Knock Knock

Who's there? It's me, your delinquent blogger.  

I know I have been less than exciting over the last few weeks but I have been studying hard for the GMAT, which I took yesterday and now never have to think about ever again!  Whoo hoo!

Okay, enough about me.  How have you been?  Rummaging through someone's closet or your favorite thrift store, I hope.  Find anything good?  I'd love to hear about it!  Send me a photo of something you've borrowed and tell me its story, and I'll feature it here!  

Now on to the earrings...

I titled this post "Knock Knock" because these earrings remind me of mini door knockers.  They belonged to my great aunt and when I found them I feel in love immediately. Only they were clip-ons. Ugh. My earlobes turn bright red and cringe at the thought.  

I can't tell you how many pairs of clip-on earrings I have stumbled upon over the years looking so cute and retro and taunting me from behind the jewelry counter. Until now.  

I took these earrings to a local jeweler and had the clips replaced with posts.  $10 and I had myself a new favorite pair of earrings!  This may seem obvious to some of you, but I had honestly never even considered the possibility.  Just like the first time I went to a cobbler (please tell me you use a cobbler) and felt like I had finally been let in on the biggest secret.  

Now, I don't suggest you turn every pair of clip-on earrings into posts, but if you just have to have them or find some that have sentimental value like I did, it's totally worth the investment. I'm also sure you can shop around and find a better price, or try bundling a few repairs together and ask for a multiple-piece discount.  

Don't you just love a good secret? It's okay, you can pass this one on. Earlobes everywhere will thank you. 

Lifelong Friends

In honor of Mother's Day, my friend Jen hosted a group of us and our mothers for a belated brunch celebration.  It's hard to believe that I've known these women and their mothers for almost 20 years. And I now consider my friends' mothers good friends themselves.  It was the perfect afternoon of mimosas and sticky buns and countless memories two decades in the making. 

Coincidentally, my mother is in the final stages of planning for her 50th high school reunion.  Lately, she always seems to be on the other line or out running errands with a handful of her lifelong friends. 

Like mother, like daughter, I guess.   

Cheers to delicious food, a gracious host and 20 years of friendship. To many more!

Mother's Day

Me, my mom, my grandmother and my great grandmother

Wishing mothers everywhere a very happy Mother's Day!

Something for My Mantel

I really like saying "mantel." It makes me feel fancy.  Do you know what makes me feel even fancier?  "Mantel vignette." 

See, fancy.   

I'd like to say that that this collection was the result of a well thought out plan, but really these items congregated on their own over a period of time and I grew to love them.  A true Bob Ross "happy accident."

I found the artwork in an antiques co-op outside of Hershey, Pennsylvania and the bookends at a local Philadelphia community flea market.  The silhouette is my mom, taken during a girlhood trip to Disneyland and the turquoise lotus bowl belonged to my grandmother.  

A motley crew mantel, if you will. 

I know a lot of people change their decorations with the seasons.  I haven't graduated to seasonal vignettes just yet. Have you? 

Here are a few of my favorite mantel inspirations.  Tell me about yours! 

Family Photos

Vintage whites

Apothecary Bottles

Illuminated

Pinned

I'd Like to Buy a Vowel

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