Loving Now: Vibrant Jewels

For the accessories-challenged dresser, vibrant jewels are an easy way to spiff up a basic ensemble. Unfortunately, good yet affordable ones are hard to find. My main problems with costume jewelry are cheap metals that rust and oxidize (I was told to store metal jewelry in individual ziploc bags), and jewels that fall out of their settings.

The foundation for this work outfit is a little girls' white tee, and plain trousers.

Tee: Old Navy Girls Tee sz L

Cardigan: Gap XS (old) Pants: Limited (taken in)

Bag: LV Speedy 25 Heels: Banana Republic (old)

Turquoise Montauk Necklace & Westhampton Earrings courtesy of Amrita Singh

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Amrita Singh jewelry. Her "Hamptons" collection is exactly what I was looking for, full chunky pieces that come in at least 6 or 7 vibrant colors. The pieces are 18k gold-plated brass with "jewels" made of lightweight resin stones.

You can see more colorful Amrita Singh pieces on fellow bloggers: coral necklace on Cee, black necklace and ring on Jen, emerald necklace and ring on Vicky, coral bracelet on Sydney, turquoise necklace on April, and more.

Coral rings from left to right: YSL Arty, Topshop, F21

One thing to note is Amrita Singh earrings come in either post or clip-on backings, depending on the style. I really liked this style earring and thought I could make the clips work, but they were not comfortable on my pierced ears. I'm going to buy some post backings and try to DIY-convert these.

The color of these pieces are so vibrant. I can't wait to pick up some "emerald" items next. Retail prices are more that what I would typically pay for costume jewelry, but you can get 20% off w/ extrapetite or wait for the items to go to sample sale sites like Hautelook (invite link).

Pirate eye patch - aargh!

Readers - Do you own any Amrita Singh pieces? If so, please share the style name and your thoughts.

Video Archives: How to Style a Flower Pin / Brooch

Fellow bloggers - have you ever written out a post, only to let it sit unpublished because you can't seem to find satisfaction with it? After spending hours filming the video below, I felt unmotivated to publish due to the overall lack of creativity, gratuitous grammatical errors (English is my second language <-- love that excuse), as well as the...err...interesting outcome of my experimentation with wine lips minutes before shooting the vid.

After some pleading, Nick patiently re-filmed the entire thing. As luck would have it...during a hard drive "purge" we somehow permanently deleted the entire new video and all the backup files. So painful. It just wasn't meant to be.

Old photo: Theory Gabe blazer sz 00 (sold to Elle!), H&M leggings sz 2

Tory Burch Sohpie wedges sz 5.5, J.crew and pearl layered necklaces

Alas, I am pulling this from the YT rejects archive. The last idea (pictured above) was inspired by IamKhatu's cameo brooch tutorial, which actually spurred my desire to find a vintage Peri one. For more styling ideas, Elle previously posted a "wear it 5 ways" with her flower.


The star of the video is a J.Crew hair flower crudely turned pin from this oldie post, when I first "came out" from anonymous blogging. Although I still think these flower thingiemajigs are pretty, I haven't reached for one in weeks. My current obsession is with bold, colorful necklaces. I'm trying to collect affordable -yet not too cheap and costumey- gems and baubles to spice up my simple wardrobe. Coral, turquoise, emerald, lapis...I love it all.

Readers - what is your Spring/Summer accessory obsession?

Video Archives: How to Style a Flower Pin / Brooch

Fellow bloggers - have you ever written out a post, only to let it sit unpublished because you can't seem to find satisfaction with it? After spending hours filming the video below, I felt unmotivated to publish due to the overall lack of creativity, gratuitous grammatical errors (English is my second language <-- love that excuse), as well as the...err...interesting outcome of my experimentation with wine lips minutes before shooting the vid.

After some pleading, Nick patiently re-filmed the entire thing. As luck would have it...during a hard drive "purge" we somehow permanently deleted the entire new video and all the backup files. So painful. It just wasn't meant to be.

Old photo: Theory Gabe blazer sz 00 (sold to Elle!), H&M leggings sz 2

Tory Burch Sohpie wedges sz 5.5, J.crew and pearl layered necklaces

Alas, I am pulling this from the YT rejects archive. The last idea (pictured above) was inspired by IamKhatu's cameo brooch tutorial, which actually spurred my desire to find a vintage Peri one. For more styling ideas, Elle previously posted a "wear it 5 ways" with her flower.


The star of the video is a J.Crew hair flower crudely turned pin from this oldie post, when I first "came out" from anonymous blogging. Although I still think these flower thingiemajigs are pretty, I haven't reached for one in weeks. My current obsession is with bold, colorful necklaces. I'm trying to collect affordable -yet not too cheap and costumey- gems and baubles to spice up my simple wardrobe. Coral, turquoise, emerald, lapis...I love it all.

Readers - what is your Spring/Summer accessory obsession?

Christian Louboutin Simple Pumps vs Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps

Two beautiful shoes, two very different price points.

Louboutin Simple 100 Pumps (buy here) vs. Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps (buy here)

Video Review:Vest & dress: H&M  Beaded necklace: F21 (buy here)  Nails: Revlon Tropical Temptation

Top: H&M ruffle bib blouse sz 2 (old)

Jeans: Gap Legging Jeans in "dark rinse" sz 00P

Heels: Louboutin Simple 100 pump

Bag: LV Speedy 25    Ring: YSL Coral sz 5

More comparison shots:

It wasn't easy tracking down a nude sz 35. The stores were full of a "bone" color, which unfortunately is more of a bridal, eggshell white. Right after I got these, an SA managed to find the original shoe I was coveting (New Simples - just like Simples but with a thin 1/2" platform). Those are now en route to my grubby hands, so I will need the help of dear readers in deciding which nude CL's to keep.

PS - Ann Taylor & LOFT's friends & family starts Tuesday, April 5th (Monday, April 4th for cardmembers). Use code FRIENDS1 to get 30% off your entire purchase.

Christian Louboutin Simple Pumps vs Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps

Two beautiful shoes, two very different price points.

Louboutin Simple 100 Pumps (buy here) vs. Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps (buy here)

Video Review:Vest & dress: H&M  Beaded necklace: F21 (buy here)  Nails: Revlon Tropical Temptation

Top: H&M ruffle bib blouse sz 2 (old)

Jeans: Gap Legging Jeans in "dark rinse" sz 00P

Heels: Louboutin Simple 100 pump

Bag: LV Speedy 25    Ring: YSL Coral sz 5

More comparison shots:

It wasn't easy tracking down a nude sz 35. The stores were full of a "bone" color, which unfortunately is more of a bridal, eggshell white. Right after I got these, an SA managed to find the original shoe I was coveting (New Simples - just like Simples but with a thin 1/2" platform). Those are now en route to my grubby hands, so I will need the help of dear readers in deciding which nude CL's to keep.

PS - Ann Taylor & LOFT's friends & family starts Tuesday, April 5th (Monday, April 4th for cardmembers). Use code FRIENDS1 to get 30% off your entire purchase.

Spring Wedding Outfit + Quest for Nude Pumps

Got this email from a reader: "Can you show outfits a petite guest could wear to a wedding? My closet is full of business attire. I'd like to dress up, but tastefully and appropriate for a wedding."

I think weddings are the perfect excuse to go out and buy a dress. Life's too short to not wear pretty frocks. H&M is probably the first place I'd look, but BCBG or even Forever 21 offer viable options for a Spring/Summer wedding.

If I absolutely must pull something from my closet of dull business attire, I would choose a colorful sheath dress. A la the Asos pencil dress. This is how I could wear it conservatively for work:

Dress: Asos Tailored Pencil Dress in Petite 0/UK 4, hemmed (buy here)

Pumps: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5 (buy here)

Blazer: Theory sz 00  Akoya pearls: eBay

And for a not-too-formal wedding, I'd make the following changes:

1. Lose the blazer, or swap it for a cute cropped jacket or a shrug or elegant wrap
2. Instead of conservative pearls, don a statement necklace
3. Swap plain pumps for chic heels with a platform
4. Add a small evening bag or clutch
5. Get nails did and gloss your lips

Necklace: Forever 21 Beaded Bib Necklace (buy here, also comes in teal)

Bangles: H&M   Wallet: LV   Nails: Essie Jelly Apple

I don't like the quality of F21 necklaces, but I was drawn to this chunky piece. After I got home I coated the metal in cheap clear nail polish (reader tip - thank you!), and now store all my costume necklaces in individual plastic bags, as that's supposed to prevent oxidation.

Pumps: Nine West "Rocha" in Taupe, sz 5.5
Swing Jacket: Banana Republic sz 0 (old, altered)

I got this dress back from the tailor, and the alteration cost almost made me weep. Tailor said $10 for the hem, but $25 total if I wanted to keep the back slit (it had to be reconstructed like so). So byebye $50 to get both dresses shortened. See reviews of this dress by fellow petites in the Alterations Needed Forum. Elle did a post on regular vs petite sizing and Ping did a post on the petite.

Next up, a pair of true nude (not brown, not porcini) pumps is a wardrobe must-have, so why is the perfect pair so darn hard to find? I thought about going straight to the popular Corso Como's that Elle has...

Corso Como Delicious Pump in Nude

...but I wanted a slight platform to further elongate the leg. Below are three options that I entertained:

1. Enzo Angliolini "Kylin" in Nude, sz 6 (5.5 was sold out)

Thoughts: the platform was chunky (look at that thick sole in the back view) and wide. Pointy toe not as classic as almond.

Verdict: Return

2. BCBG "Tinas" in Tapioca Santos, sz 5.5

Thoughts: the color was an effervescent pearly white in person...very bridal and definitely not nude. Toe a little too round for my liking. These DID fit very snugly though...so the 5.5 either runs small or is true to size.

Verdict: Return

3. Nine West "Rocha" in Taupe, sz 5.5

Thoughts: 5.5 fit well, but pinched my toes (never happens!). Not a fan of the wooden sole and heel (I think it makes the shoe looks cheaper). Also, Target's Mossimo Versie in Taupe is a very close dupe for this shoe at less than half the price.

Verdict: Best for me out of the three...but pinched toes hurt. Return.

Here's a look at all three compared to the popular Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps. See how the Ann Taylor ones just have a cleaner and sleeker silhouette? That's why I shall remain a loyal PP wearer.

I will say that my quest for the perfect nude pump has finally ended, in a huge splurge. They're not perfect because they don't have a platform, but I've been considering them for a while and they were love on my feet.

Spring Wedding Outfit + Quest for Nude Pumps

Got this email from a reader: "Can you show outfits a petite guest could wear to a wedding? My closet is full of business attire. I'd like to dress up, but tastefully and appropriate for a wedding."

I think weddings are the perfect excuse to go out and buy a dress. Life's too short to not wear pretty frocks. H&M is probably the first place I'd look, but BCBG or even Forever 21 offer viable options for a Spring/Summer wedding.

If I absolutely must pull something from my closet of dull business attire, I would choose a colorful sheath dress. A la the Asos pencil dress. This is how I could wear it conservatively for work:

Dress: Asos Tailored Pencil Dress in Petite 0/UK 4, hemmed (buy here)

Pumps: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps sz 5 (buy here)

Blazer: Theory sz 00  Akoya pearls: eBay

And for a not-too-formal wedding, I'd make the following changes:

1. Lose the blazer, or swap it for a cute cropped jacket or a shrug or elegant wrap
2. Instead of conservative pearls, don a statement necklace
3. Swap plain pumps for chic heels with a platform
4. Add a small evening bag or clutch
5. Get nails did and gloss your lips

Necklace: Forever 21 Beaded Bib Necklace (buy here, also comes in teal)

Bangles: H&M   Wallet: LV   Nails: Essie Jelly Apple

I don't like the quality of F21 necklaces, but I was drawn to this chunky piece. After I got home I coated the metal in cheap clear nail polish (reader tip - thank you!), and now store all my costume necklaces in individual plastic bags, as that's supposed to prevent oxidation.

Pumps: Nine West "Rocha" in Taupe, sz 5.5
Swing Jacket: Banana Republic sz 0 (old, altered)

I got this dress back from the tailor, and the alteration cost almost made me weep. Tailor said $10 for the hem, but $25 total if I wanted to keep the back slit (it had to be reconstructed like so). So byebye $50 to get both dresses shortened. See reviews of this dress by fellow petites in the Alterations Needed Forum. Elle did a post on regular vs petite sizing and Ping did a post on the petite.

Next up, a pair of true nude (not brown, not porcini) pumps is a wardrobe must-have, so why is the perfect pair so darn hard to find? I thought about going straight to the popular Corso Como's that Elle has...

Corso Como Delicious Pump in Nude

...but I wanted a slight platform to further elongate the leg. Below are three options that I entertained:

1. Enzo Angliolini "Kylin" in Nude, sz 6 (5.5 was sold out)

Thoughts: the platform was chunky (look at that thick sole in the back view) and wide. Pointy toe not as classic as almond.

Verdict: Return

2. BCBG "Tinas" in Tapioca Santos, sz 5.5

Thoughts: the color was an effervescent pearly white in person...very bridal and definitely not nude. Toe a little too round for my liking. These DID fit very snugly though...so the 5.5 either runs small or is true to size.

Verdict: Return

3. Nine West "Rocha" in Taupe, sz 5.5

Thoughts: 5.5 fit well, but pinched my toes (never happens!). Not a fan of the wooden sole and heel (I think it makes the shoe looks cheaper). Also, Target's Mossimo Versie in Taupe is a very close dupe for this shoe at less than half the price.

Verdict: Best for me out of the three...but pinched toes hurt. Return.

Here's a look at all three compared to the popular Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps. See how the Ann Taylor ones just have a cleaner and sleeker silhouette? That's why I shall remain a loyal PP wearer.

I will say that my quest for the perfect nude pump has finally ended, in a huge splurge. They're not perfect because they don't have a platform, but I've been considering them for a while and they were love on my feet.