Manolo Jewelry

For the most part, this blog will talk about jewelry that goes in one’s ears, on one’s fingers, or around one’s neck or wrists.

However, there is also some lovely and interesting jewelry that goes…elsewhere.

Body modification is one of those things that is considered perfectly acceptable in our culture…up to a point. Pierced ears? Goodness, yes. We even do that to infants! Multiple piercings in the ears? Maybe a tad rebellious, but nothing to really raise an eyebrow. Speaking of eyebrows, those can be pierced too. And of course, we have the ubiquitous navel piercing. Yes, I have one, as my sister peer-pressured me into it one bone-numbingly cold February day. And no, I no longer wear anything in it.

As Generation X gets a bit older and starts to wield some power in society, things that were once considered Career-Limiting Moves, like visible tattooing and piercings, are starting to become more and more acceptable.

However, depending on one’s industry, there ARE still limits.

A discreet nose stud may still garner  frowns if you work for a bank, while a talon labret may result in no more than shrugs if  you work in arts, music or entertainment.

Personally, I think that a lot of body jewelry is very attractive.  It may even be something that I consider, down the road, when my career is established enough that I can officially Not Give a Damn.

As far as other people’s choices, there are definitely some body piercings that I would never get in a million years. There are some body piercings that make me think, “Ooh…he is SO gonna regret that when he’s 55.” However, I pretty firmly adhere to the philosophy of “Hey, it’s your body, so whatever makes you happy.”  And if stretching your earlobes out with holes the size of nickels makes you all atwitter with delight, then who am I to rain on your parade?

What do you think of body piercings? Lovely, or loathsome?

Bisous,

LPA

Let’s talk about birthstones.

I’m guessing that an alarming number of you just had flashbacks to the multi-birthstone jewelry that your mom bought for you at Sears when you were 12.

I had a daughter’s pride ring. I’d begged for it for the better part of a year, and when I received it, I was absolutely thrilled. Six months later, I went on a trip with my parents, and in a rare show of pre-teen responsibility, decided to leave my ring at home so that I wouldn’t risk losing it.

While we were away, my older sister had friends over.

When we got back from our trip, my ring was nowhere to be seen.  I hunted high and low, to no avail.

Now I’m not saying that one of my sister’s friends stole my beloved, cherished daughter’ s pride ring. And I’m not saying that I took umbrage at being accused of just misplacing it, when I KNOW I had done no such thing. And I’m ALSO not saying that I’m still bitter about it, twenty-three years later.

Okay. Maybe I’m a little bitter.

My tale illustrates the point that birthstones often have a certain emotional resonance with us. Sometimes we love our birthstone, sometimes we hate it. However it is always something to which we have a connection.

November’s birthstones are topaz and citrine. Specifically, yellow topaz and citrine. Blue topaz is definitely more common, and much easier to find, but it doesn’t technically qualify as November’s birthstone.   According to my very scientific research (in other words, Wikipedia), topaz  is “a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂.”  It is most commonly found in Brazil, and believe it or not, during medieval days, “it was thought to heal physical and mental disorders as well as prevent death.”  Citrine is a variety of quartz — natural citrines are rare; most commercial citrines are heat-treated amethysts or smoky quartzes. It is nearly impossible to tell cut citrine from yellow topaz visibly, but they do differ in hardness.

Good to know.

Would this jewelry prevent death and heal disorders? Probably not, but at least you’d look very pretty in the meantime, no?

These earrings are a rather neat combination of hoop earring and drop-style earring, I think.

I love the autumnal tones in this bracelet.

It’s a turtle ring. Why the heck not, right?

Happy birthday to our November readers!!!

Bisous,

La Petite Acadienne

Oh gold…why have we forsaken you?

Gold is one of those metals that is classic, but lately, it’s been given rather short shrift, hasn’t it?  Does anybody remember the Sex and the City episode where Aidan gave Carrie an engagement ring, and she was upset that it wasn’t platinum? When her friends protested that she loved gold, she replied, “Yeah! Ghetto gold for fun! But this is my engagement ring!” 

She wasn’t alone in thinking that way.

I say, it’s LONG past due for gold to make a resurgence.  It’s warm, it’s elegant, it’s rich-looking, and it’s flattering to the complexion.

And you know what kind of gold is REALLY underappreciated? Rose gold.  Rose gold is the most unabashedly romantic-looking gold. Warm and girly, but underscored by unassailable class and grace, it’ll lend a whole new feel to your wardrobe and your outlook.

Behold — rose gold!

So, you’re wearing an outfit that seems a little…not quite right.

Maybe it’s too sweet, or too blah, or too something. All you know is that your usual kick-ass-itude appears to be crowded out by the sheer”meh”-ness of the whole thing.

What to do?

Get a cuff.

No, I don’t mean “get slapped upside the head”.  This is a non-violent blog.

I’m talking about cuffs. Gorgeous, strong, womanly, bold cuffs. A cuff is not for the meek or the  mild. It has presence and verve, and a bit of 1970’s disco-diva awesomeness. It channels Wonder Woman, and who was more unapologetically and stylishly kick-ass than Wonder Woman, I ask you? (None. None more kick-ass.)

A cuff can be a classic piece, depending on the style, but it’s not one of those classic pieces that can sometimes fade into the woodwork. It’s noticeable. And it’s JUST the thing needed to add that strong-woman edge back to your ensemble.

So, whether you’re dressed down in jeans and t-shirt or all dolled up, a well-chosen cuff will let people know that you are Someone To Be Reckoned With.

Look — strong and beautiful cuff bracelets, both simple and ornate!

Don’t you feel stronger already?

Bisous,

La Petite Acadienne