Already I’m getting amazing responses to my call for Afrobella Brides — thanks for sending in your pictures and questions and businesses that cater to brides! And YES – non-traditional weddings are completely welcome. Love is love. I hope you all know that Afrobella.com is a judgment free place where you can feel free to share everything about your happiest day!

So what exactly IS an Afrobella Bride? She’s a woman in love, who wants to celebrate her special day in a way that also celebrates her unique style and beauty. Maybe she’ll wear white. Maybe she won’t. Maybe she’ll wear a traditional dress and veil. Maybe she won’t! Maybe she wants the whole two-months-salary a diamond is forever type of ring…and maybe she doesn’t. This post is for the woman who doesn’t believe that every kiss begins with Kay, and that celebrating love doesn’t mean sacrificing your unique tastes and interests.

Engagement Ring by Studio of Ptah

I might be in a small, quirky camp here…but I don’t always go gaga for diamonds. Of course they are beautiful. Of course if someone were to give me some diamond jewelry, I would NOT be mad. But if I can be honest here…there are a whole lot of really typical engagement and wedding rings on the market. I’m not completely convinced that a ring you can find at any department store can or should truly represent the unique beauty of your love. When the time came for my husband and I to choose a ring, we went to his aunt Patty — check her out at TheGoldsmith.us — and we designed something customized and special for us and for our relationship. We’ve been married for nine years and to this day, I get gushing compliments and where-did-you-get-thats on a regular basis. All I’m saying is, it’s fun to think outside of the box. And your wedding can be as funky, fun, cool and AFFORDABLE as you want it to be! Allow me to share some amazing wedding and engagement rings that I’ve discovered.

By Studio of Ptah

The Studio of Ptah Jewelry company is based in New York City, but the soul and inspiration for their designs come from African art. If their style looks at all familiar, it might be because of the pieces they’ve crafted for celebrities — Studio of Ptah has made signature ankh rings for Erykah Badu, and have also created unique pieces for Andre 3000 and other such sartorially splendid celebs. If you love ankhs and are afrocentric and self-expressive at heart, these will be the PERFECT rings for you. Click here to browse engagement rings and wedding bands.

For anything truly unique for your wedding, I strongly urge you to familiarize yourself with Etsy.com. You can find truly creative handcrafted designs made by jewelers around the world. And in many cases you can even contact the jeweler to customize something special for you.

By designer Arosha Luigi Taglia

Italian jewelry designer Arosha Luigi Taglia makes some of the coolest contemporary engagement rings I’ve ever seen. Made from sterling silver and various karats of gold, his rings do more than stand out of the crowd. In some instances, they stand up – proud and high on your finger. Take for example his Freedom ring, made with 9K gold and a freshwater pearl that is meant to be movable and make contact with your skin. His gold ring is carved into “beehive lace,” and I think it’s one of the coolest wedding bands I’ve ever seen.

wedding band by Nurit Design by Nurit Levak

Another Etsy vendor, Nurit Design by Nurit Levak, hails from Israel and makes amazing, ornate wedding bands from white and yellow gold. How beautiful is this royal ring with ruby stones? What a beautiful symbol of love.

Fabuluster fingerprint rings by jewelers Brent and Jessica Williams

For something less ornate and more personally meaningful, check out Fabuluster. Jewelers Brent and Jessica Williams hail from Maine and specialize in fingerprint wedding bands. Your fingerprint on their ring, and vice versa. You can get fingerprints on the inside or outside of your ring. I think this is such a beautiful and loving concept. Love is in the air

wedding band by Jewelry by Johan

And last but not least, maybe you’re over gold and diamonds altogether. If you’re looking for a wedding band that’s made of completely different elements, check out Jewelry by Johan. He specializes in unusual combinations. Rings made of meteorite and titanium, deer antler and wood. Absolutely gorgeous, extremely unique, and totally customizable.

Those are some of the coolest wedding and engagement rings I’ve seen lately! See anything you like? Would you wear something so out of the box? Or are you more of a traditional bella?

Summer’s a time for maxi dresses and flowy tops, sandals and flip flops, bold, bright colors and big, bangin’ jewelry. In my opinion there’s nothing more summertime sexy than short natural hair, sizzling eye makeup and huge earrings.

You know I love my jewelry, and I love my up and coming designers. I have been collecting and reviewing and curating a list for you bellas for a minute now! If you’re seeking some hot new jewelry with which to adorn yourself this summer, read on. But don’t blame me if you wind up doing some shopping halfway through this post!

Jewelry designer #1 — Jaz Jewelz.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jasmin Mitchell of JazJewelz at events here in Chicago, and I currently own two pairs of her earrings. I would describe her jewelry as subtly stunning. Jasmin has a unique style and her jewelry is funky, yet understated. JazJewelz makes use of a variety of natural materials — seeds, fossils, feathers, shells and semi-precious stones. In person Jasmin is very laid back and sweet, and if you live in Chicago you might be lucky enough to catch her selling her wares in person at a natural hair meetup!

Earrings by Jaz Jewelz

These are her 14 karat gold filled and amethyst briolette earrings, to give you an idea of her style. Click here to check out her Etsy page, and click here to follow her on Twitter!

Jewelry designer #2 — KFleye.

KFleye’s jewelry is not for shy girls or shrinking violets. If you’re the kind of woman who loves turning heads with truly unique, statement making jewelry, prepare to fall in love. In person, Kelley of KFleye is as sweet as pie, super friendly and genuine. Her jewelry is most often made from leather, stone, wire and acrylic, and many of her pieces are definitely conversation starters.

Earrings by KFleye

Her metallic leather pocketbook earrings are quirky, unique, and give you just a sample of KFleye’s style! Check out her Etsy shop for more, and click here to follow her on Twitter.

Jewelry designer #3 — Cab Crochet.

When Cheryl, the creator of CabCrochet, contacted me to share news about her new jewelry line I was excited to see her work even before clicking on the link to her Etsy shop. Cheryl is a Trini like me, and besides that she is also a breast cancer survivor! Cheryl’s jewelry is made from thread and wire, and as the name would indicate, it’s all about crochet. Her big, bright crochet earrings just define summertime outdoor festival chic, but my favorite of her pieces are made of gold and silver metallic wire, which she crochets into bracelets and dangling earrings. They’re very fly and cool while still being feminine and classic.

earrings by Cabcrochet

Check out her Hoop x 4 earrings, just $15, super lightweight, and timelessly chic! Click here to follow her on Facebook.

Jewelry designer #4 – Lingua Nigra.

Bold, edgy and fierce – Lingua Nigra jewelry is not for the timid. Made in Brooklyn by Alicia Goodwin, Lingua Nigra means “black tongue,” and her jewelry is best described as organically funky. I first saw her jewelry in Chicago at the One of a Kind Show (I think!) — all I remember is, Lingua Nigra jewelry made me stop in my tracks and turn around to see more. Alicia uses brass, gold, coins, and etched sterling silver to handcraft truly unique adornments.

I think I need her Alien Key necklace in my life! Click here to follow her on Facebook.

Jewelry designer #5 – Adha Zelma.

OK, so Adha Zelma isn’t a person. It’s the name of the jewelry line made by Brooklyn-based designers Cherise TrahanMiller and Sheanan Bond. All I can say is, this is jewelry for rock stars. If you’re a lady who wears studs and button earrings, Adha Zelma may not be for you. But if you’re a performer at heart, if you love the kind of jewelry that a rock star would wear, don’t look any further. Feathers, abalone, moonstone, 24 karat gold – these designers create audacious jewelry out of an interesting collection of materials.

earrings by Adha Zelma

How gorgeous are these arabella earrings? Wow. Click here to like them on Facebook.

See anything you like, you need, you have to have? Feel free to thank/tell me off on behalf of your bank account in the comments!!

I love adorning my natural hair with clips and elaborate headbands, but of late I’ve had a hard time finding truly unique, swoonworthy hair accessories that seemed made with natural hair in mind. I fell for the pointy fan-like hair clips and ornate barettes that adorned models in the NYFW Spring 2011 Rodarte show, but haven’t been able to find anything like it that will clip neatly and easily into thick, blessed-to-be-highly-textured hair. Until now. Behold, the hair jewelry of Peace Images! Absolutely gorgeous “peaces” for a natural haired bride or just a bella going out on the town!

The Fly Away hair comb is big, bold, and mirrored so it won’t get lost in your kinks and coils! Belle Butters wrote a helpful post on how to secure Peace Images hair combs in natural hair. I love the look, large and in charge. I’ve got my eyes on her Agate Slice hair combs.

For something a bit more subtle and mysterious, check out the Tikka Masala hair jewelry.

Inspired by the Indian traditional tikka, worn by brides, Peace Images’ version funks it up with ankhs and cowrie shells. TOO cool. And unfortunately, sold out right now. I’m hoping she adds more to the store soon!

Would you rock hair jewelry? Which “peace” would be your choice? Happy Friday bellas!

As the 12 Days of Giveaways wind down to a close today, I just want to again say thank you to all of you who entered, and thank you to the brands that contributed so generously. I reached out to my absolute favorites, and there was so much warmth and love in the giving.

All of the 12 giveaways I offered were intended to be special, but the two necklaces by Peace Images might just be the most unique – they were made just for her new Spring line, so whoever wears this before Spring will be rocking a bonafide exclusive!

Without further ado, the winners are:

AfrikanLatina

and

Cecca

Congratulations ladies and please feel free to submit photos to myself and PeaceImages when you rock your new necklaces! Peace Images now has a new Facebook fan page so check her there for new photos of the Spring collection as they’re revealed. Thanks to Camille of Peace Images for her generosity of spirit and to you all for entering!

ONE more giveaway to announce. And if you didn’t win, please don’t be sad – there’s so much more to come in 2011!

2010 has been quite a year. Through the ups and downs, you’ve stuck by me and I am thankful for every one of you! To celebrate 4 years of Afrobella, my site being back up and running, happiness and health – I’m giving you 12 Days of Giveaways!

On the 3rd day of giveaways, Afrobella gave to me…2 necklaces by Peace Images!

If you follow me on Twitter, are a fan of my page on Facebook, or read this here blog…then you’ve definitely heard me rave over the jewelry of Peace Images. What is it about her necklaces and earrings that make me go gaga? It’s her eye, her aesthetic, and the quality of her creations.

Every “peace” of Peace Images jewelry I’ve gotten has been stellar, amazing, and stays in my rotation of must-wear, must-travel-with items. And it never fails – her “peaces” are among my most-often-asked-about-by-strangers items.

So when I knew I was planning a series of giveaways featuring 12 of my FAVORITE things…I had to ask Camille to contribute something. And this is what she came up with!

This is a piece from her upcoming Spring Line due out at the end of January. Camille explains:

“The stone is peridot, all other components are vintage brass.

It’s a lariat. Meant to be wrapped around the neck a time, or 2, then closed by draping the ankh into the circle.”

Gorgeous and unique, just like all of her “peaces.”

TWO lucky Afrobella readers will be the lucky recipients of this unique necklace.

How do you win?

#1 – “Like” Peace Images on Facebook.

#2 – tell me what you’d wear this necklace with!

And because it’s Christmas Eve, I’ll leave these comments open till Monday so you can have time to get your last minute shopping done, make those holiday treats, open your presents, enjoy time with friends and family and THEN comment on your favorite blog!

Merry Christmas! Good luck!

We’ve got 24 days till Christmas, so if you’re giving gifts this year the time to shop is NOW! I’ll be sharing my gift ideas until days before the 25th, of items I’ve tried and tested, or just think are worth your time and attention!

She’s down to earth and sweet, beautiful and genuine. And she’s so proud of her gorgeous natural hair! Here are some gift ideas for the bella in your life who’s proud to be natural!

Tees from Differently Clothing.

There’s no shortage of cool afro-inspired tees online, from the simple to the sassy. Right now I’m loving the aesthetic of Differently Clothing. Their Just Ask Natural tee is adorable and comes in a great range of colors, and I know many of my island brethren would totally rock the Rasta longsleeved tee. And HOW CUTE is the Rasta Empress tee? Love, love, love. Sizes run from small to 2X and prices are $28.99.

The Sharmooz pillowcase.

I know many afrobellas who happily pineapple their hair and sleep with a satin or silk bonnet at night. Or who successfully wrap up their hair before they go to bed. My hair won’t be tamed at night! I’ve never managed to find a wrap or bonnet that will stay put. So what I do, is sleep on a Sharmooz. I’ve been sleeping on it for a few months now, and trust me – my hair knows and shows the difference between this pillowcase and any of my others. Thanks to the Sharmooz, I wake up and my hair still has bounce and shine to it, and my coily curls aren’t all matted together and looking crazy. I love it, I do! It’s $29.95 and comes in a great variety of colors, so there’s bound to be one for you! And for a bella on the go (like me!) there’s the Sharmooz travel pillow for $24.95. How awesome would it be to sleep on the plane and wake up with your hair still looking halfway decent? I’m sayin!

The”natural” necklace by Rachel Stewart.

It pains me to visit Rachel Stewart‘s Big Cartel page for the same reason it pains me to visit Peace Images’ Big Cartel page. Because I just wanna buy EVERYTHING and I can’t decide what I want first! I just love her style, and her jewelry is clearly made FOR a natural hair lover, BY a natural hair lover. Any bella who knows she’s gorgeous just as God made her, would be proud to rock the natural necklace in wood, gold, or silver. $35 for a statement making necklace!

The Afro Woman tote by Quelly Rue

I was just saying on my Facebook page (join me, won’t you?), that I love love LOVE Etsy. There’s literally everything and anything you can think of on there, and it’s all handmade! I love the unique and handmade look of products you can find there. Things that instantly look like a one-of-a-kind treasure. Like the items made by the every-crafty Quelly Rue. She makes lovely and unique crochet items (I’m a proud owner of one of her flowered headbands, and it’s so perfect for fall!) If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a natural hair loving, enviromentally conscious, afrocentric afrobella – check out Quelly Rue’s tote bags. They’re funky and unique, and perfect for going shopping, to the grocery store, to the beach, wherever! I’m loving her Afro Woman tote bag, with hair in the shape of the motherland. She’s just $30, and is so cool. NOTE: Quelly Rue’s store will be closed December 12 to January 17, so get your shop on now!

The Natural Hair Calendar.

Whether she’s just transitioning or a dyed in the wool naturalista, you can find inspiration and enjoyment in the Natural Hair Calendar. It’s a visually inspiring way to create hair habits and chart your hair journey. I love the free monthly printables available online at naturalhaircalendars.com – chock full of photos, quotes, tips and more! And now just in time for the holidays, they’re about to launch the Natural Hair Love Affair Calendar, an undated 13-month calendar that allows you to chart your own progress in your own time. You can post your hair photos, and use stickers to record your hair length, hair type and hair milestones. I love the idea, and can’t wait to get one myself! This will go next to my dresser for sure, for that extra bit of daily beauty inspiration! Click here to sign up so you’ll know when the release date is!

Those are my top 5 gift ideas for proud to be natural bellas. Which do you want under your tree on the 25th?

I’ve come to realize that my jewelry personality is quite a bit different from my regular personality.

If you meet me in person, I can be low key and sometimes even a little quiet (but always warm and friendly, or at least I try to be!). I’m not a loud person, by any means. But when it comes to jewelry, I am bold. Memorable. Outstanding. I love jewelry that makes a statement. And I LOVE the jewelry and style of Rachel Stewart.

If you’re a reader of natural hair blogs I am so sure you’re familiar with her work! Rachel has been featured on so many of my favorite blogs, including Afroniquely You, K Is For Kinky, FroChic, Empress Mag, Most Beautifullest, Fly and of course Clutch Mag.

OMG, how FLY is she?? I love her look, her hair, her flava in general. And of course, her art. Rachel’s jewelry fits my jewelry personality to a tee. Here are my top five fave Rachel Stewart pieces.

1. The Gold Afro Pick earrings, natch. I feel like every woman with big, bold natural flavor should rock a pair of these at least once.

2. I love the Royal Tassels. LOVE. Brass, copper, dangling, elegant. I need them in my life!

3. The Warrior Woman cuff. $30 and a fashion knockout. Rock this with a Little Black Dress and your sexiest footwear. POW!

4. Star Child – very Eighties, bold and bangin’. Big hair or a big personality will help to pull these off.

5. The Mixtape Necklace, which is sold out. Of course it is! Because it’s AWESOME.

Click here to check out her BigCartel store, and her blog. And Rachel is on both Facebook and Twitter.

Are you a fan of Rachel Stewart’s style? Which piece is your fave?

Did you see Michelle Obama on Leno this week? To paraphrase one of my favorite Barrington Levy songs — every day I love her just a little bit more.

I would be ever so proud to have her as the first lady. But this post isn’t about politics. It’s about fashion!

55 Secret Street already gave Michelle some fashion recommendations, and I think Stereohyped hit the nail on the head when they cited her style icon status as key to her increasingly successful campaigning.

I look at Michelle and she makes me want to step up my style game. And she makes me think I can almost afford to do so — this Obama mama shops at H&M and J Crew (love that Italian Deco tank!). Fabulous blog Mrs. O really details her fashion better than I ever could.

Michelle is a fashion trendsetter. She’s not afraid to accessorize, and the central focus of her look is often a bold, jeweled brooch. As the LA Times notes at the Democratic National Convention: “…with her jeweled pin, she may have single-handedly brought back the brooch. Grandmas, guard your jewelry boxes.”

The LA Times reader poll rated her DNC style as “matronly,” but I say give it time. If Michelle becomes first lady, we might be in for a whole new renaissance of pinned on chest jewelry. So, Mrs. O — if I may be so bold — might I recommend some fun, funky, fresh brooches to breathe fresh life into your favorite retro fashion accessory?

Michelle admitted she likes to shop online, and she’s always looking for a bargain. So I extend this invitation to Michelle Obama, and any woman who wants to work a little of her style into their wardrobe. Brooches FTW! Come with me to Etsy, where everything is handmade by talented artists, and prices are waaaay cheaper than Neiman Marcus or Saks. Just sayin’.

I’d like to think Michelle Obama is technologically savvy, well read, and funky enough to appreciate steampunk style, and I think this cool steampunk Springs and Things pin would get folks talking in a good way. It’s delicate and pretty, yet edgy and cool. And it’s $25 from Etsy shop The Grand Design.

Michelle could stave off the haters and those who question her patriotism with this big, bodacious USA rhinestone pin. Ten bucks and over the top. (Is it me, or does that pin look like it would go great with Weavin Steven’s hairstyle on Joanne Cash in that episode of Split Ends?)

I personally prefer the simplicity of this lovely vintage mother of pearl brooch. It’s a mere $35 from Ye Olde World Shoppe. Classy and refined, just like Michelle!

This mahogany pin made of Scrabble pieces is cute, timely and cheap — just six bucks.

We already saw that Michelle likes to pile on the flower brooches. A floral accessory can be so fresh and fun, and it’s a fabulous accent for spring, summer — even fall if you choose your colors right.

Eleanor Rot makes some pretty flower pins — I could totes see Michelle working the delicate ice blue and metal Liana flower brooch. A STEAL at four dollars.

I also love the $45 darling coppertone Dahlia brooch/headband by Australian designer Begurple Designs. Very pretty, very unique, great seasonal colors. Michelle could so pull off the wrist corsage/brooch. Tres chic.

Is might be kind of weird to wear floral jewelry in winter, when you can see your breath and the ground is blanketed in white. If you’d like a seasonal spin on an eye catching accessory, this snowflake brooch could be the ticket. $240 is pricey by Etsy standards, but the creator, Beadmatrix is an award winning jeweler. Their Moonlight Corona biwa pearl brooch was the Silver Medal Winner for Wirework, at Fire Mountain Gems 2008. So $220 is worth it for that kind of craftsmanship.

Another way to rock a brooch is to combine it with another piece of jewelry. Check out this stunning black enamel brooch necklace, for example. $63 from Stacy Cameron Jewels, who also makes ribbon wrapped, brooch studded bangles.

How do you feel abut Michelle’s accessories, bellas — do brooches strike you as a touch matronly? Or are you ready to add a new accessory to your fashion arsenal?