Waxing Poetic

I am currently obsessing over Waxing Poetic’s jewelry and charms. They have a vintage, victorian, gothic vibe that appeals to my darker, Tim Burton-loving side. Many of the pieces have a hand-forged craftsman feel that look as if they were pulled up from the wreckage of an ancient ship or found in an antique steamer trunk in a grand castle.

Each charm and chain is a miniature work of art that when combined, creates a jewelry tour de force. Layer them on bracelets and necklaces; wear them on their own on a dainty chain; give them as gifts to your friends and loved ones. Truly Charming! Available at WaxingPoetic.com and LaylaGrace.com.

I desperately want this arrow necklace that cleverly states “Write Your Own Way”.

Bejeweled

I am currently obsessed with jewelry designer Samantha Wills work, from the large cocktail rings to the art deco earrings to the “you are my anchor” necklace/bracelet combo. Every piece from this Australian designer has a certain “je ne sais quoi” that is refreshing and appealing in a crowded jewelry market. A gorgeous mix of vintage charm and modern style make these pieces incredibly unique and statement-making. Simply Stunning! Available online at SamanthaWills.com.

Large and In Charge:

Rings:

Earrings:

Cuffs:

You Are My Anchor Necklace: Samantha Wills created this piece for Valentine’s Day. This stunningly simple necklace has a plain round pendant (that can be engraved) that hangs in the front and an extender piece with a small anchor that hangs on the back of the neck. You can also remove the anchor piece and wear it as a bracelet. Certainly a sweet message.

How To Wear A Denim Shirt

If you like this post and blog, check out our new website: Bridles and Baubles at www.bridlesandbaubles.com.

Wearing a denim shirt is essentially a no-brainer but wearing it without looking man-ish and maintaining your femininity can be a little difficult. A well-made, soft fabric denim shirt will instantly become a staple for your wardrobe that has the flexibility to be worn year-round.

The first thing to consider when buying a denim shirt is the fit, buy one that has a feminine fitted shape that hugs your curves and defines your waist in order to avoid looking like you stole it from your husband’s closet.

Denim shirts looks amazing when paired with black pants (tucked into wide leg trousers with sky high stilettos or worn with ankle-length capris and ballet flats). Keep your accessories feminine, think brightly colored shoes, dainty belts, an armful of bangles or layered necklaces.

Jewelry instantly glamorizes denim:

Go a step forward in feminizing a denim shirt by wearing it with a pencil skirt in everything from a plain fabric to lace to sequins. It will also look great paired under a sweater, untucked with the tails hanging out, overly a brightly colored skirt. Try wearing a denim shirt under a sleeveless dress for a fun winter look.

Replace your standard white or french blue button-down shirt with a denim shirt when wearing a black, gray or tan suit. It will provide an unexpected pop of color and texture.

Wear a denim shirt as a jacket over a sleeveless, glitzy, going out top or party dress.

A denim shirt is also a perfect barn staple, looking instantly chic worn with the collar popped up, a string a pearls and your breeches and boots.

Hidden Treasure

As I mentioned in my last post (Unlikely Places), my brother is getting married and that has precipitated the search for an amazing outfit to wear to said wedding. After finding the perfect dress, I was in need of an amazing statement necklace. While searching the web in vain for a necklace that was the perfect mix of bold yet dainty, I stumbled upon this hidden treasure.

Ayana Designs creates modern necklaces with a vintage feel. Each piece is hand-made and absolutely stunning. The attention to detail as well as the mix of colors, materials and textures make for little treasures that will bring you years of joy. Each piece can be worn dressy or casual, the sky’s the limit! Available online at Ayanadesigns.com.

The necklace I bought:

The next necklace I want next:

Love these too:

How gorgeous is this bracelet!

What To Wear: Beach Wedding

My mother-in-law recently enlisted my help finding something to wear to a beach wedding she was luckily invited to. Beach weddings are still formal events and casual beach wear is not acceptable (ie swimsuits, swimsuit coverups, shorts, ribbed cotton tank tops and rubber flip flops). Instead look for loose, airy summer dresses in dressy fabrics and bright colors paired with jeweled flip flops and sandals. Finish the look with an armful of bangles and long layered necklaces and don’t forget the sunscreen.

This long chiffon halter dress was made for a beach wedding. It’s dressy silhouette paired with a pink kaleidoscope print is beach perfect. Add these Kate Spade jeweled flat sandals. Dress available at whitehouseblackmarket.com and shoes available at zappos.com.

This light-as-a-breeze cotton dress in stunning aquamarine will look amazing paired with jeweled flip flops, long necklaces and bangles. Add this 3/4 length gray jacket for a bit more coverage as the evening progresses. Dress available at anthropologie.com and jacket available at whitehouseblackmarket.com. Shoes available at zappos.com.

I love this bohemian print dress cinched with a wide leather belt, gladiator sandals and a white jacket. Dress available at anthropologie.com, jacket available at whitehouseblackmarket.com, belt available at shopbop.com and shoes available at piperlime.com.

Go short and flirty with this fuschia embellished dress available at whitehouseblackmarket.com and feminine jeweled bow sandals available at piperlime.com.

What To Wear: Casual Family Gathering

Fun family gatherings abound this time of year and this outfit walks the line perfectly between comfy, casual and fashionable. Plus, it also works well for dinner out with friends and is work appropriate.

Take one part slouchy cowl-neck merino sweater add one part stretchy, straight leg cargo pants, throw in leopard kitten heels and mix thoroughly with fun jewelry.

Ann Taylor Merino Drape Neck Tunic

White House Black Market Slim Cargo Pants

Ann Taylor Leopard Kitten Heels

J Crew Earrings

 

The Perfect Gifts For Gals

Tis the season to shop! I have compiled a list of perfect gifts to give to the women in your life from your mom to your mother-in-law to your best friends and everyone in between.

FYI Click on each gift’s name to link to where the item can be purchased.

Philosophy’s Gingerbread Man Scrub: Yummy scented scrub that heats up as your scrub leaving you with warm, soft amazing smelling skin.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment: Available in Clear, Rose or Plum, leaves lip soft and shiny.

Twirl by Kate Spade Perfume: “She had a cocktail in her hand and confetti in her hair.” Surely, you know a girl like that! Twirl by Kate Spade encapsulates the floral fragrance of a garden in bloom, finished with a twist of fresh fruit.

Zoku Quick Pop Maker: An instant popsicle maker for any foodie you know and love.

Chocolate Chocolate Croissants: The most amazing, melt in your mouth pastry you will ever eat! Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma, they are a wonderful way to thank anyone who has been there for you this year.

White House Black Market Ruffle Scarf: This light as air ruffle scarf is reasonably priced to buy in bulk and pass out to all your female friends and family members.

Soma Intimates Pajamas: I have already blogged about how much I love these pajamas but they are worth mentioning again. A fun and easy gift that any woman would love, plus they come in a wide range of sizes.

Ugg Cozy Knit Slippers: They will thank you as they slip their weary feet into these cable knit, sheepskin lined slippers.

Kindle: Amazon’s Kindle is the perfect gift for the reader in your life, pre-fill it with a few of your favorite books and hand them the world of literature.

My favorite cookbooks always make great gifts for married friends, moms or foodies. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes From An Accidental Country Girl by Ree Drummond; A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg and Double Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld.

Viv and Ingrid Small Gold Rainbow Wrap Hoops: Every woman loves jewelry and these rainbow hoops are dainty but still make a statement and can be worn with all colors and outfits.

Juicy Couture Cocktail Rings: Give a little bling courtesy of Juicy’s delectable selection of cocktail rings.

J Crew Cashmere Sweater: Give someone you love a symbolic hug with a cozy cashmere sweater. J Crew has a great selection of simple styles at good prices, perfect for mom’s and mother-in-laws.

White House Black Market Suede Peeptoe Bow Heels: Buy your best girlfriend a decadent pair of heels she would never buy for herself. This pair is fun and fashionable and will look equally good with skinny pants or skirts and tights. Shoes are a great gift for guys to buy for their significant others, check her shoe size in the closet and buy her a sexy pair of heels.

Magazine Subscriptions: The gift that keeps on giving all year long plus who doesn’t love a good magazine. A few of my faves: Vogue, Lucky, InStyle, Allure, Marie Claire, Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple (perfect for everyone).

 

 

Playing Dress Up

I want it! I need it! I have to have it!

These were my exact thoughts when this ostrich boa popped up in Shopbop’s new arrivals. It’s completely frivolous but oh so glamorous and brings back the days when I used to play dress up in my mom’s old bridesmaid and prom dresses with a few pairs of glittery heels and feather boas thrown into the mix. Wear it much like you would a big statement necklace, it will look equally at home with a cocktail dress or a cashmere sweater and jeans. It will also add instant glamour and drama to a wool coat. Available online at www.shopbop.com.

 

All Patched Up

Menswear as womenswear is a big trend for fall, (boyfriend jeans, boyfriend watch, boyfriend cardigan, boyfriend blazer), we have borrowed it all and may I say, made it better by wearing it so well. This time around, the timeless tweed sport coat gets a feminine and trendy makeover.

The Alma Mater Jacket from Anthropologie is made from various tweed patterns patched together into an amazing jacket that is perfect for crisp autumn days. Wear it thrown over a dress or pair it with a white button shirt or basic tank, skinny jeans and knee high boots. You will instantly channel a glamorous, sophisticated, intellectual vibe. Available at www.anthropologie.com.

Wear it over a silky dress like this quirky horse print ruffle dress, available at www.anthropologie.com.

Then pair it with a cute tank, skinny jeans and boots:

J Crew silk henley cami

Paige Premium Denim Leggings

Cole Haan Air Georgina Tall Boot

Don’t forget to add a feminine detail like this Madewell necklace or Juicy Couture earrings and bracelet.

What To Wear: Outdoor BBQ Birthday Party

I have come to realize I am an event driven shopper, while I love to shop and am constantly looking for great items, I really kick it in gear when I have somewhere to go. This being said, I really look at clothes in a “what would I wear this to” way instead of a “wow, that is pretty, I must have it” way. So, I decided to start a new feature on this blog called What To Wear (fittingly that was the name of my clothing store). In each What To Wear section I will put outfits together for a variety of events with links for each item so you can click on to buy, shopping made simple!

My first What To Wear feature centers around the perfect outfit for an outdoor barbeque birthday party (which I just had this weekend for my husband’s birthday), or pretty much any casual summer get together.

Start your outfit with this gorgeous peach, silver and gold brocade party top from J Crew. I bought it in the blush stone but it also comes in cobblestone (featured on the model). It’s silky, luminescent fabric elegantly states party.

Then add this casual pair of Joe’s Jeans cuffed capris to dress down the top, so it says pretty but relaxed.

Next add these Yellow Box gold, jeweled flip flops to mirror the gold on the top while sticking to the casual vibe.

Top it off with this gold and pearl bracelet from J Crew and simple pearl stud earrings.