I’ve been obsessed with Fiona Paxton’s ultra-statement necklaces for the past year and I may just need to take the plunge and splurge on one of her pieces. The RCA trained textile designer has worked in fashion for over 10 years developing prints and embroideries for big-name clients- think Chloe, Armani and Moschino. Her eponymous collection puts her past work experience to good use. Bold geometric patterns and intricate hand beading are the signatures of pieces. I love the way that they drape over the neck almost scarf-like.

Now, if only I could decide between the Sylvie, Connie, Paxton Lane or Paxton Dott necklace…

Spring is here and summer fast approaching. When it comes to my accessories, I have been feeling the urge to shake things up a little. Suddenly my watch feels too heavy and serious, and my brown leather gladiator sandals too boring and neutral. I need some bold, bright and playful items to throw into the mix and add a little life to my wardrobe. I’ve found myself lusting after two items that are the perfect, lighthearted accessories to add a fun twist to even the most basic tee-shirt and jeans outfit.

I love the aptly named line TOYWATCH, and their Crystal style, shown here, is one of their best-selling styles. The watch has a nautical feel to it, perfect for summer, with it’s clear acrylic band and navy face. The plastic band makes this watch less serious than it’s heavy metal cousins and just begs to be worn to summer BBQ’s and beach bonfires. Even if you are checking it to see how late you are running to work, it’s still fun to look at.

Jelly shoes are making a comeback, and while I am not quite ready to break out the wedge heel style that I rocked in Jr. High, there is something about this See by Chloe pair that I’m totally into. Maybe it’s the awesome bright yellow hue or the cute tied ankle strap, regardless, I can picture wearing them all summer long. With dresses, shorts, bathing suits… the list goes on and on. So yes, I guess I am ready for this jelly.

I saw this close-up shot of Kate Lanphear’s to-die-for Lanvin cocktail ring on Jak & Jil and had to re-post:

With a piece of statement jewelry like this, you could wear nothing else but a brown paper bag and still look chic. Of course, after purchasing this lovely piece of jewelry, a paper bag might be all you can afford to pair with it. Luckily, there are many awesome cocktail rings out there that are totally affordable. I love jewelry that can make an entire outfit with little thought or effort. Pair a ring like this with a little black dress or slacks and a t-shirt, and there is really no need to further accessorize… or wear makeup, or brush your hair.

I love this Swarovski® crystal large stone and pave ring. It’s perfectly over-the-top, kind of like the Lanphear’s Lanvin ring. I would save this ring for a special event or chic cocktail party.

This turquoise and gold ring could be worn both dressed up and down. It would look just as great both paired with jeans and a white blouse, a white sundress or a little black dress and heels.

Image Source: Jak & Jil

I tend to be smitten with any clothing or jewelry that is able to be at the same time both feminine and masculine, so it comes as no surprise that the jewelry collaboration between Pamela Love and Zac Posen for his fall 2009 collection has me totally crushing. The braided headbands with spikes, belts covered with leaves, flowers and spikes and floral earrings with daggers and- you guessed it- spikes, sprouting from the center were just too cool. I’ve been obsessed with flowers, and having them around me, ever since I was a very little girl. I know this is the case for many young women, but I’ve been known to take it to a slight extreme. For example, my mother loves to tell the story of how we once were visiting friends of hers and they left me outside in their sizeable garden, only to return a short time later and discover that I had picked every single flower that was in bloom. Every one. And I was not a child that misbehaved, in case you are wondering, I was pretty much just powerless against the thought of a pretty bouquet. But I digress… Give me some floral jewelry with the added punk-rock flair of metal studs and pair it with a kohl eyeliner and an awesome clothing collection? That is pretty much heaven on Earth for this girl.

Get the look by pairing a spike studded cuff with a floral charm bracelet, these two together would look pretty awesome.

Image Source: Style.com

I am seriously crushing on the totally cute, and totally affordable Marc by Marc Jacobs jewelry right now. When it comes to Marc by Marc, I always love both the apparel and the accessories, but sometimes feel that the branding on everything can get a little out of control. Especially on the accessories. These days, I am just not really feeling any branding or logos. I want my jeans without embroidery on the back pockets and my handbags to be basic leather- no logo prints or hardware. This is a great mind-set to be in when you are totally broke, by the way. Perhaps I am rationalizing not being able to afford logos by convincing myself I don’t want them? But I digress… I stumbled across some Marc by Marc jewelry and was surprised to see the selection that didn’t scream “I bought this from Marc Jacobs”. Here are some of the pieces I am totally lusting after:

Geometric shapes are huge this spring and this cuff is right on trend. Plus, I love the burnt sienna, navy, bone and black colors together. Yes, the gold nailhead has the logo on it, but it is hardly noticeable when actually on someones wrist…

This silver and resin bow bracelet is sweet, but not too sweet. I like the pairing of the black bow with the masculine chain-link.

Okay, these are what really got me excited. The last thing on Earth I probably need are a pair of gold and black bear stud earrings. And I am going to continue to try to convince myself of that for the rest of the evening. Not quite sure if I’ll succeed. And if I do succumb to their quirky smiling faces? At least they don’t have any logos on them…

I just took a walk around my home town, stopping at my old elementary school to participate in a little nostalgic hopscotch and swinging action. While on the swings I became a bit nauseous, and I am still not certain if it was the air I was catching or the realization that it has been nearly 20 years since I first enrolled at that school as a second grader that made my stomach hurt… Regardless, I felt rather old as I cut through the woods to take my childhood shortcut home. It was therefore fitting, as I sat down to check out what the fashion blogosphere had been up to the past couple of days, that I should stumble across these fantastic images of Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfeld as young women:

I love how Anna’s haircut is a 70’s version of her ubiquitous bob and how similar Carine looks to her daughter Julia Restoin Roitfeld, this picture was no doubt taken when Carine was close to her daughters age now. I also love how both women are wearing simple pendant necklaces in their photographs, yet the choices of pendants say so much about their disparate approaches to style, Anna’s a large gold disc and Carine’s a small silver pentacle. I find these choices very fitting as Anna’s seems a bit safer and status-quo while Carine’s pagan symbol is a foreshadowing of the subversive wiccan/ voodoo editorials that will someday grace the pages of French Vogue under her direction.

While I am a bit more inclined to emulate Carine’s style, I think the best way to wear these pendants would actually be to pair them together. I like the vintage feel of the oxidized sterling silver of this pentacle, and the organic look of Sheila Fajl’s large brushed and hammered gold pendant.

I hope you all had a lovely, safe, and nostalgic Thanksgiving.

Image Source: The Vancouverista

I saw image on The Sartorialist and had to post it. I am so jealous of this woman’s perfectly oversized gray sweater.

I am traveling home for the holidays today, and this sweater is exactly what I need to use as a blanket on the plane, keep me warm in the chilly weather of my hometown, and hide the food-baby once the last piece of pumpkin pie is done. To sum it up, if I owned this sweater I would never take it off. I like how she keeps the rest of her outfit fairly simple, and adds a pop of color with her blue bead drop earrings. However, I am not crazy about the different-shade-of-gray jeans, as they almost look khaki and kind of remind me of chino’s and Gap holiday commercials from days of old. I would probably opt for a pair of black leggings or skinny jeans.

This oversized cashmere sweater from TSE has a chic front drape that keeps the boxier shape from being frumpy.

Lapis beads always make me think of Earth from afar, with their deep blue color and flecks of gold. I like these simple sterling silver drop earrings.

Image Source: The Sartorialist

I came across the jewelry line Giles & Brother via NOTCOT and I am smitten with the feminine yet funky line from brother sister duo Giles and Philip Crangi. Inspired by everything from estate jewelry to medieval armor to African textiles. When it comes to jewelry, I am always trying to find the right balance between saccharine and tough, delicate and bold. I often find myself mixing and matching pieces to get the desired effect. The look of Giles & Brother’s pieces have the attitude I try to achieve, no doubt a result of the designers’ disparate inspirations.

My favorite piece is the 10 Strand Swarovski Necklace. Multi strands of both crystals and brass chains. Of the 5 removable brass ring pendants, only the largest has crystal studs. I love the juxtaposition of the rough finish of the brass with the Swarovski crystals. The brass rings are removable so you can take them off for different looks.

I also love these cheeky sterling silver XO studs. These would make a perfect holiday gift, for a loved one or for yourself.

Source: NOTCOT

I have fallen hard for the spear earrings that graced the Jil Sander runway (along with amazing minimalist fringed dresses, killer heels and a beautiful fringed handbag- the only thing I didn’t love where the sunglasses). A collaboration with Damiani, the earrings are thin gold spears with semi-precious stones attached at either end. Models wore them both in one ear and both ears and I am definitely loving the one ear look. An unexpected execution of an unusual piece of fine jewelry. No doubt these wonders will be far out of this ChicShopper’s jewelry budget, but if you can afford to buy even one of them, I highly suggest you make a run to Jil Sander come spring. Your earlobes will thank you.

If your jewelry budget is more Claire’s than Cartier (hey, I feel you) these cute 18kt gold u-shaped earrings are have the same unexpected spirit of those on the Jil Sander runway, with the added bonus of being super affordable:

Alexa Chung recently crossed my fashion radar and I have a serious crush on her girly- vintage style. A T4 presenter (that’s a UK scheduling spot geared towards teenagers on Channel 4, in case you want to be spared a trip to wiki), former model, columnist for the magazine Company, and girlfriend to the adorable Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, the fashionable Alexa has definitely earned her “it girl” status. Like most of my favorite fashionistas, Alexa seamlessly combines designer, vintage and discount duds to achieve her style with aplomb.

She has a way of throwing an outfit together that seems effortless and without thought- in a good way. Her style reminds me of the days I rush out of the house last minute with whatever I could grab first thrown on and then realize I actually put together something really cute (in stark contrast to when I agonize in the closet for an hour and am miserable in my outfit all night). This is the look that rockstars and supermodels have been perfecting for ages.

Throwing on these Dolce & Gabbana booties and Lalique primal pendant with your outfit will help you emulate Alexa’s enviable look:

Photo Credits: StyleForStyle, ExpoSay, Celebrities Uncovered, Telegraph, Virgin Media, Elle UK, The Sun