Spotlight On: Glimmering Adornments from Objets d'Envy

     I've written about a lot about a lot of women's wear brands but want to share one of my favorite fashion jewelry brands.  Objets d'Envy is a Chicago based jewelry brand created by Kirsten Goede.  While not being touted as "eco", Kirsten's focus on keeping her jewelry handcrafted in small batches and sourcing only genuine Swarovski crystal elements definitely makes it a conscious brand.  

     

Love my Violet colored Amie earrings! http://instagram.com/p/LBpbDMFMEq/

     One of my favorite things about the brand is how each piece is sparkly and girly without being too overwhelming or cutesy.  I could never go to the Macy's on State Street without stopping to check what Objets d'Envy pieces they had in stock!  My personal favorites are the Initial + Birthstone necklace and the Tetra ring (which does feature a sustainable Indonesian Sono wood base).

     Another thing I love about Objets d'Envy is the use of Swarovski elements.  In addition to a commitment to quality, Swarovski has a corporate responsibility focus.  They plan on finding more safe and sustainable ways to formulate their crystal.  The 2010 sustainability report [PDF] highlights points of their commitment to safety in the workplace, fair treatment of employees, energy/emissions reduction plan, and how they give back to their community.  

     Also have to enjoy the price point - quality accessories without a huge price tag.  The Spectra collection, coming out later this month, features color-blocking in fun geometric shapes and starts at $38.  

So far, I am digging the Chromage necklace ($78): 

Photo courtesy of Kirsten Goede

I also like the Blocagette earrings ($38):

Photo courtesy of Kirsten Goede

Photo courtesy of Kirsten Goede

The real showstopper in the collection though is the Blocage necklace ($186).  Love the color palette and arrangement of shapes:

Photo courtesy of Kirsten Goede

     Keep an eye out on the Objets d'Envy website for the rest of the collection!  Of course, if you'd like to pre-order any of these items, you can contact Kirsten here: http://www.objetsdenvy.com/contact.cfm.  

     You can also catch her at the Objets d'Envy warehouse sale on March 16, 2013 in Chicago!  She will be setting up shop at Flourish Studios (3020 N. Lincoln Avenue, near Wellington, Chicago IL 60657) from 11 am - 2 pm.  Items will be priced up to 75% off and there will also be a table of items selling for $5, RSVP is encouraged.  Inventory will include items from past collections, press samples, one of a kind pieces, prototypes, and more.  If you bring an item to donate to Flourish Studios's charity event, you can also get a free Objets d'Envy gift!  Please check out her events page for more information.  

     

     Objets d'Envy jewelry can be purchased online, at Macy's on State Street in Chicago, and at various other shops and pop-up events.  Keep up with the brand on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information.  And be sure to sign up for the Objets d'Envy email list - it gets sent out monthly and is truly always full of event information, fun style tips, and sale/GWP codes :-)

Spotlight On: Eco-fashion Designer Lara Miller

     I could not begin my journey of sharing environmentally conscious brands without starting with Lara Miller.
     I was introduced to Lara Miller's designs at my first StyleChicago event.  I was new to Chicago and curious about what the city had to offer.  I also couldn't pass up drinks, passed appetizers, and goodie bags.  After hitting the bar, I walked around the crowded gallery space where designers stood behind booths and racks of merchandise.  I took note of leather bags, silk dresses, and sparkling jewelry, but my only purchase of the night was a Shannon skirt by Lara Miller.

Photo by Helen Berkun via LaraMiller.net

      The fun colors, useful pockets, and material that felt heavy enough to wear without my skirt flying up from the slightest breeze drew me in, but Lara's commitment to using organic fabrics and being handmade in Chicago sealed the deal.  The price point was a bit higher than the average brand in my closet, but to support a local business committed to remaining sustainable and high quality was worth it to me.
     After that night, I signed up for the e-mail list and started to follow Lara on Twitter.  I was always in the know about new collections, events/trunk shows, and sales.  I learned about the clever, convertible "flip" dresses/sweaters and also found out that a lot of her other pieces can be worn in multiple ways.   I drooled over all the cozy, organic knits and hoped to eventually own more Lara Miller designs.
     Around the holidays last year, I was able to obtain the Anna Scarf Tunic, Terry Three Piece Set, and the Donna dress:

Me in the Donna dress

     Love that the dress has straps that can be worn in different ways:

Photo by Helen Berkun via LaraMiller.net

     I discovered that she was a former director of the Chicago Fashion Incubator, a program I have mentioned in a previous post.  The Chicago Fashion Incubator provides studio space and workshops to up and coming designers in Chicago - complete with showroom space and having their merchandise sold in Macy's on State Street.
     Being the head of a small business, she is at the helm of her own social media accounts and engages with her customers.  She invited me to her studio in October to check out her latest collections - Spring/Summer 2012 and  Autumn/Winter 2012.

A rack of Spring/Summer 2012 pieces.  My favorite is the striped Spencer Flip Cardigan

A rack of Autumn/Winter 2012 pieces.  One of my favorites is the William Flip Jacket but my favorite piece is an un-pictured 'Ellen' Sweater - a navy blue sweater with purple dot patterned detail on the sleeves and back.

     I was eager to finally check out the flip cardigans in person and chat with one of my favorite local designers.  The personal interaction made it even more important to me to be mindful of who, what, and where I am wearing.  It meant a lot to connect with the person designing the clothes I own or want to buy and to see where they are made.
     She is an avid runner and was just in Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon.  I was able to catch up with her before the race to learn about one of her upcoming projects - an iPhone app meant to make keeping track of your favorite looks and designers easy.
     Purely Fashion is going to be "a clean, direct and exclusive way for you to connect with your favorite designers and find out what they're creating next."  I was able to check out Lara's test version and it looks really promising!  I love looking through websites to clip my favorite looks into an Evernote notebook for inspiration, but it takes a lot of time to go through Style.com slideshows, label/organize everything, and there isn't really a way to keep updated.
     With the Purely Fashion app, you are able to upload, like, and comment on looks as well as "follow" looks from your favorite designers so you are always up to date.  Many of the app developers and members are in the fashion industry so it is a great way to stay ahead of the curve.  Purely Fashion is still in development and is currently invite only.  Check out their website to learn more or request an invite.
     I hope it will work on an iPad2 even if it still displays in iPhone size or I can add it to the list of reasons why I need an iPhone!


     Lara Miller's designs can be purchased from her website, at various trunk shows and events, and select boutiques.  Check out her website for more information.  

October 29, 2012 #foodiechats theme: "The Deli"

        #foodiechats is a weekly Twitter and Instagram chat "where the foodie community chats together".  Every Monday night at 8pm EST, @steveGOgreen starts the party - each of 10 questions relating to the week's theme is asked every ten minutes. 

        Last week's theme was all things deli and was sponsored by Steve's Deli in Chicago.  As I mentioned in my last post, I picked a great long weekend to visit Chicago and was able to attend a live event at Steve's Deli. 

        I have been to some of the bigger live events at Union Sushi & Barbecue and The Anthem and heard of other events at Paris Club, Big Bowl, and other delicious venues.  I had never been to one of the more intimate gatherings nor to Steve's Deli so this was really a treat.

  

        Steve wasn't kidding when he said to come hungry - we had a full seven course dinner to savor while tweeting our answers.  Too bad I didn't come with full phone/camera battery, stuck with iPad photos all night!

Course 1: Matzoh ball soup.  It was a perfect start on such a cold night. 

Course 2: Chicken salad, Egg salad, and Tuna salad.  My favorite was the egg salad!

Course 3: Potato latkes.  Really hearty and crisp on the outside but soft on the inside.  Not complete without the applesauce and sour cream!

Course 4: Kugel.  Never had kugel before this but I definitely am a fan.  Tasted like bread pudding but with noodles instead of bread.  Would love a recipe recommendation if you have one!

Course 5: Chicken pot pie.  May be my favorite course of the night.  The crust was really flaky but light and the filling had a good mix of vegetables and meat.  Not too salty and not bland.  Definitely try this if you go to Steve's Deli.

Course 6: Pastrami, Corned beef, and Roasted turkey.  I only tried the turkey but liked how it was juicy and not dry.  Brought some leftover pastrami and corned beef to my SO who says the corned beef was really good too.

Course 7: Dessert.  I am a sucker for a crisped rice treat so it was a good sweet end to the night.


        I saw some old friends, made some new ones, and really enjoyed chatting with people who love good food, Twitter, and Chicago as much as I do. 

Photo thanks to Steve Green at NetUpNow

Questions & Answers:
Q1: When you think about Deli Food what is the first thing that comes to mind?
A1: I think of bagels and fun cream cheese flavors when I think of delis...like Bagel Cafe in Vegas!

Q2: Fave flavor cream cheese & kind of bagel?
A2: gotta love an asiago bagel with jalapeño cream cheese!

Q3: What are your favorite ingredients in your omelet?
A3: omelettes! Love stuffing leftovers in omelettes, waste nothing :-)

Q4: Create your ultimate deli sandwich and what would you name it?
A4: I think my ideal sandwich has already been created by Capriotti's...the Bobbie. Thanksgiving in a sandwich! (Homemade Turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo)

Q5: Which do you prefer the most? Egg Salad, Tuna Salad or Chicken Salad? Any great recipes?
A5: I totally prefer my dad's chicken salad! No better. (I've actually taken some cross country with me by freezing it, putting it in my suitcase, and taking it back with me for a little bit of home while away at college.  Still tasted pretty good for a day or two but after that the water content started to get weird.)

Q6: Who makes the best chicken noodle soup and why is it so good?
A6: I think my dad wins chicken noodle soup too. Love the balance of broth, meat, and veggies (and of course, made with love!)

Q7: Which do you prefer Corned Beef or Pastrami & what kind of mustard & bread to go with?
A7: not a fan of pastrami or corned beef. Like horseradish mustard and sourdough bread though!  (I definitely got skewered with pickle spears for that one :-p)

Q8: Are you a fan Potato Pancakes, Cheese Blintzes & Noodle Kugel? Any great recipes?
A8: omg! All of the above! Kugel, latkes, and blintzes are delicious!

Q9: Give us your thoughts on Chopped Liver & gefilte fish?
A9: I am down with chopped (chicken) liver but not so much on gefiltefish...texture creeps me out.

Q10: On a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you love a lox, bagel, cream cheese, capers, tomato sandwich?
A10: 10!

    Don't forget to participate tonight  at 8pm EST- the theme for November 5, 2012 is "Meat Your Match" and is sponsored by Steakhouse Certified.  Follow #foodiechats and @steveGOgreen for the questions and read what foodies worldwide answer!

    Not sure about more live events in Chicago but there are events popping up in other cities like Miami and New York and probably more to come - be sure to check out the #foodiechats website for more information on events and for upcoming themes!