This has been a week full of madness for our household. School started on Monday, and not only is Pea now in school for a full day, five days a week, but we now also have a pre-schooler in our midst. That’s right, Coco, who was just a newborn when I began this blog years ago, is now in school. The same school as her big sister, although only three days a week, half-day.

Both girls are exhausted from the big adjustments we’ve all faced this week. After an entire month of swimming every day and lounging around until they each fell asleep and were then transferred to their respective beds, the girls suddenly find themselves back on schedule, in a routine that leaves little room for error, particularly as we try to get out the door in the mornings in our uniforms, with our backpacks, last night’s homework, water bottles and lunch boxes, teeth brushed, hair combed.

I’m exhausted. And schooled in how I will handle the summer / fall transition next year: with a return to our nightly routine at least two weeks before school begins. Because this last-minute business does not sit well with me. I don’t enjoy chaos. Turns out the girls don’t, either.

But in the middle of said chaos, I received a lovely treat at my front door. A gorgeous pearl bracelet from Pure Pearls.   My new freshwater pearl bracelet is white and it’s very elegant; very me. I’ve been wearing it daily with my most causal outfits, layered with my watch and another bracelet, lending it a rather boho-chic look. But last night, my husband and I went out to my favorite restaurant in Sundance to celebrate our eighth anniversary, and it paired up nicely with my dressed-up look; a grey wrap dress and sandals. You know I love anything that multi-tasks, and a simple but elegant piece of jewelry that makes the jump from daytime mommy-on-the-go to night-out-with-partner is right up my alley.

These bracelets, in particular, would make a great gift, whether it’s yourself, your own mother, or even your daughter. (Trust me, I’ve snatched back that little black velvet box with the bracelet tucked away inside from Pea’s room on more than one occasion!) Pearls are timeless, they go with virtually everything and Pure Pearls clearly believes that every woman should have a beautiful piece of jewelry that makes her feel special, but should not cost as much as a mortgage payment. And I agree. Pearls stand the test of time. I have a strand that belonged to my Grandmother, I have one from my own mother and two that I received as gifts from my father to mark two very important occasions in my life. All are well on the path to becoming heirlooms, to be passed on to my own daughters. And now I’m adding my beautiful freshwater pearl bracelet to the list.

(And by the way, check out the black freshwater pearl bracelet. Chic!)