DIY ~ up-cycled chair

Favourites week wrap up and GIVEAWAY!!!

I hope you all enjoyed favourites week and caught Natalie's posts over at nathennessey.com. We wanted to end on a high note and decided what better way than to have a giveaway. Check out the two videos below for further details.

Natalie and Erin's Favourites Video

Natalie and Erin's Favourites ~ Giveaway

To enter the giveaway you need to follow both Natalie and I on Instagram. Then leave a comment on one of my photos and one of Natalie's, suggesting blog posts you would like to see in the future.

If you have any further questions feel free to get a hold of us. The contest runs from Oct 2-16, 2015.

Erin

Jewelry Favourites

Jewelry is such a great way to accessorize. For as long as I can remember I've always worn jewelry. When I was just two, a friend of my parents was watching me and took me out to get my ears pierced without my parents consent... back 30 years ago you could do such a thing. My parents were shocked and probably grateful in hind sight. I don't remember that day but I do remember being 4 years old, playing tee ball and telling my coach to be careful putting my helmet on/off because I had pretty earrings on... sometimes boys just don't understand!

Growing up I admired my mother's jewelry collection. I loved opening up her jewelry box and delighting in all her jewels. The stories she would tell about heirlooms caught my attention and further intrigued my interests. I'd stare at my baby bracket and open the wee box that held my "chewed" baby ring. 

On special occasions I've receive meaningful pieces to add to my very own collection from my parents and grandparents. Over the years Adam has also caught on that I love simple, special pieces and he also treats me to some wonderful gifts that hopefully someday will be passed along to our daughter.

Before my grandfather married my nanny, his previous girlfriend gifted him this watch. My nanny only let him wear it for so long before he had to put it away for safe keeping. It's over 60 years old and still works. I've had it for about 7 years and love wearing it with modern straps. The hands are made of paper and are slowly disintegrating, which gives it tremendous character. Every time I wind it up, it reminds me of my Grampy and my love for him. 

The ring on the left was a gift from Adam. I admired this ring by Jonathan Corey of Masterworks Jewellery for a number of months. Something about the two tone (gold/silver) and the pearl, really caught my eye. I love the added detail with the gold drops on the pearl and the thickness of the band really appealed to me. This ring is called "Heaven and Earth 2" and I now have my eye on this one !!!

Chocolate pearl ... yes please!

The ring on the right I had made. As a baby I had an initial ring but as I stated, I chewed it, oops! So while in St. Andrews, NB, I stopped at a little antique/trinket shop and found this stirling silver ring for $10. It was my size and I knew a written "E" would jazz it up perfectly. I wear it on my ring finger and I adore it's simplicity!

Both sets of earring are by the artist Tori XO. The ones on the left were a gift from Adam for our 1st wedding anniversary and on the right were a birthday gift from a friend. The pieces are handmade with stirling silver and embellished with vintage French lace. I really appreciate the uniqueness of these earrings and enjoy that the artist lives in Nova Scotia. Support local.

I'm someone who feels naked if I don't wear earrings or a watch daily. So a big portion of my collection is earrings. My parents gave me the hoops for Christmas one year from W. Smith and Co and what's really neat is that they are white/gold so you can change them around depending on your mood. They are also great for travelling, because it's like having two pairs of earrings in one.

The other two pairs my mom gifted me and they both came from a second hand jewelry store. Mom and I love visiting this shop because there are some really unique pieces. The first pair she bought are stirling silver studs with pearls inside. They are great because they are a classic design and can go with anything. And the other pair are vintage etched stirling silver are great for everyday wear as well.

My last favourite is a necklace that is a legacy piece. My great grandmother gave my mom the round jewel which holds a mustard seed in it. The seed is to be one of the smallest in the world but can survive in many climates. If a mustard tree is cut down to the truck, it can still grow back again. The seed represents that even in the hardest times, you can still bloom. 

The silver dollar was my grandmothers which she had it gold plated and the purple amethyst was my mothers. Amethysts are known to bring balance, peace and patience and although unconventional I love wearing all three pieces together. 

There you have some of my favourite jewelry bits. I'm often found with out makeup and its these simple, timeless pieces that make me feel feminine and beautiful.

Don't forget to check out Natalie's blog, and continue to read as we have a special surprise coming up.

Erin.