Clothed with Grace

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

How To: Stack Bracelets

This week for my How-to series I'll be covering how to stack bracelets.  Last year everyone was "throwing an arm party," but I don't hear that term much anymore, that doesn't change the fact that I love to wear multiple bracelets at once.  Today I'll share with you some ways to stack your bracelets.
  • Mix your metals. My favorite bracelets to wear are the Moxie, Gilded Arrow, Renegade, and the Chimera (which is retired). Adding in the Moxie is great to add some color and the different textures of the bracelets make this an interesting combo and my go-to for sure.
  • Make a statement with your bracelets.  Pick one of two gold or silver bracelets you love, then add a bold color that coordinates with your outfit to add to the combo.  I love the Triple Wrap and Peacock.  I wear a lot of those colors, so having them as statement pieces makes sense.  Look at the colors you like to wear most, then think about adding one or two bold bracelets of your own.
  • I also like to wear my silver Renegade and Urbane with my new watch too.  If the metals match, wearing bracelets on the same wrist as your watch can be really great.
  • Lastly, make sure to coordinate your bracelets with your necklace.  If you're wearing a gold necklace, it goes without saying that you should wear gold bracelets and vise-versa. 
  • If you're wearing a really bold necklace, keep your bracelets more basic and try not to wear both a bold statement necklace and a bold statement bracelet.
  • I know I've shown you all Stella and Dot pieces, I know they are more expensive, but I've had all over mine for nearly a year and they all look the same as the day I got them.  When you spend more on pieces they can tend to last longer.  Think about a few nicer pieces to invest in, no need to get them all at once!
Have you entered my giveaway yet?

I need some help from you all?  What how-to posts would you like to see next?  I want the ideas to come from what you ladies need and I want them to be applicable to you.  Hit me with your ideas!

Monday, March 17, 2014

Think Spring With MDC Artistic Designs

Today I'm excited to be sharing MDC Artistic Designs with you.  This wonderful shop features beautiful one of a kind jewelry at affordable prices.

Marlene Chiasson is the Jewelry Designer and Owner of MDC Artistic Designs. She is originally from Canada and now lives in Virginia with her husband and son where they share a love for hiking, biking, traveling, and enjoying their neighborhood in the lovely historic downtown.  Her business goal is to make creative, one-of-a-kind, and modern accessories to inspire women to have confidence and discover their own unique style. 


Beauty and quality does not have to be sacrificed when it comes to affordable jewelry.  Marlene works with a handful of suppliers known for the quality that she is looking for when creating jewelry.  She makes one-of-a-kind jewelry that she doesn't reproduce after selling an item.  

Marlene also keeps her jewelry affordable for all women without sacrificing  quality materials that will be long lasting.  The earring filling is all gold filled or sterling silver material and the earring posts are all sterling silver.  She also uses natural, luxe AA or AAA gemstones whenever possible.  Otherwise, she uses glass beads and gemstones to make wonderful earrings at an affordable price.

I don't know about you, but I'm seriously craving spring! I thought it would be fun to create some great spring looks featuring the beautiful jewelry from MDC Artistic Designs.

The first pair of earrings I love were the By the Sea earrings.  I love the teal and coral combo and I think it just screams spring! I paired it with this great chevron dress and bold coral necklace.  I want to wear this to Sunday brunch, like yesterday!



Sunday Brunch






The second pair of earrings I love are the Natural Green Onyx Statement Earrings.  So pretty!  I love a good date night and I think these would be paired so perfectly with this navy fit and flare dress and these amazing leopard heels.  

Date Night




I also loved these Turquoise Coral Reef Earrings.  I'm so looking forward to weekends filled with breakfast out and Farmer's Markets.  I think this outfit would be so perfect and I love how the earrings get to shine here!

Weekend Wear



I love the elegance of the Marquis Chandelier Earrings.  I think they are perfect for work, both beautiful and professional.  I love them paired with this sleeveless striped shirt and this great cobalt skirt.
Work Wear


Blouse / Blazer / Skirt / Pumps / Necklace / Bracelet/ Marquis Chandelier Earrings

Today MDC Artistic Designs has a special treat for you, one special reader will win a $40 store credit to spend as they wish!  Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, March 14, 2014

Style Swap Link up: Week Six

 Welcome to week six of Jenn and my Style Swap link up!  It's been so fun to see what you all are coming up with each week!  Last week I had Inge and Haley both show their takes on my looks, thanks girls! This week I chose to style swap with Danielle.  I loved her fur vest with polka dots and decided to create my spin on it.  This week I'm packing away all my winter clothes, including this vest, so I wanted to get in one more wear.  I'm so ready for sandals and short sleeves, but I still have some many clothes I hate to pack away.  Tell me I'm not alone?

I can't wait to see what you girl's came up with day, link up details are down below.

Also, have you entered my awesome giveaway yet? Today is the last day to enter!

Lastly, my blogging friend, Susan at Charming Lucy started a new link up today too. So after you link up with me, head over and link up with her too. : )

 






Vest: JC Penney similar
Blouse: Lauren Conrad (thrifted) similar
Necklace: Stella and Dot same
Skirt: Express same
Bracelets: Stella and Dot same, same
Heels: Fergalicious similar

Linking up with:

The Link-up Details:

Our goal is to help you share your great style, as well as a blogger whose style you love.  Each Friday you can link up in one of two ways:
  1. Pick a blogger buddy and choose to do a “Style Swap” with each other, just like Jenn and I did today.  Pick one of each other’s looks you love and create your own spin on it, therefore “swapping styles,” then link to each other and to us.  This will build your audience in two ways: one, with the blogger collaboration, and two by linking up with us.  Awesome, right?
  2. The second way is to simply choose a blogger you love and take one of their looks and swap your style for theirs.  Then, link to the blogger out of courtesy and link up with us as well.
At the end of each link-up Jenn and I will take one of the looks we love best, and we'll “Style Swap” your look and create our own spin on it.  Then, we'll showcase your look and link to you on the next link-up.

We politely ask that you follow Jenn and I on at least one social media outlet before linking up.  Here's all the links you need to easily follow:

Jenn: Bloglovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
Ginny: Bloglovin / Pinterest /Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / GFC (use button)

Here’s our button to grab and add to your post:

My New Favorite Outfit

Thursday, March 13, 2014

How to Know Your Shape and Dress for It

Have you entered my awesome giveaway yet?

I had so much fun creating this tips series for you all!  I thought it would be good to create a wrap-up for you all.


The first type of started the series with was hourglass, see the full post here.










The next body type I discussed was a pear shape, see the full post here.



Third, I talked about the inverted triangle shape.  You can see the full post  here.

Forth, I talked about the rectangle shape.  You can see the full post here.




































Lastly, I talked about an apple shape.  See the full post here.


































Like I've said, I've had so much fun creating these posts.  Are there are how-to topics you'd like to see me cover?  Let me know, I'm all ears. : )

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Tips for Styling an Apple Shape

First off, have you entered my awesome giveaway yet? Don't miss out. : )

Today I'm excited to be back with another edition of my series, dressing for your body type. In case you've missed it first I talked about how to dress for an hourglass shape, next I talked about dressing for a pear shape, then I talked about dressing for inverted triangle. Today I'll be discussing how to dress if you are an apple shape.  Not sure if this applies to you, here are some characteristics:

  • You have the appearance of being round, slightly wide around the waistline 
  • Your waistline lacks or has no waist definition 
  • Your hips and butt might be wide and full along with your waist 
  • Your silhouette is round 
  • Bust, waist and hips are very close in measurements 
  • You probably have great legs
  • You hips many be narrow (like an inverted triangle) but you have a fuller waist
  • You may have slim arms

If this is you, here are some tips for how to dress for your shape:


  • Wear structures clothes, this can help to hide the extra weight you could have around your waist
  • Wear clothes that skim past your waist, like tunics or that hit above your waist like empire tops and dresses. Wrap dresses are great on you too.
  • Adding a blazer or jacket with help to camouflage your waist and give the appearance of more waist definition
  • Stear clear or cotton and jersey materials that could cling and make you look bigger than you are-woven fabrics are great on you!
  • Wear v-necks, this can help give the appearance of a more defined waist
  • Wear skirts and dresses that have details around the bottom, this draws attention away from your waist and onto your great legs.
  • Wear tops with details around the sleeve, this can accentuate your pretty arms.
  • Wear flare or boot cut jeans to help even out your silhouette 
With these tips in mind I created a fun weekend look.  I chose a utility vest that cinches at the waist, this will help give the illusion of a more defined waist.  I also chose a great structured shirt and a pair of straight leg jeans.  To accessorize I picked a great booties, a bracelet and dangling earrings to draw attention up.
Weekend Wear-apple





Using the tips above I created a great work look too. I chose a great straight leg trouser, structured button down and v-neck blazer that will help give the to camouflage an apple shape's waist.  I picked a great statement necklace to draw attention up and a fun bracelet and earrings too.

Work Wear-apple




Lastly, I created a great date night look.  I found a great wrap dress with an empire waist and a fun color-blocked detail around the bottom too.  I picked a sharp blazer to help give the appearance of more of a defined waist and a great heel to show off an apple's great legs.   I also found the perfect statement necklace to draw attention up and a fun bracelet and earrings too.
Date Night-apple




Here's a handy collage with tips for you too:




Tomorrow I'm going to share a wrap-up post with you all over all the different body types.  Make sure to come back by!



Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Radiant Orchid with Anjolee

Since Radiant Orchid has been announced as the color of the year I've been excited for spring and the chance to wear it.  Recently I was contacted by Anjolee, to share their jewelry with you.  I love statement jewelry as much as the next girl, but I LOVE my diamonds.  Anjolee has a beautiful selection, all of which you can customize. Today I'm going to show you some great looks featuring both Pantone's Color of the Year and the beautiful jewelry you can find at Anjolee.

The first look I created is for the weekend.  I loved these Diamond Stud earrings, and in fact I wear similar ones on a daily basis. I also love the ease of wearing a Diamond Pendant necklace.  I found these great ankle pants in radiant orchid and paired them with a light white shirt and denim jacket, perfect for the spring transition.

Weekend Wear




The next outfit I came up with was for girls' night!  I look forward to these great times with friends and love this blouse I came across to wear out.  I paired it with great black skinny jeans and this beautiful tuxedo jacket.  The perfect final touch is this Three Stone Pendant.

Date Night


Blouse / Blazer / Black jeans / Heels / Bracelet / Three stone pendant

The final look I came up with was for date night.  I also look forward to these great nights out with Brian and love this dress in radiant orchid I found.  I really love these Diamond Circle earrings and this Diamond Teardrop bracelet and think they'll really shine on a night out on the town. 

Date Night




This post was sponsored by Anjolee, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Polished and Put Together

Today I'm excited to share Bradamant with you.  They are an amazing clothing company who focuses on creating quality, beautiful pieces that will leave you looking put together all day.  They sent over this beautiful top, which actually happens to be a bodysuit.  The quality is phenomenal and this is truly a special piece I'm excited to add to my wardrobe.  I'm also loving this blouse for spring and this beautiful blouse that's on super sale right now.

The lovely people at Bradamant have a very special treat for you today. One lucky reader is going to get to pick ANY piece from Bradamant's collection that they would like.  Amazing, right?  Details on entering down below.










Blazer: Loft similar
Top: Bradamant c/o same 
Skirt: Express same
Bracelets: Stella and Dot same, same
Heels: Fergalicious similar

Linking up with:


a Rafflecopter giveaway