Jewelry 102

Hoop, oval, dangle, angled, studs, etc.  So many earrings to choose.  However, earrings are not forgiving like necklaces (please refer to my jewelry 101 blog on 1/28/09).  It is possible to wear the wrong earrings.  I'd like to provide a short guide to help you make the best choice for you.  Choosing the best earrings for you is dependant on something more static than your wardrobe...the shape of your face and size or your neck.

First, we will review Neck Size.

Do you have a long or short neck?  Go peek in the mirror if need be.

*SHORT NECK

Good options are studs, small hoops & ovals.  Short dangle earrings will also be flattering.  The earrings below are an example of a short dangle earring.   AVOID long dangly earrings, large hoops & over sized earrings in general.

*LONG NECK

You have all options open to you at this stage of your personal evaluation.  

Now, lets review Face Shape.  

Most of the following information can be found in a great book called, Color Me Confident-change your look-change your life!

*OVAL

You can wear any style, unless you have a short neck.  In which case, avoid long earrings.

(Short neck)

(Long neck)

*SQUARE

Your best options are hoops and oval earrings, as they soften your look.  Avoid angled earrings.  

*RECTANGLE

Your best options are hoops, ovals, or voluminous earrings.  Avoid long, dangle earrings.

(good for square and rectangle shaped faces)

*INVERTED TRIANGLE

Dangle earrings are a great choice if you have a long neck.  Choose earrings that draw attention to your jawline.

*ROUND

Dangle and angular earrings are a great choice if you have a long neck.  Avoid circle and hoop earrings.

(good for inverted triangle and round shaped faces)

As you can see, picking the best earrings for you takes slightly more thought, but the benefits are freeing.  Once you've identified the basic shape of your face and neck size, you will save money by purchasing only what works for you. Shopping for earrings will be faster since you know what to look for and what to avoid.  I also believe you will wear your accessories with confidence and joy, because they work for you.   Now, go and accessorize.  

Jewelry 101

I thought I'd start a series of blogs focused on jewelry basics.  I'll call it Jewelry 101, 102, and so on.  The former college student came out...sorry.  For today, I thought of explaining the different names and sizes of necklaces.  However, QVC has a  way better site that explains it all perfectly.  Click here to view.  Pay attention, because there will be a quiz tomorrow....just kidding.  The nice and versatile truth about necklaces is that they flatter both short or long necks (no, I'm not talking about dinosaurs).  Go ahead and take a look in the mirror and see if your neck in long or short, I'm sure you are curious now...........(pause)...... Welcome back.  

If you tend to favor wearing a particular neckline more than others, then check the guide to find out what type of necklace will work more often for you.  If you are not used to accessorizing this next tip might encourage you.  Purchase a necklace that works well with most of your tops. This will increase the chances of you wearing it, because you know it compliments most of your tops.  It also saves you money, because you buy only what works for your predominant style.  For example, I tend to be a Tee- wearing lady, so I favor princess necklaces that fall just below the teeshirt  collar or the long opera necklace (that in my opinion elongate the torso and makes me look slimmer).  Now, if you're style is more dramatic and love jazzing it up, then buy all lengths.  You'll find a use for it.         Now, Have fun accessorizing.

Who's Behind That?

Today is all about giving props to everything handmade.  Most importantly, the person behind the creation.  Go through your home and purposely look for all the handmade items you are fortunate to call yours.  As you look at each item, remember the person who made it.  Their story... their legacy... their love, time and effort in creating. Now, I challenge you to display those great items in a way that honors the creator.  Here is a small sample of items I found in my home and the wonderful people behind them. 

This little ditty was made by a creative, fun natured lady I have the privilege to call friend.  Her very useful and pretty aprons can be found in her etsy shop.

Ah, my favorite covering!  This phenominal quilt was made by Mrs. Marylin.  She has quilted for years and gifted me this treasure.  Mrs. M doesn't sell her creations.  Although, her attention to detail surpasses bedding I've seen at high end retail stores.  I only regret that my old fashioned camera doesn't pick up all those details.

This is me showing off a handmade scarf.  My daughter got me to crochet this Christmas break along with her.  Although, made by me, I think of her insistance in me joining with her through this old, female, family tradition . I also think of our quality "girl time", my grandma, mom and sister who kept this tradition going.  

Below are my favorite handmade opera length necklaces. Hum...the wheels are turning.  I think I know what to put in the Grab Bag soon. 

I just realized how most of these pretties are neutral colors.  Well, I am naturally drawn to earth tones ya know.  Wishing you happy hunting for the person behind your handmade treasures.

Cake Mania

Today is one of my sons birthday.  This has me thinking of some of the 

cakes I've made.  These cakes have not only been for my kids.  

Spidy was comical to make.  Every pun intended:)

I had so many mishaps with the frosting that day.

  But Joelito (pronounce in Spanish) loved it.  

This was yummy and very enjoyable to make.  I was able to use

my baking and candy making techniques for this tasty treat.  The 

cake in the background was for the guests.  The chocolate and

pink strawberry dazzle was for the birthday girl alone.

This dragon was for my family.  No special occasion.

Optimus Prime was a big deal after the Transformer movie

came out.

This was a family project.  The birthday boy wanted a mountain bike theme.  A sport he and his father share.  My husband built the ladders (I linked a UTube video to give you an understanding of what a ladder mean to my men). My husband helped me sculpt the cake and insisted on frosting some of it.  The birthday dude set up the bike, rider and all the a woodland accessories how he wanted.  The rider apparently crashed very near a rock.  Oh, close call.  Now I'm inspired to go and bake on this rainy day.  I'll warm up the house and make it smell good.    

Knitted Clouds

A couple days ago when I was taking my daughter to school

we looked up and as far as our eyes could see this is what we saw.

The Blue- grey sky was peaceful and serene.

A wonderful break from the ferocious Santa Ana Winds

we had for weeks. 

It looked and felt like God knitted a cozy cloud blanket with small

rays of sunlight and laid it over Rancho Cucamonga.

Debut

President Obama isn't the only one making an entrance today.  This new pendant is making its debut on Grab Bag by GD before it shows up on my etsy shop tonight.  

I am naturally drawn to earth tones, so this pendant was a joy and a no brainer to make.  The large agate semi-precious stone displays beautiful colors in sweeping strokes.  The metal of choice for this piece was an antiqued sterling silver.  To highlight and embellish the agate, I used swarovski crystals in colors found in the stone.  

I name all my jewelry, but this little one is nameless.  I thought it would be fun to hear your name suggestions before it goes on etsy tonight.  

House Call

I've been gone from blog world for days to care for my son, whom caught the flu.  His asthma complicated matters and it was a big mess.  I thought my son's body was invaded by a seal because of his horrible cough.  Neither of us have slept well in days, but he looks good today.   I hope this means that we will sleep well tonight.  Aahh, I'm grateful I don't have a new born.  I couldn't do this every day for months on end in this stage of my life.   

Despite the flu's unwelcomed visit, I still managed to play a little with my collection of beads, wire, crystals and stones.  My mini episodes of play resulted in something that will be in the grab bag soon.  

 

Whistle While You Work

I was recently given a must have recipe.  I tried it and was impressed with how well it cleaned.  Yup, it's a recipe for an all purpose cleaner from Fit Pregnancy magazine.  It cleaned my bathroom mirrors well, the kitchen counter tops while not staining the grout (like some of the popular store cleansers do), it disinfects, it's good for the environment, and it cuts down on the multitude of cleansers you need, therefore, aiding in decluttering.  

Too good to be true?  Kinda.  The only draw back is its initial odor, but even that doesn't last long.  So, yeah,  it might be too good for itself.  Here's how to make it.

32 oz. spray bottle

1  cup  white vinegar (yup, that's the smelly part)

2  tsp.  Borax (side note:  use it with your laundry soap and 

boost your detergent's power)

1/4  cup  dish soap

Pour  ingredients in spray bottle and fill the rest with HOT water.  Shake and whistle while you work.

Passing The Baton

So, my mom taught my sisters and I many things in life as all our moms do.  As far as the handmade department goes, she  taught her girls to sew with a needle, a bit on the sewing machine and how to crochet.  I found the usefullness of teaching my kids how to work a needle and thread.  My 13 yr. old son can sew a button on his shirt anyday. I'm patting my own back right now.  Crocheting however, wasn't passed on.  Sorry mom, didn't see the value in something I only associated with doilies. 

This Christmas, my sister brought her knitting and crochet kits and offered to teach all who were interested.  Who to my wondering eyes would become her first student....yup,  my daughter.  My sister passed on the crochet baton to my teenage daughter that night.  The baton was passed so smoothly that my daughter is on her third young and swanky scarf.  Shows me to judge.  The boys didn't choose to run in this relay, but they have been in the stands bragging about their sister's great work.

What beliefs, traditions, skills, values , etc. are ready to be passed on to the next generation in your life?  So, pass the batton and keep you heritage relay going.  As for me...time to show them what I know on the sewing machine, cooking, organizing , scrapbooking, cake decorating, jewelry making, budgetting......not all in a day of course. :)

Facing A New Experience

I've been considering joining the blogging world, and what better time to challenge myself to do it than in the month of resolution.  

Although, I'm not 100% sure what this blog will focus on, I am sure that it will be a grab bag of topics.  How many remember buying a grab bag from the ice-cream man with anticipation of what you'd find inside? Oh, I do! I do!  The element of surpise was the best and I always felt like I was giving myself a gift.  I hope to give others a Grab Bag experience.  

Should anyone not know what a Grab Bag is well it began with the ice-cream truck music.  The music announced that the ice-cream truck was coming. If you had money, you'd run outside to the beloved ice-cream man.  He sold Grab Bags.  It was a paper bag with little treats (gum, candy) and toys (fake teeth, rings, baseball cards, etc.) inside.  You never knew what you were going to find inside.  They were lots of fun if you  enjoyed surprises.