What to Wear: nOir jewelry

As you all know I am a huge fan of vintage and re-purposed vintage jewelry, but nOir JEWELRY may just tempt into buying some modern pieces. Founded about 14 years ago by Leeora Catalan and based in NYC, "Noir’s fresh and cheeky take on style blends glamour with an edgy street influence". In short, all the makings of a craveworthy collection - even for notoriously picky me.

There are so many amazing pieces in the collection, but here are just a few of my personal favorites.

1. Goldie the Elephant Ring (5-7, 10; $175.00): This is what I love about nOir Jewlery - they take what I normally hate and make it into a must buy! I usually love my rings simple and sleek, but I just cannot help myself from falling in love with this elephant ring. Made of Cubic Zirconia and Rhodium plated brass this ring could seriously bring any outfit up a notch.


2. Cactus Ring (Sizes 6-9; $135.00): Same goes for this unique piece. I know the design name references cactus, but what I love about is that it reminds me a flower just about to bloom. This adds a bit of mystery to the piece in my mind as you would never get to know the color or type of the flora about to burst onto the scene. Solid brass plated in 18K gold with Cubic Zirconia Stones as thorns this ring will be sure to add a bit of daring glamor to any occasion.
   
   
3. Mercutio Bracelet ($60.00): I never have been much of a bangle person as I feel the design lends itself more often than not to bulky as well as cumbersome construction. This piece could not be any farther from that due to its elegant execution. It comes in several variants, but my favorite one shown here made of Gold and Rhoduim. The color combination and design being such an attention grabber this piece will be sure to turn heads no matter the destination or the pairing!
   
   
4. Venus Necklace ($435.00): Statements necklaces are normally hit or miss. Designers more often than not miss that fine line between fashion forward and bejeweled baby bib in my humble opinion. This Austrian crystal cluster necklace in red thankfully escapes this fate. The gold plated brass metal finish coupled with the bright red crystals is edgy and sophisticated at the same time. This is also what prevents it from becoming dated as well as ensures that it can be worn with pretty much anything!
   

Any other indie jewelry designers out there that you love? Leave them in the comments!

The New Adventures of Old Jewelry

One whole week without a blog post! Seriously, I should be ashamed of myself dear readers.

I do have a small excuse for it though it was my anniversary! Also, I had to overhaul my garden. It was starting to look like Jumanji out there. Then on Friday, I was walking out of the subway and the sidewalk literally crumbled underneath my feet. I was flat on my back on 60th street and 3rd Ave in front of the movie theater across from Bloomingdales with my foot stuck in a hole. If a nice man did not stop to help me get it out - I may still be there right now. That little escapade garnered me a chipped foot bone and a inflamed nerve. As a good friend of mine likes to say, "my life is not real".

I did, however, work on a post about my anniversary gifts which were repurposed jewelry. It is one of my favorite category of accessories even though it is hard to find done right. Though when you do the results are truly amazing.

For my anniversary I acquired these two lovely pieces from New York based Lori McLean.


1. Locket Pendant Necklace by Lori Mclean: It is of Persian descent and was originally part of a watch fob. The store put the glitter in and it is something I plan to rectify soon. I love the mystery of the piece, because no one is quite sure what purpose it was originally intended. Poison? Photograph? Lock of hair?

2. Compass Pendant Necklace by Lori Mclean: This is a functional brass compass. My husband bought it for me as I am always a bit lost figuratively and literally. The coolest part about it is that it still works!

My other favorite place for repurposed jewelry in New York City is Pippin. I bought this amazing pin made from the remains of an old watch chain.


For those of you not based in the tri-state, fret not as there amazing finds on the web as well if one looks hard enough for these repurposed baubles.


4. Dardeila Aristocrat Revisited Statement Necklace by Voleuer De Bijoux ($85.00) - This piece is simply irresistible as it weaves the old with the new to create something beautiful. The repurposed items are the vintage oval links, link rings, and filigree pendants. I adore these types of pieces in particular, because they truly go with anything. From tshirt and jeans to cocktail dress - this piece would definitely have you covered.

5. Art Deco Rhinestone Dress Clip Necklace by Destash Rehash ($90.00): Oh this is the piece that I am going to regret not being able to purchase. It is pure perfection, but then again I am a whore for art 40/50s costume jewelry. I also love that the chain is a bit rough around the edges in comparison to the pendant. It is what keeps the piece casual enough for everyday life!

6. The Dichotomy Locket Necklace by Basil the Cat ($142.00): Ok I am cheating a bit by including this one as it just vintage and not repurposed, but it is such an amazing piece. I would be remiss if I did not share it with you dear readers. My only gripe is the chain, which I would switch out for something a bit more refined to better contrast with the piece. Then again, I am super picky about my chains!

7. prizewinner by pequitobun ($450.00): Made using vintage rose and horse broaches respectively this piece is a show-stopper. I would probably wear it without wrapping it and wear a simple short base necklace to balance it out. This is the type of item that requires a bit of hutzpah to wear, but I highly doubt you would regret it if you did.

Got any vintage finds that I should know about? Leave them in the comments!

What to Wear: Say Yes to the Dress

The weight of social occasions is especially heavy when you are plus sized. On the one hand, there is the whole anxiety of knowing more than likely you are going to be the heaviest one in the room. Then on the other hand, there is all the stress involved with picking out what to wear when you have limited options. All this negativity can get pretty overwhelming - that is if you let it.

I had a wedding to attend this Friday and as we all know there is nothing like that bit of extra pressure of seeing people that last saw you when you were 8 to send you off the deep end! How did I stave off the jitters associated with such an occasions? Planning. I sat down and planned every element of my outfit from hair, nails, dress, shoes, bag, and undergarments. Over the years, I have amassed some pretty lovely pieces so that I could avoid the whole dilemma of what am I going to wear.

Granted, not many people are like me and find it necessary to have several party frocks in their closets. Purchasing one is a great way to ensure that you always have a great go to outfit that makes you feel amazing. Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than confidence after all!

Why I bring this whole point up is that I have been reticent to do outfit posts of myself. There is nothing like looking at yourself from a wrong angle, but sharing it with the world is a whole other can of worms. The fact is I chose to do it now to show how the power of planning can really diminish any qualms when it comes to body confidence.

1. Dress: I bought this orange dress years ago and it has never let me down. Fit wise its fantastic as it lets me shine in all right places, and color wise it never results in me meeting a color doppelganger.
2. Shoes: These are a pair of Ferragamo kitten heels that I bought ages ago for $99. Honestly, one of the best investments I ever made fashion wise as they will never go out of style and are extremely comfortable.
3. Bag: My little LV always steals the show. I had a larger one in rainbow, which I gave away years ago as it never meshed with my style. It was just a bit too ostentatious and overexposed for my tastes. I have no idea why I ever bothered to purchase it in the first place, but when I saw this item on net-a-porter I knew it had to be mine. Just enough flash to be noticed, but functional enough for everyday use.
4. Makeup: I had to purchase some Shu Uemura products to replenish my makeup stock, so I got my makeup done at their kiosk in Bloomigdales. It was honestly the best decision I ever made, because it was one less thing I had to worry about and I got something out of the deal. I never pay just to get my makeup done ever, because honestly it seems like a waste of money. Just find out what the price of the qualifying purchase necessary, check what you need in your makeup bag, and make an appointment. Honestly, it is the best deal ever. Oh and why yes I am wearing the lipstick from my previous post!
5. Nails: I like to be daring with nails as mine are really short. The blue contrasts nicely with the dress and keeps the whole outfit from being overly formal. It is an OPI shade, but the name escapes me as I got it done at salon.
6. Jewelry: I try to keep everything above the neck classic. These pearl studs are from Tiffany - a gift from my husband many moons ago. The heart shaped ruby necklace from Versani was in fact another gift from my husband. Oh and the blue topaz ring from Little Kings? Also, a gift from my husband. Jeez, I think I really need to go out and buy some pieces for myself. Otherwise, if he dies horrifically in a car crash or we have a nasty divorce - I'm going to have a box full of bad memories.
7. Hair: I got my hair done for the occasion at Blow, because I had absolutely no time to try and tame the beast. Plus, your hair sets the tone for your outfit and overall confidence level. If it looks like hell - you feel like hell. Thanks to the extreme hack job performed on my hair recently, it was a challenge but the stylist was able to make it look amazing.The only thing I regret is forgetting my undergarments at home. The tell tale bump in my tummy is ever-present in the pictures and I could have positioned myself better, but you know what I will remember years from now in lieu of that? What a great time I had and how gorgeous I felt!

Fashion Inspirations: Jem and the Holograms

Today is an outfit post to end them all. I was looking for inspiration pretty much everywhere to find something extra special, since I am having trouble finding time to post on a regular basis. Then while cruising polyvore it hit me: Jem!

I loved Jem so much when I was younger and I still even remember the theme song! I swear that show is probably responsible for the more way out there elements in my wardrobe today. Below is my modern take on a Jem outift - I hope you don't find it truly outrageous! ;)

Original

Modern Day

1. Ban.do - fancy flower power ($350.00): This headpiece is to die for and even though there are exact duplicate of the hairpiece featured - I just think this is a more modern and luxe way to pull off the look.

2. Garland - Diamond Star Stud Earrings ($1,920): Granted they are not red stars as Jem wears, but they are pretty close. Plus, at this price tag you need high rewear value to justify the purchase!

3. Gemma Redux - Mixed Chain Necklace ($398): Pearls for me are so 80s in a bad way, and so I kept the look modern with this mutli colored chain necklace. I think its a great update on the traditional long pearl wrap too!

4. ASOS - Mesh Waterfall Babydoll Dress (US Sizes: 4-16; $64.25): I looked high and low for a dress that even came close to the one featured in the shot above. I was about to give up - that is until I cam across this dress.

5. Christian Louboutin Fred Flats ($565): I decided to change it up from the featured flats to these, because you know what I'm sure Jem would approve!

6. We Love Colors Lilac Tights (Sizes XS-3X; $15.00): What more can I say? I tried to match the shade as closely as I could, and the good people at We Love Colors obliged as usual.

7. Proenza Schouler - Silk Mini Bag ($1,165): I saw this bag in Elle and I knew it was perfect for the Jem outfit homage. Its funky without being overpowering, and it definitely complements the look.

I might make this a regular feature based on characters/icons that have influenced my style in the future. Well, that is if I ever find more time to blog on a consistent basis!

Putting on the Ritz

When the weather is nice I love to take a walk in the Meatpacking District. The long wide sidewalks are so inviting and normally if I wander long enough I find a new interesting shop or restaurant. I know it is mostly known for its clubs, but I swear to you there is more than meets the eye down there.

Yesterday, I found myself over there due to a meeting I had about a potential job and thought that I could use a bit of a stroll to shake off the post interview jitters. As I was wandering around about, I noticed this woman rocking an insanely gorgeous cocktail dress. I was a bit put off as it was 11:00AM, but I completely in awe of it as well.

It takes a lot of confidence to wear evening wear during the day I thought to myself, but then I remembered an article I read about how evening wear is now being considered to be a daytime staple. I mean it makes sense as the recession has consumers watching their wallets and workers putting in overtime to hold on to their jobs.

Some trends look out of place no matter what though, and I think that has some people leery about it. You should keep in mind, however, that evening wear during the day is totally doable if you balance it right. All you need to pull it off, in my opinion, are the right accessories and a bit of confidence.

This is a perfect example of how to do it:

1. Golden Goose Deluxe Brand - Chain Handle Leather Bag: $1500.00

This super sleek bag has been on my radar for quite some as it screams utility. It also does not hurt that it does not sacrifice fashion for function either. It's subtle sophistication is also key to making this evening wear heavy ensemble feasible for the light of day.

2. Givenchy - Lace and Patent Leather Flats: $464.00

These shoes are on my list of things to buy. They are craveworthy as they are dripping with femininity and at the same they are extremely casual. These shoes pair well with the outfit as they are strong enough not to be dominated by the other pieces, but are casual enough to keep it daywear appropriate.

3. Victoria's Secret - Metallic Sweaterdress (Sizes: 0-18): $58.00

This glittery and formfitting dress would be considered evening wear by most, but the detailing makes it doable for daywear. The straps are also removable which I love, because who does not love a 2 for 1 deal? Depending on how high the hemline falls on you individually, I would suggest leggings if necessary. I am unsure if it is necessary due to the proportions of the model.

1. figleaves - Womenswear Sequin Blazer (Sizes: 8-18): $59.40

I have seen many a sequined blazer this season, but this is the one that gets my vote. It just screams attitude and confidence to me and that is what I think is key to wearing sequins during the day. The loose fit also makes it casual, which is essential for wearing it as daywear.

5. Tom Binns - Rabbit Clock Pendant Necklace: $66.00

I love to get a bit out there with my accessories during the day. So, I think this pocketwatch necklace is the perfect counterpart to bring this outfit into the daywear catergory. If you prefer to play it more safe though I highly suggest the Tough Chic Drop Necklace also from Tom Binns.

Anyone of you have any suggestions on how to incorporate evening wear into daywear leave it in the comments!

Brunch: The Most Important Meal Of the Day

The weather if you live in NYC has been amazing these past few days. I, personally, spent Friday afternoon on my patio with a blood orange mimosa in one hand and banana cupcake in the other. I guess unemployment has its benefits sometimes!

Mimosas, I have to note, are not just for celebrating they also go hand in hand with one my favorite meals: Brunch. I am in love with this meal as it is one of the few socially acceptable occasions to drink with breakfast. (One of the others being St. Patrick's Day Parade Days - case in point the bars in Hoboken opened on last Saturday at 9:00AM.)

I also love brunch because it is one of those magical times where chicness and comfortability go hand in hand. There was no better place to observe this then in the Meatpacking District at Markt. Sadly, however, it has since moved on and been replaced by an Apple Store. I have yet to find a place that I enjoyed as much, but my love of brunch is still going strong to this day.

If you ever caught me out on a Sunday my outfit would look a lot like something like this:

1. ASOS - Contrast Trim Ponti Blazer (US Sizes: 4 - 16): $85.47

I adore this jacket for two reasons: the red piping and the military inspired motif.

2. Banana Republic - Weekend Chino (Sizes: 2 - 16): $59.50

I normally hate pants with a passion, but brunch is one of those times that I never mind throwing a pair on. Maybe it is just the simple fact that after a night out I can't be bothered to wriggle into leggings or tights? I'm not sure. Plus, these ones actually look like they are midget friendly and as such I would not have to worry about the crotch being too long.

3. Fendi - 'Peekaboo' Satchel: $2,990

Oh this is definitely on my list for things to buy when I win the lottery. I like to chose clean simple lines whenever I invest in high end designer handbags, and this fits my requirements to a T. Why do I do this? A truly fashionable piece is timeless and I will not buy something in that price range if I cannot wear it at 75.

4. Thomas Pink - White Megan Women's Shirt Double Cuff (Sizes: 4 - 20): $250.00

I love button ups for brunch, because they can go from modest to sexy with a flick of a button. This one in particular is especially stylish and versatile due to the double cuff on this one and black piping.

5. Melissa by Vivienne Westwood - Rubber Ballet Flat: $130.00

Flats are essential for brunch for me at least, because afterwards I normally have to traverse the city to take care of last minute errands. I have a couple of friends who think flats are boring, but these rubber ballet flats from Melissa by Vivienne Westwood are anything but! The peephole in the front toe is on trend, the rubber material makes it durable, and the black button in the shape of wax seal makes them unique. A definite stunner in my book.

6. Gianfranco Ferre - Luigi: $325.00

Sunglasses are essential to brunch for three reasons: block out the sun while sitting outside, they allow you to covertly people watch, and if you are like me disguise your hangover. These are a bit different then your normal oversized sunnies, but I really love the way they bring this outfit together.

7. Jennifer Behr - Double Delicate Chain Link Headwrap in Gold: $68.00

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Behr's headbands. I have yet to come across a company that makes hairbands at their level but with the same balance of sophistication. I especially love this one because it can easily be paired with a messy bun and look pulled together.

8. VintageSparkles - Antique Sterling Victorian scroll Pocketwatch necklace: $225.00

I, personally, would wear this pocket-watch as a necklace. I already have one that I wear all the time but unfortunately there is no timepiece inside the casing. That never keeps people from constantly complimenting it and I am sure they would do the same as well for this amazing piece.

Well that is how I see dressing for brunch, what about you?

The Not So Mellow Yellow Ensemble

Have you ever been obsessed with something but unsure how to wear it?

Recently, I have been wrestling over the decision whether or not to buy this Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Purse Bow handbag. I was concerned, because yellow is so bright and I had no idea what to pair with it.

So, I kept surfing around trying to find some items to wear with it and I stumbled upon these Alexander McQueen heels on FarFetch. It was like lightening struck and I knew at that moment those shoes and the Sonia bag must be mine. I normally shy away from such bright colors, but I swear it was destiny. I just knew in my bones they belonged together.

Still, the question lingered how in the hell do I wear this without looking like I just time warped out of the early 90s? Then it hit me: dummy you already blogged about this in Grey Skies Got You Down: Find the Pink Lining!. I knew that I needed a dark dress and the Dorothy Perkins Rise Embellished Dress would be the perfect complement, but in order to tone it down for daywear a boyfriend jacket was definitely in order.

Then there was the issue of accessorizing. The Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Bow Purse had silver hardware and I am not really much of a silver person. I was stumped until I happened upon a bracelet from Deviated by Justin Giunta. It had both gold and silver finishes in it as well as stones similar in coloring to the dress! Huzzah - problem solved.

Well, almost as there was the necklace quandary I found myself in. The dress itself is pretty ornate and definitely did not need a statement necklace. I love necklaces though and so I was determined to find something to complement the outfit. So, I searched and searched and then I found it at Emily Elizabeth Jewelry.

Here is the ensemble in all it's photoshopped glory. Please, be kind - remember I went to Parsons for business not design. So, my photoshop skills are a bit lacking!

OUTFIT BREAKDOWN

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel - Bow Purse (Yellow): $169.74 www.asos.com

Alexander McQueen - Patent court shoe (Yellow): $577.00 www.farfetch.com

Emily Elizabeth Jewelry - Gypsy Plume Lariat-Infinity Necklace: $60.00 www.emilyelizabethjewelry.com

Deviated by Justin Giunta - Crossed Ladder Bracelet: $238.00 www.shopbop.com

Dorothy Perkins - Rise Embellished Dress (US size 12 - 14): $46.00 www.dorothyperkins.com

ASOS - Longline Ponti Blazer (US size 18-22): $92.58 www.asos.com

Love some of these items but sticker shock has got you down? Try www.like.com and www.styleshopper.com. More often than not you can find something similar at a reduced price. All you have to do is enter the designer and product name and it should come up within the search, and from there it should only be a few seconds to find similar items.