a little tribute.

I've always had a "thing" for the United States. Though I grew up in Indiana, I spent many days on the road with my parents--be it driving back and forth to South Carolina to visit my grandparents or searching out Civil War battlefields. It should have come as no surprise to my parents that about halfway through my sophomore year, I transferred into the American Studies program at Georgetown. After all, it was my mother who instilled in me that love of American history.

After I finished my "AMSTUD" degree, I stayed in DC for my full-time job and also worked weekends in a precious boutique. I constantly found myself discovering new designers {and new ways to break my budget}. One such budget-buster was the Maya Brenner jewelry which made its way into our store. The pieces we received featured different states, like New York or California--and I soon discovered you could order it any any state you wished. Though I desperately wanted one of her necklaces, I had to pay the rent...and have been dreaming of them ever since.

I hadn't forgotten her magnificence, but when a few of her beauties resurfaced in this month's issue of People Style Watch, my interest was peaked again.

{Colorado - maya brenner designs}
{Indiana - maya brenner designs}













Along with Maya Brenner's beautiful pieces, they featured Kris Nations...a considerably less expensive option {though the final look is a bit more funky, but still very fun}.

{California - kris nations}

Knowing the wealth of wonderful jewelry designers on etsy, I thought it would be goofy not to check that crafty mecca for some other comparable pieces...
and I'm so happy I did!
Take a peek at my etsy finds:

{US - sudlow jewelry}
{ok, France isn't in the States, but I love it - lucky troll}
{North Carolina - boneofart}
{Texas - applechampagne}
{North Carolina - ginnae}
{Pennsylvania Pride - arieltelsa}
The current winner for my affection? The designs from tru.che. Stevie, the designer, is also a native Midwesterner...
and her etsy profile had me screaming to buy some of her pieces.

With our current port of call in Rhode Island, this little beauty may need to find its way to my neck soon. The best part? The tru.che designs are a third of the cost of the silver designs from Maya Brenner. SCORE.

{Rhode Island - tru.che}
That's my little tribute to state pride...and my new blog header!
Can't wait to announce the winner of my Minted giveaway tomorrow morning...
keep your eyes peeled for that! Until then, go enjoy the Super Bowl--
or just the commercials ;) xoxo, {av}

P.S. Your unending blog love continuously makes. my. day.
Don't forget...my line is always open!

55 comments:

  1. OM goodness, these are adorable! I would give almost anything to get one of California, it's like a little piece of home on a chain :)

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  2. the France onee! I really love it!

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  3. LOVE them. I should for sure get a MI one -- especially when I begin to like Michigan again . . . which will be in July ;) ;). LOVE your new blog header too -- fab-u-lous!

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  4. I love love love the new header, so perfect for your blog. I also love the 3rd necklace with the green background.

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  5. Ok so I LOVE those necklaces! I guess I will spend the rest of my afternoon etsy shopping :) They're going to make cute gifts for all my college friends from all over the States! Thanks for sharing :) I just might have to order myself an NC one!

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  6. oh wow! these are so cute! i want one in the shape of ireland--my favorite travel destination. :)

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  7. cute! i love these. looove the colorado one lots.
    x

    p.s. your new header is beyond adorable! :D

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  8. I absolutely love the blog's new look! So simple and streamlined and pretty. And I'm definitely going to have to shell out for a New York necklace -- watch, as soon as I graduate and move back east, I'm going to want one for Illinois haha. Hope you're having the loveliest of weekends! Can't wait for the open line posts. :)

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  9. I love the new header! And maybe we can match in our Rhody necklaces :) Hope you had a great weekend!

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  10. Love that CA one!! I need that.... I'm so homesick for it that would help for sure... :)

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  11. Your new blog header is perfect for you...(at least what I have learned so far!) Thanks for making me feel so welcome in the blog world.

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  12. These are adorable! I will have to look for a Minnesota!

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  13. How cute are these??
    p.s. Love the new header! so cute and perfect for the title!!

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  14. aww these are really sweet! i love the gold texas one haha! maybe i can find a cute illinois one. you should consider doing a charm bracelet so you could have all of your homes represented :) happy sunday lady! xoxo jcd

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  15. I love your new header...it fits you and your blog so perfectly!! I'm loving those necklaces...thank goodness for Etsy!!

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  16. So cute! Love a little state loyalty!
    QA Design sells adorable state prints on Etsy....I love them too.
    Awesome new header!

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  17. These are precious!! What great gifts!! Have a great evening! xoxo

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  18. OHMYGOSH!!!! I did not know these existed!!!! This would make a perfect gift for a few of my girlfriends and fam members! <3

    xoxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  19. What cute necklaces! I adore the new header. So perfect for your blog! I want a California necklace now (:

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  20. I love these necklaces. I need to get an Arizona one. Your blog is amazing. I'm a new follower. Come follow me and enter my giveaway. I think you'll like it.

    Audrey
    www.livingfoxy.com

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  21. I love these! want the mississippi one and florida one (:

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  22. these are so beautiful! and what a great way to have a little piece of home while you're in rhody! hope you've had a fabulous weekend lady. i'm loving that new blog head!

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  23. I love these too!! They're so cute!

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  24. When you were talking about the Civil War Battlefields is reminded me of the movie Sweet Home Alabama!!

    Your blog is precious! I can't wait to read more!

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  25. These are so cute! I love the Indiana one since it's my home!!

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  26. I love these! Especially since Minnesota is a cool shaped state :)

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  27. I NEED this in my life. I want california or america around my neck RIGHT NOW. sigh.

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  28. One of these around my neck my make me feel a little less homesick! But I think I'll have to get the France one too... LOVE!

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  29. OMG!! I love these necklaces!! I'm in need of a Cali necklace asap! :)

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  30. I love all these necklaces! I just wish I loved my state enough to actually want to advertise that I live here! :) Hahaha! Oh, poor Missouri, we get such a bad rep.

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  31. wow these necklaces are adorable!! So cute!
    thanks for sharing!

    come see my blog hun :)

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  32. These are so great. I want to get one for my past, Illinois and for now, California! Thanks for the finds!!!!

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  33. the california one and texas one are the cutest. or so i think.

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  34. Lovee it :)

    http://www.julia-louise.blogspot.com

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  35. Adore the France necklace, I need to get myself one of those :)

    And such a great idea for a blog, me and Cas had a long distcance relationship for almost 2 years before he moved here this December! It's not easy but it is sure worth it in the end :)

    xoxo,
    Signe

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  36. I love your new header, probably because I share your love of American history too :)

    Hope you had a great weekend!

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  37. I am in love with those necklaces! I have to have a Virginia one. I also love your new look, it's perfect! I hope you have a great day!

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  38. I saw this line jewelry once and felt in love! It's super cute!!

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  39. I love these! when I studied abroad in Florence I got one like this that was in the shape of Italy and I still love it.

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  40. Love the new blog header! How presh...and those state pendants are beyond :)

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  41. I just came across your blog and it is really cute. I know how the long distance thing goes for sure I have always been in CA while my man had gone to get his masters in ENGLAND. Talk about far. Too bad they didn't have a necklace for different countries! Anyways, love the blog! Have a great week!

    Hayley
    http://www.theweekendfile.blogspot.com

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  42. Being from the Keystone State, I love that Pennsylvania Pride necklace. All of these are beautiful and leave it to Etsy to have some amazing artists creating some beautiful pieces for much less.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  43. Awesome! I love states/state stuff too. Just posted on my new blog about it an hour ago, actually! (And I've got another state post for later in the week - Etsy is awesome for that stuff!)

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  44. Thank you for the feature! check out my shop for every state and country. If you don't see it, just let me know and I can make it for you.

    http://truche.etsy.com

    xo,
    Stevie

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  45. OH! I love these state-pride jewels! LOVELY! I think the funky style one is my favorite!!!

    p.s. The new blog header/look is GREAT!

    Happy Monday to you, sweet friend!

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  46. OMG I love the new blog look! The header is so cute! The necklaces are so cute too!

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  47. love them all. I kinda want to get a collection of states and layer them, since it's more fitting for me :)

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  48. these are so super cute! love the new blog look as well, darling! going to email you back tonight! woohoo :)

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  49. Cute! I love the California necklace and I've been wanting one :)

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  50. Wonderful blog!^^
    HI! my name's martina and I come from Italy... I'd like you visit my blog and if you want... follow me! I wait you and your tips! kiss kiss :D

    marti
    Glamour Marmalade
    http://www.glamourmarmalade.blogspot.com/

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  51. i want some florida in my life. and some texas as well in the future. i'm proud to have come from (and be going to) such easily recognizable states. (:

    thanks for the links! you make the shopping so easy.

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