Black is the new White

Confession:  I *heart* jewelry.  Really, what girl doesn't?  My jewels du jour vary by mood.  Sometimes I am a minimalist, with a tiny silver chain and studs or hoops, and sometimes I like to go a little more bold, with larger pendants and chunky cuffs.  Some of my all time fave jewelry comes from my step mom's jewelry biz - Ridgeline Artisans.

Julie and my Dad started out on an amazing adventure a few years ago, to Bali, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka breathing in the many flavors of the culture and collecting amazing works of jewelry art from little artisans around the globe.  I was completely jealous of their trip and selflessly offered to become a "buyer" and if I had to travel to exotic locations I would definitely take one for the team...I am a good daughter.

These are my two FAVE necklaces (though I could spend hours sifting through their collection and finding a million more faves).

I'm completely infatuated with black pearls (if you can't tell).  There's something so "sassy Jackie O" about these little gems of the sea.  Which describes me to a tee - "sassy" and if Jackie O ever donned a wife beater, I'd be sure she was my long lost twin.


Go to Ridgeline Artisans today and show my step-mama, Julie, some love.  Like what you see here?  Email Julie for the 5-Strand Black Pearls from Thailand by emailing Julie direct.  Or get the Chandelier Necklace here

The best part? Use the code: monkey-toes at checkout and you'll get 20% off your purchase.  YIPPEE!

I'd love to know two things... 1) What's your favorite jewelry find?  (And you can't just say "Etsy", give me a link!)  2) What adjective describes your personality? 

(disclaimer:  I was not compensated for this review, I am family, AND I love their fabulous exotic finds.  My review is my opinion.  I was given these necklaces for my birthday as gifts. WOOT! WOOT! LUCKY ME!)

Well, she has a great....Personality?!

I am really trying not to be so random, but it turns out, that's just how I am... My intentions for this blog (I know, the road to hell...) was to have it really well thought out and planned; I envisioned well organized diagrams and pretty pie charts. Turns out, that's totally not how I typically behave. As much as I try with my (stacks of) To Do lists, it seems like organization is just not my "thang".

So here goes, another topic that just popped to mind...Personality. This is something that up until about a year ago, I really thought everyone lived by the same standards, the same ways of thinking (aside from boys of course, they're just silly), etc, etc.

Over the summer a took an assessment by Jane Out of the Box (http://www.janeoutofthebox.com/).

"A study, commissioned by Jane Out of the Box, shows that all women business owners, though highly dynamic individuals, can be categorized as one of five types. The distinction between the categories is based on women’s choices in balancing personal and professional needs."

If you are a woman (I guess you men could do it too -please let me know those results) I highly recommend you take this evaluation - it will help you to figure yourself out quicker, in business and in life . Maybe you'll understand yourself a little bit better -- and better yet, the crazies around you (I say that with a smile).

See my profile and even watch my snazzy video (so embarrassing to watch yourself - really). Jane Out of the Box Blog.

If you have the chance - take it and let me know what it says. Is it wrong, is it right?

Happy Monday to you!

(image courtesy of I'm Not Obsessed http://www.imnotobsessed.com/node/52344)
This is another great celebrity find - Jennifer Garner & Violet Shopping over the weekend. Violet is wearing our Buzzy Bees socks - yippee!