Reinvention

I was getting kind of bored with my necklaces and was thinking of ideas to add some pizzazz to them. I had the idea to put a broach on them.


Ta da!

New necklace!

I love this necklace, my awesome mother-in-law gave me this.

I looks even more amazing with a pin.

 This is just a cheap pin from Wet Seal...I was so bummed when one stone fell out..(bottom of the center)

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

This flower doesn't work quite as well. The metals are different colors which I don't like. I was just trying it out.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 This is just an inexpensive necklace. The beads are colored plastic. Adding the pin makes it look much nicer.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
This one is a little bit more complicated. I looped it through itself (see the right side.)


I then took the loose ends and pinned them to the necklace.


I really love how this looks.

I found the "pine cone" pin at an antique store. I am not usually drawn to gold tones...but this one is incredible!




 
 
 
  I have had this asymmetrical faux turquoise necklace for years....time for a change.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
  I have gotten a lot of compliments on this combination.



The flower is pin is part of a faux turqoise set...I will show it at anouther time.



 
 
 

 Jet bead choker.

 
Sorry this one is so blurry. (My camera isn’t the top of the line.)




Its hard to make out…but the strawberry is domed out. The red stones are even more beautiful in person. The leaf and stem are enameled.

I hope this inspires you to try some new combinations with your own jewelry.

Fashion Outline

After reading Eccentric Glamour…I began to think much more about my personal style. I was pondering what exactly my signature style is?

Later as  I was making a wish list for a vintage shopping trip, it dawned on me: why not make a fashion mission statement complete with an organized outline?


(When shopping vintage a large list is best. You never know exactly what you will find so a long list of “wants” can help you navigate the chaos.)

Mission statement: To blend (touches of) crazy punk/metal/hippie/goth with elegance and class. (And not look like a schizophrenic bag lady!)

Fashion Influences:

• Audrey Hepburn
• The B-52’s
• Courtney Love
• Tim Burton
• Amanda Palmer
• Johnny Depp
• Natalie Portman
• Eugene Hutz
• Janis Joplin
• Dita Von Teese
• Cindy Lauper
• Rue Paul
• Shirley Manson
• Isabella Rossellini

Constraints:

• Scarves too hot for work
• Must wear layers (temp changes at work)
• No dresses/skirts/heels at work
• Turtle necks make me feel claustrophobic
• Many women’s shirts do not fit my shoulders, or arms
• Many pants do not fit me in either the hips or waist

Signature Items:

• Converse All-stars (low-tops)  Black, Grey, Purple, Brown, Teal/Jade
• Stretched ears (6 gauge)
• Glasses/ Sunglasses (no contact lenses)
• Dark hair/pale skin (Snow White)
• Wedge heels (black, brown, creamy white, gold floral)
• Boots (I have oodles!)
• Leather trench coat
• Scarves (Too many to count)
• Boot cut jeans
• Tank Tops
• Stripes
•  Skulls
• Stars 

Items I Want!

• Boots:
• 70’s tan knee high boots
• Cowboy boots:
•  teal, red, purple
• Skirts:
•  circle,
• wrap,
• a-line,
•  sari print skirt (Although a 2nd would be awesome!)
• Cardigans:
• coral
•  red,
• black,
• grey,
• brown,
•  mustard yellow,
•  leopard, (color negotiable)
• cranberry
• Costume jewelry:
•  necklaces,
•  pins,
•  asymmetrical necklace,
•  asymmetrical pearl necklace,
• coral; (faux only)
• necklace
• pin (faux)
• skull ring
• More plugs (earrings)
•  wood,
• bone,
• stone,
• shell,
• antler
• Dresses:
• sundress
• cocktail dress
•  a-line
• empire
• Camisoles:
• pink
• purple
• brown
•  peach 
• Hats:
• Fedoras:
• red,
• black
• grey 
• Cloche hats:
• brown
• black
• grey 
• Dress pants:
•  brown
• grey
•  pinstripe
•  black
• Tights:
• grey
• black
•  print
• stripes
• subtle polka dots 
• Chucks:
• grey
• red
• black
• skulls
• blue
• brown
•  patterned
• purple 
• Coats:
• the perfect trench coat
• green parka faux fur trimmed hood
• brown leather trench
• red wool trench 
• Scarves:
• mustard yellow
• brown
•  grey
•  coral
• red
•  purple
•  teal
• black
• white 
• Colored slips:
• lime green
• purple
•  magenta
•  purple
•  teal

Eccentric Glamour

I recently picked up a used copy of Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan. It was a fun and interesting read. He urges woman to reject cookie-cutter trends and botoxed boob-job look of “Porno Chic.”

This is not a bullet pointed list of must have for every wardrobe. It instead celebrates individuality and “over the top glamour.”

It is a very entertaining look at fashion full of comical descriptions. It features short interviews with some fantastically glamorous people.

He reminds us all that fashion is meant to be a fun exciting journey of self discovery. We do not need to be slaves to the next big trend.

I don’t recommend following his wacky advice about relationships….

Spring and summer finds (accessories)

Wrap bracelet made by me, large smoky topaz ring (left) and Mystic Fire Topaz ring (right)

 

To give you and idea of size, me wearing them on my small hands.

 

Inexpensive (but beautiful!) paste ring*, my small hand. (Vintage)

 

*Items from Corner Shop in Minneapolis.

 

Vintage hand painted paste flower pin*.

 

Star scarf by Converse One Star.

 

 Tasseled print scarf, from Target. (Frankie decided to check out the tassels.)

 

 Burmel scarf I found at Ragstock.

Vintage print scarf*.

 

Asian inspired print scarf found at Ragstock as well.

Vivid orange and plum scarf. From….Old navy….arg. (Hey, it was on clearance…$3)

Groovy 70’s silk tie*.

Finally! I have been hunting for honey colored leather boots for years. (My mom had a pair when I was very little…they left a big impression on me. ) From Tatters Vintage Store