No offense to any of our previous leading ladies, but this one is hands-down tops on every list in our life. 

Her gown was a gorgeous shade of rich royal blue--silk taffeta with a full skirt, belted waist, and gathered portrait collar screaming for some fabulous Elva.  At first we tried beads of faceted clear crystal and silver to pick up the sparkle of the rhinestone buckle...but they seemed to disappear around the neck.  When we considered adding some glittering rhinestone brooches at the side for a bit of extra interest, they were overwhelmed by the fabric at the neckline.  (It's a good thing Deb is patient...chalk that up to her many virtues!). It became clear that color would be best...but with blue and silver being her designated Duchess colors (each gal and her entourage are assigned a color scheme) we needed to stick with shades of royal.   We proceeded to pull every deep shade of blue and silver in the studio to see what might work...and the layered pile began to form a wonderful collage of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors...

As we both looked at the beads, we began nodding in agreement.  This could work.  Multiple (endless?) strands of interesting beads, somewhat jumbled in an artful arrangement, no extra adornment in a brooch or pendant, and a fabulous clasp...just a mass of fabulousness to highlight the beautiful color and simplicity of her gown.  Let's do it.

It took a team effort, but we strung each style separately on wire--nearly 17 in all--from beads of crystal and African glass to pearls and sapphires, and artfully attached the strands to a silver clasp from India.  We only wondered if Deb's neck would be up to the task of wearing this substantial style from cocktails to dance floor.

We love the flurry of excitement that comes when we add new jewels to our collections!  Updating the site every few weeks after a bit of anticipation and patience on behalf of our dear customers is fun for us--it's a joy to show off fifty-some designs that are the culmination of our hard work over the previous few weeks, and all of us in the studio celebrate when the new jewels go live online.  

Yet--not long after we post them--they tend to disappear rather quickly, and we're left with just a handful of lovelies on our web pages for the next few weeks until we are ready to rock and roll again.

So we're changing things up a bit here at Elva this month: we'll be adding new necklaces to the online collections every week!  Along with our weekly Daily Deals (generally announced each Tuesday) we plan to post around 10 necklace designs that are fresh and fun...just to keep things interesting on the site.  Not to worry--we'll still offer one larger update each month, along with our monthly email sharing the latest and greatest from the world of Elva.  

This way, you'll have the chance to enjoy a little bit of necklace love more often each month, so we hope you'll stop by to see the goodies from time to time...and definitely sign up for our earring Daily Deal and our regular mailing list (at the very bottom right of this page!) to stay in the know about earrings at amazing prices, fun events, behind-the-scenes pics, and special savings.  (They're two separate lists, so be sure you're on both if you want the full shebang!)

Let us know what you think about our new plan of action--and hope to see you soon!

XO,

The Elva Gals

They've been fans from the start--the Clodhoppers gals (Kelly and Kathy, the owners, and their extended "family" of lovely ladies who have at one time or another been part of the fantastic shop) took a liking to Elva Fields and haven't given up on us yet!  It all started about eight and a half years ago (yikes...that long, really?) when a dear friend, who worked there at the time, wore one of our earliest creations to the shop.  After the Clods gals asked where she got it, Elva Fields soon became a regular addition to the glass cases on display on Bardstown Road.  We were ecstatic to have landed in such lovely and stylish surroundings at Clodhoppers--they're the leading ladies of the local shopping scene, having been a boutique for women since 1993, starting first with shoes and expanding into clothing and other accessories soon after.   (And we have to give them full props for their mention in Southern Living this week!)

Fast forward to their beautiful spot in Saint Matthews in the space formerly occupied by the legendary Vogue Theatre, and we're still in the vitrines, loving our longstanding connection with such savvy, dedicated, and sincere women.  They've given us everything from our start in the Louisville fashion market to advice on raising daughters (one of the owners even handed down a crib and changing table when our first daughter was born...thank you again and again, Kathy!) and insights on owning a business.  

We think the world of the entire Clodhoppers team, which is why we asked them to take part in our Spring Collection photo shoot this past fall.  Meggie Graham McMahon, who is quite possibly the kindest and most adorable boutique manager on the planet, agreed to join in the fun, and we were thrilled to have her with us for the day.  She's beautiful inside and out...and rocked some Elva with an assortment of gorgeous ensembles from the Clodhoppers collections.   (See her below?  GORGEOUS, right?)

We had a chance to catch up with Meggie amidst the flurry of spring shopping (it is high Derby season around here) and asked her a few questions...below she dishes on Derby dressing, a love of fashion, and her favorite part about working with fabulous women.  (And, Meggie, thank you again for being such a wonderful model for us...and for getting Elva on the necks of some glamourous gals this time of year.  See you soon!)

Emily/Elva Fields:  When did you first begin your Clodhoppers adventure?  Were you a customer before you were an assistant?

Meggie/Clodhoppers:  I would walk into Clodhoppers on Bardstown Road when I was in high school and just admire all of the beautiful clothes... I could only admire.  My mom took me into the store right before high school graduation and bought me two dresses for the festivities, and I was absolutely ecstatic!  I still have the two--just can't let go of them.  I started working at Clodhoppers in the summer of '07, right after I graduated from the University of Kentucky.  I don't think they'll ever be able to get rid of me! 

EF:  What is your favorite thing about being part of the fun at Clodhoppers?

M:    I love love love helping people find their perfect little black dress or favorite pair of blue jeans. I also love all of the girls I work with. We are like one big happy family.

EF:  What are some of your favorite labels featured at the shop?

M:    Milly (of course), JBrand Jeans, Lauren Moffatt, Alice & Trixie...

EF:   How would you describe your style in five words or less?

M:    Eclectic, Timeless, Trendy, Comfy, funky- it completely is based on my mood that day!

EF:  Working in a boutique can be a dangerous proposition for the pocketbook (and paycheck!)...how do you prioritize your purchases from the store?  Are there particular items you are most excited to invest in than others each season?

M:    If I absolutely love something, I snag it (like the many Elva Fields necklaces and earrings I've collected over the years- you gotta get those quickly!)  If I'm not positive about something, I'll wait a week, and if it's still around and I'm still dreaming about it, I'll get it. This method actually works well for my pocketbook because we only order a select amount of a style in, so they usually go quickly. I get to live vicariously through our customers, too. Sometimes I'm more excited when I help them find the perfect outift than even myself.  Derby season is a great opportunity to do this.

EF:  As you mentioned, it's Derby week here in Kentucky--do you have any go-to style tips for ladies headed to the track or to a fun party for the occasion?  

M:   Anything goes for Derby! I always love a colorful Derby fit, but then also get really excited when someone chooses to go a different route and wear a more muted palette or an understated, simple and elegant outfit.

EF:  Lastly, just for those Derby dressers...hat, fascinator, or (gasp) neither?

M:   Fascinator! 

Clodhoppers at the Vogue

3727 Lexington Road

Louisville, Kentucky 40207

502.891.0079

www.clodhoppers.com

As many of our customers know, we love a fun surprise here at Elva Fields...especially one that brings a smile to the face.  And our love for art is no secret, either--it's an Elva "must" without fail.  Combine these two, and, voila--an artful surprise.  One afternoon last year, we decided to sneak in a little something extra in our boxes of necklaces--sure, it's fun to part the tissue and see your jewels waiting happily in their bow-bedecked box, but why not toss in a little something unexpected, too?  

We batted a few ideas about (we'll spare you the random and hilarious brainstorming session that ensued) and decided that a beautiful card--a limited-edition art print--would be a welcome and smile-inducing gift to include.  In seasons past, we've had a few artists create the design, and this spring we partnered with a fabulous printmaker and graphic designer to visually interpret a quote we imagined from our Spring Collection theme, Living History.  

A Vintage Poster was certainly up to the task and beautifully captured exactly what we had in mind (or dreamed...and never could have done ourselves!)  She is one talented gal, and we think you'll be thrilled to know that she has a store...chock-full of fabulous prints with the most fun phrases, doodles, and designs.  (And, yes...she'll even customize something wonderful just for you!)  And if you scroll on down, you'll even enjoy a bit of a bonus for the ol' pocketbook...absolutely worth the browsing.

Enjoy! (and stay tuned for more surprises to come!)

With all that free time they have, we thought we'd ask our April Leading Ladies, Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks, a few questions--between television appearances, book publications, a phenomenal website, blogs, six children between them, and a life somewhere in there, surely they had a minute to spare for chit-chat, right?

We loved getting to know both of them through our design collaboration and once the jewelry was complete, we had a chance to catch up on the rest of their stories.  Enjoy!

Emily/Elva Fields: How did the two of you initially meet?

Kristen: We actually met on the Internet through our personal blogs, Motherhood Uncensored and Mom 101. It's a true Internet love story of sorts.  I love that Liz has a way of making everything look cool. She's one of those people who could turn a Target t-shirt into a fashion statement. Also, she's a secret blackjack shark. 

Liz:  Kristen was one of the first people to comment on my blog in 2006.  I was starstruck.  We connected very quickly and soon after Kristen had this awesome idea to start a little blog to promote the small businesses and crafts we were seeing from other bloggers, and talk about the products we love. We never imagined Cool Mom Picks would grow into what it’s become.  As for Kristen, she’s the most amazing business partner you can imagine.  She is a total roll-up-her-sleeves, get-it-done kind of gal. All while raising four incredible kids, keeping a sense of humor, and looking good doing it. Because of this, I forgive her for making me look really short next to her on TV.

Emily:  What is the best parenting advice (solicited or otherwise!) you've ever received?

Kristen: Parent the kids you have. Also, peanut butter does wonders for gum in the hair. 

Liz: My mother told me to always remember that every decision as a parent you make is right, and every decision you make as a parent is wrong.  She’s brilliant.

Emily:  You unexpectedly have the afternoon off--what do you do?

Kristen: I head straight for the gym. Which is code for "shoe store." 

Liz: I’m not entirely sure what an afternoon off is, but in my dreams I’d spend it naked, face down on a massage table, followed by an obnoxiously long lunch at an outdoor café with my girlfriends.  I’d be dressed for that part though.

Emily:  How would each of you describe your Cool Mom style in five words or less?

Kristen: Funky with a classic edge. 

Liz: NYC chic with an indie touch

Emily:  Where in your neck of the woods would you wear your new Elva?

Kristen: I've been wearing it everywhere except for bed. 

Liz: It’s so gorgeous with every neckline, from tees to tank dresses. It’s already getting a looooot of use.

Emily:  Any other Elva Fields items catch your eye for other Cool Moms out there? 

Liz: I never leave the house without earrings. The beaded hoops would make even a tee and jeans look polished but I could wear them at night as well.  I also like the new turquoise earrings, like the vintage Czech glass flowers which would get a lot of play all summer.

Kristen: The Growing Balance necklace is just amazing--perfect for all the beautiful colorblocking this year. How cool would it be with a yellow dress and a hot pink bag?

See?  We knew we liked these ladies.  For more of their top picks and witty banter, get thee over to Cool Mom Picks...you'll be a lot cooler if you do.