I really wanted to have something so amazing, so over-the-top, so fabulous coated fabulous with fabulous filling for you all today. I feel really bad that I had no interwebs last Friday to make a fabulous friday post. I foolishly assumed, since free wi-fi is everywhere these days, that our hotel would have wi-fi. I mean, we stayed at a luxury brand hotel on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago. Four star deluxe accommodations! I didn’t realize that the more deluxe the hotel, the less they include in that deluxe price. Well, I realized that. What I didn’t realize was that they are still in some previous century where internet is not as available as potable water (in some areas, more available), and that it is still not included in the price. Apparently, they assume that if you can pay the deluxe price per night, you can also pay for everything else (internet, the fitness center, $63.50 a day for parking). Or, that someone else is paying for you and thus, put it on the card!
But, I digress. Ranting about our accommodations is not fabulous.
However, I have a tip for today that is!!! It’s pretty simple, but simple can still be fab. (Bonus tip!)
Some days, I know, it is difficult to merely roll out of bed, much less put forth effort into looking A-MAZ-ING. Depending on your job, or lifestyle, it might not be worth it to spend lots of time on the perfect fishtail braid you pinned on your online inspiration board. If you’re like me, you will likely sweat your make-up off before arriving at your destination. Or, it might be a situation of having fewer hours in the day than items on your to-do list.
This doesn’t mean you can’t look like a million bucks! Keep a few pieces of go-to jewelry handy. Somewhere you will see them when you are getting ready that it not out of the way. Grab one last cup of coffee before you head out the door? A small dish next to your coffee maker or trusty travel mug might be the spot. Do you brush your teeth right before you jet? A tray next to the sink could do the trick. Can’t live without your cell phone? Your charging station could do double duty. I think you get the idea.
Now, what do I mean by go to pieces? This will vary a bit from person to person. Mine have changed over the years. Until I was engaged, I had a collection of rings and necklaces I wore every. Single. Day. I also wore a watch. Every night, the last thing I would do before bed was to put all the rings on my watch strap and close it, then lay it on my dresser with my necklaces. In the morning, the final part of my morning ritual was to put all the rings on (one on each finger except one thumb, some fingers had two), my watch, and the necklaces. Initially, it was a lobster charm on a chain, but that met with an unfortunate demise. Then, it was a scorpion pendant I purchased in London. Eventually, more were added with gifts from friends and special items I would get on trips or at events. With the exception of my class ring, none of them were expensive or valuable pieces of jewelry. However, each had a story or something that made it special. They all were uniquely “me.”
Once I got engaged, it was hard to put all those rings on with the showstopper my husband gave me when he proposed. Over time, though, I realized the value in putting on some other items to class things up. Especially now, since my job requires a company polo and jeans every day. It’s hard to feel fabulous in that. So, I try to wear some jewelry to make my mark and to take things up a notch.
So, your first criteria (as it should be with everything) is that it is “you.” It should be something you like, that makes you happy to wear, or that makes you feel good. This is key! Wearing something that makes you happy or think good thoughts will cause you to carry yourself a little more proudly. It will make you have that extra glow, with little to no work!
Next, it shouldn’t be something that you will be heartbroken or in trouble if something happens to it. This is also a good general rule for life. Things will always be things, no matter their price tag. When my beloved lobster necklace fell from my neck to meet up with the beater bar of the vacuum at work, I was bummed out. However, it left room in my life for other things that made me just as happy! Losing a wedding ring is a drag, certainly. However, having a good, loving marriage is much more important! All that having been said, your go-to, key pieces don’t need to be expensive. If you are going to borrow something, make sure the owner is okay with it. If you are worried that if something happens to the item your relationship will be damaged beyond repair, just don’t borrow it. Being fabulous doesn’t mean breaking the bank in any way! However, if wearing a great pair of diamond studs in your ears every day is your thing, by all means do it! Own it! Love it!
Besides my engagement and wedding rings, my go-to pieces are mainly earrings. It’s pretty easy to wear earrings without them getting in the way. They are a snap to put on, and if I am really crunched for time, I can take them with me and put them on while I wait for the coffee machine to fill my mug at work. I even keep a spare pair in my purse for those days when I need a little pick-me-up. Simple hoops are pretty fail-safe. I often go for a simple pair of large silver hoops, since they go with everything and add a little drama. I have lots of other pairs for when I need to be a little wilder, but if you are looking for a place to start hoops are a great place.
Another favorite piece is a silver cuff bracelet. It has a pretty open design, but is shiny and simple. I had debated ponying up for it, then found the one I’d had my eye on at a thrift shop for $2!! Score! Again, price tags don’t need to be large to bring the fabulous. I throw that bad boy on with tee shirts all the time, and it adds polish. Last weekend I wore it each day to Lollapalooza. It’s easy to feel gross when walking up to 12 miles a day among sweaty folks in the sun. However, that bracelet made me feel super glam while I rocked out. I didn’t have to worry that it would get caught on something or one due to the style, and because it was so inexpensive I wouldn’t cry if I lost it and no one turned it in.
The earrings and cuff are items that dress up tee shirts, but still look great with a little black dress. Besides the aforementioned criteria of being you and not being too precious, these would be the rest. That way, no matter where you are off to or how pressed for time, you can throw on that piece or two of jewelry and feel a little extra polish. No worries about if they clash or are too much (another tip: It’s never too much). They should be easy to get on. (Hence the cuff bracelet-I just slip it on! No clasp!)
So, go. Gather your few pieces of go-to jewelry. Be they bracelets, rings, or cuffs. Ideally you will have at least one item in each category, two or three in your favorite category. Put them where you will see them. Wear at least one piece a day. Bam. Instant fabulousness injected into your day. Try it out and let me know how you feel with a rad piece of jewelry adorning an ordinary day.