May 23, 2010 | Media
Danielle and Jodie Snyder, the sister-sister duo behind the juggernaut that is Dannijo Jewelry, agreed to an interview with Chic Steals backstage at the Luca Luca runway show during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week in February.
Seen on celebs such as Natalie Portman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Blake Lively, Milla Jovovich, and Beyonce, the brand is highly-coveted among women drawn to edgy, glamorous statement pieces, available at a range of price points so there is something for everyone.
Originally from Jacksonville Fl, the Snyder sisters taught themselves to make jewelry using their father’s dental tools, and opened a short-term boutique in their hometown. After college the sisters moved to New York, and Daniella began the nonprofit organization LWALA (Living With a Life – Long Ambition) after a trip to Africa. Danielle began the initiative in order to create a health facility for the small town of Lwala in Western Kenya, whose 1500 residents had no access to a healthcare facility (the closest being a 3-hour walk).
It was a Gala event in March of 2008 for this nonprofit that launched their careers: the two designed a capsule collection, found an overwhelming amount of interest in their designs, and went on to quit their jobs and approach Bergdorf Goodman’s with the collection. Bergdorf’s snapped it up immediately, and the rest is history.
Now in high-end boutiques nationwide (including Bergdorf’s and Henri Bendel), as well as in stores around the world, all of Dannijo Jewelry is hand-made in New York utiilizing brass, oxidized metals, gunmetal, and swarovski crystals. They are known for juxtaposing soft, sweet pearls and rhinestones with hard chains – and find that each sister’s individual style (Jodie = rough bohemian; Danielle = rock n’ roll) influences the final design.
The sisters say that Dannijo Jewelry is a way for women to update their looks without having to buy whole new wardrobe – and it appeals to the confidant woman who can make the look her own.
Unlike clothing, jewelry can be worn from season to season, and is a small investment (for instance, one of their best-selling rings is $85).
Bask in the pretty, broken-down glam that is Dannijo Jewelry at dannijo.com. You can also shop their collections online here.
What do all of you think of this jewelry? Any pieces you are drawn to? I’m loving that chain-embellished cuff!
xoxox
Carly
P.S. I know this has been awhile in posting…I have no excuse!
images from GettyImage.com and the Dannijo site
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May 22, 2010 | Fashion
(Miss Selfridge twisted satin knot headband, vintage silk dupioni scarf, Old Navy cardigan, Petit Bateau Classic Tee, DIY “No. 7” necklace, handmade skirt, DIY cut-off sheer tights, Alloy Percy Boot
, Cartier & Tiffany wedding rings, jump ring opening tool ring, Paul & Joe Sister tote)
A sunny day in Portland means Spring’s on the way! (It’s only what…late May?? Almost June???) Only to be interrupted by pouring rain interspersed with hail the next day…
Ah well, it’s good for the grass!
But despite the sunshine it’s still brisk. I tend to feel the cold more than the average person – probably poor circulation or something. So I bundle up even when the rest of the city is wearing short-sleeves. (Plus I need the neck-scarf thing which was admittedly too warm even for me because of the pityriasis rosacea on my neck which is not.going.away. GAHHHHHR!)
I wanted an excuse to wear this skirt, of which I’ll be sharing the how-to soon I’ve shared the how-to here. It’s made from a pillowcase that I pulled out of the mountainous pile of clothing I picked up from the Goodwill Bins a little while ago.
I paired it with a necklace that I made, similar to Lulu Frost’s Plaza Hotel Number Necklaces, on gold chain, with pearls, grosgrain ribbon, and a sweet little number 7 on it. It’s not really my lucky number – I don’t really have one (I like number 3 but it’s never been “lucky” for me) – but I just liked how the 7 looked…kind of like a broken cross, if you look at it right. The whole piece has this “irreverent rosary” look to it that I’m liking lately.
I continuously forget to remove that jump ring tool after I’m done making jewelry. And yes, I do have a piercing in my ring finger nail – I do it sometimes with a needle and a tiny jump ring. I know you’re never supposed to pierce your real nails…but I love adding that tiny little accessory that is almost unnoticeable…it’s like your little secret with the world.
The tote bag was apparently designed by Paul & Joe Sister, in a collaboration with Sweet Magazine (Sept. 2009 issue). I use it as my snacks-n-stuff-that-inevitably-spills-and-leaves-a-sticky-crumby-mess-in-everything tote when I’m out with Lil Tot.
Plus my sheer tights for added warmth, and my FAVORITE Percy boots from Alloy…I’m practially wearing these into the ground lately. I find them really comfortable, and they’re both casual and chic at the same time.
I know I don’t post a whole lot of photos of my family on this blog – so it may seem that they don’t actually exist, but believe me the photos I do share I’ve carefully vetted from a slew of others where I’ve been photobombed by those closest to me..*cough cough* Lil Tot, Muffin [or Cat O’ Evil as I like to call her], and Pudding the dog[AKA Bane of My Existence]. But Lil Tot has his own adorable brand of photobombing perfected to an art. Oftentimes, this is what a photo-shoot will degenerate into…
Make your own animation
And yes, my son has his pants undone yet again. Maybe he’s singlehandedly trying to back those pants-hanging-around-the-hips-and-boxers-out fad of the late 90’s?? Future member of ‘N Sync [Gen Z] comin’ right atcha!
Ah, the joyful near-summers of youth!
xoxox
Carly
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May 21, 2010 | Fashion, From You
From formspring.me:
Hey Carly, what is the appropriate dresscode for a teacher? Do you have some stylish ideas that won’t make me look boring? Thanks a million.
Hmm. I think the dress code for a teacher can vary depending on whether you teach at public or private school (and the dress code therein), what subject you teach (art teachers and guidance counselors can get away with a lot more!), what you’re doing in class on a given day (field trip to a farm?), and what age group your students are. However, my philosophy is that when in doubt, always overdress – you don’t want to be mistaken for one of your students, and you want to convey an air of authority and “togetherness.” (Right?) So here are some ideas for some stylish “teacher” wear (certainly translatable to any work wardrobe!):
Though this outfit is a bit 60’s-inspired and a bit pinup-ish, a high-waisted pencil skirt, plain pumps, and ruffled sleeveless top work well for the warmer months (though if you do a lot of arm-raising to write on a whiteboard or pull out projector screens, there is nothing more distracting than a lovely woman in a sleeveless top showing off her armpit to the class. [Eeek!] Probably wear a top with sleeves, or a jacket over the ensemble.)
My Picks:
It goes without saying that a sheath dress is also a great option if you need to look “done up” on a certain day. (Chaps Geometric Dress, $47.99, Kohls.com)
Or a pleated/full skirt (perhaps a print for Summer?) under a fitted cardigan, belted over the top, delicate necklace, and a pair of flats is feminine and appropriate for any teacher.
My Picks:
(And Love 21 tends to fit full-fledged women better than Forever 21-brand clothing, which is cut ridiculously small and for a tiny teenager.)
You honestly can’t go wrong with a blazer – and short-sleeved ones look really on-trend and chic. Victoria’s Secret, for instance, is really trying to push the deconstructed suit (with a short-sleeved blazer, sleeveless vest, or fold-over waist skirt) look right now – which might not look as “in” five years down the road, but appears very fashionable for 2010.
For summer: cropped pants, lightweight cardigans, white blouses (some lace/embroidery is ok), crisp dresses, flats, peep-toe shoes (depending on the school).
For winter: long pants (try a wide leg for a fluid, slim silhouette!), pretty brooches near your face or on a ribbon belt, knee-high boots, and A-line skirts with dark stockings.
Stuff to leave at home? Leggings (unless you’re expecting), statement jewelry (unless you’re an art teacher, bib chunky bauble necklaces are probably best left in the jewelry box), flip-flops, t-shirts, anything that shows lots of skin, anything tight all over, baggy or skinny denim, super-high (4″ +) heels, chandelier earrings, ripped anything, anything with a prominent logo or slogan, bright tights or stockings with a sheen, tons of jewelry, all black, combat boots, super-strappy heels, clogs, Crocs, bright-colored makeup, studded items (*sigh*).
Does anyone else have some other great ideas for this reader?
Thanks for your question – hope that helps a bit!
xoxox
Carly
top img from http://jnyintheclassroom.or
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May 20, 2010 | Life
Hi guys – as you can probably tell, my blog’s looking pretty screwy. I just installed a new layout and switched to a custom domain. I’ve also lost all your comments! Arrrgh. Things are going to look pretty weird for a little while until I get it all sorted it – and to tell the truth, Homer’s probably more able than I am when it comes to coding and web issues. Blech!
Please bear with me!
Thanks-
xoxox
Carly
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May 20, 2010 | By Carly J. Cais
Just messing around on Zazzle. Who didn’t love that gorgeous Miu Miu swallow-printed rhinestone-encrusted platform pump from their Spring 2010 show?
So I designed a similar black-on-baby-pink swallow print for a pair of sneakers on Zazzle. (I’ve been wanting to make a pair of custom sneaks for awhile, just the multiple layouts for the numerous parts of the shoe were pretty daunting. I gave up on matching the pattern across the seamlines, since it will be different for each size. If you have any design inclinations I urge you to try out their Keds Custom Shoes design tool! It’s really fun and the possibilities are limitless – you can customize the entire patten, as I did, or just choose color presets and the color of all the trims etc.) The shoe I chose is the Keds Women’s Lace-Up – and I’ve loaded it into my virtual store there, so anyone can buy their own pair too! I’ve set the pattern and allowed customization of the trims.
For my pair, I chose white trim, pink stitching, white laces, silver eyelets, white sole, and pink insole. Oh so many choices!
I can’t WAIT until they arrive and I can rock them out…first off, I’m switching out the laces to sparkly silver, and maybe pairing with some cuffed light blue denim shorts and a breezy, blousey white top? Or a black paperbag-waisted skirt and a chambray denim shirt? (With painted DIY Miu Miu collar, of course!)
If you’d like your own pair, they are available in my Zazzle store:
(The only bummer is custom sneaks take about 4 weeks to make. Totally worth the wait though – and they’ll arrive just as summer is upon us!)
xoxox
Carly
photo from Style.com
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