Stacking Rings for a Statement

If there is one trend that has been around since I started blogging (over a decade ago!) it's layering jewelry to make a statement. Of course the trend has evolved over the years; first it was layering bracelets, then we had statement necklaces and layering statement necklaces, which thankfully became usurped by delicate necklaces (likely because our necks were starting to hurt), and now the trend has moved to layered rings.

I've been steadily working towards growing my collection of stackable rings, so that I have lots of options to mix and match. I started out with some simple solid bands, but quickly added a chevron band because of how beautifully it accentuates a ring with a stone setting. Now I'm seeing twisted and curb chain bands increasing in popularity, and I love the addition of these new textures. 

The jewelry lover that I am, I do often fall for the allure of inexpensive costume pieces, however, I'd much rather invest in solid gold, or at least high quality vermeil when I can. For custom pieces, Etsy can not be beat. Being able to order half and even quarter sizes is a game changer! If I'm going to spend money on vermeil, then shopping at AU-Rate is the clear choice, as they have an amazing life time warranty that includes re-plating if a piece fades or gets scratched.

I can't forget adding in a statement ring into the mix as well, because, why not? This art deco inspired fan ring is wonderful as the band is thin and thus it's quite comfortable to wear. I've also got my eye on another vintage inspired ring that I'm sure would be great addition to my collection! 

Do you love layering your rings? Do you have a favorite band combination? Let me know in the comments!

The Rundown
Camel Sweater Madewell
White Jeans Gap
Reversible Coat Banana Republic
Booties Aerosoles
Brown Croc Bag Loeffler Randall
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Deco Fan Pearl Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
San Marco Twist Ring Golden Cleff via TJMaxx
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Gold Ring TJMaxx
Nail Color "Surrounded by Studs" Essie

Thanks to Responsival for partnering with me on this post!

Velvet Pants

Sometime early pandemic I decided I'd waited long enough (almost three years) to get this pair of velvet pants, and when I saw them at ThredUP I bought them. However, I bought a size small and it turned out I needed the medium. I managed to resell them on Poshmark (at a loss, of course) and then purchased the medium from another Posher who wasn't too open to price negotiation, so I paid more than I did on the first pair. Then in my typical fashion, I managed to not wear them for five months. Turns out that styling them in my imagination was a lot easier than in reality.

Hopefully I can come up with a few more ways to style them before another year passes.

The Rundown
Pearl Button Cardigan Aritzia
Velvet Wide Leg Pants Joie via Poshmark
Woven Toe Cap Slingback Pumps Pons Quintana via Marshalls
Brown Croc Bag Loeffler Randall similar
Twisted Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar
Necklace S.V. Decker
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Sunglasses "Nina" Ray-Ban
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy

Duplication

I still have a handful of outfit photos taken pre-quarantine, when I wasn't agonizing over putting on jeans and a sweater for a low-key day of visiting with family.

I surprised myself last month when I decided to buy this same v-neck cashmere sweater in both the cream color and black; truly I was going to return the cream and just keep the black, but it's so terribly soft and was on sale for $50 and I convinced myself this time would be different.

I have a terrible track record when it comes to buying duplicates of pieces in different colors. I always end up loving one far more than the other - how could such a perfect and versatile piece in one color feel like an impossible style challenge in another? (The first thing which comes to mind would be linen joggers I loved so much in olive green that grabbing the blush pink seemed like a necessity. I never wear the pink.)

However perhaps the issue isn't with the piece, but simply the color, and it feels like both cream and black are safe bets. Fingers crossed.

      

The Rundown
 Cashmere Sweater Nordstrom
Curvy Mid-Rise Skinny Jean Banana Republic
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Loeffler Randall
 Mules Charles David via TJMaxx 
Double Ring Belt Express
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Gold Chain Necklace Thrifted similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Toasted Marshmallow

I've had a bit of an obsession with velvet this winter - not that my closet really needed more - but Banana Republic was tempting me with the most gorgeous pieces, and once I tried them on, I was sold. Unlike some of my older velvet pieces, which seem to be glorified lint traps, Banana Republic's velvet is uncannily soft, plush, and slightly iridescent. I had the hardest time deciding on just one color of this long line blazer, the deep cherry red was so tempting, but since I've been embracing all shades of brown these days, the camel colored 'toasted marshmallow' won out. Admittedly, I always wait too long to share things, and many sizes of this blazer have already sold out. However, if your size is available and you can take advantage of the sale price, you likely wont regret the purchase.

       

The Rundown
Velvet Blazer Banana Republic
Satin Bodysuit Abercrombie similar
Wide Leg Jeans Gap
Nude Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Loeffler Randall
 Gold Twist Hoops Thrifted similar
Layered Charm Necklace c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Just the way you Arctic" Essie

Chiffon in the Winter

Sheer, light, breezy, not usually adjectives to describe a piece I might reach for in the winter months. Yet, when this leopard maxi skirt arrived at my door (for the second time, I ordered the regular first but then had to exchange for the petite), I was excited to wear it. While I'm not a huge fan of the half slip, I can see how it might be nice in the warmer months - though not a plus in February. I originally added black tights so I wouldn't be freezing, but was daring and removed them for the sake of the photographs.

Being chiffon, the skirt moves beautifully, and the dark leopard easily lends itself to a winter look, and I'm versioning it with even more rich chocolate browns and creamy colored knits until the earth thaws. Then it will be all sleeveless tops and sandals for the summer.

      

The Rundown
Rib Knit Sweater H&M
Leopard Maxi Skirt Banana Republic
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan similar
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Loeffler Randall
Signet Ring Sashi
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Hibernating Until Spring

Each week I start off with the optimism that I'm going to dedicate time to the blog; I'll edit photos, I'll write thoughtful posts, and I will finally catch up with all my favorite blogs I'm so behind on. Then it's Friday and the days seem to have simply evaporated. Seemingly simple tasks like responding to an email or scheduling an oil change consume large swaths of time, and are only rewarded with the response that requires the next reply or the news that my car has an oil leak, a coolant leak, a mouse nest, and when can I bring it back to address these things?

So often I find myself stuck in the mental clutter, convinced I can't do anything else until it's been cleared, but the problem with clutter is that it takes hours to address and mere seconds to accumulate. By telling myself I can't focus on anything else until the clutter is gone is a way of making sure I stay suck, when the reality is, sometimes the mess needs to be neatly stacked into a pile which can be dealt with later to make a little room for the things that will enrich my life now.

      

The Rundown
White Pearl Button Cardigan Nordstrom Rack similar
Wide Leg Jeans Gap
Nareen Block Heels c/o Vionic
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Loeffler Randall
 Silk Spotted Scarf Ann Taylor
Layered Charm Necklace c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie