Karen Egren Jewelry X Voss Foundation Collection

So proud to be a part of such an amazing cause. I'm the creative director of Karen Egren Jewelry, a jewelry company that has partnered with Voss Foundation to help fulfill communities’ water requirements and then focus on the self-improvement of lives and communities once basic water needs are satisfied. Voss Foundation has a particular interest in assisting women and girls who, relieved of the burden of fetching water, have time to devote to education and enterprise.

Designed by Karen and crafted in New York City, this exquisite collection embodies hope, generosity, and natural resources that sustain life, a goal we are devoted in achieving for all women of Africa. The collection is available online at KarenEgren.com and 20% from the sale of each bracelet will be donated to Voss Foundation.

Not only are these bracelet sets gorgeous, they support an amazing cause. Such a great gift idea for birthdays and Mother's Day, too!

What I'm Loving Now: Karen Egren Pendants

 

The Pave Disc Necklace (in yellow gold)

The Pave Cross Necklace (in rose gold)

 

The Pave Infinity Necklace (in yellow gold)

While I love fashion, I definitely prefer to keep my accessories more simple and understated. Versatile and dainty, I've found myself wearing my client Karen Egren's pave pendant necklaces daily. I get so many compliments on all of these; I barely go a day without telling someone where I purchased them. Effortlessly gorgeous.

Best in Bow

I'm obviously a fan of all of the above (Bows? Candles? Bandeau bikinis? Missoni? ... enough said). However, when it comes to Prada's Saffiano Tote... love, love, love. I've been on the search for the perfect black leather tote with yellow goldtone accents, and this one is definitely on the top of my list. The shape is perfect, and I could see myself using this one for years. So classic.  

Available at Neiman Marcus

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Look Book: Pre-Fall 2011

While my style is very feminine (my dress collection is expanding at a ridiculous rate), I also really enjoy putting together classic and casual (read: comfortable) ensembles. If I'm not in a dress, I love dressing up the basics (jeans, cotton tees, etc.) with more interesting accent pieces. As shown below, I've done that by mixing classic accessories and costume jewelry with a very laidback pre-fall outfit.

While I'm all about mixing high-end with affordable brands, there are certain pieces that I've personally found worth the investment:

Denim

A great-fitting pair of dark denim jeans are such a staple in a woman's wardrobe, and you will get many wears from them over time. Designer denim can be tricky to get right, so it's particularly important that you know your body before shopping. Do a bit of research online, and learn which brands tend to cater towards your shape. While my upper half is smaller, I have super long legs and a bit of Kardashian Syndrome. William Rast and Citizens of Humanity almost always work for me, but I've rarely found a pair of True Religions that hug my hips just right (they tend to be rigid and cut very straight). Denim shopping is very much like the old Goldilocks story: it may take a few tries, but it's SO worth it to find a pair that fit just right. My perfect pair at the moment: Citizens of Humanity's Avedon skinny jeans (Faith wash).

Shoes and Bags

While I'm not saying that every bag or pair of shoes you own needs to be an investment piece, I find myself amazed at how much use I've gotten out of my higher quality pieces. Obviously, budgets may not always allow you to invest in classic pieces, and thankfully, there are many alternative options available for getting a similar look at a fraction of the cost. However, if you are able to afford a classic piece (i.e., a traditional Chanel tote, Christian Louboutin's classic pumps, etc.), go for styles and colors that will last the test of time. Black, brown, and nude are colors I typically gravitate towards anyway, but they're almost always my choices when I am contemplating pricier bags or shoes. Love how easy it is to spice up the most casual outfits with just the switch of a bag or a pair of killer shoes.

 

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