REBEKAH J. DESIGNS

THIS POST FOR THE TALENTED REBEKAH J. DESIGNS is a long time coming. I love the simplicity and detailed pieces so much, so I'm so excited to host a giveaway for the Canal necklace from her newest Fragment Collection, as well as extend an exclusive discount to my Instagram followers and blog readers. Also featured are the bun pin and lava rock ring.

All you have to do to enter to win a Canal necklace in your choice of color is to go on my feed and like the post, follow both me @melissasonico and @rebekahjdesigns, and tag friends in the comments of the post. You can also enter additional times by commenting on this blog post with which color you'd like, along with your email! Ends Friday 7/6! Good luck. In the meantime, the discount code for 25% off her shop is 'sonico' at checkout.

Also, make sure to read on below to learn more about the designer herself!

How did you get started with Jewelry design? Was that always what you wanted to pursue?
No, but I always knew I was going to be an artist. My entire life from childhood until now has been one big art project. When I was in college at the University of Washington I got into a highly sought after metal-smithing class on a lottery. There was one registered student who didn’t show up, they put at least 20 names into a hat for her spot. I never win anything but that was my lucky day.  I changed my major from inter-disciplinary artsto metals at the end of the quarter. 

What's the process in making your pieces? 
I’m always challenging myself to expand my processes for creating. Typically ideas are sparked by my response to a place we’ve traveled to, an experience, or a pattern in my daily life that I try and analyze. From sketches to concepts in paper it then becomes carved in wax from which a mold is made and then cast in metal. Last steps are soldering posts on earrings, and braiding the cords for the large pieces. The braiding is one of my most favorite parts, it’s really relaxing and super mobile so I can do it on the back porch in the sun.

Each collection has had a different creative process I used to drive the work. For the AWA Collection we traveled to Kauai after a really challenging and emotional year. The trip felt so soul renewing, I knew I wanted to harness all the feelings I felt into a collection. I dissected my favorite photos and broke down what was captivating into simple shapes. I cut them out in paper, taped them and layered them until I found something pleasing that represented the portions of my trip that changed me the most. 

From sketching concepts to carving waxes, to soldering and braiding, I enjoy all the different processes of the handmade work. I employ a small family business to cast the pieces for me. They make the molds from my originals, inject the waxes, and finish all the metal by hand. Plus they’re right down the road from me so I can walk to pick up the castings - which I love. 

The FRAGMENT Collection came from a need to process my thoughts on how fragmented my life can be. Between being a small business owner, a mom & wife, and having a side job my days can feel so scattered and fragmented. It was therapeutic to create a collection that helped me process the patterns and chaos in my daily life. 

I have a home studio. We turned our 3rd bedroom into a studio. Originally, I had basement studio but I felt so disconnected from my family, plus it was so dark and cold all the time. Now I’ve got gorgeous south facing windows that fill the studio with warmth and light and faces the back yard where I can watch my daughter play. It’s also right off the kitchen so I can talk to my husband while he makes me dinner. ;-)

Favorite piece from the new collection?
The FRAGMENT Collection is my favorite collection to date. I love all the pieces but I think the Fold Necklace is the one that I wear the most. I also love the Canal Necklace. It was carved at one of our very favorite places, Hood Canal. It’s two sided and represents the way the tide comes in and out differently on each side of the canal. I’m almost always wearing the Wave Hoops too. 

Other hobbies and interests?
I love my family time, a good meal, and time with friends especially when it’s outside. The Pacific Northwest is one of the most arrestingly beautiful places I’ve ever seen and I am so lucky to call this place home. We love hiking and biking and enjoying all the bodies of water surrounded by the mountains.  

What do you do in your day off when you manage to have some?
A good day off starts by sleeping in late, snuggling with my family, followed by a good cup of coffee, then some kind of activity like yoga, a hike or a long bike ride, and to close the night with dinner on the back porch with a great glass of wine, our best friends and kids running amok - that would be perfect.

SUMMER SOIREE WITH THE BOUQS

I RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH THE FLORAL DELIVERY service The Bouqs, which was the perfect excuse to celebrate the beginning of summer with my friends Karlee and Yvette. We got together at Yvette's house for some delicious sangria and a whole charcuterie spread, topped off with the most beautiful floral arrangements from The Bouqs. They deliver fresh hand-cut stems to you, and they arrive in perfect condition in just a matter of days. You can see more on my Instagram as well.

Photos by Yvette Goltiao!

PETUNIA PICKLE BOTTOM x VITAMIX GIVEAWAY

It's been a while since my last post, but I'm back with the perfect summer giveaway that will help make things easier-- and healthier-- for your family! I've teamed up with Petunia Pickle Bottom and Vitamix to giveaway some things that will help with healthy eating and stylish and convenient storage for you and your little ones on the go. Even if you don't have kids, the Vitamix is a great kitchen appliance for anyone, and I'm sure you know a mama (or mama-to-be) who would love a new diaper bag! Everyone is welcome to enter.

The new Vitamix A2500 helps making light and easy summer meals and snacks super quick and convenient-- everything from smoothies, soups, and frozen treats with the push of a button. The multiple speed settings and different container size options make it so you can create just about anything for a single serving to as many people as you like. My husband uses it literally every day to make a smoothie in the morning before work.

It also pairs well with the new Petunia Pickle Bottom Inter-Mix collection of diaper bags. It includes a bunch of different compartments and storage containers like the pixel pods (one of which has insulation for fruit or those cold treats you made with your Vitamix!) and the grid caddy that you can strap onto your stroller bar. The best part: the Mazes of Milano backpack featured here from this collection is machine washable!

Even if you don't have kids, the Vitamix is a great kitchen appliance for anyone, and I'm sure you know a mama (or mama-to-be) who would love a new diaper bag! Everyone is welcome to enter.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Like the giveaway post on Instagram.

2. Follow me on Instagram @melissasonico along with @Vitamix and @petuniapicklebottom.

3. Tag friends in comment section of the Instagram giveaway post.

For additional entries, sign up for the email list on both Vitamix and Petunia Pickle Bottom's websites! Ends Monday 6/19! 

LE BIRKIN BASKET

I STUMBLED UPON ERIN THOMPSON'S shop and Instagram feed @lebirkinbasket through a friend and was so excited to be able to collaborate with her! Her Jane Birkin-inspired "Birkin basket" is the perfect chic accessory for spring, whether you take it to the farmer's market, the library, as a beach tote, or more done up to a summer fete-- all places I'll be taking mine in the upcoming months! She just introduced two more sizes so the range now includes mini, small, standard (the one I have), and large. There's a waiting list so head over to her shop asap!

Read on to find out more about Erin, her love of Jane Birkin, and just how much you can fit into your Birkin basket.

How did you get started with lebirkinbasket?
I have been inspired by Jane Birkin's effortless style for so long and gravitate towards images of her with her signature basket. It's such an unexpected accessory and I love how she would pair her basket with everything from denim to a really glam dressed up look for an event. I started collecting other basket bags but continued to lust for one just like Jane's. My background is in product development, so I decided to see if I could have one made. I ended up finding an artisan in Portugal who was still making baskets like this, and I immediately started work with them. It started with an order for myself and then I decided to have a handful more made after I was getting stopped on the street by girls who were interested in my bag. After that, everything happened pretty organically. Our baskets are made with cane, are completely vegan and chemical free. We help support a community of artisans who are still crafting by hand!

When/where did you first see Jane Birkin and has she always been a big style influence for you? Many years ago, I came across images of Jane Birkin during the '60s and '70s and became totally inspired by her style. She is such an ethereal, natural beauty, and her personal style is so simple and chic. She has totally influenced my style. I try to approach outfits with the mindset that less is more. I definitely have a uniform (jeans + t-shirt +mules) and the Le Birkin Basket goes with everything!

Favorite Jane Birkin movie/song?
"Te souviens-tu?" from the album Rendez-vous.

What's the process in making these baskets?
The artisans use fresh cane from a local river in Portugal and weave them together without the use of a mold to form the shape of the base and the lid. They weave the cane while it is still freshly cut so that it's malleable. The baskets actually start off green and then turn a creamy tan color when they dry. Some baskets have a little color to them too depending on the natural color of the cane. Technique varies by the hand of each maker so no two baskets are the exact same shape or size, but they come close!

What's in your ideal birkin basket?
I have each size of our baskets, so I literally use them for everything-- as my purse, as an overnight bag, as a beach tote and at the farmers market. They are durable and waterproof, so I truly use them all day long as needed. Today, I'm using our new mini size as my purse and here is what's inside: A Delfonics card holder with my business cards and my Comme des Garçons black leather wallet. I don't leave the house without rosewater spray by Heritage Stone and at least 3-5 lip colors. Today, I have chapstick from Dimes in NYC, and Generation G by Glossier in Like and Zip. I like to mix up my lip color throughout the day. I also have sunglasses by Garrett Leight, a silver Juicy Paint pen that I got last week in Japan, and my phone and keys, of course.

DINING OUT

I'VE BEEN WANTING TO HEAD OUT TO neighboring Yucca Valley to try out La Copine after hearing good things about it from my friend Miles. My sister, Harrison, and I finally had the opportunity to eat there last weekend, and it was just as delicious and beautiful as I'd hoped. Everything we ordered was amazing (especially the coffee sugar beignets!), and the staff was super friendly as well; our server even ran out to his car to give Harrison a sheet of dinosaur stickers.

Dining out can be expensive, but the American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card gives us rewards on everyday purchases like gas, groceries, and now…brunch! New Card Members can now earn 10% cash back on the first $2,000 in purchases they make at U.S. Restaurants (up to $200) within the first 6 months of Card Membership starting from the date their account is approved. You can learn more about this limited time offer for new Card Members here.

There are also some other great shops along TwentyninePalms where we stopped after our meal, like The End and BKB ceramics. It's definitely a great place to explore on the way to Joshua Tree if you haven't already!

This content is sponsored by American Express.