Olive and Cocoa!!

I found Olive and Cocoa thanks to Oprah Magazine. Originally I was attracted by a succulent planter box that was featured in a Mother's Day Gift Ideas part of the magazine but when I went to the Olive and Cocoa website, there was SO much more! If you are in the market for unique gifts, edible delights or a fabulous floral arrangement, check out Olive and Cocoa!

 The Succulent Trough that drew me in

Nantucket Cotton Throws

Gilded Nightstand Bowls

Bleu Bead and Gold Circle Necklace

Oak and Wine Barrel Platter

Pinkalicious 

Holi Mubarak...

...and

A Very Happy Women's Day!

To celebrate,
An Indian Summer brings for you

Giveaway and Goodies!

First up is...

fabulloso!

fabulloso!, an online store, founded by the husband and wife team of Gaurav and Anupma Taneja, offers a curated selection of beautiful things for you and your home. The store went online in January 2012 with an array of Indian designer wear, wardrobe classics, shoes, accessories and exquisitely designed and meticulously crafted home décor items. The store also stocks a selection of investment pieces like photographic art, paintings and sketches. Along with selections from some of India's top and emerging designers, fabulloso! also has it's own in house line with beautiful designs. 

fabulloso! is offering An Indian Summer readers in India a 10% discount on their first purchase! The offer is valid till April 15th. Just sign in, use the exclusive promo code 84198 and shop away! Visit fabulloso! on facebook right here.

Aniika

I showcased Aniika in November last year. It is still one of my favorites sites to browse through a hand picked collection of original designs from young designers from India. On this Women's day, Aniika would like to offer An Indian Summer readers in the US a special 15% discount till the 15th of March. Use the code ANINDIANSUMMERANWD2012 as you shop!

Cleosara 

Cleosara is an independent brand of urban, chic, sterling silver jewelry with natural gemstones, based out of Chennai. The designs are made for the contemporary woman who loves clean, simple lines and diverse range of jewelry to match her every day living. You can find Cleosara on Etsy, UsTrendy, ASOS, Zaarga.com and their newly launched online shop.

Cleosara would love to giveaway this gorgeous pair of Hayden earrings (above) to one of You! All you need to do is head over to An Indian Summer's page on facebook, and leave a comment right here! That's right - just leave a comment on the pic of this lovely pair of earrings on facebook. Cleosara and I would pick a winner (random selection) on March 15th. The giveaway is open for my fabulous readers from all countries!

Alloy Jewelry

Alloy Jewelry, is a hobby turned passion for the Vermont based Leah Jones. A former editor, Leah makes these hand-stamped, personalized sterling silver and copper necklaces and bracelets, on a table strewn with books, tea cups and play dough, and in the midst of the laughter of two mischievous children.

Leah would love to giveaway this heavenly Sweet Dandelion necklace (above) to one of You! All you need to do is head over to An Indian Summer's page on facebook, and leave a comment right here! That's right - just leave a comment on the pic of this lovely necklace on facebook. Leah and I would pick a winner (random selection) on March 15th. The giveaway too is open for my fabulous readers from all countries!

Much thanks to all featured stores for hosting the giveaway and discounts! :)

[All images copyright An Indian Summer and respective stores]

Sapna's Jewels!

Excuse me while I hyperventilate...

...for I love Sapna Mehra's pretty jewels!

I just can't pick and choose the ones that I like the best, because I like them all! I know, I know...the yada yada about not being greedy and all...but will you just look at these pretty little things?! How can I resist? Neither can you, once you look through the entire collection here and here! And 'tis being the time to give, Sapna and I have a fabulous giveaway and a generous discount offer just for you, coming up in the post!

As Sapna and I chatted over email, she graciously shared her story and inspiration with me. Reading through her journey, I could see how her passion, persistence and global experience has helped shape her beautiful collection. 

A snippet from Sapna's journey, in her own words:

I grew up in suburban NJ.  My father was an engineer and also an amateur singer and musician and loved classical and semi-classical music and ghazals.  My mother was a graphic artist and had a studio in our home where she painted landscapes, and gods and goddesses in oils. I spent many summers of discovery and adventure in Jodhpur and Jaipur, my parent’s hometowns. Later, in college, I studied Comparative Literature and loved my courses on post-colonial theory, religions of the East, cinema studies and literature of India and the fantastic. 
I moved on to work for many small businesses in different capacities and had a stint as an assistant for a Madison Avenue gallery specializing in South and South East Asian antiquities. I was able to research countless works of art and came to build an understanding of iconography and symbolism in South Asian art.  I especially fell in love with the beauty and playful elegance of Indian miniatures and with the complexities of Buddhist iconography in Tibetan, Nepali, Cambodian and Indian sculptures.

 

Starting in late 2001, I spent months at a time in Jaipur, working with jewelry making artisans and tradesmen learning about gems, traditional jewelry making techniques and the intricacies of production. In 2007, I quietly launched myself as a designer with a clear vision to produce a collection that exemplified the skills of kundan and meena artist while creating designs that were meaningful and fit contemporary and cosmopolitan lifestyles. My hope is that when people wear my jewelry, they feel inspired, empowered and delight in a bit of rustic luxury. I love the idea of the global soul!

"The Giveaway"

Sapna would like to gift a necklace from her Asmi collection to one happy chirpy reader. What you need to do is:

• Read up more about the Asmi range
• Leave a comment on this post with: 
• Your life path number (calculate here), or, the number of the Asmi necklace you would like to win, and
• Tell us "What does being a global soul mean to you?"

That's it! Sapna and I will pick one winner based on the answer. Unfortunately, there are shipping restrictions that don't allow Sapna to ship jewelry from the US to India, and hence, the giveaway is open only to readers outside of India (baaah! I am crying with you, girls!).

The contest is open for a week, and I'll announce the winner by updating this post on Dec 21st. Make sure to come back and check if you are the lucky one! 

And more..

You can buy Sapna Mehra Jewelry from her etsy store or from her site. And for the rest of this month, get a 15% discount using the code AIS15.

Thank you Sapna! You and I will enjoy the lovely comments that come in over virtually shared glasses of mulled wine :)

[Credits & Links: Sapna Mehra Jewelry, Etsy Store, Connect on facebook, Tumblr blog]



~ Winner Update | Dec 21st, 2011 ~

Thank you so much for your beautiful comments! I thoroughly enjoyed reading through your descriptions of a global soul.

Here's what Sapna had to say about the comments, and, the one lucky winner!
 

I read through all the comments many times over and am overwhelmed with the inspiring, uplifting and thoughtful responses!

I want to say thank you to all the people who posted their comments - everyone one of them describes the global soul so beautifully...I will come back and read the comments any time I need some inspiration!

A comment that really resonated for me is from Laura Bourassa. I think Laura's comment speaks to the intimate, universal human conditions, the things that connect us to each other, even as we celebrate our differences and diversity. That is 'the web of life'.  We speak different languages, live on different continents and pursue different dreams, all on this same earth. We are all actively engaged in 'the endless cycles' and that's what connects us. 

As we journey on our own individual paths, and face our own struggles, it's comforting and encouraging to remember that there are so many others that are struggling, achieving, living and loving, just like you. No one is alone.  What a beautiful thought and I'm quite moved by it! 

Congratulations Laura! 

Please write to Sapna with your shipping address and, do let us know how you enjoy your Asmi necklace :)

Say, I Do to BHLDN!

BHLDN is a fairly new wedding brand from the retail family that brought us Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Terrain and Leifsdottir. Just yesterday, BHLDN opened their first ever physical store right here in Houston!! BHLDN offers beautiful wedding gowns, decor ideas, jewelry, accessories and more! Visit them in Highland Village.

From left to right, Tiered Tulip Gown, Greenbow Lace Gown, Floral Artwork Dress, Trumpeted Pavot Gown, Pleated Fantasy Gown
(photo from Saphire Event Group)

Fondant Tea Dress

Sweeping Taffeta Ball Gown

(photo from Rebecca Rose Events)

Some of their beautiful jewelry.

(photo from Parties by Kristen)

Shop Local: K & K Artistry

I just love this shop on Etsy! The designers behind K & K Artistry live here, in Houston, and create some of the most interesting jewelry and accessories I've seen! Enjoy. : )

 I love this Clockwork Clutter Necklace! She uses real watch pieces to fill the inside.

Watch Parts Steampunk Necklace. Actual watch faces used and set in resin.

Red and Cream Ribbon Cuff has leather flowers and brass gears. 

 Brass Steampunk Propeller Locket. A beautiful piece.

Victorian Scroll Work and Cameo Bracelet. Very pretty.

Gothic Skull Cameo Hair Clips.

Victorian Steampunk Shadow Box Necklace. Love the look of this.

Fantastic Jewelry By Houston Designer!!

I love checking out what Etsy has to offer; there's so much. Even more, I love when I come across a local designer with amazing items! I adore the creations by Desi. Her Etsy shop is called bijouxbydesif and her jewelry is wonderful! Check out her pieces below.... oh yeah, she's is currently having an end of the year sale!! Bonus!

Green is my favorite color! These Green Peridot Branch Earrings are so pretty.

I love these! They are so lovely and delicate looking. Blue Chalcedony Leaf Earrings.

A beautiful Whiskey Quartz pendant.

Aquamarine and Orange Chalcedony Chandelier Earrings. I love the 2 different stone colors together.

These Cairo-Pearl Earrings are one of my favorite!

How about these Pink Mystic Quartz Swirl Earrings?? Beautiful. 

 Natural Pearl Branch Necklace.

Silver Chic Designs

I checked out Etsy today looking for neat earring holders/organizers. Originally I was looking for some sort of tree type earring holder but I came upon these amazing twisty copper things and I fell in love with them. They are such simple, clever designs and are very visually appealing. I liked them so much I even put one on my Amazon wishlist (another wonderful thing, by the way). Tonight I went back to Etsy and looked at these items again and noticed that the designer of these wonderful creations is right here in Houston!! Please check out Silver Chic Designs... you'll see what I'm talking about.

 I love the twisty, loopy, copperyness of it all! This one is called the Copper Vortex. It's a great way to display your earrings and it can easily rest on top of your dresser. I like that it makes use of vertical space so it doesn't take up a lot of room. Plus, it looks so neat!

This is the Lombard Street Earring Hanger. I love the snakish shape AND you can hang it on a closet rod; which is perfect if you don't have much dresser top space.

 Here is the Birdcage Bracelet Organizer. Another different looking and beautiful piece.

This is so beautiful! It's the Tropical Breezes Necklace Hanger. Of course it could be used for bracelets too!

Give the Treble Clef Earring Display to the music lover in your life. Every piece looks so well made and unique.

 She also has some pretty necklaces in the mix. This is the Stone Painting Necklace.

Hey Ladies....

...we are so excited that you're gonna stop by this Saturday to hang out with us at the Boutique at High Fashion Home!

We just received our Saivana shipment for our trunk show and we are all going crazy for the new pieces. I'd show you a few now, but I don't want to ruin the surprise!

Oooooh! And the DePetra gals will be here as well and they have a brand new collection we haven't seen in our store yet! Yeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

We can't wait to see our good friend Tonya from Beauty for Real. It's the only lip gloss we carry when we go anywhere now. The tube has a light and a mirror... it saves so much room in my evening clutch!

And bring your appetite because we will have mimosas and mini cupcakes from Houston baker Sugar Shack. ...Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you at the Boutique in High Fashion Home on Saturday August 21 from noon to 3!

and check us out on tidbits today!

Real Simple: Faux Malachite Jewelry Box

In this month's issue of Real Simple, the incomparable Faux Malachite Jewelry Box is a featured item.  This is the 2nd time that our favorite green box was highlighted in a major magazine.  The 1st being in the August 2009 issue of Oprah.  All I can say is, "I love Real Simple and I love Oprah!"