Kristin Cavallari Talks Spring Jewelry, Her New Store, & Fave LA Spots

Kristin Cavallari has a lot of exciting things going on. She’s about to release her new cookbook, True Roots, next month. She’s expanding her jewelry brand, Uncommon James, into a fully fledged lifestyle brand complete with home goods. She’s opening up a store in her adopted hometown of Nashville very soon and she recently came to LA to celebrate the launch of her brand’s new spring jewelry collection. We caught up with The Hills Alum amid her busy schedule to chat about her new jewelry collection, her soon-to-debut Nashville boutique, favorite LA spots, and more.

Tell us about Uncommon James. What inspired you to start the line?

Uncommon James is timeless, effortless, and refined jewelry for women on-the-go. The line features designs inspired with a sophisticated and polished look to be worn day to night. Uncommon James is crafted to easily mix and match with jewelry already in your own closet, or layered and stacked to create a unique look allowing women to express their own individuality. Every piece is chosen for the modern woman for easy wear and a classic touch that can carry over to every occasion.

What’s new and special about this new collection?

With every collection, I do a few trendy pieces in addition to classic styles. For spring, it’s all about big hoops and fringe earrings. We also have an anklet, which are back in a huge way! I was drawn to a circular shape for this collection, which is consistent throughout and for no particular reason. There are also longer necklaces perfect for layering, which we haven’t done yet.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I’m constantly pulling inspiration from fashion magazines, Instagram, the runway, my friends–pretty much anywhere. I have a folder in my phone that I’m always adding to and I have magazine tears in my house. I always get a ton of samples made (about 40-50 each time) then I narrow each collection down to what’s trendy and what flows well together.

We hear you’re opening a store in Nashville and launching a home collection. Tell us about that.

Yes! I am so excited to be opening the Uncommon James flagship store in a town that my kids will grow up in and that I now call home. The store will be a lifestyle store and will offer the jewelry, the home goods, an entire baby and kid section, exclusive custom UJ candles, and a couple of local beauty brands. The home goods will launch the same day as the store (March 28) and I’ve had such a great time venturing into a new space. All of the home goods are handmade and ethically made in India and I’m very proud of the quality. The materials, such as bone and copper, are very rustic and cool.

You also wrote a new book. What made you want to write a cookbook this time?

I have such a passion for living a healthy lifestyle and I can’t wait to show everyone that eating healthy can still taste great and you can in fact eat everything you want if you choose the right ingredients. I still eat cheese, pasta–you name it. The types I’m reaching for are just different than they were 10 years ago.

Where do you like to hang out in LA when you’re in town?

I’m usually always working and don’t have a lot of time off but I love my healthy spots such as Urth Caffe and Moon Juice. I’ll do Rise Nation while I’m there. And I try to always make time for dinner with my girlfriends with a glass of wine.