A beautiful thing happened the day Melanie Willhide moved in next to Betsey Kenyon, and we would like to personally thank the jewelry gods for the divine accessories intervention that occurred. In an area bursting with roughly 17 million people, a neighbors-turned-besties relationship can be next to impossible, but these SoCal style mavens soon realized their connection was deeper than proximity. And so with equally artistic backgrounds and similar creative aspirations, they established L.B. Valentine, a unique new line of ultra-glam lockets.

The idea sprung from a fruitless "locket mission" Kenyon embarked upon after the birth of her daughter. Realizing the lack of fashionable keepsakes in the market, the ladies of Les Blondes launched the collection in hopes of helping other women experiencing the same shopping frustration.

The ladies craft all lockets by hand using materials like rose gold, yellow gold, and sterling silver, with accents of sapphires, rubies, and amethysts among other stones. They're even expanding their line to include both cuff link lockets and pocket lockets for extra photo-toting options. While they could have stopped with functional and trendy, Willhide and Kenyon added the kicker—affectionate meanings associated with different styles. The eight variations include "Sweetie Pie," "Forget Me Knot," and "My Dearest," all of which can't help but pull a few heartstrings.

And for the fashionista looking for something a little more quirky than your typical trinket—you'll heart a saucy squirrel that shoots "Love" out its ruby eye. Freaking adorable.

L.B. Valentine is available at Roseark, 8533 Sunset Boulevard, (310) 659-8857.

- Susan Waits

Similar Topics:accessories, fashion

comments (0) : Send to a Friend : Subscribe

:  digg this :  del.icio.us! :