Alex and Ani is a new Macaroni Kid sponsor. Yay! I was recently given an e-gift card to spend at Alex and Ani, so that I could review their products. Double-yay! I had a hard time choosing just ONE piece of jewelry from their collection…so I chose two. :o) After all, Alex and Ani bangles are meant to be stacked. I couldn’t very well comment on their stackableness without buying at least two pieces. Not to mention that Alex and Ani is all about sharing your message, and just one message would not be nearly as fun as, well, more than one.
Alex and Ani bangles are like a modern-day, hip twist on charm bracelets. I remember my mom had a charm bracelet from her high schools days. When I was a little girl I would take it out of her jewelry box and ask her to tell me the stories behind all of the charms. I still have that bracelet, but it’s not something I wear…partly because it’s not an expression of myself and my experiences.
To start my Alex and Ani bangle collection (which will definitely be expanding…and yes, I’ve dropped hints), I chose the June Birthstone Charm Bangle and the Montana Blue Intuition Sacred Studs Bangle. June is my birth month, and not only do I love the purply-pink color of my birthstone (amethyst), but I love the Alex and Ani description that accompanies this bangle: “A protective amulet, June's light amethyst is used as a guard against fear and uncertainty. Signifying courage and empowerment, wear light amethyst as a symbol of confidence.” Who wouldn't want that?? The Montana Blue stone in my Sacred Studs bangle is really pretty, kind of a sparkly denim-blue color, and symbolizes dedication, intuition, and kindness, three qualities about which I'm happy to have a visual reminder. So anytime anyone compliments me or asks about my “charmed arms,” they get an earful of my stories. But it’s in a good way. :o)
So, as I’ve said, I’ve been dropping hints and I’m pretty sure my husband knows that Alex and Ani bangles would make great Mother’s Day gifts for the moms in his life - i.e., his mom and, ahem, *me*, mom of his kids. Because there are some charms that just don’t carry the same message if you buy them for yourself…charms like Hand in Hand, Whole Heart, Mom, and My Other Half, to name a few. When football season comes around again, I may have to treat myself to Broncos and Penn State bangles for my collection. And so on, and so on…
Alex and Ani jewelry is available in a variety of finishes, from shiny silver- or gold-plated to matte sliver or gold. When stacking a bunch of bangles on your wrist, you can combine silver and gold, and it looks pretty awesome. Or you can stick with one metal if that's your style; I'm a silver girl, myself. Also, the bangles are expandable to fit all different sizes. I have teeny-tiny wrists, and the bangles fit me perfectly, plus they expand to fit other wrist sizes. So, in this case, one size really does fit all. Alex and Ani products are handcrafted in the USA, and each comes in a cute little gift box with a description card.
In addition to bangles, Alex and Ani offers necklaces, earrings, rings, and more. I’m sure everything is equally as fabulous as their bangles are.
