Vintage Jewelry is a Girl’s Best Friend..

And so the song goes that “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend..” But, in MY reality, it goes, “Vintage Jewels are a girl’s best friend..” And as a vintage lover I’m sure you would agree! Check out some of the amazing jewels I found over the last couple of weeks!

Blood Milk	Johanna Vintage	Riordan Studio
“Swan Song” What the Seller Says: A emotive ring featuring two unique components, a vintage feather ring has been married to an inverted “diamond”, both cast immortal in stunning sterling. the temple has been polished to achieve a satin finish: matte and pale and ethereal, while the extraordinary ring shank has been oxidized to the gloomy gray/ black	Vintage Art Deco Ring What the Seller Says: Vintage art deco cocktail ring, black plastic oval center, gold fill metal base. Delicate scrolled detail on the backside of the ring. Circa: Art Deco Period/1920s Vintage condition: excellent, there is some slight wear to the black oval center,some fine scratches but still an amazing piece. size: 8 1/4 USA	Vintage Engagement Ring What the Seller Says: This is a beautiful Platinum and Diamond Engagement Ring from the Edwardian Period. It was such a romantic and carefree time (1901-1910) and the jewelry reflected that sentiment. Diamonds and platinum were all the rage, used in delicate floral inspired designs. Zoom in and enjoy! This diamond was graded (as always at RiordanStudio) by a GIA Graduate Gemologist and Accredited Jewelry Professional.
Basement Safari	JessJamesJake	The Greedy Seagull
Vintage Rose Ring What the Seller Says: This ring is done in the early Faberge style. It may also be part silver, as well as rose gold This is a breathtaking ring. It is possibly as old as the 1700′s but perhaps the 1800′s It’s set on rose gold, with 37 diamonds, one large, all the rest are white, bright, and stunners!!! These diamonds are cut uniquely, maybe an ‘old style’ brilliant cut in very bright white, with the center one being rose-cut.	Vintage Cat Eye Ring What the Seller Says: Fabulous yellow cocktail ring, in a classic deco styling, with a lovely brown cat-eye stone, adjustable sizing and stamped ©Vogue on the interior. Adjustable Fit, ideal for ring sizes: 6 1/4 – 8 1/2 Signed: © Vogue Circa: 1970s In great vintage condition, with only minor signs of age, with 3 missing stones. The gold has slightly rubbed down in certain areas exposing the silver under-layer.	Vintage Edwardian Brooch What the Seller Says: Antiqe circa 1910-1920 sterling silver and dragon’s breath opal (also called a jelly opal) small little pin with a safety catch closure in back. An unusual find in excellent condition, measures 1 1/8″ and unsigned..
Heirra Vintage	Shop Vintage Revival	Jean Jean Vintage
Vintage Stone Bracelet What the Seller Says: Vintage oval bracelet with gold watch stretch band. Unique inlaid crushed stones – moss like texture. Pretty brick & olive tone. Label: U.S.A Vintage Condition: Great Imperfections: gold metal shows signs of age and wear.	“Vivian” What the Seller Says: From the “Distorted Time” collection, metal inner clock workings stacked on top of each other mounted on a brass adjustable ring to give you…Distorted Time! Adjustable brass ring	Vintage Cocktail Ring What the Seller Says: A flapper-era cocktail ring set with a black glass cabochon and complemented with sparkling marcasites. The ring is set in pot metal, or “white metal,” which was a popular jewelry metal before WWII. The face of the ring is wide and showy with a classic Art Deco design. A ring of marcasites frames the black glass feature stone, with scalloped corners (also set with marcasite) adding another border to the setting. The stone itself is cabochon cut with a flat, open back. There are a couple of chips on one edge of the cabochon, as well as some light nicking on the dome, but the stone is absolutely secure (no wiggle) and the overall appearance is outstanding. There are no marcasites missing and the band of the ring is well-shaped.

Weekend Wardrobe Goes Downtown

I have to tell you, this “Weekend Wardrobe Post”  is by far my favorite!  My boyfriend and I went downtown and I had so much fun taking pictures of all the old buildings, store fronts and the Intracoastal Waterway.  I noticed things I never did before just because I was looking for interesting things to snap.  Rustic signs hanging on crumbling brick facades, century old bars and historical markings.  Not to mention the antique stores and the colossal spanish style mansions.  I could walk for hours just looking at those circa 1800 houses.  It’s like walking through a Jane Austen novel, except you’re in the US and not among rolling hills! And through my mini treasure hunt, I found time to take pictures (well, my boyfriend did!) of my outfit.  Hard when all I wanted to do was get an ice tea and sit for hours reading “Angel of Darkness” in an old bookstore.  But, seeing as I was out and about I relished in the opportunity to make a post out of my downtown adventure! Check it out:

Top: Urban Outfitters
Bottom: Free People Denim
Shoes: Pair of old Boat Shoes
Bag: Vintage
Jewelry: Combo Vintage and Modern

Weekend Wardrobe

It’s that time of the week again!  The time where I can get dressed up and go out for a night on the town and hopefully pop out a new outfit I haven’t tried before! I mean, isn’t that what we all love about the weekends?  Hanging out with your love and friends over drinks and good food, all gussied up looking stylish and confident, talking about your week and sharing laughs.  Finally breaking free of your work week, of all your required garb and schedules and being yourself with people you love being around.  It’s almost like a therapeutic regime that is essential to your weekend happiness.  Actually, just your happiness in general.  You have two days to play.  What are you going to do with them? Me, I’m going out. And I’m going out in this:

What am I wearing you ask?  Well, let me tell you!  The polkdot grey tunic that I am wearing (which by the way I love period because it has what ladies? POLKADOTS!) I picked up from Francesca’s for only $30 (which is amazing to me).  I’m sorry, but I just have to say that I love Francesca’s! Such amazing and stylish clothing with the added bonus of affordable prices! Anywho, I also love this top because it is super light and airy which makes it ridiculously comfy.  It feels like you’re not even wearing anything! And for someone like me who doesn’t like to wear things that are to tight, this dress is perfect.  It has a nice cut to it so even though it is drapey on your body it doesn’t make you look heavy. The other added bonus to this fabulous dress/tunic? POCKETS!!!  How do you not love something with pockets?

That awesome jacket you saw? It’s an upcycled vintage men’s jacket tailored for the ladies.  It’s actually an old Perry Ellis jacket I believe and the back flap was inserted and bordered with striped fabric by hand.  This is probably my favorite piece! I am totally in love with it and during the fall I pair it with anything I can.  I also adore the mismatched vintage buttons in the front and the inside pocket that I can so conveniently put my cell phone!  Since I hate carrying a purse half the time, these inside pockets defiantly come in handy!

Another favorite piece of mine? My awesome vintage Fedora that I picked up at some random vintage hole in the wall. I actually think it is a man’s hat, but I don’t care, it’s stupid cute and it fits my head! Correction, it fits if I wear my hair how it is pictured, otherwise it falls off my head! My boyfriend is constantly stealing it from me and tells all my friends it’s his! Always trying to take the glory!

My Mother’s Jewelry…

Home for the weekend I decided to roll up my sleeves and dig through the ocean that is my Mother’s Jewelry. A smorgasbord of vintage and modern my mom has amassed quite an impressive collection since the 70s and I do believe that she has yet to throw any of it out. Sure, there has been the occasional broken necklace strand and a too tarnished to save silver bangle and yes, I have stolen some…I mean borrowed….over the years, but even those exceptions have not made a dent. I wonder how much of it she even wears anymore or if she even thinks about how much of it she really has. I have to admit, it was quite fun to peddle my way through the endless nooks and crannies of boxes, vases and what other holding containers filled to the brim with pearls, clip-ons and bracelets. It was like being in a history class with my mom as the subject. I could see where she came from, where she had been and where she is now going. Knowing my mom had a whole other life before me fills me with a sensationable curiosity and I wonder what she was like when she was my age. I could ask her I guess, but that make take all the fun out of discovering it for myself. Back to digging..

2011 Accessory Trends Go Vintage!

Every fashionista knows that her outfit is not complete unless she finishes it off with some killer accessories! Of course for us vintage lovers that holds even truer as we love to adorn ourselves in as much unique accessories as we possibly can. This only adds to the character of the overall outfit. So, since I dedicated a whole post to vintage “modern” fashion yesterday, which I hope you had a chance to read , I thought it only fitting to find some fashion forward vintage accessories to go with our trendy outfits. Check it out!

I am so excited about this trend; the Cat Eye!  Its so glamorous and just oozes 50s Movie Star! And I totally feel like one when I wear them!  Especially if I was sporting those uber fashionable and sheek Prada glasses on the left! Gorgeous! But, even better than that are these vintage glasses I found on Etsy that are just as fabulous and impactful! The ones on the top right hand side were a no brainer when I spotted them!  These vintage 70s Helena Rubenstein sunglasses at VintageTreasureShop are delicious! I love the golden white rims with the white accent on the “cat eye”.  The best thing about them? They are new old stock! Meaning that they have never been worn and are in perfect vintage condition! Designer glasses for only $78? Check please! Next come a pair of bright red vintage 80s cat eye with floral rim print at GPNexxus (BTW this store has a TON of specs!). So adorable! I love the little flowers on the edge! Completely adds a different character to the specs! These also are from new old stock and are selling for only $27! And it must be my lucky day because the last pair, a fabulous vintage 80s geometric cat eye from Kokorokoko, are also in like new condition with stickers still on the lens! I love the exaggerated 50s cat eye frame on this pair on sunglasses and of course get a kick out of the bold pattern.  I think that a modern day Jackie O would sport this! And for only $26 I would too!  Check out my friends little work up she did on Cat Eye’s!

I don’t know if I could ever really jive with this new fascination with “Belt Purses,” or as I like to call them, Fanny Packs, but I guess when it comes to fashion, you can never say never.  As I have been shopping around in this cyber mall, I find myself slowly warming up to this new summer trend.  I mean, who doesn’t think that the Jaeger London bright yellow belt purse (left) isn’t cute? So, checking out some vintage Etsy stores I happened to stumble on a couple of FANNY PACKS (level with me fashion world, this is what they are) that might help change my mind (and won’t cost me an arm and a leg!).  Take for instance the first bag on top.  It is a beautiful vintage hand tooled leather fanny pack (Loucella) which would make any leather lover faint.  A beautiful example of high quality craftsmanship this pack It comes with an adjustable belt strap and is selling for $45.  Next speaks out to the hippie in us all! A vintage 80s leather patchwork pack from SnootieSeconds that reminds of some jeans I used to have a few years back!  So, I guess this one was just a funny connection, but I still think its awesome!  I love the fact that it is made up of a soft leather and if I happened to fall of my bike with it on it probably wouldn’t hurt it to much! Plus, I love bags that have a mix of brown colored patches! I automatically flock towards them. Only $34!

Yes ladies, clogs are back and better than ever! There was a time not to long ago that these wooden cloppers were back, but unfortunately were not available in the most stylish of forms! Fortunately that is not the case anymore as you see from the fit for a Queen clogs from Chanel (left).  And it’s just not designers who have these delectable clogs, but vintage sellers are also carrying some fine examples! I love the first pair of clogs (top right)! These vintage 70s wooden leather platforms from PineAppleMint are to die for! They are in beautiful condition and I love the black detail rimming the wooden platform! So cute! I also adore Old Age’s Vintage 70s suede wooden clogs (bottom). I know clogs usually have a covered front, but hey we don’t have to stick to specifics here! These are in mint condition and are running for only $64.

Usually when I buy cuff bracelets or really any sort of jewelry I always try and find vintage pieces right off the bat.  Reason being that if I’m going to spend $20, then I would rather spend it on something that has lasted already for 20yrs and has character than on a piece of metal coated in paint that will likely chip off within a few wears.  Now, if I were to purchase the colorful Marc Jacobs’ bracelet (top right) then I would be assured that quality wouldn’t be an issue, just the $80 price point! So, as usual I went searching for a few vintage ones and here are a few I found! The first being the oh so shiny vintage silver cuff from WillowsSecretGarden.  I love the tribal print on the face of the bracelet and also how the cuff has a unique hourglass shape to it.  In amazing condition this cuff is a steal at $18! If you’re like Madonna and like to layer your bracelets (which I totally do!) then you’re going to love the BanginBangles wooden & lucite collection of vintage bangles.  A cool combination of different textures, the colors mesh perfectly with each other and would definitely look awesome with your summer Maxi Dresses! Last, but not least, is a vintage 60s root beer plastic bangle from AtlasFalcon.  So, I love Amber and the color of this bracelet reminds me of that fact and it’s hard for me not to want it! The swirl in the plastic is totally unique and drew my attention right away! Only $35!

Weekend Wardrobe

So, this past weekend my boyfriend and I ventured out for one of our “date nights.” You know that fun night where you and your partner do the simple things that you used to do when you first started dating; a.k.a dinner and a movie.  I will never tire of this! Probably because of the fact I obviously like to eat, but also because I adore going to the movies! Something about their ability to bring you into another world and for a couple of hours you don’t have any worries and you are free to enjoy chocolatey treats, over buttered popcorn and a nice cold beverage. Simple and absolutely delightful. And besides the prospective joy of getting a belly full of good food and watching a flick on the silver screen, what also gets me excited is the chance to get dressed up! I don’t get that opportunity on a daily basis so when the chance comes, I jump at it! I don’t get crazy with it and get my nails and hair done or anything, but I do dig through my wardrobe endlessly to find the perfect casual, yet cute date night outfit. Keep in mind I live at the beach so I’m not going to be breaking out any Marc Jacobs accessories or stiletto shoes, but some vintage accessories and gladiator sandals fit the occasion just right! Let me know what you think!

I am in love with this outfit and I can’t wait to wear it again! It was a no mess, comfy ensemble which kept me thinking about the fun night and not about readjusting myself! The skirt is probably my favorite element (not to mention I have never worn it before, so I may be a little biast) and is from a cute little boutique called Francesca’s Collections.  I was obsessed the minute I saw it!  Totally reminded me of something Julia Roberts would have worn in “Pretty Woman” and I love the fact that it is high waisted (I got it a size bigger so it would droop a bit). Another selling point, besides being super soft, was that it came with a belt.  How awesome is that? No having to shop around for a perfect belt to fit! A no brainer purchase.  The soft cotton tank is from Free People, where I worked, and I swear I have it in three colors.  I love the racer back effect and I wear them with everything! That bright orange halter thing you see under my shirt is actually a bra and is probably the single best apparel purchase in my life!  From Free People, these halter bras are the solution to all wardrobe woes and even if they do show, who cares! They are so adorable and unbelievably comfortable! And who wants to wear a bra in the summer, not I!

If you read my other Weekend Wardrobe post, you would know that my jewels are like my children.  I love them and cherish them, no matter what price point and if I ever lost them I would be utterly crushed.  Dramatic I know, but to me  it would be similar to a painter losing his paints. Heartbreaking.  Most of my jewelry is vintage or handmade, so you see where in lies the dilemma I would encounter! So, what I am wearing?  The silver ring with the blue dots is just something small my mom purchased me from Lucky Brand.  I love it because of its wide face and intricate designs engraved in the silver.  Both bracelets are vintage and perhaps my favorite in my small jewelry collection.  The first, the large silver one with the turquoise stones, was a purchase that I made from an old hippie at a street fair raising money for Aids research.  She was selling all of her jewelry and I wish I could have purchased more, but they were a bit out of my student money range and this was the only one that I could afford.  That and she gave me a bit of a discount since I interviewed her for a piece I was doing in my journalism class.  Hers was an amazing story of being a hippie during the 70s and if I can find it I will post it for you!  The next bracelet is actually a hand me down from my mom and is an authentic handmade Native American bracelet that her dad gave her when she was a little girl.  Having Indian roots I cherish this bracelet and knowing that it connects me to my mom I hold it close to my heart.  Maybe I’ll be able to pass it on to my daughter one day.  The last piece, the silver turquoise ring, was a gift from my step dad and has more sentimental value than anything.  This is probably the one thing that he has bought me that has said to me that he looked at who I was as a person and purchased a gift with that in mind.  Pretty cool, huh?

My boyfriend gets so upset with me when I take this vintage 70s bag with me on date night!  The reason being that I can’t fit any snacks or drinks into it to sneak into the theater! My bad! Sorry I pick fashion over function! I mean, how cute is this vintage bag from Urban Outfitters? I love its worn look and the simple diamond pattern. And for only 10 bucks, how would you be able to say no?  The scarf too is from Urban and the fact that I can wear it on a cool summer night is always a plus.  Lightweight and adorned with a lovely plaid blue pattern this scarf is a perfect substitution to a long necklace and defiantly helped pull my entire outfit together.  Who said because its summer you can’t wear a scarf!

Normally I am one to just throw on my old tattered hemp Rainbow sandals or some Havaianas and be on my way.  But, in this special case, I threw those sandals aside and reverted to some more stylish ones.  These brown gladiator sandals from Steve Madden were actually a purchase by my mom (Go Mom!) and matched perfectly with my ensemble! I have to admit that I was worried they would hurt my feet, but to my amazement I ended a late night with not an ache or sore!  That is perhaps the best feeling a gal can have!  New shoes that don’t have to be broken in and that don’t needed to be padded up with expensive soles! Jackpot!

My boyfriend showing off his inner fashionista! Got to love him!

A Sparkling Delight…

Not to long ago I was fortunate enough to stumble across an eclectic jewelry shop on Etsy called Sparkling Lotus Design.  This vintage/vintage inspired shop tugged immediately at my heart strings as I scrolled through its categories; Rings, Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings, some vintage, some not, but all with a Native American, Art Deco feel to them.  And all with stone elements from turquoise to lapis to agate with most embedded in aged sterling silver.  Absolutely delicious.  Just looking at S.L.D’s beautiful jewelry was almost to much as I wanted to purchase everything from the shop and then insist on wearing all of it at once! Could you imagine how much of a mess that would be!  But, this was enough to get me interested in the shop and to make it a weekly, if not a every other day, occasion to stop by and check out the merchandise.  What I discovered was that this particular shop is not the shop that will carry a ton of pieces, but the ones that it does carry are unique, stunning, and flawless in their aged perfection.  Usually these pieces do not last a long time in store as I never see too many of the same items twice, so you have to act fast if you really like something!  But, with reasonable prices the decision isn’t tough and more times than not you will be clicking that “Add to Cart” button!

So what is this store all about, you’re asking?  Why, besides the fact that they carry some of the most amazing Vintage Native American Jewelry I’ve seen at stellar prices, should you stop by?  Easy.  Because it is owed by a genuine, warm heated, caring soul who is not only invested in her store, but lives and breathes her passion.  Not only does express herself through the wear of her own personal vintage jewelry, but inspired by it she designs and crafts her own jewels.  Seen as an artistic expression, she aims to create (and sell!) pieces that connect her customers to their inner selves and hopes to inspire individuals in their daily lives. What better shop to visit than one who’s owner is someone that wants to help inspire and who truly believes and stands by her products quality and preservation?

And to prove just how generous and delightful this shop owner is I will just have to show you.  As you are aware, if you have to been reading my blog for a bit, I feature many Etsy and Ebay shops when creating fun vintage outfits or in posts about my favorite shops.  So, I happened to use SLD in two posts, one as a featured piece in an outfit and the other in a favorite vintage shop feature.  In these posts I used a certain piece of jewelry twice as I just loved it so much and I thought it was simply beautiful.  Now, I never ask for compensation if I just happen to use your shop or product without being asked and I never assume that I will ever get anything but a “Thanks” in return for doing so.  So, you can imagine my utter surprise (and giddy delight) when I received an email not only thanking me for the feature of her store, which I was grateful for, but stating that in appreciation of doing so that she would be sending me the piece of jewelry that I had featured twice! I mean how amazing and generous is that!? I was totally taken by surprise when she told me that! How amazing is that?  No more validation needed!  Check out my gift: