Vicious Vintage

Vintage is officially the latest trend in fashion. People throw the word around in every possible context. There are countless blogs (including two I read on the daily) devoted to documenting throwback styles in new clothes as well as thrift store finds. Goodwill went from someplace little kids were ashamed to buy clothes to a trendy place to shop. Everything old is new. And I'm not mad about it. The pin-up silhouette of nipped waists and full skirts flatters my figure, and you can't beat a unique brooch to add a little pizzazz to an otherwise Meh ensemble.

Yet, buyer beware. If your yen for the retro feel includes actual old stuff made of metal (think antique-y bracelets, jewelry, toys or kitchenware), this little hobby could be putting your health in jeopardy. Women's Health's May 2011 issue reported on a study from the Journal of Environmental Health that found high concentrations of lead in all except one vintage item. Some of the 28 items tested had as much as 700 times the amount of lead deemed safe by the government. Lead is a dangerous heavy metal, that can cause nervous system, heart and kidney damage, fertility problems, and death in high doses. There's a reason they banned it as an ingredient in paint ladies and gents.

But don't despair. You don't need to abandon your love of everything old school yet. Just make sure to test the lead content of those earrings you've had your eye on before you buy. Home Depot sells an instant swab test that detects the presence of lead for $25.  That will run you a whole lot less than the hospital bills you'd incur from some good old fashioned lead poisoning

JewelMint in Review

This is the bracelet I just received from JewelMint. I completed a style profile when I first read about the site in Lucky magazine (and blogged about it here), and have been receiving emails with personalized style/jewelry selections ever since. I was intrigued by the whole concept of the site, jewelry at “drastically reduced” prices for only $29.99 a piece with free shipping. Seems like a deal! I got an email from the site with this piece, the Bella Bracelet a couple weeks ago, and bought it instantly on impulse. You know those jangly anklets that hippies tend to wear that make a slight bell noise with every step? I have 3. I don’t know why, I love a musical piece of jewelry. This bracelet is pretty much those anklets for your wrist, and slightly prettier.

It just screamed me. The suggestions are to pair it with a bohemian flowy top to shop with your girlfriends. SOLD.

So, I joined, and read the fine print. After you make your first purchase, they automatically charge you for one credit ($29.99) between the first and the fifth of every month, unless you log in and decline the credit for the period. You can then put this credit towards any jewelry item. To unsubscribe? You have to call customer service. No big deal, I knew what I was signing on for.

This bracelet was normally marked at $109.99, and as a member, you get the discounted price of $29.99. Yea right it cost over a hundred bucks is all I have to say. I don’t know anyone who would ever pay that much for this little bauble even if Kate Bosworth wore it before shipping. I like it, don’t get me wrong, but the trick of showing a slashed price to make you think you’re getting high quality jewelry for a song? It just makes Kate Bosworth look a little dumb. Let's call things what they are here.

I like the bracelet. Was it worth $30? Sure. Will I continue my membership for now? Yep. Do I still love the concept and Kate? Of course. But, one of the O rings already came undone in the velvet bag  it came in, and I had to use my own jewelry pliers to close it again. I haven’t even tried it on . High quality jewelry? I think not.

Kate Bosworth designs Jewelry

It's called Jewelmint, and she designs each piece with her BFF Cher Coulter. For $30 a month, you can pick a piece once each month at 70% off the retail value. The positives? It's cute, hippy jewelry, and you get to take a quiz that evaluates selections you might like. It characterizes you into a type based on photos and fashion choices you like. I happen to lean towards effortless beauty (apparently...). The negatives? Based on your selections, you can only view part of their inventory, and certain pieces each month. And yet, the innovative site gives suggestions for what to wear it with, what inspired it, and an activity it might be perfect for all in one shot. The Coachella chain shown above should be paired with a jumper, worn to a picnic in the park, and gets it's name from Kate's trip to a certain music festival in Cali. Groovy.

I think I may be in love (with this jewler)

I heard of Jewelry by Veronique in my fall fashion issue of InStyle magazine. Rachel Bilson lists the mermaid ring as one of her new obsessions, and now it's one of mine (damn her awesome fashion sense!!). I LOVE this ring, and need to own it. It's so cute and fantastic. You'll recall from this post that I have a thing for seashore themed jewelry. I checked out Jewelry by Veronique's collection. It's great. Not only does the mermaid come in silver or gold, you can buy her in a necklace. They sell starfish earrings! And unicorn pendants! And butterflies!


Not everything they sell is a home run in my book. I say nix the peace and love collection. It's a little too flower child for my liking, and I'm not a fan of the charm necklaces. But there's enough wonderfully whimsical stuff to take a look. Go ahead, indulge your inner girly girl and check it out.

Sally sells seashells by the seashore

Today I am wearing this gorgeous little shell pendent around my neck dangling from a gorgeous little gold chain. It was a gift from my lovely friend from her trip to St. Thomas. I love seashell jewelry. Generally, it makes me think of the beach, and in turn happiness and sunshine. This little guy however, has extra special meaning to me.

My grandparents winter in Florida, and have been doing so since I was a little girl. As a reward for not seeing them for months on end, my family and I would take trips down during my sister's and my winter breaks for bursts of sunshine and fun in the middle of an upstate New York winter. One of my favorite activities was combing the beach for shells. As it turns out, the kind pictured above has always been one of my favorites to find. They are just SO pretty!

They remind me of days wading through salt water, and an ice cold coke with a chicken salad sandwich from my Gram's cooler when I got taken out by a wave and had salt up my nose. They make me think of simpler times when nothing mattered except the sun on your back and the cache of shells you had at the end of the day, of tongue twisters and pictureseque afternoons.

Yep. I'm pretty sure that this necklace has contributed to my day dreaming all morning. Good thing I have a holiday weekend coming up, and I can devote myself to the beach and finding seashells as pretty as these for a whole three days. Thanks Annie!

Brangelina Makes Jewelry!

Yesterday, Women's Wear Daily (WWD-the parent magazine to W), announced that Brad and Angelina are back in the news, and this time it's not for anything related to them having or adopting more children! No, they have entered another sphere besides being social activists, models of parenting, and glamourous movie stars, they can now add jewelry designers to their resumes. The hot couple debuted a jewelry collection with Asprey, a British Luxury goods line. The collection is named "The Protector," and is entirely centered around images of the snake, and animal that Jolie believes is a talisman which protects her family.

All proceeds from the collection will Jolie's charity Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, which works to raise awareness and funds for the educational needs of children who are victimized by war, conflict, and natural disasters.

Angelina received a snake ring as a gift while pregnant with Shiloh, and believes the symbol has the power to protect her children and family. Thus, the collection features many serpent themed baby gifts including a spoon, egg cup, tooth box, and picture frame. It also includes rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces for adults. All prices and pieces have not yet been released, but will gems will definitely include diamonds, black diamonds, and emeralds.

It is interesting that Brangelina chose the snake for the collection, and animal that Christians have always been told represents betrayal, deceit, and even vengefulness. At the very least, many see them as dangerous creatures simply because many snakes carry poisonous venom in their fangs. However, in other symbolic cultures, snakes can represent varied positive meanings from rebirth, fertility, balance, protection, and transformation.

The collection is part of Asprey's bid to increase sales over the next five years, and to devote more focus to their jewelry collections as opposed to their other luxury goods. By pulling in these two media giants, I'm sure at the very least, Asprey will be successful in drawing more attention to, and global knowledge of their brand.