Bay Area Fashionista


Vardy’s Jewelers celebrates 35 years

hearts on fire feature image rings at vardys jewelersfood at vardys 35 anniversary party mothers day gift ideas ringsyellow ring vardys jewelers vardys jewelers necklaces

If you are local to the San Francisco Bay Area, you have heard of Vardy’s Jewelers. They are located in Cupertino at 10227 South De Anza Blvd. If you have not heard of them, then this is a special day!

Vardy’s Jewelers is a family owned jewelry store filled with highly skilled European Goldsmiths. They can work magic on old, broken jewelry by bringing new life to it, or design a special piece from scratch! In addition to original works, Vardy’s Jewelers is filled with beautiful jewelry by designers; as well as Hearts on Fire! If you have not seen a Hearts on Fire diamond in person, then you have never seen a diamond! Let’s get this straight; nothing sparkles with fire more than a Hearts on Fire diamond. I am dreaming of one!

Last Thursday, Vardy’s Jewelers celebrated 35 years of business with an intimate party. This family owned shop has been well-loved in Silicon Valley for over three decades; and is the ultimate go-to store for fine jewelry. Everyone knows Vardy! He is the one who can redesign your jewels, create a new, special piece, or find something ready-made for any special occasion; or just to celebrate life!

Since Mother’s Day is a few days away, I thought showcasing my favorite pieces from Vardy’s Jewelers is must!  Pictured in this post are the pieces that would make a perfect gift for Mom this upcoming Mother’s Day. They would also make fabulous graduation gifts too.

I am in love with the vintage necklace pictured below. Ah-hem, are my kids reading this? Better yet, my husband, who does the paying, needs to look at this picture! I know my kids really want to give it to me for Mother’s Day. Hint hint, nudge, nudge. 😉

In the bottom photo, I am posing with the fabulous Fanya Hull, of Vardy’s Jewlers. She has designed jewelry with her Father for me in the past; and is extremely talented. She has fabulous style, so if you need help choosing the right style of jewelry for a gift, or for yourself-look for her! She will even help you find the right baubles for a specific outfit or occasion. Love that!

You can learn more about Vardy’s Jewelers online at Vardys.com. Definitely stop in and check out everything that sparkles in the store for Mother’s Day, a graduation, or yourself! You won’t leave empty handed. I am sure you will love everything 🙂

Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉
vintage necklace vardys jewelersfanya and I at the vardys party


Escada Agua del Sol EDT review

escada agua del sol eau de toilette review

Pictured: c/o Escada Agua del Sol EDT

Escada Agua del Sol eau de toilette is a limited edition, fruity fragrance which is perfect for summer! This warm and inviting scent combines fragrance notes of Italian Citrus fruits, Nashi Pear, Pink Peppercorn, Raspberry Sorbet, Mandarin, Apricot Nectar, and Sandalwood. This combination creates a light-hearted, fruity fragrance experience which is perfect for the warm summer months.

Agua del Sol by Escada embodies the Costa Rican philosophy of “pura vida.” Upon first spray, I immediately noticed the uplifting combination of sweet fruits, which are light-hearted; evoking a feeling of pure bliss! Love that!

This is the perfect everyday, warm weather scent for the summer season. The uplifting scent is full of life; making you want to wear it everyday. It really makes the day more fun! Escada Agua del Sol EDT starts off with a medium-heavy scent which settles into a medium-light fragrance experience after about twenty minutes. This makes the eau de toilette light enough to wear to the office or theater. By the evening, it settles into a soft scent which combines light, sweet fruits with a warm sandalwood base.

Although not a formal fragrance, due to the casual  nature of evening events in the summer season, Escada Agua del Sol EDT can easily be worn on any type of occasion from casual through formal. This is a versatile, wearable fragrance for summer. I am in LOVE!

Escada Agua del Sol EDT is a limited edition fragrance, this makes it special, and beautiful as a gift for Mother’s Day, graduation, a birthday-or any event you would like to give the gift of scent!

In addition to the beautiful vanity bottles offered by Escada, Agua del Sol can also be found in a roller ball; which is ideal for travel.

You can find Escada Agua del Sol eau de toilette online here, here, and here. The roller ball can be found online here.

I rate Escada Agua del Sol EDT five out of five stars! Love!


Brady Bunch memories

summer long sleeve mini dress 1summer mini dress 1mini dress for summer 1chloe hudson handbag 1long sleeve mini dress 1

Pictured: Sunglasses: Chanel  / Earrings: Kendra Scott / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Rosa 222 / Dress: Free People / Handbag: Chloe / Ring: Kendra Scott (obsessed! Wearing everyday) / Nail Polish: Chanel Mariniere / Shoes: TopShop

I don’t often wear mini dresses. In fact, I shy away from hemlines above my knee. I like to portray a certain sense of modesty when I dress; and hemlines above the knee are a bit on the racy side for me. Another reason I shy away from high hemlines, is the way my legs look! I feel like my legs are out of shape, not tan, and really should be covered up. So why did I choose this dress you ask? Let’s discuss.

Raise your hand if you remember “The Brady Bunch.” It was one of my favorite re-runs when I was a kid. I loved the early ’70’s, late 60’s styles, and the funny situations the kids always got into; sometimes the parents too! And Alice! Oh she was fabulous. That household would have fallen apart with out her!

The girls from “The Brady Bunch” always wore mini dresses, mini skirt, or flared pants. With the 1970s, and 1960s inspiration designers have favored over the past several seasons, many of the styles remind me of the funny episodes I enjoyed as a kid from the show. But that’s not all!

Last year, my Mother remarried. My Father passed away when I was a baby, so for my entire life, it was always my Mom and me! We were a team; us against the world! Then, in my adult life, when everything seemed set for life, my Mom shakes it all up and marries a man with four adult kids my age. FOUR KIDS! I grew up an only child, now there are other kids around? Um . . kay.

Not that I am complaining, I always dreamed about having a sibling. It was quite lonely being an only child. I also grew up in an neighborhood that did not have a lot of kids, so I always had to make plans to see my friends. Having siblings, would have been a ton of fun. I watch my kids play together, and it is the most beautiful thing in the world.

Now that my family has turned into a real-life Brady Bunch, wearing a style or two which remind me of the show, seems fitting. I chose to wear this dress, not as a move towards higher hemlines in my wardrobe, but as a one-off to remind me of how happy the kids on “The Brady Bunch” were, and how happy we can all be when we get used to our new-found Brady Bunch lives.

Now about those legs which need to hit the gym, and that un-tan . . . um, yeah. Got some work to do before summer!

XOXO

Cathy