girl with a pearl earring

it's been a while since the "mise en dior" pearl earrings made a splash. i saw them in countless magazine editorials, on the ears of jennifer lawrence and natalia vodianova, and, of course, in the stunning advertisements, above. i became instantly obsessed with the black-and-cream variety, especially after spotting them in one of harper's bazaar editor nicole fritton's "must have" shopping lists. these earrings are at once graphic, classic, and sweetly feminine. they ring in at $350 (which is actually pretty amazing) but you can imagine my excitement when i discovered these lookalikes at ASOS for just $9.

not only did these earrings go right into my cart, but i seriously considered buying them in bulk -- they would make a lovely gift for any fashion-minded friend, and i would never have to worry about misplacing mine. for that price tag, i may just have to stock up.

II emily

the look for less: acne pencil skirt

images via pinterest

the minute i saw a new york fashion editor wearing her distressed acne pencil skirt with silver manolo sandals, a white peplum top & neon dannijo necklace last summer, i was hooked on the trend. i love how the women above styled the same skirt with crisp, structured shapes for unexpected contrast. the skirt would look all wrong worn with equally edgy items - like moto boots or a biker jacket - but with unexpected pastels and glinty accessories, it's perfect.

however, the acne skirt is no longer available and was very pricey. this one by miss selfridge is strikingly similar, but for a fraction of the cost. i'd wear it with a classic striped tee, raffia clutch, a little sparkle and easy flats: 

{ j.crew tee, miss selfridge skirt, j.crew necklace, bop basics bag, jeffrey campbell flats }

cheap thrills: march 26

because nothing's better than an affordable pick-me-up in the middle of the week.

{ from top left: american apparel bow clip ($16), adia kibur hoop earrings ($30), adia kibur enamel bangles ($75 for 3), forever 21 necklace ($10.80 - doesn't it remind you of louis vuitton?), forever 21 purse ($24.80 - valentino inspired), forever 21 sandals ($14.80 - look like 3.1 phillip lim!), gorjana chain ring ($30) and earrings ($32) }

how to layer necklaces

i stumbled upon this image on the j.crew blog and was immediately drawn to how perfectly molly styled j.crew's new "beaded rose" necklace. adding a few gold chains and vintage art-deco crystals helps the whimsical necklace  stand out, but also helps the statement piece feel easy and effortless. an extra-bold necklace can overpower a simple outfit like this, but piling on jewels and chains, while counter-intuitive, actually helps the whole look feel more relaxed. 

this photo is perhaps the best example ever for layering necklaces, which is often easier said than done. i put together a step-by-step guide and included plenty of different pieces to to help you get the look, too.

{ pops of color: j.crew beaded rose necklace and crystal and resin tile necklace
 // crystals: dannijo viktor necklace, forever 21 bejeweled flower collar necklace, bauble bar pave tab strand necklace, and j.crew collection martha necklace // chains: bauble bar gold double curb chain necklace, bauble bar long gold double chain necklace }

II emily

etsy spotlight: friedasophie

i've only bought a few things on etsy before, but i'm slowly becoming one of those addicts... the kind that tells herself she totally needs edible sharks for her next (nonexistent) baking venture. or soap that looks like sushi - yeah, totally necessary.

that being said, it's also possible to feel lost on the site, endlessly searching for that one special boutique. and once you stumble upon it... you have to share. friedasophie is any jewelry girl's dream come true: its pieces are all at once feminine, versatile, edgy and fashion-forward. i mean, who wouldn't want to wear a geode around their neck?  i love the juxtaposition of raw stones against simple gold chains and settings.

these pieces would give a delicate summer dress a little bit of edge, or they could add some earthiness to your  winter knits! if you need a cold weather pick-me-up (or a super special gift for your bestie, if you didn't already snag one here!) the friedasophie shop is the place for you.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

the joy of giving

thanksgiving is just around the corner which means.... turkey, potatoes, pecan pie and plenty of cider. but more importantly, thanksgiving means it's officially time to start  your holiday shopping!!!!! 

i hear time and time again that holiday shopping causes stress for a lot of people, but it doesn't have to be this way. i find there are a few tricks to pleasing everyone on your list and doing so in the chicest way possible:

tip #1: buy early. this is a no brainer. you'll have your pick of all of the season's best products, and while you might miss a few sales, you'll rest assured you bought that sparkly iPad case or snuggly cashmere socks before they completely sold out. and you'll avoid all of that insane holiday shopping traffic.

tip #2: think luxuriously. no one wants a predictable or boring gift. your friends and family can tell when you've put some thought and consideration into your gifts, and that's how you show your love! i always say it's best to buy people things that they wouldn't normally buy for themselves: a splurge-worthy st. james tee, plush faux fur blanket, or pricey bottle of alcohol. just because they need a new blender doesn't mean you should buy them one. 

tip #3: consider beauty products. i personally think cosmetics are some of the best gifts you can give, and they're probably the least expected item on anyone's list. i'm not saying you should buy your grandmother one of those blue nars x andy warhol eyeshadows when you know she's strictly into taupe -- but consider her everyday beauty routine and go from there. for example, my mom loves a select few things: super hydrating creams; dewy  foundations; the yves saint laurent touche eclat corrector; ultra-natural pink lips; and a certain dior palette with the prettiest neutral shadows around. so, what to buy a woman with a tried-and-true (and decidedly glamorous) beauty routine? for starters, i know she would love the dior hydra life foundation because it's lightweight, super moisturizing, and still provides plenty of coverage -- plus, it comes in a shade pale enough for her skin tone. i also know she would love any of those new clinique 'black honey' variations since she's been wearing the original color since the 90s. and i could even throw in one of the new tom ford lipsticks, which apparently smell amazing and come in the most perfect colors, from deep burgundy to neon pink (though i'd probably go with casablanca for mom). giving her a few new items that she would actually love and use would be thoughtful, heartfelt, unexpected, and yes, luxurious.

below, i provided even more ideas for the lovely women in your life -- best friends, cousins, moms, aunts, etc! happy shopping!

{ from the top: asos gloves, c wonder earrings, j.crew bracelet, j.crew passport cover, power mate plus x j.crew portable iPhone charger, nyx soft matte lip cream set, j.crew polka dot infinity scarf, nars eyeshadow trio in delphes, st. germain liquer (my absolute favorite! cocktail recipes coming soon), kate spade usb ring, chanel nail colour in vamp (a classic), kate spade cosmetics case }

II emily

getting an ear full

images via la modella mafia, jak & jil, mr. kate, and le fashion

unless you live under a rock, you've probably noticed that while arm parties are still going strong, the latest trend in jewelry -- the ear party -- is going, well... really, really strong. aka, your standard studs simply aren't going to cut it anymore.

even if you're like me and have been sporting two upper cartilage rings for the past few years and thought you looked cool, we're  playing it way too small. ear cuffs, tunnel earrings, zany new shapes and even safety pins have entered the world of chic, forward-thinking jewelry, and all i can say is... sign me up.

after a while, high-shine ear parties really don't even seem all that crazy . they're trendy, yes, but daring? of course. statement-making? definitely. worth the risk of drawing awkward attention to your lobes? you bet. oversized, sometimes-violent ear candy toes the line between en vogue and, well... punky. my own mother likened the trend to the over-pierced gothic youth of the 90s, but all i have to say is this: since none of these gilded pieces actually require poking new holes in your body (unless, of course, you don't already have single lobe piercings), it's just an innocent game of c'est-la-vie-and-pile-it-on-before-it's-out-again. which would you choose?

{ clockwise from top left: repossi 'berbere' ear cuff, dana rebecca bar earrings, mr. kate 'bark' ear cuffs [i own a silver one and love it], rebecca minkoff faceted studs, rachel roy safety pin earrings [last seen here], mr. kate 'circe' ear cuffs, giles & brother tiny safety pin earrings, topshop tunnel earrings [which look a lot like those givenchy tusks, no?], mr. kate 'bow' ear cuff }

II emily

atlantic-pacific x baublebar

 

images via atlantic-pacific

one of my favorite jewelry sites, BaubleBar, just released an amazing collection with my favorite blogger, blair eadie of atlantic-pacific. i knew the pieces would be show-stopping, but i did not anticipate wanting to buy every. single. one of them! the statement necklaces, dainty rings, bold color and overall mix of preppy + edgy are right up my alley. plus, everything is super reasonable for the style and quality! peep my favorites below, and shop the rest of the collab here.

clockwise from top left: seafoam chandelier necklace ($38), marie fruitbowl bib ($42), mint tab strand ($28), chevron ring stack ($26), arrow rings ($24), knot stud trio ($32)

II emily

lulu x j.crew: round 4

anyone who knows me is well aware of my penchant for j.crew jewelry. their enormous glass case of crystals, baubles, chains and beads is one of my greatest weaknesses, and i can hardly leave the store without feeling the need to invest in a new piece. the emotional rollercoaster is made about one hundred times worse when lulu frost enters the scene, and her latest offerings are probably the best yet.

lulu frost has been collaborating with j.crew for a while now, and for her fourth collection she looked back to art deco for inspiration. colorful bakelite, glinting czech glass and geometric shapes feel perfectly retro, but tortoiseshell and modern details (like bold blue and turquoise stones) lend the right dose of sophistication. it's taking all of my willpower not to reach for my wallet and go crazy, but can you blame me!? check out the beauties below:

 

{from top left: triple resin triangle necklace, resin and marcasite bracelet, crystal petal bracelet,  tangerine resin petal necklace, crystal petal necklace, all, lulu frost x j.crew}

II emily

fall jewelry guide

despite a pretty amazing summer, i'm more than ready for fall to arrive. walking through new york city (or anywhere, really) in the sweltering heat became decidedly less chic by the day, and soon i found myself wishing for snow flurries so i could trade in my flimsy dresses for clunky winter boots. i know they say "be careful what you wish for" and all that, and i'm almost positive i'll be eating my words when i'm scraping ice from the windshield of my car, but i know i'm not alone on this. we're all ready for some cool weather -- especially those who are fashion inclined.

beyond the cozy sweaters, fuzzy boots and stylish coats, fall fashion calls for new accessories, too. and as a self-described jewelry hoarder, i took note of the best trends way back in the beginning of summer. i'm loving big statement-making earrings, especially in bold colors that would pop beautifully against winter neutrals; sleek, no-fuss cuffs for a new take on the "arm party"; chunky pendants on long chains; and delicate, barley-there rings that beg to be stacked. i'm already on the hunt for my go-to fall jewels -- which ones will you choose?

top row j.crew earrings, lulu frost for j.crew earrings, kenneth jay lane earrings

second row h&m cuff, shourouk cuff, philippe audibert cuff

third row bijoux heart pendant, lanvin pendant, oscar de la rent pendant

fourth row jennifer meyer diamond ring, jacquie aiche turquoise ring, jacquie aiche initial ring, gorjana stacking rings

II emily

shark tooth jewelry

a few weeks ago i visited the chelsea market for the first time and kicked myself for not checking it out sooner. i'd heard great things about the clothes, the food, and especially the local artisan jewelry. different vendors set up shop inside the market and put their lovely, meticulously-crafted jewels on display -- most of them being of the spare, dainty variety. one vendor in particular had some amazing single-charm necklaces cast in silver and gold, and although i would normally gravitate towards something girly, it was a gold shark tooth piece that caught my eye.

simultaneously edgy and delicate, i felt like i needed to have it. however, a hefty price tag dissuaded me. i didn't forget about it though, and upon stumbling upon this image below -- a more intense version -- as well as dozens of iterations on etsy, i think i've found plenty of showstopping options.

 

 

 {from top: photo via tuula / illuminance jewelry / magic loot / ke aloha jewelry / mylo jewelry}

II emily

trend hopping

while trying to shop restrictively (nyc shopping is literally better than anywhere else ever) i've subconsciously indulged several of my favorite summer trends: 

1) neon + neutrals // c wonder clutch (such a steal!)

2) drop-waist tunics // uniqlo (so cute with slim pants + a chunky heel)

3) leopard (when isn't this a trend?) // zara mini bag

4) industrial earrings // rachel rachel roy (also seen in this post)

5) americana stripes // uniqlo t-shirt dress 

what are you wearing this summer?

II emily

pinned to perfection

 

 { rachel rachel roy earrings } 

picked up these beauties yesterday after work (which ended at precisely 1:30... thank god for summer fridays in new york!)

 i've been seeing variations on safety pin earrings all over blogosphere/street style photographs these days and was so excited when le fashion posted about these earrings in particular. they're teeny tiny and just a little bit sparkly, perfectly balancing  the toughness of the safety pin. get yours here or try them  in hematite.

II emily

jewel box

it's quite the understatement to say liz & i love jewelry.... we actually feel naked without at least five pieces on. my ears are so lonely without at least some whimsical studs, and a day never goes by where i don't have a bracelet or two (or seven) on my wrists. liz is especially vocal about her jewelry fetish, and will go to almost any length to get her hands on a beautiful statement piece.

this is what our collection currently looks like (not including the random pieces we have haphazardly lying around our house...):

and here are a few standout pieces - liz recently scored this unbelievably heavy necklace at j.crew for about 50% off. she was obsessed with it forever but never brought herself to buy it. it literally weighs a few pounds, i almost get a neck-ache when i wear it !!!

and this anthropologie necklace was a bargain, and its just so pretty :) i love wearing it with a simple white tee, distressed jeans, and a sharp black blazer.

unfortunately our stock doesn't end there... here is liz's heaping jewelry box that sits in between some of those giant necklace/bracelet stands:

{do you see that little dark green bangle hanging off the front edge of the box? that's my absolute favorite piece of all time - it's an hermès enamel bracelet my mom bought in paris in the eighties. she and my dad went to europe just a few years after they got married and he bought it for her! she kind of passed it on to me and liz, and its a daily battle over who gets to wear it. i love that it has a cute story behind it, and it feels so classic!}

-emily