WHIMSY

One of my favorite trends that’s really gaining ground this fall is a style of delicate jewelry that mimics lace. A romantic at heart, I adore whimsical jewelry and these openwork pieces feel fresh for fall.

And apparently, I’m not alone! InStyle (September 2010) recently featured some amazing pieces from some of the most recognized names in the industry. Spectacular earrings from Pomalleto, 18K white gold sparklers from Penny Preville and some dramatic drops from Cynthia Bach. Unfortunately, I don’t have an extra $26,475 for the Loree Rodkin “chandelier” earrings (but they are available at Neiman Marcus, just in case you do!). So, I began to search for the same look, but with a price tag that’s slightly more palatable.

My solution? Metal mesh jewelry from Shondra Leigh! The line incorporates a great openwork feel and is crafted of sterling silver and goldfill. My top three picks can be worn alone or together and complement both weekend casual wear and office ensembles.

First, I love the Mixed Metal “Crocheted” Square and Pearl Necklace, pictured. Many of the Shondra Leigh pieces have clever allusions to other mediums – from crochet to plaiting to braiding. The necklace is crafted of 14 goldfill squares on a blackened silver chain and is adorned with white nugget pearls. 32” long, this would be a spectacular necklace against a crisp white blouse this fall. Retail $262.00

Next, I adore the Repeating Squares Cuff. The cuff shown is created using sterling silver with goldfill accent squares and features an easy-to-use tube clasp. Measuring 7.5 inches long x 1.5 inches wide, this cuff is wonderfully lightweight and comfortable to wear (unlike some cuffs I’ve tried recently). The blackened silver looks especially lovely paired with the fall season’s bright jewel tones. Retail $210.00

Finally, my top pick is a pair of Square Earrings. These great openwork earrings allow you to rock the lace trend and still keep you bank account intact! Using the “crochet” method, Shondra Leigh has created a beautiful pair of earrings that will undoubtedly become your go-to faves. Retail $60.00

The Shondra Leigh line is available at boutiques and fine jewelry stores across the country. For a store locator, visit Shondra Leigh Jewelry or shop online.

Better yet, win a gorgeous pair of square earrings (pictured) from Shondra Leigh. Retail $60. It’s easy, so get started!

1. MANDATORY COMMENT – Please visit Shondra Leigh and let us know which piece is your fave. (1 entry)

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Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Photos courtesy of Shondra Leigh Jewelry.

It seems that statement necklaces are here to stay… at least through fall! A quick flip through my new InStyle Magazine confirmed that huge, multi-strand necklaces are still a “fashion do.” From some of my favorite stores like bebe, White House Black Market and Express, with necklaces, it appears that bigger is better!

Much as I love a fabulous necklace, sometime they’re a pain in the neck – literally. Several of my chunkiest, multi-strand necklaces are so heavy that I need to take them off mid-day.

If you “feel my pain” never fear, I recently found a solution that is both smart and beautiful – from Elizabeth Green’s Couture Crochet. These eye-catching necklaces are actually made of colorful and (most importantly!) lightweight ribbon. Plus, the clever design allows you to easily adjust the length to work with any neckline.

My favorite color combination for fall are the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows showcased in the Firefly necklace, pictured. This stunning necklace looks effortless, whether it’s paired with jeans and a tee or a work ensemble.

These great pieces are also quite affordable. The Firefly necklace retails for only $16.00 and all of Elizabeth Green’s lovely pieces are available online at Couture Crochet.

Want to win your own? Contest ends 9/1. To enter:

1. MANDATORY COMMENT – Please visit Couture Crochet and choose your favorite piece. Leave a comment here (1 entry)

2. Subscribe to Style on a WHIM via our brand new Google Friends Connect option, (5 entries)

3. “Like” us on Facebook, 5 entries (please leave a comment to let us know)

4. Follow us on Twitter, 5 entries (please leave a comment to let us know)

Already a follower?  Just leave us a comment that you follow.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition toStyle on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

I was lucky enough to receive the pair of beautiful sterling silver and amethyst earrings (pictured) from Etsy seller Martini Jewels that I wrote about in my A Purplicious Summer post, and they are GORGEOUS! Totally worthy of caps lock! So, of course, I posted a photo all over my Facebook profile so all my friends could see how fantastic they are, and I rubbed it in to all my coworkers (I know — I’m so nice!) that I received them and would be proudly wearing them this weekend. (There were definite hints of jealousy )

After receiving such a wonderful gift, I figured I better get my butt back over to Martini Jewel’s Etsy site and see what’s new! The very first necklace (also pictured) listed in her store immediately caught my eye — it’s called the “Life’s Journey®” and I love that it represents the “ups and downs” of life in a beautiful way!

Each necklace is handmade, meaning you’ll have a piece of jewelry just as unique as your own “life journey.” Even the clasp is handmade and mirrors the design of the necklace. It’s 16″ long, so it’ll lay nicely between your collarbones, as Lori, the artist, explains. You can choose whether you want it to have a shiny finish or a matte finish, making it even more personalizable.

Lori has so many other great pieces at such great prices (most are $16 - $36!) that it’s tough to choose a favorite. She has bow-shaped pendants, chic dangle and hoop earrings, and even beautiful beaded bracelets. You can really tell she puts a lot of time and love into her pieces because the finish is top-notch!

Check out her Etsy shop and suggest to friends, relatives and coworkers! Her pieces are affordable and truly stunning — great for bridesmaids’ gifts, Mother’s Day gifts, birthday gifts and gifts to yourself!!
(photos used with permission)

-Keri

I have thing for vampires… It all started with the series Angel where gorgeous and hard-to-resist vampire played by David Boreanaz is cursed with a soul and spends his time helping people — all the while searching for his own redemption. Lately, like every woman under 100, the delicious collection of vampire guys from the Twilight series makes my heart beat just a little faster. And of course, the new season of the vampire series True Blood begins on June 13.

If you haven’t seen True Blood yet — where have you been?! In this great series from HBO vampires really do walk among us… based on the work of novelist Charlaine Harris, this is the perfect weekly dose of the supernatural for those of us who are, shall we say, vampire-obsessed.

To celebrate the show’s return, I wanted to showcase some fabulous jewelry guaranteed to inspire True Blood fans. First, from the Simmons Jewelry Co. the cross necklace (pictured) is crafted of stainless steel and black rubber for a very contemporary feel. The cross also has unique stainless steel beads with a round diamond accent. The pendant is suspended from a cool 30″ ball chain. Available at Kay Jewelers, the cross retails for $195.00.

I also love this stainless steel and black rubber bracelet, again from the Simmons Jewelry Co. This funky 8″ bracelet features Maltese cross links for a sophisticated look, a round diamond accent and snap lock clasp for added security. Available at Kay Jewelers, the bracelet retails for $450.00

Do crosses keep vampires at bay? I certainly hope not!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Pearls are treasures from nature, and jewelry designer Wendy Mahr takes full advantage of their luminous beauty in her contemporary pearl pieces. From stunning necklaces and bracelets, to chandelier earrings, to modern, chunky rings, her designs are sure to be a big hit this Christmas!

A Miami native, Wendy is a self-taught jewelry designer and has spent the last eight years putting her training and experience to use, growing her own business. Wendy’s designs are sold in fine boutiques and exclusive galleries across the country, which is why I was so pleasantly surprised to find that her designs are not only beautiful, they are also extremely affordable!

Her trademark silver wire and stone rings start at only $55 for a single pearl and run up to $120 for an amazing ring embellished with an extra large crystal. Earrings are even more affordable, with a simple pearl dangle – perfect for every occasion – setting you back a mere $28. More complex chandelier earrings are slightly more expensive at $72 for the most intricate designs.

My favorite pieces, however, are the chunky bracelets and necklaces, which are right on trend for the holiday season. The chunky pearl bracelet, shown, is $85 and the lovely freshwater pearl necklace is only $210. (Both are on my personal Wish List!)

One of the best things about Wendy Mahr’s jewelry, though, is that these are not mass-produced (the kind of thing that I call “mall jewelry”). Designs each retain a little bit of the personality of the designer and the natural materials she utilizes make each piece unique. And the word is spreading! Wendy’s Mahr Jewelry has been featured in Family Circle Magazine, Glamour Magazine’s blog, The Miami Herald and more.

In additional to beautiful freshwater pearls in a rainbow of hues, other pieces contain crystal quartz, colorful amethyst and Chalcedony, faceted glass, coral and even shell. Wendy’s complete line of jewelry is also available online at Wendy Mahr Jewelry.

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Fashion Picks

Sept. 25-27

This week, my 5 Fashion Picks revolve around comfort. When the weather gets cooler and the sky is cloudy, all I want to do is just curl up in a big comfy chair in my worn-in sweats and read. All day. Unfortunately, my “sweats” consist of faded college men’s sweatpants with severely frayed hems and paint stains (being “crafty” for my sorority got messy at times) and a random oversized t-shirt from my random oversized t-shirt collection. Maybe it’s time for me to upgrade…

A comfy tee.

A fantastic tunic-style t-shirt at New York & Company is loose, flowy and super comfortable, yet chic and effortless enough for a trip to Blockbuster or the grocery store. And right now (as the date of this post), NY&C is having a special—buy a tunic and get one select legging for free! A pair in classic black will give you the most bang for your buck, but if they’re free…pick any color you like!

 A grandpa sweater.

 For true comfort, pull a “grandpa” sweater over your short-sleeved tunic and snuggle up with a book. This thick, cable knit, military-style sweater coat from Express is sure to keep you cozy. It buttons to the waist, so it’ll give a little in the hip region, providing even more comfort. My only wish is that it came in my new favorite color of the season—deep purple!

 Thick socks.

 I pretty much swear by cable knit knee-high socks. Like I said in my knee-high socks post, my feet are always cold, so thick socks are pretty much essential to my comfort. These thigh-high cream-colored socks from Target are right up my ally, and they can easily be slipped off before going out in public, for fear of looking too 80s. And I admit I love sliding around on my hardwood floors in great socks like those.

 Cute flats.

 If you need to run errands, the easiest way to look chic is simply to slip on a pair of cute flats with your leggings. On a recent trip to Target, I found these comfortable not-trying-too-hard flats that are very cute and a total steal at $12.99. They also come in bronze and black, but I liked the silver ones best.

 A locket.

 Since it’s all about comfort, you probably haven’t thought about jewelry. But this is From the Jewelry Box, so let’s celebrate a different kind of comfort—the comfort that the ones you love give you. I believe every woman should own a locket with a special photo inside, whether it’s a photo of her husband, her family or even her dog. The locket doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive—jewelry that has meaning is the most valuable kind.

I have my eye on this scroll-motif locket on Etsy by chrysdesignsjewelry because I’ve been meaning to get a new one. This would be perfect for a photo of my beautiful nieces on one side and a photo of my man friend on the other!

-Keri