Becoming Carmen

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Rocking Very Peri with Linjer’s Isle of Paradise Collection

In case you’ve missed it, the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2022 is Very Peri. The electrically-charged purple is inspired by virtual dimensions and is meant to foster boldness and creativity.

There’s a reason why purple is out of my comfort zone and far from being a coveted colour in my wardrobe. It didn’t bode well with a serious tan and made my skin look sallow; it’s easy to fall into the pitfall of looking either dated or clownish. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to experiment with something new. By leaning into contemporary shades like lilac and lavender, I’ve found that the warm undertones in my skin can just about get away with wearing purple.

I first dabbled in gold vermeil pieces several years ago, when I started wearing jewellery daily and was frustrated by how regular plated pieces would dull quickly. Your ultrasonic cleaner may be able to remove grime or dirt, but there’s only so much it can do – and that does not include replating your tarnished jewellery.

As a result, I started looking into gold vermeil (read: vehr-may) pieces that wouldn’t break the bank. Named after the Norwegian word for “lines”, Linjer (read: liin-yir) uses a direct-to-consumer model to offer quality pieces at an affordable price. Their gold vermeil uses 14K gold to achieve a golden hue that’s rich and warm without coming across as tawdry. These are pieces that will last for a long time with proper care, so no showering or dipping into the sea with your jewellery, please. If you’re not familiar with gold vermeil, Linjer also has a fabulous article with everything you need to know about it. 

This month’s gorgeous statement ring is from Linjer’s latest drop, the Isle of Paradise collection. Inspired by summer and wanderlust, the collection features jewelled tones in necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

During these trying times, it’s important to maintain a sense of inner calm and take care of yourself. After all, you cannot give from an empty cup. The Window to my Soul Ring in deep lavender does just that – every time I look down at my hands, I see a reminder to be present and feel a little boost of sass that tugs at the corner of my mouth. The ring’s simple bezel setting and soft curves take its boldness down a notch, making the pop of colour easy to style for everyday wear.

The more subtle (but just as lovely) Elisa Ring flashes beautifully under the sun. And true to its name, the rainbow moonstone takes on an almost iridescent sparkle. It emanates a bohemian touch and I can already picture wearing it with whites and other dainty rings – the possibilities are endless!

My trick for tackling unfamiliar territory is to mix in abstract shapes with similar tones.

In true Y2K fashion, I opted for hand-drawn swirls and sparkles over a nude base. Nudes come in a range of tones, so pick one that goes with your colour palette. For example, this nail set features a pale mauve to match the lilac tones, whereas this set features a light peach to blend into the pinks and reds.

The accent nails are mermaid powder over a smudged bluish base with holographic stars on top. Mermaid powder looks brilliant on its own, but a coloured base brings out its iridescent sheen and ties it in with other colours. Better yet, go for a smudged base rather than a solid colour to add dimension and depth.

By now, I’ve been staring at my nails for a whole day. I feel like perhaps purple and I are ready to be friends and tackle some outfits? I hope you’re up for more!

Editor’s note: Linjer’s rings fit TTS. Hong Kong is hot and my knuckles tend to swell up during the day, therefore I wear the same size in all pictured pieces. That being said, thinner bands sized down would make great stacking options for the ring or pinky finger, and if they start to slip, you can always switch them over to your non-dominant hand.

Wearing Linjer:

Window to my Soul Ring in deep lavender (c/o)

Elisa Rainbow Moonstone Ring (c/o)

Heidi Mother of Pearl Ring

Nora V Ring

Siri Wrap Ring


A special thank you to Linjer for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


So… What Do You Think?

Which ring is your favourite? Or maybe you prefer sterling silver jewellery.

Either way, let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear what you have in mind!

If you’re located in Hong Kong and are looking for someone who can draw fairly quickly or offer home service, I can also share my manicurist’s details upon request.


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