Amourouse with these pretty bows!

I adore these pretty satin unmentionables by Amourouse... fully sweet and yet slightly naughty. With Valentine's day just around the corner, these adorable little sets are a perfect way to wrap yourself up like a giant present. 

Have a lovely weekend! xo

pouring pastels

Lately I feel like pastels have been popping up all over. And while they might be unexpected colors for winter, here are a few items that are not only happily colored, but cool weather worthy.

{1. Bauble Bar, Sea-Foam Cable Necklace 2. Heart Shaped Umbrella 3. Dries Van Noten, Rowit Trench Coat 4. Chocolate Dutch Mints 5. Wegner Chair in Lilac 6. Cococozy, Cane Throw 7. Balenciage, Giant City in Wisteria 8. Essie, Mint Candy Apple 9. Hunter Rain Boot in Candy Pink}

Haus is in the House

First of all, I am so sorry for my lack of posts as of lately. I've been super overwhelmed with design work on several new projects. I wish I had something to share, but they are completely under wraps for now. As soon as I have something to show trust me you'll be the first to know.

Alright, now that that's out of the way, here's a bit of wonderful design from a new to LA store, Haus Interior. You may remember that gorgeous chevron pattern from their New York store (it was on the floor), it made it's rounds over the blogosphere a few months ago. Well, owner/designer, Nina Freudenberger, decided to open her interior design office/boutique just around the corner from my home about a month ago. I'm so excited... I already spot so many little gems that I NEED to own. And I'm so happy to know that they carry DwellStudio, which I have been obsessing over ever since they launched their new furniture line. 

Press For Champagne

I friend of mine recently mentioned this fabulous London restaurant named Bob Bob Ricard, that has a button at each table that is simply marked 'press for champagne'. I immediately had to look it up, and I fell in love with what I saw. The bold mixed patterns in monochromatic shades of blue with polished brass trims and lush velvet curtains are all to die for. But that button just kills me. I'm thinking of having one installed at my desk for those nights I stay up late working away and need a little pick-me-up. 

Delightfully Deco

Lately I've been on a bit of a deco kick... and in LA there is tons of it to inspire me on a daily basis. Here are a few of my favorite contemporary pieces with a hint of the 20's. 

{1. F. Scott Fitzgerald books designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith 2. Waylande Gregory Studios, Black Grid Tray 3. Hollywood Pendant Light from Rejuvenation 4. All Saints, Paloma Dress 5. Charbonnel ET Walker Marc de Champagne Truffles 6. Charlotte Olympia, Origami Pumps 7. Deco Bed from DwellStudio 8. Miss Selfridge, Black Pleated Turban 9. JewelMint, Bombshell bracelet (don't forget to enter to win this or one of many other JewelMint pieces here)}

{giveaway} JewelMint

I know I've been a bit slow on the blogging lately, but I'm more than making up for it today... I'm thrilled to announce the first giveaway of 2012 with JewelMint. JewelMint is a collaboration between stylist Cher Coulter and fashion icon Kate Bosworth. Members sign up, take a style quiz and then receive a new custom selection of jewelry every month handpicked by Cher, Kate, and the JewelMint team... and the best part is each piece is just $29.99 (it's totally free to join and you're free to skip any month free of charge). The winner of this giveaway will receive not one, not two, but THREE pieces from JewelMint of their choice. How fabulous is that?!?

To Enter visit JewelMint, you can sign-in via Twitter or Facebook, or by providing an e-mail address. Once you take the style quiz you’ll be directed to your “showroom” full of recommended pieces. Then just leave a comment here letting me know your favorite pieces on the site.

For bonus entries you can follow Life's Little Jems on Twitter or Facebook. If you do any of the bonus entries just add a note in your comment to let me know.

Entries must be posted by this Monday, January 16th at 11:59pm PST*, and one winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!!!

Just in case you don't win, but you're still dying for that special little gem, StyleMint is offering 50% off your first piece through 1/31/12 using promo code 'JEMS'. Good Luck!

UPDATE: Congrats to Sarah B. for being the lucky winner of three Jewel Mint gems of her choice!

Our Paper Shop

You may remember these lovely knit bows I posted a while back from Emmadime... Well Emma has now joined forces with Bre Radermacher to create Our Paper Shop; a collaborative online store that focuses on all things paper. I love all their pretty little cards and stamps... but this calendar is just beyond. Appropriately named The Seasons Calendar, there are photos taken by Laura Dart  to perfectly capture the year. So Sweet!

Happy Friday... and I'll see you here next week!

lovely lucite

While driving to a job site a few weeks ago I stumbled upon a fantastic store filled with lucite. Ironically, a few days later I met the owner at a Hanukkah party... small world, eh? Here are just a few of the pieces I'm coveting from HStudio... but go take a look, because if it's fantastic lucite pieces your looking for, they are filled to the brim. Oh, and they can do custom... dying.

And be sure to check out my January Houzz Ideabook for more lovely lucite pieces. 

Lady Liberty... She's come a long way!

Happy 2012... I'm finally back! Sorry it took so long, but better late then never right?! I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I wish I could say I spent mine relaxing and taking some time off, but that just wasn't the case. It's been busier than ever over at J.Marx Atelier, and I'm so excited to be working on so many new projects that I adore. You may remember this little project I blogged about back in September called Lady Liberty. Well, she's almost complete and I love the way this little sandwich shop/lobby turned out. Minus a few minor bits that are in progress, like the hand written chalkboard, gallery art wall, and copper bistro chairs she's as good as done. I'm so proud of this little gem and as soon as all those last little bits are in I'll take some better photos to share with you.

{photos by Roy Marx}

Merry Everything, Happy Always!

This past year has brought about so many unbelievably amazing life changes... I started my own design business, worked on some amazing projects, got published in Rue Magazine, opened up an etsy shoppe, and made some amazing friends and connections along the way. If you told me a year ago that all these things would have happened, I never would have believed it. Yet, here I am slightly older, hopefully wiser, unfortunately not taller, proving that dreams do come true. It's been a wild ride, and I've enjoyed every single minute of it. I feel so blessed to have the love and support of my wonderful family, friends, and above all my loving husband to help me through it all, I couldn't have done it without them. Looking back, 2011 was completely life changing, I learned a lot about myself and my abilities. I took a giant leap of faith and I'm so grateful to have landed with both feet on the ground. I'm going to take a week or so off from blogging to focus my energy on wrapping up a few projects and dive into some amazing new ones. I can't wait to share all the exciting news. In the mean time here are a few festive favorites to take you into the new year. See you in 2012!

Thank you to all the loyal fans and readers out there. Lots of laughter, love, and happiness to you and yours.  ~ xoxo Jess

{Number Balloons, Party Horn Bouquet, Crystal Piñata-Gold, Frangos Blue Crystal Cocktail Ring, Miu Miu Drop Earrings, Rare Opulence Feather/Satin Bustier Dress, Moreno Rose Prive, Tom Ford Lipstick in True Coral, Orrefors Wine Glass by Karl Lagerfeld, Deborah Lippmann Polish in Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Zara Sequin Wallet, Charlotte Olympia Paloma Pumps, Kelly Wearstler Brass Kaleidoscope}

Warriors... Come out to play!

Loving these sexy little numbers from Camilla Skovgaard. They look like the are ready to battle it out fashion style... whose side are you on??

La Maison

How gorgeous are these suites designed by Martin Margiela for La Miason | Champs-Élysées? The public spaces are just as fabulous. I love the elegantly simple decor with abstracted historical touches reflecting it's Parisian surroundings. I'll just add it to the list of places I need to stay in Paris. 

Happy Hanukkah!

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah... so here are a few festive pieces to get me in the holiday mood.

{1. Jonathan Adler, Peacock Menorah 2. Libi Earings by Kendra Scott 3. Peacock Glitter Boxes 4. Jelly Donut 5. YSL, Gold Tribute Pump 6. Chocolate Gelt 7. Matthew Williamson, Clutch 8. Jonathan Adler, Acrylic Dreidel 9. Ralph Lauren, Patty Dress}

The Strange Planet

I love having little friends chilling at my desk to keep me company while I work all day. Currently I have a family of brass owls and a pair of giraffes. I'm thinking I need to add one of these little bright, happy, gold guys from The Good Machinery to my crew. So Cute!

Take a Deep Breath

So, I'm going to be honest with you... these past few weeks have been completely nuts. I'm working on a ton of new projects that require my full attention, all day, all the time. As thankful and grateful as I am to have all this work it's a bit hard to keep it all organized. I make lists for everything, and when I say everything I mean it. But sometimes I forget to do the most basic exercises... like breath. I often find myself holding my breath and clenching my jaw. And while I realize those are serious signs of stress, I don't see it going away any time soon. So, perhaps in the mean time I could hang this lovely little print from Evajuliet over my desk to remind me to breath.

Go here to see some of my recent work, and here to own your own little gem.

Have a lovely relaxing weekend... I know I'll try my best to take a little time for myself.