This Sunday edition of Consider Yourself Cultured is brought to you by At Present, a jewelry marketplace that celebrates the present moment and embraces the now—the moments in life that are big and small, and everywhere in between.
Good morning from Minneapolis! It's my first time in the Twin Cities and the furthest north and west I've been in the country—how exhilarating! I'm here for the Gymnastics Olympic Trials and also recording an upcoming episode of Lunch Break, so stay tuned for that! But enough about my travels—let's talk JEWELRY!
I am excited to share my latest curation for At Present, and that I have also been named their Stylist In Residence (I will share more about soon!!!). This time, I had the privilege of going through the lookbooks of several brands to handpick pieces that I thought deserve a spot on the At Present site. As I stated in the first part of my partnership with At Present, “I see jewelry as almost a second skin”—melding with the body and becoming an integral part of your identity.
When it comes to buying and investing in jewelry, it’s about selecting pieces that not only express your individuality but also resonate with your past, present, and future. The pieces I’ve chosen have special qualities, whether it's their personalization potential, unique shapes, or the carefully selected stones that adorn them. Each item has its own character, perfectly complementing any outfit and hopefully bring a big smile to your face.
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In today’s letter, several pieces I've selected will be featured, but you can find the full array here.
Ariel Gordon
What I truly love about Ariel Gordon’s collection is the personal touch in each piece. Since the brand's establishment in 2009, customization has been at the heart of its ethos. As I've often said, jewelry is an extension of ourselves. While I do change my jewelry from day to day, there are a few cherished pieces that I wear constantly, and do everything in them from sleeping to showering, because the thought of removing them feels almost sacrosanct. Gordon’s creations resonate with my sentiments, and her pieces serve as tangible representations of the wearer and the moments and symbols that hold deep meaning for them.
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On the topic of personalization, all of the pieces above can be tailored to your liking. The Ace of Hearts Enamel Charm, as its name suggests, is a playing card charm. However, instead of the usual "A," you can customize it with the initials of your choice (perhaps yours and your lover's initials—wouldn’t that be precious?). Below that necklace is the Imperial Calendar Pendant, where you can select a significant date and adorn it with the birthstone of your choice.
I love the look of layered necklaces and the sensation of pendants gently tapping against my chest as I go about my day. (It always reminds me of that scene from The Wolf of Wall Street where Matthew McConaughey pounds his chest after downing several martinis.)
To add even more interest to the necklace arrangement, I slipped the Jumbo Signet Ring onto the same chain as the calendar pendant—it feels symbolic to have these two pieces in conversation with each other on the same necklace.
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Continuing with the theme of personalization, there is also the Strata Signet Ring, a bold piece that truly commands attention. Additionally, the Double Birthstone Stacking Ring is a wonderful gift for a parent. I believe birthstones are significant because they foster a connection to the Earth, and as I've mentioned before, I think wearing your birthstone brings good luck and protection.
The other ring I am wearing in this photo is not customizable but still very impactful. The Lady Finger Ring offers a modern twist on the classic cigar ring with its grooves and more compact size, and feeds my current obsession which is this style of rings. (One theory about how the ring got its name involves its resemblance to the to the decorative wrappings on expensive cigars, and then there is also Catherine the Great.)
Finally, we have this stunning floral bracelet with turquoise stones forming the petals and tourmaline at the center. Although it's not fully visible in this photo, the bracelet features a beautiful gradient pattern that mimics a rainbow.
Eriness
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What struck me first about Eriness was its vibrant use of color; each piece exudes an undeniable optimism that just makes you happy. Established in 2015, the brand's mission goes beyond creating cheerful jewelry with diamonds and colorful gemstones. It also aims to refresh classic styles while embracing a playful approach to fine jewelry.
This year, I've been exploring earrings more, stepping away from my comfort zone, which for me is a tiny gold hoop. I've always admired sizable hoops, but a.) didn’t always think they suited me, and b.) wanted something a little different from the classic circular shape. I really adore these Form Hoops (a shape that is recurring throughout this collection) because they take a classic hoop and add a playful geometric twist, or to use a wordt that my seatmate on yesterday’s flight said, they're pretty "groovy." If these are a bit too large for your liking, there's also these huggies, which feel more like the typical pair I wear, though slightly larger and more defined.
Continuing on the topic of earrings, there are also these drop earrings adorned with a dazzling pink sapphire, they are a whisper of elegance in the most delightful way. As seen in the photo, they gracefully extend just past my jawline, adding a touch of drama and enhancing their overall appeal.
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And now, for the pièce de résistance: the jewelry stack of dreams! Let’s start with the tennis bracelet, a classic in yellow gold adorned with vibrant emeralds this time. While I typically lean away from yellow gold for tennis bracelets, the rich hue of these emeralds makes the gold setting shine even brighter. (I also prefer my tennis bracelets a bit loose—I find the subtle movement quite luxe.)
Moving to the same hand, we have two Form Bands—one in gold and the other shimmering with diamonds. When stacked together, they interlock like puzzle pieces, creating a striking new ring. On the opposite hand, continuing the stacking theme, I've layered the Solid Gold Cocktail ring over the Ombre Sunburst Cocktail ring. It not brings to mind images of the sun, but also it reminds me of the vibrant spirit of an Aperol Spritz (basically this ring is the living embodiment of SUMMER!). I love stacking rings because they highlight each piece, and form a unique silhouette that effortlessly captures attention.
Jennifer Demoro
Jennifer’s pieces instantly transported me to the 70s! Each one exudes the essence of your disco-loving, bohemian, jet-setting aunt’s jewelry box. They strike a perfect balance between nostalgia and timelessness.
Let's kick off the party with these Enamel Disco Initials. I believe it’s essential to have jewelry in your collection that reflects your identity. When you invest in pieces, you're choosing something to cherish for a lifetime. Your initial serves as a personal reminder that this collection is uniquely yours, symbolizing your autonomy and direction in life. While initial jewelry is ubiquitous, this retro twist feels remarkably fresh and original.
Upon seeing this piece, I began to think about those wonderful island towns that dot the Mediterranean. There is something quite architectural about that piece that I feel resemble those buildings by the sea. Not only is there a strong structural quality to the piece, the colors of the stones and gold add a striking flair that would beautifully complement any outfit.
Is this not simply delicious!?! AREN’T THEY DIVINE! These earrings evoke a sense of antiquity with their warm, textured yellow gold and the gradient of Tsavorites, which transition from vivid to subtle as you move down the earring. Hidden jump rings add a graceful movement to the piece.
And finally, let's talk about this Cigar ring that is bursting with life, not only from its colorful gold tones but also from the mesmerizing pattern of gemstones. Featuring emerald, blue topaz, pink and orange sapphire, and citrine in a rainbow formation, they trace a lightning bolt cut-out that seems as if Zeus himself crafted it out of pure envy! This distinctive feature not only defines the ring but also allows for a hint of skin to peek through.
I hope you enjoy this collection, and don’t forget to check back mid-week for part 2 of my summer outfit ideas!
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I'm super grateful this article came out today! I was looking into a couple statement pieces and it's like you read my mind (& shopping list)
Loving this so much, this idea of pieces "having a conversation with each other" -- and side note you just look SO GOOD in sparkle. XX