HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Love always, xoxo

For the past year, I’ve been wanting to share a personal story.  So here is goes: I am Canadian and my Mom, Nancy, was American.  Growing up, we took frequent trips to visit her family in Texas.  We had good times filled with warm weather, tons of Mexican food, church visits and shopping.  Each time, she always brought me to her favourite store: James Avery Jewelry.  I’ve been wearing one of their simple silver crosses for the past 18 years.

I wanted to share a little bit of the history from their website:

“Then craftsman James Avery opened his garage workshop back in 1954, he established a standard of doing all things well. A tradition continued today, the iconic Avery style is achieved through meaningful design and skilled craftsmanship. Careful consideration and attention to detail goes into everything we create. Our jewelry is made to last and be enjoyed by you for years to come.”

Or in my case, generations to come.  When my Mom passed away last February at the young age of 57, my family and I headed to Texas to say goodbye and collect some of her things.  My mom’s husband showed up to the church with a James Avery bag, full of their signature orange boxes and jewelry.  I knew that she loved James Avery but I had no idea how much.  And now these rings and necklaces belong to my brothers and I.  They are the most precious things that I have to remember her by and they have now become family heirlooms that we will one day pass on.

A couple years before she died, she sent me a charm bracelet in the mail from James Avery with three charms.  She included a letter and a catalogue explaining that she wanted me to start my own bracelet but that “it was a work in progress”.  When I returned to Texas last year, I drove to one of their stores and made a decision that although she started this bracelet for me, I wanted to finish it as a tribute to us and the things that we both loved: music, books, ladybugs and of course, Texas.  It was something that we made together in life and in death.

Through my photos, James Avery miraculously found me on Instagram and after sharing my story, I struck up a friendship with someone special from their company.  She was gracious enough to feature the photo of my charm bracelet in their new Valentine’s Love catalogue.  When I received mine in the mail last week, I cried when I saw it.  My Mom would have thought it was just so neat that our favourite jeweller recognized us.

I wanted to feature a couple of new pieces from the catalogue.  The script initial rings in “x” and in “o” and the Flowing “Love” Hook-on bracelet… the perfect pieces for Valentine’s Day.  Their new line dedicated to Love is just so meaningful, whether is signifies the love of a spouse, parent, or child, it resonates with everyone.  My mom always ended her letters in “Love always, Mom xoxo” so these sterling silver pieces are just another little daily reminder of her.

Valentine’s Day has a new meaning for me, as it was the very last time I ever spoke to my Mom. If you’re looking for something timeless and special to add to your jewellery collection please got to: www.jamesavery.com 

xoxo,

Kiki

Shop the details: Script Initial Rings / Love bracelet / Nails: Flamingo TruShine Gel with Pop of Hearts and Love Letters nail wraps