Archive for the 'Jewelry' Category

Delightful Collectibles

Published on August 24, 2010 in Inspiration, Jewelry and Shop. 2 Comments

Just a rundown of my purchases from the Collectors Expo. All of the items (not including the vintage jewelry box which was a hand me down from hubby’s grandmother) came out only $14! The brooch above ($3), I believe, is destined to become a pendant for a long chain necklace. The pearl clip on earrings ($1) below will double as shoe clips to spruce up my plain pumps.

This divine little bow watch pin ($2) will transform into a cocktail ring. I think I can just glue it onto a ring base, or if I get lucky my sister could solder it onto a ring permanently at her school’s jewelry studio.

I love that the pin was originally priced at $65 somewhere in the world, then found it’s way into a $2 sale bin and finally home with me!

This whole collection of earrings below were in one little bag all jumbled together for $3! The studs are missing their anchoring, but I can easily use some from other earrings. Some of the pieces I will leave just the way they are, especially the gorgeous gold and pearl number. But others will be taken apart and and refitted with embellishments and parts to create whole new earrings.

Finally, a silk scarf for $5 rounded out the rest of my purchases. Incredible steals, no?

More shopping finds to come!

ART + FLEA

Published on August 11, 2010 in Jewelry and Shop. 4 Comments

It seems like I’ve been shopping a lot recently and not keeping up with outfit posts. Oh well! I did want to show off the goodies that I picked up at the ART + FLEA sale a while back.  I mentioned this event in a previous post, but here are the detail photos of my new finds.

All of these items plus a dress came out to only $30!  Aside from the earrings, everything else was purchased from one of the event hosts, Nicole Franco of MISH MASH.  I’ve purchased 2 other dresses from her line up of exceptional vintage items, but I have yet to wear them.  One dress is slated to become my first tea-staining project and the other is so vintage 60′s that I have to figure out how to style it without being too literal and costume-y.  She does have quite a collection, including a couple of vintage-inspired bathing suits that I have been eyeing for months.  Her lot of accessories and jewelry are incredible.

ART + FLEA is held on every 4th Thursday at Fresh Cafe on Queen Street (my street!) in Honolulu.  The next one is coming up on August 26th and you can bet I’ll be there!  They have a dozen or so vendors selling things from new jewelry pieces and innovative vinyl bow purses to random knick knacks.  I was too busy running around trying to snatch up all the things that I wanted to buy, I didn’t take too many photos.  Here are just a few…

You can’t go wrong with a sterling silver plated mouse.  I desperately wanted to buy it, but really, what would I do with it?

Lunch for the Ladies and Gents

Published on April 27, 2010 in Ensemble, Jewelry and Personal. 1 Comment

Last Friday, I attended a luncheon for work in Waikiki. We were nominated for an award, but unfortunately did not win. I did, however, get really excited and busted out my camera to film our dramatic moment (of disappointment).  Regardless, it was a fun afternoon especially playing on the grounds of the beautiful hotel after the meal. One thing that always bewilders me is how cold the AC in indoors spaces are.  Thus, the sweater and tights in the middle of a sunny Hawaii afternoon – and I was still freezing in the ballroom!

As much as locals on Oahu try to avoid Waikiki, I really love getting caught up in the excitement.  Without fail, I am always treated to a fun show of stylish and crazy tourists running amok.  The feeling of eternal recreation doesn’t hurt either.

I bought this necklace a number of years ago at the Aloha Stadium swap meet from a woman who sold costume jewelry.  I wish she was still around because she had an amazing selection that I would go gaga over now.

dress – thrifted
belt – vintage
satin purse – Banana Republic
sweater – can’t remember
necklace – Aloha Stadium swapmeet
earrings – Forever21
navy tights – American Apparel
wedges – Linea Paolo
nails – American Apparel

Morphed: Woven Gold Earrings

Published on March 29, 2010 in Jewelry and Morphed. 0 Comments Tags: , .

I saw these interesting earrings at a thrift store, but they were on posts and kind of awkwardly large if you think about it. For a quick fix, I cut off the posts (one easy crimp with my handy wire cutter) and filed the sharp points down with a nail file. Then, I attached new ear wires. Fin. Or local style in Hawaii: PAU!

Now, they are perfect drop earrings.

Another simple idea for earrings is to use fun buttons. I bought these at a sewing store for less than $2 and hooked them onto ear hooks with a lever-back.

I wore the woven gold earrings over the weekend with a thrifted skirt I’ve been dying to show-off.  The only problem with the skirt is that I preferred to wear it inside out because the pattern on the interior was much more colorful and flattering than the exterior flesh-colored material.  Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to switch out the zipper.  So in a genius move, I just threw on a large, leather, cross-body satchel hoping it would cover my entire back side.  It pretty much worked, but I did have one person notice the unsightly inside-out zipper: my Aunt – a former textile graphic designer, amazing seamstress and all around craftiest person in my family… I should have known!

skirt – thrifted
tank – Banana Republic
earrings – thrifted and morphed
purple ballet flats – Esprit
leather satchel – Banana Republic
shades – vintage