Category: holiday guest blog

Giveaway, holiday guest blog, Style

Days of Christmas: Holiday Have to WIN!!! Jewelry by June Bijou

the outside lane

As part of today’s Holiday Guide, Win These Earrings!

The Gaby Earrings by June Bijou

June is one of those unforgettable people. You meet her and she makes an indelible impact on your life. Then you see her jewelry. Oh my word, the jewelry. For several years, June designed for brands and for her own June Bijou line in major department and apparel stores, but after having her first baby in 2008, she decided to scale back the operation to better suit her lifestyle as a mother. “Having it all” meant maintaining her art, but changing the way she did business to open up the time she wanted to spend with her growing family.

Now, with two little boys (and one big man!) at home, June has reinvented herself as a boutique jeweler, selling her meticulously crafted art directly to individuals, through her website and trunk shows.  You can “like” her on Facebook here.

When June and I reconnected (in a Barnes & Noble parking lot) last January, and she told me she was making jewelry, I expected to see pretty, Etsy-style crafts on her website. I did not expect to find fine metals and gemstones. I didn’t even know you could do what she does by hand! My first sight of her jewelry took my breath away. The collection features a variety of semi-precious, faceted gemstones and beads such as different types of quartz, jade, and various kinds of pearls. The metals, wire & chain used to craft this special jewelry include 14K gold filled, sterling silver, and vermeil.

Free shipping through December 15th.

Her collection is light and airy, and evokes white sand beaches as frequently as white powder slopes. What I am trying to say is that June’s jewelry would be perfectly at home on a sarong wearing supermodel in Ibiza, or a fox-furred socialite in Aspen, and you–at work, at play, at that glittering holiday party. It is amazingly beautiful and accessible.

These are a few of my favorites:

Green Garnet Almond Shaped Vermeil Rings
Vermeil Trio Disc Necklace. Look for the gorgeous matching earrings.
Bohemian Chic Earrings.
The Hope and Love Bangle. Would you ever guess that was handmade? So beautiful!

From now, through December 15, there is free shipping on any order, AND, June has offered The Outside Lane, the chance to give away a pair of her gorgeous Gabby earrings. Leave a comment about your favorite piece of personal jewelry here or at The Outside Lane on Facebook, and be entered to win!  “Like” The Outside Lane on Facebook for another chance to win.

holiday guest blog

Days of Christmas: Holiday Have to Do–Locked Out Comedy Improv

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As I am putting together these blogs, I am realizing what amazingly creative people I know!  Today’s holiday tip comes from my friend Sheila Cooper, member of one of Dallas’ premier improv comedy troupes, Locked Out Comedy.  If you aren’t local to DFW, I highly suggest finding an improv group near you, and spending a couple of hours laughing.  Nothing makes the holidays brighter than a good belly laugh.

Thanksgiving is past and the Official Holiday Rush has started. That means pumpkin pie, Aunt Sylvia’s famous dressing and listening to Uncle Joe’s war stories for the 250th time. Show your relatives how to really have fun and bring them to Locked Out Comedy’s New Years Eve  show.

Join us at ScreenFX Academy, 6505 W. Park Blvd in Plano. Show time is 7pm. Please check www.lockedoutcomedy.com for more info.

Scientists say that laughing is a great exercise so go ahead, have another helping of potatoes. You’ll burn off the calories with us later.

Locked Out Comedy is fast, funny and family friendly comedy improv. Funny enough for a bachelorette party yet clean enough for your dear sweet  Grandma. Not only does Locked Out Comedy bring on the funny with improvisational comedy, we have a talented bunch of script writers among us. Check out some of our videos on YouTube.

Soon holiday parties will be starting. Who wants another year of watching the boss sing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” while draped in garland? I don’t! Bring the fun folks of Locked Out Comedy to your company event. There will be laughter, fun and who knows, maybe we can get that nerd in accounting to lighten up! And I don’t care what kind of prints the copier made…I was NOT in the mail room with Greg, the intern.

Call us at214-995-4013 or check us out at www.lockedoutcomedy.com

Friends of Mine, holiday guest blog, music

Days of Christmas: Holiday Have to Hear–Transistor Tramps

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As I said the other day, I have the pleasure of knowing some very creative, talented people.  Among those people is David Sebrind, the synths and programming mastermind behind Transistor Tramps, a post punk, new wave quintet from Dallas.  Transistor Tramps is releasing their first CD this month.

I love it when my friends find success!

I’ve known David since high school, and though we fell out of contact during the college years, I was thrilled to see him on a mutual friend’s Facebook, and reconnect and rediscover his amazing talent.  He has lent his musical creativity and skill to several local bands over the years, coming to gel with Transistor Tramps after working with two of the other founding members on the soundtrack for an indie film  in 2008.

With Elle Hurley on vocals, the music evokes early Berlin for me, but darker and more slickly produced, with an Industrial feel.  Think if John Crawford and Trent Reznor had a baby girl using Terri Nunn as a surrogate, then got Matt Johnson to nanny for them.  That is Transistor Tramps–and someone I want to have drinks with.  This is definitely a project that should get attention for its cohesiveness, originality, and style.  I could absolutely hear it as soundtrack to a modern Bad Influence–the so bad it’s good movie (who wants to see young James Spader playing a good guy?  peh.)  that turned me on to Front 242 and Skinny Puppy.

So check it out and “like” Transistor Tramps on Facebook to keep up with the band.  After they go bigtime, you can brag that you “knew them when.”

Release Party promo.
holiday guest blog, Style

Days of Christmas: Holiday Have to Have–Stella & Dot Jewelry

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Today’s holiday tip comes from Fabulous Girl, Sibyl Tinguely.  Now, we all know that a σίβυλλα, or sybil, is an oracle, foretelling the future.  Our Sybil is an oracle of style!  As a Stella & Dot Stylist, she’s got the inside scoop on some really beautiful jewelry and accessories.  Frankly, I’m drooling over this guest blog entry so much, I’m going to have to wipe up my keyboard by the time I’m finished.  GORGEOUS!

Stella & Dot creates Celebrity Coveted jewelry that is both affordable and luxurious! Our jewelry is sold exclusively through in-home Trunk Shows. When a customer attends a Stella & Dot Trunk Show they receive expert style advice from a personal stylist, like myself. I give individual advice for each customer to help them style their own life with a custom jewelry wardrobe tailored for their lifestyle! Stella & Dot is also a social shopping experience. When a hostess has a Trunk Show she is encouraged to share her shopping experience in the comfort of her own home with her girlfriends! It’s a private shopping experience like no other.

Stella & Dot jewelry and accessories offer the perfect pieces to perk up your Holiday wardrobe with a little sparkle! In addition to our irresistible jewelry, we have launched a leather handbags and accessories line, as well! hb100mt_1_4.jpg
Our La Coco clutches were created to allow for versatility and customization for each of our customers. hb100bk_dust_bag_0000-1.jpg
These clutches allow you to attach brooches to your bag to create a different look with each outfit! hb102bk_1_5.jpgAnother bag that I am very excited about is our Waverly Three Way bag, which as the name suggests can be used to create three different handbags. Both items allow you to transition from day to night in style! sgjoy_2.jpg
Stella & Dot has also introduced a luxurious fragrance soy candle just in time for the Holiday season! This candle creates the perfect atmosphere for your own Holiday party, as well as for a Holiday party you will be attending this season. sg105aq_le_1.jpg
Also, just in time for the gift-giving season are our new luxury tech cases. sg103mt_le_1_1.jpg
Stella & Dot has created a signature iPhone and iPad case for all of the stylish ladies in your life! Another line that I am particularly fond of is our little girls and tween line of jewelry and accessories. During the month of December until the 21st select items from this line featured in our Spread the Love collection will allow you to continue giving after your purchase. Purchase one of the Stella & Dot Girls designs, and we’ll gift the same style to our Stella & Dot Foundation partner BuildOn, who will distribute to girls in need worldwide! What better way to give a gift that keeps on giving.
I would love to assist you with your Holiday needs this season! I truly enjoy using my expertise and passion to help each and every woman feel beautiful with my Stella & Dot jewelry and accessories. I have spent over 10 years in the retail and fashion industry and have finally been able to translate my experience and talents into my own business as a personal stylist! Nothing delights me more than to bring my fabulous Stella & Dot into someones home to allow them to experience the pieces for themselves. Looking for a little sparkle or a unique and beautiful gift this season? Please visit my e-boutique www.stelladot.com/sibyltinguely and e-mail or call me while your visiting and I can answer any questions you may have! Interested in having a Pop-up shop in your home for yourself and your girlfriends? Call me: 682-970-8456 to book a Trunk Show today and to find out about our amazing Hostess Rewards! Thinking of styling your own life with your own Stella & Dot business? E-mail or Contact me today to start earning Stylist Rewards!
XO,
Sibyl
Sibyl Tinguely
Stella & Dot, Independent Stylist
holiday guest blog

Days of Christmas: Holiday Have to Have-All About Henna

the outside lane

Today’s holiday tip comes courtesy of my friend Sarah Bhat, who tells us about the lovely handpainted art for your home, found in the All About Henna shop on Etsy.  Beautiful, unique, romantic items for gifts, or just because you fall in love with them yourself.

Deck the halls with balls of henna. So pretty!

One wonderful artist that has some lovely giftable items is my friend Surinder Marbha, with All About Henna.

If you’re unfamiliar with the tradition of henna art (also called “mehndi”), it’s commonly used to dye the skin on major occasions in India, especially weddings. As the tradition goes, a woman joining her husband’s household would not have to do any housework until her wedding mehndi faded away. (I learned too late that the sun, sand, and salt water of a honeymoon fades henna faster! Darn!)

I have loved all things henna since I discovered mehndi as a teenager, but the one problem is its impermanence. With the skin art, even a masterpiece fades away. That’s where All About Henna comes in, offering masterfully hand-painted home accents that are made to last. I personally have quite a few of Surinder’s items in my house and I am so thrilled with them.

What’s not to love? It’s romantic, a tad exotic, and most importantly, it’s gorgeous!

Some of my favorite items currently for sale are the opaque candle holders. (http://www.etsy.com/shop/allabouthenna?section_id=6708615)

I thought this one was particularly beautiful!

Some of them scream “India” more than others. This one is a great compromise between exotic and geometric:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62764992/snowflakes-and-stars-handmade-hurricane

I have a couple of these candle holders, and they do give off the lovely warm glow shown in the photos. So if you’re looking for a gift with the personal touch of being handcrafted, I can vouch for All About Henna as a great choice!

www.etsy.comWelcome to AllAboutHenna’s shop, where we’ve taken a century’s old body-art form to create spectacular & contemporary home décor items!

 

Thanks, Sarah!