The Boudoir Exchange

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Draped in Junk!

HELLO! Its been a while! Volo's Boudoir/ EXV has been EXTREMELY BUSY! But that is a wonderful thing! Blessings are pouring out from the heavens, and we count you, the Volonian as one of them!

The one task that Volo has been MAD busy with? Getting DRAPED IN JUNK! Oodles of pearls, glistening sparkling charms, customized to your life, your liking, your personality! Your Junk! While every one finds inspiration in many different places and all things. At least, that's what I think. It is what I know to be true. One thing that I have always had a "thing" for is JUNK! NO.. I'm not on any hoarders type missions or anything, but junk in the way of just, all this good stuff, piled up on top of each other... making one good heap of a thing. Then I started to look around my work space, I had a lot of that going on!

I found inspiration was in a veteran in the fashion world. Funky, innovative and out of box with her designs, Betsy Johnson is the style maven that set my wheels into motion! If you are familiar with Betsy you know, she is notorious for having the best charm bracelets/necklaces and earrings. Rhinestone encrusted pigs with wings, cows with pink crowns, skulls with pearls for eyes! All very different, unique.

While her charmed items are very quirky and fun, they where also expensive. I'm a frugal girl so I set out on a challenge to see if I could in some way make something just as awesome. Maybe with a few more charms and accents, and possibly have it more affordable for my customers and fan base.
Volo's Boudoir/ EXV is sold at a local boutique here in STL,Boutique Pink. Myself and Owner/ Designer Roshay Griffin, an avid BJ supporter, put our heads together and came up with some of the first models of the Jewelrie Junkie necklace and earring sets. Once Volonians saw, they desired a chunky with their own spin to it! Reflecting themselves and what they loved. These necklaces are sold exclusively there as well as by custom order with myself here at Volo/EXV!.. I think I figured something out... but I'm no judge, you tell me!

Collage of various "Junkies" that have been made and sold!

This is one "Junkie" is a custom order for a real jewelry queen!

Collage of various "Junkies" that have been made and sold!

This "junkie" belongs to an avid Volonian, Melissa! While she wanted hunk of "junk", just small pieces of junk! Your wish is my comand!


Close up of the very first "Junkie" Sold at Boutique Pink. She was called "NATTY'S DAY OUT"

"Natty's Day out"

Custom silver "JUNKIE"

Close up of Bronze metal necklace, still junkie and its ABOUT TIME!

Bronze metal necklace

Volo in silver junkie- which later was sold- right off her neck!

Lets work together!

Volo in custom gold "junkie"

Classic black and white themed "junkie" bracelet

Each necklace and bracelet comes with mitch match post earrings, such as shown above. Ruby red rhinestone lips and a curt yellow rhinestone bow, where the pair for this beaut!


Donielle Washington- Owner of Chameleon Fab Boutique wearing her custom "Junkie". She has declared it is part of her boutique work uniform- what an HONOR!


Bartender, club themed junkie for a loyal and beautiful Volonian, Asher de!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

"Love Thy Neighbor..."

Happy Sunday! One of the commandments that thankfully, I am able to keep! My neighbor is awesome. PERIOD.She comes faithfully every day gets my dog, Versace, makes sure he is well taken care of and fed and played with and loved. Looks out for me when she knows I am getting off work late and keeps me upt to date with neighborhood as well as world events. In Spring, she cuts roses from her bushes and places then in water on the kitchen counter for me. A delight to see when I come home! In summer, she sits out front with her 2 german shephards and Versace, and has a fresh bucket o' margarita for me, after a long days' work. She is old enough to remember every person in the neighborhood, and young enough to understand hair weave, today's fashion and how life is now.
When she comes to get the pup each day, she can't help but to see all the jewelry laid out on my dining room table and strewn on the couch. We've often talked about thrifting and i have alwys expressed my love of things old and new. Luckily, she has turned in her heels for comfort and sweats and one evening after a few Manhattans, (her favorite drink) and gave me all her old costume jewelry from the 60's,70's, and 80's. You already know, I was smiling so hard my face hurt all night! Below, you will find some of the jewelry that she gave me. I thank God He has given me a wonderful neighbor, and a friend. Making it so easy to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR!

Double chain rose and chain tassel necklace

Close up of the rose and tassel

Rhinestone encrusted Rose and double circle pendants

Vintage pearls- 2 sets


Don't see clasps like that much any more!

4 way and metal tab necklace

Mixed stones necklace- long

Bamboo, chain and mixed bead necklace- long

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Bold, BANGIN' Bangles: Wrist Candy!- Spring/Summer fashion 2012

SOOOOO... i guess what people say is right. In all things bad, something good must come out of it! Today, while sitting in the waiting room at the dentists office, I began to surf through the millions of magazines that they had set out in the normal "fan" array. To my delight, they had Essence, People, InTouch, and a few others. And while I sat there, in sheer and utter pain, I had no choice but to smile at the predicted spring and summer 2012 trend that is creeping up on us! Bangles, arm candy, wrist bling- all of the above!
Sure, while some like to go with less, but if you're asking me? Pile 'em on, stack them deep! stack them tall! The more the bracelets the better life is. Choosing different textures, colors and sizes, and hap-hazardly placing them on the wrist, can easily take a simple top or sweater/ dress and turn it into something so cute, and unique. Now, some days yes, its harder for me to put my coat on cause of the multitude and change in the sizes,shapes and textures seem to get in the way,but - in my opinion that only proves I've done something right that day!
In the midst of making mental notes of all the awesome trends i was able to spy in the magazines, the receptionist called me back, so I could being my appointment, and GET OUT OF PAIN FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL- HOPEFULLY! As soon as i took off my jacket, she exclaimed, " OH! I remember you! You had on an arm full of bangles the last time you where here!!!" I smiled through the pain, and muttered, " Yeah, thanks They're my staple... where's the novacaine?" It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it- and if its YOU! I just know.. you're wearing it well!

Be sure to visit www.iamvolo.com to view all the new arrivals of stackable bangles to add to your boudoir!

summer and having fun!

at the jazz loft in stl, a night club... and there to have fun with my dear sissy paula for her bday! olive green is and has been a fav color of mine since i was a small child

on lunch at work, chillin in the car- magic was jamming and so was i! in my bangles!

at cheesecake factory on a nice afternoon! the ensemble was a cut off top that read "love in the city" in sequins*love sequins* and i matched it with a sequin vest and some denim trouser shorts from my fav- kmart !and heels. fun and comfortable!


chocolate truffles which are displayed proudly on facebeook! handmade by myself!


after work, grabbing some chiness before heading home! being goofy and snapped a pic of me and my staple!

casual dinner date! simple top- but i added some mixed metal feather earrings & bangles with mixed metals and some gray to help add a lil something extra!


In route to see lil' jilly from philly and anthony hamilton this past end of summer with some gal pals!*

The inspiration for my bangles was the beading on the shoulders of my top. Though all my bangles where not beaded, some where sequined. I just used the colors. *Love the yellow nails!*

Again here, i just used the colors that where in the shirt- as always- TEAM VOLO!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Sharing makes caring... and FREE STUFF!!!

Any one that is familiar with Volo (Dawn) knows that I love to give... give my time, my money, my creativity, the shirt off my back (well after ive washed it..) but I love to give! My parents taught me at a very young age, that old saying, "charity beings at home and spreads abroad" and like most times, they where right!
Free. Three letter word. Most people like it. Everybody wants it! Especially if its a good free at that! Each week Volo's Boudoir/ EXV plans to give away at the very least 3 gifts to the subscribers of this post. Be it gift certificates to www.iamvolo.com, gift cards to popular restaurants, shoppes and vendors, jewelry products straight from www.iamvolo.com, as well as seasonal items that involve up and coming holidays and events! And seeing that there are currently 2, their odds are way better than yours!
So please, subscribe to this blog, The Boudoir Exchange, and secure your chance to win free products, as well as keep up with the progress of Volo's Boudoir/ EXV, as well as fashion tips, other promotions and giveaways, coupons, and all things relating to the world, according to this girl! Thank you for subscribing!! And as always....Team VOLO!

P.S. DONT FORGET TO TELL A FRIEND!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

A passionate past time! Thrifting!

Since I was a small child, my parents both, made going to the Goodwill, Salvation Army, Veteran Village, etc. a coveted trip. Now, since I am grown, I see more and more "glorified" vintage shops. It's a wonderful thing! To have the masses embrace the threads of another time to breathe new life into them and rock them once more!
This past Wednesday, I was able to score a day off from work, and go thrifting for a bit. I was in heaven at Value Village. I read some of the reviews on Google and the four that I read said that this thrift store was "high". I had to be the judge of that. The quality? Awesome! My fellow patrons? Elderly and hilarious! It's always fun to shop with a mature crowd. I over herad one lady saying to her gray haired gal pal, " Look! they've got Tommy Hilfiger jeans...mmm these never go out of style!" I peaked through the clothes on the rack, and saw that they where holding up "The Tommys" that had the white Tommy signature down the side of the leg and the big red and white patch on the back pocket. Again, they say the darndest things!The prices?: EXCEPTIONAL. Orange tickets where 50% off, while Yellow tickets where 75% off! Take a look at the deals that I nabbed!This is the location that I visisted.

Value Village Thrift Department