Sweet Cavanagh -Empowering Women Through Jewelry Design

Hello!  How are you doing?  Today I wanted to share a post with you about the new bracelet I received recently from Sweet Cavanagh.  Each piece is handcrafted by women in London who are recovering from eating disorders and addictions through creative peer support and jewelry design.  Have you ever wondered how much rehabilitation services cost?  Well, I can tell you from my personal experience (in my area in the US) that it can run somewhere around $1,000 a day for in-patient care.  Many people simply don't go to recovery or leave recovery programs early because they can't afford it.  

The proceeds from the Sweet Cavanagh jewelry sales go to the Free Me charity which helps to aid in the gap in services currently being provided for these patients by the public and private sector.

Sweet Cavanagh gives women in recovery an opportunity to become self-employed as jewelry designers and creators, and empowers them in so many ways through this creative experience.

This pretty delicate beaded bracelet is made with aventurine quartz beads.  If you are looking to add to your personal jewelry collection or for a gift for a friend or family member, you'll want to check out these beautiful handmade pieces.  What a great way to shop and feel good by giving back to those in need:)

Shop Here

Unique Handmade Vintage and Victorian Ornaments By Sparkle Deluxe

Hello and happy Wednesday to you:)  It's that time of year again when many of us are looking forward to our annual Christmas tradition of adding to our unique ornament collection.  To this day, I still remember the first ornament I was given when I was a child, how about you?  Several years ago, I remember starting off my Christopher Radko collection, but every year someone would break one. Now, I use generic ornaments, but I still have a great appreciation for unique handmade pieces like the ornaments I'm showing you today.  

My friend Laurie Horner is the artist behind the Etsy shop Sparkle Deluxe.  This is one place where you'll find truly unique, quality, handmade ornaments that can be found nowhere else!  She  even creates customized designs for her clients.  One day we met up for lunch and I was able to see these lovely ornaments up close.  I can tell you that each piece is made with immaculate attention to detail.  Her cup of creativity is overflowing as seen in these unique vintage and Victorian ornaments.  

Magical Enchanted Forest Lantern

Magical Enchanted Forest Lantern

Magical Enchanted Forest Lantern

Magical Enchanted Forest Lantern

Magical Enchanted Forest Lantern

Vintage Victorian Hot Air Balloon Ornament

Vintage Victorian Hot Air Balloon Ornament

Mercury Glass Vintage Victorian Christmas Ornament

Victorian Christmas Angel Tree Bell Ornaments

Mercury Glass Vintage Victorian Christmas Ornament

Victorian Rose Angel Hot Air Balloon Ornament

Victorian Rose Angel Hot Air Balloon Ornament

Lamb Ornament 

Lamb Ornament 

Santa Claus Airplane Ornament

Santa Claus Airplane Ornament

Vintage Santa Ornaments in Hot Air Balloons

Vintage Santa Ornaments in Hot Air Balloons

Vintage Santa Ornaments in Hot Air Balloons

Vintage Santa Ornaments in Hot Air Balloons

I hope you enjoyed these wonderful ornaments and I want to wish you a fantastic holiday season!   

If you'd like to see more handmade ornaments by Laurie, check out her Etsy shop here: Sparkle Deluxe

What type of ornaments do you have hanging on your tree?

What is your favorite piece?  

*This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own and I was not paid for a positive review.

Uncommonly Good Gifts with UncommonGoods

Have you ever wondered and wondered what gift to get someone?  I most certainly have.  Every time a wedding or bridal shower rolls around, you have to figure something out.  And what about those groomsmen right?  Well, wonder no more.  Now, you don't have to feel as though you are just buying merchandise.  You can actually invest in giving a unique and special gift to someone while making a positive impact in someone else's life and on the world.  Cheers to that!

Here's why...recently, I discovered UncommonGoods, a company that features both Uncommonly Good Gifts while also doing a lot of good at the same time.  What's nice about this company is that they work with artists and small manufacturers, and are committed to selling products that are recycled.  Another interesting fact, UncommonGoods is also a founding member of B Corporation which gives companies a B Seal allowing customers to become aware that these companies have met their standards for providing a living wage, lessening the impact on their environment, and giving back to the community.   

So, let the Uncommonly Good Gift Giving begin...

Looking for something classic?  There is no better way to commemorate someone's wedding day than by creating something memorable.  Artist Alexander Doll composes a very customized version of a wedding gift with city skyline wedding art .  He constructs a classic couple against the iconic skyline of each couple's wedding location with the couple's names, wedding date, and venue name included.  He also uses archival paper and ink to preserve this piece of art from this special day.  For an even more personalized version, you can choose the color of  the backdrop, hair color, and skin tone.

Looking for something elegant?  This two tiered serving tray vase is a perfect wedding or bridal shower gift for the couple who likes to entertain around the holidays and other special occasions.  What I like about this gift is that it's both chic and functional.  

Looking for something really rare and beautiful?  How about selecting this one-of-a-kind rose quartz platter.  It's a gorgeous gift for that special bridesmaid, your friend who likes to host dinner parties, or for yourself for blogging.  This natural Brazilian rose quartz platter with glittering sterling silver edges would serve up a classy presentation of meat and cheese selections next to a complementary set of cocktails.  This stunning flat surface can also give an appealing visual while displaying fine jewelry pieces and also adds a decorative flair to any bedroom or dressing area.  Or, you could buy it as a gift for yourself.  After all, it would be the perfect alternative to photographing a marble stone flat lay when showcasing your jewelry, perfume, beauty, and skincare products for your blog.

Looking for something useful?  This wooden beer caddy is the perfect gift for your groomsmen, or those people in your life who love tailgating before a football game, bringing some brews to a backyard barbecue, and makes a great companion to game nights and camping trips in the great outdoors.

What do you think of UncommonGoods gifts?

*This is a sponsored post however, all opinions are my own.

Summer Night Festival

Dress: Handmade

Handbag: Michael Kors

Boots: Michael Kors

Kimono: Forever 21

Makeup and Hair: Amy Velasquez @Salon Pop, Long Beach, CA

Photography: Franz Swantko

Hello!  Hope everyone is having a great week.  Since summer is upon us, I thought I'd do a summer night festival outfit post for you.  

If you've already bought your tickets to this year's hottest summer festival, now it's time to figure out what to wear.  During the day it could be sizzling hot out, so you'd rather wear something comfy and cool like high-waisted cut-off denim shorts with a flowy boho top and cute espadrilles or sandals.  However, when the night hours of the desert approach, you could be reaching for some comfy stylish wedge boots, a warm kimono sweater, and a cute leather crossbody or messenger bag.

For today's look, I wanted to show a daytime look with this handmade dress worn without the kimono, but instead folded over and cinched with a tie belt to make it appear shorter.  I would normally wear this outfit with sandals or espadrilles during the day.  This dress can also transition and appear longer when let loose.  By adding the belt over the kimono sweater, it gives this outfit a warmer look for evening.  Also, the boots would make wearing a dress at night with cooler temperatures more doable for summer festivals.  In addition, a small crossbody bag or messenger bag would make holding your necessities much easier while dancing at the Silent Disco or moving through big crowds.  I am in love with transitional pieces that go from day to night because they are so easy to wear.  How about you? 

I would love to hear what festivals you are going to this year.  What are you going to wear?

Fairmont Hotel San Francisco Inspired Valentine's Day

*This is a sponsored post

Outfit

Heels: Pelle Moda

Dress: Handmade in Los Angeles

Earrings: Eliot Danori

Beaded Evening Bag: Vintage

Hair: Drybar-Carissa H. in Newport Beach, CA

Makeup: Blushington-Jerilynn in Newport Beach, CA

Photography: Franz Swantko

Decor Styled By: Joanna Joy

Champagne: Veuve Clicquot

Champagne Glasses: Tuesday Morning

Champagne Bucket: Bed Bath and Beyond

Lights: Cost Plus and Tuesday Morning

Chocolate Hearts: See's Candies

Feather Wreath: Gift

Handwriting: Mason Hall

Vase: Michaels Craft Store

Floral Arrangement: Pier 1 Imports

Veiled LED light Bouquet: Styled by Joanna Joy

Candle Holder: Bed Bath and Beyond

Tiered Platter Stand: Handmade by Joanna Joy

Hello!  How did your Valentine's Day go? This year I wanted to do something different and create a decor and look inspired by what I would wear to a glamorous and glimmering  candlelight evening at the classically elegant Fairmont Hotel San Francisco for Valentine's Day.  Since I have a sweetheart, I thought I'd dream up this romantic dining scene in "Fairmont Style".  I chose to style a long elegant white gown for this evening, and thought it would be perfect to pair it with crystal earrings and shoes.  I am in love with this unique scalloped beaded vintage bag too.  I can still see how beautiful it is, even today.  

Fairmont Hotel San Francisco is located on the top of Nob Hill overlooking the bay and is home to 592 guest rooms and suites with fine dining restaurants and impeccable service.  They even harvest their own honey for their Afternoon Tea and are committed to serving local, organic, sustainable cuisine.  Delicious!  Fairmont Hotel San Francisco opened its' doors in 1907 and is considered the crown jewel of the city.  Every year, they throw Memorable Weddings and set the stage for Important Corporate Meetings and Grand Gala Events. They also provide several Special Offer Vacation Packages from Bed and Breakfasts to Family stays.  You should see their Beautiful Guest Rooms and Spacious Luxury Suites and Specialty Rooms that feature both classic elegance with modern amenities.  Top Notch!  An event that is of particular interest to me is the Oscar de la Renta: Retrospective Package which gives you two VIP tickets to the world premier of Oscar de la Renta the Retrospective at the de Young Museum which features 130 pieces of his work over several decades.  Sounds fabulous!

This outfit post was inspired by one of the many spectacular events that happen throughout the year here.  This year, they threw an amazing Valentine's Ball for Single Professionals.  That sounds like fun!  What do you think about a single professionals Valentine's Ball?  Would you attend? If so, what would you wear?

XO Joanna