Hoopla 5.0

Posted on July 21, 2014 by mhayes24

Hoopla 2014… my fifth annual conference with Stella & Dot! Every year, this is THE event that Stylists look forward to. Yes, it’s technically a work conference, but it’s really much more than that. It’s game-changing training sessions with the craziest, most brilliant VP team out there and learning about the inspiration and craftsmanship behind the most beautiful, on-trend accessories created by a truly world-class design team. It’s inspirational stories of fellow Stylists being in the back of the room one year and then being recognized on stage for their incredible accomplishments the very next year and celebrations of those fellow Stylists and team members’ hard work. It’s sitting poolside sharing not only work tips and strategies, but also personal stories and laughs. It’s endless hours of happiness through dance parties, team parties, and dinner parties with friends near and far, many of whom we only see once a year at this conference. It’s listening to our Board Chairman’s yearly speech and wiping tears from your eyes because his words are just that beautiful and heartfelt… and also watching him dance on stage for 3,000 women, all of whom are jumping from their seats to cheer him on. It’s way more than a work conference, because through all these things, it rejuvenates me and makes me want to apply what I’ve learned to all aspects of my life. It makes me want to be a better version of myself.

This is kind of a photo over-share for the blog, but I hope this gives my readers/friends/family a glimpse into the happiness, innovation, inspiration, fun, and pure joy that Stella & Dot embodies. Who wants to join me next year?

Hoopla swag bags, including 3 new pieces from the fall 2014 collection::

My ATL friend Melanie, the Lucky and Lovely lady

Orlando World Marriott Center – best pool yet

Faux cousin yearly meet-up

From college hall roommates to Hoopla roommates

All opening sessions should include break dancers

Complete with an appearance by our Global VP of Training, Danielle Redner

Some love for the ladies in the back!

Metallics, geometrics, and bright colors — all big trends for fall

Day #2 of Hoopla

Danielle’s re-incarnation as “Danierella”

Stella & Dot is partnering with Every Mother Counts, founded by Christy Turlington. Did you know that 1 woman dies every 2 minutes from complications during pregnancy and childbirth? Every Mother Counts is a non-profit organization dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother. The organization informs, engages, and mobilizes new audiences to take actions and raise funds that support maternal health programs around the world. The sale of just 20 of these bracelets will buy essential medical equipment for midwifery students, pay for two prenatal visits for uninsured women, and buy 6 safe birth kits for mothers-to-be. Can you imagine what we can do as a company through this partnership?
I have a goal to sell 25 bracelets by August 31st — who wants to help make a difference?? Click here to support this amazing cause!

One of the fall favorites – the Fanella Statement Necklace

Sutton in gold – wear it 5 ways

Our CEO/Founder Jessica Herrin and her youngest daughter rocked it on stage for our “Hoopla dance”

dinner with Stella friends

Dance party, complete with break dancers and flamingos everywhere

Day #3

Hostess bonus through 8/31/14! Who wants a FREE engravable necklace?

Heading home, but not before dinner at the airport with some lovely new friends who didn’t want me to eat alone. Nice people are everywhere.

Agreed, John, agreed.

stella & dot’s new 2014 collection is here!

Posted on January 24, 2014 by mhayes24

Stella & Dot has done it again. I say this every.single.season…. but they really have outdone themselves with this collection. There are neon and soft colors, pearls, rocker and boho pieces, totes, travel accessories, and gorgeous scarves. Our team of designers, led by the lovely Blythe Harris, are so incredibly talented at what they do. They travel the world looking for inspiration, then they bring those ideas back to our SoHo design studio and create beautiful works of art in so many of our pieces. They make our jobs as Stylists so easy because the product practically sells itself — and more so, I genuinely do love almost every piece in the line, every season. So I feel good about selling these pieces and helping women be a little more stylish in their everyday lives. It’s hard to pick a #1 — so here are my top favorites.

NECKLACES:

Norah Pendant – $98: This citrine is the perfect bright dose of color we need going into spring, but it’s really wearable now, too! I LOVE it over a cobalt blue sweater, and it looks fantastic over white, black, grey, navy, and patterns, too.

Linden Necklace – $138: This photo doesn’t even do the necklace justice on how gorgeous the colors are. In person, they literally look like they’re glowing. Green is my favorite color, so I really love this new piece for spring and summer. I think it will stunning over white, but will also be fun over pink, navy, black, and grey, to name a few.

linden-138
Milana Necklace – $79: I am a sucker for a good tassel necklace (hence my undying love for the Rebel Pendant). What makes this one so great is the mixed metals and the fact that you can remove the tassel for a different look!

milana-79

Elodie Necklace – $89: So many pretty colors — they sort of look like candy! This piece also looks extra statement-y when layered with the Somervell Necklace. Cobalt blue is a surprising complement to these colors — it really brings out the boldness of the stones.

Sutton Necklace – Stone – $178: Five necklaces in one. I have the mixed metal version that came out last year, and it’s the epitome of a versatile piece of jewelry. You can wear it short with all strands, long with all strands, take just the green stone strand off and wear it on its own… I could go on and on. I love the rocker look, but that it’s also preppy and fun with lots of great color.

EARRINGS:

Sardinia Chandeliers – $59: I mean, seriously… one earring that you can wear THREE different ways? Sign me up! Go from a glam statement earring, to a medium-sized chandelier, to a cute little stud in the snap of a finger.

Norah Chandeliers – $49: Continue the bright citron trend with these fun chandeliers. They’re sure to brighten up any face and any outfit. I think they’ll look especially stunning on ladies with dark hair.

Cleopatra Studs – $24: These are such great everyday studs. They go with almost every one of our gold/bronze necklaces in the collection, and they’re so easy to pop on and run out the door. And you can’t beat $24. A definite must have for any woman!

Janice Studs – $24: Here we go again with my favorite color. These are a substantial stud, and they’ll add a great little pop of color to any outfit.

BRACELETS:

Macey Bangle – $39: Aside from the pretty colors, this bangle is cool because it expands when putting it over your wrist! It’s super lightweight, and it looks great on its own or stacked with other gold bangles.

Milana Bracelet – $49: Three separate bracelets that can be worn together for a stacked look or worn on their own for something more simple and understated. The tassel is also removable!

RINGS:

Florence Stackable Rings – $49: Three beautiful stone rings of varying sizes (the stone, not the ring size) — like so many of our other pieces, these look great stacked together and are also cute on their own. I just love the colors this season! Rings come in sizes 5-9.

Cross Ring – $39: Our Interlock Cross necklaces have been runaway hits, so it only makes sense to have a ring as well. It’s such a pretty little statement – with just the right amount of sparkle. And it’s a steal at just $39.

BAGS/SCARVES:

How Does She Do It Bag in red/navy pattern – $98: The HDSDI bag is something that every woman can make good use of, whether they’re a mom of 3 kids or a businesswoman on the go. It’s perfect for stowing a laptop and paperwork, traveling to the beach, or using as a diaper bag. I just love this new pattern, and the inside pattern is pretty, too! Tons of pockets, and the material is water-resistant.

The Shift – $198: This is another multi-function bag that I am swooning over. Leather, hand-stamped cut-out pattern, and the front clutch zips right off to take this bag from day to night. Everyone needs a black bag, so why not make it one that you can get even more use out of?

Double Clutch in citrine – $89: This color is so bright and cheery, and it also comes in cerise, which is a reddish-coral color. Great for spring/summer nights out, and it could even be used to brighten up a winter outfit. The double clutch has 2 zipper sections, as well as a mirror for those quick hair/makeup checks.

Palm Springs scarf in citrine floral – $59: More bright color, but in a really airy way. This scarf is huge, and it can be worn tons of ways as a traditional scarf, but it can also be worn this spring/summer as a pool sarong, and it makes a very stylish blanket on cold airplanes. This would make a fantastic gift!

See something you love? Hop on over to Melissa Hayes, Stella & Dot Stylist to shop today!

holiday shopping for a cause

Posted on October 1, 2013 by mhayes24

The Stella & Dot Holiday Collection is here!! EEEEEK!

And on top of that, in October, 100% of net proceeds from our Breast Cancer Awareness Boutique will support the Noreen Fraser Foundation! Last year, Stella & Dot raised over $182,000 to for the foundation to support breast cancer research and awareness for the importance of early detection. We’re back this year with a new selection of PINK items that I think you’re going to love — so let’s work together and fight Breast Cancer in style!

I just got my Holiday Collection samples in last night, and they are as gorgeous as ever! I focused more on the bags and small good this time around. I am especially in LOVE with the new clutches and crossbody bags! Here are my top picks for the holidays:

Avalon Bracelet Clutch in cobalt (and black) — $69
The strap comes off to become a wrap bracelet! I tell you, our design team thinks of everything. And check out that adorable pattern inside!
Tia Crossbody in Cerise (and black) — $98
Such a versatile and fun piece. The strap is removable to create a clutch, and the body zips out to fit a mini ipad and all your evening essentials. I can’t get over how cute this color is!

Pouf (crazy stripe) — $24
Perfect for the girl on the go! Use it in your purse or travel bag to store snacks, makeup, power cords, kiddie toys… the options are endless!

Luxembourg Scarf (wild hearts) — $59
Our scarves have been so popular, and I just love the weight, feel, and size of them. They make the perfect gift, too!

Adelaide Hoops (silver or gold) — $39
These sparkly hoops come in both silver and gold, and they’re ta beautiful way to finish off a dressy outfit!

Eternal Band Ring — $39
I loooove this guy! It’s got just enough sparkle, but it’s delicate enough to wear every day.

Daisy Pearl Necklace — $118
Gotta love a statement necklace that you can wear more than one way. The hematite chain section can be removed for a more traditional-looking pearl necklace. I like the edge that the chain and clasp give to this piece — it’s a very fashion-forward way to do pearls!!

sparkle + stones + color — Stella & Dot’s new collection highlights

Posted on January 11, 2013 by mhayes24

Stella & Dot’s Spring 2013 Collection is here, and it’s my favorite yet! I feel like I say that every time, but it’s always true. Our design team continues to blow me away with each new collection. It’s so exciting to work for a company that is always on trend and ahead of the game. Want to view the entire line in our new look book? Click here!

This season’s Wanderlust collection was inspired by a modern take on the southwest and luxe boho. The palette includes lots of mixed metals, desert pinks, oranges, and soft red. One of the things I love most about these pieces is that they are mostly handmade — hand strung, hand-hammered, hand-threaded, and it takes hours and hours for a single piece to be completed.

One of my top favorite new statement necklaces for 2013 is the Fiona Bib Necklace. The ivory color with gold trim is so very versatile — I can’t wait to pair it with several prints already in my closet. And I really like the little bits of sparkle here and there for added glam, without making it too dressy for daytime wear.

fionabib_118

The Fiona Earrings are a great way to get the look of the Bib Necklace for less. These will be a wardrobe staple year-round!

How amazing is this mixed metal necklace? Not only is it easy to pair with so many pieces you may already have due to the various metals used, but it can also be worn long or doubled! The coolest part? The Mesa is made up of 4,000+ beads!

The classic Garden Party collection is inspired by a vintage signature S&D style and celebrates our bold and joyful heritage. I love the color and whimsy of these pieces — they’re very Palm Beach. They make me wish I had a big pool and backyard with a garden so I could throw a cocktail party and wear these beauties!

French for ‘pretty’, the Jolie necklace is a joyful style with easy to wear appeal. In one of the key colors of the season, kelly green, this necklace pairs beautifully with both solids and prints and is a great transitional piece going into the warmer months. It can be worn short or longer. At only $79, it’s a steal for a big, bold necklace.

I have been so excited about these colorful enamel bangles since I saw a sneak peek weeks ago… and I could not believe they’re only $19 each! Stack them for a fun, layered look or wear them with other gold bangles.

julep
The Kimberly Necklace is so different from anything I’ve seen in our line before. The lattice structure of this 60s-inspired piece is so interesting, and it’s nice to have a statement necklace that elongates the frame rather than just focusing on the neckline. Love the matching earrings, too!

These Seychelles Earrings come in the gorgeous, deep blue/turquoise combo as well as pink. The teardrop chandeliers feature beading and hand-painted enamel — perfect for any spring soiree!

The Super Natural Stones collection showcases the essence and natural beauty of semi-precious stones. Pieces come in three versatile palettes (blues, pinks, and naturals), and they offer a nice range of understated designs.

Turquoise is here in an abundance this spring, and I couldn’t be happier! How fab is this Mary Margaret Ring? It’s entirely hand-crafted in India from a single, hand cut turquoise magnesite stone. Comes in sizes 5-9.

These turquoise earrings are the newest addition to the hugely popular Serenity Stone Drop Earrings — we debuted them in jade last year, and they were a top seller of mine. These dyed jade stones are also hand-cut and sure to be a big hit!

serenity_turq_49
The Sanibel Chandeliers are lightweight and elegant — I like that the light color palette makes them feel really airy, even though they’re made with stones. They feature a unique selection of genuine stones (semi-precious labradorite, aqua chalcedony and rutillated glass) in an organic cluster that will shimmer day or night.

The Sanibel Pendant is probably our most versatile piece in the new line! It’s a reversible pendant that can also be worn long or short with an S-hook. One side is semi-precious labradorite (a little dark and moody) and the other side is aqua faceted glass (light and airy like the earrings above).

The Foundation Bracelet is a unique, brightly-colored bracelet that comes in raspberry and lime. These bracelets are a great addition to any arm party. It’s the perfect way to support a wonderful cause while looking stylish!

Last, but definitely not least, is the Eden Bangle. I love the hand-hammered look on the bangle, and the pave pyramid tips add a tailored, casual vibe to your look. It’s super cute paired with the Gilded Arrow Bangle, Eden Studs, and Valor Pendant Necklace.

so many holiday parties…. what to wear?

Posted on December 7, 2012 by mhayes24

It’s Holiday Party time! That means lots of eating, drinking, dancing, singing, and cute party outfits! If you’re in need of some style suggestions, then read away. The jewelry is from Stella & Dot (of course).

I love a good Holiday Cocktail Party during this time of year… and if I’m not going the Tacky Sweater route, I’d pick something fun and fancy like a bright red or green dress. A statement necklace like the Isadora Pearl Bib looks great over a bold color. I’ve paired it with the classic Glint Flower CZ Earrings, Laurel Rings (set of 3), and Ainsley Bracelet (it’s stretchy!).

polyvore1

Partying with your boss and coworkers this holiday season? Keep it classy with an elegant look — a pencil skirt or simple dress looks great with these silver, sparkly delicates. The Andrea Pendant and Joyce Chandelier Earrings are beautiful in person – so very delicate with the look of fine jewelry. I’d stack a couple of the Radiance Coil Bracelets and finish the look with a great everyday piece, the Stackable Deco Rings.

polyvore2
Have a girls night cookie / ornament / gift swap coming up? For gatherings like this, I like to keep it casual while still being festive. I’d choose some bright skinny jeans (like these red ones from Old Navy, which I personally own in 3 colors) and a comfy sweater or long sleeved top. A long pendant necklace is casual but stylish — my current favorite is the Wesley Pendant from our Holiday Collection. I love the mixed metals, and it pairs really well with the Luna Wrap (which also doubles as a necklace!). Finishing up the look are the Renegade Bracelet, Secret Garden Ring, and Signature Hoops in Gold.

polyvore3

So many of us ring in the New Year with the classic LBD… and now you can add some edge with the Lillith Fringe Necklace. It completely transforms the simple LBD and turns you into a rock star for the night. Finish the look with the Vintage Studs, big Secret Garden Cuff, and Stackable Gem Ring.
polyvore4

Stella & Dot’s Holiday Collection is here!

Posted on October 1, 2012 by mhayes24

The Holiday Collection is here and it’s like Christmas in… October! This is my 3rd holiday season as a Stylist with Stella & Dot, and I just continue to be amazed at how they outdo themselves each time. We have tons of new pieces to please most everyone’s taste and budget. There are so many new products we’re offering, so many great gift ideas, and the packaging is irresistable. Here’s a sampling of my top picks! To see the rest of the collection, visit my personal website at www.stelladot.com/melissahayes.

THINK PINK Boutique::
Breast Cancer is near and dear to mine and Craig’s hearts, and I’m thrilled and honored to work for a company that supports such a wonderful cause like the Noreen Fraser Foundation. For the month of October, 100% of the net proceeds from 5 THINK PINK items will be donated to NFF in the fight against breast cancer. I’m looking to do breast cancer fundraiser trunk shows this month around the Atlanta area, so please let me know if you or someone you know would be interested!

Bryant Park Scarf in Pink — $59

Hope Bracelet – $32
This bracelet features an angel wing in rose gold and is just so delicate and beautiful. It layers really well with last year’s breast cancer awareness bracelet, the Tribute Bracelet.
Mercer Zip Wallet in Pink — $79
I have this wallet in brown leather, and it’s amazing!! So many pockets inside, beautiful detailing, and a fun leather tassle on the zipper. Comes in a great box for gifting, too!
Scarves::
We are debuting our scarf collection with 5 beauties, and I love them all! It was so hard to choose just a couple for my sample display. I chose this fun poppy one with the elephants, and I can’t wait to try it out!! Scarves are such a great way to update your wardrobe in the fall and winter. I love that all of our scarves are a great pop of color and pattern. We have a really fun video on our website showing several ways to wear your new scarf. We also have some pretty blue color palettes — check them out online!

Bryant Park Scarf in Poppy — $59
Bryant Park Scarf in Leopard — $59

Wallets/Tech Cases::
I’m swooning over these new wallets, tech cases, and iphone cases! The poppy (orange) with pink trim is so lush and fun and bright… and the snakeskin with gold interior (and a cute little message on the zippered section for coins) is gorgeous and elegant. The price range for these pieces is great, too. And the new iphone cases (for 4 and 4s only right now) are too cute! I got the poppy one, but love the little birdies in blue and green.

Mercer Zip Wallet in Snakeskin — $118
Iphone case (fits 4 and 4s only) — $29Designer Collaborations::
We have 2 exciting designer collaborations this holiday season!
Alice Temperley is a famous British designer, known for combining femininity with cool Britannia sensibilities. She’s reigned over the London fashion scene for the past decade with an impressive celebrity following, including Beyonce and Kate and Pippa Middelton.

Fox Ring — $59 (limited edition)
This foxy ring is inspired by Alice Temperley’s son, Fox. She says the fox symbol is her lucky charm, so maybe it’ll bring you some good luck, too!
Wonderland Charm Bracelet — $98
Here’s the story behind what the charms mean:
Heart Charm – represents love; Bird Charm – one of Alice’s favorite motifs, it represents freedom; Fox Charm – a special charm for Alice’s son Fox London; Crown Charm – represents Alice’s British herritage; Key Charm – a popular symbol from Alice in Wonderland, the key opens doors to a world of possibilities.

Admiral Bracelet — $198 (limited edition)
Lara Bohinc is lauded for her innovative designs, and I just love her knot jewelry. This U.K.-based brand combines modern luxury with bold, classic style.

More Jewels::

Liz Drop Earrings — $59 (you have to go online to check out the back of these babies!!)

Suzanne Cocktail Ring — $39
Love Bracelet — $19
Swallow Studs — $19

Wesley Pendant — $98

Hoopla 2012, part 2

Posted on July 16, 2012 by mhayes24

Hoopla warp-up, part 2::

One of my most favorite things about Stella & Dot is the connections I’ve made with so many new people, and a few old ones, too. After I signed up as a Stylist, I found out that my cousin’s cousin Katie (she’s in the photo below on the left) was also a Stylist. We hadn’t seen each other in probably at least 8 years until last Hoopla. Since then, we’ve kept in touch and I look forward to getting to visit with Katie and her friend Kirsten each year. She’s so fun and is a crazy dancing machine. This photo was taken at our Wonderland Awards Gala, where we honor so many of our incredible leaders as well as every Stylist’s successes over the past year. The Stylist who earned top in sales sold over $200,000 in jewelry in the past year!! Way to set the bar, Sandy Sembler! She’s such an inspiration — last year, she attended her first Hoopla and sat in the very back. She later told us that as she sat in that back row, she said to herself that she’d be in the front this year… and she certainly delivered, even in the face of a difficult personal situation. It’s women like her who are an inspiration for me to keep going, even when it’s not easy. This company is full of those women, and it’s such an honor to be associated with them!

We were entertained by amazing Cirque performers during cocktail hour, and after awards, about 1,500 women (and a few good men) celebrated with a giant dance party till late into the night.

Our one and only CEO/Founder, Jessica Herrin. I am confident she has the best dance moves of any CEO in the country, hands down. With our company well on its way to being a billion-dollar business in the next few years, she certainly has every reason to dance.

Two of my team members, Devon and Kari, joined me at Hoopla this year! Kari was the very first Stylist to sign up on my team over 1.5 years ago, and Devon is a new Stylist (who lived on my hall freshman year of college!). The training we receive over this short weekend is invaluable for our businesses, and I’m so thrilled that they decided to take part in it. They are already putting what they learned into action, and I can’t wait to see what this year brings for them!

One of my favorite moments of the weekend::
Our Board Chairman, Mike Lohner, flew to SF from London to give a very motivational and inspiring speech and he started it off with a saxophone serenade to “What Makes You Beautiful.” His performance was so unexpected, and it received a huge roar from the crowd, especially with our Executive Team dancing all over the stage!

Our mission has also expanded! We’re now officially supporting breast cancer, autism, and ovarian cancer awareness months with sales of specific items (like our Tribute Bracelet last October for breast cancer). Stella & Dot is making it easy for our customers to look good while doing good!

Q & A with Jessica closed out Hoopla 2012::
One of her favorite words:: BOLD. Not surprising, given who she is and the empire she’s created in just a few short years. Being BOLD is a leap of faith to try something new, like starting your own business. It’s overcoming obstacles and adversity when you think you can’t. It’s knowing that this business is not just about selling jewelry (even though it’s the most stylish, gorgeous jewelry out there), it’s about being able to style our own lives and giving us the power to help others do the same. It’s about believing 6 impossible things before breakfast. It’s about turning the word “impossible” into “I’m possible.” Thank you, Jessica Herrin, for dreaming big and making it possible for us to do the same.

I think this photo says it all. I can’t wait to see where the next year takes me!

Hoopla 2012, part 1

Posted on July 13, 2012 by mhayes24

This time a week ago, I was about to arrive in San Francisco for Hoopla. I look forward to this weekend every year for so many reasons.
1) Stylists who attend our national conference are the first to see and try on our new Fall collection.
2) We get 2 days of training from the cream of the crop — our VP of Training, Chief Creative Officer, Director of Field Operations, and our amazing/gorgeous/genius CEO & Founder. (And we dance to “Call Me Maybe” while we’re at it!)
3) We also get to learn from thousands of our fellow Stylists and leaders from around the US and Canada.
4) Meeting new Stylist friends that you’ve been stalking (or were being stalked by) on facebook… and reconnecting with those friends that you maybe only see once or twice a year. We have teams that span across the country, so sometimes we’re meeting people on our teams for the first time at Hoopla.
5) Prizes!! Lots and lots of jewelry giveaways as well as super fun swag bags for all attendees!
6) It’s a big ‘ol dance party at every event. We love our DJ.
7) Speaking of parties, there are so many welcome receptions, team parties, team dinners, and recognition parties. This year’s awards gala included a special performance by Cirque de Soleil performers!

So yes, it’s a business trip… but it’s really all about the jewelry, isn’t it? The Olivia Bib Necklace is my FAVORITE piece from the new collection. These red-orangey stones will pop over so many colors and prints…. I’m excited to wear it with light pink, mustard, lime, denim, navy/white, and hot pink! It’s such a statement and can really dressed up for weddings or a night on the town — or it can be thrown over a white T or patterned maxi dress for a casual outing. I also adore those Gigi Studs seen below — and they come in black, too!

And speaking of jewelry, here are some prizes from the trip! Stylists received a pair of the new Secret Garden Earrings, which are gold leaves with sparkle down the spine. They’re pretty, dangly, lightweight, and have just enough sparkle. Stella & Dot also debuted a boutique where we could purchase S&D branded items, like mousepads, water bottles, pens, etc. I got several to give out as prizes to my team who couldn’t make it to Hoopla. No, those TB flip flops weren’t part of our swag bags — I have an awesome Sponsor who loves to shower us with gifts.

This was our last year in San Francisco for Hoopla, as we’ve outgrown the conference centers and hotels there. I’ll miss getting to tour around this beautiful city next time, but I don’t know if I’ll miss 60-degree weather and very windy evenings in July! My sponsor Paige did a team dinner on Friday at a neat little place called Salt House. The food was great… the wait time after ordering was not. We didn’t eat until after 10pm, which made for a very late night for us East Coast girls. My favorites were the loaves of fresh-baked bread tossed on the table (I probably ate 1/2 a loaf waiting on the meal to arrive) and the dessert that one of the girls got — lots of peanut butter and chocolate crunchy goodness. I should have just ordered bread and dessert, and I would have made it out of there much earlier.

Had to get a standard trolley photo::

Day 1 of training — Behind the Design with Blythe::
We added 2 new collections — Mod Safari and New Romantics. My darling Olivia is a superstar from Mod Safari — the collection is full of bright colors, animal prints, and designer-inspired pieces from a nod to 60’s style. I’m also really loving the enamel animal bangles. I mean, who can resist blue and gold tigers?? You can’t have a bad day while wearing kissing blue and gold tigers on your arm.

New Romantics is inspired by Victorian estate jewelry. Some of my favorites from this collection are the Tempest Necklace, which can be worn 3 different ways (that’s pretty awesome for a bib-style necklace), the Lillith Fringe Necklace and Earrings, the Starstruck Cocktail Ring, and the Secret Garden Ring. (All are pictured below, except for the SG Ring.) I love the edgy, rocker look that is still very elegant and can be pulled off by a 20-something city girl or a mom in her 40’s.

Our design team is incredible and never ceases to impress me with the collections they release each season. They travel the world looking for inspiration, whether it’s on the streets of Brazil or in a tiny vintage shop in France, and they then bring that to our customers with a fresh new design. We have a world-class design team that hails from the likes of DeBeers, Ippolita, Banana Republic, and Marc Jacobs — and we have in-house model makers that create models of many of our pieces, which is almost unheard of in the fashion jewelry industry. I am reassured more with every collection launch that I chose the right company to be a part of.

Stay tuned for more from Hoopla!

what’s all this Hoopla about?

Posted on June 28, 2012 by mhayes24

In honor of my big HOOPLA trip next week, I’m dedicating today’s post to the wonderfulness that is Stella & Dot. What’s Hoopla, you ask? For anyone who hasn’t heard me gush on and on about this trip the past 2 years, I’ll tell you. (Although I’m doubting any of you haven’t had the pleasure…)

Hoopla is Stella & Dot’s national sales conference that takes place in San Francisco each July. The company has grown tremendously over the past couple years, though, and we’ve finally outgrown the conference hotels in SF. Next year, we’re off to Vegas! Anyway, I’m flying out next Friday for a long weekend of the following:

— 2,000+ women decked out to the nines in sparkling jewelry
— 2,000+ of those same women (and a few good men) screaming and laughing and hugging when they see their long-lost Stylist friends from around the country
— the best training from our CEO, VP of Training, Chief Creative Office, Board Chairman, and many other top leaders in the company
— the fall 2012 collection debut
— swag bags and lots of free goodies
— pajama parties
— listening to stories of struggles, heartache, and great triumph from some of the strongest, most amazing women I’ve ever had the honor of meeting
— awards ceremonies and celebrations
— a HUGE dance party, where our CEO will probably be seen on top of a table in 4-inch heels like last year

Now do you see why I’m always so pumped about this crazy thing called Hoopla?? And oh how that word describes it perfectly. Each year, Hoopla rejuvenates my business and I come home feeling like I can take on the world, one sparkly necklace at a time! I’ve made countless great friends through Stella & Dot — they are my hostesses, customers, and fellow Stylists. I look forward to this extra girly “business” trip more than almost any trip I take all year — and I take a lot of trips.

Here’s a little more of an explanation through photos… enjoy!

hayes everyday

Tag Archives: jewelry