pauline morgan is expanding in chicago.

We are expanding our boutique locations! Pauline Morgan jewelry is now being sold at Elizabeth Grace in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood at 2438 N. Clark Street.

The Elizabeth Grace shop is as charming as its name. Stop by to check out their selection of Pauline Morgan jewelry and to peruse their trendy gifts, accessories and home decor. Elizabeth Grace also has an extensive selection of custom stationery for weddings, holidays and everyday.

In addition take a look at Coquina jewelry, by local designer Hadley Denny. Hadley specializes in modern jewelry using shells. Her designs would be perfect for a destination wedding or even everyday outfits when you want to wear an inspiring piece of nature.

We are so happy to add Elizabeth Grace to our growing list of Pauline Morgan jewelry retailers. Keep checking our blog and Facebook page (Join our Facebook Page!) for updates on shops that sell the Pauline Morgan jewelry collection.

Love, Pauline xoxo

guide: fashion color report for fall 2009.

If you love fashion, I recommend checking out Pantone’s Fashion Color Report Fall 2009 for tips and trends on the upcoming season. I myself use Pantone’s color reports to guide my color selections whenever I am designing jewelry.

Within the report you will find a description of the season’s most prominent colors based on New York Fashion Week. You will also find summaries of top fashion designers’ collections, their color choices and other interesting tidbits. Throughout the guide there are sketches of ready-to-wear apparel, so you can get a taste of what new styles you will find in retail shops.

Pantone is a leading authority on fashion colors, and the best part about their document is that it is available for FREE!

Read the report now: Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2009

Love, Pauline xoxo

event: chic chicago exhibit.

I just spent an extraordinary afternoon at the “Chic Chicago” exhibit at the Chicago History Museum. Unfortunately the exhibit ends in a few days, but there are photos online and perhaps you will be able to swing by if you are in the Chicago area. I highly recommend seeing this collection, especially if you love designer fashion & vintage clothing.

The garments on display are by “prominent couturiers” from 1861 to 2004, including Givenchy, Balenciaga, Versace, Chanel, Dior and many more. I was especially drawn to the 1920s and 1930s designs. Fashionistas, shopaholics, socialites, designers, etc. will all enjoy this exhibit. Each garment on display has a short description with the designer, the year and the importance of the piece in the fashion industry. In addition it lists the person who wore the piece, where they wore it and a short bio.

As a designer I found the collection to be an inspiration. You might be surprised at how many of the vintage garments could be worn today and still be completely fashionable. Good design can truly be timeless. Anyone want to loan me a vintage Balenciaga?

This exhibit is only open for a few more days through either July 26th or 27th (I saw different dates listed on the museum’s website). Learn more about the exhibit at the Chicago History Museum and view photos of the collection on flickr.

Love, Pauline xoxo

guide: trends that are here to stay.

I always find it a bit amusing in early July when all of the summer clearance sales are taking place (and summer officially just began in late June!).

With summer apparel being discounted to make way for fall merchandise, I thought it would be useful to take a look at the summer trends which will continue to be popular in the fall so that you can sift through all of the fabulous end-of-season sales and purchase summer apparel that can transition to your fall wardrobe.

I’ve analyzed the fall fashion runway shows and have the top trends that are here to stay for another season.

Love, Pauline xoxo

1. Studded Bliss Studs were seen all over sandals in the summer. Look for studded summer shoes (with a bit more coverage than sandals) and studded lightweight tops and tanks that can be layered under warmer pieces for the fall.

2. Bold Colors Glow Find the brightest colored apparel from summer (yes! neon is fine for fall 2009!) and wear them layered to give your fall wardrobe a vibrant look. We saw pinks, reds, greens, blues, purples and yellows!

3. Cardigans Rule Cardigans continue to rule. Grab any clearance cardigans you can find and wear them as the weather gets cooler.

4. Romancing with Ruffles Spring, summer and fall – ruffles continue to be popular. Look for tops and accessories (purses!) with ruffles that you can pair up with your fall wardrobe.

5. Egyptian Influence Fabric draping and rounded wide collars continue to be on the fashion runways. Be on the lookout for wide choker-style or bib necklaces and wear them with your fall outfits. Also look for dresses and tops with draping and rounded collars that you can pair with vests as it gets colder outside.

pauline morgan at chicago boutique.

Summer is busy, busy, busy. I have been working and playing hard and have some great news to share.

Pauline Morgan jewelry is now being sold at Embellish Boutique in Chicago, IL within the Lincoln Square Neighborhood. Lincoln Square is known for its quaint shops and one-of-a-kind finds, and Embellish is no exception. I fell in love with this shop the first time I visited. It specializes in affordable, unique accessories from local and independent artists. Owner Barb Skupien has an excellent sense of style and it shows! Pieces move quickly which means the shop’s selection is always changing. Barb also has a detailed knowledge of the artists she features, so when you leave the shop you will know the story behind each piece you purchased.

Pauline Morgan jewelry is excited to be one of the local artists featured at this vibrant shop. Some of my newest creations are being sold, including my collection of Dalmation Jasper necklaces. Stop by the Embellish Boutique at 4161 N. Lincoln Ave. to browse its Pauline Morgan collection and see what else you might discover.

Love, Pauline xoxo

relax. summer vacation.

School is out, the weather is warming up and we went on our first family get-away for the summer to Michigan, one of our favorite places to visit. Southwest Michigan is a popular vacation spot for Chicagoans because it is a quick trip by car. All along Lake Michigan there are summer cottages, wineries, beaches and quaint, little towns. We spent quite a bit of time on the beaches, relaxing and building sand castles. The photo is of me and my youngest son sitting on the boardwalk.

I also found some time to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes: shopping. Last summer I was pregnant, so this summer I have been looking forward to updating my wardrobe with some non-maternity clothes. One of the shops I wandered into was Renvar in Saugatuck, MI. The store had recently opened and was decorated with retro light fixtures and vintage-style floral wallpaper. But the thing that really struck me was the brightly colored hangers covered in fun fabrics and yarn that each piece of clothing was hung on. I thought the hangers were so creative! What a great way to dress up some basic plastic hangers. Take a look at the photo, and see for yourself.

Love, Pauline xoxo

trend alert: egyptian style.

The fashion runways for spring, summer and fall 2009 showed off a plethora of Egyptian details. Take a look at the Egyptian-inspired dress shown here from Donna Karan’s collection. This is one of the hot trends of the season and I was eager to add some exotic details to my own wardrobe. I recently purchased a gorgeous, black, sleeveless, silk top from Karen Kane with a beautiful, wide, round collar reminiscent of Cleopatra-era fashion. I can’t wait to wear it on a summer evening.

If you want to add some Egyptian-inspired pieces to your own closet, look for fashions with draping fabric, ornate scrollwork, beadwork and wide round collars. And don’t forget gladiator-style shoes.

Inspired by the Egyptian fashions around me, my jewelry collection now includes a new necklace and pair of earrings available on my online shop. The Greek Key Design Necklace features an Egyptian-inspired bib design, golden beads and Greek key charms.

The Greek Key Design Earrings also feature a dangling Greek key pattern. Both pieces are a simple, glamorous way to add Egyptian beauty to your style.

Love, Pauline xoxo

have a good laugh (on me).

I am always flattered when the occasional person says something to me like “Wow! You are so accomplished! How do you do it?” Usually this happens after I have hosted a party, baked a treat for a friend or presented my jewelry at a show.

The truth of the matter is that I am not as put together as it may seem. Come over to my place and you will see multiple projects “in progress” (check out my desk in the photo). I usually have a lot going on, and I have a habit of spending too much time trying to “perfect” each one. Others see the final results which may be great, but they would have a good laugh if they knew how much time I put into them.

Of course the main reason I may look accomplished is because I have a tremendous amount of support. My husband is the biggest help of all both, around the house and with my business. He is my sounding board, my proofreader and he even creates the “Pauline Morgan” tags that dangle from my jewelry.

So I just wanted to thank everyone who has sent compliments my way — and let you you know a bit about the chaos behind the designer — and I owe an even BIGGER thank you to my family and friends for their help.

Love, Pauline xoxo

guide to gold jewelry.

Gold jewelry is back – spotted on runways, adorned by celebrities and sold everywhere. There was a time when I wondered if gold would ever come back, and now it’s hard to imagine how it ever left the forefront.

With gold in demand, more questions arise about the gold jewelry available. Especially in a time of tight wallets we all need to know about quality and cost to make the best gold jewelry purchases. Below are some facts to help you.

Love, Pauline xoxo

What is the difference between gold-plated, gold-filled, gold and vermeil jewelry?

Gold-plated jewelry is the lowest quality of gold jewelry, but it is also the least expensive. With time its gold may wear away.

The gold on gold-filled and gold jewelry will NOT wear away. 14kt gold-filled jewelry contains less solid gold content than 14kt gold jewelry which contains less solid gold content than 18kt gold jewelry.

Because gold jewelry is quite a bit more expensive than gold-filled jewelry, gold-filled jewelry is a cost-efficient option for a high quality product.

Vermeil has the look of solid gold but it is actually sterling silver covered with a heavy layer of gold. It is a beautiful product made entirely of precious metal.

Does gold jewelry tarnish?

Solid gold does not tarnish. However gold jewelry including gold-plated, gold-filled, 14kt gold, 18kt gold, etc. has an alloy that can cause tarnish and discolor the skin. The higher the gold content, the less likely the jewelry will tarnish. Discoloration can be caused by cosmetics, humidity or perspiration. If your skin discolors from a piece of jewelry, try wearing pieces with a higher content of solid gold.

How do I care for my gold jewelry?

If a piece of gold jewelry is plated, use a chemical-free cloth to be sure that the gold doesn’t wear away. Otherwise gold jewelry may be cleaned using a polishing cloth. Do not expose jewelry to household cleansers or to chlorine in a swimming pool. Do not wear your jewelry when bathing. Store your jewelry away from sunlight in a zip bag or cloth pouch.

a fresh, new autumn has arrived.

Oktoberfest, Halloween parties, Apple picking, Family gatherings, Pumpkin carving, Leaf raking, Thanksgiving feasts – the activities and events of autumn are in full swing! Eager to dig out my cold weather clothing, I feel rejuvenated wearing outfits that have been stashed away for several months. With a fresh perspective I mix and match last year’s clothes in new, exciting ways. My wardrobe has new life! As always I am pleasantly surprised to find a few pieces that I had completely forgotten about. I find myself more interested in accessorizing with warm scarves and cute, colorful socks. I am also donning some of my favorite fall jewelry pieces, such as the six strand copper bracelet and matching earrings. Enjoy the change of seasons, the sound of leaves crushing under foot, the feel of crisp, cool air and the colors, textures and styles of a new season!

Love, Pauline xoxo