, we had sense enough to take a cab!

Perfect timing! My fabulous rep Lisa was just writing up an order for me.

Here are a few of the pieces that Montage will be shipping to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas in February. One might think that this was the end of an exhausting day but, PS, we walked the 12 blocks back to our hotel for a little rest, and then our final walk of the day was to the theater district to see the previews of Beautiful, the story of Carol King, so fabulous! Yes, a very exciting day, and I think I worked off every calorie from that fabulous lunch at Jean Georges!

To see all the new spring jewelry from Montage visit www.myrnahalpern.com.

Mixing Old and New

When I design jewelry, I love mixing old and new. So it makes sense that I also gravitate to that look in home design. In the photo above, designer Stacey Costello unveils a seamless way to combine something old with something new. I especially love the way she mixed that gorgeous vintage tablecloth with lime green napkins, fruits and sunflowers.  No, your napkins do not have to match your cloth. See! Visit www.staceycostello.com for more ideas.

Suzanne Varner's website www.suzannevarner.com would be another fabulous resource if you enjoy this eclectic style of interior design. Her combination of a classic traditional dining table with leather chairs and 50's aqua walls is so unexpected and yet so sophisticated. Of course the magnificent chandelier is definitely the cherry on top!

Summer Thornton is another talented designer who exemplifies this quirky yet fabulous style of decorating. Love, love, love the funky color scheme and mint green glass lamps combined with the tufted velvet headboard and silver damask wall covering. Really cool. See lots more at www.summerthorntondesigns.com

I want to call this magnificent room "rustic revival." It is a real "McMansion" on Capitol Hill in the Seattle area. It sports an Old World look mixed with fabulous leathers and hides. Sweet!

Hope you will visit www.myrnahalpern to see how I put these eclectic concepts to use in a very different realm....... jewelry design. Have fun, cyber shoppers!