On this week's Giveaway Live, I was live from Barcelona — which meant a very exciting morning edition for me, mid-vacation, still hanging on by a thread in the best way. Before we got into styling, I had two things to share: first, a very special gift with purchase is launching and if you're signed up for email or SMS, you get first access to shop at midnight before everyone else — because you all know how fast things sell out around here. Second, we're giving back in other ways: comment your summer plans, tag a friend you want to do something with this season, and you're in it to win some jewelry.
Then came the big reveal — our new Gift With Purchase, a baby Venice necklace called the Ashley Topanga Necklace. It's tiny but mighty: it features a She's An Icon bead, the Rodeo Ashley cuff bead, and a little Heiress set bead, all on a faceted ball chain. If you've got any Melinda Maria pieces already, this one's designed to tie everything together.
From there, it was time for my favorite part — inviting real people live and building them a stack.
Karina, from San Diego, joined us with her summer already in motion. We built her a look around the Ashley Topanga necklace, the Jaguar Bolo Lariat necklace, the Multi-Stone Tennis necklace, and the Hello Grogeous earrings and she chose to gift a Zodiac Lariat necklace to a friend she's grateful for. Her advice: after turning 50, stop being afraid of things that scare you, and remember that kindness costs you nothing.
Kristen, from Southern Utah, joined us after just missing me on a store visit a while back — so this call was our chance to finally connect. We styled her in the Ashley Topanga necklace, the Jaguar Bolo, the fan-favorite David Ring a good classic Not Your Basic Tennis necklace the Tessa necklace and lastly a pair of diamond earrings. Her advice: keep a gratitude journal, especially through the harder stretches, so you can look back and see how far you've come.
Kas (Crystal Ann Sims), a medically retired police officer, brought so much warmth to her call. We styled her in the Jaguar Bolo worn long, a stacked Not Your Basic tennis necklace, layered diamond earrings, and a Zodiac necklace for her. Her advice: lean on faith and the power of prayer.
Styling Tips From this Giveaway Live
- Layer a mini piece above its full-size counterpart. The Ashley Topanga necklace was styled sitting just above the regular Ashley Venice necklace for an easy, built-in layered look.
- A bolo or lariat style can be worn multiple ways. The Jaguar Bolo was shown adjusted short as a choker and long in a serpent-style drape — one piece, several looks.
- When stacking earrings, dedicate one ear to drama and one to balance. A styling formula from the video: two pairs stacked on one ear, with a single ear cuff (or two) on the other side for contrast rather than symmetry.
Why We Do This
These lives always end up being about more than jewelry. On this one alone, we heard a handful of genuinely good pieces of life advice, from three women with three completely different lives. Giveaway Live exists because those conversations deserve a moment in the spotlight too. If a stack of necklaces gives us a reason to slow down and really listen to someone, that's worth doing every single time.
