Category: Accessories

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Trend Report: Memorial Day Weekend Essentials

Who doesn’t love a long weekend – especially if it is the unofficial start of summer? This Memorial Day weekend, break out your white pants (if you haven’t already!) and hit up the grill, all while looking and feeling your best.

With versatile accessories featuring tassels, summer-appropriate pastels, and prints galore, Ann Taylor and Thirty-One Gifts will help dress up your bathing suits and sundresses. These accessories (and a glass of wine) will keep you cool from the boardwalk to the boardroom.

 

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Report: Has #TheRoyalWedding Ushered in a New Trend with Engagement Rings?

Has the Royal Wedding ushered in a new trend in engagement rings?

In 2010 when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother’s gorgeous sapphire sunburst ring, the popularity of sapphire spiked and remains by far the most popular non-diamond center stone among the public. Now with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding just days away, we found ourselves wondering what impact Meghan’s three-stone ring had on the public. We dug through thousands of queries in the analytics on CustomMade.com and compared them to Google Trends and analytics for custom rings since the engagement announcement and found some interesting results.  

Featured Image is from Elle

Looking at the data

We were thinking that based on the data from the engagement with William and Kate that we would see another huge bump in people wanting rings similar to Meghan’s. For example, searches for three-stone settings and cushion cut diamonds spiked in the days after Meghan’s engagement to Prince Harry was announced in late November. So we compared that data with the thousands of requests we received for custom wedding and engagement rings to see if customers were influenced by her ring. In short? A bit but not in the way we expected. After her ring went public, we saw a modest 8% increase in requests for yellow gold rings and a 21% bump in cushion cut center stones. Interest in three-stone rings remains popular but hasn’t increased since the engagement.

A shift in the meaning of value

What we found most striking is how much her ring is a reflection of broader trends in the way people purchase engagement rings and wedding bands. The story and personal detail of her ring are what makes it absolutely perfect for her. For example a center diamond he sourced from Botswana, a longtime refuge for Harry and a place that became special to both of them during a formative trip as a couple. The side stones are from the late Princess Diana’s personal collection to, in his words, “make sure that she’s with us on this crazy journey together.” And the design is one he personally worked with jewelers to create, reflecting her style and her love for yellow gold. The result is a timeless design loaded with personal meaning. And this is a trend we’ve seen develop over the last decade. Customers are much more focused on the meaning behind their design and not as much trying to emulate a specific style. They are also far less likely to feel pressured to buy diamonds or to spend three months’ salary just because it’s the norm. Instead, we are seeing the trend that people are eager to put a part of themselves into the design. A growing number have family gemstones incorporated in their design. As well as gemstones they have mined in their travels or sourced from a particular place in the world that has meaning to them.

Wearing your story

The world’s attention was captured by Meghan Markle’s ring, but it’s the stories connected to it that had a lasting impact, more than the exact details of her ring or her diamond. Engagement ring shoppers are now showing more interest in their love for meaningful purchases and experiences, much more than in symbols of status and luxury. More and more shoppers are looking for the meaningful experience of designing a ring with tons of personal detail. So Harry’s choice to design an engagement ring for Meghan is right in line with this trend toward custom, personal design.

Conclusions/Takeaways

  • Meghan’s ring caused a spike of interest in three stone rings and cushion cuts, 8% increase in yellow gold rings, 21% increase in cushion cut center stones.
  • Overall trends in style have remained relatively unchanged. White gold and rose gold continue to be more popular, round brilliant cut center stones also remain very popular, and customers love three stone rings as much as always.
  • Custom designed rings with personal details continue to grow in popularity. Harry sourced Meghan’s cushion cut diamond from Botswana, a place loaded with meaning for the couple, and used his mother’s diamonds to make the ring really personal. Our customers continue to reflect this trend, using heirloom diamonds, mining their own gems, including design details that reflect the couple, their story, and their families.

For Questions Please Contact Will@SnowrunnerProductions.com

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Trend Report from Ann Taylor: Florals For Spring

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. This year, Ann Taylor makes a twist on the classic print through mixing and matching prints, embroidery, and contrasting colors.

With the weather finally taking a turn for the best, Ann Taylor is ready for spring to stay. Dress your best this season with flirty florals, flattering silhouettes, and bright hues – all you need is a light jacket!

 

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Move Over, Shorts – There’s a New Summer Staple

Good things come to those who wait, and this season’s April showers have finally brought May… skinnies! While shorts are in full “spring”, there’s a refreshing wave of cropped skinny styles rolling in from So Cal denim brand sts blue. Right on time and always on-trend, sts blue serves up a freshly squeezed twist on the freshest summer staple, introducing cropped skinny editions of fan-favorite styles in your favorite washes.

sts blue is your hot spot for couture-inspired denim without the high-end price tag. Right now, you can stock up on the season’s coolest trend without breaking the bank. Satisfy your denim obsession with bold new pieces, like the ultra-mod mid-rise “Emma” in a dark deconstructed wash and the high-rise exposed button “Ellie” in an understated medium wash. Pair with a flirty floral blouse for brunch with the girls or a delicate pastel cami for a steamy date night ensemble. Savor a taste of California’s retro ‘80’s flavor by styling your favorite logo tee with a crop skinny jean.

Release your inner trendsetter in any weather with all-new sts blue cropped skinnies that are every bit as versatile as you. Stun on your morning coffee run in an oversized sweatshirt and sneakers, or crush girls’ night out in a cropped tank and wedge heels. No matter how high temperatures rise, just throw on your sts blue’s and chill. Get yours now at Nordstrom, or online at stsblue.com, where you’ll find no-hassle free shipping and returns. Join the sts blue rewards program to earn points toward all of your favorite pieces, and follow the fashion trends on Instagram @sts_blue for new ways to rock your denim.

About sts blue:

The sts blue muse is trendy, sexy and fun. She looks to celeb street style for her fashion influence. She considers her social life when selecting what jeans to wear, whether it’s brunch with friends or date night, denim is always where her outfit begins. She chooses styles that are anything but basic, rather she convets the latest “it” jean, jean shorts, or denim jacket. Not afraid to rock denim on denim that she wants value, a perfect fit, and a jean that will make heads turn. Find sts blue denim at Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dillard’s, and Von Maur, or online at stsblue.com, all with a wallet-friendly price tag. Follow the latest trends and our #DenimDolls on Instagram @sts_blue.

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Sophie & Trey Floral Embroidery Shift Dress: #OOTD or #WIW

Finding the right style of dress is truly a gem.  The process can take hours or days of unlimited searching.  We all keep a running list of stores that suit our individual style needs.

Sophie & Trey is the latest online boutique that offers a diverse range of women’s dresses.  The boutique has cute rompers and maxi dresses.

I received the Floral Embroidery Shift Dress in the mail.  In my opinion, it’s the perfect summer dress because the fabric is light-weight with a fitted top.  This dress is also forgiving because it’s not fitted to the waist or hip area.

Visit Sophie & Trey to view their 2018 Summer Collection and find your perfect dress!

Dress:  Sophie & Trey | Platform Shoes:  Jessica Simpson | Denim Jacket:  Ann Taylor | Sunglasses:  Gucci

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Style + Life + Fashion Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2018 and Activities: Woven Handbag, Mirror Sunglasses, Scented Soy Candle, Plush Robe, and Tassel Earrings

Mother’s Day is approaching soon!  We are only a few weeks away from showing our loved ones how special they are to us.  For me, Mother’s Day is about celebrating moms everywhere.

A few special touches include sending cards or flowers to my family and friends because we are truly a small cult.  Ultimately, we understand each other’s trials from teething to high school navigation.

And there’s a variety of mom types.  We have traditional moms, stepmoms, foster moms, and so forth.

Lastly, don’t forget to acknowledge those that have lost their mother.  Try to find a small token to celebrate them as an individual on this day.  A thoughtful option is to schedule a coffee date or spa treatment.

Mother’s Day is truly about celebrating the sisterhood of all women!

The Best Mother’s Day Activities:

  1.  Visit the local spa for a massage.
  2.  Get a manicure and pedicure.
  3.  Attend brunch with family.
  4.  Participate in Paint Nite.
  5.  Plant a garden.
  6.  Go to the movies.
  7. Take a mini-vacation.
  8. Attend afternoon tea.
  9. Do crafts together.
  10. Have a picnic.

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Designer Kyle Ng brings streetwear to television with fashion series, ‘Social Fabric’ returning this May on Fuse

Designer Kyle Ng and Social Fabric will return to Fuse Tuesday, May 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Enter Kyle’s world, where clothing, culture, and style weave a fascinating story that reveals we are all cut from the same cloth.

For six half-hour episodes, host Kyle will take viewers on a vibrant and colorful journey across the globe, from NYC to Japan, from downtown LA and Nairobi as we meet an eclectic array of designers and collectors who show us the history and the culture behind the clothing we chose to put on our backs. This season Kyle will explore everything from camo to Hip-hop jewelry-preneurs to lifestyle clothing and beyond.

Kicking off the show’s return will be the rebellious flair of “Leather Jackets.” Kyle hits the road with bikers in Brooklyn and punk rockers in Japan, then arrive in Los Angeles where they make the most artistic leather jackets in the world. The following week on May 8, Kyle explores “Crazy Pants” culture – slipping into the zaniest pants in the world. He’ll team up with top designer Jay Kos in New York City, then travel to Japan to see far–out work pants designs. He’ll finish up in Bushwick to put the WTF into DIY pants culture.

The conversation continues on Fuse.tv with the digital series “Closet Tours,” offering a peek inside the closets of different designers including Jeff Hamilton, Daniel Nelson and Miguel Larios. And “Cool Stuff” has Kyle trying on different types of clothing, explaining the history behind his threads.

Social Fabric is the winner of a 2018 NAMIC “Lifestyle” Award.

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Five Things You Didn’t Know About Engagement Rings

If you are wondering what the true meaning of an engagement ring is and how to choose the right piece for the occasion, based on your traditions, heritage, and budget, you might want to research the topic. Engagement rings are one of the most popular items bought, and some of them purchased by celebrities can cost millions. In case you’re wondering what the most popular designs and customization options are, check out the list below.

They Date Back to Ancient Egypt

In Ancient Egypt, engagement rings were worn on the left hand, on the fourth (ring) finger. The reason for the choice of a finger is that Egyptians believed that there is a vein in the ring finger that leads straight to the heart. The circle was a symbol of eternity, so it symbolized a promise to stay together forever. Later on, in the Roman times, men used the ring to claim their legal right to the woman and their property.

The Most Popular Engagement Ring Portfolio

Today, the most popular engagement ring selection is the one made by Tiffany & Co. The Tiffany setting was introduced by Charles Tiffany in 1886 and is still the most famous one. It includes a six-prong mount and a single diamond. It is elegant and sophisticated and allows the choice of different size and purity diamonds to be inserted. No matter what the main precious metal is, the diamond has to be single. Around 80 percent of American women get a diamond engagement ring from their partners.

Round-Cut Style Is the Most Popular

While jewelry designers have experimented with different shapes in the past, the round-cut is still the most popular one. When it comes to celebrities able to afford unique styles, oval and square diamonds are also prevalent. Check out the latest Celebrity Engagement Trends to find out what makes famous people’s heartbeat when searching for the right ring for their partners.

The Most Likely Times to Shop for Engagement Rings

People generally start shopping for engagement rings in December. The average man spends around three months looking for the perfect design and model. Proposals are most likely to happen during the festive period, however, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, and Thanksgiving are also popular dates.

The Most Expensive Engagement Rings

Paris Hilton, the famous heiress of the hotel chain received an engagement ring worth $4.7 million by her ex-partner, Paris. The 24-carat emerald cut diamond had a canary yellow color. Liz Taylor’s engagement ring from Richard Burton cost $8.8 million. You’ll be surprised to know that Princess Diana’s engagement ring was only 137,200. This ring is being worn by Kate Middleton, her daughter-in-law.

Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring or just would like to know more about the history and the different styles available, the above guide will help you navigate your way around the jewelry shops of the high street and choose the model and cut that will impress your future partner and match your budget at the same time.

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