Accessorization, Part 1

I put a lot of thought into accessories, but I've realized that I could put even more thought into accessories. I'm both thrilled and terrified of that prospect.

It began when I took out my earrings last night, in order to clean them. They're simple pearl studs, my effortless go-to which you will find me wearing 9 out of every 10 days. When I woke this morning, I realized that I wasn't wearing any, and suddenly my whole outfit to go to work was going to revolve around wearing some glamorous earrings from the back of their drawer in the ol' jewelery box.

Here's an example of how a morning like this goes in the HouseStudio Apartment of Bard:

silver earrings selected
must wear shoes with silver hardware to pick up on them
no necklace to compete with the earrings
so the shirt has to have a compatible neckline for no necklace
and then my hair's gotta be worn up, right?
hmmm but the shirt doesn't really look as good with this hairstyle
and it takes more effort to re-style my hair
so let's just change shirts
well, I like this shirt, but I need straight-leg pants
or a skirt
or tan pants?
no, definitely a skirt
okay, but I definitely can't wear these flats with a skirt
oooh these shoes!
... which have a bronze buckle
well, I'll just change my earrings...
WAITAMINUTE!

So, yeah. It gets complicated, and the way my mind works when I'm getting ready is an entirely separate conversation (...for a therapist), but the gist is that accessorizing creatively - and perfectly - well, it takes work. So when I see other girls who've got it together - maybe not yesterday, maybe not always, but today? - they get major props from me.

(Speaking of which, and this also begs an entirely new post, but I've gotta ask... boys, what have you done for me lately? Hats, belts, watches, scarves... right now in this accessory-palooza, it's carte blanche for you to impress the ladies with your accessorizing style. Take a chance and play with some fun new modes of self-expression! I promise you, the ladies will notice your effort and be impressed.)

And then I happened to be checking up on some Glam reads, and I was looking at the most recent photo posted by Lauren of Ask Fashion Kitty. She looks so chic! Here's a pic:


She was talking about the purse (and... to the purse, apparently), a recent Betsey Johnson consumption. Aside from the purse, which is brassy and loud and therefore just unavoidably loveable, Lauren looks so great with her pink highlight, with her intricate chandelier earrings, with her giant cocktail ring! Even her real phone, and even the drink sitting there? In the photo, those are accessories, too. And I just love it all. Importantly, it isn't too much-- trust me, I know many a gal who would be tempted to add a bracelet or necklace there. (I may even be that girl. I mean, er, I have a friend...) But Lauren demonstrates a flair for accessories, plus a knack for editing. Very inspirational. So put together. And so not me.

To be continued with Part 2 of Accessorization....

P.S. I've got some reviews of GREAT jewelery boutiques coming up in the next few weeks - just in time for Mother's Day! So if you love accessories, stay tuned.