This seems to be a regular occurrence for me. There are just so many stunning pieces of jewelry that have survived the ages and would be very wearable even today.

Some pieces that give a nod to ancient times that I have found in my recent wanders of the Internet:

Above: Gwendolen Brass Necklace at Lulus.com

Above: Connect The Dots Cuff at Lulus.com

Above: Argonauts Ring at Lulus.com

Above: Huntress Necklace at Lulus.com

Above: Lelania Daisy Bone Earrings at Lulus.com

Above: Queen Isis Necklace by Lulus.com

Above: Renaissance Ring in Silver or Gold at Lulus.com

I found all the above at Lulus.com which means you won’t have to spend a lot of money to add a bit of history to your jewelry box, though you can find many expensive pieces on various sites and in stores. I always go for affordable offerings when trying out a style in case it is not to my liking. Lulus.com and Forever 21 are great stores to purchase affordable accessories to try a trend or start your own.

So, the next time you wander a museum or see a piece of jewelry in a history book that you would love to wear, search the Internet or wander the stores. You may see something that reminds you of the piece!

Wear a little bit of history.

They come in many lengths and styles:

The Buckle Fold-Over Ankle Bootie:

The Mid-Calf Zip-Up Boot:

The To-The-Knee Western Bell Bottom Boot:

The Back Zip To-The-Knee Wedge Fold-Over Boots:

Personally, I am loving theses “to-the-knee” styles and would love to find a pair. They’re modern, sleek, and would really add some flair to my wardrobe. You do have to have a bit of daring to wear them.

How about you? Are you liking the fold-over boot trend? I would love to hear opinions from fashionistas.

I am one of those fashion-loving women who adores taking risks and wearing things that others don’t dare to wear. I have learned that while wearing a strange bracelet or pair of shoes may draw comments like ‘That is SO weird”, I may start a fashion trend in my local area. You have to be a bit daring from time to time or else life is boring. At least I think so.

You don’t have to go overboard and dress like a runway model but you can take one item of clothing or accessory and make it a stand-out in your outfit. Be daring but not reach the “scary zone” of dressing different head to toe.

You can wear a funky necklace when wearing a very simple outfit:

Above: Knick Knacks Necklace at Francescas Collections

Or you can wear a really bold ring:

Above:Dannijo Andi Ring at shopbop.com

Wear a pair of eye-catching shoes:

Above: “Marina” black embossed leather wedges by Rock & Republic at Bluefly.com

Or wear a interesting blouse:

Above: “Jonas” cut-out shoulder tie blouse by Mike & Chris at Bluefly.com

You don’t have to go to overboard, just take a little bit of a chance. Sure, some people will call what you are wearing “weird” but, you may be the woman who starts a new trend. Don’t let the worry of negative comments by others stop you from having fun with fashion.

While that is a nice, clean, look that I would have embraced back in high school when I used to sit and listen to the Cure in a darkened room, nowadays, I like a bit of color. In fact, I think most of us like a little variety in our wardrobes. It’s very easy to incorporate some color while still keeping the overall outfit black.

Throw on a brightly colored coat over the black outfit:

Above: B.B. Dakota Coat found at Lulus.com.

Add a bright t-shirt as a foundation piece and make it the burst of color in your outfit:

Above: LnA tee found at Bluefly.com.

Find a sweater that has a bright color fading to a neutral:

Above: Hayden sweater found at Bluefly.com.

Or make a statement with a pair of brightly colored shoes like these pumps:

Above: Boutique 9 violet suede platform pumps at Bluefly.com.

If you prefer shiny and more subtle, you may want to head toward the metallics to brighten that black outfit up:

Above: Gold fish scale shoes by finsk at Oaknyc.com.

Bright accessories also can bring some life to an dark outfit, like this sangria-hued handbag:

Above: Sangria Hobo by Joe’s Jeans at Revolve Clothing.

Don’t be afraid to be a bit bold and add some color to your black outfits. Take notes from nature who dons itself in brightly colored leaves in the autumn months as the world darkens.

Have fun with fashion and experiment!

So many to choose from and so pretty as well!

Above:  Labradorite Multi-strand Necklace by Monica Vinader Cabos found at Net a Porter.com.

Above: Cobalt Beaded Multi-strand Short Necklace by A.V. Max found at Bluefly.com.

Above: Polished Bead Two-Strand Necklace (comes in silver and gold) found at Forever21.com.

Above: Shimmy and Shake Multi-strand Necklace found at Modcloth.com.

Above: Under The Sea Necklace  found at Francesca’s Collections.

No matter what price range you can afford…trend-spotting fashionistas should buy at least one multi-strand necklace for their late summer/fall wardrobe. Or throw-on many of your own necklaces that you have sitting in your jewelry box to achieve the affect on your own.

Have fun and rock the multi-strand!

Long, necklaces of all colours, made of various materials, price ranges, and worn with tanks, tees, dresses, and tunics. I have even started buying many of the longer necklaces myself to wear with my v-neck tees because I am liking the look.

Some of my online finds as examples:

Above: Pop Rocks Necklace at Lulus.com

Above: Long Circle Necklace with Beads in Turquoise at Shopintuition

Above: Long Clover Motif Necklace at Avon.com

Above:Gorjana Sunburst Necklace in Gold at Revolve Clothing

Above: Triple Strand Necklace in Gold at Shopintuition

Above: Women’s Bordero Necklace at 80’s Purple

There are just so many designs and styles to choose from…as well as so many prices. It makes it an easy trend to participate in.

Anyone else buying long necklaces this season to add to your summer wardrobe?

They come in many different styles:

Above: Jshoes Sorrento in Black at Revolve Clothing

Above: Hi There Sussannas in Black by Irregular Choice

Above: Warm Leatherette Sandals at Modcloth

And even in boot version:

Above: Figaro Boots at Modcloth

I wasn’t sure about these styles when I first saw them but I have to say, the ”sandal bootie” is growing on me. I haven’t bought a pair yet bu, I am seriously considering it.

How about all you fashionistas?

Loving or hating the “sandal bootie”?

Pretty jewelry is a girl’s best friend and just waiting for you to discover it.

Be it for the neck:

Above: Three Stone Necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane

Above: Dipped Agate Necklace at Lulus.com

Above: Daisy Sprig Necklace at Lulus.com

Or on the wrist:

Above: Lady Luck Charm Bracelet at Lulus.com

Above: Black Stone Bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane

Shining on your fingers:

Above: Blushing Orchid Ring at Tradewinds Imports

Above: Mexico Sterling Turquoise Stone Ring at Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection

Or dangling from your ears:

Above: Gypsy Sun Earrings by Erickson Beamon

Above: Florida Keys Earrings at Francesca’s Collections

It’s time to put away those gloves, stash those scarves, and hang up those woolie hats. Time to put on something pretty and embrace spring.

Still, I have found there are things I am willing to spend more money on. For me it is shoes and handbags though I am a lot more careful in choosing styles that will last more than one season.

Shoes like these by Report Signature:

Which are very “of the moment” but can be potentially worn for more than one season.

Or handbags like this one by Fendi:

A bag that can easily be used year after year until it wears out due to it’s classic style.

I am going for the more expensive shoes and handbags despite the economy situation because they are items of clothing that get a lot of wear and it is better to have quality bags and shoes that will hold up to this wear. It’s much better than constantly having to replace shoes that fall apart after a few wears or handbags that just don’t last because the shoulder strap broke on the third use.  At least that is how I think on the subject.

How about all you fashionistas? What do you still spend more money on when it comes to fashion in these economically shaky times? What do you find worth the money spent when adding to your wardrobe?

It points to the arrival of spring, hopefully, just around the corner. So many different styles of sandals and I just have to share some of the styles I am seeing with all the StyleFeeder fashionistas.

There is a huge amount of “gladiator on steroids” style sandals out this spring. Like this pair by Dolce Vita:

I love buckles on sandals and the more the better. 

I am seeing a lot of braiding in sandals as well. Sometimes combined with interesting colours and buckles like these by Modern Vintage Shoes:

The purple leather and the braiding just catch the eye. They would look great on the foot.

There are a lot of 1970s inspired sandals out this spring as well like these by Azzedine Alaia:

I love the cut-outs in the sandals, the rich colour of the leather, and the black design along the heels. A fun mixture of retro and funky up-to-date.

Then there is Marc Jacobs design for the wrap/tie sandal:

I love them but have always struggled to keep wrap/tie sandals tied without cutting off my circulation. I really love the crocheted look they have and they look airy enough for very warm days.

These sandals by ld tuttle are they style I am looking all over for:

The style is so popular right now and versions of this design come in many colours, including these coral colour ones by Report Footwear:

So pretty and coralis very of the moment when it comes to spring colours. I am seeing so many items of clothing in coral. It makes me wish I could rock that colour myself but, it does not go well with my skintone. The sandals are really cool though.

If you love strappy sandals you will love these sandals by Report Footwear:

They are metallic black, have studded side hardware at the closure, and are just so strappy. They would look great with jeans or a dress.

These sandals are classic yet funky looking and by Forever 21:

I love the cut out in the wedge of the sandals and the fact that they are only $24.80. Funky, cool, and affordable.

There are so many styles, colours, and price ranges for the sandals out this spring. Just pick a style that appeals to you and track down the version/designer you want. Your feet have been hidden in shoes for too long. They long to be free, and pretty, in a great pair of sandals.

It’s hard for single people this time of year when advertising bombards us with images of happy couples gifting one another with luxury gifts to show their undying love for one another.

Why not ignore the advertising and lovey-dovey couples this year and indulge yourself?  That’s right, gift yourself…who says that you cannot? There is no rule against gifting yourself every once in a while.

Here are some gift ideas for the single gal that I have found online.

Why not make yourself a yummy chocolate goodie using this cookbook? The Deep Chocolate cookbook is only $19.95 from Fredflare.com

Making your own chocolate goodies is better than getting the semi-stale boxes of chocolate from the supermarket from a last-minute shopping boyfriend, right?

Next, why not light some candles to relax? Like these:

This 6-piece candle set from Overstock.com is only $55.99 and would set the mood for a long soak in the bath.

Once the candles have set the mood, it’s time to prepate a bath with wonderful scented bubble bath.

A Diet You can Live With Gift Set by Philosophy at Sephora.com gives you three great scents to add to your tub: Pink Frosted Layer cake, Creme Brulee, or Fudge Cake. Quite an indulgence for just $30.00.

Or you can choose:

Cinnamon Red Hots scented bubble bath by Philosophy smells just like the candy version and is almost good enough to eat. It’s only $16.00 as well, so not too expensive if you want to indulge yourself in cinnamon scent.

After a long relaxing soak in a bath, why not paint those nails…both fingers and toes.

 Sephora has many great nail polish colours in the Sephora by Opi nail polish line. They have just come out with six new colours for spring, all bright and spring-like. My favorite is 24/7 (pictured). They are only $9.00 as well.

Then treat your lips right (for future kissing when Mr. Right comes along) by putting on a bit of lip gloss.

Another great, new, gift set by Philosophy. This lip gloss duo is flavored Candy Hearts and Pink Bubbly. The gloss both smooths and moisturizes your lips as well as tastes great! It’s only $20.00 at Sephora.

After your bath, slip into this incredibly comfortable sleep set by Victoria’s Secret:

Not only is the sleep set comfortable but it is also organic. It only costs $26.00 as well, so why not indulge yourself? Who says you can only dress pretty for a boyfriend?

Buy yourself some jewelry! Being single doesn’t mean you can’t gift yourself with some bling. Boyfriends can be so cheap in gifting anyway and you need something pretty to wear!

Maybe this love necklace by Zad I found on Lulus.com. It’s only $11.00 and really eye-catching.

Or, my personal favorite, this Love Note necklace in sterling silver from Dogeared Jewels. It’s $74.00 and you know you are worth it!

Or if you really want to indulge yourself:

This Louis Vuitton ring is a spendy $265.00 at eLuxury but sometimes a gal just needs to gift herself with something expensive!

Just remember ladies, single does not mean dead. Valentine’s Day can be a day to celebrate yourself and show yourself a little love. Men can be so unpredictable and “hit or miss” with gifts anyway, you might as well make sure you get something you really want!

I am a lover of huge rings with very noticeable design. It thrills the accessory lover in me and makes me break out those rings that have been hanging out in my jewelry box waiting to see the light of day.

It ’s easy way to make a statement with a large ring without layering on tons of jewelry and also there are so many different styles to choose from. I am in ring heaven!

Some recent finds of mine:

Above: A ring I had to order because it looked very similar to rings I had seen while in NYC that were a lot more expensive. It is my birthday soon and I wanted to treat myself. Since the ring is only $18.00 at Francesca’s Collections, it would not be too expensive for me to add to my jewelry box.

Above: Another ring at Francesca’s Collections that is $18.00 and it is similar to the huge, floral, rings that I have been seeing everywhere in stores.

Above: This ring is only $24.00 at Francesca’s Collections and it simple yet stands out. It would look great on the hand while not being too funky in style.

Above: This large ring by mark at Avon looks really primitive yet cool. I own it in the silver and it doesn’t snag tights, clothes, random furniture material, like a lot of large rings do because of it not having sharp edges. It is also only $14.00 which is a nice price for a ring this large.

Above: Another great, larger, ring at Lulu’s Fashion Lounge. This ring is only $8.00 and would really stand out on the hand when you wear it with the right outfit.

Lulu’s is always a great source for trendy jewelry because it is so inexpensive to indulge in accessorizing your wardrobe by shopping their site. It doesn’t drain the bank account too badly and you don’t feel you are wasting money on a trend that may not suit you.

Above: A more expensive ring at $72.00 from shopbop.com. I am loving the large stone which is resin cabochon and mimics turquoise which is one of my favorite stones used in jewelry. It is also simple enough to transcend one season and be worn far into the future.

Above: A fun, bold, frog design, ring form shopbop.com that costs $48.00. It is the sort of ring you have to have a bit of gust to wear since it will be noticed due to it’s size and design. It also is 18k gold plated so definitely is not costume jewelry.

These are only a few of the large ring finds I have stumbled across online. There are many more, in many different price categories, out there to be found, swooned over, and bought.

So what are you waiting for? Break out those large rings, maybe add a few new to your jewelry collection, and wear them proudly!

What happens when the friend/relative doesn’t drop hints and they are the type of person who isn’t into the latest American Idol Winner CD or fuzzy slippers as gifts? You know, the loved one who walks to the beat of their own drummer and is of the creative mindset. What do you do then?

I have been wandering the Internet for the past few weeks looking for inexpensive gift ideas for those types of people because, well, being a photographer, I am one myself. So let’s see if I can help you out a bit.

For The Artist:

These colored pencils are made out of recycled Chinese newspapers! The come in their own tube for storage and are fun, as well as functional. They are also only $10!

This book offering tips on how to be creative when making cards and envelopes for postal mail is perfect for those artists who love to keep in touch with faraway friends. It has 25 different creative projects for those who love to write snailmail and is only $20.95!

For The Writer:

Every writer, professional or someone who just loves to journal, loves to have a place to write down all their thoughts and ideas. Why not get them a classy blank book to capture all the ideas running around in their heads? This blank, unlined, moleskine journal is only $15.00.

This book is for the writer who wants to publish their own books, zines, graphic novels, or any other form of book on their own. It is full of ideas and resources to get the writer published and it is only $21.95.

For The Photographer:

The Holga camera is perfect for that photographer in your life who loves to be artistic with their images. The Holga has light leaks and sometimes even double exposes the film which can create interesting images during printing. Holgas are perfect for black/white medium format (120) film and, as I own one myself, I highly recommend them. Your best bet for buying on cheaply is to go to a site like Calumet Photo where you can buy one for only $32.99.

For The Budding Fashion Designer:

If your loved one is a fashion designer in the making, or just a lover of fashion, this is the book for them. This book is full of sketches, designs, and drawings from designers like Betsey Johnson and Karl Lagerfeld, to name a few. This $40 buy will definitely inspire the fashion lover in your life to get sketching those ideas for fashion out on paper.

This origami kit comes with instructions and folding papers so the fashionista in your life can fold origami clothing and accessories to their heart’s content. The best part? You can gift this for only $12!

For The Creative Traveler:

This guidebook is perfect for the traveler that likes to go off the beaten path and avoid the cliché tourist sites when in NYC. Full of color photos, the book explains unusual destinations, as well as how to get there. Perfect for the traveler that likes to really get to know a place that they visit and for $22.95, it won’t break the bank.

This journal is perfect for that creative traveler that wants to record their wanderings in the world. It has plenty of room for writing, doodling, making lists, and features built-in envelopes to stash ticket stubs and other items from your travels. Priced at $27, it comes with a pouch to protect the journal.

These are just a few of the finds I have made recently online that would make great gifts for those hard-to-buy-for creative people in your life. Have fun shopping and try not to get buried under stress this holiday season!

What do I wear you ask? I go for comfort, creating a dressy casual, modern look.

I may wear a shirt like this one:

With these jeans:

And these very funky, cool, heels:

Then, add accessories, the finishing touches. Something like this very cool necklace:

This simple, yet pretty, bracelet:

This classic looking clutch:

And maybe a ring like this one:

Now I’m ready for anything the night might throw at me! What do you like to wear for a night on the town?

Again, I was inspired to put together an outfit with clothing items I came across and added to my StyleFeed.

I came across this gorgeous dress:

Wonderful dress with a busy, striped, pattern. I am not really into the shoes or bag they have with it on the dress form, however.

I would keep the black tights because the dress needs basic black to not make the eye go “What am I suppose to look at?” Plus, the black tights would show off these shoes that I would wear with the dress:

The burgundy color of those high platforms I like a lot better than the tan shoes of the outfit the website picked out to go with the dress. Burgundy is in the same color family as the colors in the dress and the black tights would show off the shoes.

I might add this bag:

I chose black because it picks out the dark tones of the dress and goes with the tights. I am not sure it should be a “shoulder strap” bearing bag, but it is just an idea. A handbag with short straps like the tan one in the original photo would work just as well if it was burgundy and of a similar style as the one in the photo.

I would probably wear a long necklace with the dress since the dress is short. Something gold like this:

Not too wild but enough to shine and catch the eye.

I am not sure I would go bare-wristed…maybe just a thin, gold, bracelet like this:

It has a bit of the bright bead to it and many thin, gold, wires.

Of course, bright colors are not for everyone and I am sure some people will dislike the “black purse” idea. I am not sold on the black “shoulder bag” myself…I just cannot find a burgundy one that is better suited at the moment. Maybe our readers could find one that would be perfect and would like to share?

I have always loved Christian Louboutin shoes but am not a huge fan of pink. But there is just something about these shoes that pop out at me, maybe it’s the HOT pink colour or the big bow on the toe. Whatever it is, I wish I had the cash in my bank account for them.

Then I thought, “Even if I had the cash what would I wear them with?”

Then I happened across this photo on the same site:

It answered my question. How genius of the site, Browns, to pair up the hot pink silk shoes with the green, floral print, silk, Marc Jacobs dress! I love the way the 1940s cut still manages to look modern.

Team the dress and the shoes with a black clutch:

And maybe a necklace like this one:

And you have a complete outfit that incorporates those beautiful, hot pink, shoes that are to die for!

This season, there are all sorts of bangle bracelets, in all sorts of styles, that fit all sorts of budgets. Bangles are my favorite way to dress up that nude wrist just dying to be covered in a bit of flash. Why leave it out of the fashion fun?

Go for a distressed look with a touch of ethic beauty, like this Cairo Bangle from Lulu’s:

Or try etched enamel in a subtle shade:

A painted bangle can add a lot to an outfit if you come across something this pretty:

Or go “Russian folk art” in style:

Wood-carved bangles can be very eye-catching:

Beading can give you a primitive, yet beautiful look:

Or, if you are into conservative and sleek, you can never go wrong with the classic bangle:

With so many possibilities out there this season, do not let your wrist go unadorned. Add some flash!

Strange how that happens sometimes. You just open your closet and find that you have “out-grown” almost everything in it, style-wise. Clothing you own just doesn’t suit who you are anymore.

So, I went through the wardrobe and got rid of a huge backlog of clothing dating back to 1990. Stuff that was in good shape but I would never wear again, stuff that was in bad shape from being worn to death, and stuff that just was not me anymore. Value Village and Goodwill must love me for the huge donations of clothing I have made in the past months.

It was a very freeing activity…and made me glad to shed my old wardrobe skin. Now I am in the process of rebuilding my wardrobe with pieces that suit me now. It’s a slow process since I am not flush with cash at the moment. So, I am slowly adding new pieces…little by little.

I have a deep love for shoes. If I see a pair that catch my eye, I have to buy them right then. This has started to spill over to bags/purses and jewelry. Sometimes I will buy tights/socks as well because a colour or pattern catches my eye and I know they can really add something to an outfit. Accessories can, and do, change the look of a whole outfit.

I cannot claim to be a huge fashionista or to be someone to look to to find out what will be hot…I just know what I like and what I don’t like. I guess it is the professional photographer in me that just knows when something pleases my eye or doesn’t. I am going to blog about my finds here and share them with you.