Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Sea Stars by Diana Kauffman Jewelry Designs - Club Monaco

Beautiful statement pieces by Diana Kauffman Jewelry Designs

Mother's Day should remind you that beach season is just around the corner. This year, why not treat Mom (or yourself) to beautiful handcrafted jewelry that can be worn with a beach caftan or your favorite bikini?

Sea Star Earrings 2 with beautiful antique copper French Hooks

These earrings are gorgeous and perfect for a trip to the spa or a tropical resort. Handmade in the USA, these beautiful statement pieces are a gracious compliment to: sun dresses, beach wear, resort fashions, vacation honeymoons.

Sea Star Earrings 2
Strands of genuine leather in turquoise shades wave with artisan-made ceramic beads dangle from antique copper ear wires. See them online at DianaKauffmanDesigns.com

Sea Star Signature Necklace

This necklace compliments the Sea Star Earrings so beautifully, you'll look like that Saint Tropez model wearing them together! I really like the organic look of the necklace which showcases little sea treasures of a copper starfish and silver scallop shell. Absolutely stunning on tanned skin.

Sea Star Signature Necklace
Handmade Greek ceramic beads anchor this necklace made from SilverSilk; a non-tarnish, permanently enameled gunmetal wire knitted around a hematite bead chain. Embellished with copper starfish and silver clamshell.  Approx. length: 32”

Club Monaco Quartz Necklace
Another of my beachy favorites is the long green quartz necklace from Club Monaco, 5th Ave. My brother and I were shopping and we saw this piece and went "Wow". I've come to find out that such
quartz necklaces were worn as a sign of power and prestige in the British Isles centuries ago.

Club Monaco 5th Avenue Sea Foam Green Quartz Necklace

French Cloisonne Glass Perfume Holder
This is another of my favorite jewelry pieces for the shore. Inside the little winged creature is a large glass vial for your favorite perfume or fragrance oil. I prefer to use an anointing oil inside as it is thicker than perfume and less likely to spill out. There is a metal rod applicator inside the top and the necklace is silver.

French Cloisonne glass perfume holder

On the Go? Summer Travel Essentials

A trip to the beach or even abroad. Here are some carry on essentials for easy summer travel. Pewter Sand Dollar Woven Handbag by NewportStyle.net, the Newport Mansions Stores.

July is National Parks and Recreation Month - A DAY AT THE BEACH: I really enjoy packing up and taking off for a impromptu trip to the beach, park or anywhere fun during the hot summer. Since July is National Parks and Recreation Month, visiting local spots first is always a good idea. One thing I've learned is to keep a bag packed with a few essentials for each destination.  My beach tote contains Mission Sun Defeated Continuous Spray Sunblock SPF 50 & their Moisturizing Lip Treatment, (SPF 20) as well as Jergens Natural Glow-Protect for a little color + sun block. My sunhat is made of woven raffia and is by Helen Kaminski . It is a tough hat, made in Australia and does an amazing job of blocking the sun.

Transitional Outfit: Horny Toad Dizzie Dress & Earthies Shoes. Knit topper by Cotton On goes from the AC'd office to an early evening picnic date in the park.

Taking a Trip?
If you are doing more than just a day trip, consider keeping a Carry-On bag of your favorite comfort items. These will vary depending on if you are traveling by car, train or plane but they all should be kept close at hand. Here's a few things that I take along that take up less space and do double duty.

All of these items fit easily inside my GLC Guilden Carry All with room for clothes & a pair of shoes.

Packing for a trip should include essentials like these, especially if you are going on a long distance tour. I keep a little bottle of Visine-A for allergy flare ups that can occur when you change climates. Also to stay extra fresh when you might not be able to get to your hotel, take along some baby wipes or Fresh Bath moist towelettes. You can refresh your whole body in the rest room. Speaking of keeping fresh, Secret Clinical Strength is amazing. It will keep you dry and fresh smelling for more than 24 hours even in hot, sticky climates. A clear zippered pouch like this allows you to quickly find what you need while protecting your luggage from product spills.

Embryolisse Hydra Masque and Eye & Lip Contour Cream do double duty.

On the Plane
If you fly, you'll know how important it is to pack your handbag with everything you'll need so as not to have to access your on board luggage in the bin above your head. Here's a situation where you might want to go bigger with your handbag as it can also carry extra clothing and other needed items.

I've found this system to work very well and having essentials like hand cream can work wonders in combating dry cabin air.  

In the Hotel
Likewise Embryolisse Hydro-Masque is a wonderful treat for dried out skin. Pop it on in your hotel room for 15 minutes and you'll be ready for dinner looking plumped and refreshed. I also like their Eye & Lip Contour Cream as it comes in a pump bottle and is both an eye and lip cream. Double duty out of one pump saves space and time switching between products!

Smart Travel First Aid kit has medicines and supplies especially helpful for traveling.

First Aid for Travelers
I keep a Smart Travel from Adventure Medical Kits with me as it is small enough to fit my carry all yet holds A LOT of supplies. Everything from aspirin and anti-nausea medicine to bandages, ointments and other first aid products. I keep a little tube of Topricin Pain Cream in my kit because it can be used for a lot of things like insect bites, bruises and aches. The kit itself is complete though and sectioned into areas depending on the emergency. It also has a little graphic card with pictures to convey your needs in a different language if you are traveling abroad. Everything is well thought out and can help put your traveling mind at ease!


Smart Travel c/o Adventure Medical Kits

Beach Chic Hamptons Style

Hamptons Style starts with a Classic Bikini: Cali Convertible Top, Catalina Bikini Bottom -Carve Designs of CA

One of the things I've always enjoyed about the Hamptons in the eastern part of Long Island is their classic easy charm and sense of style.  Whether you're vacationing at the beaches of East Hampton or the French Riviera, you can set yourself apart by taking a page from this elegant lifestyle that is uniquely New York. Starting with THE perfect swimsuit, the natural sea elements of Long Island beaches are seen in this Carve Designs Sand Dollar print. This lovely design reminds me of the large pebbled shoreline leading out to Long Island Sound. The swimsuit fabric itself has a UPF of 50+ and the Bikini Top has removable pads.

Ready for a day on the beach

If you don't have too much of a tan, you can fake one while still protecting your skin:
  

For Your Face: L'Oreal New Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer + Natural Skin Tone Enhancer has a SPF of 15  This product evens skin tone and instantly brightens but will deepen your color within 3 days.
For Your Body: Jergens Natural Glow & Protect also gradually creates a natural looking tan while protecting your skin from sun damage with a SPF of 20.

HAMPTONS STYLE POINTS: Be sure to bring a classic pair of sunglasses.  They will protect your eyes from the sun and help prevent wrinkles caused by squinting. You really can't go wrong with a pair of original Ray-Ban Wayfarers.

Sol Cool Hoodie Cover by ExOfficio cools & has an UPF of 50

Resort-wear includes pieces to help you cover up once you're out of the water.  That's why we think this Sol Cool Hoodie by ExOfficio is GENIUS.  The fabric has a UPF of 50 but when wet, it is specially designed to cool you down.  Very light and flattering, you'll look exceptionally chic while keeping cool in the sun. This cover even has thumb holes, ruched sides and an invisible zipper to stow away some lip balm or other essentials.

HAMPTONS STYLE POINTS: Sitting around wrapped in a towel is fine for at home but when you're on the beach, cover up with something that looks fresh with a bit of structure.  This is especially the thing to do when leaving the water even if the beach is private.

A few extras for your beach vacation.

East Long Island beaches are known for their horrible biting flies. Sitting on the beach, they will come from out of nowhere to mercilessly bomb and bite you.  The bites HURT!  So I take along a few packets of Natrapel Insect Repellent which lasts for up to 8 hours. The little individual packets are airline friendly and go anywhere you do. 
If you do get bitten try Ssssting Stop by Boericke & Tafel made with natural Citronella. It really cools and lessens the redness, itch and pain of insect bites. 
I know you'll remember to bring your toothbrush but how about this little Dazzling White - Instant Whitening Pen?  Just the thing before you hit the restaurants and clubs after a day on the beach.
Boar Bristle Brush is especially kind to fragile, wet hair.  Try switching to a softer, natural bristle brush.
Suave 24 Hour Protection Deodorant is an invisible solid so it won't show up to ruin your sleeveless beach look. 
Sport Wash individual laundry detergent packets are perfect travel size.  Sport Wash eliminates odors and safely cleans swimwear and other delicate fabrics.

Sundress to impress: Carve Designs Crescent Dress in Rose Ikat

There is no better way to end a day on the beach than with the perfect sun dress.  Going and coming, it will be your best friend for a smooth transition to shopping in the village or attending a lawn party later on. Since my family lives in East Hampton, we would take the short walk from the house down to the beach with our swimsuits on under our summer clothes. Walking around town in your Bikini Top and Daisy Dukes is not the look you should aim for though!  Most restaurants in the village will not seat you and if they do, expect a bad table.

Sundresses are the way to go and this breezy Crescent Dress in Rose Ikat has so much going for it: Empire waist. V-neck. Semi-fitted with slight A-line skirt. Falls above knee and the cotton voile material is machine washable. This summer dress packs well & does not wrinkle.

HAMPTONS STYLE POINTS: Don't be afraid to don a straw hat like this one from Liz Claiborne.  Feminine, airy and lovely is the look you want!  Also nude or gold cork leather sandals by Børn Shoes NYC are amazingly comfortable and elongate your legs. Understated elegance, clean lines and nature inspired prints sum up this New York casual beach style.