Archive for March, 2009

News Flash!! According to National Jeweler Network, “professional researchers spent three years visiting jewelry stores across the country and, … based on consumer experiences, came to the conclusion that Americans don’t like shopping at jewelry stores.”

30% of consumers said that they had visited stores that they would never go back to. 80% of women would prefer to shop at a clothing store or book store.

Do you wonder who did this survey? And when and where? Did they ask about bathing suit shopping???? (And don’t get me started on “fat” mirrors.)

Thank goodness the web is here.

Take your shopping however and whenever you want it. We won’t snub you for “JUST LOOKING” and we won’t mind if you come back over and over and over and over again to do it. In fact, we love that. Bring your friends too.

We totally get that women and men shop differently (helloooo??!!!) and this is especially true when it concerns shopping for female adornment, aka, jewelry and accessories.

You want to savor the experience; delve into it; review it again and again to make sure you are on the right track. “The research shows that consumers browse [jewelry store] windows and displays six to 12 times … to see what’s new.” You need a comfort level with whatever intrigues you. It’s just not often about getting things DONE for its own sake. You want to pre-shop and make your case if it’s something you need to “campaign” for.

So go to town on our site. The more times, the merrier. We are happy to have you join us here. And, please let us know if there is anything we can to do make you even more comfortable. We’d be happy to do it!

Okay, so clearly we all know that mama nature is hurtin’. The words “global” and “warming” are heard at least 5 times a day within regular conversation. You know, like:

“Hey John! Great to see you. It’s been quite some time, eh? I think the last time was when Al Gore was VP – can you even remember that far back? And speaking of Al Gore, did you see that movie he made? Ummm, what was it? An Inconvenient Truth? Oh, that movie about global warming? Yeah, I never saw that. Good to see you.”

And in that vein, we also can’t get away from the eco-trend. Eco-friendly this, eco-friendly that. The reason we hear these catch-phrases all of the time is because people can’t stop talking about good ‘ole mother nature and how much pain she’s in. So, instead of fighting it, why not just get on board? “Green” or “eco-friendly” doesn’t have to mean crunchy granola or reusable tote bags – you can help out our mamacita while looking chic as well. Consider clothing lines that promote eco-friendly practices or jewelry and accessories that use found objects or recycled materials.

In keeping with the boho-chic look we know is coming back, consider a chain adorned with found [and somewhat ironic] charms to dangle round your neck.

Pray to Caesar Prayer Beads

Or why not try a stylish tote made of recycled rice bags on for size? [After all, the vintage look somehow never seems to go out of style.]

Magnolia Cinchy Tote

You can even score that bollywood-trendly look we discussed a few posts ago and help give mama earth a break.

Moon Princess Earrings

Two birds, one stone. That’s got to be eco-friendly, right?

**Warning: This post discusses real world issues. Slightly.**

While I was out cavorting and supporting small, local comedy acts last week with a two drink minimum [I know, I'm so generous], most of you were glued to your television sets. Why?! A little thing called the Oscars. [No worries - I watched it a few days later on Tivo]

Now before you jump ship and write angry comments about how we already have an Oscars post, I don’t really want to talk much about the Oscars, really just one specific thing. Or movie. Yup, the same one everyone else is talking about – Slumdog Millionaire. Now it doesn’t really matter to me if you saw it or not [but you should because it's damn good], it’s more that you are going to keep seeing it, whether you want to or not.

What do I mean by this? A few things really. Slumdog is on everyone’s tongues because it swept the Oscars clean, leaving nothing but the awkwardness that was “Brangelina vs. Johniffer” left. It’s also being buzzed about because it represents a powerful integration between the Eastern and Western worlds. [Gasp! She just threw a curveball of, ummmm, substance?] This, my friends, is big news. [Check out this article I found while looking for Slumdog pics] The Indian takeover is upon us in movies, music, politics and more. Now don’t get all fussy and start spewing lines about immigration laws and things like that – I’m talking about cultural significance and influence here. And in my book, that’s always a beautiful thing. Apparently few people liked Bride & Prejudice as much as I did, but most people are jumping on the Slumdog bandwagon – looking like the Western world has finally met its match.

I know you’re wondering why a fashionable little blogger like me is writing about worldly issues? [I mean, this isn't the Iraq war or Proposition 8, folks] But you’re right. Let’s get down to it. Something you should know about fashion is that it, like all other media, is effected by every thing around it. The political climate, the economy, the weather, art, social media, etc. Fashion is, in a way, an expression of all of these things. “So you’re saying that Slumdog Millionaire takes over the world and we’re all going to be wearing saris?” No. Fashion is rarely that literal. I’m just giving you a jumpstart, folks. With Slumdog’s mostly traditional Bollywood soundtrack remaining in the top 10 albums on iTunes, you can bet that Bollywood-inspired trends in clothing and accessories are going to be quickly approaching. So take a cue from the ever-gorgeous Freida Pinto and start Easternizing your wardrobe. If I were you I’d start small, like with earrings and bangles and then work your way up to the sari. Baby steps…

Here are some places to start:

When all of your friends wonder how you are such a “trend-setter,” you can just smile to yourself – then quickly rush home and write me a personalized thank you note. With chocolates. Or teddy bears. Or, how does a personal check sound?

This past weekend I was invited to an event called Cinderellas For Life at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Irvine, CA and sponsored by Working Wardrobes. It was the pictures on the invitation that told me I had to go.

Cinderellas for Life 2009

There, for all of us to see, was a beautiful young girl in an aqua tulle gown, long white gloves and drop earrings. I still get chills every time I look at the five pictures of this beautiful girl because there is a sense of delight, joy and excitement that is totally palpable. You just want to be in the presence of this girl because you know that just being around that level of joy will make your day. Even when you don’t know her.

So on a Saturday morning, I got to see the budding of 500 Cinderellas from low-income or foster homes who were there to select the prom outfit of their dreams–dress, shoes, jewelry, gloves, purse–the whole shebang. Five hundred girls from the Garden Grove School District were the lucky recipients of the generosity of others. And not only did they receive goods for Prom, they received incalculable lessons in self-esteem, and even etiquette. And of course, I got to see excited faces, lots of smiles, pretty dresses and dreams come true. And I got to talk with people from Working Wardrobes as well as volunteers. The beauty of this day was not only in what the girls received but how great the volunteers and staff people felt about what they were giving to others.

That’s a very valuable lesson for us all in these hard times. Nuff said.

So we’ve previously established that boho-chic is sticking around for the warmer weather in 2009 – and it’s sticking in a big way. We know that maxi dresses [those floor length muumuu-esque summery frocks], gladiator sandals, beaded ANYTHING, etc. will abound.

We previously chatted about seed beads and taking a cue straight from the Native American culture this spring and summer – but alas! I completely skipped over another important option all together! [forgive me, I am imperfect every once in a blue moon].

The multi-layered tiny bead look works best on someone who wants to just run and jump head first into boho-land, but if you’re a girl [or shopping for one] who’s not looking to take a dive today, strands of glass beads will offer the boho vibe without the messy long locks and requisite headdress. The beauty of glass beads is that they possess a natural and earthy feel [paging: bohemia!?!?] without looking too “make love not war.” They are much larger in size and shape than seed beads, much like what I would imagine the bead babies of seed beads and those jumbo gumball pearls look like.

The way to do glass this season is going to be in length and color. We come across sea glass [transparent/light aqua color] necklaces quite often, but for Spring/Summer ’09, GO BOLDER. Think strands of a mutli-colored variety [hippies loved rainbows!] and try to find pieces that are long enough to wrap around that tanned neck of yours at least twice. A bold glass necklace will take you from workday [wear it with a polished black shirt or suit and look stellar!!!!] to nighttime play [pair with a flirty black dress or any color maxi dress for a fun, laid-back look]. Either way, a colorful strand of glass beads will add just the right amount of “boho” to any look. Consider these beads your ticket to the Sophisticate’s Bohemia. Population: One. Now that you’re here.