Sneak Peek....

I beyond excited to share with you a little look into the spring 2012 alexa collection, Stone Age! It will be available March here.

Stone heaven!!

 

Stunning sea blue agate stone with small silver wire wrapping detail & vintage chains. So elegant and easy to wear.

 

Deep brown colored agate stone that really stands out with the gold wire wrapping and brown leather details. Umm hello gold & silver chain fringe.

 

What more could you want with this grey-toned agate stone, silver wire wrapping, delicate dangles, & yellow leather/badass vintage silver chain?

 

Gorgeous eye-catching brown agate stone with gold wire wrapping. Placed on a chocolate brown leather string. The perfect necklace to rock with your wildfox tees and cut-off shorts this summer.

Fraser Vally stone with hints of blue & pink paired with a long silver chain. Added fun with the gold and silver dangles (all vintage). The first creation in the new collection!

Vintage pink stone-like beads paired with tons of gold chains. Tangled glory.

The 2012 spin on the old school friendship bracelets. Fun bold colors paired with edgy gold or silver chains. Easy to wear, layer them up!

These pictures were captured by the very talented Lauren from de[luxe] design studio. Thank you so much for your patience and your creative eye!

Spring alexa collection

I always get asked what influences my creations? Believe me when I say I am inspired by everything that surrounds me. I am notorious for snapping pictures, tearing pages out of magazines, & using design boards to help get the creative juices flowing. The alexa collection started with redesigning vintage jewelry & that hasn't changed. You will see hints of the Gilver Era (fall 2011 alexa collection) with the combination of gold & silver. In addition to my vintage chains, I am thrilled to be using stones found in and around the Fraser Valley (where I live). You will see fun pops of color with the variation in stones, leather, & string. I truly believe my collection is an extension of me! If I could describe it in words it would be: vintage.hippie-like.free-flowing.colorful.

I feel as though pictures can describe it better than words... I would love to share with you some of the inspiration behind the alexa collection spring 2012 line, Stone Age.

Check back tomorrow to catch a sneak peek of my newest pieces!

Must Have Monday- Fresh Water

Fresh water shades have seem to have popped up everywhere. I admit they have even influenced the spring 2012 alexa collection. Here are some cool colors to cure the Monday blues.

Striped cupcake liners- $3.50

Opi nail polish in Mermaid Tears- $8.88

Fahrenheit Selita Sandal -$79.99

Ikat pillow set- $40.00

NARS Trio eyeshadow in Cap Ferrat- $55.00

 Diesel Medium Leather Bag- $203.00

alexa collection sea of blue stone- coming soon!

Feel Good Friday

Have you joined Pinterest yet? If you haven't where have you been? It is a virtual way of pinning your favorite pictures & inspiration to "boards". Here are some words for thought for this Friday from my board entitled word. Think about it, how are you going to be better than you were yesterday?

Have you already joined the pinning fun? Follow my boards here. 

Happy Friday everyone!

Hidden Treasures

There is something about a thrift store that makes me all giddy inside; my palms start to sweat, my mind starts to race, and my pace quickens. I truly love the thrill of the hunt. I am never really looking for anything specific rather, things tend to whisper my name when I walk past them.... pssst hey Al you NEED me, how good would I look in your home? Now I always go in with a budget in mind and end up blowing it somewhere near the teapots & vases. Here are a few of my latest finds.

Leaves & Green two of my favorite things, great trio serving tray for dinner parties.

Fun city books in different shades of brown. Maybe I will get to visit these places one day.

So excited to have these books in my office back at home. I don't think I will read any of them but damn they look good!

Spring alexa collection, how did this get in here?

Off white lace detailed vase to hold  fresh flowers.

Gold detailed baking dish turned bracelet & ring holder.

It is all in the detail with this silver serving tray. I will be using this to display my spring collection!

The coolest books I have found so far... textured (fabric) sewing books. These ones are pretty and will actually get read.

Wedding Shoe Dilemma

Ok guys I am feeling a bit overwhelmed when it comes to committing to my wedding shoes. I am looking to you, my lovely readers, for some advice. Below you will see nine very different shoes, I am not going to tell you the price or brand and I want you to vote!

 Let me tell you a bit about the day & dress. We are getting married in St. Maarten on the beach so I wont be wearing these for the ceremony. They are going to be worn for the dinner after & the club; where they will get to experience a full night of dancing. Keep in mind we are on an island therefore the paths aren't all paved & it is not the easiest place to walk around on. My dress is very hippie like with a lace back, a-line cut, and lightweight fabric. It is vintage from the 1960's. It is no surprise that I love color & edge when it comes to my accessories so I NEED your help. Leave a comment below and vote for your favorite shoe for my big day!

Let the voting begin, Thank you!

A Night of Woah

My girlfriends & I were in a  dire need of a GNO (girls night out). It just so happened that last week we finally got our big chance. The eclectic Diva! boutique was hosting a pre-Vday ladies night out in my neck of the woods. The evening was not short on laughter or fun that is FOR SURE. The shopping party had everything you could ever want or need for V-day... curious? Check out the pics for yourself. Lets just say some of us were a bit more scandalized than others.

{Nothing sets the shopping mood better then delish red velvet cupcakes}

{cupcakes may have gotten out of hand}

{Grownup tutus in fun fab colors}

{Say what?!}

{Yummy chocolate exfoliating scrub}

{Woah}

  {My jewelry on display!}     

       {All Wrapped Up bracelet}

                   

{Sky high heels, tutus, roller derby gear, oh my!}

 

{Funky offerings}

{Mad hatter party with these unique pieces? I thinks so get ready girls!}

Thanks to Lauren from

de[luxe] design studio

for documenting the night in these fun pictures! 

Must Have Monday

This Must Have Monday is for all of you tea drinkers out there. When it comes to steeping the perfect cup of tea you want it to be easy & mess free. Davids Tea offers a magical, clear, BPA-free device they call the steeper. It is easy to use, easy to clean, & can steep piping hot or ice cold tea. This little bugger leaves no plastic-like taste unlike some others on the market. Don't get me wrong I love my green bubble tea pot (good for more then one glass) but I am so amused with the steeper (great for a solo cup)!

The Steeper from Davids Tea $19.50

1) Place tea leaves directly inside The Steeper
2) Pour hot water over tea leaves
3) Steep as usual
4) Put The Steeper on top of your cup and watch the tea magically pour out

While you are there check out the Roobis de Provence. It is a great late afternoon sip filled with flavors of lavender, black currants, rose petals, & blueberries. 

Feel Good Friday

This Feel Good Friday is coming to you via an email from my dad. He thought the yoga instructor in me would enjoy the fact that even drunks practice yoga. Yoga can benefit everyone right? Bahahah, oh dad.

Halasana

Excellent for back pain & insomnia

Dolphin

Excellent for the shoulder area, thorax, legs & arms

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

This position calms the brain & heals tired legs 

 

Salambhasana

Great exercise to stimulate the lumbar area, legs, & arms

Marjayasana

Position stimulates the midriff area & the spinal column

Ananda Balasana

This position is great for massaging the hip area

 Balasana 

Position that brings the sensation of peace & calm

Malasana

This position, for ankles & back muscles

Savasana 

Position of total relaxation

Happy Friday everyone!   

inspired interiors

Hello! Lauren from de[luxe] design studio here with a bit of advice meant to jumpstart the design inspiration for your unique abode. Often times I have people ask me, "What's my interior design style?"... and honestly, the best way to answer this is to have a look inside your very own closet! Interior design, after all, is heavily inspired by fashion.....  

A true fashionista, Ally isn't afraid of mixing colors, prints, materials, etc... This is apparent in her personal wardrobe and throughout the alexa collection. The following designs (inspired by Ally's style and jewelry) showcase the idea of bringing your own personality to life without over thinking what should go into the interior design process.

Architectural Digest

If you love, love, love color and can't decide on what to incorporate into your space, consider mixing in a few different colors - in the same tone (jewel tones shown above) - via accents & accessories with neutral walls & flooring. 

Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.

Many people focus on avoiding brown + black or black + navy. I am here to tell you, fret this "faux pas" no longer! The above living room effortlessly incorporates black and navy by balancing the dark drapery panels and sofa with lighter patterns and a bright, yet neutral, wall color. 

Jamie Laubhan-Oliver

It's all about gold and silver. An inherent trait of the alexa collection, mixing gold and silver creates a timeless and chic setting. As you can see from the above example, both metals compliment one another beautifully. 

Moral of the story: Don't over think what colors, patterns, or materials look good together. Instead focus on the overall balance and proportion of what goes into a room. By following this advice, you will without a doubt be able to create a unique space that reflects what is most important.... you! 

   

   

      

SpringOn

The days still may be chilly but I am more than ready to start integrating Spring pieces into my wardrobe.  Here are a few tips for adding Spring into your closet now.

1. Try ankle booties in a natural colors paired with spring dresses & tights. 
{ Steven by Steve Madden Pembrook bootie- $79.99 [on sale]}
2. Think chunky knits in fun colors...throw them over patterned dresses or pastel-colored denim.
{Threadsence Granny Smith Color Block Sweater- $40.00}
{Threadsence Bamboozled Jungle Dress- $40.00}
3. Scarves I always see as an investment piece. If you choose dreamy fabrics & unique patterns you are more likely to wear them season to season! Not to mention they are the easiest way to jazz up any outfit. 
{A Peace Treaty origami coral scarf- $215.00}
4. Cool printed bags with intense colors can brighten up any wintery outfit. 
 {Threadsence Rising Sun Leopard Purse- $54.00}
5. Layer up your winter blacks with lighter jackets, both color & fabric.
{Threadsence Secret Keep Lace & Chiffon Jacket- $55.00}


Here is to hoping Spring is closer than we think :)

Simple Love

This Valentines Day will be anything but uber romantic for us. We have a full day planned of errands & Bear's puppy graduation class in the evening. We have never been crazy celebrators of this day. Instead we enjoy a few simple things. This year it will be these white chocolate stuffed raspberries, an exchange of cards, & a late night dinner.

{yummy how to}

I hope you have a lovely day! xoxo

Must Have Monday

This Must Have Monday is truly a ball of fun....literally. eos lip balm spheres are a must in keeping your lips smooth & healthy. These lips balms are sure to make you smile with their shea butter & vitamin E formula. They are 95% organic, 100% natural, & come in 6 fab flavors. My favorites are honeysuckle honeydew, sweet mint, & summer fruit! These little guys can be found at Shoppers (Canadian friends) & Ulta (American friends). Rumor has it Walmart has them now too. 

{eos lip balm spheres $3.29}

Feel Good Friday

As Valentine's Day approaches many of us think chocolates, flowers, and romance. The yogi in me thinks of the physical movement of opening the heart space in your body. Doing simple heart-opening postures allows your collar bones to spread, your chest to expand, & your entire heart to be flooded with space, lightness, & oxygen. It allows you to feel openness, compassion, & love. "It is only with the heart that we can see clearly. For what is essential, is hidden from the eyes."-The Little Prince

Want to feel the love? Try Ustrasana or Camel Pose

Happy Friday!