Meet Lauren the designer of Mitsymoto Designs

One of the most rewarding parts of owning your own boutique is meeting talented designers and being able to offer them a platform to sell their designs. Recently I met Lauren the talented designer behind the line Mitsymoto Designs.  She had a pop up shop at The OC Mix next to my boutique.  I feel in love with her and even more so her designs.  Her space looked incredible.  Her and her boyfriend made every display piece by hand. As I walked through the space I noticed that there were several pieces I was immediately drawn too.  Especially her stackable cross rings in sterling silver and rose gold.  After getting to know Lauren I knew that she was definitely someone that I wanted to work with.  She has the sweetest spirit and is full of enthusiasm. You can just tell she is one of the those designers who is destined for greatness and I am thrilled to be one of the first few stores to carry her line!  Stop by the boutique to check out her collection or to see more of her designs visit her Facebook. 

Sterling Silver & 14k Rose Gold Fill Rings $45

To find out more about Lauren and how she got her start in the jewelry business check out the interview we had last week:)  

How did you get started in the jewelry business?

Growing up I did a lot of wire wrapping and pearl stranding. I guess I became interested in making jewelry from my Aunt, Diane. When I was in first or second grade I started making and selling jewelry in my Aunt's floral shop in Downtown Los Angeles. I would make jewelry for all my friends and family for Christmas and birthdays. Finally, in college I decided to major in Fine Art Sculpture with an emphasis in Small Metal Arts and Jewelry. While in school in San Francisco I had an opportunity to intern and learn from a lot of fellow metal smiths. Working with so many artists and small business owners gave me a sense of how to go about starting a business of my own. Now I'm about a semester away from finishing school and am so excited to have the opportunity to have a small business of my own!

Was it something you always wanted to do?

Working for myself is always something that I've wanted to do, having a business has always seemed so exciting. It's so out of the ordinary from what my family members are doing but I thoroughly enjoy waking up every morning and having the opportunity to create something new. 

Do you have a favorite metal that you prefer to work with?

Bronze

How would you describe your design process?  

I love working in my materials, whether it's metal or mixed media. I don't really like to sketch or plan, I prefer to just go for it and see what I can create and allow my materials to dictate my limitations. Also, working with recycled materials and found objects is something that I love to do in both my jewelry and sculpture. 

What is your favorite item in your closet?

My "boyfriend" jeans. If I could get away with wearing my paint stained, ripped, baggy boyfriend jeans everyday I definitely would.

How would you describe your personal style?

Eclectic? I always like to incorporate something a little funky and be a bit offbeat whenever I can. 

Where do you see yourself/business in 2 years?

I would really love to be carried in my favorite jewelry gallery, Velvet da Vinci in San Francisco and have a little brick and mortar in Boston or New York.

Accessory Spotlight: Scarves

One of my all time favorite things about the winter is that I get to wear scarves. I have a MAJOR obsession with scarves!  Some girls collect shoes,  I collect scarves.  I manage to wear them all year around, because scarves are the perfect accessory to add to any outfit.  They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes.  If you aren't a scarf person and need a little extra scarf inspiration check out all the unique ones we currently have in stock.

Saako Scarves handmade in Barcelona. These scarf/necklaces will add that extra pop to any ensemble. $65 

Echo Scarves $38

Echo Neck Warmers $38-$68

Designer Spotlight: Jenny Bird

I love discovering new designers, especially jewelry lines.  At the last Project show back in August, I met Jenny the talented desginer behind the line Jenny Bird.  She was very sweet and humble and super easy to talk to.  I see a lot of jewelry lines when I go to the shows and a lot of it starts to look the same.  Hers made me stop and look because it was unique and had lots of bright fun colors and textures. 

Jenny Bird grew up in a tiny, rural, artistic community in Ontario, Canada and was born into a family of farmers and seamstresses. From a young age Bird was active in art programs, and crafted wares she would sell to her family out of their living room.

Jenny says "her line was born out of many inspired moments of observation and a calling too poignant to ignore. It was so hard to find beautiful accessories that were fashion forward yet well-made, luxurious yet priced affordably. Few things on the market were distinctly beautiful with a meaningful story; everything felt vacant of soul. I didn’t want obnoxious brands or empty fast fashion. I wanted indie-luxe and cool. I couldn’t help myself but to create". 

As Creative Director of what has become one of the world’s top emerging designer accessory lines, Bird splits her time between her home in Toronto and her creative hub, New York. Now carried at over 100 fashion-forward boutiques and retailers, the line is a notable Canadian success story and is enjoying steady growth worldwide.

We are thrilled to be one of the first boutiques in Orange County to be carrying her line!  

The Gypset Cuff is made up of wooden beads and 18k gold plated box chain and our available in brown, blue, black, and yellow.  This in black is going to be my go to staple for everyday wear!  $85

The Tibetove bracelets look great worn alone of or stacked with a few others.  The 18k gold plated chain tassels on these bracelets make them very elegant.  What I love about her designs is that they are simple yet elegant and have bohemian flair.  $44

Keep it Casual and Cozy

Wrap yourself in luxury this Fall in our cozy yet tailored fabrics. The holiday is upon us and we are busy planning some great events for our Loyal Clients. Stay Tuned!

Need a little sunshine on a cool winter's day?  Add a pop of color to your Winter Wardrobe with one of Echo's super soft scarves or neck warmers.

• Echo Design Carry All $138 
• Echo Design Aztec print infinity scarf $68
• Echo Design super soft dot neck warmer $48 

Bobi is our go-to for simple elegant styles that are ultra slimming while still amazingly soft and cozy!  

•  White button up $63
•  Black turtle neck maxi $72
•  Plum Sleeveless cowl neck dress $62

Have a cocktail party coming up this Holiday season?  Check out our latest shipment of dresses from our favorite brand of flirty feminine pieces Darling from London. 

•  Grey Leopard sleeveless dress $96
•  Ivory dress with black polka dot sleeves $98

We love this gorgeous coat by Darling from London because it is a classic feminine piece which will add warmth to any outfit. $147

Salmon and Spicy Cauliflower recipe

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to cook.  There is nothing more relaxing to me than listening to some great music, pouring a glass of wine and cooking an amazing meal.  After a long day at work cooking seems to be the one thing that helps me unwind. I am sure the wine helps too!  If you have ever been to my house for a meal you know that I am a total perfectionist and my meal can't just taste good but it must look good. "It's all in the presentation" as my dad would say! 

Since I have been posting more and more pics lately of dinners I have made I have received a lot of requests for recipes so I have decided to start posting a new recipe every Saturday!  

Last night I made Salmon, cous cous, salad, and spicy cauliflower. 

Prep Time: 15 Minutes  Cook Time: 15-20 Minutes

Spicy Cauliflower
Ingredients: 

• 4 garlic cloves

• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

• Coarse salt and ground pepper

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and cut into large florets

• skinless salmon fillets

• thin lemon slices, halved

• 1 cup of 

cous cous 

• Mixed Power greens

• 1/2 Avocado

• 1 large carrot 

• shaved Manchego cheese 
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1. Directions
2. 1. Cauliflower: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Take 4 garlic cloves and crush them using a garlic press.  If you don't have a garlic press you can chop them very finely. Put garlic and red-pepper flakes into medium sized bowl.  Season generously with salt and pepper. Add oils, and mix all together. Add cauliflower, and toss to coat. Spread mixture in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. TIP: I like to put a layer of foil down so that nothing sticks.  Roast until they start to soften, about 15 minutes
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4. 2. Salmon: TIP: I like to use the already cooked salmon fillets from traders.  They come two fillets per pack and our frozen when you purchase them.  Thaw out the salmon and season salmon with Southern Spain Pinchito Spice.   Sprinkle over top of salmon until most of the fillet is covered with a thin layer or spice.  Add two thinly sliced lemons on top of each fillet and bake in over for 8 minutes at 450 degrees.  If using the pre-cooked salmon fillets you only need to heat salmon to your desired heat. 
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6. 3.  Cous cous:  In large sauce pan bring one cup of water, 2 table spoons of butter and 1       table spoon of powdered garlic to boil.  Add one cup of cous cous turn off heat and cover to simmer for 5 minutes. TIP:  I like to use Trader Joes whole wheat cous cous  
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8. 4: Salad: Chop large carrot into thin slices. Slice half avocado into thin sections. Top with a few shavings of manchego cheese.  Salad Dressing: In small cup add olive oil, vinegar and the juice from one large lemon.  TIP: I usually do 2-3 parts olive oil and 1 part vinegar depending on how many people I am trying to feed.  Add 3 tsp of Dill Dip season from Savory Spice. 

NOTES:  To purchase any of the spices listed in this recipe visit any Savory Spice location or their online shop.  They have two locations in Orange county as well as several others through out the US. I highly recommend visiting one of them it will change your life in the kitchen. I promise!  

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