HOME JEWELRY

Images via Porch Light Interiors

Being the jewelry lover that I am I don't want to keep them locked up and out of sight when I'm not wearing them.  I think that jewelry especially necklaces make great home accessories as well.  Displaying them in a frame on the wall or even over a vase on a shelf adds a personal touch to any home like the picture above.

I also found these great diamond paper weight ornaments on Etsy by AMOK Home.  They are oversied and perfectly imperfect.  Check em' out!

JEWELRY STORAGE: NECKLACE EDITION

Having too much jewelry is certainly never a problem but storing it can be.  When it comes to how and where to keep your precious necklaces there are a few things to keep in mind.  One they can get tangled very easily so I find hanging your necklaces up works best.  That way you can also see what you have easily.  I like the idea of hanging necklaces on hangers in my closet like they are clothes.  It makes it easy to see how the necklace works with outfits.  Another option is on a coat hanger or bulletin board.  All great options that allow you to see the pieces individually.  Tell me how do you store your jewelry?

 All images via How I Met Your Style

 

JEWELRY ENVY: BUBA LONDON

I stumbled upon what may be my new favorite jewelry!  Buba London is comprised of Euan McDonald and Lesley Silwood.  Their gorgeous jewelry, handbags, and home goods have been inspired by inspirational exotic cultural colors and shapes of Goa to the florescent glamour of Ibiza’s Techno scene. International flavors which compliment each other to create a unique fashion experience.  All the bead work is done by hand in Delhi India where they combine many of the techniques in unusual ways and apply them to unusual materials with a challenging and fresh approach.  The use of crochet and whipstitch as a main form of construction (as apposed to sewing machine) has become their signature.

Truly amazing work.

 

 

all images via Buba London

MENS JEWELRY, SOUTH AFRICAN STYLE

 Designer: Stiaan Louw, Photographer: Simon Deiner Photo taken at London Fashion Week 2011 VFS

During London's Fasion Week 2011 The Ubuntu International Project was showcased.  Basically the project is developing, promoting and exporting a new South African design led aesthetic that fuses the techniques and traditions of South Africa with South African contemporary fashion in order to create a unique South African high-end Heritage Brand.

"Three South African designers, Stiaan Louw, Heni Este-Hijzen and Laduma Ngxokolo of MaXhosa Knitwear made their debut at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout, London Fashion Week in September this year and the showcase is intended as the start of three year program aimed at nurturing and promoting South African talent on the international stage. “The reason we chose these three designers is they represent the new South African look that is coming through,” says Errol Hendrickse of Ubuntu. “Within their work traditional influences are evident along with a particular heritage aesthetic that translates as a brilliant new fresh aesthetic".

Along with the the amazing clothing the jewelry was exquisite! I love the rough stones and colorful threads on the men.  Tell me would you or would you like your man to wear jewelry like this?  I'd love your thoughts.  

 Designer: Laduma, Photographer: Simon Deiner Photo taken at London Fashion Week 2011 VFS

 Designer: Laduma, Photographer: Simon Deiner Photo taken at London Fashion Week 2011 VFS

Designer: Stiaan Louw, Photographer: Simon Deiner Photo taken at London Fashion Week 2011 VFS

STACK 'EM UP

 

all photos via Jak & Jill

LET'S GET PERSONAL

I can’t think of a more personal or public expression than what we wear on our bodies and jewelry is no exception.  Jewelry can mean so much more than just something pretty to put over that pink ruffled  dress.  A ring past down from your Grandmother or a brooch you picked up from your first trip to Italy can have so much meaning.  Every time it’s worn it’s a reminder of that special person or place.  Sometimes the problem with this is that the piece of jewelry is outdated and doesn’t really gel with your current style.  My solution to this problem is to make something new out of the old pieces.  For example the necklace pictured here incorporated 2 pieces I hold near and dear to my heart.  You wouldn’t know by looking at it but this necklace is about my Grandparents. I took my Grandfathers old Marine pin and an old chandelier crystal from my Grandmothers house and created a necklace out of them.  I would never otherwise wear these special heirlooms but since I worked them into a fashionable necklace I get to proudly display these mementos all the time.  It’s a really unique way to make a positive statement with your outfit.  So, I encourage you to take a second look at those important yet outdated pieces and incorporate them into something new to wear.

AGING BEAUTY

I found these beauties on Refinery 29 and there is a great article that goes along with them that you can check out here.

STYLE ICON: ANNA DELLO RUSSO

In my very humble opinion no one and I mean no one does it better than Japan's Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Dello Russo!  In every picture you can see how much fun she has with fashion and that's what it should be all about, fun.  She is daring and full of life and I think we can all take a look at her and try to embody just a little bit of that self confidence.  Check out these perfectly over the top looks and swoon.

 

 

all photos via all the pretty birds

STREET STYLE

  Yes, that outfit looks amazing on the runway but how would one actually wear it?  Street style is where I get most of my fashion inspiration.  The designers do a wonderful job at coming up with beautiful clothes and accessories, but how the buyer then takes those clothes and styles them to make it their own is what I love best about fashion.  Here are some great photographs from Tamu McPherson of All the Pretty Birds.  

Checkout how these ladies have made their jewelry their own.  The accessories really do make each of these looks special.

2011 EMMY JEWELRY

The Emmy's were last night and for me it's all about the fashion and jewelry-obv.!  Here are some of my favorite jewelry looks.  First, above is Sophia Vergara in Lorraine Schwartz earrings with more than 100 carats of emeralds and 60 carats of diamonds.  I love that she mixed the coral dress and emerald earrings.  Very bold, to die!

It's no secret that I love stacking bracelets especially when they are encrusted with diamonds.  Here is Gweneth Paltrow in Neil Lane black diamond and white diamond bracelets totaling 100 carats.

Nina Dobrev looks sleek in this stunning red number and Neil Lane diamond earrings and vintage inspired chocker set with 50 carats of diamonds.

Heidi Klum's total look wasn't my fav. so I'm only going to show this stunner of a ring.  It's by Lorraine Schartz and has fire opal and amethyst.  Gorgeous!!