London Town Bound

I am off to London this weekend (yaaaasss), so consider yourself forewarned on the following likelihoods: 1) I get so immersed in my surroundings I forget to post on the bloggy-blog, 2) I return an Anglophile, and/or 3) My obnoxious Harry Potter-esque accent becomes semi-permanent and I figure out a way to express my new dialect in the written form, thereby subjecting you all to some slight torture until I get distracted by my next escapade. Can't say I didn't warn ya. 

Jewel Drop Earrings - Ranjana Khan// Wide-Leg Plaid Pants - Moschino (via The RealReal)// Leopard Purse - Aerin// Blue Suede Bag - Theory// Telephone Box iPhone Case - Lulu Guinness// London Correspondence Cards - Smythson

Weddings, Weddings Everywhere

... and not a dress to where. Just kidding, here are five options to carry you through wedding season and beyond. 

Embroidered Dress - Amur// Evil Eye Earrings - Katherine Cordero

Mucho Mas Velvet, Porfavor

Velvet: can't live with it (currently, as Houston weather calls for a high of 90° today), can't live without it (for what is fall, if not the time to don that shimmery-plush-silky-smooth fabric your velveteen dreams are made of?). 

Emerald & Gold Earrings - Vanessa Arcila// Velvet Turban Headband - Zara// Black Chain Bag - Tambonita// Handwoven Fan - Fl4mingo// Pink & Red Pen - Bando

Dress For the Mood You Want, Not the Mood You Have

How does the saying go? Ah yes: "I am [she] as you are [she] as you are me and we are all together." Fitting words for the three looks I keep on constant rotation, which if reduced to one-word descriptions would be the following: martini, glitter, Miami. They take turns, but are chosen on random impulse and oftentimes take my personality along for the ride. They are not one in the same, except they are one in the same because they are the trifecta my closet (and being) encapsulates. This is big picture, psychoanalytic stuff here, people. 

So when Rebecca de Ravenel decides to rock my week with some new earring designs, I am not torn in two, but in three. Word to the wise: an attempt to narrow the decision of which earrings to buy by scheming what you would wear each of them with is a feeble attempt, indeed. 

Cherry Earrings - Rebecca de Ravenel// Pink Hoop Earrings - Rebecca de Ravenel// Yellow Striped Earrings - Rebecca de Ravenel// Jeans - Zara

Prepared in Peridot

Tomorrow, tomorrow... tomorrow is August, it's only a day awaaay. I do love me some August. The summertime wind-down coupled with the back-to-school mindset means pumpkins, cooler temps, and twinkle lights are just around the corner. So to welcome these do-not-fear-fall-is-near vibes and pregame the turn of the month tomorrow we're dedicating today's post to August's birthstone: Peridot. 

Peridot is a yellowish-green gem that derives from the common mineral olivine, which forms inside the earth’s upper mantle and is brought to the surface by earthquakes or volcanoes. It is for this reason that the Gemological Institute of America nicknamed it the "extreme gem", as it is one of only two gems (diamonds being the other) that are not formed in the Earth's crust. And as if that weren't extreme enough, there's also the fun fact that Peridot is said to possess healing properties that protect against nightmares and evil. As one website put it: 

"Associated with the sun, Peridot has been prized since the earliest civilizations for its protective powers to drive away the forces of darkness. Set in gold and worn around the neck or bound to the left arm, it was used as a charm against sorcery and magic, evil spirits, night terrors, and madness. It cured cowardice, calmed anger, as well as brightening the wit. Peridot is still celebrated for those virtues, protecting the aura, purifying the physical and subtle bodies, and alleviating emotional burdens, guilt and obsessions. It is particularly beneficial for overcoming fear, depression and other psychological disturbances, as well as releasing jealousies, resentment and spite in order to move forward. Peridot promotes responsibility and forgiveness, instilling confidence in one’s own abilities and reestablishing a sense of self-worth."  

WELP, if that's not enough to rev up your Monday engine and get some Peridot in your shopping cart, I don't know what is. 

Tassel Earrings - Hart Hagerty// Beaded Minaudière Bag - Zara//
Peridot & Quartz Button Earrings - Bounkit