What I Wore Last Week

Wednesday

As you've probably already noticed, I don't wear dresses very often. I'm more comfortable and feel like I look better in pants (especially jeans). But I do put on a dress every once in a while, and this was one of those times. I was working at home that day (in addition to my jewelry business, I also work as an editor), but I took a break during to zip over to Georgetown to drop some jewelry off at Sherman Pickey. And that evening I had an appointment with the owner of a new shop in Arlington, La Maison, who was interested in carrying my work. So I had a reason to wear something besides my work-at-home uniform (see Friday's outfit).  Dress: from Periwinkle in National Harbor, MD. Tights: Hue. Shoes: Clarks. Ring: by Jamie Joseph, bought at Essenza in Seattle. Pendant: by me.

Friday

As I've mentioned, I work at home as an editor as well as a jewelry designer. Friday was one of many days when I leave the house only to take my son to school in the morning and pick him up from a friend's house later. Needless to say, on days like that I dress for comfort and don't worry too much about style. My uniform is either my comfy Lucky Brand Jeans or a pair of old, saggy, super-soft gray Loft skinny jeans; a tee shirt or sweater; and either Converse or Uggs. But I still try to wear accessories and slap on a coat of mascara and lipgloss. I just feel better if I don't look like a complete slob, even if I'm just working at home alone. Jeans: Lucky Brand. Tee shirt: Target. Shoes: Converse. Ring: by Midwest Alchemy on Etsy. Bracelet: by Rebel Estate, bought at La Maison in Arlington (also available on Etsy). Bobby pin: By Woodland Belle on Etsy. Pendant: by me.

Saturday

In the morning I had an appointment with a bride and her sister in-law to discuss a custom wedding order. Then I went to La Maison in Arlington to drop off more jewelry since a lot had sold in only one day! Then on to errands, and then back home to hang out with my husband, dog, and son before it was time for the guys to start watching basketball and for me to start working on my jewelry and my blog. Wrap: from Periwinkle in National Harbor, MD. Tank: Target. Jeans: Gap. Sunglasses: Ray-Ban. Shoes: Steve Madden. Ring: by Jamie Joseph, bought at Twist in Seattle. Bracelets: by Rebel Estate, bought at La Maison in Arligton (also available on Etsy). Necklace: by me.

A New Look for My Jewelry

A few years ago, I started using a system where I gave all my jewelry styles names (like Glamour Girl and Heiress). Each piece had a tag with the style name printed on it. It was fun, but I'd been doing it for a long time and had become tired of it. It had stopped feeling creative and turned into something I was doing just because it was—well—what I did. I wanted a new way to brand my jewelry but couldn't find anything that seemed just right.

Then, I stumbled on the Etsy shop Coffee Stained Tags. The shop owner (who's based in Virginia, just like me!) dyes different kinds of tags with, yes, coffee! I liked what I saw, and since I'm also a coffee fanatic, the tags seemed perfect. I decided to place a small order and see what the tags were like in person. My order came quickly, and the tags were even cooler than I'd hoped. I contacted Kimberly, the shop owner, about a large wholesale order; she got back to me right away, and we worked out the details.

Meanwhile, I found another Etsy designer, Simone of Design Kandy, to create a stamp using the "R"from my logo. Simone was just as great to work with as Kimberly (I love Etsy!), and soon I had my tags and my stamp. You can see the result above. I'm thrilled with my jewelry's new look, and I hope you like it, too!

What I Wore This Weekend

I've been wanting to start doing outfit posts for a while now, but self-consciousness held me back. But some bloggers I've recently started following, like Maria from Very Busy Mama, Emily Kate from Capital Style, Alison from Wardrobe Oxygen, and Gabi from Gabifresh have made me realize that you don't have to be perfect looking to enjoy sharing your style with others. In fact, I especially admire bloggers who make the effort to put together an outfit and post photos of themselves when they feel that they are NOT looking their best. I probably would have deleted the photos and stayed home in my pjs. Also, I'm 51, and I haven't come across any other bloggers around my age whose style I can relate to. (If you know of any I might like, please tell me!) So maybe some "mature" ladies like me will find the posts inspiring.

So, here goes! Bear with me as my photographer (my 11-year-old son Miles) and I learn to take better pictures.

Friday evening

I went out for a girls' night with some friends and wanted to look casual (as I do 98% of the time) but put together. Blouse: Forever 21. Blazer: from Marshall's in Brookline, MA. Jeans: Gap. Sunglasses: Ray-Ban. Ring: by Danielle Welmond. Bracelet: by me. Necklace: by me. (You can't see my shoes, but in case you want to know, they're Tory Burch black Reva flats from a couple of years ago.)

Saturday

I had a bunch of errands to do and opted for super-casual and colorful to take advantage of the beautiful spring day. Vest: Old Navy. Cardigan: J Crew Factory Store. Tee shirt: Old Navy. Jeans: Old Navy. Belt: from Les Amis in Seattle. Shoes: Old Navy. Watch: TKO from Shoe Hive in Alexandria. Ring: by Danielle Welmond. Bracelets: by me. Necklace: by me.

Sunday afternoon/evening

I went to an Easter barbecue with my husband and son. Although I've been trying to wear more color this season, it was a gray day, and I opted for neutrals this time. I did wear my red lipstick, though! Top: Target. Blazer: Zara. Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft. Shoes: J Crew Factory Store. Lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick—Really Red. Necklace: by me. Ring: by Midwest Alchemy on Etsy. Handbag: by Beesnetta on Etsy.

First Monday Giveaway—Abalone Pendant

If you're reading this, today is your lucky day, because you can enter to win this beautiful abalone pendant! The giveaway is part of my First Monday Giveaway series. Beginning on the first Monday of each month, you will have the opportunity to enter to win a piece of my jewelry.

This month, you could win this simple and gorgeous abalone pendant. With spring pretty much here and summer around the corner, what could be better? You could wear this pendant for a beach vacation, a beach wedding, or just anywhere (to make you feel better that you're not at the beach).

This giveaway ends at midnight on Monday, April 14th. To enter, follow the directions below.

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