Photo credit: Callagold.com
Talented and unique personal jeweler Calla Gold is full of brilliant ideas, not only when it comes to designing, repairing, and re-purposing jewelry. In this blog post, she offers some excellent solutions for jewelry storage.
There have been times when I am organizing a client's closet, and learn that she has some beloved jewelry she can no longer where becasue she cannot find it. An organized closet means you know what you have and what goes with what; the same is true for jewelry so use some of Calla's tips to start getting your jewelry in order today!
Image credit: Etsy.com
Perusing Etsy's website is something I like to do every once in awhile. I am always blown away by the variety of goods for sale and the incredible talents of so many people. It reminds me of when my husband and I went to the eastern region of Canada one summer: since the winters are long and cold, it seemed everyone we met was a craftsman, making gorgeous stained glass, furniture, or mosaics, to keep themselves busy during those snowbound days.
Just take a look at what's on offer in Esty's skirt section. There is something for everyone, no matter what style/s you prefer. I fancy the skirt above, by LoveAlanaDesigns, though I cannot imagine where I would wear it! Sometimes it's just fun to see what's out there and to dream a bit.
Since I am bringing such a simple wardrobe on my trip, I'm bringing a few interesting accessories to spice it up. In addition to the belts and scarves pictured above, I am bringing some unusual costume jewelry (below). I know some people feel comfortable traveling with fine jewelry, but since 1) I don't have much fine jewelry; and 2) I don't want to fret over losing it/having it stolen, I prefer to wear fun costume jewelry on trips.
I am really stretching out my big birthday celebration this year which is just fine with me. A close friend gave me this beautiful necklace (above) over the weekend and told me where she got it: Ten Thousand Villages. Have you heard of this store and website? I learned that "From humble beginnings, Ten Thousand Villages has grown to a global network of social entrepreneurs working to empower and provide economic opportunities to artisans in developing countries." Ten Thousand Villages was new to me, and I am so happy to spread the word about it. Before you consider making a gift purchase online or purchasing a decorative item for your home, check out the beautiful and unique items on its website. And look there for a store near you. Sadly, we do not have one in Santa Barbara.
Image credit: theviviennefiles.com
In this month's Coastal View News column, I imagine spending $500 (or less) for a week's worth of outfits. Go here to read it on page 6. There are also loads of photos like the one above on Pinterest featuring outfits for a week.
Image Credits: JCrew
Sometimes I am flummoxed: Will this accessory or garment I want to wear make me look matronly? My fashion sense is evolving as I get older, and some things I used to love seem too young for me now while other things seem too mature. I wonder why Talbots speaks to me now, having not shopped there a few years ago. I tell myself it's because their offerings are more hip today, but it could just be that I am nearly 50. I am their demographic!
In any event, such thoughts went through my mind the other day when I pinned a sparkly brooch to my sweater. Do I look like a grandma? I wondered. Is this brooch beautiful or over the top? But I really like it and decided it made me feel festive and cheerful. I wore it all day, smiling whenever I noticed someone taking note of it. Did any of the junior high kids comment on it? No, but that may be a good thing!
My point here is that if you have something in your wardrobe that makes you smile, for goodness sake wear it. Moreover, it is definitely the time of year to wear things that sparkle and shine.
Photo Credit: mytwobutterflies.blogspot.com
Calla Gold, my personal jeweler, has a couple of new videos that are super informative. The one I watched first pertains to untangling necklaces. Ugh! I used to pay my daughters to do this for me, but they have not been interested lately. Thanks to Calla, I have now possess the knowledge to do it myself without too much difficulty.
Image Credit: Hammeredhoops.com
I recently came across a post from WhoWhatWear.com titled "What Are the Top 10 Pieces of Jewelry Every Woman Should Own?". These kinds of lists always interest me. I take them with a grain of salt, keeping my own lifestyle and sense of beauty in mind. I made this list of must have earrings in a past blog post. Do you love and wear all of your jewelry? If not, consign, donate, or give away to friends and family the pieces you do not regularly wear. They are just taking up space and make accessorizing a more lengthy process than it needs to be.
I felt underdressed in my casual maxi dress and flip flops when I entered the glorious A'maree's in Newport Beach last week. This store is renown for its designer and couture clothing, gorgeous and unusual jewelry, and jaw dropping shoes and handbags. Still, I had gone to school with the owners and Denise (on left) had always been friendly when I had come into her store. After all, the website invites you to "Come as you are. Have a cookie. Hug the dogs...and leave feeling like a million bucks."
Go here to watch a video about the store's new location which is breathtaking, inside and out. My younger daughter and I spent a long time gazing at the spectacular collection of clothing and accessories, and had a nice chat with Denise. If you love and appreciate exquisite garments and other adornments, A'maree's is a very worthwhile visit.
Photo Credit: Sandcastle Time's website
I've enjoyed exploring the shops in Carpinteria, Summerland, and Santa Barbara to write this month's Coastal View News column. Go here and then to page eight to read about gift giving ideas for the women in your life.
Today I took a stroll down Lillie Avenue in Summerland. Besides getting some lovely soaps at Indian Summers for my daughters' teachers, I spent time looking in shops. For the first time I visited Waxing Poetic, where I met store manager Ellie Olsztynski (above), who could not have been friendlier.
Waxing Poetic started several years ago with vintage and historically inspired pendants designed by Patti Pagliei Simpston. Today her stores in Summerland and Los Olivos carry her renown pendants, as well as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and gorgeous silk and modal scarves in breathtaking patterns. I showed impressive restraint by walking out of the store without a scarf of my own, but I may not have such willpower next time!
Watching the Oscars on Sunday meant a lot of oohing and aaahing over some pretty remarkable jewelry. I liked the long strand of diamonds around Jennifer Lawrence's neck and the beautiful design of Jennifer Garner's necklace. There were many, many stunners!
Calla Gold recently covered how Hollywood starlets set in motion some of the jewelry trends we are currently seeing. You can read her terrific piece here. I am in love with the spectacular earrings above, created by Calla.
Image of pearls from Tiffany&Co.com
A few months ago I was in a local jewelry store, looking for a new watchband. While waiting for the owner to finish talking to a customer, I could not help overhearing them discuss pearls. What I heard was, "And you should always, every time you take them off, wash them with a moist cloth before putting them away." This advice astonished me, so I piped in, asking if I had heard correctly. The jeweler insisted this was proper pearl protocol but I was skeptical.
It was time to talk to Calla Gold, renown personal jeweler in Santa Barbara County and beyond. Her knowledge of fine jewelry is vast, and she assured me that moisture should be kept away from pearls. She recently posted an excellent piece about pearls that I encourage you to read. I also encourage you to wear your pearls regularly instead of saving them for special occasions. The other day I wore a denim top with a silver necklace and a pretty strand of pearls. It was a great look!
Photo Credit: Glow Skin and Beauty
I hope that you have enjoyed a splendid holiday season, and that 2013 is a magnificent year for you! I sure enjoy writing my blog and appreciate the ideas you give me. I am on the lookout for a stylish person of the week, feeling disappointed that no one stood out to me last week.
A friend sent me this great link to "The Neckline Cheat Sheet." I am going to keep this handy, near my necklaces. The site its from, Glow Skin and Beauty, is one of my new favorites.
Thank you for helping me spread my Wardrobe Wisdom!
My daughter Camille and I spent a lovely day in Solvang with Rachel Kett, of Hammered Hoops, and her two sweet daughters. We had a great time catching up on each other's lives, and then I asked to see her latest creations. So many beautiful pieces! I am hoping to have a jewelry party featuring her unique and special necklaces, earrings, and bracelets this fall. The pretty abalone earrings here are an example of what she is currently working on. You can find Rachel's jewelry at the following locations:
Ladybug Boutique -- Santa Ynez www.ladybugboutique.com
Wendy Foster State Street -- Santa Barbara www.wendyfoster.com
Wendy Foster Sportswear -- Montecito
Angel -- Montecito
K. Frank -- Santa Barbara www.kfrankstyle.com
El Capitan Canyon -- Goleta www.elcapitancanyon .com
Ambiance Clothing -- San Luis Opispo
Kalyra Winery -- SantaYnez -- www.kalyrawinery.com
Indian Summer -- Summerland
Lola Boutique -- Santa Barbara
Hummingbird Boutique -- Carpinteria
Sometimes a new piece of jewelry is just the accessory you need to liven up your wardrobe. I know a certain pair of Rachel's earrings will do just that for mine!
 Image from Calla Gold's website
I have written a great deal about spring cleaning and the value of editing and updating your closet on a regular basis. Part of this process includes updating your accessories, including jewelry. I was thinking about this when I wore an opal ring from my grandma this week. The stone and setting are quite pretty, but the ring is bent out of shape and the stone seems insecure. I know who to call for a jewelry refresher: Calla Gold.
This local jeweler is an expert at creatively revitalizing jewelry, resulting in pieces you will love and wear, not store.
Go through the same process when you look at your jewelry that you would when you go through your closet. Take everything out, and then carefully consider if you wear each item. If not, determine why. If you just don't like the piece of jewelry, donate or consign it. If you like it, but it is broken or you don't care for the design, give Calla a call!
 Necklace from J.Crew
This hadn't happened to me in ages: I recently looked into my closet and saw very little I wanted to wear. Was it because most of my clothes were still not fitting well? Was I tired of what I have? Was I ready for spring clothes, with more color? Had my style changed, so nothing looked or felt like "me" anymore? Hmm.
Though I love my birthday, and have never shied away from stating my age (47, by the way), I see a lot of women my age who look frumpy in my eyes. I may be hypersensitive about looking matronly and put some of my clothes into that category right now.
So, I decided to begin weeding through everything I own, setting aside things that seem frumpy, and have told myself I will wear more of my fun accessories to spice up my wardrobe. Today I wore a red sundress and a terrific, modern necklace (similar to the one above) given to me by two good friends. I felt hip and chic.
Is it time to edit your wardrobe?
Yesterday I met a good friend for lunch at Scarlet Begonia in Santa Barbara. YUM! Then we strolled around Victoria Court, stopping in wonderful consignment store Lola, and a terrific store called Punch. If you are in search of something new and reasonably priced to add spice to your holiday wardrobe, head to Punch.
When my cousin was here from Germany over the summer, I could not wait to take her to Punch. I knew that its funky vibe, mix of vintage and new, and cool decor would be right up her alley. Was I ever right! We must have spent over an hour in that store. Punch is filled with cool little trinkets, that would make splendid, original gifts. Gina purchased some funny vintage-inspired magnets and a big, white cocktail ring. I tried on a lovely Nanette Lepore blouse and some great hats.
This week the store was decked out for Christmas, with glittery ornaments from the 1950s onward, and a pink feather Christmas tree. What I was focused on, though, were the number of sparkly, beautiful brooches, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets that would add some festivity to a holiday outfit. I also noticed all the chic sequined tops, skirts, blouses, and little purses. There were some darling little velvet caplets and a bolero as well. None of these items were expensive, and each would add the perfect, unique touch to an outfit.
So head into Punch and prepare to be dazzled! (And grab a bite at Scarlet Begonia, too.) And, in case you were wondering, neither place has paid me for my endorsement.
 I was touched by an email I received from a close friend about a piece in my recent newsletter. Here it is: Loved your newsletter as usual. I really liked the Italian piece, the bit about wearing your dressier accessories every day. I have this amazing ring that used to be my grandmothers. It's more of a cocktail ring than en every day ring. I vaguely have memories of her wearing it (mostly for church). Then, she gave it to my mother who wore it all the time. It's a large ring with a beautiful dark blue/aqua stone (nothing expensive) set in a white gold and yellow gold setting. It's an oval shape. It's been sitting in my mom's jewelry box since it was given to me after her death. The ring was in bad shape. The stone was very worn and the band broken. Back in May, I decided that I was going to wear that ring and took it to the jeweler. It took a month, but the stone was entirely re-cut, the mount rebuilt and the band fixed and sized. I LOVE this ring and wear it every day. The picture [above] doesn't do it justice. You'll see it when I see you next. Anyway.. Inspiring blog! Love, Heather For those of you considering re-fashioning some jewelry, I highly, highly recommend you contact Calla Gold. She lives for such projects and does beautiful work!
Whenever one of my Wardrobe Wisdom clients needs a piece of jewelry to spice up an outfit--something that won't cost a fortune--I direct them to Lewis & Clark in Santa Barbara. This store, and its smaller one in Montecito, are known for their unique and beautiful jewelry, home furnishings, books, and stationery.
Let's say you have a simple black jacket that you wear all the time. It could use an eye-catching brooch on its lapel. At Lewis & Clark you will find lovely, tasteful, bejeweled pins that will update and elevate your jacket's look.
Or imagine you are going to a wedding and have the perfect dress. All it needs to look complete is a pretty, sparkly necklace with some semi-precious stones. You will find the perfect piece at Lewis & Clark. I often like to pop in there just to admire the jewelry cases, making a mental list of what I'd like for an upcoming birthday.
Pictured above are a pair of earrings that are typical of what you will find at this charming store. I receive nothing from promoting Lewis & Clark--I just truly love it!
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