The World is Your Atlas: Three Jane New York

It's no secret I love where I'm from and (permanently) showing it off, so I was incredibly excited when I discovered costume jewelry company Three Jane by Katie Schloss while browsing magazines for inspiration at the jewelry company I used to work for. There was an article on her growing company and the signature, customized map necklaces she creates that represent someplace special, real or imaginary (like the address "3 Jane Street") to the wearer. She creates 14k gold-plated charms with a tiny diamond on the chosen location, varying from monuments like the Empire State Building in NYC to wedding locations, proposal spots, favorite travels, schools and even fantasy locations (my favorite is a Great Gatsby-themed map!). 

Check out a little Q&A I did with founder Katie Schloss below, then hop over to their website to check out everything Three Jane offers—the line has been expanding to other jewelry, like semi-precious stone necklaces and a bottle-opener bracelet that was featured on Good Morning America.

When did you found Three Jane? We launched our website in November 2012, so our site just had its first birthday!

What was the inspiration behind the line? My little sister was studying abroad in London, and I was trying to think of a gift for her, which was no easy task.  Eventually, I came up with making a Map Necklace of the house we grew up in, that way she could have a little piece of home wherever she went.

From there, I started to create a line based upon travel, customization, and the occasional quirk.

Are there any particular places you feel attached to? The West Village, Paris (I studied abroad there), my parents' house in Connecticut.

What's your most proud accomplishment so far with Three Jane? I'm fortunate enough to have had many proud accomplishments.  We recently made all of the jewelry for Jennifer Lawrence's sister-in-law's wedding; we're in InStyle's "Holiday Gift Guide" (on stands now!); we've worked with amazing celebrities such as Allison Williams and Olivia Wilde. There's a lot to be proud of, but we're always striving for more.

What's next for Three Jane? We're currently working on a line of 10 custom pieces of jewelry, while working on a series of mini collections, each of which is based off of different places from all around the world.  We'll also be re-doing our entire website to create a better platform for these designs.

Who's the Three Jane girl? The wonderful thing about Three Jane is that there is no one Three Jane girl.  The Three Jane girl is anyone from a high school student to a soon-to-be mother about to welcome her first child into the world.  Three Jane is a company that wants to be with its customers through their most momentous occasions, so if I had to pick one ideal customer, it would be a girl who graduated from high school, college, got her first job, moved to her first apartment, maybe married, maybe had kids, sharing and commemorating each milestone with Three Jane.

How long have you been in NYC, and what do you love most about it? I've been living in New York City for 18 years, and it's truly one of the only cities that has everything: Music, food, fashion, art, Broadway… There are very few cities where you can find an opportunity, no matter your profession, and for that reason, everyday is filled with interesting people and endless possibilities.

What's your favorite place you've been to so far, and what's a place you hope to visit in the future? I went to Iceland recently, which is an incredible place. Great music, amazing people, wonderful food, beautiful scenery, and an excuse to wear your favorite patterned tights—it's impossible to have a bad time there.  I have a very long list of places I'd like to go in the future, Bali, Indonesia, Australia, Bora Bora, Fiji... the list goes on!

Check out everything Three Jane has to offer over on their website!

All photos taken by Rose Mayo for Blonde in this City. 

Weekly Wants

I'm looking at the calendar while I type this and having a hard time believing it's already near mid-December. I go home for two weeks in just nine short days (more on that to come), and won't be back in NYC til after the new year! I know most blogs, websites, magazines, e-mail blasts etc. etc. etc. are taking this time to share gift guides with you, and in a way weekly wants is a gift guide—to myself. I wholeheartedly believe in buying myself gifts, frequently, as a reward for all the hard work I do for myself. Selfish? Maybe a little, but I'm also a pretty fantastic gift giver so I'm not too worried (I'd share some of the things I've picked up for friends so far but I don't want to chance them coming across this). I may post one or two with you in the coming weeks, but this weekly ode to my own shopping addiction will certainly keep on comin'. 

*if anyone is looking at this to shop for ME, that twist front dress has been on my mind for weeks now. 

Clockwise starting from top left: Express Scoop Neck Tee || Jimmy Choo Anna Shoulder Bag || Sandy Hyun Emerald Deco Earrings || Equipment Roland Printed Sweater || Dwell Studio Crosshatch Decanter || Terrain United States Chalkboard Map || Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien Poster || West Elm Faux Fur Throw || Tbags Los Angeles Twist Front Dress || Todd Snyder x Champion Sweatshirt || Schutz Cailyn Bootie || Ranjana Kahn Embellished Collar || J. Crew Minnie Pant || Nars Guy Bourdain Cinematic Lipstick in Future Red

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Bring on the Bling: Crystal Clear

I never used to be much of a jewelry wearer or collector outside of my sterling silver rings (no reference needed as a variety of them show up in every outfit post/are part of the header to this very blog!), but then I worked for a few years for a high-end costume jewelry company and my appreciation for a great piece—statement or delicate—matured quickly. My favorite thing to do as of late is layer on a piece of clear, sparkly crystal to an otherwise simple look, especially since I can be pretty lazy about getting dressed when it's colder (read: cashmere sweaters, thick jeans and boots). A little bling & lipstick goes a loooong way on those days, you know what I'm sayin'?

L to R from top: Bijoux Heart Earrings || Tom Binns Crystal Bracelet || Capwell + Co Pave Bracelet
Lulu Frost Eclipse Ring || Dannijo Katie Earring || J. Crew Crystal Blooms Necklace || Sequin Arista Necklace
J. Crew Double-Row Crystal Necklace || Lulu Frost Stardust Necklace || Joomi Lim Baroque Punk Necklace
Baublebar Crystal Feather Pendant || J. Crew Crystal Triangles Necklace

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The Elephant in the Room

Since before I can even remember, elephants have long been my favorite animal. I've collected variations of them since childhood, had a Babar blanket and watched Dumbo, according to my mother, every day (I wasn't big on Disney princesses, in case you hadn't guessed).

Between my birthday and Christmas, I usually end up with several different gifts related to my love of these incredible animals, & this year was no exception! Jessica gave me an adorable elephant key ring during a secret Santa gift exchange & my friend Steve gifted me with screen printed pillowcases that will be making a center-stage appearance when I re-do my room decor this spring...I can't wait to share my ideas with all you as that idea progresses!

When I'm looking for an elephant to add to my collection now, I look for something unique-like an unusual color, shape, size, material or pose. I've picked up several from the Brooklyn Flea over the last few months, including a new brass figurine & another metal one I'll be painting in the near future while at the flea yesterday (seen center and right below).

I rounded up some of my favorites from around the web, including a ring from Michelle Chang, an already familiar keychain and a lamp I've been lusting over for months. Don't forget-an upturned trunk always brings good luck :)

(clockwise) Dish, C. Wonder |  Silver Elephant, Dwell Studio | Gold Elephant, Furbish

Baby Elephant Ring (more colors) Michelle Chang | Rug, Urban Outfitters 

Lamp, Shirley Fintz for West Elm | Ring Holder, Urban Outfitters

Key Ring, C. Wonder | Gift Tags, Rifle Paper Co

You can never have too many of these beautiful creatures in your life (I'm still waiting for a real one as a present, Steve). Anybody want to buy me a lamp?

xx

The 2 Bandits

The gorgeous brainchild of Tamar Wider, The 2 Bandits is a collection of Southwestern-inspired, truly American jewelry. I stumbled across photos from the current lookbook last month and was immediately drawn to the natural metals & smooth stones. I've long had a thing for all things Southwestern, classically American and Native American inspired (you can see the first time I included some 2 Bandits in my perfect weekend look, and more of my love of southwestern details).

Since I visit their site a few times a week to drool over which piece I want to fit in my budget first, I figured I'd share some of my favorites. You can read more about Tamar & how her line got started here.

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Which pieces would be on your wish list? 

xx

Michelle Chang Jewelry

Some of my readers may already know that I work for a costume/fashion jewelry company; one of the great parts of my job is the time I get to spend looking for inspiration and trends, where I often stumble across inspiring new sites, blogs, products and artists...one of my favorite finds to date is the jewelry of Michelle Chang, a former designer and artist who found her true calling in creating unique, beautiful fine jewelry (you can view her wonderful illustration portfolio here).

Her favorite piece of mine is her elephant design, as they're my favorite animal! Unfortunately I haven't been able to squeeze buying anything into my budget yet, but the number of times I visit her Etsy shop every month tells me it's going to happen. Check out some more of my favorites, like the tiny skulls and the little umbrella that reminds me of home, currently in her shop below.

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all images via Etsy