Jewelry Basics For An Effortless Chic Style

All the pieces you need to compliment your daily outfits.

What’s going on in your accessories “wardrobe”?  Do you have a nice stash of everyday pieces on-hand?  

I have been inside so many closets and I’ve talked to hundreds of women about their personal style.  One common thread is this, “I don’t have any cute jewelry!”

Here’s the truth, if you don’t have a planned-out group of basic accessories at the ready, you probably won’t wear any at all!  And that stinks because jewelry/accessories are the easiest way to add versatility in your wardrobe and they make outfits feel complete.

Jewelry and accessories will 1. make your closet staples more versatile and 2. they are “outfit completers.”

These are 2 important roles that jewelry and accessories play in your wardrobe.

I mean, really, it’s obvious which outfit seems more complete and put-together. Right?

Jewelry is the #1 way to elevate your closet basics and make pieces more versatile... yet it’s the easiest to overlook.  Don’t know where to start?  Keep it simple with an essential list like a nice pendant necklace, a few hoops, a pair of studs, and a great watch.  This list makes a nice start! 

Let’s start off with watches.  I know everyone has different budgets but, personally, LOVE to invest in a killer watch.  If you pick a standout watch that is timeless, it’s the easiest thing to toss on in a pinch to feel more dressed.  If you forget everything else, you can always make time (pun-intended) to throw on a gorgeous watch. The style board below is a shopabble group to get you inspired into action!

Next up, necklaces. Gosh I love what a simple necklace can do to a solid, classic crewneck top. My favorite icing on the cake is a layered necklace on top of my casual white tanks.

Click on the picture to shop!

Statement necklaces (and novelty pieces) should be added in sporadically. If you overdo it on the large and trendy pieces, you run the risk of not putting anything on because it feels like “too much” for every day.

Truth be told, if you have one long necklace and one short necklace, you’re all set!

Next up, earrings.  I recommend that you have a few classic earrings on hand because they can go with everything.  To achieve this, try to have one or two pairs of studs and on or two pairs of classic hoops.  You can go with silver or gold in either style.

Just click on the picture to check out the pieces and prices.

This post is mostly about classic, versatile jewelry but I have SUCH love for statement earrings right now that I really wanted to include some ideas.  The reason I love them the most is that I can toss up my hair in a messy bun and wear a pair of statement earrings to feel cute, easy peasy. 

Statement earrings never stay in stock for long so click the board to shop.

So bracelets are something I find my own self lacking in because I tend to go for the standout watch and I’ll add a necklace or earrings and be done. But it’s great to have a few classic bracelets that go with anything like these easy pieces below. I love the little pop of color on these Kendra Scott bracelets.

And there you have it, friends!

Enjoy setting up a little accessories wardrobe!

Xo, Jaime

Shop Your Closet: 4 Ways To Reinvent Your Existing Wardrobe During Social Distancing

Flatten the curve, stay at home, we are safer at home, QUARANTINE… when you envisioned our brand new decade, did you think these would be the first major buzz words of 2020??? Nope? Me, neither!

But still, here we are… the week that we’re all safer at home, the critical week that experts consider the most important week of this entire crisis.

You’re stuck at home and won’t be going to the mall anytime soon and the COVID crisis has made us a little tighter on our wallets anyway, so why not reinvent your existing wardrobe? Brand new pieces are not a requirement of mixing up your style.

So how’s it going in your household? Our days are somewhat structured. I do let the kids sleep in so that I get my quiet time for work in the morning. Most of the day we combine school work, my virtual work, eating, and lounging… in mostly equal parts (although eating seems to be #1 on the list these days of social distance).

I hope you’re not sick of hearing “make the most of this unprecedented time at home”. But really, I highly recommend taking the time to sort through your closet now. That way when the crisis is over, you have a clearer closet and a better chance at finding what you love to wear when we’re out again. Here are 4 ways to shop your closet now:

1. Get organized.  You have to see what’s in your closet in order to make good use of what you have.  Items that no longer fit or are in disrepair must go.  They are blocking the way of seeing the good pieces you do have. 

2. Reinvent.  Reinvent seasonal pieces  For example, think you can only wear a maxi dress in the Summer?  Layer it up for a chilly Spring day with a cool leather moto jacket, a chunky cardigan, or a cropped denim jacket.  

3. Be flexible.  Think outside the box and try a blouse you use for “work only” with a pair of distressed denim for dressing it down. Or get creative by pairing together 2 pieces that are not the same style…   I LOVE to pair feminine pieces with rocker/edgy pieces such as a floral dress with studded booties.  What non-traditional pairings can you try?  Snap cute photos of these fun outfit combinations so you remember what you love after isolation.  

4.  Utilize your accessories.  Isolation is a great time to tackle your accessories stash.  Editing your accessories rather than your whole closet is a smaller, more manageable task that you can complete all in one sitting.

Use layered necklaces to elevate a jeans and tee outfit.  Go through all of your pieces, what are you not using anymore?  What pieces are in bad condition that you can toss?  And accessories are not just jewelry, go through belts and scarves too.  Shop your closet for belts,scarves, or solid button downs that you can tie around the waist… these can change the look of a maxi dress or a solid outfit in an instant. 

Don't Forget The Accessories

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like your outfit was missing something?

Maybe you put on your favorite dress or you paired up your best blouse and hottest jeans for date night and felt just “meh”.

You probably forgot the accessories!

This often-overlooked element will complete your look and help you get that “put-together” feeling.

Even jeans and a t-shirt look better with a belt, great shoes, and the right jewelry to complete the outfit.

It’s like the icing on the cake.

Let’s start with belts.

If the loops are there, please use them! It just gives your jeans or pants that “complete” feeling.

You can add a leopard belt to accent a solid top and pair of jeans or you can try a fun Obi belt which is fantastic for belting a loose black dress in the Summer.

Don’t forget to accessorize!

Next up: jewelry. Whether it’s earrings or a necklace, don’t forget the impact your jewelry can make on an outfit. Check out my favorites below.

It’s a shoppable board, if you see something that strikes your fancy, click on the picture and check it out.

Speaking of icing on the cake… my absolute favorite accessory for jeans and a t-shirt is a pair of statement earrings or a long tassel necklace, usually just one or the other for me. But if you love a good statement earring AND a long necklace, you do you! I also feel much more “complete” when I accessorize a simple outfit with a bunch of gold jewelry. Combine a pair of studs with a simple bracelet, an inital necklace, and rings and you’re accessorizing just like Jennifer Anniston.

And finally, shoes.

Don’t let them be an afterthought. Red flats are the best pop of color and sass for dark skinnies and a black tee. Strappy pumps are great for a party top and jeans… see where I’m going here? Don’t forget the effort in shoes. Below is a shoppable board, click on it and dig in!

If you think your shoe game could use a little work, check out the fun ideas above. Do you have red flats? If not, why not start there? I use my red flats whenever I need something special for a “plain” outfit like jeans and a black tank or jeans and a leopard sweater.

How about an animal print shoe? Leopard flats are a great idea, printed pumps rock, and checkout the booties too!

As always, if you’re looking for a style update and want me to help you, let’s get going. Get it done now, no more boredom with your current style.

Xo, J

Statement Earrings.... are they missing from your accessories? Look no further.

Statement Earrings

They're a fun way to complete your outfit when you need a little style pick-me-up.  With my styling tips below you can find lots of uses for a new pair... from a simple jeans and t-shirt outfit to an evening gown.  

Ladies, statement earrings can make your whole face come to life!  Use them as the perfect accessory to a white v-neck t-shirt and your favorite pair of jeans.  If you are petite or your body type is bigger on the bottom, let's draw the eye up with a topknot and statement earrings.

 Statement earrings are most often missing from my clients’ accessories stash.

When I'm going over my clients' wardrobes, they typically have all their fun necklaces covered but great earrings are often missing.

Take a look at this catalog for some great options....  

For the trendiest styles this season, you'll see baubles, beads, fringe, and pops of color.  I most often get asked about the earrings on the cute ladies from Southern Charm, Naomie and Cameron.  

The catalog has some of the earrings they've been spotted wearing on the show.  Take a look for a variety of options in a few different price points.  As always, contact me for more personalized assistance. 

Xo, Jaime