Taking fashion cues from history

With her photographer's eye for detail, Brie is always scoping out jewelry, handbags and shoes that perfectly complete an ensemble.

Have you ever walked through a museum and seen a piece of ancient jewelry among the Roman or tribal artifacts that you badly wish you could wear?

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.

Posted October 27, 2009 in News

Just a little bit wild…

With her photographer's eye for detail, Brie is always scoping out jewelry, handbags and shoes that perfectly complete an ensemble.

There comes a time in a woman’s life when she gets a bit bored with the norm when it comes to fashion. She longs to be a bit daring and wear something that really stands out in a crowd. It can be a bit intimidating to take a risk and wear something that sets you out from everyone else; will you be laughed at or considered strange just for wearing an item of clothing or accessory that no one else is?

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.

Posted September 29, 2009 in News

Trend Spotting- Multi-strand Necklaces!

With her photographer's eye for detail, Brie is always scoping out jewelry, handbags and shoes that perfectly complete an ensemble.

While out shopping I started noticing an accessory trend that was in almost every store. From H&M, to Urban Outfitters, to Forever 21, to Claire’s Accessories (and at department stores as well) I was seeing multi-strand necklaces of various colours, designs, materials,  price-ranges, and lengths.

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!

Posted July 9, 2009 in News

I spy with my eye: Long necklaces

With her photographer's eye for detail, Brie is always scoping out jewelry, handbags and shoes that perfectly complete an ensemble.

I have been getting out and about now that the weather has turned toward summer in the Northern Hemisphere and have noticed a trend on many a woman’s neck.

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

Get the whole scoop »

Posted June 29, 2009 in News

Jewelry To Welcome Warmer Days

With her photographer's eye for detail, Brie is always scoping out jewelry, handbags and shoes that perfectly complete an ensemble.

Now that the winter days are numbered, bare skin starts to peep out of clothing be it an hand, arm, neck, or ear. Bare skin begs to have something pretty adorn it and who are we to deny it.

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.

Posted April 21, 2009 in News

Roses are Red, Robin’s Eggs are Blue

Lori’s got her hands full launching a new handbag line, but she still has time to scout the latest in independent design for awesome accessories.

What’s your favorite first sign of SPRING? Mine is waking to the sweet sound of chirping birds outside our window, even though it is only FIVE-in-the-morning!! I also think one of nature’s most perfect compositions is that of speckled robin’s eggs ‘blue’ against a nest in shades of brown. It isn’t just the color brown that Robin’s Egg Blue looks great against, though. This cheery, happy color is a great compliment to just about every color in the rainbow. So, in honor of those chirping little birdies let’s take a look at some vintage inspired accessories in Robin’s Egg Blue to get us in the mood for a crisp spring day!

This Rusty Blue Necklace by MARIE FLY FLY is a great example of vintage meets modern. The speckled Czech glass beads combined with the industrial look of the hammered copper hoop and chain really pop…and at just $34, they’re a steal!

Isn’t this clutch sweet?! This is by MOSEY who’s tag line is: “Recycled, Reconstructed, Re-loved,” so you can’t beat that. This Araucana Pocket Clutch is made of soft, felted, boiled wool with a vintage button. Check out the sweet surprise on the back: egg shaped cotton appliqués in a vintage calico print….too cute. This piece measures 6” x 5” and is a mere $22!

Get the whole scoop »

Posted April 1, 2008 in Fashion

Amy Tavern, metalsmith

Lori’s got her hands full launching a new handbag line, but she still has time to scout the latest in independent design for awesome accessories.

I love jewelry but I’m a total minimalist when it comes to wearing it. If I’m wearing a necklace, I generally don’t wear earrings and vice versa. I also have an irrational fear of wearing a matching earrings and necklace set…yikes! But, thanks to Amy Tavern, I don’t need psychotherapy in order to wear any of her pieces. If you visit her website, you will see for yourself that her collections are a brilliant example of studied, modern simplicity.

Every component in her work is handmade, from her hammered circles, to the tiny balls placed on those circles. No two pieces are truly alike so you are getting a true ‘original’ from the artist/metalsmith herself.

You can choose from five collections on her shop page: Signature, Preface, Layered, Egg and Bean and Steel and Gold (my ab-so-lute favorite)!

Her SIGNATURE collection is a combination of her most popular, original pieces. I think this necklace is so great for everyday, subtle yet unique:

Posted November 28, 2007 in Fashion, News