The Jewelry Post

Get it, "post?" Like an earring post? Okay, that was lame.

I'm gonna cut right to the chase: jewelry. It's the frosting of dressing. The icing on the cake. An afterthought, but a delicious one that everyone agrees is the best part.

But everyone loves jewelry, right? Well, almost everyone, at least. We recently signed a new client and, as usual, I found and followed their Twitter handles. One's bio proclaimed she's a "hater of jewelry." Who hates jewelry?! Otherwise, she's lovely, though, so I'm not going to hold one baffling view against her.

Over the past several months, I've really focused on building my wardrobe so, particularly at work, I look classy and put-together, but I also want to dress in a way that reflects my personality. Clothing is the visual language you use to communicate to the world, and I want my message to be on-point. I had only a few basic work-appropriate pieces when I started my new job about eight months ago (and used to be that person who was either in corporate attire or gym clothes), so I've mostly worked on acquiring blouses and trousers. But I wanted to make sure I wasn't neglecting jewelry, either - the afterthought that makes a big difference between a polished and unpolished outfit. So I did something that, in my opinion, was pretty smart - I bought a pair of earrings and a necklace that I could wear everyday, and that was that.

I bought these earrings, from a brand called Nishi, at a small boutique in the East Village called duo. It's owned by two really sweet sisters; the clothing is cute but not really my style, and the jewelry selection is fantastic. All these cool, funky pieces that are delicate enough to wear with a classic outfit. From afar, these earrings look like simple gold studs, but up close you can see they're pyramid-shaped. They're polished with an edge, which is my style exactly. In fact, they've become such a staple in my wardrobe that I'm considering investing in a second pair! The price isn't listed on duo's site, but to my memory, they were about $100 and worth every penny.

I bought my everyday necklace, actually, at one of those street fairs. If you live in NYC, you know what I'm talking about. I live for those fairs: you can always find cute necklaces and scarves at a really reasonable price. Anyway, my necklace has a delicate gold chain with a small, faceted lapis stone. I wear a lot of jewel tones, black, and white, so it matches virtually everything in my closet. And I must have paid about $25 for it.

So by now, I've been wearing these pieces nearly everyday for the past eight months. I still love 'em, but I also want to add a few new pieces into the mix. I really like these Mushroom Post Earrings from Elizabeth and James, $55. They're basically a tiny, classic gold stud, but the irregularities in shape keep them interesting.








I also adore these Square Spiked Studs by Jessica Elliot, $105. These are a more substantial take on the pyramid studs I already wear. It's the same deal - taking something timeless and roughing it up just a bit. I clearly have an M.O.






Lastly, I'm obsessed with these Astrid Studs from Katie Diamond, $150. They're just like the earrings I wear now, but they're made with black garnet. That is all.

Now, on to necklaces. Again, I love my reliable lapis pendent, but variety is the spice of life.

At $286, this Arielle Necklace from J. Lingnau is definitely pricey, but it's so timeless, you'd wear it forever (this is how I justify any large purchase). I much prefer gold jewelry to silver, but I do love the contrast of a silver pendent and a gold chain. Both this necklace and the earrings above are from catbird, a Brooklyn boutique that many a blogger raves about. I've never been, because I suspect it would wreak havoc upon my wallet. Seriously, everything in its online store is amazing.

For something a little different, there's this Satin Gold Hinged Collar from Kenneth Jay Lane, $215. Like all young adults who came of age in the 90s, I am nostalgic for that era, so I'm thrilled that chokers are making a comeback. Seriously, there are many relics of 90s fashion I don't need to see a second time - grunge, spaghetti straps, frosted lipstick - but chokers are welcome back anytime. Anyway, the Kenneth Jay Lane collar speaks to the choker-loving 90s kid in me, but it also has a bit of a Spartacus OR The Jetsons vibe going on. I honestly can't decide which. But I dig it.

Now, to be perfectly honest, I don't really wear bracelets, rings or a watch. I'd never use a watch - I have a cell phone that tells me what time it is. A couple years ago, my body changed from skinny-ish to athletic, and my feet shrunk half a size, along with my fingers - none of my rings fit anymore, and I haven't bought any new ones. And bracelets often interfere with long sleeves and are generally cumbersome.

BUT. I do really like this Screw Cuff from Miansai, $165. There's something about jewelry that requires a fair amount of effort to take on and off. It's almost... a little bondage-y (with this statement, I suspect I've revealed that I know nothing about bondage). It's sort of industrial, but beautiful, too.

What about you? Do you have a go-to set of jewelry, or do you like to mix it up? Am I crazy for not wanting to wear silver jewelry? Is my taste abhorrent? Let me know in the comments.

Winter into Spring Pieces, Under $50

It occurred to me today that I may have been featuring too many pricey items lately, due to the fact that I'm on an unofficial spending sabbatical. When I'm not actually buying anything, I feel freer to post about $600 dresses and $1200 purses. So, in order to make amends, I would like to present some of my favorite pieces that'll take you from winter into spring, all for under $50.

From C&C California, the Wool Jersey Off the Shoulder dress is on clearance for $49, originally $148. Is there anything more cozily sexy than a chunky knit that exposes your shoulders? It makes me wish I lived someplace where it was always cold. However, this dress would be perfect for those early spring nights where it's too warm for a coat when you go out to dinner at 7, but is a bit nippy when you're coming home at midnight. I also like how this sort of dress is all about the hourglass figure-- I could see Joan Holloway rocking this dress with some pumps and her gold pen necklace.


I recently saw a photo of Michelle Obama in which she wore a cardigan over another cardigan, and I was both shocked and delighted. Layering cardigans! I didn't know you could do that! I believe she also wore a belt around her waist, to counteract any bunching--very smart. I'd like to wear this J.Crew short-sleeve cardigan, $29.99, under a thicker navy cardigan in the winter, and then throw it on over a flouncy dress when it warms up. It also comes in a bunch of warm, tropical colors, but I'm a fan of this crisp winter white.


Actually, that white cardigan might look sort of amazing over this Fred Flare Blue Check Drawstring Top, $38. Especially if you pull out the drawstring and retied it over the sweater, and also maybe found some way to tuck the cardigan sleeves into the cuffs off the button-down. I love how the subtle pin-tucking in the front gives it a casual tuxedo-shirt effect, and makes it serious enough for a relaxed office.


Bangles are so chic and timeless-- you really can't go wrong with an armful of thin, shiny bangles. From Banana Republic, these stackable bangles, $29.99, feature semi-precious stones and a mix of silver and gold. I love the look of an eye-catching bracelet worn over the sleeve of a solid, dark long-sleeved sweater-- it makes even the most basic black crewneck look glamorous. And, when it gets warmer, nothing is more fun than gesturing wildly with a bare arm, adorned only with some lightly clinking bangles.

Yes! This Gap tote finally went on sale, and is down from $39.50 to $19.99! The bodega bay print is perfectly suited for spring, and I plan to be using this as my go-to errand bag as soon as the sun comes back to New York.

You know how sometimes, when you have a really great outfit on, you take on the best characteristics of your clothes and almost start playing a role? Well, if I had this Cheap Monday (faux) Leather Caroline Skirt, $49.99, I'd be the most badass, assertive, confident girl in New York. Pencil skirts are usually synonymous with prim, demure ladies, but in black leather with exposed silver zippers, the look gets very rock and roll. I'd love to wear this with a printed silk tank, tucked in, or maybe just a white tissue-thin v-neck tee.

There really isn't any way to make this shoes winter appropriate, unless you go to Ibiza in February. From Old Navy, the Metallic Braided Sandals, $19.99, are so fresh and fun that I'd be willing to sacrifice a groundhog to make winter end sooner. I love the various shades of blue, white, and silver against each other--I'd be very tempted to paint my toenails to match.

But before it gets warm enough for strappy sandals, we must endure those weird, in-between days where your wool coat is way too heavy but you can't go out in just a sweater. The spring coat has to strike a tough balance, but I feel good about this cotton-sateen ruffle-collar jacket, $29.99, from Victoria's Secret. The fabric is lightweight but not completely insubstantial, and the zippered front allows you to cover up as much as you want. Also: ruffles! Adorable!


People think that as soon as Valentine's Day is over, us ladies have no reason to put on crazy underwears that make us look like professional burlesque dancers. I disagree! Nothing compliments a flirty spring dress like a pair of over-the-top undies, especially if you're in the habit of walking over subway grates. I am certainly not advocating showing your delicates in public, but... better to expose these adorable Honeydew Intimates 'Dot & Lace Rumba' Boyshorts, $23.99, than a stretched-out thong or boring grey bikini. The tiers of black lace, chiffon, and red w/ white polka dot satin create an old-fashioned but sexy look--very Minnie Mouse becomes a pin-up girl.

Shopping Hodgepodge

Just yesterday I thought to myself, "I really shouldn't be doing any more shopping for a while." But then I walked by the kitchenware store Broadway Panhandler and saw, in the window, this dish towel with a photo of some 50's housewives and the text, "You mean shopping for more useless crap isn't the meaning of life?" And that was enough to convince me to keep spending money I don't have on things I don't need. Yay!

Incidentally, what do you guys think of that category of Retro Bitch kitschy stuff, like coasters and aprons and post-its and whatnot? Sometimes I think they're cute, but a part of me thinks it's trying so hard to be subversive that they're lame. They're not as bad as those t-shirts that say something like, "Mrs. Pitt" or whatever, but they're in the same general category of ickiness.
But anyway, the dish towel convinced me to keep buying things in order to find inner happiness. Danielle and I went to the flea market on Greenwich Avenue in the West Village, recently mentioned in the NYTimes. Since it just opened for the season a week or two ago, and we went pretty early in the morning, there weren't a ton of vendors there. But there was a guy selling rings with typewriter keys and earrings with Scrabble tiles, plus a really sweet old pocket watch that I might have been tempted to buy if it actually kept time. There was also a Polish woman selling vintage jewelry who told us about fifty times that the gemstones were from Italy, and Danielle got a sweet cocktail ring with an amber stone. But the best stand belonged to this woman selling delicate, understated gold and silver jewelry. I should have gotten her name, but if you go, look for a middle-aged Black woman selling gorgeous jewelry at really good prices, with a sign that says "Ask prices! Tags equal ugly jewelry." I got a bracelet with little silver ball beads strung unto about a dozen silver chains all twisted together. It kind of reminds me of tinsel, but not in a tacky way. I'm very excited to wear it, although it's sort of a bitch to try and put it on by myself. That's why I need a roommate, for help fastening bracelets and doing zippers.

After exhausting the flea markets stands (I think we'll go back in a month or so, and I'll try and remember to take photos), we split up and I headed back home. But I couldn't resist stopping into Banana Republic, especially since they had those giant "SALE!" signs up in the windows. But really, there wasn't that much stuff on sale. Working retail, I learned that the clothes on the designated sale wall aren't necessarily more discounted than clothes elsewhere, they just don't fit into anywhere else, and the sale window displays are more about not having displays relating to the new merchandise than anything inside the store. But anyway, I went inside and was browsing without any intention of buying, or even trying things on. But then I saw this cotton short trench coat, except electric blue instead of green and on sale instead of $148. I'm on a quest for a fun spring coat, but this wasn't quite it. There was something odd happening the shoulders and neck, so I couldn't buy it. But once I decided to try it on, that gave me leave to go grab a bunch of other things to try on, just to justify taking my clothes off. Although, I guess you could argue that I didn't need to take many pieces of clothing off to try on a coat, but... whatever. I tried on this long-sleeve sweetheart neckline top, $14.99, which is about the same color as the jacket. This is a cute top, and I was really close to buying it, but at the last second I stopped and thought, "this is going to be one of those tops that hangs in my closets for months at a time, and I'll see it and think, 'this is cute, I should wear it more often,' but then not actually ever wear it." So good for me for having the foresight to not buy something I'll like but not love.

I also tried on this golden cap-sleeve silk dress, $109.99, which I believe I included in my post about yellow. I especially wanted to try it on because Blake Lively is wearing it in last month's issue of Vogue, although you can't really see it in the photo. Also, has anyone else noticed how, outside of Gossip Girl, Blake Lively is just as hot as Serena but Leighton Meester isn't nearly as hot as Blair? I mean, she's still a totally cute girl, but she's lacking that special quality that makes Blair the center of every scene. Maybe it's the hair? Although, Leighton's t-strap shoes in this photo are the hottest of the hot.

So anyway, the dress, which really should come with the belt but unfortunately doesn't. It's a good dress, but not perfect. First, the fabric seemed a little worn, and there were little runs in the silk in the skirt. Sure, I bet a ton of people have tried on this one dress in the last two months, but it should be able to hold up a little better. And second, there was something weird going on with the back, where if I stood up straight with my shoulders back the fabric would gap out, like they made it half an inch too broad. It was very odd. I might be tempted to buy it if it gets more deeply discounted, but until it's under a hundred I just can't.

So BR was a bust in the clothing department, but I did get a sweet bracelet. I like the cuff shape because it's way easier to get on, plus I have relatively big wrists so it fits nicely and won't fall off. It's pretty different from all my other jewelry, but it's such a statement piece that trying to match it with earrings or a necklace is unnecessary. It's enough jewelry for a whole outfit. I also like that it's thick enough to cover up the red string I have tied around my left wrist and I never take off because I know it'll never go back on. Anyway, this bracelet is $35.99 in stores, but no longer available online. Sorry for the amateur photography in this post, by the way. I now have a whole new respect for jewelry photographers, because trying to figure out how to get enough light without causing a glare is tough.

So my last stop on yesterday's mini-shopping tour was Payless Shoes, which can be so hit or miss that I don't stop there that often. But I'm glad I did yesterday, because the second I saw the Anatole Pump by Lela Rose, $27.99, I knew I was going to buy it. You could wear these shoes just about anywhere: the office, to go out, even to class up a pair of jeans. It's a totally timeless shape, and the polka dot prints gives it a little bit of whimsy. Now that I have these shoes I'll have no excuse to wear flats (although, last night I did a lot of walking in heels and I got this really gross blood blister on the ball of my left foot, so that's maybe a really good excuse to wear flats. Was this an overshare? Are you totally grossed out? Just be glad I didn't take a photo and post it, because I was really tempted).

I didn't buy these Captain Boat Mocs, $16.99, but I was horribly tempted. They obviously fit with my fantasy always-on-a-yacht style, and could be cute summer shoes when my pedicure is looking a bit too worn for flip flops. But I just couldn't convince myself that I wouldn't look at these in three months and think, "Why in the world did I buy these stupid shoes?" If they were real leather (and still miraculously $16.99), I might have been more willing to give them a chance, but for now I'm saying no.