Eden Philippa Jewelry

A little Q&A with super cool jewelry designer Eden Philippa:


Q- How did you get started designing jewelry?
 A- I did a two year goldsmithing program - after the second year I was in love and  completely fascinated! I’ve never once felt like I’ve picked the wrong path.
 
Q- Where do you get your design inspiration?
A-  I’m somewhat utilitarian when I’m designing.  I want my pieces to be pretty, but at the same time comfortable, easy-to-wear, everyday accessories. 

Q- How did you develop your brand identity is such a large market?
A-  It’s a very long process and doesn’t happen overnight.  All the people I admire in the industry and brands that I love are much older and have been doing it for much longer.  It’s really just about determination and being creative in an over-saturated market.    

Q- Who would your dream girl to wear your jewelry be?
A-  A girl who appreciates jewellery that is made by hand and not just a ‘fast fashion’ accessory quick fix.
 
Q- How would you like to see your company evolve in the future?
A- It would be nice to be recognized for my style - a girl can dream, right? I’d also really love to be able to do a bridal line and incorporate more gemstones into the pieces.   
 
Q- If you weren't designing jewelry, what do you imagine your career would be?
A- Oh god, all I know is that it would be a sad existence.

Order some for yourself here:

 http://www.edenphilippa.com/

Powder Blue

One of my favorite things right now is anything off-the-shoulder. In this case, it makes this otherwise classic blue button down a little more dressed up and unexpected. I kept things casual with faded black denim and sandals, and my trusty little Phillip Lim pouch. 

Top: H&M / Jeans: Objects Without Meaning / Metallic Pouch: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Leather = Better

In an age where vegan products abound and the term 'cruelty-free' is more popular than Kim Kardashians impending nuptials on Google search (okay, probably not), leather, fur and other animal sourced materials seem to be a luxury reserved for the morally depraved. Now my opinion on the matter shall remain null and void, but there are definitely some benefits to donning leather. 

The first, and most important, is that leather equals cool. It always has and always will, no matter how hard Stella McCartney campaigns. So long as there are still pictures of James Dean smoking a cigarette in a black moto jacket, leather will be cool. In a more modern context, let us consult Kate Moss in a second-skin leather pant. Go ahead and try finding something wrong with that image. This is why I decided to invest in a clean, ivory I.R.O. Paris leather vest. It transitions beautifully into all seasons and adds just a dash of enigmatic attitude.

I decided to pair it with a breezy pair of silk Mason by Michelle Mason trousers and my favorite Schutz sandals. And obviously only an industrial backdrop would have been correct for my leather topper obsession. 

Beating The Heat

Just when I started to think a real summer heat wave wasn't in the cards for Southern California, we're bombarded with temperature advisories. Now, in between desperate trips to the beach or runs to the drug store for some more sunscreen, I was able to brave the sun for an outfit post. Granted, I'm not on the most timely basis, but who can blame a girl when she's soaking up the last rays of summer?

My Leifsdottir pants proved to be a perfect choice for warm weather outings (Because there's nothing I hate more than people vowing never to wear pants when the sun is out.) 

My shoes, pictured earlier above, are Zara. Yeah, they do make a pretty good likening to a certain Isabel Marant spring/summer staple. But I like the height, as I'm not very tall and my pockets are not very deep. 

My Alexander Wang tank is a perfect fit and shape for me. Loose and easy, it looks great paired with a simple necklace, like my favorite Jennifer Zeuner lariat. I accessorized with more rings on rings and some colorful sunglasses.

And with that, I'll be headed back to Broad Beach...

In The Dirt

           As my summer in Cali came to a close, I wanted to put together a few western-  inspired looks with some recently acquired pieces before I headed back east. I was immediately drawn to the tiny pleat detailing and billowy shape of the Twenty8Twelve blouse when I saw it. I love it's versatility, and ability to be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. I stuck to a purely black and white color palette, pairing the top with leather paneled pants, wide-brimmed leather hat, and my go-to strappy sandals for a little bit of unexpected juxtaposition. I also paired the same look with some flat Franco Sarto western ankle boots for a more casual version in some of the photographs.

I threw in a few shots of my Blu Moon long-sleeved romper and my new Alexander Wang velcro bootie things that I've also been obsessed with since I bought them. The shoes have yet to fail me, they are so comfortable and go with so many different outfits- definitely one of my favorite purchases of the summer. 

With the final look, hemlines were raised and necklines lowered for a bit of a dressier vibe. I wore my leather mini skirt I found at H&M in New York right before I came home, and my simple silk tank I have literally been living in since I purchased it at J.Crew a few weeks ago. It is such a perfect staple piece, as the silk makes it look nice enough to be worn on its own, and it looks equally good layered under a sweater or blazer. I threw on my calf hair, leopard-print belt, (also from J.Crew), and a handful of rings and snake hand wrap to accessorize the look. 

                       

xx, Rach // East Coast

First Look: Top: Twenty8Twelve by Sienna Miller / Hat: Minnetonka (from Free People) / Belt: J.Crew / Pants: Tory Burch / Shoes: Prabal Gurung for Target // Boots: Franco Sarto

Second Look: Romper: Blu Moon (from Planet Blue) / Sunglasses: Vintage  (from American apparel) / Shoes: Alexander Wang

Third Look: Silk Top: J.Crew / Leather Skirt: H&M / Rings: J.Crew, Vintage Native American rings, and a brooklyn jeweler / Hand Wrap: Alkemie Jewelry (from Wasteland)

skateboards, denim, and mandals.

Liz and I shot this little editorial type thing last week, and we wanted it to be a grungey, California summer looking theme. Naturally, I went for my favorite OneTeaspoon cutoffs and denim/ white leather contrast jacket. Not to be left out of course, the "east coast" makes a little appearance in the form of my "New York City" tee by Chaser Brand, and topped off the look with a leather baseball cap for added sportiness. 

Leather Hat: Winner (from Owen NYC) / Jacket: BCBG /  T-Shirt: Chaser /
 Shorts: OneTeaspoon / Sandals: Dr. Martins / Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Cafe Gitane

                                

Between work, and... laying by the pool... we must admit we've completely neglected our little bloggy. But we've been a little bit inspired to pick it up again, so hopefully we can stick to it and bring some more summer posts soon. Until then, I have a few shots tucked away from New York, so here is a look that Lacsana and I took right before coming back to the west coast for summer. 

On this sweltering day I wore my striped silk L'agence top that I got at Owen, the super cool boutique that happens to be just around the corner from our Jane Street photo location. I paired it with tan leather track shorts, and simple black flats, which were perfect for a day of walking all over the city.

Top: L'agence / Shorts: Joseph / Bag: Botkier / Shoes: H&M / Sunglasses: H&M