Laurel Burch Earrings

When I close my eyes and think of the early 90's, I see Laurel Burch.  

If you're not familiar with Laurel Burch, she was a talented artist who applied her paintings to jewelry, home decor and other collectibles. She also really loved cats.  

My mom loved Laurel Burch jewelry. Lucky for me, Laurel also loved flowers and abstract designs, or I'd be walking around with cats dangling from my ears. (Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. It's just not really my thing).  

I adore these black and gold square earrings and the care Laurel took to name each design ("Naito" in this case).  It's like walking around with little pieces of art on my ears.  

So much better than cats.  

Wild Lily

Laurel Burch

Flowers

Fanciful Felines

Coin Purse spotted on Flickr

Mali Earrings

Garden Rose

Spotted on Flickr

Mexican Poncho

Every once in a while my mom surprises me. In a good way. Take this poncho for instance.  I mean, hello?! This poncho is incredible.  And it's just been hanging out on the top shelf of her closet wrapped in plastic.

I think she's been holding out on me.

Good thing I'm on to her. Good thing I casually peek into closets when I go home. It's a magical closet that keeps giving me wonderful things each time I look inside. Like this poncho that she brought back from a trip to Mexico sometime in the early 60's.

I can't wait to wear it this summer with white jeans.  Or a sundress.  Or shorts (I don't really wear shorts but I would for this poncho).  I'm so excited I've already got the accessories picked out.

There are dozens of ponchos on Etsy right now and Zara, H&M and Free People are always good places to look.  Here are some of my favorites as well as a little "how to" inspiration.

Enjoy!

Free People

Fringed

Patriotic Poncho via Etsy

Spanish Moss

Guatemalan

Fashion Zen via She Blog She

Hand-Embroidered via Etsy

via Filthy Ego

via Zara

 

Reversible via Etsy

Ponchos: Ready-to-wear or rainy days only?

In Place of Pearls

I could write a post each day this week on the merit of pearls.  Fresh water, Mabe, Majorca. I wore pearls to my first job interview (with an Ann Taylor twin set no less). So original.  

I'm sure you have a set or two of pearls tucked away in your drawer or jewelry box. They are the LBD of jewelry. Classic, simple and understated. Timeless.  I have nothing bad to say about pearls. But sometimes you just want a punch of color.  

These are vintage turquoise (borrowed from my mom of course) but plastic, glass or even fabric can be just as fun. Find them in droves at your local thrift shop or inexpensively at most retail stores.    

You can wear them alone or layer them with other beads or metal chains.  Go crazy and wear them with pearls. I love a good compromise.  

Textured Coral

Sherbert

Bakelite Browns

Sea Foam

Muted Neutrals

Antique Coral

Pretty Pastels

Fabric Wrapped Teal

The Etsy Purchase That Started It All

Blog friends, meet my bedroom.  Bedroom, blog friends.  And this red and white beauty is my first Etsy purchase ever.  

June 30, 2009.  I'm not one of those people with the crazy memories, I swear. Etsy saves all of your past purchases with detailed information.  

I was definitely not searching for a new bedspread.  Or a vintage one for that matter. But there she was in all her chenille glory.  Red and white with pom-pom trim.  I was weak.  

I called my mom (what I do when I want her to tell me it's okay to buy something I really don't need).  And we rationalized.  I had just moved into a new apartment.  I needed a lightweight bedspread.  My favorite color is red.  Pom-poms.  

We both agreed I should get it.  Let's be honest - we're talking about a bedspread.  I wasn't buying a whole new room.  And there were way less practical things I could have purchased. 

And that's how my long-term relationship with Etsy began.  The good news is that I'm starting to balance my purchases with sales.  It's good to have your Etsy karma in check.  Speaking of checking, you should check out VintageJane's shop.  She has some great things you never knew you needed.  

If I had more bedrooms to dress, I'd be keeping an eye on these:

Preppy pink and green

lovely whites

Spotted on Piewacket

The dogs are cute, too

Plaid and way less girly

Mint green frou frou

Vase of flowers

Do you shop on Etsy?  What was your first purchase?

Something Fierce

My boyfriend hates this necklace. 

Don't get me wrong, he's extremely supportive of my fashion choices and he waits patiently while I comb through racks at Good Will weekend after weekend. But he is vocal about this one and he's not a fan. Grrr...   

At least my mom is on my side.  Well, it's her necklace so I guess that's a given.  It's a LUKE RAZZA Leo the Lion necklace.  Razza is an artist from the '60's-'70's who created an increasingly collectible line of large Zodiac pendants using molded resins and gold tone metal. 

Here is his Aries the Ram:

Luke Razza Aries the Ram

I LOVE my Leo necklace.  I realize that it's not for everyone but that's what makes it personal style, right?  I will point out that animal-inspired jewelry has been spotted as a key Spring 2011 trend.  But that's not why I love it.  

It's big, loud and unexpected and when I wear it I feel fierce. GRRR!

Here are some pieces to inspire your inner animal:

Speak, See, Hear No Evil

Citrine Ring

Lions and Tigers and...

Gold Fox Ring

Elephant Pendant

Petite Curiosities

Circus

Bunny Ring (not so fierce)