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

Picnic Glamour Hamptons Style: Craghoppers

Craghoppers SolarShield & insect repellent separates make any outing amazing.

THE HAMPTONS, LI: Here is a cool but polished look that's perfect for the beaches of South Hampton, NY. I've spent many happy summers on the pebbled shores of the Long Island Sound and this outfit is perfect for really any inlet beach but especially those on the Island.  Here's why.

Craghopper's

Amelie with UPF 40+

Craghopper's hails from the UK and makes very fashionable, well made outdoor, travel and resort-wear. One of their innovations is the NosiLife line which includes insect repellent built into the fabric itself. This repellent action is good for up to 70 washings, basically the life of the garment. Added to that is SolarShield offering a UPF of 40+ sun protection. Many of the beaches facing the Long Island Sound have HUGE biting flies. We used to run into the water and stay submerged to avoid them! Clothing like this can be your best friend for a beach picnic or outing where you plan to spend some time out of the water. Sunburn and biting insects will no longer be an issue at your next picnic or outing!


Top: Amelie in White with chest pocket and SolarShield UPF 40+
Maxi Skirt: NosiLife Catilin in Brown with insect/solar protection
Scarf: Pistil Designs
Leather Sandals: Maeve by Naya
Bag: Victoria's Secret Amber Fragrance Gift Set

Do some resort shopping in Sag Harbor in this Gabriella dress!

Craghopper's NosiLife Gabriella Dress
The good news is that you don't have to give up, fashion, style or comfort when spending time outdoors. This Gabriella Dress combines sunblocking, moisture control and insect protection all in one smart outfit. It is fitted under the bust-line, has cap sleeves and a v-neck so it's quite flattering for all figures. Soft, stretchy and ready for anything, it packs and travels well.  Dress it up or down with a belt, scarf, etc. these are great choices for a day at the beach, a summer picnic or BBQ. No one will know your secret, only that you look fantastic!

Gabriella NosiLife Dress in Litchen Green

Hat & Scarf: Tinsley Fedora and OKeefe scarf by Pistil Designs
Bag: Guilden Carry All in Bone by Give Love Cycle
Shoes: Maeve Sandals by Naya available at Nordstrom

Craghoppers Collection c/o Craghoppers UK

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.