Bling

I love shiny stuff: polished silver, gleaming china, crystal anything. So, it should come as no surprise that I love costume jewelry, the gaudier the better. 

My sister and I inherited quite a bit of jewelry when our mom died.  Oddly enough, I really didn’t want the real stuff.  Mom's genuine gemstones were in simple settings; she couldn’t afford anything fancy and I like my bling fancy. So my sister got the "real" jewelry, and I got most of the "fake" stuff.  Of course, I add to this collection from time to time when I visit thrift stores and antique stores.  Sometimes, I can even find new retro-looking costume jewelry at craft shows and department stores.

My photos don't do them justice, but here are a few favorites:

This pin was an antique store find.  I love how it looks with my mom's gloves (and I love the detailing on the gloves, as well).

I couldn't decide which photo I liked better, so I included them both.  These rhinestone pins belonged to Mom (although the two smaller ones look like earrings, they are actually pins). I usually wear them with black, and they look amazing.

This pin and earring set belonged to Mom. The set is made by Weiss, a jewelry designer during the 1940's and '50's.

This set belonged to my grandmother. I photographed them with another pair of Mom's gloves.

This necklace was purchased at a craft fair. Most people are surprised that it isn't vintage.

This dress clip is older than most of what I own.  Most of Mom's jewelry and my antique finds date to the 1950's. I am certainly no expert, but I think it may date to the 1930's.  

The necklace is modern, a Christmas gift from my sister.  The pin belonged to my grandmother.  It is another piece by Weiss.

The rest of the following belonged to Mom, as did all the gloves.  Although I don't wear the gloves (Mom's hands were tiny) or the clip earrings, I do wear the other jewelry as often as I can, along with some of the vintage purses I've collected.  They remind me of my mom, and of the days when people dressed up in public. I sort of feel like Lucy Ricardo when I wear them.  If only I had an excuse to wear some of the hats that I've inherited or rescued from thrift and antique stores.  (More about the hats in a later post.)

Enjoy your evening! 

Julie