Saturday, August 22, 2009

What to Wear Where?

Jewelry For Every Occasion

Recent trends in fashion have seen a change to bolder, more luxurious jewelry. Artisan gemstone creations and intricate wire work are hot right now and very fun to wear. But incorporating these styles into your regular wardrobe can seem challenging. Here are some suggestions:

Business casual
Choose one focal piece of handcrafted jewelry as a standout piece and keep your other accessories simple.

Dinner Date
Consider a delicate chain or pendant paired with dangling or chandelier earrings.

Weddings
Pearls are classic and always a great choice, but this can also be a great opportunity to wear a more formal extravagant piece.



Evening Glamor
Contrast a sleek, feminine outfit with chunky, artisan crafted gemstone-studded necklaces.

At Work
Spice up your business attire with an intricate wirework necklace, but keep the color choices simple and professional.

Casual
For a chic Fall look, pair jeans and a sweater with an eye-catching pendant in classic autumn hues dangling from a long chain.



Shopping
Looking for earrings to match your favorite necklace? Be sure to wear that necklace the next time you hit the mall so that you can be on the lookout for the perfect match

Sports
Use extreme caution when deciding whether to wear jewelry or accessories if you're engaging in sports or other strenuous activities. Jewelry can get caught, snag, break or just be a general hazard or nuisance. Consider skipping it altogether.

Barbecue or Picnic
Keep your accessories casual and limit yourself to just one piece. Outdoor parties are a great chance to show off simple, nature-inspired jewelry, like sterling leaf-shaped earrings.

Garden Party
Like a picnic or barbecue, you may want to have a natural theme. But since garden parties are a little more formal, try pairing a breezy summer dress with a more elaborate gemstone bracelet or necklace.

Cocktail Party
Intricate artisan jewelry is very much at home at a cocktail parties. Wear your best pieces and don't be afraid to stand out!




Travel
I suggest keeping jewelry to a minimum while traveling for two reasons: 1) if you accidentally leave your favorite one-of-a-kind jewelry item behind, you'll probably never see it again and 2) jewelry makes a great souvenir, so buy something new and indulgent while you are away.

Art Galleries
How appropriate it is to wear art while viewing art! Break out your wildest, most unconventional artisan jewelry item and you'll really showcase your appreciation for creativity and design.

Antiquing
Keep your eyes out for a fabulous new find while wear your favorite vintage jewelry. (of course!)

Wine tasting
Check out my collection of grape-inspired jewelry, such as this one:



I hope this post gave you some ideas about how to wear your colorful artisan jewelry. Your favorite gems shouldn't just sit in a box all year long! Find any excuse to wear your fanciest, most lavish pieces because you never know when the next formal occasion may be. Life is uncertain, so make the best of it and find pleasure in the (sparkly) little things!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Color Series: Part Three

Neutrals and Earth Tones

Every outfit you wear will probably include a neutral or earth tone. While these shades may often take a back seat to the brighter colors you wear, they are nonetheless important in looking your best. The right balance of neutral colors can help you to appear more professional and keep your use of bold colors from taking over.

Brown is an earthy, organic color. Its often associated with autumn, nature, and the outdoors. There are many beautiful shades ranging from deep, rich chocolate to soft sepia toned tans.
Try these suggestions to make the most of your browns:
  • Pair chocolate with pink or teal for a very modern, trendy combination.
  • Brown looks great with itself! Think "mocha latte" or " chocolate caramel" for a yummy, tone-on-tone look.
  • For a classic autumn look, wear browns with red or orange.
  • Brown and ivory can combine for a vintage, antique feel.




White symbolizes purity and innocence in some cultures, while other cultures use white to represent joy and serenity. No wonder white is so popular at weddings! But there are many other occasions to wear white:
  • White is a fresh, summery color all by itself or when paired with soft shades of blue for a nautical feel.
  • For a modern minimalist look, try combining white with a touch of aqua or lime.
  • A white top with jeans or khakis is relaxed, casual and simple.
  • In addition to the classic black and white combination, try using white with bright shades like magenta and tangerine.



Black can be sophisticated and elegant, or mysterious and moody. It's slimming, timeless and it goes with everything!
  • To convey a feeling of seriousness or formality, match black with gray or deep purple.
  • Combine black with red for a dramatic gothic look.
  • Black is the best backdrop for your wildest patterns and colors
  • Black can even look earthy and organic if paired with wood or stone jewelry.



Gray is sometimes thought of as a depressing, drab color, but it can be surprising lively when used in unexpected ways:
  • One of the hottest color combinations right now is gray and yellow. Try it!
  • Pair charcoal and burgundy for an elegant, understated look.
  • For a crisp, wintry look wear steely gray with sterling silver jewelry.
  • Gray can be a great alternative to black. Match it up with brights for a surprisingly modern and fresh look.


Sunday, August 9, 2009

Winter Wedding

Now's the time for planning winter weddings! I put this collection together to showcase some of the beautiful wedding ideas on Etsy. This collection features a red color scheme with lots of snowflakes and whimsy.

Enjoy!

Etsy
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