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.

Whimsical Earrings and a Ring

A few quick pieces of jewelry that I have my eye on:

I saw these ring yesterday at Fash-on-Smash and immediately had to have it. From Banana Republic, the Knotted Ring, $24, is an ingenious twist on a classic ring band. It could be perfect for the single girl who isn't ready to metaphorically tie the knot yet, but wouldn't mind having a little something for her right ring finger. I want to buy this ring and wear it everyday-- and with the simple shape and subtle gold color, I really could.

These earrings would be perfect for Emily, I think, who swooned over a ring with a similar style back in January. Personally, I couldn't get on board with the tied bow ring because it seems like it would get caught on your hair, clothes, etc. These Rachel Leigh Olive Bow Studs, $50, on the other hand? An unqualified yes. There's nothing but girlish charm in these sweet little gold earrings-- wear them with a light blue dress and long, loose hair and you'll be the prettiest thing around.


You know those classic heart stickers with the bright red glitter flecks that were all the rage when making Valentine's for your classmates? Well, these earrings bring me back to those innocent days, when I once got a Valentine from a boy that declared I was his "heart and sole" (sic). That was in fifth grade, arguably the year that I peeked socially and romantically, but maybe I can recapture some of that charm with these Red Heart Earrings, $6.99. I'd love to rock these with a simple black dress on a Girl's Night Out, maybe with matching red lipstick and a super hot attitude.

More Mod Cloth

Let's jump right into the cuteness with the Moroccan Trench, $89.99. I'm in love with the orange piping and high collar on this coat-- I would feel so coy and mysterious wearing it, like I was an undercover spy who must work with her ex-lover in order to infiltrate a coterie of Parisian intelligence experts. But even if I was just running errands on a crisp October day, this coat would add an extra bit of excitement to my life.

The Parisian Trench, $94.99, is a little bit less dramatic, but it has a "Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby" feel that could work for the right girl. The Peter Pan collar is fun and playful, but I'm not a fan of the cropped sleeves--they're good for rainy spring days that hover between chilly and warm, but for fall you don't need frozen forearms.


This coat is unabashedly girly, all lace and empire waist. The Baroque Brocade Coat, $74.99, is what I would wear on a first date with Prince Harry, in order to prove that I would be worthy for inclusion in the House of Windsor. Brocade is such a classic, so the traditional fabric mixed with the flirty cut results in a beautiful, feminine coat.


My final coat, the Mod Evening Stroll Coat, $114.99, has a more refined shape, but the daisy-print buttons and sleeve buckle add youthfulness. You really can't go wrong with a navy dress coat, especially one that looks like it would have been just as stylish in 1960 as it does today.


Moving on from coats, check out the Royal buttoned skirt, $34.99. I don't need to mention my love for all things nautical, so naturally I love this because it fits right in with my sailor-girl aesthetic. It reminds me of something Blair would wear on Gossip Girl, as she executes her schemes with military precision and long, long legs.


I realized after doing the John Krasinski/man cardigans post that I was totally remiss in not giving due to Pam Beesley and her adorable receptionist cardigans. Expect me to correct that oversight very soon, but in the meantime, Mod Cloth has the wittily named Winking Violet Cardigan for $49.99. This is totally a season 4 Pam cardigan, when she was wearing her hair down and glowing with Jim love, and no longer wearing drab colors and flat fabrics. The greyish beige color of this sweater is unremarkable, but it makes the violet buttons and ribbon totally pop.


Mod Cloth also has some fabulous shoes. I've never been a big fan of the Oxford heels trend, but the Literary Love Heels, $129.99, are a great spin on it. By taking the penny loafer and adding a chunky heel, Mod Cloth created a shoe that's both sexy and smart. I'd love to wear these with some dark grey tights and a pencil skirt. I just wish there was a little spot to slip a penny.


These shoes make me wish it was Valentine's Day: by Chinese Laundry, the Be Mine Peep-Toes, $43, are way romantic. The suede heart on the toe and patch on the heel are nice counters to the tougher patent leather, and the pleating on the sides brings it all together nicely. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the kitten heel; I find it harder to balance on a one-inch peg than on a three inch heel, for some reason. But the kitten heel does have a certain demure appeal that can't be denied.


These Darjeeling Express flats, $34.99, are more funky option. The pointed toe, perforated top, and big ass buckle across the toe are all fun and surprising, plus the great blue color is very eye-catching. I'd love to have these kicking around the back of my closet for those days when I'm running late for class but want to do better than my beat-up black flats.


One of my roommates always teases me for wearing belts with no purpose (although I'd argue that defining my waist in a looser dress is an essential purpose), but this belt is so faux-practical that even Alex would approve. The Hipster Holster Belt, $24.99, has two little pockets on the side to put some cash or ID or something. So much classier than stuffing those things in your bra, right?




Nothing pulls together a Saturday night outfit like a pair of dangling gold earrings. These Cascading Earrings, $12.99, are perfect for any sort of occasion when you want to seem a bit come-hither.


The Mint Condition bag, $39.99, is as simple and refreshing as a scoop of mint ice cream. The embellishments are simple: studded rivets on the side, braided straps. The color is the real star here, although I'd be terrified of setting it on the floor and getting it smudged or dirty. It's the purse equivalent of the new Cadillac your dad bought with his bonus, but then won't let anyone bring food or soda near it. That's why the name "Mint Condition" is so perfect-- the beauty of this bag is how flawless it is.