Beach BohoLuxe Jewelry and Inspiring Women!

Hello Beautiful Readers,

I love adventure, reading, traveling, and coffee (and of course Jewelry and Fashion)! These are a few of the fun things that I found I have in common with Shelbi on Instagram. We have been following each others' Instagram pages for a while and I discovered Shelbi is a unique and very talented blogger with flair. Her photo's are thoughtful, inspiring, incredibly beautiful, and interesting to read!
She has a lovely theme of pretty fashion mixed with witty and clever books, delicious food, and so much more!

I had a feeling she would be a delightful person to collaborate with and I am happy to say I was right! 

This is my favorite photograph of her, just stunning, in my One-Of-A-Kind Natural Agate Druzy Beach Necklace.

Photo of Shelbi, The Nobby Life/ Necklace: Marissa T Designs

The necklace on Shelbi, is a One-Of-A-Kind. However, I will be creating many One-Of-A-Kind Necklaces in this very style. I have another Natural Lavender Grey Agate Druzy in the same design, that I posted before. 

A beautiful full length photograph of Shelbi (below) in her Marissa T Designs Necklace and fabulous coat! 

Photo of Shelbi, courtesy of The Nobby Life.

Shelbi also has one of my minimal and pretty layering necklace that layers beautifully with the Agate Druzy Necklace or looks amazing on its own. The diamond shape natural silver druzy is like a sparkly diamond (without the price of a diamond).

Shelbi accessorizes her outfits wonderfully.  She wears cute, trendy, and classic boots, scarves and big leather bags (which are all my other favorite accessories). Isn't it pretty how she wore the small sparkling silver druzy against black here?

The necklaces are very versatile and I love how she appreciates that. She said she will be "wearing these lovely pieces for everything from going out with friends to events where I will be dressed up," She also added, "There is so much styling potential and I am eager to see how often I can get away with wearing these (because it's going to be often. Like every day.)."     

For other shots of Shelbi wearing the diamond silver druzy and agate druzy necklace please visit her blog post at The Nobby Life.
For all the fashion details (I want this coat wrap) visit Shelbi on Instagram.
 

I think Shelbi could wear any of my designs and look amazing! Wouldn't she look beautiful in some of these new crystal quartz beauties I created? 

I usually post many of my new jewelry pieces first on My Instagram (and My Facebook Page) where I also love to share my personal photography of things and surroundings that inspire me. Most of these natural crystal quartz, agate and howlite gemstone necklaces are new designs.

 

 I find it special to collaborate with beauty, fashion, and lifestyle bloggers that are unique like Shelbi, who shares my belief that smart and talented women should empower and support other like-minded women. If you want to follow an inspiring and relatable (I enjoy, how through her posts, Shelbi inspires the, Every Day Girl) woman on Instagram, Shelbi, is indeed, one to follow. 

 

I love to show my appreciation to returning customers and new ones!  So, through the end of January and possibly through one week in February I am offering a *fun special! I will be making you a "Free Surprise Gift" with any purchase you make in my online shop. Happy Weekend Everyone!

Be Kind. Be Real. and Above all else, Be Sparkly.

Marissa xo

Sunsets, Water, and Aqua gemstones. Happy 2016

Happy New Year Beautiful Readers.

I hope your New Year got off to a really great start! Did you make any New Year's Resolutions? I chose not to this year. I find, for me, it is better to focus on enjoying the present moment. The moment that you are in. Do not get me wrong, I am all about goals and planning (I am a big list maker).  However, I think you (or at least me) can do both. I can set goals for myself and also be the kind of person who focus's on being more present. Living on a island that is surrounded by glorious water gives me inspiration and helps keep me stay present. This is a photo that I took yesterday while out power walking. We have had a lot of gray days here. So, it is not all rainbows and magical sunsets. Finding happiness comes from within and I think we all have are different ways to find balance and beauty. When the sun comes out (and then it makes a magical sunset) it is really really incredible! I treasure moments like these. I find it really helps center me and I love sharing these photos and moments with you. The lavender and glow of the sun is so soothing and reminds me of some of my favorite gemstones.

 

Of course it is not always easy to be fully in the present moment. I think, it takes A LOT of practice to be fully awake in the moment. Being an artisan (who works for herself), I find it helps keep me centered and able to focus on the tasks I set out to do for the day (if I am aware of the moment and have just done some cardio or yoga for example). Doing yoga or cardio really helps me find my groove and reflect on that moment.

I recently shared a book on Instagram where the stories are all centered around water. It is a delightful and relaxing read! If you have been following me, you know by now, that water is probably my biggest inspiration and one of my biggest loves.  The book is called, "The Soothing Soak, A Bathtub Reader," (A Waterproof book).

We have had A LOT of cold and wet days here. So, I recently grabbed this book from my shelf for inspiration. If you love water, I think you will enjoy this book (You can read it anywhere, but, it is pretty handy that you can take it in the tub).

I like that it is a collection of many different and interesting authors with "Water-themed" stories, essays, and poems. Some of the authors in the book, include, D.H. Lawrence, Frost, Elizabeth Bishop, Diane Ackerman, Rumi, Mary Oliver, Anne Sexton, and Pablo Neruda. Water is so soothing and relaxing. It nourishes and awakens my spirit. Whether I am in it or just near it, watching it, photographing it, I get mesmerized. Does it do that for you? It is a kind of soothing escape (pure relaxation) for some people, being in water. For me, when I can swim in the sea, I am never more fully present than when I am immersed in water. Okay, the sea where I live now, is very cold (even in the summer), but that will not stop me from going in with a wet suit this summer! (It was very cold on the East Coast where I moved from a year ago and there I jumped in all the time in the steamy hot summers (without a wet suit). "It is no coincidence that water is tied to the spirit. We come from the water, and we return to the water, whether in sacred communion, relaxation, or wonder," (From the Introduction of the book).

My handmade necklaces I chose for the photo, have my favorite color of course! Aqua and blue are such soothing water colors. Water colored gemstones just draw me in. I think they draw a lot of people in because of the connection to water and the sea. I used natural aqua turquoise and round faceted aqua agate gemstones. Agate is a gemstone that is said to promote physical energy and also a soothing and grounding stone that can help calm you (according to folklore).

Each necklace also has druzy in it ( From left to right: A stunning natural lavender gray agate druzy; a small sparkly silver quartz druzy, and a larger flower shaped natural silver druzy quartz). I love that druzy quartz is said to be an energy and balancing gemstone.  I wrapped the flower shaped silver druzy around my wrist below (which if it is the right length, can function as a necklace or bracelet). I also put on more aqua agate bracelets for this "New Year themed" photo (that are coming to my online shop soon) with turquoise and a big gorgeous lavender purple amethyst druzy.

I took the next two photo's on New Year's Day! They are two beautiful photo's to leave you with right now and I hope you think so too. The sun was shining all day and I went on a huge beach hike (mixed with power walking) with my husband. We have a great tradition to go to the beach and get our cardio on every January 1st! Lucky for us (and everyone else on the island) the sun came out and we were able to enjoy the day a thousand times more! It seemed like everyone was out enjoying the sun! 

 

  

Whatever your New Year's goals or resolutions may be, I wish you much joy and focus while working on them. I also wish you happiness, health, and love in 2016! ****I am offering a wonderful special this January! You will receive a FREE SURPRISE JEWELRY GIFT with any one purchase you make in my online jewelry shop! Thank you for being here.

Be Kind. Real. Be Sparkly.

Love and light,

Marissa xo

Some Simple Things to De-Stress & Gift Ideas!

Hello Beautiful Readers,

I wanted to share a few things that I do to help me relax during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season! There is so much going on this time of the year! Most of us are running around shopping for presents, decorating our homes and trimming the Christmas tree (or for you it may be Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, or whatever your special holiday celebration may be). I love doing all those festive things, however, it can get overwhelming if you over do it.  Don't you think?

One great way for me to unwind is simply, light a few candles, burn some incense (I do not burn them often. On occasion it is an enjoyable and soothing thing for me to do. I enjoy sandalwood by Gonesh Sticks/www.Gonesh.com), and use my favorite lavender oil (from the Whidey Island Lavender Wind Farm). It is an amazing oil that is made on the island's natural Lavender Farm. It is a wonderful oil to use if you are giving someone a little neck and back rub too. However, you can give yourself a little mini spa and massage treatment all on your own (If you meditate, I think this is a nice and gentle way to help relax you and get ready for your meditation).

 I use the oil generously and massage it into my temples (while inhaling the therapeutic, relaxing and delicious aroma of the natural oil), my neck, (my whole décolletage), my shoulders, and into my hair too. I finish by massaging it into my hands (it leaves my skin very soft). I am mindful of my breathing while I do this too. I take several deep cleansing breathes, inhaling deeply and holding it a few seconds and then exhaling it all out (Breathing sounds like such a simple thing to do. I think some of us may forget {myself included} to take a few deep breathes and really fill our chest and abdomen with air). I learned deep breathing in yoga. The more you practice, the more beneficial it becomes.

Some of my Pretty Jewelry Creations, Immune Booster, Massage Oil/Lavender Wind & my favorite hand and body cream by K. Hall Designs (sold online as well at www.khalldesigns.com)

Yoga! Another one of my favorite things in the world and one of the ways I unwind (and work out). I go to yoga classes on the island about once or twice a week. I love blogging about it because I love what yoga does for me and who knows, if you try it, you may love what it does for you too.

If you are too busy to get to a yoga class, let me share this great little deck of cards I have. You can get a yoga mat and just try a few poses at home. Something I do to unwind for about 10 minutes. Sit on your mat (play some soothing music in the background if you want to) and try a few gentle poses. I bought this great card deck (see below/click on it to check it out/great gift for about $10)  from Barnes and Noble many years ago. It gives you 50 yoga exercises you can do on your own and breaks down the cards into four sections, *exercise, *health, *stress relief and relaxation, and *mind and spirit. So, you can teach yourself!

What else do I do to unwind this time of the year? I like to play with my gemstones (well really, I just sort them and arrange them while I am working on new jewelry designs). Recently I made a gemstone mandala with some of the gemstones in my stock. I thought it came out so pretty I had to photograph it and share on social media. I hope you think it is pretty too.

I was feeling inspired by the meaning of mandala. Mandala means Circle. They are circular designs that symbolize the idea that life continues on. The Hindus were some of the first people to use mandala in a spiritual way. However, Mandalas designs we see today are the ones made by Buddhists. This is my sparkly mandala. The necklace in the center will be listed in my shop very soon. I have others like it with silver sparkle and beautiful druzy gemstones.

Enjoy 15% off all my jewelry now until Dec. 25th! With Code: IslandGirl5

The Mandala reminds us that we are connected to more than just our bodies. With that said, it can be seen through the earth, sun and moon. I also love the meaning of how they can be seen in more obvious important, "circles," such as, friends, family and communities. 

My mandala has two of my passions. Gemstones and the sea. I found those two cute little cone shaped shells on a nearby beach. I enjoy using shells in my jewelry photography as well as in some of my jewelry designs. I love color and chose many gemstones I have that are colors of the sea, sky, and nature. I find it so remarkable that all these natural gemstones come from mother nature.

I will leave you with one more thing I do to unwind (whether it be during the holiday season or just to workout and stay fit, and be healthier) is put on my music player and go outside and walk! Even if you have only 10 minutes. I find that it can be so relaxing to just get outdoors, walk briskly, and soak up the simple and beautiful surroundings!

I hope I have inspired you to take 5 or 10 minutes out of your day for yourself and do something that makes you happy and may help you unwind. That way you can recharge yourself for all the important daily tasks and goals that lay ahead.

Be well. Be Real. and above all else. Be Sparkly.

With love and kindness,

Marissa xo

Jewelry Layers; Fall Fashion!

Hello Beautiful Readers,

I love this time of year when the leaves are changing colors. It is awesome to see the leaves change colors in the Pacific Northwest too! As you know, I used to live in Massachusetts not long ago (just a year now) and the foliage is gorgeous there. To my surprise, we have some really pretty foliage here on the island too! Transitioning into fall is fun, especially when it comes to picking out new jewelry to wear; layering necklaces; scarves; sweaters; boots; and pretty coats! 

I met a fashion blogger on Instagram,  Jess, from ElegantlyDressedandStylish and we put our fashion and jewelry beauty together and decided to do a fun collaboration. It is all about the accessories for that special outfit. From a beautiful handmade dazzling gemstone necklace to a sparkling statement necklace set!

I have a new collection of layering sets consisting of many one-of-a-kind necklaces. This is the New Demin Druzy and Aqua Kyanite three layering necklaces, I made with Jess's beautiful style in mind.

I selected the druzy gemstones and designed the look for a very elegant and boho luxe look. I have several new boho glam necklaces and sets as well. Many have these fabulous diamond cut silver beads and different colorful semi-precious gemstones. I love to layer not only clothes, but, jewelry as well! Layer layer layer!

I love purple and dark blue together. Jess's outfit choice could not have been any prettier. I love her Banana Republic sweater dress in that beautiful aubergine (eggplant) rich purple color.  

Jess is rocking these necklaces with her stunning red hair and long neck (She reminds me of Nicole Kidman).

I really enjoy the versatility of the necklaces I made, and I know Jess appreciates that too. She can wear one, two, or all three! They are really pretty for day or night. She can mix and match with other silver pieces she may have as well. Here are some more designs I have made in my Boho Glam Collection.

 

This is a custom design (below) I made for a beautiful woman (blue howlite with zircon pave pendant, black onyx, silver beads and an aqua blue opal on the shorter necklace). I love custom orders. I will have another necklace with a turquoise pave gemstone in the shop soon. 

Here is the whole beautiful outfit Jess chose to wear with my Demin Blue Druzy Necklaces.

For all of the great outfit details please visit Jess at ElegantlyDressedandStylish

 I love the leaves in the backdrop! Those are the cutest grey tights! Don't you think? 

Be Real. Be Kind. and Above all else. Be Sparkly,

Marissa xo