Creating Interesting Ring Stacks, Charleston Gems, Buttery Leather Flats & More!
Chatting ring stacks and jewelry layering with Jane Pope, Charleston gems, green / blue sapphires & more...
I’m on my flight headed back home after a quick, short but sweet, 48 hours in Charleston… and what a charming city!! I wish I could have extended my stay through the weekend but I did manage to pack in a fair amount and it gave me the itch to come back again soon with my family! I think it would be so fun to rent a house and spend some time at the beaches and on Sullivan’s Island. From delicious meals, historic house browsing, antique shops, gallery hopping… and time with old friends, including fine jewelry designer, Jane (Jane Pope)… my cup was filled!!
I’ve worn JP for years now ~ since meeting her back in New York some 12 or so years ago and I’ve adored her (she has the warmest, kindest, down-to-earth Southern charm and energy), and her line ever since! I remember admiring her ring stacks back then on the rooftop of the Soho House… and again this week I loved seeing how she stacks and layers all of her pieces. She makes layering and wearing even those more “special occasion” seeming pieces of jewelry feel really wearable for everyday.
My ring stack: Ovals and Circles Ring. Circles Eternity Band. Eternity Band. Diamond Twig Band (mine is turned here so you can’t see the diamond). Baguette Straight Band.
Rings: Pinky Signet (can be engraved). Six Point Diamond Ring (there’s also a smaller Five Point size). Incline Diamond Band. Baguette Ring.
Creating An Interesting Ring Stack |
Jane is known for her rings so I asked for her thoughts on creating an interesting ring stack and she said she loves a mix of metals and lines. Try different shapes, edges / bands that don’t necessarily lay perfectly flat together. Rings like the Incline ring add some height and dimension while the Ovals and Circles ring is nice for the organic shapes... against stay a slim eternity band. JP rings are all made to stack, which makes building upon and adding to your story in a personalized way really easy!
JP is especially popular for their sweet engraved rings and signets ~ which I used to have one for each kid that I wore stacked but I sadly lost them a few years back. Gah!! I have been meaning to replace them and this time around I’m going to order them in my pinky ring size because I love a pinky ring! My mom has pinky rings for my sister and I (she swaps around her daily rings), and wears them whenever she’s thinking of us… kind of like a little good luck charm (i.e. when we had a test in college or if we’re flying / traveling etc). Which I just love!
One of the reasons for this trip was to help shoot / see Jane’s new sapphire pieces… which are beyond special and stunning!!! Jane picked out this amazing green / blue sapphire stone (sapphire happens to be my birthstone and green is one of my absolute favorite colors… and I have green eyes)… it couldn’t feel more me!
I wanted this necklace to sit at my collarbone, slightly above my box chain. And originally I was thinking this would be more of a special occasion necklace but it actually feels really wearable for everyday as it hits at such a nice spot for tees and fall sweater weather too.
Jane’s stack is just so dreamy! The new sapphire and diamond cuffs are so pretty and cool!!… definitely a major milestone wishlist piece. And seeing how Jane stacks her pieces effortlessly, again, she makes a diamond cuff feel so wearable for everyday.
Looks From The Past Couple Days |
It felt like fall that first morning! (Sweater from Nette). Pants are older Dries.
Jane gave me a little tour around Charleston and I managed to squeeze in an afternoon of gallery hopping and historic home browsing with a long walk down King and Tradd Streets. Two delicious dinners (at Fig and Merci which I can’t recommend enough). Merci reminded me of a West Village little jewel box of a gem. Tiny tiny but so cozy with a cute little wooden bar and interior. An ideal girls or date night spot! Every dish was so yummy. Fig was also delicious, I had amazing crudo and was in heaven sitting at that bar after a long flight. The waitress recommended I get the tomato tarte tatin which I wouldn’t have necessarily ordered but wow, every bite was scrumptious.
Nili Lotan Lou Bag was my travel companion this trip. It is such a beauty and a great size for work / as a carry-on. It holds a good amount! With me I had: my laptop, wallet, a sweater, pouches for cords etc., my book, Vogue magazine (that thick September issue!), my water bottle and sunglasses. It’s structured yet if you prefer a bit more slouch to your bags like I do I’ve already kind of broken mine in and it’s one that will just get better with time and use.
Dinner at Fig (a quick change after my flight) | Old Khaite Jacket & old Dries Pants (similar new season). Rachel Comey Top. Khaite Boots (brown boot save).
Ballet flats for all of the steps |
I ended up wearing the ballet flats I wore on the plane the most… I actually didn’t realize how walkable to and from everything was in Charleston! My flats are older ballet flats from The Row but this new season’s version is really sweet with the bow. There’s also this more minimal version. They’re just so buttery soft and comfy. And also a great comfy option when flying. I like to travel in mine for this reason and they’re really easy to pack because of the slim size.
A few additional black flats catching my eye: Margaux has a new flat, the Fonteyn (very comfy and similar with a sweet bow as well)… Aeyde has a great minimal ballet flat and I love my Le Monde Béryl flats. All of these are pretty similar to the Row, in that they’re just are the absolute comfiest / beautiful ballet flats that sort of mold to your feet over time (and these are nice for city walking because they have a strap like mine).
Gallery Hopping | Isabel Marant Top (similar feeling top for less ~ and more sizes saved here). Agolde Jeans (in petites, regular here).
How adorable is Merci?!
Travel Day | Old Gap Tee (similar, I’ve been sleeping on Gap’s t-shirts!! looks like they have some good fall long sleeves at great prices!!).
Travel Pouches | very old pouch from Cuyana ~ great sizes for travel and small leather goods for makeup / tech and toiletries. This is a great set that I’ve also owned for years.
And speaking of travel, I always pack my Lake pjs because they roll up in my suitcase really easily and don’t take up a lot of room. I stumbled upon this set recently that I’m going to snag for my fall travels as well (and will also wear all the time at home too).
Charleston Gems |
Here are the gems I enjoyed ~ and my friend Grace has a much more extensive / great list of Charleston recs.
Stay: The Dewberry (drinks at the Citrus Club upstairs for the view!)
Eat: Fig & Merci
Coffee: Harken Cafe, Sightsee
Shop: Nette
Walk: Tradd Street for the historic homes, King Street for the shops (a bit touristy but I still enjoyed and a couple blocks past are all of the galleries and historic homes)
Gallery: The George