A gift that gives....

The holidays stroll around and I always feel myself wanting to give back in some way. (As I'm sure we all do!) I know we are supposed to feel like this ALL the time, but the reality is that our worlds are just so bogged down with our own personal needs all year that thinking of others seems to come secondary. I find myself being so aware of this quality right around this time, and I get this huge urge to fix my selfishness from the rest of the year. This year has been extremely good to me, in more ways than I know how to be thankful for, but I realized I should pay my thanks in anyway I can. And I found a way for you to help too, and even get some holiday treats while your at it!

So last weekend I started playing around with different colored threads, and Swarovski crystal chains for some holiday presents. What I came up with, I thought was good enough to put on my etsy site. But when I stumbled upon Altruista that I blogged about HERE, I thought "I can do that too!" And these new bracelets are perfect for it! So I've designed them to come in a series of 4 different colors, each one will donate to a different charity. With every purchase I will donate 50% of proceeds to the charity corresponding to your order, in your name. You will receive an e-mail confirmation or message in the mail from the charity itself and a special note from me in each box. I think this is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

Each bracelet is $40.00 (SEE THE LISTING HERE)

For a 4 pack (one of each color) You will get 10% off but I will still donate half of the original $160.00 to the specified charities.

Pink - Breast Cancer

Olive - American Lung Association

Purple - The Humane Society

Yellow - International Rescue Committee

If any of you lovely readers have a specific charity you would like to benefit please let me know, I'm thinking of continuing this for spring in new color assortments!

P.S. They look fabulous layered together!!!

 

 

A CHARM-ing IDEA!

I love charm bracelets. They remind me of when I was a little girl. I always loved baubles of all kinds especially those dangling from my wrist. I always find myself secretly lusting after a little juicy couture number. The little charms are just SO divine! Even so, I just cannot bring myself to buy one, I just never have been much of a Juicy girl. But when I stumbled on this company Altruette I found more than one reason to indulge in my childish arm candy love. Their charms are SO adorable AND every charm donates 50% proceeds to a specific charity! The more charms you add to your bracelet the more you help! This is by far one of my favorite concepts ever! They even have neckalces and key chains! I think one of the best gifts you can give someone is a gift that gives! There were a few items from Bloomingdale's holiday "GOOD DEEDS" gift guide that donated proceeds as well, but these charms are just so unique! I'm definitely adding one of these charm bracelets to my list for Santa! Below are some of my favorites....

CAMERA - Donated to kids with Cameras

CUPCAKE - Dontates to Cancercare for kids

DOG - Donates to the Humane Society

COFFEE CUP - Donates to Technoserve

HONEY BEE - Donates to Honeybee research fund

NOTEBOOK - Donates to Girls Write Now fund

GLOBE - Donates to GlobalGiving Fund

There are a ton more and all come in sterling silver as well! Happy Holiday Shopping!!

"Boots with the fur"

I walked into Bloomingdale's on a mission...To buy a b-day present for my bestie, not for me even though my b-day is Friday. But I did have some gift certificates and I decided to wander over to the shoe department to search for some basic black booties with a reasonable heel height......I walk out with these. Dolce Vita, brown, 6 inch-ers, covered in fur....I have issues....

I am having a love affair with these but am having a bit of trouble figuring out what to wear with em! When I wore them for the first time I paired them with a basic white long sleeved tee and jeans....I guess that's it for now....any suggestions???

On another note these Guess booties I purchased at the end of the summer to fill the fur bootie void in my life, have been left un-touched in my closet (poor little babies). I will be selling them on eBay...I really hope they do find a good home. They are worthy of such incredible outfits....oh the plans I had for these babies....only to be replaced by my new fur covered Dolce Vita's. Sigh.... I know someone out there will appreciate the soft shearling like lining and wooden clog like heel! you can check out the ebay listing here if your interested Sz 8 1/2 and if you use buy It now you get a free gift!!

P.S. I know I've been slacking, but I promise tomorrow's post will be filled with yummy food from one of my favorite resturants in BK, and of course a little outfit! Stay tuned lovers!!

And the winner is....

Thank you to everyone who entered my first giveaway! And a HUGE HUGE thank you to those who have supported my little side business. I really hope you are enjoying your bracelets!!

On to the winner....Congrats to Lorena of COUTURE ME!! Your are the lucky winner of my original "STAN" bracelet, and another little gift as well! There will definitely be another holiday Justina Leigh Giveaway in the future. And just to give you a taste of whats to come, here are some shots of some holiday accessories I've been working on...

I wanted to create a holiday inspired collection that was way more whimsical and more girlish than my other styles. I've used sequin appliques, beaded silk and gross grain bows this time. All appliques are backed with soft fuzzy felt so they feel nice on your skin.

This bracelet is my absolute favorite! I'll be wearing this in various colors, probably every day!

 

I've even dabbled in some headbands as you can see in the back of the photo there. I'll be giving those as gifts over the holidays. I'm quite obsessed with hair accessories!

These will ALL be up soon on my Etsy shop and be sure to look out for a MAJOR holiday deal!

 

Minaudiere

min·au·dière

(mē-nōd-ˈyer)

A small ornamental case for a woman's cosmetics, jewelry, or personal items that is often carried as a handbag.

 

I'm totally loving these little ladylike, glitzy, glamorous, evening clutches. I wish I could start a mini collection of them but, unfortunately they are just not cheap at all...

 

 

I even love these cute kitschy Judith Leiber ones...I mean how can you resist that adorable piglet!!

This is a version I was lucky enough to spot randomly at a little boutique called "KARA" in the Garden State mall while shopping for some work samples. I instantly fell in love and purchased it for a mere $40.00. The only thing I'm still trying to get used to is packing light! So far my poor boyfriends pockets have been bulging with my lip glosses, mascara, cellphone, and wallet, you name it I beg him to carry it! Which is why I don't carry it often. I would drive him bonkers!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPER SWEET COMMENTS ON MY RECENT POSTS! I'VE BEEN SMILING ALL WEEKEND!!!

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a Justina Leigh Bracelet AND a mystery prize!!

 

Justina Leigh is officially UNISEX!

I received my first order on a couple of bracelets for a man! I was so excited because I always thought my jewelry was a bit androgynous; well suited for a woman and just as well suited for a man! I was so happy when Curtis sent me a message asking me if I would work on something for him. He wanted it to have an edge and def masculine. We shorted the hanging chain on his "Samsons", added a spider charm to one and he picked out the old NYC subway token for the second!

Now just so show you how small this little world is Curtis happens to live in the same town as me, so ironic because someone else living in Manhattan is one thing but Greenpoint is just a small town in Brooklyn 20 min from Manhattan...it's just weird....maybe Williamsburg but, Greenpoint?? Ok I'm rambling, anyway so we decided to meet up for him to pick up his bracelets in person. After a little chat in the garden area of my building I learned he's ALSO an apple obsessed blogger, and an entrepreneur who is doing some amazing things in women's conservative fashion! Check out his blog Just Like Molly. I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason, and I cant wait to catch up with Curtis over a couple of drinks in the near future!

I was thrilled when I checked my inbox and he was so kind to send pictures of him wearing them at a wedding. When I saw these photos I immediately took note of his awesome bow tie! It's seriously so unique! So of course I shot him a little e-mail inquiring about it, and turns out its another Etsy buy! (god I love etsy) A Shop called Cyberoptix TieLab.

You can bet your little tushies there will def be a couple of these beauties stuffed in my BF's stocking this X-mas! Just too damn cool!! Don't you just love them?!?!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Happy Friday loves! The boy and I had such a great time last night at the concert and now I'm totally beat today!I convinced John we don't need to go out tonight, so I can't wait for a relaxing evening at home with fish tacos and cuddling in PJ's with DVR from the whole week!

I added a new style to the Jewelry line, this time with leather! I call it the Aiden - My Favorite boys name.

Check out the listing - AIDEN

Hope you all have such a lovely weekend!!! Any good plans???

Justina Leigh STACKABLES!

Its been a while since I've posted any new Justina Leigh styles! This a new simpler style I've just added to the line called "SAMSON". Wear them singularly or stack 2 or 3 for a really cool look! I'm in love with this little old NYC subway token charm, but they are available in virtually any charm or personalized with a number or initial. Check out the listing here!

Would love to know what you lovely bloggers think about this one!

xoxox M

Absolutely COCONUTS!

Back in July I had to do a quick errand run for work. I was in desperate need of interesting necklaces to pair with some tops for the line. They couldn't be expensive but they still had to be cute and sparkly, so I go where I always go for affordable necklaces to pair with some dresses on our line STRAWBERRY in the Manhattan mall. I always do a quick browse for some comparative shopping (price points, inexpensive trims etc etc)...then......I spotted out of the corner of my eye, these lace up booties, I couldn't help it, but I needed a closer look, and then I touched and well the leather was faux, and the rest was canvas but really not bad at all!! I tried them on and very very comfy and omg they are super cute!!! Of course I needed them and at $49.00 how could I say no! I Wore them for the first time this week and a friend of mind says "OMG are those the Chloe booties from Gossip girl??" My face said it all because I had absolutely NO idea what she was talking about. Usually I know about these things! But I don't watch Gossip Girl (don't kill me!) and I guess I just missed that Chloe Runway show! Anyway, so I did purchase the Chloe knock off booties not knowingly but am SO glad I did bc I do love them, canvas and faux leather and all! And I have to say after googling the Chloe booties and the Brand of My Knockoffs "COCONUTS" I got mine for a steal because I've seen my exact ones on Mod Cloth and Endless for Over $80.00! Score for me! I may be a whole year behind but I still love em!

Photo Credit: The Cherry Blossom Girl (LOVE THIS BLOG) about 1 year ago

You can purchase yours here

 

Justina Leigh on set...

In my last post I let all you amazing bloggers know I've been having computer troubles (or just the fact that I don't have one right now!). But I  was able to take a gander here on my work computer at my bloglovin' account and there are 200 plus posts I need to catch up on! Oh boy! Anyway I took a quick peek at one of my fav blogs Style Underdog and she's posted a terrific ensemble to go with her Justina Leigh "Monte" Bracelet!!! I can't tell you how excited it was to see this!!! It looks SOOOO fab on her and I'm just THRILLED!! Made my entire week!!! Thanks again S.U.!!

xoxox M