tallgirltales:
Q&A With Jewelry Designer & Store Owner Alison Yuen
Many of you may already be familiar with Alison’s Tumblr blog, but what you may not (yet) be aware of is her new jewelry company, Éclat by Alison Yuen. After spending quite some time perusing her beautiful gemstone jewelry (& creating a long wish list as a result), I wanted to find out & share more information about Alison’s new company and how she got started in the jewelry design business:
How did you get started designing jewelry?
I have always loved jewelry, especially ones that are colorful and sparkly. I like to think that I inherited this passion from my late grandfather who had an interest in diamonds and other precious stones. It all really started as a hobby when I was in between jobs and the next thing I know, I’ve turned it into a business.
What do you love most about designing and creating your own jewelry?
I love that the designs are unique! And when complimented on a certain piece I’m wearing, I take a lot of pride in telling people that it’s my creation. I also love getting pictures and feedback from customers saying that they love their jewelry. It makes me feel like I was able to give them that extra sparkle they needed!
What are some of your favorite materials to work with/create with?
I absolutely love Amethyst. I think it looks great on any skin tone! White Sapphires are great in making a piece sparkle. They are a great alternative to diamonds!
Where did the name, Éclat Jewelry, come from?
Unfortunately, there is no cool origin of Éclat by Alison Yuen. Éclat means “sparkle” or “shine” in French. I knew I wanted something a little more unique that also incorporated my name.
What has been your best-selling item?
This is a tough one but I would have to say the Rose Quartz Hook Earrings. Everyone seems to want a pair! I am even getting custom orders for it in other stones.
What is your favorite piece that you’ve created?
I love the Three Stone Cocktail Ring! They have been a hit and are the perfect touch to any outfit. I will be offering them in two additional colors come June!
Tell us a bit more about Éclat Jewelry. What sets your company apart from others?
I would say it is my option of customized jewelry. So for example, if a customer sees a design they like, but wants it in a different stone or material, I am able to do that. Also, if a customer brings me a design of their own, I can also help them produce their one of a kind piece. I want to make sure that all my customers are satisfied and get exactly what they want.
A big thank you to Alison! Be sure to check out her store here!
A big thank you to Erin, who put together this lovely Q&A!
On the plane ride back from Nepal, I saw these little emergency kits in Cosmo! So practical and absolutely needed in every girl’s purse. I wish I had this when I was MOH for my sister’s wedding. Instead, I put together a pack just like this but about 10 times the size!
With so many fun colors to choose from and only $15, I’m definitely investing in a Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit!
A glimpse of some of our very first orders! Tons of sparkles are available for purchase at: www.eclatjewelry.com. Go ahead and shop your little heart out!
Éclat by Alison Yuen
The three most popular items in my collection so far!
Get yours here, here and here!
Scenes from Nepal
Hi friends! Sorry for the lack of posts recently. As you may or may not know, I went on a build trip with Habitat for Humanity. Twelve of us traveled to a small village outside Kathmandu to help build a house for the Shrestha family.
We spent two and a half days digging into the group, setting the foundation of their house with stones and mud and eventually laying sun dried bricks to create the walls. Although we didn’t get to finish the house, we left with walls at shoulder height and window/door frames in place. I am quite excited to see what the finished product looks like!
This experience was not only extremely life changing but also very rewarding. Despite living below poverty level, the people of Kavre remain happy go lucky with their constant smiles and positive attitudes. This made me realize how lucky we are and taught me just how much we have to be thankful for.
I will definitely do another build trip elsewhere and highly recommend it for those who love to give back to the world! Hopefully this inspires you to do good this week. Happy Monday, everyone!
Dear readers,
I am SO excited and SO proud to announce that it’s official - WE’RE LIVE!!
Our brand new website is finally launched and you can all now check out my jewelry line! Head on over and treat yourself or a loved one to something sparkly! Enjoy free shipping on all orders over $250.
Local readers- Don’t know what to get mom? Buy her a nice new pair of earrings, a ring in her birthstone or a gorgeous bracelet. Orders placed before 5/7, will get to you by Mother’s Day!
Happy shopping, everyone!
Much love,
Alison
A Tory Burch rainbow! I may or may not have added the turquoise to my collection….
That lamp! I could wake up to this every morning….
(via la-belle-vie)
It was a crazy week, to say the least! Nevertheless, I want to share with you all what’s been going on! So here is a sneak peak of what has been happening- On top of a busy work week, I was also trying to get my jewelry collection photographed, a catalog put together, and a website to launch in about a week!
Any spare time was spent snuggling with my furball, painting my nails, trying to keep a healthy diet, exercise, fundraising the final dollars for my Habitat trip to Nepal, finally meeting Jen (yay!) and inheriting a new LV!
Hope everyone has been keeping busy too! Have a fabulous week ahead, my dear readers
hershyscorner:
yungsunshine: Humans are capable of awful things, but they are also capable of really great things. Stay safe, Boston.
—
we all know someone. we know someone that knows someone. we have a person who was ___________ and / or who is __________ .
we don’t have to be physically present to feel the effects.
the more it happens the harder the hit.
endless thoughts, prayers, strength, & courage to Boston and to those of you navigating through this horrific tragedy.
—
This absolutely melts my heart. Bless their hearts.
How To Clean Your Make Up Brushes
Without spending an absurd amount of money on brush cleaners.
Cleaning your make up brushes should be done anywhere from once a week to twice a month, depending on how often you use them. Brushes that you use on a day to day basis, once a week. Others like eye shadow/lip brushes, twice a month.
I for one, have been a very bad lazy girl and haven’t cleaned mine in a long time…. But over the weekend, I finally got around to doing it and all I needed was some white vinegar and warm water.
We had Heinz in our kitchen so I got a big mug, filled 1/4 of it with vinegar and the rest with warm water. I stuck my brushes in there for about 10 minutes. You can see all the gunk rise to the top of the mug.
After 10 minutes, simply just wash your brushes with warm water. If you want, you can use a little facial cleanser. Set them out to dry and.. Voila! Your brushes are good as new!
Desk Essentials
You may or may not know that I started my new job about a month ago and it is my first real desk job (my last job kept me busy on the sales floor and I never had my own desk). That being said, I have slowly accumulated some must haves at my desk:
1. Hand Lotion - your hands can get dry after hours of handling paper
2. Coffee/Tea Mug - save money, instead of getting that grande vanilla latte from Starbucks every morning, make your own cup of coffee
3. Earphones - I keep spares at my desk in case I forget to grab my usual pair while running out the door in the morning
4. Flip Flops - if you don’t have any meetings, give your feet a rest from those heels!
5. Lip Balm - every girl should have this; one in each purse, in your car, by your bed, in your bathroom, and most definitely at your desk!
6. Perfume - heading out to dinner after a long day of work and your perfume has worn off from the morning? Keep a small bottle of your favorite scent to freshen up!
7. Markers - weird fact about me: I write with markers, rarely in pen, never in pencil
8. Notebooks - always good to have in meetings or to jot down your random thoughts
9. Cardigan - I get chilly sometimes when the AC is blasting so I keep this on my chair so I don’t freeze my ass off
10. Water Bottle - stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if you’re downing cups of coffee like I do
11. Candle - depending on the policies at your office, you may not be allowed to have one, but it’s nice to keep your area smelling yummy
12. Business Card Holder - you never know when you have a last minute networking event to go to, and you don’t want to be scrambling around in the bottom of your bag for your card
13. Emery Board - I get agitated if I have a broken/sharp nail and I can’t fix it until I get home, so you can always find at least one at my desk
There you have it! Everything that I need on a day to day basis at work. What do you have stashed at your desk?
