Cuff Me!

No, I’m not making reference to Christian Grey, but rather to one of my latest obsessions — the cuff bracelet. I have written about beautiful cuffs by many designers the past couple years, but for some reason my interest in this particular style has really been piqued lately. I almost feel stronger in some way when I wear one. Perhaps I’m channeling my own inner Wonder Woman?!

She rocked one on each wrist!
She rocked one on each wrist!

Well wearing a cuff on each wrist is becoming more and more popular, and it really can be a chic look. I’m gravitating towards the sleek, modern look of these.

Cuffs by Celine
Cuffs by Celine

While shopping with a client in San Francisco last week, I discovered that Reed Krakoff, whom I normally associate with gorgeous handbags, also has some amazing pieces of jewelry! My client and I both fell love with this gunmetal t bar oval cuff. It sits very comfortably on the wrist, has an easy-to-use and secure closure, and just screams style!

My client modeling her new purchase
My client modeling her new purchase

Upon looking through Reed Krakoff’s website, I’m also totally taken by this one, which is a combination of metal and resin.

Transformer Cuff
Transformer Cuff

Elsa Peretti, who designs for Tiffany and Co. has created an amazing “bone” cuff. The design is different for each wrist, so that it molds naturally to the shape of your wrist. I’m SO going to try these on next time I’m at the store!

Sculptural perfection
Sculptural perfection

Lanvin has a very geometric version of the cuff. The design is slightly reminiscent of 60’s architecture to me. Do you see it too?

Oracle Cuff
Oracle Cuff

There are many options out there in rose gold as well. Personally, this layered-look cuff by Alexis Bittar just makes me smile.

Stunning
Stunning

Speaking of the layered look, I also like the idea of layering a bold, wide cuff with a narrower one. I bet this smaller one by Saint Laurent would work for that.

saint laurent morphing cuff

One really important thing I’ve learned about cuffs is that you HAVE to try them on. Some feel way too heavy. Some are soooo tiny that I can’t even get my wrist into it! And yet others are too big, and they fall down too far, making it difficult to bend your wrist. I mean heck, I’m willing to suffer a little for fashion, but not that much! So just like Goldilocks, you’ve got to test them out until you find one that’s just right for you!

Annie Fensterstock: Designer

I always love meeting jewelry designers for the first time, and meeting Annie Fensterstock at the Couture show was no exception. This bubbly and clearly talented designer had a bevy of beauties in her case!

Annie and Amy
Annie and Amy

In business for about twenty years now, Annie still uses the jewelry making techniques of times gone by — everything is hand made in New York City — no casting or molds in her studio. Working with 18 and 22K gold and platinum, her designs are for the “confident, artistic woman.” She truly strives to capture the spirit of the modern woman using ancient gold-smithing practices.

Annie’s collection ranges from a clean look to the more ornate, as shown in these two cuffs.

Simple, clean beauty
Simple, clean beauty

Exquisite detail!
Exquisite detail!

This mother of three alloys all the gold herself. I can just picture her hard at work at the bench creating such rings as this one, bedazzled with natural colored diamonds. In fact, many of her rings would make fabulous wedding rings, so if you’re in the market for something non-traditional then you’re in luck!

The Daze ring
The Daze ring

She also showcases this type of diamond in these amazing dangling earrings. I would SO rock these day and night!

Yum!!
Yum!!

Once again showing the range in her design, these earrings have more detail in their angular silhouette.

You can never go wrong with diamonds!
You can never go wrong with diamonds!

Currently, Annie is in Jaipur, India. She won the opportunity (via Fragments) to teach Afghan women to make jewelry. The collection they design together will be represented by Fragments when it’s complete. I cannot WAIT to see it! If you’re in NYC, then you are a lucky duck, as you can check out her line in person at Fragments in Soho.

Heather B. Moore: Designer

Heather Moore was one of the first designers I had the privilege of meeting at the Couture show last spring. I thought this was the perfect time to write about her, as she’s having a trunk show here in the Bay Area this coming Thursday, November 8th, at Kicks in Menlo Park. (But no worries if you’re not local. Heather has an active trunk show schedule across the country — just check out her website!)

heather moore and amy roseveare
Heather was just charming!

What I think really make’s Heather’s jewelry unique is that it’s made to celebrate the moments in your life. Her tag line is, “Cherish who you are,” and she really makes all her jewelry to tell your story. Here, for example is an amazing necklace that reveals so much about the owner. While I don’t know the backstory of each pendant on this necklace, I know that they all have special significance to the lucky woman who wears this. What a conversation starter!

heather moore necklace
This necklace is like a little time capsule of the wearer

And look at these cuffs, which are literally like a book of memories for your wrist.

heather moore cuffs
This is a piece of personal history!

Heather and her team use vintage tools to hand-press (NOT engrave) letters, words, and pictures onto her jewelry. All the work is done right here in the good ‘ole USA in Cleveland, Ohio. (snap!) She can imprint everything from your wedding vows to your child’s art to your astrological constellation.

I just adore this key chain which actually uses the writing of the owner’s child. Wouldn’t this be an amazing gift for a loved one? (Note to self: the holidays are just around the corner…) And she does have a quick turnaround time, typically about 2-3 weeks.

heather moore key chain
How precious is this?!

Or how about these simple and elegant, yet sentimental cufflinks that commemorate a wedding?

heather moore cufflinks
How to say so much without words

I also really appreciate the fact that Heather uses 100% reclaimed metals (sterling and all colors of gold) in her designs. So not only are her pieces priceless due to what they say and mean, but they are helping protect the earth. Of course, she isn’t working on jewelry all the time. She loves to ride BMX bikes with her kids in her free time. Love that!

So if this line rocks your boat, then I highly encourage you to check it out. I know you won’t be disappointed!

Turquoise Cuff: Jewelry Judge

So while I’m out and about each day, I have to say that I do pay attention to the jewelry people adorn themselves with. Some get at A+, while others…not so much. I thought that I’d start a new, random mini-post series called “Jewelry Judge,” where I basically accost people on the street who grab my attention and post either their jewelry “do” or their jewelry “don’t.” Now not all of you may agree with my opinion on said victim, but that’s the joy in accessorizing. I’d love to hear your opinions as well.

So here’s my first subject, who I definitely think got it right. While shopping at Stanford Mall in Palo Alto yesterday, I spied a stylish woman who clearly wasn’t showing her true age, yet she also looked age-appropriate. (I hate it when women dress too young!)

The item that drew my attention was this FABulous bold, gold cuff embellished with chunks of turquoise. Yum!!

turquoise cuff
Nice finishing touch!