6 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Necklace: c/o Beadle Bop
- Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
- Belt: from another dress
- Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Rue La La
End Notes:
My summer class is finally over and I am looking forward to days spent reading in my backyard while baby e. plays in his new sandbox. At least, that’s how it will work in my head.
Simple summer outfits like this drapey gray jersey dress (really, it’s like a big t-shirt) provide the perfect backdrop for breezy accessories like — pun intended — this gorgeous wind tossed flowers necklace from Beadle Bop’s shop on etsy.
(You may recall the Beadle Bop giveaway that we did during Dress Your Best week, in which the ultra chic Liz won a flower-bedecked clutch. If you didn’t win, don’t worry, there’s another Beadle Bop giveaway coming soon!)
Wind Tossed Flower Necklace from Beadle Bop, originally uploaded by academichic.
There’s something about wearing floaty, dreamy flowers around your neck day that is just so…summery. In terms of form, I love how lush these flowers are and the fact that they are in orange, my favorite accessory color of the moment, is the proverbial icing on the cake. In terms of function, I love how the necklace closure is actually a snap cleverly disguised to look like a bow. No more trying to tie a neat bow behind my head or upside down below my chin! (Better still, baby e. is quite taken with these blooms, and pats them gently when I’m carrying him.) And while Anthropologie may be selling something similar for $198, you can’t beat Beadle Bop’s $15 price tag or the fact that you can custom order a color to suit your taste and wardrobe! That’s a pretty good deal for a piece of statement jewelry.
Where do you look for statement jewelry pieces? A jewelry store? The jewelry lines of retailers like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, or Anthropologie? Do look for hidden gems at Target? Or do you go vintage? Or look to Etsy? Do you set out looking for a certain style or color or motif? Or is jewelry something you tend to just pick up along the way?
What suggestions do you have for finding a piece of jewelry that makes the impactful statement you want?
I love the sandals! They look adorable and rather comfortable.
I love shopping clearance racks and etsy for jewelry. I usually don’t know what I’m looking for until I see it. My taste changes so fast that I hate spending a lot of money on jewelry.
By the way, I spotted you and A out shopping this weekend. I’ve been following your blog for about a year, so it was kind of like seeing a celebrity :) Hope you found some great buys!
I was just admiring this in the shop! After my shopping ban I may need to treat myself. I wanted to see what it looked like on, thanks for the great outfit inspiration (and the shout-out!)
I love, love, love the soft orange, gray, and sea green color scheme here–it’s so perfect for summer. The description of Baby E patting your necklace put a smile on my face–I bet he’s a sweetie :)!
I scour for clearance jewelry at retailers like LOFT and Banana Republic’s and get everything else at Forever 21 (especially super trendy items) and a little store here called Charming Charlie’s.
Jewelry is one of my favorite things to look at when out shopping, and I buy when the piece and price is right. Besides my wedding ring, I don’t have any expensive or “real” jewelry, but I love everything I have anyway.
I hope the sandbox thing works out for you! When my son was a toddler (too many years ago now) I got him a sandbox with the hopes that he’d play while I sat nearby and read, but he wanted me IN the box with him, playing with the sand! And the sand was a real bugger to get off his skin. I found that sprinkling him with baby powder when he was done in the box helped get the sand off his sweaty little legs. Enjoy!
I’m lucky enough to know a bunch of artisan jewelers, so a lot of the pieces I wear are made by them. Most of the rest is antique or stuff I’ve had for so long that I don’t remember the provenance.
Lately, I’ve been inventing my own jewelry ideas. Often, the ideas require a little help from my husband et voila, miniature lightbulb earrings. I’m working on a “pill” necklace and made another choker out of jawbreaker sized basket beads.
I like the mix of colors in this outfit. Gray, orange and teal look great together.
I love that necklace! I am hearting it on etsy now, must have one asap. I go to vintage sources for statement jewelry, though there are more and more handmade choices on etsy I love too!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Beautiful color combo!
As always, I adore these unusual shoes.
The clasp on that necklace is a nice detail; it’s a very pretty piece all around.
My favorite place for inexpensive – yet complement-worthy trendy pieces – is called Zinnia (locations in both Cambridge, MA and Burlington, VT).
When I want to splurge, I have several pieces from an Etsy site called Red Chair (http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedChair). Heidi makes such beautiful pieces out of amazing stones. They are really versatile and fun to re-mix!