Street Style: Melanie Lester
I am pleased to introduce Melanie Lester, sales manager and jewelry designer here at Mystique. Her love for jewelry started at a very young age. Melanie’s grandmother was from Thailand and would frequently have rolls and boxes filled with jewelry delivered to the house, from which she would choose her purchases and return the rest. Says Melanie, “As a little girl, I was delighted and amazed she would let me help her choose. She was the first to recognize my good taste in jewelry!”
Melanie’s love for jewelry continued through the years and always played a big role in her life. She started working at a family-owned jewelry store, Dodrill Jewelers, in West Virginia while attending Marshall University, and continued working there after graduating, staying for seventeen years while raising her beautiful family. After relocating to Virginia, Melanie worked for another local jewelry store before joining Mystique Jewelers in 2017.
“I have always worked for a family-owned business, and that is incredibly important to me. That is just one of the reasons I love working at Mystique,” says Melanie. “The family atmosphere is appreciated by both staff and customers alike.”
Melanie is such a great asset at Mystique because she truly understands the process, having gone though it herself:
One of my most recent favorite jewelry moments was helping my husband design my engagement ring. I love that he felt a part of the creation of making this special ring as much as I did. Women, as you know, have thoughts, dreams and desires about owning a piece of jewelry that is as unique as they are. That is why I have always loved helping couples create unique pieces. My husband wanted something modern, and I had three choices picked out…it was the cutest thing ever sitting across the counter from him telling him all about color and clarity. In the end, though, he already knew I had it all picked out! Every time I receive a compliment on my ring, he does as well. He gets tickled about it.”
Melanie is wearing jewelry from Mystique, a Rag & Bone top and Nili Lotan pants from The Hive,
and Veronica Beard heels from The Shoe Hive | 📸:: Sarah Marcella Creative
ABOUT YOU
How do you spend your time? Enjoying my family and friends, exercising, painting, reading, and cooking
Neighborhood: Fairfax Station
What is your hometown? Huntington, West Virginia
What would surprise people about you? That I am half Thai
You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? That I am an incredible multi-tasker!!!
Last book read or movie seen: Book:12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson; Movie: The Illusionist
Guilty Pleasure: London Fog
Phrase you overuse: Delightful
Facebook or Instagram? Facebook
Latest binge-watch: Man in The High Castle
Bucket list travel destination: Bora Bora or Phi Phi Islands
If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? WINE!
FASHION
Define your style in three words or less: Yin & Yang
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: A t-shirt
Beauty product you can’t live without: Sunscreen for the face
Favorite fragrance: Stella McCartney
Heels or flats? Mixture of both
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Kitchen
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Modern
Last item bought for your home: A plant
Favorite way to entertain: We love to entertain on our back patio.
Clutter-free or well lived-in? Clutter-free and less to dust!
Wallpaper — yes, totally modern or no, so dated: Just removed the last room with wallpaper; totally modern!
FITNESS
Your go-to work-out: Running and weight lifting
Most fun way to exercise: Paddleboarding, biking, running, tennis, golf
Group exercise or solo: I enjoy working out with my husband
Proudest fitness achievement: Seagull Century and Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon
ALEXANDRIA
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Hard to pick just one because I keep discovering a new place all the time!
Last purchase in Alexandria: A teapot from The Torpedo Factory
- About the boutique
Featuring old world styles, textures in gold, and styles that are rich yet perfect for everyday wear. Mystique Jewelers evolved from that of custom goldsmith shop into a truly sophisticated boutique, featuring the most coveted designers’ lines such as: Jude Frances, Alberto Parada, Jaime Joseph, Lauren K, KC Designs, and Beverly K as well as creating “one of kind” designs that are timeless, heirloom, and classic. Planning on getting engaged? Our diamond experts, master goldsmith, and designers on the premises will assist you in creating a truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind engagement ring.
123 S. Fairfax Street 112 W Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 Middleburg, VA 20117
703.836.1401 540.687.3100
