24 Hours With Jacqueline Mani-Aiche: How The Jewellery Designer Spends Her Day
California girl Jacqueline Mani-Aiche divides her day between her family, their nine cats and dogs, and creating her cult fine jewellery brand, Jacquie Aiche
I’m up at 6AM every day… I have never had to set an alarm, I’ve always just naturally woken up at this time. With that said, I’m a light sleeper! For me, my place of rest is so sacred, so there must be a relaxing energy. I have a Molekule Air Purifier that I always have on to keep the air fresh. My Éterne Boy Shorts and Tank Top paired with my Kerry Cassill bed linen from Laguna Beach probably help with a good night’s sleep too. The soft linen is gentle on the skin and just divine to sleep in – I have many different styles on rotation.
By 6:45AM it’s time for my first cup of tea – my go-to is Earl Grey from Mariage Freres. I don’t do breakfast.
From 6:30AM to 7:00AM I’ll do cardio on the Elliptical or a Pilates session. And maybe if I’m feeling a little fun, I’ll dance in the mirror before doing Kundalini Yoga.
After my workout, around 7:15AM, I head to my infrared sauna where I love to use my NuFace Microcurrent Device; I’ll also use this time to check my emails, which often feel like millions, to get ahead of the day. Afterwards, I’ll hop in the shower using my favourite L’Occitane products. Then it’s time for skincare, which usually begins with my Ionized Oxygen Infuser by La Mieux. It instantly hydrates my skin, giving me a glow that lasts throughout the day. This is followed by Monastery Made’s Sage Cleansing Oil and their Attar Floral Concentrate Balm. I also love my GoopGlow Vitamin C Serum. I get weekly facials by Cynthia Franco. Her signature Head-to-Toe-Glow service gives my skin everything it needs. She has a space at our bungalow (my office) which makes treating myself to her services so easy… It’s a guilty pleasure without the guilt! Every two weeks I get a mani-pedi (for now my go-to colour is Mademoiselle by Essie). I’m always up for a pamper but, as a California girl, I love the ease of air drying my hair… I rarely get my hair blow dried.
By 8:00AM it’s time to choose my outfit, which I have worked out takes me approximately six minutes. Growing up, my style icon was Jacqueline Bisset but now I would describe my style as bohemian, hippie-chic. What I wear each day really depends on the weather and on my mood. Obviously I love body jewellery and gemstones so on the days when I receive my newest designs, jewellery comes first and clothing comes second. I love a T-shirt and denim shorts for days under the sun, and when it’s colder outside I’ll toss on one of my NSF sweatshirts. I live with my husband, my son Luca (17), my daughter Zoe (14), my seven Persian cats, and my two Australian labradoodles, Bowie and Gigi. We don’t have as much family time in the mornings anymore as my children are usually getting ready for school while I’m exercising. I usually leave my house at 8:30AM.
I live 10 minutes away from the bungalow so I walk to work, focusing on being present and listening to upbeat music. I’ll play anything from classic R&B to house music to hardcore rap. The first thing I do when I arrive is light my candle, burn palo santo, and pull my mantra cards. It gets me in my creative flow and sets my intentions for the day.
9:00AM to 12:30PM is when I respond to emails and take calls.
12:30PM to 2:00PM is our backyard boogie, where my tribe and I all gather and eat lunch together. There are about 15 of us and we are all so close.
2:00PM onward is my creative time. At work I can be focused, driven, and laidback – the version of myself that comes forward depends on what’s happening. I travel every six weeks, wherever the work takes me. I usually eat a chopped salad or soup and I always keep Mule Hot Sauce stocked at the showroom. My favourite snacks during the day are chocolate covered orange peels It satiates my sweet cravings and is packed with antioxidants.
My day has no set timings – I leave work whenever my job is done. My evening routine usually consists of taking my dogs for a walk, talking to my dad, listening to my husband and son do a DJ session, and having dinner with the family. I love to cook and most recipes are those passed on from my family. Generally speaking, I’m all about Netflix and chill in the evenings, but if I’m feeling wild, I’m out on the town having dinner and drinks with my girls – usually wearing one of my go-to evening YSL looks.
When it comes to social events, most of them come to me at the bungalow as it is such a serene place.
At 7:00PM, we meet around the table for dinner. There’s nothing better. I don’t have a set bed time, it varies depending on the day – but usually I need my seven hours! My bedside table consists of my Bose earphones, my diaries and a few books, which currently include Signs by Laura Lynne Jackson. Before bed, I wash my face with Epicuren Face Cleanser and say goodnight to my family. I’m out before my head hits the pillow.
Jacqueline’s Picks
Images Supplied
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia November 2024 issue