Tag Archives: jewelry

Shop Local: Lou Lou

19 Feb

The hunt for the perfect cocktail dress or new outfit for work is never complete until you’ve tied it all together with a killer accessory. (Trust me, truer words have never been spoken). But sometimes it can be hard to dig up the right piece of jewelry from your cluttered collection. Instead of a last minute, frantic trip to the mall, my DC-area readers should check out Lou Lou, a cute accessories boutique with numerous locations across the DMV.

Lou Lou Boutique, Alexandria, VA

I recently shopped at Lou Lou in Old Town Alexandria and was blown away with their massive selection of reasonably priced jewelry. Seriously, hydrate and have lunch before stopping by — you’ll need the energy to sort through the tables of jewelry!

Exhibit A:

Lou Lou jewelry

And Exhibit B — so many brightly-colored watches, bauble necklaces and lovely scarves and purses.

Lou Lou accessories

I couldn’t resist picking up two new pairs of earrings both priced under $25. One practical, one fun!

Lou Lou purchases

Locations:
Numerous! The original Lou Lou boutique is located in Middleburg, VA, but they have 9 DC-area shops including Alexandria, DC, Reston, Bethesda and more opening soon. Click for details.

Old Town Lou Lou:
132 King Street, Alexandria, VA [Map]
Mon-Sat 10-8, Sun 11-7

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Currently Coveting: Pops of Neon

7 Feb

Maybe it was Madonna’s halftime performance at the Super Bowl, but I gotta confess: I am currently coveting a serious 80’s trend.

Neon!

A pop of neon mixed into an everyday outfit is a fun and flirty fashion do. Yes, even in 2012! I’m not asking for a head-to-toe neon getup that you (and Madonna) used to wear in 1988. Just throw on one brightly colored accessory. Here are a few ideas on how to have fun with neon.

Pop of Neon
 

Zip top clutch
$45 – asos.com

Portfolio clutch
$36 – asos.com

Plastic watch
$36 – asos.com

Cuff bangle
$4.80 – forever21.com

Is it spring yet? ring
$9.99 – modcloth.com

Heart charm wristband
$8.95 – asos.com

Faux patent leather belt
$15 – thelimited.com

Stila lip enamel in giggle hot pink
$22 – stilacosmetics.com

Adora-bauble Necklaces

8 Jan

[bau-ble: A small, showy trinket or decoration]

I’m currently coveting bold, adora-bauble necklaces. Get it? Adorable + bauble! Let me explain.

Picture a necklace that has a bold embellishment on it — maybe a chunky cluster of beads or a row of sparkly gems — and you have yourself a bauble necklace. It’s a necklace that is meant to be seen. A statement-maker.

Check out some of my current favorite, all under $50, and then challenge yourself to use the word “bauble” in a sentence today. So fun!

Bauble necklaces from Modcloth

Modcloth Pearls of Widsom for $20.99; Modcloth Tidal Crave Necklace for $34.99.

Adora-bauble necklaces

Etsy Teal Cluster Necklace for $50; Etsy Flower & Pearl Necklace for $44; Charlotte Russe Bead Cluster Collar Necklace for $12.50; Kohl’s Simply Vera Wang Jet Simulated Pearl Necklace for $21.

LOFT and Anthropologie necklaces

LOFT Long Fireball Cluster Necklace for $34.99 and Anthropologie Loose Change Necklace for $48.

Limited Stamp Feathers Necklace

The Limited Stamped Feathers Necklace for $36.90.

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Creative Jewelry Holders

5 Jan

I finally found someone who loves necklaces more than me: my kitten! Every night around 3am, I wake up to find her pawing at the necklaces hanging on the stand on my dresser. Mitts off the jewels, Bandit!

Must. Outsmart. This kitten.

It was time to come up with a new way to store my jewelry. A traditional jewelry box or dresser drawer would hide my collection and result in tangled chains. So I decided to turn my necklaces into wall art. Ta da!

Style Me Thrifty jewelry holder

I spied this lovely coral wooden frame at Home Goods for $24.99. Such a steal! The curled iron inside the frame serves as the perfect hooks for my necklaces. With the help of my muscles (ie, the bf), we hung this in the hallway, just outside my bathroom. Now every time I walk by, I smile. And it’s kitten-proof!

If you’re in need of more jewelry holder inspiration, here are a few more creative ideas that I’ve collected from my friends, fellow bloggers, and Pinterest. Which one is your favorite?

Jewelry holder: green & purple

Twigs jewelry stand

Jewelry board - lace

Jewelry board - cork

Jewelry twigs from House Bella

Turquoise jewelry board

My sister's canvas jewelry art

Jewelry holder - frame

Image sources, top to bottom – Coral wooden frame from Style Me Thrifty // Green & purple frame // Twig art // Rows of lace // Cork frames // Twig stand from House Bella (my friend, Sara’s, blog) // Turquoise frame // Canvas art (my sister’s jewelry holder!) // White frame & lace.

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Most Likely to Wow Classmates at Your High School Reunion

14 Oct

Style Me Thrifty cheerleadingLike a nervous bride, I almost got cold feet the week leading up to my 10 year high school reunion last year. Don’t get me wrong, I sincerely loved high school — football games, pep rallies, boys!

But did I really need to awkwardly relive it a whole 10 years later? I seriously contemplated becoming a runaway alumni.

But I had made a pact with my 3 best friends to attend this shindig. So in my best former cheerleader voice, I gave myself a little pep talk. It went something like this:

Get it together, Maddy. Be happy about your big girl job. Go to this reunion and knock people’s socks off with a really smokin’ outfit.

In case you’re also feeling a little jittery about what to wear to your own reunion this fall, I thought I’d share some ideas. The goal? Be yourself and don’t overdo it!

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Location: Casual Bar
You want to look sophisticated and hot… but also approachable. A great pair of fitted skinny black pants set the stage. Add a rich, colorful top and fun accessory.

High School Reunion outfit from The Limited

All items from The Limited: Cameo Pendant Necklace ($34.90), Ruffled Tiers Top ($39.90); Exact Stretch Skinny Pant ($69.90), Faux-patent Peep-toe Heels ($89).

Location: Wine Bar or Brewery
Once of my fav outfits for fall weather is a comfy dress with jazzy tights and flat boots. I think this outfit works for so many occasions, including a reunion. This outfit is put-together but doesn’t give the impression that you tried really hard, which is key!

Cute outfit for a high school or college reunion

Latico Carlie Sheen Clutch/Wristlet ($65 from Endless); Aldo Folse Wedge Boot ($90 from Aldo); Cloudburst Stripe Dress ($39 from Lulus); Apt. 9 Diagonal Plaid Tights ($9 on sale from Kohl’s).

Location: Hotel or Banquet Hall
Now is your chance to go a bit fancier. Think ‘fall wedding’ when selecting an outfit. Don’t show too much skin. You want to look classy not trashy!

What to wear to a reunion

Beaded French Wire Earrings ($4.80 at Forever21); Instant Glam Ring ($5.80 at Forever 21); Lucy Love Farrah Purple Dress ($73 from Lulus); Chinese Laundry Honey Bun Bootie ($69.95).

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Here’s what I wore to my “casual bar” reunion (2nd from left). Top is from Nordstrom and I paired it with dark jeggings from New York & Company.

style me thirfty high school reunion

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