Exclusive Jewelry Designs

Wow, where does the time go? Has it really been almost two weeks since my last post? I promise I haven't forgotten everyone, it's just that I've been so extremely busy taking on new projects I don't know how to fit everything into my schedule. So here's what's been going on with me lately...

I've been designing jewelry not only for my own label WhimSea Designs, but I've had an amazing opportunity to design exclusive jewelry pieces for  Be Mom Couture. This company is so adorable! They have handcrafted jewelry, handbags and tees for the most fashionista of moms! You'll fall in love with them right from the start...just like I did. Can you imagine my excitement when I received their email?!

Here's a peek at some of my exclusive designs for them...

Two of my exclusive designs include this triple strand gemstone necklace with white gold turquoise earrings.

This Beach Mommy Collection was exclusively designed with amazonite gemstones and freshwater pearls.

For the Sugar Mommy Delicate Collection we have white gold orchids and glass pearls.

For a more damatic Sugar Mommy we have two strands of glass pearls adorned with an organza-like fabric flower accented with vintage inspired details.

Here's a little more detailed look at the necklaces...

Blossom Beaded Sparrow Necklace

Bliss Beach Necklace

Sweet As Sugar Necklace

Of course with all these new designs, there had to be a photo shoot, right? We took some time out of our day to head to the beach to catch lovely images of "you know who" wearing "you know what"...

Beach Mommy Island Bag

America's Next Top Model here I come (lol...yeah, right) But it was such a wonderful time while it lasted. We had a blast shooting the Beach Mommy Collection!

Between designing jewelry for BMC, hosting WhimSea Designs Jewelry Trunk Shows, and keeping local stores stocked for the summer with all the latest WhimSea styles.....I'm exhausted!

Here's a few new designs I've been working on lately...

Hope you love them as much as I do! Summer is definately here...and the design studio has been crazy busy!! With that said, I may not be able to post as often as I'd like...but I hope to keep you updated on my whimsical life as it continues to unfold!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely day!

What Red, White and Blue Inspires You?

Happy Fourth, Everyone!

To celebrate I've picked out a few lovely little things to share with you...

Sailor Swimsuit

1950's Vintage Inspired Dress

Patriotic Porches

Lovely Red, White and Blue Bedrooms

(photo via Country Living)

Of course you can't have a Fourth of July celebration without food. Here's one of my favorite recipes I love to bring along to any picnic or barbecue. It always gets rave reviews...

Watermelon Salsa

Ingredients:

3 cups finely diced seedless watermelon

1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup finely minced red onion

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, toss watermelon, jalapeno, cilantro, and onion with lime juice. Season with salt. Serve at room temperature (or chilled).

Helpful Tips:

*Use a combination of yellow and pink watermelon to make this a really colorful salsa!

*Be sure to take out the seeds and the inside membrane from the pepper... that's the extra-hot stuff.

*It's okay to make this early in the day and let it chill until serving. I've found that it's also good the following day.

*Serve with tortilla chips or slices of jicama.

No matter what your plans are for this holiday weekend, please remember to do one thing...

What red, white and blue inspires you?

Thanks for stopping by...have a lovely day!

Ponies on the beach, I love my backyard...

Happy Monday Everyone! I hope you had a beautiful and relaxing weekend. I spent a good part of my weekend getting my home ready for a friends and family BBQ. As much fun as it is hosting a party it can be really exhausting at the same time. So I decided to take a little break from the party planning and head to one of the local beaches here, literally five minutes from my home. The best part about this beach and the reason it's one of my favorite little places is because on any given day you can bring your little cooler and beach chair and sit on the beach with these lovely beauties....

The blonde is my favorite, isn't she just lovely? Everytime I come to the beach

I look for her. This was a real treat to have her this close to me today.

Usually I spot her frolicking out in the marsh on the drive to the beach...

All the horses here are used to being around people. They wander around on the

streets, the trails, the marsh and if you're lucky they'll even join you on the beach.

They love being down by the water where it's nice and cool.

They are of course wild so you can't pet them or feed them,

you just enjoy them and their beauty from afar...

C'mon, who could ask for more than to have this right in your backyard?

 It was a wonderful way to spend my weekend, I must say.

Thanks for stopping by...Have a beautiful Monday Friends!

What I'm Lovin' Now...Maxi Dresses

Okay, so now that I've had a chance to calm down from the OVER-EXCITEMENT and OVER-SPENDING of my latest VS semi-annual sale shopping trip...I can focus on other things I'm loving for summer. Even though I completely blew my summer budget (show of hands ladies, if you feel my pain) and have no money right now to purchase one of these lovely maxi dresses I'm dying over, window shopping is still free! So here's what I'm thinking...

Maxi's are not only super chic and stylish this summer, they hide a multitude of sins (trust me on this one)! Plus they look great on every woman! If you don't already have one in your wardrobe here's a few of my favorites that you may want to add to your summer collection...

O'ma gosh...this is so adorable! I'm gonna have to have this one (regardless)...

or maybe I want this Strapless Ruffled Maxi Dress instead...

What's a girl to do? Hmmm, I guess I'll just have to buy them both {painful sighing}

And as always, my post wouldn't be complete without a few pieces from

yep you guessed it... Anthropologie! Whether it's strapless, halter or

bohemian inspired...they all strike my fancy, really!

I'm loving how soft and flowy this gorgeous cover-up is!

Who says you have to look frumpy at the beach?

It's all about chic coastal styling, ladies!

After a day a the beach, I would love to slip into one of these lovelies! Wouldn't you?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely day everyone!!

Undergarment Insanity...

Whoa, the weekend went by way to fast! I hope yours was beautiful and you took a little time to relax and enjoy the beautiful summer weather. As for me, my summer to-do list took over my weekend, ugh! But, I did manage to find a little "me time" for a few hours....

 Can you keep a secret?

I pretty much spent my entire Sunday afternoon in Victoria's Secret. Ladies, I've got three words every woman LOVES to hear....

It's what I like to call the "Oh Yeah, Come to Mama" Sale! You see, these little events only happen twice a year and it's sheer torture waiting for them to arrive!! Wait...before I go further with this story...

DISCLAIMER NOTE:

I am not responsible for behavior displayed while under the influence of a sale!!

Phew, now that that's out of the way, I have to admit it I was a little crazy in there at times...and confess that I played a large part in the madness and craze of it all! I mean, come on...what's a girl to do? Any time you put that many women in one store with bins full of expensive pretty little things for next to nothing prices...it's every woman for herself! You have to dig your way around to score big. Ladies, you know who you are...you've been here right along with me.

 After I came up for air from the bottomless pit of "undergarments" I was EXTREMELY EXCITED to try on my new lovelies and found quite a few keepers! Of course you can't leave the store without being suckered into the 75% off their fragrances, lotions and bath gels.....sheesh, at this point I know I'm in BIG TROUBLE because I looked up and saw this sign too...

Okay Jamie, step away from the fragrances and pull yourself together!!

Ahhhh, who am I kidding! I'm obsessed with them....so, I found a new summer perfume that was desperately seeking a shopoholic like me to take it home!

...And of course no VS trip is complete without some new lipglosses. I'm a HUGE fan of those too!

(maybe a slight addiction)

 So let's just say that while it was a BIG sale, I did save alot of money but I definately got carried away and spent alot too!

{ridiculously shameful blush}

So, anyway....I'm broke and blew my summer budget on  pretty little things in one afternoon! But in my defense, I did have a blast and should be tied over in the "undergarment" area of my life for quite some time. (Uh huh...at least that's what I tell my self for now....I do realize that that could change at any given moment!)  How'd you spend your weekend? Relaxing....shopping....DIY summer projects? I'd love to hear. 

Thanks for stopping by today....have a beautiful Monday everyone!

What I'm Loving Now... Summer Salads

There's nothing more refreshing in the summer than a nice salad of some sort. I'm IN LOVE OBSESSED with Panera's Fuji Apple Chicken Salad...

...So I decided to whip up one of my own. It turned out delicious by the way, if I do say so myself! But, what kinda friend would I be if I didn't share it?  So, here's my new favorite summertime recipe.

INGREDIENTS

6 cups field greens (such as arugula, radicchio, curly endive, etc.)

1 cup shredded chicken breast

1/3 cup gorgonzola, crumbled

1/4 cup chopped pecans

2 oz. apple chips


WHITE APPLE BALSAMIC DRESSING

2 tbsp. apple juice concentrate

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/3 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Toss mixed greens, rotisserie chicken, blue cheese, walnuts and apple chips together in a large salad bowl. Whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over salad. Serve immediately.

SUMMER SALAD #2
Here's a quick throw together summer fruit salad perfect for last minute entertaining:

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup bottled poppy seed dressing

2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

2 avocados, thinly sliced

4 cups loosely packed arugula

2 cups halved seedless green grapes

1 mango, julienned

1 cup diced fresh strawberries

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

PREPERATION

Whisk together dressing and grated ginger in a large bowl. Cut avocado slices in half crosswise; gently toss with dressing mixture. Add arugula and remaining ingredients; gently toss to coat. Serve immediately.

SUMMER SALAD #3
And finally, my third favorite summer salad has to be this Melon and Mozzerella Salad. I found the recipe in Southern Living Magazine and I've been in love ever since!! I know, it's quite an interesting combination...but it's really yummy on those hot days when you need some light refreshment. C'mon you know you wanna try it....

The picture itself is making my mouth water, geesh!!

Salads are so easy to make, just allow yourself a little prep time like cutting up your ingredients the night before for example. They're also perfect to pack and take in your cooler for a picnic or day at the beach! Have a delicious day everyone!!