Designer Spotlight: Queen Bee Jewelry

What types of characteristics must a jewelry collection have to be worn by the Vice President's wife, celebrities, and and our country's beauty rep?

Queen Bee Designs is a fantastic jewelry collection by Allison Priebe Brooks of Alexandria, Virginia. Allison's unique pieces are have been/are worn by top news anchors, celebrities, Miss America, and even Lynne Cheney!-- so they must be fabulous. Queen Bee Designs has been featured on Good Morning America, in the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazines, Lucky, and Women's Wear Daily.
So who is Allison Brooks of Alexandria, Virginia?


Allison Priebe Brooks was born and raised in Northern Virginia. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in Journalism with a minor in Political Science! Smart girl! Allison decided to work in the United States Senate, wow. About three years later, she quit working for United States Senator Max Cleland because she was not enjoying her job.


Next was the step that created the life she is living now. Allison enrolled in studio art classes at the Smithsonian, which is an amazing museum in Washington D.C. if you are not familiar, and she learned to craft her own jewelry! Suddenly, people wanted to buy her handmade jewelry that she wore on her neck. This was when Allison decided to start her own business and it has become a very successful venture. Mrs. Brooks lives with her hubby and daughter, McClain, just outside of Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia.


I really enjoy finding wonderful designers. My last favorites were Stacey Lapidus (my first blog post), Alberta di Ferretti, and this other one I can't remember at the moment. My memory is escaping me! I'm so young! No!


I love most of her necklaces, whether they are from the Fun & Funky or the 9-5 Working Girl Collections! Take a look at some of my faves:



Don't you just ADORE these? I do. These gorgeous necklaces are not too pricey either. Around $45-90 for some. Lower or higher, give or take. Leave me a comment!
xoxo, Johannah

OH GOODNESS: Old Navy

I went shopping to check out some shops for you! Alright, look below. The gray shirt I am holding up is actually black, but the flash of the camera made it look brighter. The shirt is adorable, basic but with added cuteness because of the squarish sleeves, softness, and clingy-ness!! The shorts are super short and the buttons are uber cute :-) They are
total sailor shorts. Very nautical. My model Katie bought these shorts. Wear these fun shorts with a tucked in white blouse to show off the brass buttons or with a flowy top!

FLIP FLOPS at Old Navy are two for $5.00! My favorite colors are yellow and light pink. They are selling quickly at this location. My friends bought a couple pairs. This picture does not show it, but Old Navy had a turquoise pair.. I want them!!

I love this pink stone necklace on the golden chain. The colors are so pretty and the necklace reminds me of a gypsy with all her stones and jewels hanging off of her fingers and bracelets. Just wearing this necklace with a plain, solid colored shirt accents the outfit. This necklace is so chic and free-hanging - careless and beautiful at the same time.

The gray blouse is uber feminine. The ruffles are tres chic! This is not a very good picture, because it washes out the color. I'd wear this girly top with dark jeans and some killer heels!
These dresses are an example of how cute and cheap clothes can be at Old Navy. These dresses were just under $30.00.
Here is a mannaquin wearing a cute dress, but look at the necklace! The pink/gold stone necklace is accenting the dress. The gold chain is matching the gold hem and top part of the dress.
This halter is very cool and only about $12.00! My friend bought this striped halter and then afterwards we were in a jewerly shop and we saw another girl wearing the same one! I would wear it, but stripes are not the most flattering pattern. I opt for solid colors. I'm craving some pretty pink blouses this summer!!

Jewelry Cravings... Again!

Kari Earrings from Forever21.com. These earrings look so antique-y, so intricate and old. I think they would look great with my wavy, brown hair. I think these are cute & chic for the vintage look. (only $4.80!)

SIMPLY GORGEOUS. I love how the flower is positioned at the bottom of the teardrop. Enamel teardrop earrings from Banana Republic. I adore these earrings very much. ($29)

This is the Resin-bead necklace from Banana Republic. I first saw this pretty necklace in People magazine, but it was in blue. I don't mind this color, but the turquoise blue was stunning. ($38)

Faceted stone necklace from Banana Republic.

I am in love for two reasons: there is black in this necklace... and pink and I don't think that this necklace is obnoxious. I think this necklace is classy on the gold chain. ($59)

I find this ring to be so amusing. I would wear it just because it is hilarious and self-centered. Haha. This is the fabulous ring from Claire's ($4.50) Had to share this with you.

A-dor-a-ble. Tarina Tarantino at chickdowntown.com.

Comes in vibrant colors: yellow, pink, red (very cute), orange, and purple. ($25)
CC SKYE - 3 Stud Cuff on Red. I love the rocker feeling of these bands with the three golden toned studs. I would mix this with something girly, but it would have to be the perfect mix of feminine and rocker. ($206) Thats it for now at least. I don't want to fill the entire page with cute jewels. xoxo Jo

Necklace Cravings... Agh!

GUYS, WE HAVE A CRISIS ON HAND. I am newly in love with two necklaces, if not more.
I'd like to tell you about them to relieve the stress. I hope you know by now this is not really a crisis, I am totally fine. Here goes:

I LOVE...

DINA MACKNEY Sky blue topaz pendant, set in gold vermeil, on tumbled apatite briolette necklace. Don't even ask me what that means, but this necklace is gorgeous. If you know me, then you know I love big, shiny, but still in good taste pendants and other jewelery. This lovely necklace costs $598.00.
Photo Credit: Nordstrom Online
Alright, I also want this gorgeous, simple necklace...
I can't find a picture of it, but it is a wooden heart on a golden chain, with a small golden insignia on it. It is Bazz by Thea Grant. If you read Teen Vogue, you can see it on page 170, right smack on the left side of the page. It is simply gorgeous, and it looks somewhat like an era necklace which makes me go gahhh for it! xoxo, Johannah

Do you have any necklaces you are crazy for or that you bought because you couldn't stop coming back to visit it at the store?!