Fashion Accessories Archives

JORD Watch Review ( plus Giveaway): A Personal Style Statement

February 1, 2019

I have over 18 years of experience as a fashion and accessories buyer, so I am undoubtedly attracted to beautiful accessories, especially unique and stylish watches. While many people have stopped wearing watches, a watch remains one of the fashion staples in my wardrobe. I own a variety of watch styles to suit every outfit each one fits style statement perfectly. When the kind folks at JORD Watches reached out and invited me to review one of their timepieces, I was excited about the opportunity.

After looking through their selection of watches, I selected the Hyde watch in walnut and black. What attracted me was the rich tone of the wood watch band and the sleek watch face. The Hyde watch is actually a men’s style but I like an oversized timepiece, so it’s perfect for me.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with JORD watches, let me share a little about the company. JORD is an US-based company that designs, handcrafts and manufactures watches for both men and women. Their timepieces are made from a variety of woods sourced from around the world including ebony, maple, sandalwood and walnut. Their family of watches feature precision quartz movements, durable natural woods and are water-resistant. At JORD, the focus is on creating timepieces that are modeled after a modern lifestyle.

Distinctive Designs

Every JORD watch has its own design details that make it unique and distinctive. The styles are a sophisticated mix of natural, and largely re-claimed materials, combined with quality movements and components. Prior to being made into watch bands, the wood goes through a propriety resin and infused process that increases the overall durability and finish. The glass on each timepiece is Sapphire glass which is crystal clear and second only to diamonds as the hardest and most scratch resistant materials on earth. Design is in the details and JORD goes to great lengths to ensure that each of their watches is crafted to perfection.

Watch Care

JORD watches are designed to last for years with proper care. When you’re not wearing your timepiece, keep it stored and protected in its original packaging OR in a jewelry box. Do not expose your watch to overly wet or dry temperatures which could cause swelling of cracking of the wood. It’s also recommended that you properly condition the wood periodically using Tung Oil or Lemon Oil to further protect the wood from the elements. You can also buy JORD’s exclusive cleaning products here.

Other benefits of purchasing a JORD Watch:

Quality + Craftsmanship + Style
Free world-wide standard shipping on all purchases
Every watch comes with a one-year warranty with options for return or exchange
Most watches have additional options for customization — mixing and matching faces and woods
Custom band sizing prior to shipping
Personalized engraving available on most watches (a special touch when giving a JORD watch as a gift)

The value of a watch is not in being able to tell how much time has passed, but in being aware of the need to make that time count. ~ JORD

*****

I am thrilled with a new JORD watch and look forward to wearing it on many occasions. I also have my eye on a men’s watch as a birthday gift for my brother who is a bona fide watch aficionado.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, it’s the perfect time to purchase a JORD watch for yourself or someone special. Here are a few of my favorite styles for men and women…

To make gifting even sweeter, I’m partnering with JORD to give you an opportunity to win a $100 credit towards the purchase of any watch in their collection. Along with one lucky winner who will receive the $100 gift, every person who enters the giveaway will receive a coupon code for 10% off the purchase of a watch. This giveaway will close on March 1st, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.

Click here to enter the JORD Watch Giveaway

Disclaimer: This post was written in partnership with JORD Watches. After reviewing and wearing my new watch, I am enthusiastically sharing the company and its products with you. All photos, comments and opinions are my own.

Wooden Wrist Watch

A Cute Clutch Find From An Unexpected Place

January 27, 2017

Around Christmas I shared the Junk Gypsy Bohemian Geo Cuff Sheet Set that I received from Pottery Barn Teen. But what I didn’t tell you was this wasn’t the only thing I received from PB. They also sent me this adorable suede clutch.

The Wanderer Fringe Pouch is also part of the Junky Gypsy collection designed by sisters Amie and Jolie Sikes, affectionately known as the Junk Gypsies. In true Junk Gypsy style, this pouch has a fun, whimsical and bohemian vibe.

There are so many things I love about this pouch, starting with the super soft 100% suede leather fabric. It feels like butter to the touch and is a high quality grade of leather. I know a lot about leather products from my years of buying and sourcing for Eddie Bauer.

The other thing I love about this bag is the fringe detail and tassel zipper pull. How did PB know my love for tassels runs deep?

When it comes to handbags, I always look for special details that give a bag pizzazz and the fringe + tassel do that to this simple clutch.

There are not pockets on the inside of the pouch but that’s ok because it forces me to keep the contents light.

I’ve so enjoyed pairing this bag with jeans and sweaters this winter and it’s going to be the perfect accessory for a cowboy themed birthday party we’re going to in a few weeks.

If you love backpacks, there’s also a Wandered Fringe Backpack which is the perfect hands free bag for a weekend of shopping. And both the pouch and backpack are currently on sale!

There are so many great items in the Junk Gypsy for Pottery Barn Teen collection. You can check out all of the items here.

disclaimer: Pottery Barn Teen sent me this product in exchange for a review. Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Teen are two of my go-to sources for stylish and affordable decor and gift items. I am happy to partner with them in sharing some of the products I love. All text, images and opinions are my own.

What To Buy During The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale

May 21, 2015

I might have mentioned this before but when I lived in Seattle it wasn’t uncommon for me to take the first day of the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale off from work. Given that Nordstrom is based in Seattle, their half-yearly sales are a major deal in that city. I’ve always loved the Nordstrom sale because it’s a great time to pick up a few in-season pieces and save money while you’re at it.

I spent a little time checking our the deals online and rounded up a few of my faves.

Let’s go shopping shall we…

Espadrilles are the ‘it’ shoe for spring and summer and this black and white platform espadrille is the perfect blend of summer style and comfort. And the $40 price tag makes it even more attractive.

If I could buy an unlimited number of any one fashion accessory, it would be handbags. A classic leather handbag should be a part of every girls wardrobe and having one in a fashion color like this beautiful orchid is perfect for spring or summer. I love the woven handle and all the interior pockets of this Elliott Lucca leather tote.

I love sporting a white watch during summer and since the cheapo one I bought at the mart has seen its last day, I’m going to invest in a new one. This Nixon patent leather strap watch is the front runner on my consideration list. I love the round crystal face, the gold rim and hands and the $74.90 pricepoint.

If you love jewelry, you’ll definitely want to get in on one of these deals. This turquoise stone pendant necklace is only $8.98 and is perfect to wear with summer dresses, tanks and tees. This Drusy pendant necklace is a bit dressier but would work just as well with a casual outfit and it’s only $13.98.

If you’re planning on doing any traveling this summer or if you like to spend your weekends antique shopping like me, this belt bag is for you. When it comes to style, fanny packs have come a long way and this striped canvas belt bag is both cute and afforable.

Summers are meant for maxi dresses and Nordstrom has a ton of great styles on sale under $100. Here are three of my favorite-–navy and white maxi for everyday wear, a floral maxi for when you need something a bit dressier and this roll-sleeve maxi when you want to look super chic but casual.

Don’t dilly dally, because the Nordsrom Half-Yearly Sale ends May 31st. Happy shopping!

Shopping In Unexpected Places

August 22, 2014

There are times when I go into a TJMaxx looking for something specific and then there are times when I go in just to check things out.

The times when I’m just wandering to see what’s new is when I usually discovered something great.

Yesterday I popped into the store to wander (really I was looking for a pair of shoes) and as normally happens, I made my way over to the handbag section.

Up and down the rows I went, finding nothing that struck my fancy when all of a sudden something in the cosmetic/personal care area caught my attention.

It was black and white, a no fail color combo and it looked cute from a distance.

As I walked up on it and reached out to touch it, I felt softness.

The piece really had my attention now. I immediately turned the piece over to inspect the other side, then the top and then the bottom.

I was liking what I was seeing.

I flipped the tag over to look at the price and smiled to myself.

It was $12.99, black and white and really cute.

…

Read the Post

32 Fashion Tips That Will Never Go Out of Style

June 24, 2014

Build your wardrobe to break down like this–70% classics, 20% novelty and 10% trend. The classic pieces in your wardrobe should include items like solid colored cardigans, pencil skirts, black pants, dark denim and white shirts. These classics will serve as your fashion foundation and easily allow you to mix and match with the other items in your wardrobe. The 20% novelty should be represented by items like patterned blouses, print skirts and fashion blazers. And the 10% trend are styles, silhouettes and colors that are hot for the season–items like patterned pants, novelty sweaters and print dresses.

Know what styles look best on you. Try on the things you have at home to get a feel for the styles and silhouettes that look best on you and accentuate the parts of your body you like most. Then head to the store and try on more clothes. The more time you spend getting comfortable with your personal style the more confident you’ll feel when shopping and wearing the pieces you buy.

Buy quality fibers and materials and AVOID ACRYLIC. Cotton, wool, cashmere, linen, silk and flannel are always good fabric choices and will stand up to long-term wear and care. Fabrics like acrylic and polyester usually show their wear within a season through pilling and surface shine. When buying cashmere, buy the best quality you can (if you pull the fabric and is doesn’t spring back its a lesser quality).

When buying novelty or trend pieces, buy complete outfits. Novelty and trend clothing is usually designed to represent a hot color or pattern of the season, so it’s important to buy different pieces in that color family so that you have items that work together long term.

Buy key pieces at the end of each season to build your fashion foundation and save money. The end of the spring and summer season is a great time to buy tanks, cami’s and layering tees. At the end of the fall and winter season look for light weight cardigans, blazers and denim. One of your best sources for clothing pre-season is outlet malls which typically have items 3 months before the season begins.

Organize the clothes in your closet by category and then by color within each category. This will help you see what you have, identify core items you need to purchase and help you stay organized.

If you are wearing a loose fitting top pair it with a slimmer fitting pant. Likewise, if you are wearing a wide leg pant, pair it with a slimmer top. Wear clothing that gives you a balanced appearance and avoid an all-over baggy look.

Don’t buy over-sized clothing thinking it will make you look smaller. The area just under the bust is a woman’s smallest torso measurement, so emphasizing it with a structured waistband that hits higher than your natural waist will make you look a size smaller.

The most slimming fashion statement you can create is wearing one color head to toe.

Know your neckline. The neck and decolletage area can make or break how you look in a top. Figure out if you look best in a v-neck, crew-neck or other neckline. You want to accent this area to draw the eye to the face and help give you an overall leaner look.

Invest in an accessory wardrobe so you can add personality to your wardrobe. Scarves, belts, necklaces and earrings can turn a classic fashion piece into a fashion statement. When buying necklaces, buy pieces in different lengths so that you have pieces to work with a variety of neckline styles.

Save money on footwear by creating your own fancy flats. Buy flats in basic colors and then use inexpensive but stylish clip-on earrings to Up-Style them. Yard sales and thrift stores are a great source for cheap clip-on earrings.

To make your legs appear longer, wear shoes in the same color family as your skin-tone. Your legs and foot will create a seamless line and your legs will appear longer.

When buying denim, buy a pair that has a snug fit. Denim always stretches and buying a relaxed fit from the start will result in a baggy fit when the jeans stretch.

Wear jeans at least two times before washing. I’ve heard fashion experts say jeans should be worn 3 to 4 times between washes to maintain the fit and the color. To help with fading, turn jeans inside out when washing.

Never dry your bras in the dryer. Dryers will breakdown the elastic and underwire quickly and result in ill fitting bras. Wash bras on delicate in cold water and then hang them to dry.

If you spill something on your clothes, don’t rub the stain instead blot the stain. Rubbing can break down the fibers and actually embed the stain further into the fibers. p.s. this also goes for carpet stains–blot, don’t rub!

Alterations can be your best friend when it comes to fashion. Always buy clothing to fit the largest part of your body and then have the garment altered to fit where it is too big. Well fitting clothes actually make your clothes look more expensive and higher quality.

When packing for a trip, roll your clothing pieces instead of folding which will help cut down on wrinkles. It will also save space in your luggage.

A basic white tee is one the best fashion buys you can make. A white tee can be dressed up or down, worn with any color and can be layered under just about anything. When you find a tee that fits, buy 3 to 4 so you’ll have a fresh one when one wears out. Same goes for a well fitting pair of jeans.

Wear a t-shirt bra when you wear a t-shirts to keep your bust area smooth. It’s not a flattering look to see lace details or bra seams under a tee.

Wear the right color lingerie. Don’t wear a black bra if you are wearing a white blouse or top. Wear nude or natural lingerie with white, cream and lighter colors and wear black with darker tones.

Have several black pairs of pants in your closet that work with different heel heights. Hem a pair to work with flats and a pair to work with heels. An ‘all-purpose’ length will end up looking OK with some shoes and bad with others.

Always look at yourself in a black tee under light to make sure the fibers aren’t see-through. In many cases light-weight black fabrics have a see-through nature to them which may show up under light. If you are attending an event where photos will be taken, try on your outfit at home and have a couple of pictures taken of you. Check the photos to make sure you’re not exposing something you weren’t aware of.

Always check your rear view before leaving the house. Most of the time people look in the mirror before they leave the house to see how they look from the front but don’t always check the back. Make sure your clothes fit from all angles.

An inexpensive way to Up-Style an inexpensive blouse or blazer is by changing out the buttons. Pearlized, tone-on-tone and leather buttons are always a good option.

Wider belts are typically more flattering then thin belts. Wider belts pull your waist in and help define it.

Always keep an emergency kit in your handbag or car. The kits should include safety pins, double stick tape, a lint brush and a stain remover stick.

When in doubt, Overdress. In today’s world, jeans can be worn to just about any occasion but there’s nothing worse than showing up at an event under-dressed. If you don’t know what the dress code is, overdress. There’s no harm in looking too pulled together, but you’ll feel uncomfortable if you think you look out of place.

If you feel uncomfortable, you probably look uncomfortable! Your confidence is affected by what you’re wearing, as sad of a thought as that might be. So if you’re feeling self-conscious about your outfit, you’re likely to be tugging at it or double-checking that everything is in place all day and night. For instant confidence and a feel-good attitude, always opt to wear your favorite color…mine is red or something bright!

Take care of your footwear. I don’t know how many times I’ve been somewhere are seen someone dressed to the nines only to look down and see scuffed shoes or even worse, a heel with a missing cap.

Take photos of your favorite outfits (including jewelry) and hang them in your closet for easy reference. It’s always good to remember outfits that made you feel like a million bucks, especially if you’re trying to get dressed in a hurry.

Dress you age! Enough said.

Accessible Fashion: Cat Eye Sunglasses

April 26, 2012

Sunglasses are one of spring and summers must-have fashion accessories and this season the Cat Eye is the style of choice.

Cat Eye’s can be extreme…

Or Classic!

I remember wearing cat eye glasses when I was little and loved the look when it was worn by style icons such as Audrey Hepburn.

I love to add great accessories to my wardrobe and if it’s the right piece I’ll pay the price, but I’m not one to spend a lot of money on sunglasses, especially when the style is a bit on the trendy side. Here are a few Cat Eye Sunglasses I’ve rounded up for you to check out, all under $ 32.00!

Glitter Arm Cat Eye Sunglasses $32.00 TopShop

Cat Eye Sunglasses $5.80 Forever 21

Tortoise Cat Eye Sunglasses $16.90 Shop Arika

Contessa Cat Eye Sunglasses $14.00 Urban Outfitters

Yellow Cat Eye Sunglasses $5.80 Forever 21

Floral Cat Eye Sunglasses $9.99 Tilly.com

If you’re worried about finding cat eye sunglasses to fit your face, here’s some great style info from CocoKouture.com that is sure to help you out.

Face Shape vs. Edge Shape

“Believe or not, this trend can look good on anyone. However, certain shapes look good on particular shape faces. If you have a round face, opt for a pair that has sharper edges or curve upwards gracefully. If you have a diamond or square shaped face, a rounded-out edge admires your structure beautifully. Also if you are a trendsetter that needs to make a statement, try glasses that are pointy and stick out. This bold look is very chic and gives an outfit a touch of sophistication. These rules are simple and easy, but always make sure you try different pairs on to see which retro shades flatter your face structure.”

I’m planning on doing some spring shopping this weekend and a pair of Cat Eye sunglasses are definitely on my list.

Will you be buying a pair of Cat Eye’s or passing on this trend?