Our WordPress Site is MOVING!!!

Tags

accessories, Blog, blogging, Fashion blog, jewelry, Online jewelry store fashion style The Jewelry lady, style blog, The Jewelry Lady, The Jewelry Lady Store, thejwelrylady9, women, wordpress

We’re moving.  Where?  To www.thejewelryladystore.com.  Why?  To better serve you.  If you want to follow, just click here.  You can also follow us on IG, FB, Twitter, Google+ & Pinterest.

Thanks for all your years and years of support & we’ll see you on our other platforms!

TJL

How To Wear Jewelry-Video Tutorial

Tags

accessories, Fashion, fashion blogger, fashionista, how-to, Lifestyle, online jewelry store, shopping, style, The Jewelry Lady, thejewelrylady.com

Hi all!

I know it’s been a bit since I’ve posted, but I’ve had a lot of new styles come in and it’s been keeping me busy.  So, I’d like to give you some tips from a specialist so when they’re released you’ll be ready and raring to go!  I recently discovered this wonderful wardrobe stylist blog, www.susiestyles.com.

Here’s one of her posts on YouTube about how to wear jewelry.  Enjoy!

Also, be sure to visit http://www.thejewelryladystore.com to see these new items:

Until next time, be sure to look like no one else!

XO,

TJL

 

MAKE YOUR OWN SALE! SAVE 25% ON ORDERS OF $50 OR MORE! USE CODE: TWOGOODSALE

Tags

Everyday Fashion & Finance, Fashion, fashion blogger, jewelry coupon, jewelry sale, New Fashion Jewelry, online jewelry store, shopping, shopping coupon, style, The Jewelry Lady

MAKE YOUR OWN SALE! 

SAVE 25% ON ORDERS OF $50 OR MORE! 

USE CODE: TWOGOODSALE

Gorgeous Jewelry Displays!

Tags

Fashion, fashion blogger, fashionista, jewelry display, jewelry organizer, sale, style

Ladies, here is a beautiful new way to display your goodies!  Ok, maybe that didn’t sound right!  lol  I meant your jewelry!  These unique stands allow you to hang your fish hook, studs, lever back, pin catch & all other types of earrings in style.  They come in 3 styles in 3 colors each.  Ballerina, tri-fold & peacock.  The colors are black, hot pink & white.  Visit www.thejewelryladystore.com to see full information…

Aren’t these great?  Ok, I’m biased, but these beautiful displays will hold a ton of earrings.  You can even put bracelets & rings on them.  So order yours today & get your jewelry organized.

Until next time,

New Ideas to Break Out of Your Fashion Funk!

Tags

clothing, Dress code, Harassment, Sexual harassment, shopping, Wear

Been wearing the same ‘ol, same ‘ol for a while?  Well here are some styles that will work for your workplace!  I’ve included models of different sizes to give you ideas!

I’ve paired some basic pieces & outfits that you can add a blazer or sweater to if needed to make it look more professional (or if your office is cold).

Statement necklace sets paired with basic pieces for impact.

Expressing your creativity through accessories can be fun & easy! 

Take the most straightforward pieces from blah to Brava!

Here’s a diagram I found that gives good insight for proper office attire.  Take a look at the don’t section.  #1 is too low-cut & the straps are inappropriate.  #2 is too busy with pattern & a bit too close cut.  #3 appears to be a swimsuit coverup (you may be able to redeem that one with a red blazer & belt if you wear pumps).  #4 is along the same lines.  Keep in mind that when you belt a dress, the hemline should still fall at the knee or 1″ above, max.  If not, when you sit down, it’ll all be on display!

This is a perfect ensemble for work (the shoes may be a hazard depending on the flooring.  Keep them modest so your feet aren’t sore, bleeding or swollen by the end of the day).

So, what if you’re new & you don’t know what in the world you CAN wear?   I’ve worked in offices before & I’ll be honest.  Sometimes finding the “office climate” for your attire can be challenging.  Some people wear this, others wear that.  There are a few ways to figure out what you should be wearing in your office.

1. Ask your boss!  Poll your coworkers.  This is presuming you work with a normal set of people (no pervs, social climbers, nut jobs or someone completely unengaged with their workplace).

2. Observe what others wear & their position in the company.  Who is the most tastefully dressed?  Who is doing well in the company & their attire is always praised?  Now, be careful!  I don’t mean “that chick”.  You know, the office pin-up.  If you want to keep your job, don’t become a liability to the company.  Can you say “Sexual Harassment Lawsuit”?

3. Ask HR.  Their job is to help you figure out what’s ok & what’s a little out there for your workplace.

I hope you enjoyed these ideas.  If you’d like to order any of the accessories listed, hit me up below!

Related articles

• Office Fashion Faux Pas (reed.co.uk)
• How to Dress for Your First Day at Work (gentwenty.com)
• Dos and Dont’s of Dressing for Work in Summer (ezibuy.co.nz)
• Fashion Taboos: 8 Inappropriate Items For Summer Office Attire (madamenoire.com)
• The Bountiful Blazer (thestylefixer.com)
• Dress Chic for Work (thebestylist.com)
• What is Appropriate Workplace Attire? (halliecrawford.com)
• How to dress for interviews (snagajob.com)
• Six tips to change your workplace culture (theglobeandmail.com)

Go from gaudy to glamorous!

Tags

apparel, attire, clothes, clothing, color, Fashion, gaudy fashion, how-to, Merriam-Webster, outfit, shopping, style, wardrobe, women, work clothes, workplace

Many young ladies ask me how to transform their college gear to workplace class.  They’re entering the workforce & want to be taken seriously & be poised to get a promotion.  Many times opportunities are missed because of the choice of attire.  It’s not too hard to make the transition if you stay away from being gaudy.  A lot of current fashions call for jewelry to be completely over the top in size, color & volume.  However, there’s an easy way to wear the current styles without going too far.  So I’m being clear, let’s look at the definition of gaudy.

Merriam-Webster defines gaudy as:

1.ostentatiously or tastelessly ornamented

2.marked by extravagance or sometimes tasteless showiness

Synonyms: flamboyant, flashy, garish, glitzy, loud, ostentatious, razzle-dazzle, splashy, swank (or swanky), excessive, extravagant, overdone, overbright, over-the-top, pretentious; baroque, ornate; bright, glaring, glittery, graceless, inelegant, lurid, tacky, tasteless, tawdry, tinselly, vulgar

Are you gaudy & in denial?  Here are some clues:

1.  Look for honest expressions.  Take this scenario, for instance.  Someone sees you for the first time today.  They look at your outfit, their mouth drops open & have a blank, deer-in-headlights expression.  They immediately compliment your outfit.  You may also see expressions like this:

  

2.  Whispers or muffled giggles occur when you walk away.

 

Ok, seriously, let’s fix this.  Look at the size, color & use of what you’re wearing.  If it’s as big as Flava Flav‘s clock, mount it on the wall.  Then consider time & place.  Are you at work or the club?  Is it a daytime wedding or a night opening of a restaurant?  Take your audience into consideration.  They are in fact, your “fashion hostages” while you’re in their presence.  Give them something good to look at!  Here are some things to stray from:

Multiple colors in your hair…good for the club, bad for the 8-5 workplace.

 

Too many patterns, prints or colors

Accessory overkill

Accessory overwhelm

 

Be careful of nose rings (preferably don’t don them at work)-even the tiny ones make you look like you need to clean your nose!

  Right accessory wrong time (this is the opera, for an opening, gala or catwalk!)

Beautiful fabric, but it’s too much for work when worn head to toe.  Try wearing the blouse with a dark skirt or suit.  Save those pants for after 5.  (But her outfit is hot!!!)

Ummm….

This look

will get you this look at work.

So, how do we get balance?  Pair a large piece with a more subtle, muted piece of clothing.  For example, wear these together:

 

A muted color blouse goes well with the boldness of the gold.

  

This top isn’t very inspiring until it’s paired with a stunning pearl set.

  

The textures of the necklace set add vibrance to this outfit.

Even a simple pendant can add a pop to a basic frock.

Try dynamic geometric patterns or beaten metal to jazz up muted tones.

 

You can even get away with bolder accessories if they are not overdone or paired with other large pieces.

Need help going from glaring to gorgeous?  Want one of the accessories featured here?  Contact me on below or on Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Instagram!

Thanks for reading!

~The Jewelry Lady

Related articles

• Summer Style (itsmelovelee.wordpress.com)
• Blouses (edisoncdf.wordpress.com)
• How to wear it: 19th century flax blouse (rhymeswithmay.com)
• How to Wear: The Bright Blouse (thekeziahfactor.wordpress.com)
• 5 hot fall fashion trends you must try this season (hkgogogu.wordpress.com)

For sources of the outfits featured in the pairings, click the photo.

How to Organize Your Closet

Tags

accessories, apparel, bauble necklace, Closet, clothes, clothing, earring, facebook.com/thejewelrylady.co, Family, Fashion, garment, Home, how-to, jewelry, Pinterest, shopping, The Jewelry Lady, thejewelrylady.co, wardrobe

Hi again!  Hopefully you’ve read my previous post, So…When Are You Gonna Tackle That CLOSET?  If not, it’d be a good idea to start there first.  It’s chock full of good info!  Anyway, if your closet has been pruned of everything that doesn’t fit, you don’t like, don’t need or has damage beyond repair, you’re off to a great start!  And btw, the picture featured is not my closet, it’s my idea of a “happy closet”.  It expresses the owner by the colors, textures & organizational needs.

A woman’s closet should be her domain, not a place that causes panic, confusion and pain.  It should be a sanctuary.  An oasis, if you will, full of delightful items that are a treat to the senses.  Ok, I know!  I really went there!  But the point is, it should be a place you like to go.  Heck, LOVE to go!

Years ago, I found myself in a quandary.  A troubling, tangled mass of shoes, clothes & jewelry was awaiting me every time I opened the closet door.  Some days, it was on the edge of being an avalanche.  Yeah, when the seasons changed, I’d chuck my clothes on the top shelf of the closet & leave them there til I had to deal with them.  Cuz who knows?  There could be a day where I need to grab an item because of an unexpected temperature change!  Well, that was my excuse.

One day, I just got sick of it.  I’d open the door & it would turn my stomach.  Not the smell or anything (it wasn’t that bad).  But it was just a MESS!  I have 3 kids & I didn’t want them to see my closet!  I made it my business to stay on them about theirs.  So what kind of example was I setting?  Well, I made up my mind to stop.  Just stop.  Stop throwing stuff all over the place, find out what was actually in the closet & create a system to keep it clean that worked for me!

I had to sit & think about how I get ready in the morning.  What do I need immediate access to on a daily basis?  What can I put away for weeks at a time?  Where do I need things to be?  How do I want it to look?  Do I want clear containers for my shoes?  Do I want to hang my boots or put them on a rack?  Do I fold or hang my slacks, jeans and sweats?  These are personal preferences for anyone’s closet.  Some things may “make sense”, but is it actually practical for you?  And don’t feel like you have to fit into someone else’s cookie cutter idea of closet organization.

So, here’s what I came up with.  Don’t feel compelled to do this.  You may think it’s nuts.  I put my boots on the floor, heels on a floor rack (that’s the system that’s in place for now) & flats under the floor rack.  I even have my own color hangers different from anyone else in the house (so people don’t steal my hangers).  I have shelves & slots just for my purses, an area for my scarves & pashminas & storage areas for off season shoes & clothing.  So now everything fits, as long as I stick to the system.

Next, my tops are all together.  My light jackets and button down sweaters are all together & my pants have their own space as well.  Jeans, sweats & tshirts are all in the dresser.  They even have their particular drawers & place in the drawers.  The top of my dresser has jewelry.  ALL jewelry.  Rows & rows of nothing but JEWELRY!  Hey, what did you expect?  I AM The Jewelry Lady!  lol

But seriously, I have 2 stands that can hold about 15 necklaces each & nestled in between is my jewelry box which holds earrings, most bracelets & some necklaces.  I also have an area to the side for overflow bracelets & a ring stand.  This is how I like it.  I can see most of what I have so there’s not lost items.  It also looks like I walked into a mini department store.  Every day I walk in and drool at my personal selection.  No joke!  It’s like my own little deserted island of jewelry up there!  Yeah, I have jewelry issues.  Pray for a sister!

Ok, there’s one other important item I keep in there.  I’ll never have a closet without it again.  What is it, you ask?  My own trash can.  Yep!  I keep my own little pink trash can (somehow my daughter was given 2 little cutesy-poo trash cans) in my closet.  So when I buy something new, I put all of the tags & bags in there.  If I need to return something due to a defect, I know where the receipt is & don’t have to dig through the gross kitchen trash can!  Also, I keep it there to toss anything that has serious damage.  I put in runny hose, broken earrings or those weird little clear gummy feeling earring backs (they freak me out) or socks I’m tired of trying to match.  Just whatever I feel I wanna toss.

The last thing that’s in there is a mini giveaway pile.  I always keep something in it.  It keeps me mindful that there’s someone out there in need.  I put things I don’t want, do want, doesn’t fit, does fit, is damaged, isn’t damaged & sometimes things I know someone else would like that I’ve been blessed with.  It keeps me honest.  It keeps my heart happy & it keeps me humble.

Alright, so hopefully I’ve shared some things with you that’ll help you organize your closet.  It’s not just about boxes, bags, containers & shelves, but it’s about you.  How do you operate?  What do you need & where should it be for you?  My husband has a saying “everything should be in its place”  and I always add, “every place should have its thing”.  Meaning, if you have a place for the things you need, you always know where to put them.  If you always know where it goes, it makes it easier to put it where it’s supposed to be!

So, take time to investigate & organize your closet to meet your needs.  If you need inspiration, Pinterest is a great place to go.  But before you go there, be sure you’ve figured out what you need.  Otherwise, you’ll get all caught up in the millions of options there & never actually finish what you intended to do…organize your closet & organize your life!

Thanks for listening & let me know if I can help you in any way!

~The Jewelry Lady

So…When Are You Gonna Tackle That CLOSET?

Tags

accessories, apparel, Closet, clothes, clothing, color, facebook.com/thejewelrylady.co, Fashion, how-to, Lifestyle, outfit, shopping, style, thejewelrylady.co, wardrobe test, Wear

I know, I just ran about 30% of you away.  But it’s ok!  I wouldn’t ask you that question without giving you a simple solution on how to do it.  And I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t know first hand how beneficial it is to do it.  I have been known to be a bit of a clothes hog myself.  Thank God I’m married to one!  He can understand, so I don’t catch much flack about it.  However, there was a time when having so many clothes became too much.  Yeah, there’s such a thing as having too many clothes (*sigh*).  But, while I was pouting about cleaning out my closet, I realized one thing:

If I clean out my closet & organize it, I can go shopping again!  In moderation, of course.

The next thing I thought about was how many people would benefit from having my clothes that I didn’t even wear any more.  Or even ones that I liked but didn’t really wear much.  Or the ones I hated, were too big, too small, too whatever.

So, I got to work.  I went through the rack, pulling out these categories:

1.  Don’t like

2.  Doesn’t fit

3.  Don’t wear

4.  Worn it long enough (yes, that’s a category.  I even get tired of seeing me in some stuff!)

5. Outdated or inherited*

As I was doing this, I noticed some things.  I noticed the colors I wore & even more so, the colors I didn’t wear!  I noticed the style I gravitated to & the ones I strayed from.  I noticed the materials, cut & neckline that I utilized most often.  I began to discover my personal style!  As I took notice, it made it easier to separate the good from the bad in my closet.  And it made it easier to chuck what I didn’t really need.  That stuff was using some prime real estate!

Now, there’s an * by number 5.  Here’s the deal.  If you have outdated clothing (those extra wide collars from the 70s or go-go boots or something), you need to do something about it.  I know, I love some of the patterns & yes, they are called retro, but there is a limit.  If you have a vintage piece that’s got a great pattern, then keep it.  Just re-purpose it.  Take it to an alterations shop and have them create a new garment out of the old one.  Create a new garment or accessory out of a beloved old one.  Just make sure it’ll be something you’ll use & look great in.

Next, inherited pieces.  If you inherited items from a loved one (who has passed or not), you could alter those garments to fit you.  You could also convert sweaters to pillows to snuggle, blouses into vests or tanks, or any number of creative ideas!  Even consider transforming a garment into a stuffed animal.  Sentimental pieces are special, but even more so when they can be used by the owner.  You may want to take pictures of the item(s) and just give them away.  This is a great way to keep the memory without utilizing space.  Either way, do what gives you peace & space to receive.

So, once you clean out, what do you do with all that stuff?  First, resist temptation to put it back in the closet by getting rid of it as soon as possible!  Bag it up, call your girlfriends & let them come get the bags.  Don’t let them stay in your house!  Ask them to pass on what they don’t need to someone else.  Or, you can donate them to a women’s shelter, local school clothing closet, church or Salvation Army/Goodwill/Thrift store.  And consigning is always an option.  I don’t usually suggest it, due to the amount of time it sometimes take to haul it around to find a place that takes your style of clothing.

Anyway, enough chit-chat about it.  Let’s do it!  Let’s tackle that closet!!!

Be sure to read my next post, How to Organize Your Closet.

How To Choose Jewelry For a New Haircut

Tags

accessories, apparel, Beauty, clothes, earring, facebook.com/thejewelrylady.co, fix, Hairstyle, how-to, Jewellery, jewelry, Long hair, shopping

I’ll be honest.  When I get my hair cut, I don’t pre-plan what jewelry I’ll wear.  I don’t.  I do it just like everyone else.  Get a few inches whacked off, then get home and freak out when my jewelry just doesn’t look the same.  Well, I finally figured out what it was.  It wasn’t me, & it isn’t you.  It’s the vacant space caused by your hair being gone!  lol  If it used to be long & now it’s short, you’ve got some space to fill.

Here’s an example of a lady who had long hair & then got a haircut.

Before, when I (yeah, that’s me) had long hair, my hairstyle and length did the “work” of framing my face or adding drama or flair and my accessories were just that.  Now, with a shorter ‘do, I feel a need to fill that area where the hair was.  So how do I fill it?  With jewelry of course!!  Ok, I’ll be more technical.  The old saying, “opposites attract” will forever ring true.  If you have a lot of hair (whether it be long or fuller), you can get away with less dramatic earrings like pendant styles, teardrops, or hoops.  If your hair stops around your ears, there’s space between the bottom of your hair and your shoulder.

So, to fill the void (so to speak), try wearing larger or longer earrings.  Earrings with more drama (rhinestones, crystals, bright colors, ornate designs, intricate pieces) can add interest and give balance to your new hairdo.  One other thing, I seemed to look younger with longer hair.  The scary thing is, those photos aren’t a year apart!  If that’s the case, then I need to be sure my earrings are appropriate.  More serious earrings for more somber occasions & more fun earrings for when I’m free to be me.

Anyway, I hope this article helped.  Have fun experimenting while you find what works for you.  And before you get your next haircut, think about how you’ll accessorize your new ‘do!

~The Jewelry Lady

 

 

Is It “Fashion Legal” To Wear a Scarf With a Necklace?

Tags

accessories, apparel, bauble necklace, Blog, blouse, bubble necklace, clothes, clothing, color, facebook.com/thejewelrylady.co, Fashion, fix, garment, how-to, jewelry, Lifestyle, necklace, outfit, Pearl, pick, Scarf, shopping, statement necklace, style, thejewelrylady.com

                   Good question!

Many ladies ask, “Should wear a scarf with a necklace?”

The question shouldn’t be “should I”, but “how should I?”

For years, it’s been faux pas to pair a scarf with a necklace, but now, it’s a hot trend!  So how do you create a cohesive, chic look?  Well, there are a few ways:

You can blouse the scarf with a choker so the necklace shows above the draped scarf.

Another method is wearing a layered necklace above the scarf in a V.  Unfortunately, you can’t see everything that’s going on in this pic.  The scarf is draped over one shoulder so it frames the extra long necklace.  I couldn’t get my camera to capture it without it being fuzzy.  😦

But my pink Italian scarf & pearls still look so chic!

Next, I tried looping a scarf around my neck once and allowing it to hang and frame different necklaces.  Notice that the loop can be close to the neck or further away.  I put it further away for the bobble/bauble necklace & closer for the multi-strand pearls.

I also tried laying the pearls on top of a draped scarf.  This way the scarf is a backdrop for the necklace.  Try to match the weight of the scarf to the weight of the piece.  Meaning, if you have a classy scarf, put it with a classy set.  A whimsical scarf should be paired with a fun set.  Don’t mix messages when putting jewelry together.  But there are some pieces that’ll work either way.

Works well for covering the cleavage!

   

Finally, I put the necklaces on top of the scarf.

I hope I inspired you to try some different looks using some of the items you already have (or some you plan to own) & I hope you enjoyed my mini photo shoot.  I know I did!  Play around with these styles in different colors, fabric types & lengths of necklaces & scarves.  Pair them with your favorite ensembles to see which ways flatter you most.  And when you find it,

ROCK IT!!

Have fun!

~The Jewelry Lady

 

Is your body chemistry affecting your real or fashion jewelry?

Tags

accessories, article, bauble necklace, Beauty, Blog, bracelet, bubble necklace, color, facebook.com/thejewelrylady.co, Fashion, fix, how-to, necklace, repair, ring, style, The Jewelry Lady, www.thejewelrylady.com

I know this is a sensitive topic, but it must be discussed!  Even the best quality jewelry can get covered with lotions, sweat, dirt & other contaminants.  Along with these factors & the increasing pollutants in our surroundings, it should come as no surprise that some can have challenges with wearing jewelry.  Fashion jewelry has gotten a bad rep for years for turning colors.  Many people would say it was because it was cheap.  However, with more investigation, it’s been found that allergies, environmental conditions (weather, minerals, rain, etc.) as well as body chemistry are the real issue.  Don’t get me wrong, some jewelry is just cheap.  But, even the best quality real silver and gold jewelry can make a person break out due to metals and other additives used to make real metal jewelry wearable.  So how can we cope?  We must adapt!  Here are some tips to avoid, deter or delay having reactions to your real or fashion jewelry.

1.  Keep it clean!  Use good quality jewelry and fashion jewelry cleaners on a regular basis as directed by the manufacturer, or take it to a professional.

2.  Rotate your jewelry.  In other words, don’t wear the same jewelry every day.  In the case of wedding bands or sentimental pieces, clean it more often.

3.  Don’t wear your jewelry when working out, using cleaners, sleeping or putting on moisturizers or makeup.

4.  Use care when cleaning jewelry at home.  Use soft cloths, nail brushes, toothpicks or other implements to clean, but use light pressure, minimal scrubbing or rubbing and gentle motions to avoid loosening settings or dissolving adhesives.

Finally, consider these tips for fashion jewelry:

1.  Buy 2 of your favorite or go-to pieces.  If one turns (God forbid), at least you have a backup!

2.  Don’t soak in any cleanser, no matter how gentle.

3.  Coat the portions that come in contact with your skin with clear nail polish.  Do not use clear coat spray paint or polyurethane or anything that says on the label “avoid skin contact with skin”.

4.  Whether real or fashion, don’t sleep in jewelry.  It can cut your skin, get tangled in your hair or get caught on something and cause you injury.  So try to place your pieces in a jewelry box or night stand before turning in.

5.  Keep a piece of chalk in your jewelry box around your fashion jewelry.  I read this somewhere and honestly don’t know if this works or not, but I tried it and I have no bad news to report!  Who wants to chance it?  lol

I hope I’ve shed some light on this tender topic.  I myself have experienced reactions to my (real) gold wedding band when I don’t clean it regularly.  I also remember when I was pregnant, I’d wear it on my necklace because my fingers were so swollen & I’d break out on my chest.  But I soon found that when I cleaned my pieces regularly, I had little or no reaction at all.

So, take care & take care of your jewelry!

The Jewelry Lady

How To Prevent Bent Boots

Tags

apparel, article, clothes, clothing, Family, Fashion, fix, garment, how-to, laundry care, Life, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, pick, style, The Jewelry Lady, thejewelrylady.co, thejewelrylady.com, wardrobe, wardrobe test

Have you ever had to deal with boots that were crushed, creased or cracked because the kept being bent? Try this on for size:  insert a rolled up magazine into each boot to keep the form.  Or, use the inside of each boot to stash extra pairs of rolled up, clean socks!

Do You Dare To Be Weird?

Tags

accessories, apparel, bauble necklace, Blog, bracelet, bubble necklace, color, crazy, facebook.com/thejewelrylady.co, Fashion, how-to, jewelry, necklace, ring, The Jewelry Lady, thejewelrylady.co, thejewelrylady.com, unique, unusual fashion, women

Some days I wanna be weird.  Not Lady Gag weird (I have my limits), but past the norm, totally random, “how did she make that work” weird.  I get a kick out of it, I’ll admit.  I like to take my accessories & put them together in ways that aren’t supposed to go together.  My necklaces and scarves (my mom said it was a no-no), my necklaces as bracelets & my rings on my scarves.  I learned a long time ago not to care.  I’m a trendsetter.  I love to do things in a unique way.  They say that the first person to really do something never gets credit (God made everything and He doesn’t get the credit He deserves), but I don’t do it for the credit.  I do it cuz it’s FUN!!!  So I encourage you to go do your weirdest and best.  Wear your rings as ponytail holders.  Wear your neck scarf as a head wrap.  Heck, use old necklaces & stretch bracelets as boot decor.  Whatever you do, do it big & do it you!

How to build a wardrobe that works for YOU

Tags

accessories, apparel, article, Beauty, Blog, blouse, clothes, clothing, color, Fashion, garment, Home, how-to, jewelry, laundry care, Lifestyle, outfit, pick, Sanctified Prosperity Clothing, style, The Jewelry Lady, thejewelrylady.co, wardrobe, wardrobe test, women, www.facebook.com/yourspc, www.sanctifiedclothing.com

Only purchase clothing that is flattering.  Think of outfits or garments that you always get compliments on.  Did they compliment you on the color?  Was it the cut or style?  Shop according to those compliments.  This doesn’t mean you are people pleasing, but it is a clear indication of what showcases you.

Avoid impulse shopping.  You often spend unnecessarily on items you don’t need & usually regret later.

Need to save a buck?  Shopping at a high end store off season can save a lot.  Add in a coupon or special promotion & you’ll get all of the quality at a fraction of the price!

Swapping with friends is a great way to find out what looks good on you without spending a dime.

Finally, avoid shopping if you are bloated, swollen or in any pain.  You will misjudge your size & can make snap judgments.

If you need advice on an outfit or accessories, feel free to post or email me at buy@thejewelrylady.co!  Let me know if I have permission to share your photo on our blog, site or FB page.

Thanks & happy shopping!

How can I pull my wardrobe together? 5 steps to making over your wardrobe with what you’ve got.

Tags

Christmas and holiday season, how to match jewelry to your outfit, how to mix and match outfits, how to plan your outfits, how to plan your wardrobe

We all want to get more out of your wardrobe.  Whether it’s shopping for a new one, replacing individual pieces or just revamping what you have, having functional, versatile outfits are critical for any woman’s closet!  So how do you do it?

If you can and want to shop, then this may not be a hard question.  You have the money & the motivation, so off you go to your favorite fashion fix location!  However, if you don’t have the money or don’t want to shop, you still have a lot of options!  The easiest makeover can sometimes going with what you’ve got.  All it takes is some time, patience & imagination.  So here’s 5 steps to a new wardrobe using what you’ve got.

1.  Pick a garment you want to use more often or need to match.  This may be due to damage or loss of its coordinating former partner.  Lay it on the bed (or hang it up or put it on a bust form if you’re just that diva and have one!)

2.  Pull other garments from your closet that replace the missing article.  DON’T leave any out even if you feel they won’t work or would look ridiculous!  You may find an unexpected, delightful ensemble that’s been overlooked.  Consider color combinations that you haven’t before, like peach, turquoise, or purple & chocolate brown.  These are all colors that occur in nature, so they’ll be beautiful on you, too!

To demonstrate, I’ve placed my Carolyn Taylor sweater with all of my slacks.  I put like colors together so I can see what works.  Since I’d recently brought out my fall wardrobe, I found 3 new outfits that I’d already had!  Awesome!!

3.  Try on each outfit to be sure it works.  If it does, take a picture of yourself in it for an unbiased opinion.  You can also ask a friend, significant other or spouse.  Note:  don’t ask a person unless you value and respect their fashion opinion!

4.  Complete our patented (lol) Wardrobe Test to be sure you’re ready to go out of the door!

5.  Use my matching method to see what jewelry & accessories work best with your new wardrobe!

My “Patented” Wardrobe Test

Tags

apparel, blouse, clothes, clothing, Fashion, garment, how-to, jewelry, Lifestyle, shopping, thejewelrylady.co, wardrobe, www.thejewelrylady.com

I always try to teach this Wardrobe Test whenever I go and speak to women at our local Women’s Resource Center, dress to impress workshops or other ladies’ groups at our local university.  It gives you a real perspective of what others see when you’re not looking.  If you take these steps, you’ll be much less likely to be embarrassed by a wardrobe malfunction!

To complete this test, you’ll need a full length mirror and a chair.

1.  Check for the sheerness of each garment to determine if you need a camisole, slip or tank.  Stand 1-2 feet away from the mirror.  Hold each garment in front of the mirror in front of your face.  Open it so you’re only looking through 1 layer.  If you can see yourself or even a silhouette of yourself, you’ll need another layer.

2.  Get completely dressed to go.  I mean clothing, hose, jewelry, shoes, etc.  You’ll do this again if you’re going to wear outerwear.

3.  Stand in front of a full length mirror.  Check front & back for visible undergarments, loose strings, tears, holes or anything that’s not appropriate for public view.  See if you can see your bra and/or its straps, hemline, panty line, runs in your hose, hanging slip, etc.

4.  While facing the mirror, bend at the waist.  Attempt to look down your own blouse in the mirror.  Whatever you can see, we can see!  If you are showing your cleavage, consider wearing a multilayered necklace or a scarf as a coverup.

5.  While still bending at the waist, check for panty line by feeling your bottom.  If you can easily feel your panty line (on the sides or at the crotch seam), it’s visible.  Seamless panties, boy leg panties, thongs or hipsters can alleviate this problem.  You can also wear shape wear which will help as well.  Avoid lace panties with thin pants!  You’ll look like you have cottage cheese bottom! lol  Also, be sure your panties have a cotton crotch to allow “air down there”.

6.  Finally (still bending at the waist) reach behind yourself & check the split in your skirt.  Insert your finger into the split to understand what people can potentially see.  Keep in mind that when seated with legs crossed, your split can be revealing as well.

7.  Stand up, reach up high to the sky.  Reach around your waist to see if your top is still covering you or if your clothing rides up.  Twist at the waist and check again.

8.  Sit down & reach to your lower back.  Can you feel your bare skin or underwear?  If so, it’s visible to everyone.

9.  While seated in front of the mirror, put both feet on the floor & check your skirt length.  Cross your legs at the ankle & the knee & check again.  This is especially important if you’re wearing a skirt with split in the front.

10.  Squat to the floor (knees together if you’re in a skirt!) & face the mirror.  See what’s visible.  Check your back again for skin &/or underwear visibility.

If your outfit passes each step, you’re on your way to a day without wardrobe malfunctions!  Now be sure to carry a laundry pen in your purse to avoid those pesky stains at lunch…lol!!