Accessory Craze

Everyone who knows me knows how crazy I am about accessories. You might not believe it, but not even on a lazy Sunday spent indoors with my boyfriend and puppy will I ever skip the opportunity to pick out the perfect earrings, scarf and bracelet to go with my otherwise plain skinny jeans, cashmere sweater and riding boots (yes, I wear shoes indoors.... my argument is that the dog brings in so much dirt anyway that it does not matter). I don't know how many times I've seen my BF roll his eyes at me as we're on the way out, sort-of-remarking: "you're wearing your diamonds to the DINER?".

Oh yes, I certainly am - why?

Splurging on accessories is a phenomenal way of spoiling yourself with a nice purchase if you're on a budget, or (as in my case) if your significant other has put a shopping ban on you (!). Not only does a given amount of money often give you a little more bang for the buck when spent on accessories rather than fashion (at least if you're willing to scour Etsy and local designer markets, as I often do myself), but it is also so much easier to hide a little jewelry box in your purse when you get back home to your hubby, as opposed to a big showy shopping bag with a Chanel or Malandrino logo.... enough said.

I would like to take the opportunity to share some of my recent jewelry crushes! Please note that I have not accepted money, gifts or any kind of bribes to endorse any of the designers below... I just adore their work and felt like spreading some love.

Last week I went to Raleigh (more about my trip here) to work on a fashion shoot, and our stylist had borrowed tons and tons of jewelry from local designer Kerry Catherine. Now I realize it does not make sense at all to plug a boutique that I cannot even find the website for, but I was so blown away with her beautiful pieces, not to mention grateful that we got to use them for our shoot, that I just had to give her a shout-out. Kerry Catherine Jewelry is located on 1809 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC.... if you're ever around (storefront to the left)! You won't be disappointed.

Another designer whom I'm a big fan of is Alex Keller. Alex recycles vintage jewelry into unique one-of-a-kind pieces and she does it extremely well. The necklace in the image to the right has quickly become one of my signature pieces and I would probably purchase Alex's whole collection if I could find a sneaky way to hide it from my ever-suspicious boyfriend. :)

Furthermore, as some of you might know, I am a die-hard equestrian. My parents gave me my first (due to a few "incidents", it had one or two successors throughout the years) golden horse-pendant necklace on my ninth birthday, and needless to say it was one of my most loved belongings for many, many years. Sadly however, I have no idea of its whereabouts these days - I might have left it back home overseas when I moved to New York a couple of years ago (in 2003, more exactly). So what gives? A horse loving girl without a proper piece of horsie jewelry is a sad girl - but fortunately, my birthday is coming up next week, so I simply took things in my own hands and ordered these cute little white gold horseshoe studs (left) from LuShae. Let's hope they'll bring me lots of good luck in 2010!

Last but not least, speaking of my birthday, I got an email from Soixante Neuf the other day, that made me open my eyes a little wider. Apparently, us January birthday girls get 25 % off all of their jewelry! Now, I'm thinking this message should rather have been sent to my family and friends, especially since I am not supposed to spend a single dime on fashion or accessories until I have proven to my boyfriend that I know how to be financially responsible and not behave like a recklessly spoiled, rich bitch.... but what to do, what to do? If any of you need my home address for shipping (cough, cough), please by all means, let me know! I like the Lion Ring, the Peace Necklace and the Wavy Two-Tone Cuff, in case you need "inspiration".... ;)

Also, be sure to check out my other blog, New York City Snippets! No fashion, but lots of candid NYC footage - and, not to mention, daily updates!

XOXOXO