I’m happy to announce the winner of the Peggy Li necklace giveaway. A warm congrats goes to Bunny B from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! She is the proud new owner of a Peggy Li original. Bunny wrote:

‘I love all Peggy Li necklace designs, from the metal charms to the stones and multi-strands. They all look so classy and elegant. They’re all just simply gorgeous!! I’m a huge fan and I have to have this!’

You’ll certainly wear it well Bunny. Thanks to everyone who entered! Stay tuned for new giveaways in the coming weeks!

Just a reminder that this week is the last week for the Peggy Li give-away. If you are up for a lovely new hand made necklace give us your two cents why you love Peggy’s work. The winner will be announced next Monday 6/2.

There are perks to being a petite fashion blogger. Among them, the opportunity to keep up with gals like Peggy Li, a fellow petite and jewelry designer in San Francisco. Another perk? The opportunity to win one of her beautiful creations — one lucky serafina reader will win Peggy’s handmade Soaring Seagull silver necklace.

For over six years, Peggy has been creating handmade jewelry that has caught the attention of TV’s Grey’s Anatomy, Without a Trace, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and publications such as Oprah Magazine and Lucky.

To win, simply write a brief paragraph explaining what you like about Peggy Li’s jewelry. Is it a particular stone or metal? A bigger fan of her earrings or necklaces? Anything goes, ladies.

Send your answer along with your mailing address to info AT serafinablog DOT com by midnight EST May 30th. And please subject your email with “Peggy Li Giveaway”. We’ll announce the winner on June 2nd.

Did I mention this is Peggy’s first-ever giveaway? serafina is thrilled to be part of it! And if that isn’t enough, Peggy is offering our readers 20% of all merchandise on her site — Enter coupon code serafina at checkout for the discount. Thanks, Peggy!

It’s about time you were introduced to gorjana Jewelry. This collection of fine and fashion jewelry is sold in over 400 boutiques and online, including Henri Bendel, Fred Segal and shopbop.com. Her designs are amazing — I’m in love.

And, lucky for me, I had the opportunity to chat with gorjana about her line.

Tell me about your line. When did you start it?

I had always wanted to start my own business, so I started the line in the summer of 2004. I saw a gap in the jewelry industry for a well-priced, simple, everyday collection that was easy to wear. Our main collection is sterling silver and 14k gold vermeil and we just launched our fine jewelry collection this past fall.

Tell me about your inspiration this season.

Currently, I am getting ready for summer, focusing on statement pieces mixed with turquoise. The combination of the two is so flattering on most everyone, especially after a day in the sun.

What drives your design?

I get a lot of my design ideas just by observing people and their style. I look at what is influencing clothing and wonder what piece of jewelry would make a perfect accessory to an outfit. My goal has always been to stay current, without being too trend focused.

What is your favorite metal or stone to work with and why?

I work predominantly with silver because it is such a versatile metal. It can be worn casual or dressy and goes beautifully with every color palette.

I usually obsess over a few pieces every season and wear them constantly. I have two favorites right now, the Poppy Wrap and Bali Grand Bangle. The wrap is a great delicate piece that goes with everything, while the bangle is a great statement piece.

What’s the most popular piece?

Our simple hoops are our most popular pieces season after season. They are just so versatile, and can be worn everyday.

What else would you like my readers to know about your line?

We recently upgraded the e-commerce SHOP section of our Web site. We really wanted to offer our customers a wider selection of our main collection, add our fine jewelry, and simplify the shopping experience.

Thursday May 8th 6pm-10pm

Casto Creations

Jewelry designer Megan Casto of Casto Creations is turning thirty this month, and to celebrate the big three-oh she’s offering 30% off all orders for the whole month of April. You’ll score a free party favor too full of Indie Goodies from some of her favorite Indie businesses. And to enjoy Meg’s birthday more, each order gets ten entries into the big birthday give-away. Check her out on etsy too.

The discount code is HAPPY30.

Goorin Hats Sample Sale

Goorin Brothers is having a sample sale April 5th at Beauty Bar in Hollywood. Enjoy a fancy martini & mani and score a new fedora for $10-$30. You’ll also find hats by OBEY, Akomplice, Mishka and Reason. Its cash only ladies.

Saturday April 5th- Sunday April 6th
10am - 5pm for fab deals on Goorin

Beauty Bar
1638 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 951-0393

Seychelles

Seychelles is having a warehouse sale on the West side this weekend. Get your summer sandals for almost nothin’.

Friday April 4th 10am-5pm
Saturday April 5th 10am-4pm

815 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
El Segundo, CA
(800) 453-3077

Bittersweet Butterfly

Bittersweet Butterfly in Silverlake is having an April lingerie sale. Purchase 3 bras or 3 panties and receive 50% off the lowest priced item. They’re also offering 50% off select items from European labels like Princesse Tam Tam and Timpa. I stopped by this week and their back patio is chock full of sale items.

Sale ends April 15th
Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm
Sunday Noon-7pm

1406 Micheltorena St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 660-4303

With wedding season right around the corner diamonds are on the minds of both single and hitched gals. Because what better way to add sparkle and glitter to your wedding day than with diamonds? After all, these precious gems are a girl’s best friend.

When choosing diamond jewelry for your wedding, Abazias Diamonds recommends designs that complement the style of your bridal gown. Considering a strapless gown or a plunging neckline? Long diamond earrings paired with an Abazias’ Diamond Pendant will show off that glowing décolleté of yours, while adding a bit of elegance.

For those brides planning to wear their hair down, you’ll want to skip flashy earrings since your hair will likely hide them. Instead, grace those wrists with diamond-rich bracelets, like the White Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet from Abazias Diamonds. And don’t forget about that wedding band. Super-sparkly diamonds add to the glitter of your special day. For hats with veils, diamond pins add a graceful, modern touch.

You’ll also want to consider the ceremony when shopping for rings. Traditional white weddings are synonymous with diamonds. But if you want silver tones in your wedding pictures, opt for an engagement ring with a platinum band and setting to give it a contemporary feel.

For more inspiration, check out Abazias Diamonds online!

The ultimate V-Day gift. The little blue box is anything but!

Tiffany’s sterling silver round stacking ring with pink tourmaline is a gorgeous Valentine’s Day gift. Elegant, simple, and a perfect complement to her dainty hand. Sizing begins at 5.

Order by Wednesday, February 13th noon EST for Valentine’s Day delivery. Enjoy complimentary shipping on all orders of $175 and more.

Tiffany & Co.
210 N. Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 273-8880

Monday-Friday, 10-7
Saturday, 10-6
Sunday, 10-6

For Christmas this year, I received an absolutely stunning gold and quartz necklace by Melissa Joy Manning from my husband. I couldn’t be more thrilled with my delicate and insanely gorgeous gift. It’s also two gifts in one: I have discovered a new amazing jewelry designer. My husband knows that I adore organic jewelry. I don’t need Tiffany — give me natural shapes and stones crafted into modern designs.

Melissa Joy Manning, an Oakland native, uses gold, silver, semi-precious, and precious stones as well as found objects to create an unconventional line that blends traditional and modern jewelry. The end result is a free-flowing organic sensibility that draws from nature and the world that surrounds us.

To find necklaces by Melissa Joy Manning head over to one of my favorite shops in L.A., IGE on Beverly. Owner Helene Ige has an extraordinary selection of jewelry – both vintage and modern, as well as many of her own designs and curiosities.

IGE
7382 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-2788

I traveled to Mexico. Therefore, I shopped in Mexico. And, ladies, did I ever fall in love.

Her name is Olga Prieto, and she crafts jewelry from brass and silver, incorporating organic shapes with gems, wood, coral, and leather — along with other exquisite materials. From long-hammered brass chain necklaces to bold, adjustable rings and cuffs, she has a design to fit every woman.

Olga also adds a unique twist to her jewelry with polished gemstones of rose quartz, obsidian, quartz rock crystal, amethyst, and others, believing the healing properties of the stones bring life to her designs and the woman wearing them.

Her jewelry is available in nearly every major boutique in Mexico City, but for those of us residing north of the border, look to 77th Street Imports in Houston. They also have an online shop.

As for me, I returned home with the brass chain-link bracelet and the circular brass cuff. I’ve worn them often, garnering compliments and envy with every swish of my wrist.