Feast for the Eyes

I hope everyone had a great Holiday! One is gone, and now another is approaching. Today I got lost in the fantasy land that is Pinterest even more than usual. Since New Years is coming up I have been seeing a ton of pins for outfits and sparkles and I thought that I might share some and give you a feast for the eyes tonight to spur some inspiration.

So whether you like the class short sequin dress...

Or maybe something a bit more elegant.

Perhaps some feathers instead?

I don't think you can ever go wrong with lace.

As long as you can twirl in it.

Just add a pretty earring...

And maybe a sparkly shoe to dance in....

Or something with an edge...

Perhaps some statement jewelry, like a necklace?

Or even some stacked and chunky rings.

And be sure to paint your nails.

And I never forget my winged liner.

Maybe even try out a bold lip.

Be sure to stay warm!

Grab a great little purse.

And remember....

Cheers!

Till next time!
Xo

*These photos are not mine. They all can be found on my Pinterest with their links.

Pearls and Roses

Hi everyone! I hope that your weeks have been good so far. Almost half way through to the weekend!

Today was my first day back to work at the antique store for my winter break. It was a bit hard to get up, so I didn't put a whole lot of thought into my outfit. Rather, I went to a look that was relatively easy but LOOKED like I took my time. Of course, I had to throw on a vintage necklace! 

All of the pieces of the outfit are from Forever 21 (even the shoes). The necklace is a bib pearl necklace that I bought off of the internet. I've paired it with this dress several times because I like how it pops off of the burgundy rose print. And I never think you can go wrong with a chunky heel.

While I was at work I got really cold so I threw on a military styled knit jacket that I bought a few years ago (also from Forever 21) but left it open so the necklace was still visible.

I really like the necklace because it is really big but isn't so flashy that it's difficult to wear. It has a lot of movement to it as well.

I think that my favorite part about it though is the clasp. When I first saw it online it looked like it would have all of the intricate details wired on, but when I got it out of the package I found it all one piece, soldered together. And boy is the necklace heavy! Each pearl is glass and then the chain is really nice quality. It actually makes my neck ache to wear it for long periods of time.

There are no maker's marks and it doesn't have any qualities that scream out a particular designer to me. It looks like a late 30s, early 40s piece to me just because of the style of the clasp and the heaviness of the piece. 

Overally, today felt like a pearl day. I got another piece in the mail last night that I didn't open until a few hours ago. It's a really pretty baroque pearl necklace.

Once again, it's an unsigned piece. The seller said it was "Haskell style" and is very much so the right style, but I can't say that I could agree that it actually is. I know they did unsigned, decorated push clasps but the metal color doesn't look like the right age because unsigned Miriam Haskell push clasps were pre 1947. The color of the pearls and the gold/gilt spacer beads remind me a lot more of Robert because a lot of my other unsigned (but easily identifiable) Robert necklaces used them. But a lot of designers used the same findings so....who knows. I'll keep looking into it but in the meantime.....signed/identified or not, it's a pretty one! 

When I tried it on the pearls cascaded from the centerpiece (which sat in the middle of my collarbone) to just the right length.

There is wear to the pearls, but I can't say I'm complaining. That's pretty much to be expected.

I was loving the pearl necklaces so much that I decided to set them up on a silver tray and do a little photo display with them.

So I grabbed a few other random things to go along with them and went to town.

I always love the elegantness of old french opera glasses, even when they aren't in very good condition. And bottles always seem to be a nice touch, whether it's a juxtaposed or complimentary style.

I grabbed the tray out of my mom's work room and there were random chandelier crystals, which I always love, and thought they looked pretty with the color of the pearls.

There is also a few random findings throughout (like an unmatched Haskell earring) that have been waiting for their time as a project. Also, the details of the tray I almost thought spoke for themselves. I love old silver/silver plated trays and etched pitchers etc. because they are so gorgeous and ornate. Perfect for a filler piece or centerpiece on a table or in a cabinet.

Anyways, enough of that! I'd better get to bed so I can go to work in the morning without being too groggy! 

Till next time!
Xo

Welcome =)

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to start this blog. I've been considering it for a long time and finally figured, why not?! I want to use this as a creative and share-able outlet (not just for myself, but also for any readers!) to talk about vintage. Well, not just ANY vintage...my particular passion is vintage costume jewelry.

I started getting into it about 6 years ago because my mom had purchased a local antique mall. Several of the vendors there had jewelry and I fell in love with it. The designs were so unique and it was so sparkly and out of this world I had to have some! I started my collection slowly, and then it began to really take off about 4 years ago when I began to work regularly. Ever since then, it's been consistently getting larger and larger. I love doing research about all of the eras of jewelry from Victorian to 1960s. I always get excited discovering a new designer and reading all about their workmanship and their vision. Of course, seeing it in books and online is another experience than seeing it in person and being able to hold it ;)

I don't claim to be an expert, but I have done a lot of research because this is a big passion for me. I am usually online looking at websites with information or jewelry for sale 2-3 times per day. My collection isn't perfect - I try not to limit my buying to only pieces that are mint, so you will see items that show their age. I really adore pieces that have a little wear because it makes them more unique and it makes me wonder what they've been through and who wore them (with what, and where!). I try to incorporate jewelry into my outfits, but I'm also a university student so sometimes it just isn't doable. However, I go all out when I work or go on dates/shopping with my boyfriend and that is one thing that I would like to talk about here on the blog - ways to wear vintage jewelry and outfits that I like to pair pieces with. 

I would love to here all about anyone's collection who is interested in sharing! I don't know a lot of people who love jewelry and collect like I do so I'm always ecstatic when I find someone else who does. Especially anyone who loves some of the same designers that I do such as Miriam Haskell, Delizza and Elster (known for their Juliana line of course), Original by Robert, Eugene, Eisenberg, Weiss, etc. etc. the list goes on and on! There were so many fabulous design houses and so many pieces to collect. Things that really tend to catch my eye are usually one of three things: Outrageously sparkly, unique, or intricately designed and ornate (which is where my true love for all things Haskell comes in!).

So anywho, before I make this TOO wordy of a post, I would like to focus in on displaying vintage jewelry. Currently, I like to keep mine in a cabinet with glass doors and shelves (that way I can see it but it can also be locked). I like to go to any of my local fabric/craft stores and buy the black velvet stands for displaying (they also have white and burlap now though!) because it lifts them up and lets them pop. I also had a light put inside that helps to make them glow! For me, I think it's fun to incorporate a few things from some of my other collections into my cabinet where it will fit - things like half dolls and heads, bottles, perfumes, books, and really anything that just gives it some character and depth. When I go shopping at vintage/antique stores I also try to look for small china or glass pieces that can be used to put rings or brooches in. To me, adding little pops of the unexpected makes it more personal and enjoyable to look at while also giving you a place to display your other pretties. 

Enough said! Might as well show you what I am talking about...

Even though I don't have the best camera, I like to organize and set up the case and then take random pictures of the items inside. I always say it's like playtime for me.

Now that I've shown you all my overall collection, from here on out I would like to use each post to focus on either one piece (and maybe even an outfit I wore it with), or a specific designer or style. Is there anything you can think of you would like to see on the blog?

In the meantime, I would love to hear about your collections and ways that you like to display! Jewelry or not, I love decorating and collecting and would love to hear all about it in a comment!

Till next time!

Xo