LIFESTYLE | Making a Custom Peridot and Diamond Ring with Birks Bespoke

 

Purchased by me (BIG TIME)

When Hugo passed away last year, I wanted something to remember him by and though I looked through countless pieces of "pet grief" jewelry, ultimately I wanted something that was also relatively pretty and didn't feel too cheesy. Luckily, I work at a wonderful Canadian establishment called Birks that offers a custom design option called "Birks Bespoke" that allows you to create a piece from scratch like I did or transform an existing piece. I thought I would share my experience as I receive the question often at work as well as help clients with their custom design pieces.  

LIFESTYLE | Woodsmoke and Willow Plant and Animal Cell Polymer Clay Earrings

I was just going to post these fantastically nerdy earrings on Instagram and nowhere else because I thought it would look pretty on my feed, but then I realized that I wanted people to really KNOW about these earrings and this wonderful Etsy shop which means I needed to create some solidly "Googleable" content! 

Purchased by me

JEWELRY | My Everyday Rings #NaBloPoMo

I will preface this by saying that although I have dabbled in a few professions over the years including: bioinformatician, social media and e-commerce specialist and skincare rep and trainer, the one job I have had the longest is in the luxury jewelry industry. I wouldn't say it's my passion, but I like it enough as long as I still have the freedom to do the beauty stuff. I am part of a great management team and when it comes to understanding people and true client service, the jewelry industry has taught me the most.

When it comes to WHERE I spend the bulk of my disposable income, it would be without a doubt on skincare and jewelry. I rarely wear costume jewelry and though I do not want to sound like I am looking down on this category of jewelry, but after 12 years in this industry and seeing countless repairs, things that last are fine jewelry pieces when cared for properly.

FASHION | Gold Elegance with SOUFEEL

I have mentioned how when it comes to gems and jewels, I am pretty selective and it takes a real quality product for me to go "wow" and dedicate an entire blog post to it, but that was indeed the case with SOUFEEL. Two Christmases ago, I reviewed the cutest sterling silver bracelet (here) and when SOUFEEL reached for another review, I couldn't do silver again because you guys have already seen that they have beautifully made sterling silver bracelets, so this time I went with gold! Mmmm, I love goooold!