Heads turn when a beautiful and stylish woman wearing wedge sandals and truly fabulous jewelry walks in the door at Shag Boutique in Roslyn, New York. She greets us immediately, and her smile lights up the shop. Meet Simone Smith. She was in town at the first store to carry her jewelry line, so we decided to take a little road trip to Shag, where co-owner Ann Corn welcomed us like family.
Lora first learned of Simone after seeing her on Oprah with her husband, LL Cool J, fellow entrepreneur, entertainer and actor, talking about the symbolic lollipop necklaces that were in her jewelry line.
Here’s the significance…in 2004, Simone was diagnosed with chondorosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. For her treatment, she had surgery that changed the shape of her lollipop tattoo. “It literally looks like someone took a bite out of it,” says Simone. Hence, the bite mark in the necklaces in her “A Sweet Touch of Hope” line. The lollipop represents Simone’s journey to getting well and staying well. We celebrated at the beginning of our interview because she was recently given a clean bill of health by her doctor. Eleven years cancer free and feeling and looking fabulous!
What is the most inspiring about her is her faith and humbleness. She doesn’t have airs about her, but she has the inner confidence a woman in business requires. Her warmth was contagious and we felt like we could be BFFs with her by the time we left! She’s also giving back – a portion of the proceeds from her sales go to the American Cancer Society. Turning something negative into a positive for so many others.
Her jewelry line has something for everyone. Hoop earrings are her signature style, so of course there are amazing styles to drool over. To quote from her website, “Simone has passionately made it her goal to create the perfect hoop for the modern woman while maintaining the integrity of the classic hoop we all know and love.” Necklaces with meaningful words written in her handwriting like “Blessed” “Passion” and, “I Love You More.” You know where her priorities are. A mother of four, a successful marriage, strong faith, and charity work – she makes it work and balances it all.
So, to follow the likes of Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, and Hoda Kotb, to name just a few of the celebs who wear her line (we don’t mind name dropping here), head to Simone’s site, contact Shag Boutique on Long Island, or her Amore line can be found at Kohl’s and online (just to name a few places – it’s also at fine department stores too!). We loved all of it, but decided on the crystal lollipop necklace in platinum over sterling silver – classy and fun at the same time (#stylegoals).
Visit Simone’s website here.
Photos by Lora Karam, except for studio jewelry photos which are used with permission by Simone I. Smith Ltd.