My Favorite Jewelry

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I like a good mix of statement jewelry and more delicate pieces, and in this stage of motherhood where I’m dressing quite casual I find that I wear delicate jewelry more often.

Some pieces are meaningful and have a story, and others are just some favorites that I’ve found at retail stores!

The silouette necklace from the very first photo of the post is by Le Papier Studio. I’m wearing the tiny charms in 14k rose gold. The silhouettes are of my 3 children, and their initial is on each charm. I’ve worked with Vana and her team and I can tell you they are wonderful. It’s a very special necklace to me.

Below are two of my most worn earrings. The earring jackets are from J.Crew Factory, and the Stembend ones are from Madewell. I love them both so much I have a backup pair of each of them!

When Justin and I had the boys, Justin wanted to have an heirloom for each of them to pass down to them when they got older. He decided on a watch, and has since gotten two watches, one is his David watch and the other is his Luke watch. He’s worn both (literally, one on each wrist) on all of his mountain climbs and has even had custom straps made with the dates and info from each climb. It’s nice to see him wearing both the watches now and to imagine the boys recieving them as gifts later in life. We don’t care if they wear them, of course, as the style will certainly have changed, but it’s the memories and thoughtfulness of the heirloom that matters!

When I had Emily this year it was my turn to get something that I could wear and pass down to her as an heriloom! When Emily was about 2 weeks old, Justin and I went on a date and he brought me to a jewelry store. I chose this ring that I wear on my right hand. I absolutely love it. It’s very special and I wear it every single day.

The smaller ring with the 4 stones is a ring I recently added to my collection. I found it through discovering Melanie Casey on instagram and spent a long time scrolling through all the jewelry from her line. It’s so delicate and light, and looks so pretty on it’s own or as a part of a stack.

Another very commonly worn necklace is my initial necklace from Maya Brenner. It had D and L on it for a few years but I shipped it back to add the letter E to it once Emily arrived last year. It’s very delicate but can stand lots of grabbing from small but mighty baby hands.

Other than mixing it up with these pieces, the only other jewelry I wear regularly is my wedding rings and a bracelet Justin gave me for Christmas (I forgot to get a photo of it!).

I’m curious, do you have an heirloom that you received from a family member, or do you have something that you are planning on passing down?

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 01.24.19

I love your taste in jewellery! The accessories you picked out are so dainty and elegant. My favourite is the necklace. Will have to check the store out! 🙂

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Laura says · 01.24.19

I love that you and Justin took time to thoughtfully pick an item to pass to your little ones ❤ the sentiment and love just melts my heart. I wish my mom had done something similar, I would have loved to have something passed down!

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Michele says · 01.24.19

On my sixteenth birthday, my mom gave me a tiny crucifix she had gotten on her sixteenth birthday, which her mother had been given on her sixteenth birthday. I don’t really wear it, but I love having it and knowing I can pass it om to my daughter when she turns sixteen.

When my children were each born, my husband wanted to give them a special Daddy present for Christmas. I suggested getting them each an ornament every year, so they could enjoy them at Christmas, but also have a collection of special ornaments to start their own trees when they have homes of their own. Sure, they don’t appreciate them right now because they’re still toddlers, but they’re going to be something that they can look at as they get older and know Daddy picked just for them.

What a thoughtful post, Kate! Thanks for letting us reflect on traditions and heirlooms (instead of breaking my bank account with more pics of fabulous Madewell jeans…GAME. CHANGER)

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Hilary says · 01.24.19

Michele, just wanted to say that my parents gifted me an ornament every year for Christmas that I now use to decorate my own tree. As I got older they often picked ornaments that reflected something about my hobbies/personality/interests etc. My baby just celebrated her first Christmas and we’ve started the tradition with her!

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Kate says · 01.24.19

I love the ornament tradition, we do the same thing! It’s very sweet to reflect on memories each year at Christmas!

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Michele says · 01.24.19

They’re so much fun! I think next year I’ll have him also get them personalized trunks t keep them in, too (because they’ll grow out of the plastic shoeboxes within the next couple of years)

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Kristina says · 01.24.19

We also do the ornaments each year. My husband has MANY that were bought for him over the years and we use those now on our tree. We get our children each one every year as well so they have them when they move out on their own. Each family vacation we take, we purchase an ornament to add to the tree at Christmas. While we decorate it gives us time to talk about and reflect on those family adventures. <3

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Stephanie says · 01.24.19

I’m one of three girls, and on each of our 13th birthdays, my dad gave us an empty tool box. Each birthday and Christmas after, we’d get a tool to add. When we moved out of our parents house, we had a complete tool kit! We’re in our 30s and my dad still gives us something to add each Christmas. I think of my dad every time I pull it out to get a tool!

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Kira says · 01.24.19

I’m I have my grandpa’s 50th Anniversary watch that I will pass down to my daughter. I also have an emerald ring my parents gave me when I started high school. I’m planning on giving it to her when she starts high school (she’s 4, so it will be awhile).

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Haley says · 01.24.19

I have my grandmother’s engagement ring and wedding band and a ring my fiancé’s grandmother wore. I love the idea of having something from us to pass down to our children one day. I will definitely be stealing this idea!

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Kate says · 01.24.19

That’s so sweet

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Allie says · 01.24.19

These pieces are all so lovely and timeless. And I love that they have so much meaning – that’s what makes a great piece of jewelry. I have a few pieces I plan to pass down. One is a charm bracelet my husband adds to each year with meaningful charms and the other is a gold necklace my great-grandmother received on her wedding day! I feel so blessed whenever I wear it.
xAllie
http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com

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Megan Soule says · 01.24.19

When I turned 16 my parents gave me a purity ring and explained to me how important it was to wait until I was married to be with someone. It is a beautiful little diamond and I cannot wait to give it to my daughter some day with the same message!

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Casey says · 01.24.19

Although we don’t have children yet, my husband bought the watch that he wore on our wedding day with the intention of it being an heirloom someday. The pearl bracelet and earrings I wore on our wedding day are my heirloom to share. Your kids will love those treasures so much.

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Jackie says · 01.24.19

Very cool post! For my son, my husband bought a really nice bottle of scotch on the day he was born and plans to give and ‘partake’ with him on his 21st birthday or when he has a child of his own. For our daughter who was just born, we thought about getting her a nice bottle as well but ultimately we decided on pearls that we will give to her during a momentous occasion in her life e.g. wedding, first real job interview, etc. This was my husband’s idea so I’ll let him take the lead when the time comes. 🙂

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Kate says · 01.24.19

Love those ideas!

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Kristen says · 01.24.19

I love that idea of “creating” a family heirloom!

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Caileigh says · 01.24.19

This is the sweetest! I’d love to get an heirloom for my baby girl coming in April! The Maya Brenner link didn’t load for me. <3

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Kate says · 01.24.19

I love this! I have a signet ring that was my grandmother’s it was given to her as a gift from her new MIL on the day of her wedding with her “new” initials. I wear it daily on my right hand and often unconsciously find my self touching it when throughout the day I might need a little grace, strength, or patience…all qualities that my Grandma embodied.

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Lana Weeks says · 01.24.19

I LOVE the silhouette necklace…my husband and I just had our first baby this year (the same month Emily was born!)…now I want to get one with his silhouette and initial. So precious!
The only jewelry I wear regularly are my engagement and wedding rings, a ring my daddy gave me when I turned 14 (he passed away a year ago, and I’ve worn it every day since), and some tiny diamond studs my husband gave me the first Christmas after we were married. I like simple jewelry best and always love yours!

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Kate says · 01.24.19

I’m so sorry for your loss but glad you have a sweet ring to wear to remember him!

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Amy says · 01.24.19

I wear 3 diamond bands, 1 for each of our two girls and 1 my husband recently added for me to keep. The plan is to give the girls theirs when they are juniors or seniors in high school. The watch idea is really neat, never heard of that before!

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Kaitlyn says · 01.24.19

I love delicate, dainty jewelry. Large, or bold, statement pieces look great on some people but I’ve never really liked them on myself. I love reading all your posts!

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Melissa says · 01.24.19

I LOVE the heirloom idea! I’ve never heard of anyone picking out something specific to pass down to each kid. When will you give it to them? A special birthday? Graduation? Wedding day? Birth of their first child? …

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Danielle says · 01.24.19

My grandma used to wear this really light blue topaz and gold ring when I was a little girl. I always thought it was soooo pretty (even though now I think it is so ugly and would never wear it). She always said it would be mine one day when she was gone. Luckily, she is still around but she decided to give it to me several months ago. Even though I will NEVER wear it, I love having it for the memories of sitting in grandma’s lap and admiring that blue topaz ring.

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andrea says · 01.24.19

I ordered the ear jackets from jcrew factory the last time you posted them on sale on Insta… they finally came and I was so excited to put them in, but they didn’t fit my ear lobs! I will gift them to a friend, but I am so disappointed they didn’t fit :/

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Rachael Chemerinsky says · 01.24.19

I love this post!! Your jewelry is gorgeous and so unique. My engagement ring’s center diamond is actually my husband’s grandmother’s. It is over 85 years old. He and his Mom picked a setting for it to go in and my gosh was it stunning! Now that we’ve been married for almost 7 years we’ve added another band and soldered the engagement ring, wedding band, and 5th year Anniversary band together. It makes me so proud to know that I get to carry a piece of his family’s memory on my finger every day. My family also has lots of heirlooms…it’s just our thing!

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Kayla says · 01.24.19

I love the idea of passing the heirlooms down! I’m receiving one from my mom, that was her mom’s. It’s a beautiful ring that I borrowed when I got married but I wanted my mom to have it for a few more years before she gave it to me since her mom is no longer with us.

I’m in love with the dainty initial necklace and I will definitely be getting one of those for myself!

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Katie says · 01.24.19

What a sweet thing to do for your kids. Love both of the pieces you decided on for your kids. I really like the initial necklace, I might need one for me since I do not have kids yet.
When I started teaching at a Catholic School my mom gave me my grandmothers rosary. It has her name carved on the cross. We say the rosary every Friday at school and I have used that rosary for 8 years. She passed away when my mom was 25, so I never got to meet her, but using her rosary makes me feel like apart of her.

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Miranda says · 01.24.19

One of my favorite pieces of jewelry is a ring that belonged to my grandmother. I use to compliment it every time she wore and she would always jokingly tell me she wouldn’t give it to me. After she passed my dad gave it to me. I know she wanted me to have it. It’s a massive purple stone in a gold setting and always gets tons and tons of compliments every time I wear it.

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Georgia Fulenwider says · 01.24.19

Long story and maybe a bit of a tearjerker… so when our daughter Rachel was in 2nd grade (the year was 2000) she found a diamond on the playground at school. I tried to tell her it was probably a CZ and fake. Being a 9 year old she was not convinced. I took it to a jeweler and lo and behold it’s real and almost 1 carat. My husband and I put it up with the intention of having it made into something special when she turned 18 or graduated from high school. In 2008, tragically our sweet girl passed away, she was 15. Some time a few weeks later my husband suggested I have that diamond put in a Tiffany anniversary band that I had found (yes we are some lucky girls). So for my birthday that year, we had it added to the Tiffany band and I wear this VERY special ring daily. We found out Christmas day that my son and his wife are adding another little one to their sweet family. We already adore and have a blast with our grandson Hudson! Well, on Friday we had a family reveal and they are having a little girl! Lorelai Rachel. I always thought I would pass that ring to my daughter in law, but now I realize God had a better plan, I’ll pass it on to Lorelai!

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Kate says · 01.24.19

I’m so sorry you lost your daughter at a young age. I can’t imagine how difficult that was and still is for you but what a sweet way to share the diamond she found!

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Angela says · 01.24.19

Really lovely pieces – I’m definitely looking into Melanie Casey – those rings are beautiful!

Angela | BlushandPearls.com

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Madison says · 01.24.19

My parents gave my sister and I one piece of jewelry every year on Christmas Eve. When we graduated high school, we had a really nice (though somewhat dated, INCREDIBLY special) collection of fine jewelry. It’s still so dear to both of us.

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Elle says · 01.24.19

What a great idea! I am going to suggest this to my husband for us to do this when we are done having children. Thanks for sharing!

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Mary says · 01.24.19

That is such a lovely idea to pass on heirlooms for the kiddos Kate! I have an emerald braclet that I inheireted from my Grandma when she passed away. I wear it when I’m missing her, & it even smells like her perfume she used to wear! It comforts me beyond words.

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Rebecca says · 01.24.19

So pretty! I have to ask where is your sweater from?
Thanks!

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Lauren says · 01.24.19

On my 16th birthday my grandma gave me a pair of pearl earrings. Then for my 21st birthday she had 2 small diamonds from her mother’s (so my great grandmother’s) wedding band put in the setting. I LOVE my earrings and I can’t wait to pass them on.

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Donna says · 01.24.19

I waited 25 years to recieve jewelry as a gift from my husband. He definitely had the surprise all planned out. I have since recieved enough rings to one day present to each of my 4 grandaughters as well as a pearl necklace & earrings set for my daughter. I wear them proudly and with love.

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Mimi says · 01.24.19

I was an only child so I was very lucky to have my mothers jewelry. She had a 1ct. Round diamond ring and earrings .5ct. each earring. Out of the three stones, I had a three stone band made that I absolutely love and wear every single day. She and my dad also collected gold coins and I wear one on a long neck chain. I had her pearls restrung and wore them to my son’s college graduation. Still another ring was worn on his wedding day. I think my mom would be happy knowing how much her jewelry is enjoyed.
I love that you shared about your husbands watches and your beautiful diamond band ring. I’m sure your little Emily will grow up admiring your things and enjoy them when you pass them on to her. A friend of mine received her mother’s diamond ring while her mom was still alive. That dear woman wanted to see and experience the joy of giving it to her daughter, which I thought was such a loving thing!

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Celerie says · 01.24.19

You post so many pics of your hands on Insta + here and I’ve never noticed those beautiful rings before! How sweet.

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Chris says · 01.25.19

When we got married I got an anniversary band as my wedding ring because I hadn’t gotten an engagement ring- my husband couldn’t afford it at the time and it didn’t matter to me. A couple years later my grandmother died and my mom suggested I try on Gram’s wedding ring as I was the only grandchild and very close to both my (then deceased) grandparents. I wasn’t sure about it then but when I put it on it was perfect with my ring. I’ve worn it for the past 15 years! They were married for over 50 years and my granddad was one of my favorite people in the world so it’s very special to me. 2 years after that my mom died. It took years before I’d take her jewelry and while I’m sure there’s a lot she’d wish I’d wear what I actually have started wearing is funny- when we were first married my husband got me small diamond stud earrings which I wore everyday. I never change my earrings due to a nerve disease that makes it very difficult to do such things. Anyway, after 17 years last spring one of them fell out. I was devastated and searched everywhere! I could not find it. My husband insisted it was no big deal and he’d get me new ones. But, I was crushed. I finally went to put on other earrings and ended up putting on my mom’s much bigger and gorgeous diamond studs (they are lovely and I haven’t regretted it- I have a piece of her with me all the time) About a month later after I’d completely given up, I stepped on the lost earring right in front of the fridge. Someplace we walk a 100 times a day. How it suddenly appeared is beyond me. But, I’m still wearing her earrings. I love the idea of passing things on.

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Alice says · 01.25.19

Wooow. They’re really beautiful.

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Maureen says · 01.25.19

I’m wondering, do your children know (or will they know, I realize they’re young) that those pieces are for them some day? And when do you expect to pass them on?

I have been trying to come up with a special idea for our young daughters and hadn’t decided what yet.. this is inspiring! Thank you!

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Kate says · 01.25.19

They do but they aren’t at an age where they can really appreciate it yet, you know? And I don’t know when we’ll pass them on, it kind of depends on which direction their life goes! Certainly not until they are adults!

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Laura says · 01.25.19

I have a claddagh ring my mom gave me when I turned 13 (21 years ago) that I’d like to give my daughter when she turns 13 (9 more years). Then I want my husband to replace it with a birthstone mother ring.

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Jody C. says · 01.25.19

What about your Chinchar/Maloney birthstone ring? Are you able to send that back & have Emily’s birthstone added?

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Kate says · 01.25.19

I do not think they can add a birthstone to their rings, I do still have both of those I just don’t wear them daily!

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Emily says · 01.25.19

When my grandma died 5 years ago, my sister, cousins & I got to go through her jewelry and pick something. I picked a ring she had made back in the 70’s that has all her diamonds from her original wedding ring from 1935 in it. It’s a thick band with a brushed design and I love it. I will pass it down to my daughter someday.

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Shari Ramsey says · 01.25.19

Yes I have a maya Brenner 3 letter necklace with two initials and a heart! Love it and wear it daily. I also have the disc charm necklace i wear as well as a 14k gold bar necklace with the full names on it. Those three are my most valuable and meaningful pieces of jewelry.

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Becca says · 01.26.19

I love this idea! How special it will be for David, Luke and Emily to one day received the watches & rings. When my husband proposed he took his grandmothers ring and remade it into my wedding ring. After the ring was made there was one diamon left that went into my wedding band. I never had the opportunity to meet this grandmother but I love that his family gave the ring to my husband to use and that some day we can pass it along to our children.

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Sarah Bassett says · 01.26.19

I wear a ring every day that my mom gave me on the day I graduated from high school nearly 20 (😳😳) years ago. It’s engraved on the inside with the date and “Love, Dad, Mom, Mary (my sister’s name)”. I have two little boys, so I don’t know where it will end up, but I would love to gift it to someone someday. Such a lovely tradition ❤️

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Seanna says · 01.26.19

I have heirloom pieces from my Grandma, Mom & Aunt that I wear on special occasions and just adore them. These as well as a few others will be passed down to my daughters & nieces.

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Sam says · 02.01.19

My husband surprised me with the J.Crew ear jackets for Christmas and I wear them multiple times a week!

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Shannon says · 07.20.19

Do yours look bright yellow? Just got them. They don’t look as natural as Kate’s.

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Kate says · 02.12.19

That necklace is absolutely adorable! I definitely need one for myself!

-Kate Christine
https://daysofkate.com

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Casio says · 03.14.19

I am looking to buy casio original g Shock in Pakistan, I just found this site http://www.casiocentre.com from google . is this site is verified or not, please guide ..

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Susan L Thompson says · 03.18.19

I love the initial necklace but don’t see the option to add more then one initial to it. Any advice? Or am I just missing something, lol.

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Kate says · 03.18.19

You can go directly to Maya Brenner to order and add more initials 🙂

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chris ducommun says · 03.25.19

Hi Kate,
so interested in your sweet letter necklace. Did you purchase it from Nieman Marcus? My daughter is expecting her second babe in a few days and I’d love to order this for her. How did you go about adding the ‘third’ letter? If you did purchase it from Nieman Marcus, were they the company that you contacted to add the E?’
Thank you so much!

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Kate says · 03.25.19

I got it directly from Maya Brenner and would send back to their main location in California for the new letter. Go to maya brenners website to learn how to add a letter 🙂

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Jess says · 04.20.19

Hi! Is your Maya Brenner necklace rose or yellow gold?
Thanks!

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Kate says · 04.20.19

Rose 🙂

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Shannon says · 07.20.19

Got the jacket earrings but mine look bright yellow. Is that how yours looks or did they change them?

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Annie says · 07.21.19

What length is your Maya Brenner necklace? I would like to get one, but can’t decide between 16 or 18”. Thanks!

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Kate says · 07.22.19

16 inch!

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arvino says · 10.19.19

I loved every single piece of your jewelry and the colour of your sweate. Also you are looking pretty!

Thanks for the post

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Lori says · 03.31.20

Hi! I love the gold tag necklace you were often, could you share more about that? I’m enjoying following you on Instagram! ♥️

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Kate says · 04.01.20

I wear a lot of necklaces from Madewell, try searching there!

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Andrea says · 11.08.20

What length is your Maya Brenner necklace?

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Kate says · 11.09.20

16 inch!

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