Rachel Burklund Designs

Archive for the ‘intheknow’ Category

Valentine’s Day: how to be jeweled with style

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

This Valentine’s Day turn up the heat with a few subtle jewelry, fashion and style tips. Valentine’s is just another reason to look amazing, splurge a little on yourself and charm your sweetie to heaven. So here is what I recommend.

First, your outfit must read sexy yet sophisticated. Men like to see a little skin so that they feel teased and tempted, yet this should be done in a classy, elegant way. The best choice this season is a long sleeve dress with a low neckline, a one-shoulder draped dress or a fitted printed dress. Here are my inspirations.

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Second, your jewelry should be sexy. It should draw attention to your neck, your bust or shine in a way to compliment your outfit. These are my top picks for sexy jewelry. I also like to mix and match wearing an assortment of new and vintage jewelry, to create an eclectic look that states you know how to dress. Try this with vintage bangles or large over the top clip-on earrings and the jewelry below. First featured is the Double Line Necklace, the Asymmetric Tassel Earrings and the Bi-Quartz Gunmetal Bracelet.

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Lastly, add some shimmer to your make-up routine. Add body shimmer to glow and create a “look” with your make-up, accentuating your most radiant feature. If it is your eyes, wear lashes that are sexy and tasteful. If it is your lips, dare to wear a bold dark color of red wine or burgundy.

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Enjoy! Have fun, be bold and daring and try something new! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Jewelry to Accessorize: Sweaters, Jackets & Trousers

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

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The Autumn season is all about bundling up, layers of light tops, jackets and scarves, yet winter moves us into the heavy tweeds, long wide trousers and furs, if we dare. The styles that have reached my closet this season are inspired by Chloe, Dries Van Noten and Marc Jacobs.

Fur is one of those fabrications that I wear infrequently, but this season, we are so saturated with options I decided that I might blend in on the streets and ward off activists. My rules for fur are vintage only, absolutely real and they must be in pristine condition. That said I only have a fur trim leather jacket. Living in Seattle it is a high risk situation wearing a full length fur, although this season, a vest, shrug or cape are perfect, less noticeable options that I will definitely be adopting. Marc Jacobs covers the fur category perfectly, I love his modern day seventies girl with her light dress or high-waist trousers.

For trousers and blouses, Chloe is the most amazing choice. I love the seventies inspiration, with the wide leg trousers, long necktie blouses and draped bohemian coats . Dries Van Noten is always spot on with prints, and brilliant hues. This bright army green jacket has an amazing neckline, perfect for a fur wrap or cashmere scarf, the shape and styling of Dries garments are always very current and forward.

Now the most important topic. What jewelry to wear with your multi-layers? First, since you will be layering, it is important to wear post back earrings, like the ‘Dark Chains Earrings‘. If you wear hook backs they might slip out of your ear and go MIA, so wear post back and it will not matter if they are long, draped, short or circular, what ever your preference they will be sure to stay on with all your moves.

Second, earrings and rings are the easiest and simplest options for layers. Rings give a pop of interest and do not distract from your layers of knits and scarves; the ‘14k Black Diamond Ring‘ is a great choice this season. Earrings are easy when you wear post back because you don’t have to worry about tangles or pieces coming off when you are adding or removing layers. Here are my favorite pieces for heavy winter dressing: Cleo earrings, Long Petal Earrings, Layered Ring.

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Summer 2010 Jewelry Trends. What to wear NOW!

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Check out this video on what to wear now for statement pieces and timeless classics. These jewelry pieces, all designed by RB Designs, are ideal for going to the beach, styling around town or for special occasions such as summer weddings, this video will give you some knowledge of what is happening now. Stay current and forward wear jewelry.

Items featured for reference. Black horn crystal necklace, Chunky Agate button necklace, Agate bracelet w/ silver circles, Draped Pearl Earrings, Long Gold Laureate Necklace

Trend: Designing jewelry with meaning. Purpose over Product

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

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Recycled, organic, non-profit, percentage of proceeds to charity, Eco-friendly…. today we are amongst the most conscious, sustainable minded people around. We all desire to preserve our planet and make a difference, yet how is this awareness shaping our purchases? In some cases you might choose a product because it was manufactured locally or created as a one-of-a-kind piece or hand made. These are all factors that help us decide which brands we would like to support. It is not only about the product and the design but the mission and purpose behind that product. There are so many companies using these key words to market their products, but a few stand out in living up to their promises and paving the way for us all to create earth friendly products. So here are some designers that meet the high standards they have set for themselves.

Joan Hornig Jewelry is designed and owned by Joan Hornig who has created her business model to donate 100% profits to charity. After purchasing one of her unique designs you can choose which charity you would like to support from a list of many reputable organizations. Another jewelry designer who is on track to reduce reuse and recycle is LAS jewelry from LA designed by Daniel and Lisa Soltis. Their mission is to use recycled metals and re purposed fabrics and leathers to create awesome chunky bib style necklaces, plus many more truly “one of a kind” pieces. LAS does a great job of creating innovative, fresh designs while living up to their recycled business strategy. The last designer I would like to give homage to is Linda Loudermilk who has been a pioneer in creating luxury apparel. She has trademarked “luxury Eco”.  Her designs include cutting edge shapes and styles with fabric that she has invented and created to be sustainable and earth friendly, some of these materials include bamboo, sea cell and soya. Luxury Eco combines elegance with Eco friendly fabrics, to make remarkably beautiful clothing.

Gold, Platinum, Gemstones… 5 facts

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

1. Diamonds

Colored diamonds such as blue, pink and yellow diamonds are considered rare and are very valuable. White diamonds are readily available and are typically most desired. Black diamonds are also readily available and are becoming more popular with indie contemporary designers.

2. Gemstones

Sapphires in blue, pink and yellow are becoming the “new” trend in wedding rings. Princess Diana had a blue sapphire wedding ring that was stunning. It is a choice that many women are taking to have something different and unique.

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3. White Gold or Platinum?

Many people debate about 18k white gold verses Platinum in terms of long lasting beauty and resistance to scratching. Here are the facts. Gold is a soft metal, to make it harder it is mixed with alloy to give more density. Gold is yellow in nature, to make it white it is mixed with a nickle combination. To obtain the most desirable white color, white gold is often times plated with rhodium to make it optic white. However, this will wear with time and when scratched gold actually chips away. Platinum on the other hand is denser and more durable. It will slightly scratch, but when this happens the metal is not chipping away, a polishing cloth will take the scratches out or a jeweler can buff them right out. Platinum develops a natural patina over time, which some people like and some don’t. You make the choice!

4. Yellow gold verses white gold

White gold and Platinum still dominate the jewelry industry with the silver color being the color of choice. However, yellow gold is making a huge statement. Many designers such as Temple St. Clair, Jamie Joseph (who is local to Seattle) and Tom Binns use yellow gold in stunning avant garde ways!

5. Gold filled compared to Gold plated jewelry

Gold filled is 12kt gold bonded with a base metal. When melted down the gold content is 1/20th gold. Gold filled keeps its gold color longer because of the heat bonding method, whereas gold plated is 12kt or 10kt gold covered over sterling silver. This method is essentially a dipping method where the sterling is dipped in gold. However, this coating is very thin so over time the metal with turn a tarnished silver color. Bottom line choose gold filled.