MLHP Reader Discount: Rockin' Friendship Bracelets!

Remember these über cool glammed-up friendship bracelets I posted about awhile back? If you missed them, then it's your lucky day, as Lia, the designer behind PureEssentia is offering MLHP readers a 15% discount on the one-of-a-kind baubles.

Two (super-easy) requirements:

• "Like" PureEssentia on their Facebook page - Here
• Mention My Little Happy Place in your order, and Lia will send you the discount code

*She has several new items in the Etsy store, but if something you like is sold, she can do custom orders, too. Happy Shopping, peeps!

*Updated* Friendship Bracelets - All Grown Up

I don't remember my friendship bracelets from the 80s being as rad as these glammed-up versions from Frieda & Nellie. I love that the ethnic vibe of the traditional woven bracelet gets a kick in the pants with the rhinestones. Given my choice, I'd layer them up with a menswear-style watch, a classic oxford and strong denim. Shazaaam!

They're sold via Charm & Chain - a website that carries unique, but relatively affordable jewelry.



*Update: A very cool reader (thanks, Anon) led me to this Etsy store - looka looka!

...and for A LOT less dolla dollas! (Most are sold, so convo the vendor to say, "I love these, please make more!")

Anyone like to start exchanging again?

Drinking and e-shopping...

Looking to re-create something like this...

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Alison on Pinterest

I'm thinking this...

Plus any of these...

Can't decide? Me neither.
All available here.

MLHP recently Furberized

So happy to have a little Furbish in my life via this and this. I only have access to the online version Jamie's world of wonder, probably a good thing, as I'd break the bank if I had the chance at her brick and mortar version. Go on, Furberize yo' self!

Craving: Brazilian Bling

I'm currently fascinated with the collaboration between Brazilian jeweler, H. Stern, and centenarian architect, Oscar Niemeyer. Niemeyer is famous for the modern style he designed for the Brazilian capital, where we live. His sketches of some of the now-iconic buildings inspired the fluid lines of the baubles.
These unique diamond earrings were translated from his design sketch for the Sao Francisco de Assis church.

Probably my favorites are the gold curve bracelets. Um, yes please.

Somehow, I think I'll see his buildings in a new light!

Love Tokens

During my first pregnancy, our nickname for our as-yet-unnamed baby was "Bean." That February, Ben gave me this necklace for Valentine's Day - Elsa Peretti's Bean necklace from Tiffany & Co. I love the precious connotation it has for us, and still wear it all the time.

It was a gift that signified a very particular moment in our lives, so I was surprised awhile back when the hubster suggested I pick something out from "T-Fanny's" to commemorate this baby.

I'm not one of those women who expects a so-called "Push Present" (PP). I mean, isn't the baby gift enough? No judgments, just sayin'... So, when a general "commemorative" gift was offered, I didn't really jump on it - it seemed too much like an early PP.

HowEVAH, with Valentine's Day right around the corner, I've considered that maybe a sort of Love Token might suffice....Hmmm??? It's OK, if I'm being hypocritical, and it's merely a matter of semantics, you can let me know, but in the meantime...

Since I can't have what I'd really want from Tiffany, I'm skipping it altogether. You pay a premium for anything that comes in that little blue box, anyway!

Sundance always has a great selection of organic (albeit higher-end) offerings - I could succumb...

diamond briolette earrings

waterway ring

But, I also have a soft spot for unique, handmade pieces...

Impossibly in love bracelet by artisanfield

Geodes: A nod to Brazil?

Neptune's Gift charm necklace by seafairiesjewelbox

Geode earrings by irisjewelrydesign

Thing is...as lovely as all these pieces are, this exercise seems a bit phony. I don't even wear the decent jewelry I already own when we're here in Brazil - Federal Agent husband says it's a "security thing."
So, I think in light of my desire to have a "moment-appropriate" gift that I might actually have the chance to enjoy, I'll suggest a trip back to the Hippie Fair in Ipanema where we can pick out a fabulous piece of original, Brazilian art.Mmmm....yes, indeed!

Unfinished Business

Have I mentioned in another part of my past life, I was a jewelry designer? Yep, I've always been a jewelry junkie - rarely met a sparkle I didn't like! (It's beyond my control, really, it's in the stars - I'm a Leo!) So, I learned to make jewelry, and for a while, it paid some bills...Anyway, I've got a case full of jewelry I made some time ago that I'm attempting to sell Thursday at the Embassy's weekly artisan's fair - problem is, it's all priced in USD.

To make it more convenient to customers, it needs to be priced in Brazilian Real - so that was supposed to be my weekend project - re-price all these pieces. I was sadly unsuccessful....what can I say, it's a lot more fun to snuggle and laugh with Avery than sit at a table with a calculator and a currency converter...
Wish me luck on getting this done before Thursday a.m.!


P.S. - Yes, I too look at that picture - and get a visual on hours and hours of work, and wonder when in the world did I have so much time?!

P.P.S. - I just saw that Annechovie is offering free shipping this week - No excuses, now!