Though we call her our cousin, the term is not technically correct.  If we must be official, we'll state for the record that she's married to our cousin...but--regardless of technicalities--we love calling Rebecca family, so cousin it is!   More importantly, jewelry-desiging cousin! (How fun to have TWO jewelry connections in the family...we are hot commodities this time of year!)  

Rebecca founded Rebecca Hook Jewelry in 2008 and has quickly gained following in boutiques nationwide with her delicately detailed designs in sterling and gold vermeil.  (They are beautiful!)  We snagged a few moments of her time after taking part in our photo shoot to hear more about her jewels and her take on holiday traditions.

{all images courtesy Rebecca Hook Jewelry}

R:  As a business owner you must learn to multi-task.  There are always so many things to get done and not enough time.  I don’t get too stressed out when things pile up.  

R:  During Thanksgiving Dinner, I asked every person at the table explain what they are thankful for.  It was great to see an emotional side of the Hook family.  Also, for the last several years my family in Florida has opted out of a gift exchange.  It is now a tradition to write a letter to someone in the family and read it aloud on Christmas Eve.  Last year all the adults wrote letters to their spouses and the kids wrote letters to their siblings.  It is always a special night (that my husband likes to call a cry fest.)

R: Although I do miss running around in my flip flops, I still get so excited when it snows.  I think this Christmas in particular will be very special because I have a little one to enjoy it with.

Becky with baby Harlin at our Holiday photo shoot!

We're thrilled you're loving our lovely ladies featured in the Holiday Collection photo shoot...friends and family are beautiful people inside and out...and since so many of you were curious about who these wonderful women are, we thought we'd give you a glimpse of what makes them so special.  (Just a peek, though!)

First up is dear childhood friend Elizabeth Liebschutz-Roettger...among many other things (we won't elaborate) we call her "Beth" and since we've known one another since middle school, we'll spare you the forever-long stories and cut right to her charmed but very busy life today.  Enjoy!  (And, Beth, thank you dear friend for taking part!)

Emily:  Not only do you have the most interesting last name of my friends, I think you'll have the most initials following it as well (soon!)...tell me a bit more about what you're studying, writing, researching these days?

Beth:  Hopefully I will eventually get those letters--at the moment it seems a bit daunting!  I am working on my PhD in Education Policy with a focus in Higher Education.  My dissertation topic will eventually be on study abroad and student persistence.  Basically, we know that when a student studies abroad in college they are more likely to persist to graduation, and what I want to learn more about is why.  Students who study abroad show greater maturity and focus on their academics upon their return, so as a field, we want to learn more about the positive effects it has on the student as a whole.

E:  And in the midst of volunteering countless hours, being a wife, a new mother, AND having a successful career...what's your secret?

B:  Pretzel M&Ms and rock n' roll!  Seriously though, I am a person who is totally re-energized by others.  I love my family and friends and I have a great career.  My husband and adventurous 18-month-old son keep me on my toes and are so supportive, as is the rest of my family.  I am also fortunate to have so many amazing and talented friends that inspire me.  Although, I will admit, I do love to take walk with my ipod (and I might be prone to rocking out a little) and a good book.

E:  You have such a fantastic heritage with a Catholic mother and Jewish father...what are some of your favorite holiday traditions from growing up with both Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations?

B:  I have lots of special memories observing Jewish holidays with my brother, sister and dad.  A few years ago I was home and my brother called so my dad could recite the Hanukkah prayers for my niece over the phone.  I want to share those same memories with my own son.  I hope that he cherishes the different traditions as much as I do.  My Mom does a great job of making the holidays special (although she leaves Hanukkah up to my Dad.) I find Christmas and Hanukkah so much more fun now as I share it with my son, niece and nephews.

E:  Have you started any new traditions with your own family?

B:  Want to see my husband act like a school kid?  Stockings!  He loves them.  It cracks me up.  We still run back and forth between Lexington and Danville [Kentucky] visiting our families while everyone is town over the holidays.  However, the night before we leave, our little family spends the evening together and we go through our stockings.

{image from Crate and Barrel}

B: The pearlized briolette clusters are so classy.  And I love that they are super feminine.  They are sophisticated for work and will dazzle at parties.

For a gift that gives wholeheartedly, we'd love for you to consider our vintage glitter lucite drops this holiday.  These limited-edition lovelies have the honor of offering $10 of their $30 purchase price to Backpack Buddies of Spencer County, whose mission is to provide food and snacks to children in our rural community, many of whom depend on the local school cafeterias for most of their meals.  

By sending these underprivileged children home with a bag of fresh fruit, cereal, or soup each Friday of the school year, Backpack Buddies is making a worthwhile, crucial difference in the lives of nearly 200 students, and for less than $3 per child per weekend, your donation is a more than a meaningful contribution--it's life-changing.

By the way, we'll gift-wrap the glittery gems in our signature packaging and include a note about the donation...and, yes, the shipping's on us, too!   Enjoy!

*To learn more about Elva Fields' partnership with Backpack Buddies, click here. 

We're celebrating this holiday season with the most stylish surroundings of all--our friends and family!   We gathered some of our nearest and dearest* to toast the tinsel and twinkle of the most wonderful time of year, adorned them in our jewels (not that they needed any additional sparkle...these ladies are the loveliest!) and did what we do best: enjoyed some time together.   Laughing, listening, gifting, munching, clinking, and clapping...it was the most fun, and a reminder of what the season is all about.  Jewelry is fantastic, but nothing beats meaningful moments with those you love.  So here's to love, life, and laughter this holiday season and beyond...with maybe a jewel or two mixed in for good measure...and many memories with friends and family to come!

See and shop the full collection here.

*Please note that due to scheduling and logistical situations, we were not able to feature ALL of the fabulous ladies in our life...if they weren't so talented, busy, adventurous, amazing, and wonderful, the demands on their time and presence would have allowed them to be part of the fun.  Until we can coordinate a bit better, we hope you'll enjoy those who did make the shoot!  And we do mean "make" the shoot...aren't they gorgeous?  Pictured from left:  Canine Companion Ann Maynard, Emily Maynard, Whitney Frazier Watt, Lori Thompson Finke, Nana (June Hook), Mom (Debbie Wheat), Aunt Heidi (Heidi Hilliard), Elizabeth Liebschutz-Roettger, and Rebecca Hook.

Want to know more about our Holiday Collection photo shoot?  Visit us here for a behind-the-scenes look at the fun we had!  And...a slide show of highlights from the Collection may be found here. Enjoy!

    Four days of free!  Spend at least $100 with us anytime between Friday, November 25th and Monday November 28th, and receive a FREE pair of earrings...choose from the four styles above and enter the corresponding code for your selection in the Gift Note section at checkout.*  

For the vintage glass costume pearls, enter PEARL...for the Art Deco brass fans, enter FAN...for the sterling silver hoops with vintage Belgian pink sequins, enter PINK...and for the vintage soleil drops, enter SUN.  We'll send your choice in our signature logo pouch along with your other purchases to enjoy!

The details of our giveaway are below and thanks for shopping with us this weekend!

*Here's the fine print:  All orders totaling $100 or more before shipping placed between 12:01 a.m. EST Friday, November 25th and 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, November 28th are eligible for the giveaway, while supplies last.  The code for your selected style must be entered in the gift note section at checkout to receive your free gift.  Earrings may not be returned or refunded for retail value or credit.  (They are a gift…enjoy them!)  Only one gift per customer, please.