Be Your Own Empress Blog

Discover how this working mom, style star and new REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry collaborator makes affordable fashion look expensive and work/life balance look easy… even when they are not. We all want it, don’t we: work/life balance… the fulfillment of our dreams... luxe looks for less. With a loving family, 10k+ Instagram followers and a knack for turning out immaculate OOTDs on a budget, Sarah Zutell seems to have mastered that elusive trio. Except that, like many of us, this working mom and creator of Easily Suede struggled to find her niche and admits that sometimes just getting through the day is cause for celebration. In this second installment of our series “Meet the Empresses,” highlighting the real women of REALM, we caught up with Sarah just as she returned from a Florida trip with an array of glam photos -- and a flu bug that laid low her entire family -- to talk about style, life and why REALM fits so perfectly with her mission to “easily sway” people into buying pieces they love without breaking the bank. REALM: How did you develop your (fashion) look and your outlook (on life)? SARAH ZUTELL: I was born in the city of Philadelphia, but grew up in the country -- Lancaster County. I feel like both places have influenced my style over the years. I went to a small school where everyone knew each other and I always craved getting out and experiencing life beyond my little bubble. Then I attended the University of Delaware for Biological Sciences, which is funny to look back on now. I never really knew what to do with that and I didn’t want to go back to school. Once I met my husband and we married, I settled down and started a family. I...

Ann King Lagos and REALM Empresses sparkled as bright as our jewelry on this talk show highlighting hot trends, cool people and innovative ideas. Recently REALM lit up RVN TV. A gorgeous display of REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry gleamed under the bright studio lights as founder & designer Ann King Lagos shared how REALM is shaking up the fashion world by offering fine craftsmanship, luxe precious metals and chic looks at an affordable price. The Cutting Edge hosts Ellen Barkann and Laurel Fairworth talked with REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry founder and designer Ann King Lagos about how REALM is disrupting the fashion world with a new category of jewelry. Such “cutting edge” disrupters in art, culture and business are why hosts Laurel Fairworth (a 20-year, award-winning TV news reporter; producer for programs such as NBC's Today Show and Nightly News; and founder of PR/marketing firm Cachet Communications) and Ellen Barkann (co-founder and president of The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation) created the weekly talk show for RVN TV. In the second half of the show, Ann shared styling tips live on air with REALM Empresses Richelle Payne and Julia Rogers. PR exec and REALM Brand Ambassador Richelle Payne. REALM’s special double segment also included Ann’s expert jewelry accessorizing tips, as showcased on our models – who happen to be real life REALM Empresses. Joining Ann on camera were PR exec (and REALM Brand Ambassador) Richelle Payne and our very own social media manager Julia Rogers. Thanks, ladies, for showing how you reign in REALM. Tune in below to watch the full segment. Enjoy! Team REALM and The Cutting Edge hosts at the RVN TV studio. From left: Ann King Lagos, Julia Rogers, Doreen Creede, Laurel Fairworth, Ellen Barkann and Richelle Payne. The Cutting Edge covers food, fashion, health,...

Defying media biases and offering “real-life style advice for grown-ass women,” Alison Gary is truly a breath of fresh air. By Ann King Lagos As I shared in my last post, we’re launching a new series, “Meet the Empresses,” celebrating the real women of REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry. I’m pleased to begin that series with Alison Gary, creator of the website Wardrobe Oxygen – or “WO2,” to her loyal followers. Offering “real-life style advice for grown-ass women,” Alison talks with refreshing honesty about age, weight, wardrobe and money. In her fearless social media posts she’s been known to shed her top to show the proper fit of a bra, wear outfits several times (oh my!) and appear in photos sans makeup, filters or Photoshop. It’s no wonder she has 17,500+ fans on Instagram. She certainly has all of us here at REALM in awe. (Appear without makeup? In photos? Online? At the age of 44? That’s brave in our book!) At a time when so much of social media sets unrealistic standards, Alison Gary is truly a breath of fresh air. Her courage, strength and spirit also mirror qualities at the heart of REALM. This synergy is why I invited Alison to collaborate with us to share how she loves and lives in REALM. The first thing I learned from Alison was how frustrating it can be for a plus-size woman to find a ring that fits. Standard stock sizes typically stop at size 8. So, as part of our collab, and to support and celebrate the diverse sizes of women, we’re offering one of Alison’s personal faves -- our Insignia Empress Luxe Ring -- in sizes up to 11 in all our Shades of REALM. Choose your Shade of REALM: 18K Rose Gold Vermeil, Sterling Silver, 18K Gold...

Real women of REALM share their stories. Perhaps you have connected that REALM was inspired by my maiden name, King. Although it started there it has taken on a life of its own. It has become something that we as women—you and I—have created together. It encompasses jewelry and fashion, yes; as well as family and friends, challenges and triumphs. It is our kingdom. I call you Empresses because I truly believe you are. You took on this title as a source of power and pride. You shared it with your friends, and they shared it with theirs. The passion, strength, kindness and beauty of this community continues to amaze me. Each of you rock your world in your own way, and you rock mine, too. Thank you. To recognize and celebrate our bond, we’ve launched a new series: MEET THE EMPRESSES. In this series we’ll be highlighting the real women of REALM who, like us, strive to live their best lives and reign thoughtfully. We hope these stories will serve as a starting point for on-going conversations between us on this blog and social. Let’s use these platforms to support and celebrate each other. Share what you’re up to, comment, ask questions, tag us in your posts. We’d love to hear what’s happening in your REALM. Be Your Own Empress & Continue to Reign Thoughtfully,

Fashion is not just about how you look, it’s about how it makes you feel. When you feel fabulous, you look beautiful. Your confidence soars and you feel like you can conquer the world.  What does it take to feel this way, to have that look of confidence? I believe it is all about looking finished. Accessories are a must and jewelry is the accessory that will always complete your look.   I had so much fun creating a chain drape with our Everyday Empress Chain Necklace to enhance the simplicity of Gaby and Victoria's tops. The decorative Coronet clasp of this necklace is fabulous as it offers you a variety of styling options. It can link to additional necklaces and to the coordinating bracelets to increase the length of your wrap. Play with the SHADES OF REALM metal color finishes to create your own dynamic look. Gaby is wearing 2 of the 18K Gold with 2 of the Black Ruthenium over Sterling Silver necklaces. For Victoria, I mixed 2 of the Sterling Silver necklaces with 2 of the Black Ruthenium and layered them with the  Coronet Lariat Necklace to extend the silhouette. So fun, so finished and oh so fabulous! Keeping a more monochromatic palette, I choose to mix different sterling silver textures to complete Gaby's black ensemble by mixing REALM'S collection icons. Front and center, the Domain Petite Pendant in pavé CZ Noir sparkles and is framed by the Coronet Lariat Chain Necklace. Continuing with the CZ Noir in the Sceptre Petite Pavé hoop, I intensified the sparkle on her wrist with the Sceptre Corset Signature Cuff in CZ Blanc. To punctuates the total look, the Empress Insignia Luxe Ring expresses her power placed on her pointer finger. Now that's complete confidence. GO FOR IT!         ...

Valentine's Day is a magical time of the year that we can be fun & flirty, romantic &  sweet!  Whether you are giving or receiving, it feels so nice to SHARE THE LOVE!                                  Our NEW VICTORIOUS COLLECTION speaks to the SUCCESS. TRIUMPH. GLORY of our lives. The V-shaped icon gives a nod to the heart silhouette__ on point!       For those times that you want to feel like a rockstar, reach for the Sceptre Luxe Exclamation Earring in faceted Scarlet CZ. These beauties will enhance your style. You will truly BE RADIANT! Our EMPIRE BOND BRACELET is the perfect gift for your circle of special friends & family. This faceted beaded bracelet holds the Empire Icon that symbolizes POSSIBILITY. PROMISE. DESTINY making it the perfect gift. FOREVER bound by memories__that can never be replaced. A MEMENTO TO REMIND US of the love, the laughter, the time and place __OUR BOND.       #BeYourBestSelf      #BeYourOwnEmpress      

REALM is a new beginning for me. Forty-five years and four designer jewelry companies later, I am starting over. This time is different. I want to make jewelry that I love, that I want to wear: strong and delicate, bold yet subtle, jewelry that embodies what it means to be a woman today. Just like you, I find that sterling silver does not go with everything I wear. We need to have the option to coordinate our jewelry with all of the colors of our wardrobe. And just as important, it needs to be affordable and beautifully made. So, I created the SHADES of REALM to give you the choice to wear that sterling silver we love as well as layered with gold, rose gold and black metal colors.           Together, we are the women behind this brand. We are passionate and always strive to be our best self. I am starting over for you and for me. We are in this together. We are Empresses! #BeYourBestSelf                                                                          #BeYourOwnEmpress

BE YOUR OWN EMPRESS: THE REALM BLOG At REALM, we are always brainstorming about how we can empower you to express your true style with confidence.  Whether you are dressing for success, reading your favorite book, or dining out with someone special, we want you to know that you will look absolutely stunning when wearing REALM jewels!  Fall brings rich, luscious colors of deep green and merlot tones, layered with neutral grays and blacks.  This month, we are featuring our Shades of REALM metals in sterling silver and rose gold to compliment this wonderfully warm and seasonal palette.    For a dynamic ensemble, start with a chic turtleneck and a classic, tailored blazer to spotlight your Sceptre Python Luxe Collar.  Sleek, smart and sexy, this sophisticated piece will ensure that you look and feel confident every time you wear it!   One of my new fashion faves of the season is the long sweater coat. So comfortable and looks simply fabulous with our Python stack bracelets at the end of the sleeve. The Sceptre Python Cuff Bracelets are shown with a stack of the Tryst Tuileries Gate Ring, center, paired with two Sceptre Ever Pavé Stack Rings.  The textured Python pattern coordinates beautifully and adds a pop of sparkle. So creative, so casual!    For evening, the low cut open front blouse is to die for!  Wrap yourself in the Coronet Lariat Chain Necklace to create a sweet, sensual look. This necklace is a dynamic multitasker; it can be worn many different ways and is a great go-to travel accessory.  Here, we layered it with the Empire Stiletto Petite Pavé Pendant.  Drop dead gorgeous! We hope our ideas inspire you to be your best self, so that you can truly Be Your Own Empress!

  BE YOUR OWN EMPRESS: THE REALM BLOG Welcome! I bet you are wondering how the expression “Be Your Own Empress” originated. “Empress” blossomed as a result of the first REALM Event held at our studio. We invited our friends (who invited their friends) to spend an enjoyable evening experimenting and accessorizing with REALM jewelry. When asked what they thought, a shout out from the crowd said, “I feel like an Empress!” The consensus from that evening was that we are all Empresses!  In that light, when you wear REALM jewelry, I want you to feel complete, in charge of your own destiny, like you can move mountains, and of course, that you are beautiful! Be your Best Self. Be Your Own Empress! So, to celebrate our first blog, I am pleased to introduce three amazing Real REALM Empresses: Dana, Randi and Marla. These women are just like you and me. They have their ups and downs but are always striving to improve every aspect of their lives.   Dana is a realtor and loves to connect people. Her outgoing, friendly personality is infectious. I truly enjoy being with her!     Her mother and the other women in her tribe are her rock.  Where do you see opportunity to grow? “Strategy & consistency within my life practices.”  What does it mean for you to be your own Empress? “To be strong, wild, in control and beautiful!”   Randi is a Claims Analyst and a Personal Trainer. She is beautiful inside and out, with an amazing smile! She is loyal, loving, responsible, and dedicated to her family and friends.                  Where do you see opportunity to grow? “To continue to take the steps to have a balanced life.”  What does it mean for you to be your own Empress?...