Black & Gold: Fashion

Before E's first deployment, as we began our transition from years of being "just friends" to being a couple, we only had a brief period together to sustain us through a year of separation. During that time, a lot of things felt exceptionally important. Talking. Sharing old memories. Creating new ones. Being side by side.

Annika Aschberg

And, for me, somehow so did making sure E was aware I was a "silver girl." I figured it couldn't hurt to offer some guidelines should he decide at some point to give me a gift of jewelry. Gold just wasn't my thing! When telling him this, I might have used the word "hate."

For our first Christmas as a couple, one spent on opposite continents, E gave me a silver bracelet. He had taken my words to heart.

James Bennett

Then, while E was still deployed, something happened. At first, I swore it was a one time thing, but slowly I realized it was more than a passing flirtation. I found myself adoring gold.

So, I added a pair of gold earrings to my jewelry collection. Soon after, a set of gold bangles found their way home with me too. In a state of utter bliss, my love affair continued.

James Bennett

I failed to confess my change of heart to E, but it wasn't long after he returned home that he discovered it for himself. One afternoon, I watched surprise and disbelief flash across E's face as he registered the color of metal hanging from my ears, and he exclaimed, "I thought you hated gold?!"

Perhaps hate was too strong a word.

L: Urban Outfitters. R: Tory Burch.


Anthropologie

Left and Right: Anthropologie

ModCloth


L: Tory Burch. R: Badgley Mischka.


tuleste market


L: Lizzie Fortunato Jewels. R: Fiona Paxton.


Alanna Bess.


L: Landver. R: Forever 21.

Forever 21

L: Free People. R: Ippolita.

Emerald City

I am smitten with this necklace and ring; the combination of emerald green and gold in these pieces has me hooked! I think they would pair beautifully together and would love to see them as a set.

Chanel Necklace- Douglas Rosin via 1st Dibs

Conroy + Wilcox at Erie Basin

Beyond the Sea

I've been completely infatuated with the color palette of seafoam mixed with hints of gold and champagne in recent months, and these images by Amy Neunsinger capture the beauty of this scheme perfectly.






Simply staring at this colorway seems refreshing, leading me to believe the palette is ideally suited for summer fashion!

L: swampYankee. R: Gerard Yosca.


Bridges


Metalheart Design


L: Deux Lux. R: J.Crew.


Newport News


L: Herve Leger. R: Nanette Lepore.

Not surprisingly, as the popularity of seafoam reaches back to previous decades, there are a number of pieces available in this shade through the vintage shops on Etsy.

L: Faithfull Vintage. R: Auld Revolutionary.

Stay tuned because there is still more seafoam and gold to come!

To Each Her Own

Last March, when I was searching for thank-you gifts for my bridesmaids, our mothers, and my other close friends who worked diligently to ensure our wedding came together, I knew I wanted to give each woman a present that was fitting to her personality and style. If possible, however, I also wanted to give them all something in the same vein.


Enter Dogeared. I was instantly smitten when I began searching through their jewelry, specifically their necklaces. I knew I had found the perfect solution to my gift quandary.


Dogeared offered positive and charming messages on their packaging, and they had a wide variety of jewelry, in both sterling silver and gold, which allowed me to consider each woman's unique sense of style.


I was amazed to find pieces that felt truly representative of all the women in some way or another, and I loved the process of picking out each gift, reflecting on how the selection reminded me of each woman and what she meant to me.


In the past year, Dogeared's selection has continued to grow, and I love perusing their site to look for new additions. I constantly find items I would love to gift to friends as life circumstances change and new situations arise.


I couldn't have been happier with my decision to use Dogeared for my thank-you gifts, but, in the time since, I have found myself wishing there was one person I had thought to include on our wedding day.... me!

Abstract Paisley

I keep going back to the abstract paisley necklace from Hello Fabulous, and while I am not sure exactly what keeps calling to me, I do know I love the shape and colors. It makes quite a statement and would likely look as good with a cocktail dress as a simple t-shirt and jeans-- gotta love a piece that's skilled at multi-tasking!

A Song of Sixpence

For my wedding, I have to admit, following the good luck "Something old, something new. Something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe" adage wasn't my highest priority, although I did give it some thought.

The "something new" was really easy to check off the list, as was the "something blue" (my shoes!) I wish I could say I had some very sweet and sentimental things to meet the old and borrowed requirements, but the rather lame truth is I was satisfied with claiming my engagement ring as my something old (yeah, I'd had it for a whole year and a half.) And the borrowed bit? Well, that I never figured out, although we ended up borrowing extension cords from our neighbor at the last minute...

From The Coin Jeweler (different pair than I gave to E, but the same Etsy shop)

I did plan ahead to incorporate a sixpence into our day, but, instead of wearing one in my shoe, part of my gift to E was a pair of sixpence cufflinks. Since E loves cufflinks, I figured the groom could take part in act of bringing good luck upon the union with his attire.

I do wish I'd put more thought into the old and borrowed part, but I loved my pieces for the other three. Those of you who are married, tell me, did you do anything slightly unconventional to meet any wedding day traditions?

Window Shopping {LF Jewelry Designs}

While I have bracelets and earrings a plenty, somehow I do not have the equivalent number of necklaces; they are an accessory that I love, yet do not manage to purchase quite as often.

While doing a little "window" shopping, I came across these sweet, delicate and affordable necklaces from Etsy shop LF Jewelry Designs. I like that most of them appear dainty enough for easy everyday wear.

Here, here, here, here, and here

In honor of her upcoming birthday and to celebrate the beginning of her last year in her 20s, the shop owner of LF Jewelry Designs is offering all regularly priced items at 20% off through the 2nd of October.

*Update- Lindsay, owner of LF Jewelry Designs, wanted everyone to know that the first image was photographed by Cameron Kline Photography