A Little Sparkle, A Lot of Love
I have always prided myself on being fiercely independent (for the most part). Sometimes my independence was out of necessity, other times out of fear of disappointment, but overall, I have learned to lean primarily on myself. This year, however, taught me that it takes a different kind of strength to let other people show up for you, and wow, did they ever.
With Thanksgiving having just passed, I have been thinking about all the things I am grateful for. From the opportunities I have been blessed with to the people who have stood by me, this year has given me more reasons to be thankful than I could possibly put into words.
And so, for this month’s edition of The Stack, what better excuse to bring out the beautiful china, invite over some of the people you love and, naturally, put together a rather fabulous wrist stack?
Step 1: The Anchor
Fun fact: mother-of-pearl and I have a long-standing love affair. I cannot recall when or why I fell in love with it, but I have a definite weakness for mother-of-pearl dials. There is something almost magical about how they catch the light, shifting ever so slightly depending on the angle. Add diamonds, a beautiful leather strap and a classic silhouette, and you have pretty much won me over.
Lucky for me, the Longines Master Collection comes in a 30mm stainless steel and rose gold-capped case with a white mother-of-pearl dial. The Bordeaux alligator strap adds that perfect autumnal touch, while the diamond indexes provide the sparkle I love.
Photo credit: Zahra Hemraj
Honestly, wearing this timepiece feels like an invitation to dress up. Not in an extravagant, look-at-me sort of way, but with the quiet, classic elegance that fits perfectly with a beautifully set table (complete with the china I fell in love with while living in London, but more on that another day!).
Beneath that delicate-looking dial sits a self-winding mechanical movement with a power reserve of up to 45 hours, a reminder that beautiful watches can offer far more than just good looks.
Step 2: The Personality
One of the things I am grateful for is the opportunity to travel, explore different cultures and meet wonderful people. Recently, I found myself at dinner with a lovely couple, and our conversation turned to Japan, a country that has given me some wonderful memories.
One of my favourite stories is of dining at a restaurant in Tokyo where the staff spoke virtually no English, and my Japanese was equally nonexistent. Yet they were so determined to make sure I enjoyed my meal that they literally acted out the order in which I was supposed to dip my food into the various sauces. It was one of those very human moments where language did not matter as much as a common understanding and overall compassion for one another.
Which brings me, rather conveniently, to the Dean Davidson Mini Tokyo Chain Bracelets in Gold and Silver. I have been making a conscious effort to feature more Canadian jewellery designers, and Dean Davidson is a brand I have loved for some time. The bracelets caught my attention with their contemporary, cube-shaped links, a lovely contrast to the classic Longines.
Photo credit: Zahra Hemraj
I am sure that in previous articles I must have admitted that I was not always one to mix metals, but it has been growing on me. This combination has become one of my favourites, and after wearing both bracelets together, I honestly do not think I would ever wear them apart.
My tip? When mixing metals, look for a common design element. The identical chains create continuity, while the two-tone Longines ties the finishes together.
Step 3: The Sparkle
Funny enough, the name of our next piece brings back another memory that seems particularly appropriate for this month’s theme. I swear, the names were not part of my selection process, but they have worked out perfectly!
Years ago, I celebrated a milestone birthday in Vegas, where one of our stops was TAO, the restaurant and nightclub. It was a challenging time in my life, but somehow my sister had organized a trip with 17 girlfriends who came out to celebrate with me. Seventeen!
I am always in awe of my sister for the magic she pulls together so seamlessly. Looking back, I do not know if I have ever properly expressed how much that meant to me, but I am incredibly grateful for her and the friends who made me feel so special.
And so, while the Dean Davidson Tao Cuff in Gold may have nothing to do with that particular TAO, the name certainly made me smile. Inspired by a lotus leaf, the cuff brings a different kind of sparkle, or perhaps I should say shine. Its sculptural silhouette and combination of brushed and polished finishes catch the light beautifully.
Photo credit: Zahra Hemraj
I initially tried wearing it alongside the Longines, but the pieces felt like they were competing. Moving the Tao to my opposite wrist gave it room to make a statement while balancing the more delicate combination around the watch.
Step 4: The Texture
Next up, the Dean Davidson Mara Hinged Bangle in Silver.
Unlike the polished, geometric links of the Mini Tokyo bracelets, the Mara has a hammered finish and a more substantial silhouette. It was precisely the contrast I wanted, introducing texture without requiring another colour or gemstone.
I love the way the hammered surface plays against the smooth chains, while the silver picks up the cooler tones of the Longines case. There is also something to be said for a hinged bangle. It is easy to slip on and sits neatly alongside the other pieces. As much as I love a beautiful wrist stack, I would rather not spend an entire dinner rearranging my bracelets every time I reach for my teacup.
Step 5: The Edit
Here is a dilemma I never expected: what happens when a piece of jewellery is simply too beautiful?
That was precisely my problem with the el&elle 5mm Round Brilliant Moissanite Tennis Bracelet. The sparkle was extraordinary. So extraordinary, in fact, that it completely stole the show. Suddenly, the Longines and the rest of the stack were competing with a bracelet that had absolutely no intention of giving up the leading role.
And this is the difficult thing about editing a stack: the piece that needs to go is not necessarily the weakest one. Sometimes it is the one that argues with everything else. So, much as it pained me, the tennis bracelet had to go. For now, at least. Worry not, I have plans to build a stack around it in the future.
Photo credit: Zahra Hemraj
The final look? The Longines, both Mini Tokyo chains and the Mara bangle on one wrist, with the Tao cuff making its own statement on the opposite wrist.
Et voilà, the Gratitude Stack was complete.
The Ring Thing
Just because we have a presque perfect wrist stack, it does not mean we have to stop there.
I love incorporating rings, particularly when special occasions call for a little bit more sparkle than usual. Between the fine dining, exploring new secret finds and gesturing through animated conversations, your hands become part of the overall look.
For another recent occasion, I added two pieces from el&elle: the Ouroboros Pear Moissanite Ring and the Emerald Cut Moissanite Ring. The pear-shaped stone brings a softer, romantic element, while the emerald cut offers a more structured elegance. Both sat alongside my custom-designed diamond ring from Dubai, which, if I am being entirely honest, rarely leaves my finger.
Photo credit: Zahra Hemraj
And having reluctantly parted ways with the tennis bracelet in my previous stack, I was pleased to find a way to keep some extra bling in the look.
Style Tips: Nailed It!
My styling tip this month has nothing to do with jewellery: invest some time in yourself. For me, that starts with a fresh manicure.
As you may have noticed, I always make a point of keeping my nails done. I genuinely feel that a beautiful manicure completes a wrist stack. Lately, I have even become rather obsessed with exploring different nail trends, colours and finishes.
Photo credit: Zahra Hemraj
For this look, I chose a rose gold cat-eye manicure with a touch of sparkle. Much like the mother-of-pearl dial of the Longines, the cat-eye finish shifts as it catches the light, creating a beautiful play of colour and reflection. And the rose gold? Naturally, a little nod to the watch case.
My advice? Think of your nails as part of the styling, not an afterthought. After all, when your hands are busy pouring tea, serving treats and making grand gestures through conversations (yes, I am a hand talker), your manicure becomes part of the overall look.
As I put together this month’s stack, I found myself revisiting memories I had not thought about in years. The kindness of strangers in Tokyo. Friends who travelled to celebrate a milestone birthday with me. A sister who somehow manages to give me the most grandiose celebrations.
And then there are experiences whose significance only becomes clear with time. I have been blessed to work for incredible companies that opened doors I could never have imagined, from living and working in Paris, London and New York to travelling the world on projects I once only dreamed of, and eventually finding myself back home once again. Along the way, I met so many of the people I now consider my closest friends. I will forever be grateful for those experiences, but even more so for the friendships they brought into my life – especially this year, when those friends have shown up for me in so many unexpected ways. Truly, I can’t express enough how grateful I am.
I have always believed life has a funny way of bringing us where we are meant to be, even when we cannot see it at the time. Sometimes it might be because of the opportunities we end up finding, others because of the new bonds we forge – but no matter how unexpected a turn we may have to take (and believe me, I definitely had my share of unexpected turns this year!), trust that we’ll always find the right way with the support of the community that rallies around us.
Perhaps that is what gratitude means to me this year. Appreciating not just the opportunities and experiences, but the people who made them worthwhile. And remembering to tell them so.
For more stack inspiration, follow along on Instagram: @torontowatchgirl.
Featured in this month’s stack are the Longines Master Collection, the Dean Davidson Mini Tokyo Chain Bracelets in Gold and Silver, the Tao Cuff in Gold and the Mara Hinged Bangle in Silver. Also featured are the el&elle 5mm Round Brilliant Moissanite Tennis Bracelet, Ouroboros Pear Moissanite Ring and Emerald Cut Moissanite Ring.
