SAMPLE SALE!

It's time of year again! 

Our annual sample sale is in full swing & you can shop our gorgeous jewels at amazing prices (wholesale or below!) until this Friday, October 2nd. We'll be replenishing our sale over the next 2 days with lots of beautiful gems, with many of them being the last of their kind.

Shop now until Friday, October 2nd.

Want to be the first to know about our sample sales, celebrity style & everything else new here?

Join our mailing list!

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Sample Sale site: www.brooklyndesigns.bigcartel.comhttp://brooklyndesigns.bigcartel.com/

5 Beauty Favourites for Fall 2015

{Guest blogger Micaela Armstrong} 

           September is flying by, and with Fall fast approaching, it's time to put away the summer clothes and bust out the Fall fashion. Along with rocking autumnal clothing and accessories, don't forget to vamp up your beauty routine! If you're in need of some new products, fear not - I've got a quick list of my five Fall beauty must haves for you.

1) Broad Spectrum Sunscreen by Clinique ($23.00 USD): Just because the sun is starting to set earlier in the day doesn't meant that it's any less harmful to your unprotected skin! I think a lot of people forget that sunscreen isn't just for hot summer days. The sun's rays can cause damage every day of the year and it's important to cover up! This sunscreen by Clinique is non-greasy, oil free and great for sensitive skin.

2) Buxom Mascara - Sephora ($24.00): This mascara is a godsend! I use it daily and it's beautifully volumizing, giving my lashes - and my confidence - a huge boost. Use as little or as much as you want, depending on how dramatic your look is for the day. It layers very easily and is clump-resistant so there's no worry about developing clumpy spider lashes...

3) Moroccanoil Hair Treatment ($47.00): When the weather starts to get rainy and cold, it definitely takes its toll on my hair. In order to repair some of the damage, I use Moroccanoil before styling. A small amount applied to damp or dry hair has amazing effects - shine, strength and protection. Personally I use the light treatment because I have fine hair, but there are numerous other Moroccanoil products to choose from. Check out their website or go to a local salon because I can almost guarantee they carry Maroccanoil products!

4) Lipstick by Mac Cosmetics ($20.00): Lipstick is one of those things that takes a lot of confidence to wear. That being said, wearing lipstick actually gives me more confidence! I can have a totally average morning, getting ready for school or work, feeling so-so, then I throw on a bold lip shade and I can conquer the world! In my opinion, Fall makeup is incomplete without a warm autumnal lip shade so I chose "Spice It Up" by Mac. It's described as a "mulled brown berry" and can complement a smoky eye or stand out by itself for a simpler look. Don't be afraid! Mac lipsticks are amazing and worth a try, even if you're a lipstick newbie.

5) Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette ($64.00): For a bit more of a splurge, I included Urban Decay's NEW Naked Smoky Palette. The colours are super pigmented and are perfect for creating a dramatic smoky eye. You can also just stick to the neutrals for a more low-key look! Edgy or simple? You decide.

Fall is full of change, from adjusting to a back to school schedule or getting used to the changing temperature and fewer sunlight hours per day. It's also a great opportunity to shed your summer wardrobe and pick up a few new beauty products. Do you have any Fall beauty faves? Feel free to share them with us!

 

Micaela Armstrong is Executive Assistant at Brooklyn Designs and a part-time student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

3 Must Have Earring Styles For Fall 2015

{Guest blogger Micaela Armstrong}

Before I became immersed in the realm of jewelry, I was totally unaware of the many various styles that earrings come in. My two categories were 1.) Studs 2.) Everything Else. Are you in the same boat as I was? If so, read on and I'll introduce you to a couple more different styles - and some ideas of what you can wear with them!

1.) Studs: OK so you already know about studs, but they're on here because you always need at least one solid pair of stud earrings. My current favourites are the Cece Rainbow Moonstone studs. They're the perfect low-maintenance accessory and can add a touch of refinement to whatever you're wearing. Are you in your sweatpants? Throw on a pair of studs and you already have some semblance of put-togetherness. Easy! (I'm joking, of course. You should probably wear a cute jersey dress if you want to go for a flirty, feminine look.)

2.) Ear Crawlers: These are super trendy right now and are a great way to cover more area on your ear without the commitment of several more piercings. I wear our Anniston ear crawlers ALL of the time and they add such a cool, subtle touch to my outfits. They make me feel a little rebellious because they're nontraditional as far as earrings go. On that note, I would pair them with a stylish black lace top and some leggings.

3.) Threader Earrings: This style is a particularly interesting and unique way to wear an earring. A beautiful example of threader earrings would be our Margo Crystal Quartz threaders. I love that with the small teardrop pendant and the chain extending in the back, they look delicate and balanced. Keeping in mind a delicate and balanced appearance, I would pair our Margo threaders with a soft blouse and a pair of jeans.

Whether you want a simple, classic look or a more unique and glamorous one, there's an earring style to fit any outfit. The more you add to your collection, the more you can switch it up! 

 

Micaela Armstrong is Executive Assistant at Brooklyn Designs and a part-time student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

GET CRAFTY: DIY Botanical Wall Art

We LOVE to get crafty here at Brooklyn Designs and we're stoked about this new blog series that we're starting off today! There are so many great DIY craft ideas out there and Micaela and I wanted to share our faves that we've been crafting lately.

Today we're going to be making beautiful decorative botanical wall art.

The supplies you'll need for this project are:

- Canvas, or other painting surface

- Paint brush

- Acrylic paint, colour of your choice

- Spray adhesive

- Metallic gold or silver spray paint

- leaves or flowers (real)

The day before you start your project, go outside and choose the botanicals for your art piece. Keep in mind how you would like your end piece to look and choose healthy leaves and flowers as opposed to dry, brittle botanicals. Place all leaves and flowers between 2 sheets of waxed paper (parchment paper works well also) and place a heavy stack of books or object on top of the entire surface of paper. Leave these overnight to set in  place and become flattened for your project.

Step 1: Paint the surface of your canvas with the acrylic paint. You can choose to paint one or two layers, it will be dependent on how much pigment your paint has. Allow to dry completely.

{You don't need to paint the sides because you will be spray painting that later on.}

Step 2: Once you've allowed your canvas to dry completely, gather your leaves & flowers and decide on an arrangement for your art work. We chose to do 3 different styles for ours, using different amounts of space on the canvas for a different look each time. The botanicals you choose will also help to decide where they should be placed.

Step 3: Using the spray adhesive, spray the backside of your leaves with the spray. Place the leaves back onto your canvas and press down on all edges of the leaf and stem. This step and the next should be done outside if possible. Otherwise, please make sure to be in a well ventilated space.

Step 4: Using your metallic spray paint, spray the entire surface of your canvas making sure to spray evenly to prevent any running of the paint. Follow the instructions on the can and make sure to spray at a safe distance. Let the canvas dry for approx. 5 minutes and then carefully remove the leaves.

Allow your canvas to dry completely before you hang your new art piece. 

We had a lot of fun with these and the possibilities are endless on what you can create!

I love the look of the painted leaves as well and you can also add them back onto your canvas for a 3D affect and added texture to your final piece.

Make a one for yourself, and gift the others to your BFF.

Make sure to take a pic of your Botanical wall art and tag us on INSTAGRAM with #BrooklynDesigns #bdcrafty

Happy crafting!