5 Things I’m Loving Right Now + Desert Inspiration

There’s something about this time of year slowly creeping into Spring that feels like a shift—a change in energy, in style, in creative flow.  Lately, I’ve been finding inspiration in the unexpected mix of structure and fluidity, nostalgia and modernity. I also have a few muted try things I think you will love as much as I do! These five discoveries have been shaping my vibe, my routine, and even my next jewelry collection. Let’s get into it.

1. ROZ MILK HAIR SERUM – THE SECRET TO EFFORTLESS HAIR

There’s nothing chicer than hair that looks done without trying too hard—a little undone, a little polished, but never overstyled. That’s exactly what ROZ Milk Hair Serum delivers. I tried the line and this is the standout, must have product for me.

It's light but transformative, smoothing without flattening, giving just enough shine and most importantly, after a few in the desert, HYDRATING. Also, the smell is unbelievable, reminds me of the Le Labo rose scent. I use a healthy blob after air-drying for that perfectly imperfect texture. I also will rough dry my hair, then use generously for a tousled look. You know I hate too neat hair. It’s like the jewelry equivalent of a perfect gold chain—understated but essential.

2. OVERSIZED DENIM JACKET – THE NEW POWER PIECE

A structured blazer will always be a staple, but lately, I’m obsessed with an oversized denim jacket as the ultimate layering piece. There’s something about the contrast of LOTS of crisp gold jewelry against soft, worn-in denim that feels right—effortless, cool, and completely unbothered.

The key? Proportions. A slouchy fit that drapes just right, worn over a fitted bodysuit or with tailored trousers. Think Kate Moss off-duty in the ‘90s, but with better accessories.

Favorite way to wear it? With stacked gold rings, layers of necklaces, a roughed up messy hair vibe, and a pair of loose black jeans. Because the best statement pieces aren’t loud—they just are.

3. RHODE PEPTIDE LIP CONTOUR – ELEVATING THE EVERYDAY LIP

Lipstick is a power move, but sometimes you want definition without the drama or dryness. And the day does not always call for precise, crisp outlines that traditional lip liners can give. Enter Rhode’s Peptide Lip Contour.

It’s not just a liner—it’s a sculpting moment. The texture is soft and blurred, creating that naturally full, ‘born-with-it’ look, it is a sexier, less DONE look but with definite impact, creating the look of a larger pout. I layer it with a little balm for daytime or sharpen it up with gloss when I want something sleek and intentional. It’s giving minimal effort, maximum effect—literally exactly how beauty should be.

4. REREADING MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA – THE ART OF SLOW LUXURY

I’m rereading Memoirs of a Geisha for the fourth time (it is one of my all time favorite books), and somehow, it feels like an entirely new book—again. It has always been one of my favorites, not just for its vivid imagery and poetic storytelling, but for the way it transports you into a world of beauty, tradition, and quiet resilience in Japan’s past. I first read it in 1998, yep, that is how long ago and since, read it another 3 times, this is now my fifth read. Each time I return to it, I find something different—an emotion I hadn’t noticed, a detail that suddenly feels sharper, a new perspective shaped by where I am in life. 

It reminds me of jewelry in a way—how a piece can mean one thing when you first receive it, another when you pass it down, and yet another when you rediscover it years later. The past, present, and future are all woven into both stories and heirlooms, waiting for us to see them through a new lens. 

Some books—and some jewels—aren’t just possessions; they evolve with us, reflecting who we were, who we are, and who we’re becoming.

5. FEELING INSPIRED BY TALIESIN WEST – A NEW DARA KAYE JEWELRY COLLECTION IN THE MAKING

I never design just for the sake of it—there has to be a story, a feeling, an element of timeless modernity. Right now, I’m deep in inspiration mode, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West has been on my mind.

There’s something about the architectural precision, the organic materials, the way light and space interact that feels aligned with what I want to create next. Jewelry that feels structural yet fluid, bold yet wearable. Pieces that aren’t just accessories, but statements of intention. I won’t say too much yet—but expect strong lines, organic meets brutalist design, and pieces that feel like wearable architecture.

Whether it’s a hair serum, a book, or a new jewelry design, it all comes back to the same thing— attention to the details. The way something feels, the way it moves, the way it fits into your life effortlessly. 

And speaking of, before I go, I have to share something special—our newest launch, the Eternal Trinity Totem Ring.  A little back story around the inspiration...

 A year ago, I visited Sensei Porcupine Creek and really was wow’d by a Keith Haring sculpture—a tower of three dancing figures stacked in motion, connected yet distinct. That image stayed with me for quite some time. The vertical sculpture, along with another constant source of inspiration, Native American totemic forms and the symbolism of past, present, and future jewelry (which I use and refer to a lot) became the inspiration for this ring. Designed with a trillion, marquise, and round lab-grown diamond—a sculptural 2.64-carat representation of time’s continuum—it’s a piece meant to live and evolve meaning with you. I love it on my pinky, but it makes just as much of a statement on a pointer or middle finger. However you wear it, let it be a reminder of your own evolution—where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going.

I will leave you with this, as I have gotten older I have realized that luxury isn’t about collecting more—it’s about refining what matters (I really should go clean out my closet now with that in mind). 

That’s what I’m loving right now. What’s inspiring you? Drop your current obsession in the comments—I want to know.

— Dara