Collar Necklace: How To Easily Rock A Collar Necklace

Collar necklaces have been all over the runways and fashion blogosophere. They make beautiful statement pieces and can transform your look from relaxed to warrior-chic. We especially love this emerald and silver beaded version constructed from a vintage neckpiece. This piece is incredibly versatile and looks great with anything from a simple white t-shirt to a printed dress.

Our gorgeous model, Jami!

On Jami, we styled the emerald and silver collar necklace with a navy sweater and let the necklace shine.

Designer Stephanie Hoffmann's beaded pieces are a favorite among San Francisco jewelry lovers. She uses traditional Native American bead-weaving techniques to create modern and edgy pieces. For a behind-the-scenes look at how Stephanie Hoffmann gets it done, check out her Unique Indie interview.

Other pieces in Black, Emerald, Turquoise, and Aztec.

Have you tried the collar/bib necklace style? Let us know how you'd wear it in the comments below! A big thank you to the amazing Andre Nguyen for the photographs!

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How To Wear A Chambray Shirt

Chambray is everywhere this season. Styling a chambray shirt can be tricky, but we have realized it can become one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe. Here are few of our favorite ways to style the chambray button down:

1] Festive Florals + Delicate Necklace

Stand out by styling chambray with floral printed jeans and your best riding boots. Balance out your attention-grabbing jeans with simple accessories. The branch necklace by Iacua Designs stands out without overpowering your entire outfit. It's cast in sterling silver from a willow branch picked up in the designer's backyard.

2] Texas Tuxedo + Bright Clutch

If the jeans are dark enough, a chambray shirt and jeans can actually look great together! We recommend adding a bit of color, such as this bold orange clutch from Holly Scott.

3] Striped Sensation + Stacked Bracelets

Most people layer a collared shirt under another clothing item, but we have found that this jean shirt also works well when worn over a t-shirt. Feel free to leave the shirt unbuttoned on top of striped t-shirt for a relaxed style. Try this style with layered bracelets like a few different colors of the Marie bracelet by Thesis of Alexandria.

4] Simple Sweater + Bold Earrings

Layers are essential in San Francisco and a chambray shirt layers perfectly. Pair a simple, bright sweater with neutral jeans and classic jewelry. We are smitten with Kendra Renee's vermeil earring collection!

5] Summer Shorts + Colorpop Necklace

On a warm day, pair your chambray with a white pair of jean shorts, sandals, and this neon lights beaded necklace by Stephanie Hoffmann designs. The neon coral accents in this necklace will provide your outfit with a boost of color. This outfit is perfect for summer lazy park days under the sun!

This post has been brought to you by our beautiful intern, Sierra! Make-up by the wonderful Kim of KSB Design.

Are you into the Chambray shirt trend? How do you wear it? Let us know in the comments!

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1920s Fashion - Great Gatsby Style in 30 Minutes

By now you’ve probably heard that The Great Gatsby movie is coming out this weekend. All the media hints that the movie will have plenty of glamour and decadence. Don’t you wish you could experience one of these fabulous parties for yourself?

This week, we were inspired to create a 1920s look based on The Great Gatsby. Whether you’re an East Egger or West Egger, this look only takes 30 minutes and anyone can pull it off. All you need is a shift dress and the right accessories.

Let’s start at the top. 1920s fashion is marked by gorgeous hair accessories. We love this headband by Tilt Adornments— it's hand-sewn from vintage beads and perfect for a special occasion. We tied the headband over curled hair that was pinned in the back to create a short bob effect. We then went with a darker lipstick to add a little drama.

If you don’t happen to have a 1920s styled frock, choose a shift dress that is less cinched at the waist. For our jewelry, we chose vintage inspired pieces designed by April Reno.

These pieces are available exclusively on Unique Indie and also happen to be inspired by 1920s Art Deco.

We chose the longer Sara necklace to elongate our model’s figure and added the timeless Bernadin statement bracelet in Rhodium.

Be sure to top the look off with a faux fur and champagne. Now you’re ready to party like its 1929!

How would you do 1920s fashion? Let us know in the comments!

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Spring Fling Style in San Jose

Last week we attended the Spring Fashionista Fling in San Jose hosted by HERcity, an event series organized by The San Jose Downtown Association. HERcity's mission is to engage professional women within the community. They host a variety of events with VIP treatment in mind.

The Spring Fling hosted SJ Made vendors, a fashion show & stylist Q&A, as well as local fashion lovers. See for yourself in our photo journal below!

Had to stop these ladies to ask them about their cute blouses!

Fashionista & baker-- quite the multi-talented gal!

She's got the "it" factor. Big time!

Boots scored from the Vince Camuto outlet in Gilroy

Stylist Lori Batchelor featuring models representing real women. Clothing from The Usuals and accessories from Brixton Hue.

Learning about Lotus Denim - a new denim company dedicated to fit and comfort

Every night should be girls night!

Her Lotus Denim jeans are so perfect for the floral peplum top!

Monica looked amazing in her classy dress + edgy mint clutch!

Thanks to the Downtown Association for hosting us!

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3 Unique Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

What do you give to the woman that's given you the world? Choosing the perfect gift for Mom can be daunting, but here are 3 types of gifts that are sure to be mother-approved:

Individually crafted

One way to thank Mom is by gifting her individually handcrafted jewelry, such as these scalloped earrings or this geometric necklace. Since these are handmade, each piece is unique and crafted with the utmost care.

She'll use these everyday

Another great gift idea is a lovely essential. This blue leather tote is the perfect carry-all. The gorgeous leather and staple navy blue color give this bag a classic quality. It also pairs well with this gold Stephanie Hoffmann beaded bracelet. This popular style is both fashionable and elegant for everyday wear.

The mini splurge

A gift can also be something she would love and just wouldn't splurge on for herself. These pearl and silver earrings are one of our most admired pieces and are both stunning and easy to wear. The lovely camellia pendant is also a great option. This sterling silver pendant is shined and blackened to create a lively, beautiful effect.

We've included a few other suggestions below.

No matter which gift you choose, be sure to set a reminder for May 12, 2013 to tell your mom you love her!

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SF Artist: Laser Cut Wooden Jewelry

Jessica is the mastermind behind the popular San Francisco jewelry line, Folia Design SF.

Her professional training as a landscape architect inspired her to begin exploring with the laser cutter. Her materials of choice are bamboo and alder. Rounds of experimentation led her to create delicate designs with great structural integrity. She currently creates her necklace and earring designs out of TechShop San Francisco.

Her pieces were a hit at our first Trunk Show. For more on our show, check out our Trunk Show Recap! Be sure to visit her Etsy store and check out her latest creations.

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6 Essentials for a Relaxing & Stylish Weekend

Our ideal weekend is filled with opportunities for fun, relaxation, and a few tasks we didn't get to during the week. Check out our suggestions for having a stylish, delicious, and beautiful weekend:

Our weekend uniform typically consists of a t-shirt and jeans, so this weekend we’re going to add a floral blazer for a burst of color. We'll complement the colorful blazer with a simple jewelry piece such as this beautiful silver curved necklace by Kendra Renee. It definitely adds that perfect touch of chic! We wouldn’t want to leave our wrists bare, so we’ll add a bracelet or two. Stephanie Hoffmann Designs offers eye-catching options like the sea foam chain bracelet. We are loving the pastel sea foam color for spring!

For breakfast, we’ll be heading to The Mill in San Francisco for a freshly baked piece of toast. The Mill is a lovely spot run by San Francisco cult favorites Four Barrel Coffee and Josey Baker Bread. In addition to the best coffee and bread in town, they also offer a delicious selection of spreads. It's in the beautiful NOPA district, which is so beautiful for a morning stroll. Shopping is always on our weekend agenda so we’re also bringing our reusable bag. We love these bright bags that can be folded and tucked away in your purse; their designs ensure you are both fashionable and a friend to the environment! While you’re at the market, don't forget to grab a jar of coconut oil. This versatile oil can be used for cooking, smoothies, or a DIY body balm—we're obsessed!

Do you have any weekend must-haves we should add to this list?

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Easy High Tea Attire

High Tea is one of my favorite things to do. There's no better way to spend an afternoon than quality catch-up time with your friends/family while enjoying delicious finger foods. Satori Tea Company is just a block away from Downtown San Jose; an idyllic venue with pink walls, quirky decor, and colorful fine china. When my girlfriends suggested we check it out, my first thought was-- What am I going to wear?

I knew I wanted something fun, comfortable, and casual. Luckily, I had some jewelry pieces from April Reno that I brought along. Below are two ways we used April Reno Jewelry to add playful elements of romance and glamour to simple, casual outfits.

Cindy looks amazing in the Crave necklace and Fire bracelet she selected. The gold pairs so well with the sunset colors in her outfit. The yellow tank she wears underneath also does a great job of picking up the color from her blouse.

Here's a closeup of the Crave necklace.

Margaret opted for silver accessories to go with her seafoam-colored blouse. She chose the lightweight Judith necklace and the Moda statement bracelet. The final ensemble is cute, casual, and chic!

Thanks again to the girls for the impromptu modeling! Our customers love April Reno Jewelry so we'll be posting more pictures showing how you can easily incorporate these pieces into your wardrobe.

Which look is your favorite?

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Top three Spring trends

Our three favorite trends for spring are beautiful, easy, and wearable. Check out which new arrivals we are eyeing right now:

While eyeing runway trends and fashion blogs, we chose our favorite three trends and matching accessories based on beauty & wearability. Each of these gems can be worn with just a simple t-shirt and jeans or paired with a fancier outfit for a girls night out.

Refreshing Mint:

Mint adds a dash of whimsy to your outfit. We are loving this Alba bag by Paulina Carcach because of its classic shape. It also happens to perfectly fit all our daily necessities. Want to hang it over your shoulder instead? It also comes with a longer strap so you can convert its wearability.

Mixed Metallics:

These Geometric earrings by Kendra Renee are a great way to rock the metallic look. Every detail is handcrafted by Kendra, even down to the backs of the earrings! Made of sterling silver with 24k gold plating (vermeil), these are bound to make a statement and complement any simple outfit.

Thesis of Alexandria's new design, The Lisa bracelet, is definitely a hit for all fashion lovers. Perfect alone or with a party (a party of other bracelets, that is) - you really can't go wrong with gold chain. The Lisa bracelet is also available in other colors, but we are particularly crushing on this grey!

Monochromatic Metal:

The stunning Snake pendant by Iacua Designs is intricately made, even down to the very last scale. Each piece is made-to-order and lovingly cast in sterling silver. You have the option of either a shiny silver finish or the blackened silver (as pictured). This would look fantastic with any black and white ensemble and is sure to garner compliments.

>>More of our new arrivals

What do you think of our picks? How would you style them? Let us know in the comments!

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Trunk Show Recap

Our first event with Asia Creative Collective was a blast!

Unique Indie designers Jessica from Folia Design SF, Lauren from Lauren Engel Jewelry, and Paulina from Paulina Carcach Studios were there to meet and greet with shoppers in person. Asia Society's vision for the event was to bring together independent designers from Shanghai and San Francisco and the theme resonated throughout the event.

Thank you to all who came out and shopped at Unique Indie's first trunk show! We'll definitely be doing another show soon.

For updates on future events, be sure to sign up for the Unique Indie newsletter! And of course, be sure to check out our online store.

Unique Indie designer Paulina & her unique leather handbags:

Unique Indie designer Jessica & her laser-cut wooden jewelry:

Admirers checking out Unique Indie designer Lauren & her artisan silver accessories:

Check out some photos from the event below. Thanks to Andre Nguyen Photography for the coverage! 

Janet Hu

Founder, Unique Indie

About Unique Indie:

Unique Indie is an online marketplace featuring emerging accessories designers. In addition to envy-inducing jewelry and gorgeous leather handbags, Unique Indie provides the background to each product by showcasing the designer's story.

Sale on April Reno Jewelry

April's gorgeous pieces are inspired by French architecture and Art Deco. Her collection is now availalbe at 50% off with limited time FREE shipping just in time for the holidays. Check out the pieces available HERE. When you pick up these pieces, they have a good weight to them that speaks to the quality of these pieces. They are mixed metal with 14k gold plated or rhodium plated with custom glass stones or quartz stones. Stunning addition to any outfit.

<3 Hope these pieces go to good homes!

Janet