The Tastemaker Diaries » necklace

Taking fashion cues from history

Brie — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:59:37 +0000

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.

Just a little bit wild…

Brie — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:11:02 +0000

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.

Trend Spotting- Multi-strand Necklaces!

Brie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:55:34 +0000

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!

I spy with my eye: Long necklaces

Brie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:07:55 +0000

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

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?

Jewelry To Welcome Warmer Days

Brie — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:15:09 +0000

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.

Roses are Red, Robin’s Eggs are Blue

Lori — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:17:26 +0000

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!

It must be my wee bit o’ Scottish blood that draws me to the kilt. There’s nothing sexier than a lad in a kilt, but why can’t the lassies get in on the action? Well, we can if you wear this vintage kilt pin! This would look great as a fastener for a hand knit wrap or scarf. This pin is made of steel wire and vintage beads by SUPERFAY.

These little beauties by FOUNDLING feature a couple of vintage Lucite and faceted stones with a delicate brass chain connected to a cool brass ring (check them out up close) for $25.

This fun “>ring by THE BROKEN PLATE is actually handcrafted from…you guessed it, a broken plate. The vintage 70’s silver adjustable ring setting completes the look.

These super-duper-cute baby hair clips made by DETAILS just make me smile! The Monogram clip on the left and the personalized one on the right are entirely hand-sewn. It’s no surprise then that they use only high quality wool felt on these beauties! Their entire collection for babies and toddlers is a must see!

You can check out all of these designers and more on Etsy, my go-to international boutique for all things indie!

Amy Tavern, metalsmith

Lori — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:11:19 +0000

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: