We're not sure when we first began following (read: swooning over) Cassandra LaValle's beautiful style blog coco+kelley, but one thing is certain: once we started, there was no stopping.  We're pretty sure her philosophy/mantra has everything to do with the success of her lifestyle company and blog:  "Life is in the details.  Style accordingly."

From musings on color palette, fashionable picks, and foodie suggestions to interior inspirations and entertaining hints, coco+kelley's cassandra and team have you stylishly covered--in fact, their thorough and thoughtful features often leave us inspired to add a bit of meaningful style in unexpected places.  Perhaps this attention to detail is what drew us to the blog in the first place--Cassandra is a kindred spirit in that sense, and it was a thrill to finally meet her in person last fall at the Grand Opening celebration of C. Wonder's flagship in SoHo.   (And, yes...she's as beautiful, kind, and intelligent in person as she seems in her photos and posts!)  

Fast forward to this fall, and we were overjoyed to have the opportunity to enlist Cassandra as our September Leading Lady--we knew it would be a collaboration in every sense of the word, and we couldn't wait to see the process unroll!  When she sent along her inspiration board, we geared up for the challenge...detail would be key, no doubt, and capturing her strong sense of style while staying true to Elva would be a fun and interesting mix.  Off we went!

With green as her signature color, selecting some bead options was a solid start...and taking a cue from the natural elements included in her choices (the beetle and fly, specifically) for the vintage selections led us to a few insect adornments we had in our collections.

You can see Cassandra's preferences above...and we couldn't help but favor the two little green guys toward the bottom of the image that she liked.  We'd had one of the brooches for a couple of years (yes, years,) but when we found a second identical one just weeks before we began our project with Cass, it seemed a sign to incorporate them together in her design.  Partners in crime, they became the highlight of what was to come!

Next, we sent along some images of some very general proposed layouts...just to get the ball rolling to see how Cassandra was feeling about various pairings...and you'll see her notes on a few below.

These seemed to be missing something--we both agreed on this--and we decided to wait to proceed until we returned from an unexpected buying trip for beads to see if we might find just the right fit for the design...turns out it was worth the wait.  We sourced strands of the most gorgeous gray-green crystal that were the perfect bridge between the darker green and the beautiful antique aqua glass seed bead strands.  With the new palette in mind, we sent along the latest selections to Cassandra.

Then, based on her direction and our instincts, we jumped in with a "rough draft" design for her to see and consider, breaking up the green bicone glass beads with some golden pewter and the new crystal beads.  We also added a bit of vintage chain to layer amongst the strands of antique glass seed beads to lighten the green's heft slightly...

But it wasn't quite right.  As much as we loved it, the overall effect was darker than it should have been...with not enough contrast to let the pair of bug brooches enjoy some much-deserved attention.  Cassandra wondered if using fewer of the darker green and more of the gray-green would offer a solution...so we tried it out:

This seemed much closer to her original vision...and we loved the pale, drippy sparkle of the crystal and glass together.  We couldn't help but think back to her inspiration board's inclusion of the gorgeous beaded backs on the dresses, their strands a delicate but stunning fringe.  Yet something was still missing, and when we mentioned the option of utilizing more vintage chain, Cassandra realized what she was hoping to see.  We decided to remove a few of the crystal bead strands to accommodate a few more lengths of chain to compliment the golden wings of the brooches, adding a bit of edge to the design's feminine feel.

Bingo.  It was just what the necklace needed, and the insects seem to delight in the addition.  (And we did, too!)  We love the layered textures and colors, the hints of glimmer, the subtle sparkle, and the whimsy of the bugs resting happily amongst it all.  We couldn't wait to see Cassandra wear it.  So we finished up the design and sent it to Seattle for her to style...

...and we were speechless at the results.  Giving it her own stylish touch by twisting the strands in a lovely, graceful drape (those details are her signature and make such a difference!) Cassandra simply glows gorgeously in her new necklace.  We loved working with her and know the jewels will have a wonderful adventure with such a stylish gal!  The details made all the difference.

A lifestyle brand with some of the most interesting, beautiful, and effortless clothing around and founded in 2002, we first fell in love with Geren Ford a handful of years later.  We're not sure if it was that adventurous, elegant-yet-approachable spirit channeled from founder and designer Geren Lockhart we loved best...or the fact that we have an eye and heart for simple silk styles (one of their fluid silk dresses is a longstanding favorite in our closet.)  What's clear is that we're not the only fans.  With inclusion in stores and boutiques around the world (from the independents to big names like Barney's, Neiman-Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue) the Geren Ford brand has established itself as thoughtful, intelligent, and entirely wearable, and we always love hearing about their latest travels, ventures, and, of course, collections.

Needless to say, when an email arrived from their Los Angeles-based headquarters asking if we would be interested in loaning jewelry for their upcoming photo shoot for the Spring 2013 Collection, we were speechless...for about 15 seconds before we replied "Absolutely!"  A few phone calls and emails followed to learn more about the project, and we were thrilled to hear the spring line had been inspired by LA artist Ed Ruscha--we knew the colors would be phenomenal and the mood fun, yet sophisticated and stylish.  Based on the pop-art creations and with a very west-coast aesthetic, we sent a selection of necklaces and earrings for the shoot.  You can read Geren Ford's version of the story with outtakes from the shoot on their blog, and the resulting Look Book photos below send us over the moon.  It was nothing short of an honor and pleasure to have our jewelry included with fashion designs we love and adore, and we thank everyone at Geren Ford for their kindness and generosity.  Now...to wait until spring to snag that striped dress...

[all images courtesy of Geren Ford, Inc.]

It was a fateful cup of chai tea that introduced us to Louisville-based design company  Kin Ship.  As we waited for our favorite drink at a local Louisville coffee shop last winter (Heine Brothers, if you must know--and it is awesome) we noticed a flyer for an upcoming arts event that featured several area artists.  Kin Ship was among the listed participants, and we tucked their name (and the flyer) away in our mental rolodex for a rainy day.  

Though the skies are clear and sunny in the Bluegrass, we found a way to work with this talented duo, Hilary and Dan, on our Fall Collection, enlisting their skills (which are amazing) for our seasonal art card design--a fitting collaboration with our mutual Kentucky home and love of handmade beauty.  It turns out the pair has been quite busy in their two years since founding Kin Ship, selling their limited-edition wares online and in stores nationwide, and enjoying occasional features on Brooklyn-based design blog Design*Sponge for their witty, handmade creations.

For our project, we took inspiration from the traditional Shaker song about simplicity, and asked Hilary and Dan to interpret the words visually.  Armed with our Look Book photos taken at the historic Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, they could not have come closer to the heart of what this collection is all about--the simple, rustic, rich, and honest beauty of it all.  

We hope you'll enjoy this gift of art as much as we do.  

~

We recently had a chance to ask Kin Ship a few questions, and they kindly obliged...and passed along images of the design/creation process for the cards they crafted.  Enjoy!

Emily/Elva Fields:  How did you two meet and how did the business begin?  

[process images courtesy of Kin Ship]

It's been a whirlwind of a month here at Elva Fields--a wonderful whirlwind, to be sure, but no less whirly.  We have been so honored and excited and giddy and nervous and overwhelmed and appreciative of being in not one but TWO of our favorite magazines this month.  (Seriously...amazing publications.  Country Living and O the Oprah Magazine!)  

And though the flurry came to the fore in August and September, we've been preparing for the craziness (not counting those nearly-nine years of building Elva Fields so far!) since late last spring.  And it's been a group effort to say the least.  Just because there's only one person in that photo up there DOES NOT mean it was a solo act in making it happen.  (And, with regards to that photo, it took a team of miracle-workers to make it look like I operate on 8.5 hours of sleep, walk around with a perfectly coiffed head and made-up face, wear an unwrinkled shirt, and lounge around in a spotless studio.) 

Jessie Kriech-Higdon, you are the most talented lady with a camera around.  That lens sure does some magic, but it's the gal behind it with the skills, and we love you for capturing the best parts of everything on our photo shoots.  Thank you.

Beth Wagner, you are amazing.  Truly grace under pressure.  And a Fairy Godmother who took us under her wing when she saw how pitiful it was that we used no product in our hair.  Ever.  And held our hand and calmly and sweetly explained that that was a mistake.  And then showed us how.  And then added makeup.  And she makes it look so easy.  And shows up with a smile despite the wreck/impossible mess that is in front of her.  Thank you.

Connie and Jamie at Moderne Press, you are the rock stars of the PR world.  You keep us relevant and keep us in the mix...all while spreading the Elva love.  Thank you for all you do to support and shout about us!

Amy, Sarah, and Jess (the Elva gals!) you all put up with some crazy conditions (we won't go into details, but a snake has factored into the equation) and work tirelessly to create beautiful jewels and keep our wonderful customers the happiest around.  From beads and emails to rolling carts down the sidewalk and taping boxes, you are a wonderful, resilient team of women.  Thank you.

And most of all, to my family.  Mom, you are still taking care of me...and now the cutest little ladies around--thank you for carting, feeding, dressing, and bathing the babes...and for arriving with last-minute props, pointers, and a moving van right at the perfect time.  Always.  Thank you.  Patrick, only you know the craziness that truly goes into what we do here.  There is a special place in heaven for a man like you putting up with a gal like me, and I am so happy (and relieved and grateful) that you are along for the ride.  You allow me the honor of pursuing this dream relentlessly, even if the odds aren't in our favor sometimes.   The long hours, late nights, roller coaster emotions, ridiculous schedule...it all seems to work out just fine because you're willing and able to hold down the fort elsewhere.  I don't think there are enough thank-yous in the world for what you do for me.  You are far more patient, unselfish, and strong than I could ever be.  Thank you.

So that is where the credit is due, folks.  A thank you to everyone for helping Elva Fields grow each day and celebrate our most exciting time yet.