Sara Westermark Jewelry

It's the time of year when I start thinking of spring, recalling the smell of trees coming into fruition, flowers blooming, and the unforgettable scent of the air after the rain.


Collar Branch Necklace with Copper Leaves and Sterling Silver $350

Sara Westermark's jewelry embodies organicness using beautiful copper, gold and sterling silver, some of which is recycled (which I really appreciate), and evokes feelings of peace and beauty.


Sterling Silver Moon Ring with Rhodolite Garnet $180

Each stunning creation is made by Sara, by hand, with meticulous detail.


Organic Anticlastic Copper Leaf Cuff $95

When viewing Sara Westermark jewelry it is clear that the artist is completely enveloped in each piece as she fabricates it. Because of that I'm sure that's why her work is so intriguing, almost hypnotizing.
It's inspiring, organic, and clearly made with devotion that is sometimes fleeting in other designers work. Not here, even through the screen, you can feel the devotion she has jumping out at you through the screen. I love it.

You can shop for Sara Westermark's jewelry on her website, sarawestermarkjewelry.com and her etsy shop, which has an amazing, jaw-dropping collection of earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces.

on another note...

I hope everyone is enjoying the new look of independentLUXE - and I hope you're pleased the blog is back in action!

I have a lot of reviews and features coming up, so make sure you check in often.

And, if you're interested in becoming a sponsor, please email me at independentluxe@gmail.com!

Locher's - The dirtiest sweet thing you could find

Refreshing isn't it? I get a little sick of all the sweet that's out there without the sassy. 'WILL FUCK FOR SHOES' on sale now for $65!

If that image doesn't start this feature off right, I don't know what will. I have been a long time fan of Locher's, but haven't ever written about their naughty brilliance before.

In the past, when I thought of embroidery- I though Grandma. And, if you've felt the same, your mind will quickly change when you check out the uninhibited Lochers.com.


Subtly sweet and deceptively dirty- "LITTLE SLUT" also on sale for $65.

I know a few of those, what a great, memorable, gift that would be.


Cute. You could really reel in the good guys with this one. "I LOVE PORN" is a steal at $65!


Love it. I mean, really! How many of us would love to saying without actually saying it? "I AIN'T YOUR FUCKIN' SWEETHEART". A beautifully embroidered top with that special flair you've been looking for. $65 at Locher's.

And if you love Locher's as much as I do, there really couldn't be a better time to shop- yearning for a manage a trois? Well, hurry your little ass over there because for a limited time you can buy three and get a disturbingly wonderful little necklace, free!

Alisha Trimble - New Money Collection

Though her website doesn't show her full line, you can see that Alisha's work is absolutely stunning. My personal fave is the Bianca dress!

If you're in NYC stop by the Bowery Electric to see her upcoming Fall 2009 collection!

Fab Find! Boutique of the Week

We are all looking for great websites to shop at these days- they often have more to choose from than our B&M stores, and they often have a lot more products that are handmade or they are independently owned; supporting the emerging designer and getting away from the dreaded chain store is a real treat.

What I love about Boutique of the Week is that they feature what I covet. Small online stores that provide everything from jewelry to handbags to bath & body, and so much more. They scour the internet to find the very best spots to shop and feature their faves weekly.

Another cool thing, every Thursday, they post the "bulletin board" which showcases sales, special events, and specials from various websites.

The sisters who run the show also welcome your leads- if you're a designer or shop owner, shoot them an email about your site. Maybe you'll be featured! And, if you're a customer of some fabulous place, let them know! Maybe your favorite designer or shop will land the awesome Boutique of the Week spot!

Check out their directory, here.
Check out the blog, here.
Checkout the current featured boutique, here.

You can thank me later for letting you know about this amazing website. ;)

Country Meadow Ltd.

More bath & body goodness for you to check out that is safe for the environment and animal friendly! Country Meadow offers so many goodies, you will have a blast checking out their website and their products!

From candles to lotions to body scrubs, and everything in between, you are definitely going to find something at Country Meadow to indulge in!

I had to pick more than two products to show you, there is just too much that I like at this bath & body shop!


This Busara Jute Gift Bag is one of my favorites. I love the way it looks, so organic, simple, and beautiful. With 'an exotic blend with notes of black pepper, elemi, nutmeg, juniper berries, ginger, clary sage, sandalwood, ylang ylang and cypress' this gift bag would be more than suitable for your favorite guy or girl, and if you have one of those "secret santa" things going on where you work, it would be perfect! These busara jute gift bags start at just $26.70!


I love sugar scrubs, they are just about my favorite shower thing there is. I love exfoliation and moisturizing, and sugar scrubs always have both! These little 3.5 ounce sugar scrub packets come in a variety of scents, including almond mocha, gingerbread, brown sugar & cinnamon, pineapple, orchard bloom, and more. They are a great size if you just want to try them out, or if you're looking for a cute little stocking stuffer, these are just $6.75. You can also get big tubs of scrub at Country Meadow!


Gift baskets are always nice. They are good for everyone, and they have such a wide variety of stuff, the recipient is bound to feel like a kid in a candy store. What I really like about the gift baskets at Country Meadow is that they are custom. You choose what you want them to be! And, they are packaged beautifully. Above is a custom Christmas basket, but there is so much more, too- you have to check them out!

Country Meadow has been kind enough to offer IndependentLuxe readers 20% off, plus a free gift from Country Meadow with the code Meeker08. The coupon is valid through 12.25.08!

Lindsay's Candle & Stuff

The holidays are coming up faster than you can say "Merry Christmas!"
It's time to start shopping.

I'm one of those people that likes to give others something they wouldn't necessarily buy themselves (but they want it). Like, my mom, for instance: she loves bath & body stuff, but she buys that generic junk that is far from being special or decadent.

In comes Lindsay's Candles & Stuff where you can buy beautifully scented candles, and indulgent bath and body products for you and yours.

I picked a couple of my current faves for you!



The ultimate gift basket. Filled with scented candles & soaps, and I even spy some lip balm in there which will defintely come in handy for the long, cold & dry winter ahead. A steal for handmade goodness at $35.

And, what about the little ones? Check the Monster Spray out!



Have a little one or two afraid of the monsters under the bed or the boogeyman in the closet? This will take care of it! Scented with lavender to calm and soothe, arm your tykes with this and they'll feel safe as can be and sleep like babies! Just $10 for 4 ounces. This will keep those scary creatures away for a long time!

And, mega-bonus! IndependentLuxe readers are getting hooked up by Lindsay's Candles & Stuff- you get 20% off with the code holiday. Just enter it when you checkout and get your deal!

Enjoy!

Obama Tax Calculater

Sale Alert!

Well, I'm a little slow- as you can see, I sometimes have some trouble keeping up with this blog. You know, owning a business, running that, I have a puppy, I try to have a social life... to make a long story longer, I sometimes forget to check my IL email, and then I post about sales a little late.

But, who cares? The sale at Accessory Bug Ends tomorrow, so there is plenty of time to get your shop on.

All you have to do is enter the code mom08 during checking to receive 20% off. As the name suggests, they have a ton of accessories that I'm sure you'll love and know that you can afford.

Bath & Body Review: Ciao Bella

I didn't really know where to begin with the products I received in the mail from Ciao Bella because they were both so fabulous.



So, I decided the easiest route was to review what I tried out first, first.

The day I received the package from Ciao Bella, I opened it immediately. My body was in dire need of some exfoliation, I needed to take a shower, and this was the perfect time for me to try out their beautiful Yuzu Grapefruit Sugar Scrub.


Looks good enough to eat doesn't it? But, I don't recommend it, of course!

I grabbed the jar, opened it, and was hit with an amazing burst of citrus that had a beautiful softness to it. Not overpowering, not underwhelming, but just right. Invigorating and relaxing!

I found the scrub absolutely delightful. The sugar was coarse enough to do its job, but gentle enough to leave my sensitive skin happy.

On their website, they state, "Our scrub is rich in olive oil, shea, soy and Vitamin E, it removes dead skin cells while the oils penetrate and moisturize the skin for a beautiful glow." They are right on. My skin was soft, smooth, and perfectly moisturized. It didn't feel greasy at all. My skin reminded me of velvet and that was a thrilling reaction.

The after-scent is not quite a strong, but this is not at all a bad thing... the softness I was talking about earlier is stronger and you smell completely fresh.
I absolutely LOVE this scrub!

You can get a gigantic 8 ounce jar of this scrub (available in an array of scents), for just $24 at ciaobellabody.com. Totally worth it. Your skin will thank you!

Can you handle more? I have one more thing to review and I am just as excited about it! What is it, you ask?
Well, it is the Lychee-Apricot hand & body cream. It is divine. Luxurious. Definitely in the top three that I've reviewed on Independent Luxe since the beginning.


You can see it, but you can't feel it- this hand & body cream screams luxury! It is thick and the scent is to die for. Just $18 for 5 ounces of feeling like a queen at ciaobellabody.com


That is the lovely jar that you will receive! I got sample sizes. ;)

I don't even know what Lychee is, but I like it. I can smell the citrusiness of the Apricot, but there is an underlying earthy freshness that I'm assuming comes from the Lychee or the combination of the two. LOVE IT!

A lot of creams leave you feeling overly moisturized and take f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to absorb. This one does not. This one is a dream come true. When I put this stuff on I forget because it absorbs THAT quickly. But, when I touch my skin, I'm quickly reminded that I used the Lychee-Apricot cream from that amazing ciaobellabody.com.

My skin is as soft as a babies bum, and let me tell you, I have the worst dry skin ever when it comes to the winter/spring. My body just has this horrible time adjusting, but this stuff WORKS. And, it works for hours. You can't do better than that, my friends.

Go buy some stuff. Let
Ciao Bella know that you heard of them here. And, then, come thank me for introducing you to this
fabulous line of bath & body products.

And, another bonus for you: enter MOM during checkout to receive 15% off of your order.