earrings

gauges

by Lara on July 14, 2011

in fashion

I am completely totally utterly obsessed with these earrings. I must have at least one pair (if not all).

They’re from etsy shop Tribal Style and have regular silver posts, giving the illusion of gauged ears. They’re super affordable too!

I had a lot of piercings in my younger years (took them all out) but gauging was never anything I wanted to do. The thought of not being able to wear normal earrings upset me. I was always envious of the girls wearing the intricately carved earrings though. This solves the issue beautifully!

Here is just a sampling and most come in a variety of colors.

So is this a look you’d ever go for? I’m beyond the age of worrying about looking like a poseur with fake gauged ears. This style just tickles my fancy to no end!

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earrings

by Lara on December 30, 2010

in fashion

I used to wear a big pair of silver hoops every day. They were kinda my trademark but for some reason I haven’t worn earrings in forever. I’ve simplified so much in my life that when I get ready in the morning I’ve become so utilitarian that I don’t think of accessorizing until the weekend. Now, every time I try to wear earrings (from a pretty massive collection), my ears get irritated. I would put up with it for these:

Eddie Borgo – 2″ long – $350

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tentacle jewelry

by Lara on September 28, 2010

in fashion

etsy shop OctopusME

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lasting fashion from fast fashion?

by Lara on September 23, 2010

in fashion

I’m gonna go out on a limb and try to post some GOOD finds from Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe when I see them. Yes, I have actually found some great things from these stores that weren’t designer rip-offs and didn’t fall apart in the wash. It’s all about careful selection.

Charlotte Russe recently underwent a full makeover, which it desperately needed. They also now have their own design team and are focused on producing a better quality than previously offered. We’ll just have to see.

Forever 21 sources from manufacturers from all over the world and simply sews their labels in. I once bought a top that was available a month later at Banana Republic for 4 times as much. It was the exact same thing. I have seen the same shoes at F21 on sites like ModCloth at double the price, so don’t be fooled. Lower prices in these particular cases come from being able to buy in mass. I’m not going to go into their labor scandals because almost every large brand has their clothing made in big foreign factories. In fact, a lot of their clothes (excluding their “Fab Finds”) are made in L.A.

Things to avoid at both stores: Their lace, super thin t-shirt knits, slub knits, thin sweater knits, and all things acrylic are just plain gross. They pill immediately. I also avoid their shiny costume jewelry since it tarnishes so quickly. Avoid things with unfinished edges (always check the trim). Their bags are usually of terrible quality, best judged in person. Anything touted as a coat will most likely provide you with zero warmth. Ultra embellished clothing will be hard to wash and is usually executed poorly. I wear a 6.5 shoe and they rarely sell half-sizes but their shoes are CHEAP… like painfully cheap and 9 times out of 10, are ripoffs. If something looks uneven, unraveling, poorly stitched or just OFF in the picture, it will be worse in person.

So, what does that leave? Maybe 1 out of every 50 clothing items are worth a damn. I’ve been really pleased with F21′s skinny jeans, lined dresses, skirts and rayon/silk blouses. Their size-chart has been pretty accurate in my experience but they have different sizing for different lines (as I’ve mentioned here) so you have to look carefully. I check out their new arrivals every few days or so and add things to my wish list. Most things are gone before I finally decide to buy, which is fine. Things sell out soooo fast on their site that you have about a week to pounce on something. The physical stores are so overwhelming, I prefer to shop online and then return items at the local store for credit.

So, here are my first picks for Fall. (It’s taken a week of looking every day to find anything worth recommending.)

$24.80

Fully lined dress in polyester. Sizes XS to L. I have 2 dresses of this same basic style. A pain to iron but very cute.

$3.80

Hope you like the picks. F21 also offers a plus-size line of clothing that isn’t included in their New Arrivals section. New Arrivals also includes all shoes and accessories. They also have stuff for kids, a maternity line, and stuff for men – really skinny men – also an option when looking for women’s clothes. The same rules apply over the entire site for weeding out the yuck.

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Review: the jewelry of NOVICA

by Lara on August 25, 2010

in fashion

NOVICA is associated with National Geographic and for ten years, they have helped artisans from all over the world get exposure. The asked if I would be interested in reviewing some of their products. What impressed me the most was their new microfinance program. These small loans help promote entrepreneurship among poverty-stricken people who have the skills to create beautiful things but little collateral to get their business up and running. They can also help people take their business to the next level, being able to purchase supplies in bulk. A few US dollars go a long way in these regions.

Lately, small zero-interest loans have been getting more press. In fact, 2005 was declared it the International Year of Microcredit by the UN.

A press release from the UN states:

A small loan, a savings account, an affordable way to send a pay cheque home can make all the difference to a poor or low-income family. With access to microfinance, they can earn more, build up assets, and better protect themselves against unexpected setbacks and losses. They can move beyond day-to-day survival towards planning for the future. They can invest in better nutrition, housing, health, and education for their children. In short, they can break the vicious circle of poverty.

So, back to products NOVICA offers… they have clothing, home decor items, paintings, fun gifts… but I was asked to check out their handmade jewelry. There are thousands of things for both women and men. My mom and I sat for an hour perusing and didn’t even see half of it. It’s all neatly organized and the site is easy to maneuver. Rather than clicking on all the sub-categories though, I would’ve liked a “view all” feature to see all of the rings, or all of the bracelets, etc. There are also many different price points. The regional focus was bit narrow but each country had many different artists with various tribal and cultural techniques represented. You can pick from rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings…

Most of the items are sterling silver with a few gold vermeil pieces. There are also plenty of beaded items and some leather, wood, bone, horn, shell and ceramic. There are tons of gemstones and intricately carved pieces, both casual and formal. Each item has the artist’s profile where you can learn more about their story, their passion, and the meaning behind their pieces. You also get a card with the artist’s story along with each piece. This definitely gives a more personal touch to each item, something I really like.

I was allowed to pick out a few pieces. I wish I could have grabbed up each one of these:

Citrine Cocktail Ring – $42.49 – Bali

Amazonian palm bracelet – $32.95 – Brasil

Sterling cuff bracelet – $77.99 – Thailand

Bull horn long necklace – $84.95 – Peru

Sterling silver drop earrings – $28.99 – Thailand

Sterling silver and enhanced obsidian ring – $99.95 – Indonesia (also in green)

Carved gourd earrings – $29.99 – Peru

Sterling ring – $57.95 – Peru

Turquoise and peridot necklace – $124.95 – Thailand

Sterling cuff links (a great wedding or groomsman gift!) – $49.99 – Mexico

Pair of mango wood cuff bracelets – $21.49 – Thailand

Silver cuff bracelet – $101.66 – India

Huichol beaded necklace – $76.46 – Mexico

Sterling and water buffalo horn ring – $77.95 – Indonesia

Resin preserved and gold plated rose petal earrings – $37.95 – Thailand

Gold vermeil citrine ring – $53.96 – India

Leather bracelet – $19.95 – Indonesia

Pearl cuff bracelet – $319.95 – Indonesia

So, what did I get? Well, I put my order in and on August 19th, I was notified that they would be shipping directly from Bali/Java. I was really surprised when the package showed up so quickly, just 5 days later via Fed Ex!

Each item came in it’s own adorable gift box with tiny booklets for each. The invoice was in a little envelope with a hand-signed card from Bali. Everything was presented in such a special personal way, it truly felt like you were receiving a gift from a far-away land.

I got the the sterling/citrine/bone ring and it’s gorgeous. I haven’t worn it out yet but I know people will ask about it since it’s so unusual. There’s so much personality and every detail of it is perfect.

I also picked out this pale leather adjustable bracelet. My wrists are teeny and this fits just right at the tightest of three settings. I may have to cut off the excess on the strap. It will take a bit for it to soften and conform to my wrist since it’s really thick but, I’m going to wear this constantly.

Well, this was a ton of fun! Love love love the pieces I received! Hope you’ve enjoyed checking out all these unusual items from around the globe. Find more at NOVICA.

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geodes

by Lara on August 18, 2010

in fashion

Geode candle holders made of amethyst are all over the discount home stores lately and geodes are also popping up in jewelry. The super bright ones are dyed. I’m kinda digging this look, especially after getting my sweet rock shirt. (I collected rocks as a kid. Such a dork.)

TONS and TONS of stuff on etsy!

$68

$67

$52.99 (more rings here)

$49.90

$88

$24.99 (tons more here)

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costume jewelry

by Lara on August 2, 2010

in fashion

Who doesn’t love junk jewelry? My collection has grown to mammoth proportions. I recently sold my jewelry armoire because it didn’t go with our decor (and was quite heavy and cumbersome) so, I had to empty and sort everything out. Thank god for those Sephora drawstring gift bags. I have a small box with daily things (overflowing) and a big bag full of little bags shoved on a shelf in my closet.

One major problem I have with cheap costume jewelry is how it doesn’t stand up to wear and time. Tarnishing is the worst offender. I’ve tried the jewelry cleaning solutions but it works most effectively on precious metals. Even if I’m only spending $5 on a bracelet, I don’t want to end up having to toss if after it’s become a staple in my wardrobe. Of course there are different levels of costume jewelry with longer lasting finishes but, I can’t bring myself to spend $100 on a cuff so, I’m just going to focus on the super cheap thrills in this post.

My strategy for the past few years has been to carefully avoid the shiny stuff. Shiny silver and gold finishes inevitably get this funky haze on it that nothing can get rid of (unless you know of a miracle cleaner out there, let me know).

I try to stick with wood, painted/enameled pieces (they chip though), antiqued finishes, beads, lucite, matte, and darker finishes. Pendant chains can easily be replaced if they start getting nastay. This bracelet here, I would totally avoid.

Also, junk jewelry with imbedded rhinestones and pearls aren’t going to last long either. I don’t know how many things I’ve bought that soon had missing stones before I learned my lesson about daily wear. This type of jewelry is off my radar now as well, unless I only wear it on special occassions.

This necklace from Charlotte Russe has a dark metal finish that won’t get compromised by age. I just bought this and love it!

This cuff, also from CR, has a dull antiqued finish that shouldn’t get that haze.

This enameled cuff is so much fun, but it has the shiny edges. I save those moisture-absorbing desiccant pouches that come in shoe boxes and keep them with my jewelry. There may be hope for this but I still didn’t get it. Also, no one sees the insides of bracelets.

What’s your favorite costume jewelry piece? Do you simply have to get the shiny and just toss after they start feeling the funk?

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gears

by Lara on November 23, 2009

in fashion

A while ago,  I went through a tiny stud earring phase. I bought a bunch of little earrings made of gears and old plastic camera workings. I bought them from etsy and most eventually fell apart. (There just is no lasting glue for binding plastic to metal.) Just recently on NotCouture I spotted these sterling silver watch gear earings by jewelry designer Graciela Fuentes for Tiriana Jewelry. Steampunk? Maybe. Awesome? Yes.

Just for good measure, I checked out what etsy had to offer again. I was a little disappointed. I’m really not a fan of something looking soooo handmade that it’s sloppy, unprofessional and childish. Do you have to add cheap beads to everything? These are the best things I could find.

treasurecast

slvrlily

Of course, you can start digging around online to find gears and have yourself a little DIY fun.

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etsy finds

by Lara on October 1, 2009

in fashion

I was browsing through Etsy and I found this shop India Y La Luna. Gaby, the artist, is located in Buenos Aires and I am in love with some of her pieces!

UNEARTHED is a shop that features exotic leather goods. This aqua stingray cuff is so luxurious! They have cuffs in all sorts of colors and leathers. The cowhide cuffs are custom sized.

And how about this double wrap leather bracelet from MK Wind!

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