Designer Dialogue: Dogeared

Dogeared is the meaningful jewelry and accessory company dreamed up and crafted by Marcia. Born and bred in LA, the collection features dainty gold-dipped and silver necklaces, rings and anklets with powerful messages. From "good luck" charms ( THIS little horseshoe is the cutest) to silhouettes of your home state - each piece is designed to carry special meaning for the wearer. Plus, the necklaces come in different lengths which makes them absolutely perfect for layering!

How did Dogeared begin? 

 When I started making jewelry, I began selling it at the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena. It gave me the opportunity to have fun and be creative. We got to interact with our customers and discover what they were looking for and why a certain piece resonated with them. That’s the foundation upon which Dogeared was built. Then a friend of mine who worked for a department store chain gave me my big break – she loved my stuff, so she helped me get Dogeared into ten of their locations. From there, it was onward and upward! 

 What is your creative process like? 

 The creative process is hard to pin down. I do believe in going with the flow and following an idea wherever it takes you. When you’re in the zone – when something has really clicked in an organic way - things just flow and have a momentum of their own. If you have to force a concept or idea, somewhere along the way you’ve probably disconnected from the essence of what made it great in the first place. You have to start somewhere, and you have to keep moving forward no matter what. One pretty good idea can spark a bigger, better, greater idea. A certain amount of mental flexibility is required. Learning to listen to and trust your instinct is so important. 

 What are some of your favorite pieces/collections from the line? 

 Our Karma Collection is a personal favorite of mine. On an aesthetic level, it's clean, simple, elegant. But for me, it really gets its mojo from the message behind it: what goes around, comes around…which is our motto around here. The Dogeared brand is as much about why you’re wearing a piece as it is about what you’re wearing. And my rainbow pyrite necklace from our recent limited edition collection has been my true go-to piece ever since I first put it on. I pretty much live in that one at the moment. 

 Where in LA do you like to go for inspiration? 

 I’m obsessed with authentic textiles and bold visual art, so I love home stores. I like to hit all of those eclectic shops scattered along La Cienega, Robertson, Abbot Kinney, you never know what you’re going to find, and that element of surprise is great for jumpstarting my own creativity. And of course there’s the beach - it’s my favorite place to hang out and have a glass of wine with good friends….all of whom are incredibly inspiring

It's Heating Up

souchi Vest, Brandy Melville Tee, Vintage Skirt, Zelma Rose Cross Stitch Locket (c/o), Vaalbara Designs Santa Fe Clutch, J Crew Flats.

The weather this weekend was sunny and HOT. Luckily, I live near the water so the ocean's breeze makes those super hot days quite wonderful. After a full day of lounging on our balcony, my husband and I made our way to Venice Beach to people watch (always a fun activity) and to enjoy the LA sunset. It felt kind of fitting to be carrying this Vaalbara Designs clutch - the designer Emily is based in Venice and it's pretty evident that her colorful bags have been inspired by her surroundings. Plus, the clutch goes so well with my Zelma Rose cross stitch locket. I recently discovered this brand and I must say, the jewelry and accessories are incredible and so unique. I highly recommend checking out their pieces!

Hope you guys have a great Tuesday, I'll be packing for my trip to Cabo!

I Heart Los Angeles

Brandy Melville Tee, Michael Stars Jacket (c/o), Hearts Necklace (c/o), Hearts Clutch (c/o), Jeffrey Campbell Shoes.

I recently teamed up with Hearts in their "Looking Good, Doing Good" Los Angeles Campaign. Hearts is an amazing company that collaborates with artisans around the world to make unique, eco friendly products and every month they feature bloggers and companies doing good things in their cities. 

I'm wearing the Heart's Sip of Sunshine necklace and Denim in Bloom Clutch. Both the pieces are made locally from upcycled materials. You can see more of this month's Looking Good Doing Good campaign on their blog. 

Use code LOVEACE30 for 30% off everything on their website (www.hearts.com), good until the end of June. Happy Shopping! And to all the wonderful mamas out there (especially mine!), Happy Mother's Day!

Designer Dialogue: souchi

Meet Suzi, she's the designer behind the cozy chic Aspen based knitwear line, souchi. Suzi's line of drapey silk cardigans, pretty cashmere dresses and leggings and ballerina-esque wrap knits prove that sweaters can be (and should be) worn year-round. Check out her beautiful collection, souchi.

How did souchi begin? 

I started souchi in 1997. I was about to graduate from art school with a design degree for clothing when I was told my credits were added incorrectly and I was short 2 elective. I chose beginning knitting and fell in love with it so I took an independent study for the final elective with my knitting teacher, Paola.  I spent the semester making what was to be a crew neck sweater. The day after I graduated I wore it out to breakfast in San Francisco. I was stopped on a street by a woman who wanted to know where I got my sweater, I thought it was a joke because what was suppose to be a classic crew neck was a bit more Comme Des Garçon (ReI was my idol!) but not on purpose: askew neckline, uneven sleeves and well, not quite classic. But, she loved it and turns out she owned a store and ordered 10 on the spot.

What is your creative process like?

My process is nowhere near what I thought it would be like: mood boards, swatches, inspirations and a glorious studio space with lots of natural light where I would just draw.....ahh if only. it's more a bag full of journals, sketch book and a muji 5 color pen and tons of blue papermate pens or a stack of post its with messy sketches and words all over them. Then mulling through all of that to find the cohesive thread and then going through old decor books for color inspiration....then more and more post-its!

What is your favorite piece in the collection and how would you style it?

For spring/summer my favorite piece would be the souchi raglan. It’s my version of that perfect jersey piece you live in. slight fit at the waist and then loose through the chest and can be worn on or off the shoulder. I love over everything. But, for the vacation bohemian I love it with a midi flowing chiffon skirt, borsalino hat, some African beads & the perfect leather flat sandal and a leather men’s belt that is far too long so you have to wrap and tie it. Then finished with a vintage kids Rolex.

Where do you look for inspiration? 

I love to travel so I am out of my routine. It's amazing what you notice when you don't have a million things to do that you are rushing to or from. But, the one constant inspiration is always nature and all the colors within it. Living in aspen has opened me up to designing and wearing a true summer collection! It was always fantasy before since I was in San Francisco and Portland where you get a month max a year. Now with months of 85 degrees, sunshine and clear skies, I am inspired daily to make knits that breathe in the warm weather and can roll up in a back pack for cocktails after a long hike.