For many years, I was attached to a grey knit Kangol beanie that I bought on the Upper West Side while visiting my now sister-in-law in NYC. This beloved beanie has long, dangling straps and a faux fur applique’ on top and crowning the face. Everyone made fun of it, but it made me feel cozy and over time became what I called my “thinking cap.” There was close to a whole year that I wore it nearly every single day in Los Angeles.

I decided this year it was time for a new thinking cap. I was ready for a more colorful one. I wanted to find one that captures the joy, excitement and color in my life. The Dalai Beanie from Odd Molly fit the bill (shown in the picture above)! The old one, while deeply loved, was reminiscent of a different, and quite honestly darker, time in my life. So, if you see me on the street in a crazy colorful hat and it is not especially freezing (I do live in Santa Barbara), just know that I must be deep in thought!

*N.B.: For other colors and styles, visit Fitts and Company, a true Odd Molly lover’s heaven!

I was given the challenge today to design an all “Eco” collection. When asked, I responded that I thought I could do something that was approximately 98% “green,” which would include vintage glass, charms, recycled paper & repurposed items. I am working on finding recycled content wire and elastic, but was unable to do it in the time that I had been given to design this little collection. In the end, I was excited about the result! The new pieces should be up on our website soon. So check back soon…

I also designed another, almost 100% repurposed piece for the Greenpoints element of the Community Environmental Council’s Green Gala on Friday, October 8th. Greenpoints prizes, such as our one-of-a-kind Adesso custom “green” piece, will go to those who arrive by hybrid car or carpool, or who have made other energy-saving home improvements in the past year. The greener one lives, the more chances to win great prizes. The Green Gala, planned by Merryl Brown Events, is going to be an amazing event! For more information, visit the Community Environmental Council’s website.

Photo by Lisa Field-Elliot

The lovely and sweet Christel and Larry Rogero of Frog Creek Farm in Upper Ojai opened their beautiful lavender farm up to us for part of our Spring 2011 photo shoot. Their property is a dream. We all became so relaxed smelling the lavender for hours that we almost had to curl up and take a nap. We would have slept had there not been thousands of bees swarming around and doing their jobs so well.

Thank you, Larry and Christel. Our morning at your home was a treat!

Photos by Richard Salas, Ask Photography

Adesso’s Zodiac bracelets feature wood beads, Swarovski crystal rounds in the color of one’s birthstone and brass charms that were designed in the 1940’s. We were lucky enough to find these great charms and have them re-stamped.

We are currently running a special on Zodiac Bracelets on our website. We have had people buy them for their own, children’s or grandchildren’s birthdays! They make great gifts!

Enter ZODIAC30 and save 30% on this collection through October 15, 2010.

Carrie Ann Inaba

Anne Heche and James Tupper

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Teri Polo

Photos by WireImage

I struggled a bit to find inspiration for Adesso’s Spring 2011 collection. My deadline was fast approaching. One day on the phone, my mom said bluntly, “You live in Santa Barbara. Your backyard should be inspiration enough.” And so it was. My dear friend, Anne Van de Water’s blooming succulent garden, peacock feather wall arrangement and amethyst collection opened the creative floodgates. A visit with my interior designer friend, Liberty Hanson of Covet Interiors, to Lotusland, our local gem of an estate with 17 unique garden spaces, pools and endless walking paths lined with recycled glass, offered another wave of ideas, shapes and textures.

I soon became inspired by my family’s own spring garden, the view of the ocean I drive by every day on the freeway (yes, we are lucky here in Santa Barbara) and mountains that lie gently above us. The result is a mix of beautiful blues and greens, bright yellows, oranges and pinks with metal accents. The Spring 2011 collection features an array of vintage glass, metals and stones from all over the world, but represents the beauty of the place I now call home.

Stay tuned for the Spring 2011 look book, which features the sweet and gorgeous Shannon Decker, styling by Amanda Nicole Lee, makeup and hair by the talented Donna Gast, the incredible photography of Lisa Field-Elliot and graphic design by Tays Spencer of Shake Design. I feel lucky to be surrounded by and working with such talented, creative women.