5 Tips on Building a Jewelry Wardrobe

After having my little guys I was kinda in a slump fashion wise.  You know the stage, after you have had kids:  even if you can fit into your pre-kids wardrobe you don't really want to.  Before kids I didn't mind if my stomach showed a bit.  Now, not so much.  Not to mention, after kids money isn't exactly growing on trees!  So when I got any bit of a budget, it went to an effort to update my wardrobe.  What I was neglecting, however, was my jewelry wardrobe!  And in my opinion, this is almost just as important! (I say almost because naked just wouldn't be appropriate, you know?)

So today I would like to share with you 5 simple tips to keep in mind when you are building your jewelry wardrobe.

1.) Gold Earrings.  They really should be a staple in your JW (jewelry wardrobe).  They go with nearly everything.  When you are in a rush, you can have them as your go-to beauties.  Try starting with hoops, chandelier or button styles.

2.) Statement Necklace.  I actually got my one statement necklace as a gift from my very fashionable sister-in-law.  I wasn't sure at first, but it is definitely a must have.  You can use it to jazz up a simple outfit.  The effect is lots of impact for very little effort!  Now I am looking to add some more vibrant statement necklaces. They just add so much!

3.) Bracelets & Bangles.  I am loving this.  I think stacking a bunch of bracelets, even if you didn't buy them together, can add so much to a look.  Try thick and thin, even different colors or textures would work too.

4.) Try a trend.  I am most definitely not the first girl to run out and try the newest thing.  My momma taught me that timeless is beautiful.  And cheaper.  But when coming to your JW, you may want to add a few pieces that are in style now.  I wouldn't spend too much money on them as you might not be wearing them next year!   But you could always refashion them into something beautiful!

Owls are very popular! (and free!)

5.) Collect personal pieces.  I have two favorite pieces of jewelry.  One is my Tiffany's bracelet hubs got me when we were still dating.  He bought it in Paris too, which I love. The other is my beautiful pendant necklace by Lisa Leonard Designs because it has my boys' names on it.  These pieces are timeless and could literally go with anything.  If you are looking for something personal like that, you should check out Lisa Leonard, she does amazing work!

Well I hope you enjoyed my tips!  I am just now starting to feel like I am getting my JW together.  Do you feel like you have yours all together or is it constantly a work in progess?  Any more tips you would add?  I would love to hear them!

I will be linking this up to my linky parites here.



 
* This post was adapted from PeopleStyle magazine.*

Jewelry, Ornaments & a Giveaway!

Are you one of those people that has started decorating for Christmas?  Like you just can't stand it, some things go up before Thanksgiving.  The stores are starting to do it, that makes it okay, right?

At the very least I know most of you are planning for it.  Unless you fall into the category my husband and I do which is wait until the week of to get the presents.  Yep, we're awesome like that.

Well, I have something that is going to brighten up your Christmas planning.  I don't know about you all, but I love personalized items.  I'm not talking every.little.thing personalized, I don't need my initials on my underpants, but you know, the items that mean something.  For example, I recently got my Lisa Leonard necklace and I adore it.  It has be boys names engraved on it and somehow it feels like they are closer to my heart that way.  I absolutely love it.
 If you don't know about Lisa Leonard Designs, you must go check her out.  She creates beautiful hand-crafted pieces such as my necklace here.

This holiday season she has also created quite a few ornament designs that can be personalized as well!  These are particularly special to me because growing up my parents would buy us our own ornament each year.  It was such a special tradition because the ornament would kinda represent what we were into each year.  What a great idea to have a personal or family ornament to remember each year!

Find it here

Find it here

Find it here

Lisa has so kindly offered to give one lovely reader {that's you guys!!} $50 credit to her store.  JUST IN TIME for the holidays!  Could this be any more perfect?  Here is how you need to enter.

1.) Follow my little blog here & tell me what you would buy with you credit {mandatory}

2.) 'Like' Lisa Leaonard Designs on Facebook

3.) Tweet, Facebook, or blog about this giveaway{2 extra entries for each!}

You can use this tweet "I entered to win $50 to @LisaLeonard beautiful store @natalialsimmons place! Check it out: http://bit.ly/v8JuSV "

Bonne chance!!

L.A. Story ~ Downtown

Well, I guess my strawberry pie recipe was a super offensive one.  I lost 2 followers yesterday.  Oh well, that isn't the entire reason why I write! Moving on!

I have decided that it would be fun to rediscover the beautiful city of L.A. and share it with all of you.  And yes, I do think it is beautiful!  Introducing my new feature,  L.A. Story!  I am going to take field trips to all the places I love in L.A. and document it by taking pictures!  I know, I know, such a sacrifice.  And it is all in the name of blogging!  You're welcome.

* Just a FYI ~ These features might not be weekly, they will be when I actually have time to go. So sorry! *

My first adventure was heading to downtown L.A. to the shopping district.  I love it here. Why, you might ask? Well because you can buy jewelry and fabric to your hearts content for cheaper prices than retail!!  And it is all bunched in the same area for your convenience.  Thank you, Los Angeles.  

So Friday my mom, sister-in-law, and I loaded up our kiddos and headed downtown.  We figured an adult for each kid, we will be okay.  We didn't really account for the fact that my youngest takes two adults, as evidenced by the picture below, but it worked out.  Here are some pics of the gang.

Did you check out his face? Priceless.  

We live about 30 to 45 minutes outside of LA.  For those of you who don't live in LA that might not seem so bad.  For those of you who do live here or have been here, you understand.  And traffic wasn't bad this last Friday.  Yes, these pictures are of traffic when it wasn't so bad. 

 

First, we found a bathroom.  I had a Starbucks before we left, whoops!  Then we hit up the jewelry store.  Love it!  And since I gave these blogging tips last Tuesday, I thought I would show you what we did with pictures. 

 And, of course, a little commentary.  Remember that cute headband my niece was wearing?  My sister-in-law bought about 9 yards for 3 dollars.  Yep.  Love it.  Oh and that wall?  That is just a section of the choices.

 Beautiful, isn't it?  What could I do with all of this??  Make an Indian wedding dress, maybe?

 The jewelry section.  Look at the choices!  This is me trying to tell my sister-in-law what I was thinking about for necklaces so she could help me organize.  She is an excellent organizer and I, well, I am not.  And this is my son probably saying 'I'm hungry!!' for the billionth time.

 Rows and rows!!

 All the chains to choose from. 

And then the fabric section of downtown.  There is just loads.  If you are ever here, go to Michael Levine.  That is this store and it is fantastic and has a ton of great stuff to choose from.  

Well that is it for the downtown shopping district of LA.  I got some fun stuff to create a necklace for a potential Etsy shop!!  Oh and I would love love love if any of your would give me some suggestions of what you might like to see in an Etsy jewelry shop.  You know, just throwing it out there.  No reason... :)

And I haven't forgotten about that giveaway!! Stay tuned, for sure.  Unless, of course, I keep moving backwards and go back under 200.  Then I guess you'll have to wait!  :)

What do you love about LA?  Any places you would like to see?  I will make a sacrifice and go see if for you!  I know, I am so nice! :)  Hope you are all having a great Monday!

French for Hand Made

Good Morning everyone!

I haven't been able to be very crafty lately, and I am sooo sorry! I know you all have been holding your breaths waiting for the next crafty post.  So take a deep breath, it is here.  You're welcome.

So in case you missed it, heck I even missed it, this post was on Eisy Morgan last week.  She was a busy girl on vaca so I helped out with a guest post.  Since I was flying cross country the day it posted, I didn't even get to let you guys know that I was over there!  So here ya go!

As you all know,  I have been dabbling in jewelry making.  It has been a ton of fun.  Actually, I am going to Downtown LA this Friday to see what else I can get... hehe
Here is my most recent completed project. 

Ain't she puuurrty?!  I was proud.  So get out your jewelry makin' kits and let's make a necklace!  I just want to say that anyone can do this with some basic things you might have around the house.  I don't even have needle nose pliers, I just used regular ones and it was fine.  Maybe easier using the correct ones, but hey, it worked.

Here is what you need:

jump rings

charms of your choice

chain

clasp

pliers (preferably needle nose)

head pins

You are gonna love how easy this is. Cut the chain the length you want.  Make sure you keep a piece for the charms.  Attach the extra piece to a jump ring and then attach that to the necklace.  I would suggest not attaching it to a specific ring, but to the chain, so it has moveability.

Add the charms how you want them, as shown above.

I used left over pearls from a necklace that was beyond repair.  I used head pins and twisted the top to make a circle. (top right pic)  Then attach a jump ring to the circle and attach the jump ring to the chain.  Comprendo?  I tried to explain it on the pics too.

I used a pearl to be between the necklace part and the chain part.  Then I attached my charms I chose.  See you can personalize it!  I ended it with a tassel. 

So what do ya think?  I think it was super easy, and that was with using the wrong tools.  So imagine what it would be if you use the right ones!

DIY Earrings!

Good Morning everyone!

I have a recent craft to share with you all today.  Like I mentioned, I have been into making jewelry lately.  I would love to make more, but this whole packing thing is really cramping my style.  But I managed to bust these out a couple weeks ago, before I started packing.  These were my first attempt at jewelry making, so be nice... :)

Here is what you need:

~ Two equal length chains

~ Charms of your choice

~ Head pins

~ Jump hooks

~ Earring hooks

I used  left over jewels from my old necklace I mentioned here.  I also used it here a bit.  And another craft that will pop up a little later.  I am really getting a lot of use out of this baby!

You're gonna love how super easy this is.  I probably don't even need to explain.

But don't worry, I will. :)  I chose charms to match, two of each, obviously.  I put the pretty flowered ones at the bottom and I worked up from there.  I would count the links to make sure everything was even.  You also would want to make sure that you are placing the charms evenly on each side. 

In my pictures I am just using the pins that came with the old necklace I had.  It doesn't look awful because you can't really see it once I am wearing them.  But I would suggest to use the proper tools and use the head pins.  It would probably look more professional. 

I also had left over chain at the top. Instead of cutting it, which I could have, I just put a jump ring and attached the earring hooks and let the rest of the chain hang. I figured it kinda went with the whole feel of the necklace. 

But what do you think?  I still think they are pretty.  And, like I mentioned, these were my first ones, so I think I can cut myself a little slack.  Just look out for things to get better and better!  Oh and since I am going back to LA, I cannot wait to go to downtown LA and get some beautiful stuff for jewelry!!  YAY!  Maybe an Etsy shop opening this summer.... Who knows!!

I am linking up to my parties here.  Except I usually only get to the first half of them and forget by Friday. Oops!

I hope you all have a wonderful day! 

I Spy: Jewelry and shoes, but just jewelry for me

I had fun the last time I linked up with Little Miss Momma for her 'I Spy' series.  I got to show you where I live in France, my 'hood'.  So this week is jewelry and shoes.  Since I have huge feet, the shoes part isn't all the exciting to me.  I have come to terms that I just shop at payless most of the time, and the cute huge heels are out of the question.  I am 6 feet tall and although my husband is 6'7" we don't want to intimidate the entire world.  We are already a huge contrast with the whole black and white thing, we don't need to add ginormous to it.  Although we might already be considered ginormous...

Anyway, I was excited about the jewelry thing because I will have a chance to show you some stuff I have been working on. I am loving making jewelry, it is so much fun and cheaper, and you feel so accomplished when you are finished.   So here are some things I have been working on.

This tutorial will be featured on Eisy Morgan soon.

 The necklace above I just made and absolutely adore.  The little charm at the clasp says 'fait main' which means 'hand made' in French.

Bracelet made with the left over chain from the necklace above, leftover pearls from a borken necklace, beads, and a charm I bought

I made this one from some left over beads I had and pearls from my necklace that broke.  You will probably notice that all the jewelry I have been making has those pearls.  I just thought I might as well get some use out of them!

Once again, left over pearls, beads, and a few other charms I had bought.

 Now these earrings above were my first attempt at jewelry making. So now I am aware that you use head pins to attach the charms.  I didn't have any and I was being resourceful, so I used what was left over from the old necklace!

Now I couldn't do a post on jewelry without mentioning two of my favorites.  Here is my Tiffany's bracelet Lavar bought me I think 6 years ago now.  Probably the only piece of jewelry I got from him I haven't lost yet.  Except my wedding ring.  You just don't loose Tiffany's, now do you ladies??

Probably the last thing I will be seeing from Tiffany's!

 And, of course, my favorite piece of jewelry, my wedding ring.

This picture does not do it justice.  It is really dirty and needs to be cleaned.  Although it is not huge (and I will take an upgrade aaaanytime, babe!) it is what we chose together.  I like it!

I have more, I just thought I would showcase a few.  Go check out Little Miss Momma for some more jewelry link ups!

Oh and today is my little man's first birthday!!  I can't believe he is one.  We are headed to the zoo today, yay!  Happy Birthday, E-man, mommy and daddy loooooove you!