Everyday Accessories

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Have you ever picked out the perfect outfit just to stand in front of the mirror, and feel completely underwhelmed? Is something missing from your costume, or do you think there’s something that could be changed or added? In most cases, it’s probably your lack of accessories that ultimately makes you look at yourself in shame. It doesn’t take much time to pick out some accessories, but it can get annoying storing several different types of rings, necklaces and earrings to pick for the right occasion. Getting dressed in the morning is already hard enough, then to add other embellishments to the outfit can feel daunting. I've sorted out ways simplify things. Accessories that you can wear with pretty much any outfit at any time of the day is key. It’ll help make dressing up in the morning a little easier, and less to worry about.

The Art of Jewelry

Illustration by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Jewelry can make any outfit go from drab to fab in seconds. Accessorizing is a statement, one that can boost confidence and help you achieve your dreams--- Okay not quite like that, but the right accessories can make the biggest difference. Just think of that boring little black dress, in the back of your closet. Imagine it totally revamped with a dazzling new necklace or a pair of vivacious earrings to go with it?! I have had many instances like this, but sometimes it's hard to find completely unique jewelry, something that no one has. Thanks to this new jewelry site, Anjolee, all of those woes are about to change!

Dress Up Your Hair

Illustrated by Jacqueline Moranti

I'll be the first to admit, that sometimes I'm bored with my hair. Sure, there's a lot of volume and shape to play with, but sometimes it just isn't enough to please me. I can remember back to my adolescent days when I used to continuously wear the "wet hair" look by scrunching in mousse and gel to achieve it. I looked like a "greaser," and worse is that I felt I needed to do this to look cool and fit in. Let's just say nothing good came from that and my hair hated me for it. Since then, I've been doing nothing with my hair besides bunning it or the occasional, lazy day wash and go styles. Sometimes you want a little bit more to your look, something that can dress your hair without cutting into your time. That's where Dauphines of New York comes in!

Get Caught in Swarovski

A few weeks ago I was invited to a very special dinner party with some of Swarovski's finest and local Philadelphian bloggers. The event was to introduce and unveil the new campaign by Swarovski, "Get Caught Philly" It's all about wearing Swarovski jewels in everyday happenings, some of the examples used in the campaign are walking the dog, shopping with the kids, painting your toe nails at work, and hoarding on ice cream! Nothing like completing your daily errands while wearing some sweet bling! 

Wiry Chic

By Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I recently discovered this fantastic jewelry collection by Michelle Kim, The Hatters. The Hatters is a custom jewelry line designed by Kim as a way to show expressions through her medium of delicate wirework and chunky chains. She can even make the daintiest of rings with profanity look amazing!

The other day, I received one of Kim's gorgeous creations, a custom stamped necklace. I've been wearing it pretty much everyday since then! I love the versatility of it, I can pair it with 90% of my necklaces, especially the longer necklaces. What's really great about The Hatters collection is the customizing aspect. You can request for certain stones, chain lengths, phrases/ names, and metals. 

Jewelry images from The Hatters

Shirt: Club Monaco,  necklaces: The Hatters, Salty Fox, Forever21

If you guessed that my necklace would say Burgundy Whispers, then you guessed right! It just makes it feel more "official" when I'm wearing a piece of jewelry with the title! The length of the necklace is 16'' which is perfect for layering, this combination of necklaces is by far my favorite! Dear readers, what do you think of this jewelry brand? How would you customize your piece?

I Dream of... Lulu Frost Jewelry

I Dream of Lulu Frost by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I'm sure most of you have dreamt about owning that one piece of jewelry that would blow all of your other pieces to shame! The statement among statement necklaces, the one of kind bangle, the show-stopper earrings. I'm talking about Lulu Frost Jewelry! I discovered this jewelry line a few months ago while I was perusing the new merchandise at my local J. Crew store. Ahhh, what a beautiful discovery it was, I've been lusting over Lisa Salzer's [Jewelry designer] gorgeous work ever since! Lulu Frost has collaborated with J. Crew and the Loft. Miss Salzer truly knows her craft!

The entire collection is created by hand, so don't worry about having the same necklace as the next person because not one is truly the same! The inspiration is drawn from "classic" references, but that is an understatement to say the least, because they have a really unique and contemporary spin!

Here are some of the pieces i'm currently dreaming of!

Images from Shopbop and LuluFrost

Dear readers, what do you think of Lulu Frost jewelry? Are you craving a piece or two like I am?!

Organizational Skills (or Lack Thereof)

Like many other fashionistas, I have a home for my jewelry. After a while, and a growing collection, things just get piled on top of each other causing what I like to call an "organized mess!" I try to keep things organized, I have a jewelry armoire with a drawer of bracelets, rings, earrings, two compartments with pegs for necklaces and a drawer filled with even more necklaces. It's my way of trying to keep things sane! 

Recently I was introduced to this product that is supposed to maintain an accessory addict's headache to a minimum, it's called the Necklace Saver. The product is a pretty colored bag of organza fabric with a slot to insert the necklace in and keep it untangled. You also have the choice to pick from 3 colors (aqua, orchid, or light pink) and 2 lengths and 3 widths. 

Necklace: Anthropologie

I made sure to utilize an abstract shaped necklace to test it out! 

To my surprise the necklace fit in the organza pouch really easily. As a side note, the transparent purple compliments the green of the necklace really well too, seems like the perfect holiday color combination! Just imagine a drawer filled with these pouches and necklaces neatly tied in, an "organized mess" no more!

Necklace: Anthropologie

Tried it again with a different necklace, no success. The widest width the Necklace Saver offers is 3 inches, which doesn't work with a lot of my big "bib" necklaces. 

All in all, I'd give this product a 4 out of 5, I didn't give it a full five because it doesn't offer wider widths to fit the growing trend of non traditional necklace shapes. It's still a great product to maintain your necklaces, keep your jewelry area organized, and save yourself some time by not having to untangle knots, which I need! Plus every purchase of the Necklace Saver donates a portion of every sale to help support children in need, around the world. Christmas is just around the corner,  this would make great stocking stuffers! 

Dear readers, what do you think of this product? Would you buy it? 

                                                                                     Xoxo,

                                                                                              Jacqui

Bibs Aren't Just For Babies.

Statement Eater by Jacqueline Davis-Moranti

Lets face it ladies, we have days when we wear our infamous white tee shirts. Sometimes, especially in the summer months, we want to dress comfortably, but does that mean we have to sacrifice looking great and fashionable at the same time?! I think not! 

One of the best ways to dress up a plain, white tee shirt is by way of accessories. Scarves, bracelets, belts, and most importantly necklaces! Necklaces have a way of updating something boring to something extremely intriguing. I like to take my necklaces and play around with them by layering pieces together, it gives confidence and personality to any "plain jane" look. I'm a big fan of statement necklaces, what is this you ask? Statement necklaces are the conversation starters, they're not the chain necklace with the little star pendant. No, these necklaces are bigger and badder (in a good way!) and great with any tee shirt. 

I'm also a big fan of v- neck tees, all of that exposed neck area, great canvas for statement pieces!

Here are a few renditions i've managed to pull off!

Necklaces from
Anthropologie
Forever21
JewelMint
Thifted
DIY(the rope necklace)


And of course, some complimentary jewelry to add some more pizazz to your "statement."

Tell me ladies, how do you make your "statement?"

                                                                                                                          Xoxo,
                                                                                                                             Jacqui

Jewelry With a Punch.

        One of the best ways to turn an outfit from drab to fab is through the use of accessories. Accessories have a wide array of subcategories, shoes, bags, hats, belts, and jewelry! I've recently fallen in love with an amazing jewelry line, Concrete Polish. The jewelry is completely different from the norm, it's definitely one of the most unique collections i've seen in a long while. Angela Monaco is the designer of the brand and her inspirations are minerals, crystals and metals. The pieces in the collection have a very urban, bohemia feel. It's got an untraditional, but timeless sense to it. One of my favorite pieces is the Pineapple Crystal Ring, it's so beautiful and alternative, just the way I like it! Concrete Polish just recently introduced a clothing brand to the showroom, The Radlands. It features a collaborative line by Angela's assistant/ co worker, Linda Smyth. Everything in the collection is amazing, with a ton of unique screen printed shirts, tie- dyed tanks, and cute woven wallets to replace that bulky leather one in our bags!

If you're in the Philadelphia area, check out the showroom at 716 North 3rd street, in the Northern Liberties neighborhood. If not, you can still check out the website!

 

                                                                                              All photos taken by me!

                                                                                                                        Xoxo,
                                                                                                                            Jacqui