Category Archives: Jewelry

Lotus Love Story

I may have a few accessories. Perhaps 5 or 32 or so.  I believe I have more accessories than actual clothing items in my closet (with no sign of abatement).

One reason for this is that jewelry shopping is so much more therapeutic than clothes shopping (it’s rare that I see a fabulous pair of earrings only to discover that they aren’t available in my size).

But I digress.

On my “Wall O’Accessories” dangle so many baubles that it’s unusual to see me rocking a particular accessory multiple days in a row.

Until June, when I found it.  The lightest, daintiest little sterling silver cross pendant by Lotus.  I found it on a whirlwind lunchtime trip to 1026 SoFlo (where I also saw the most divine blue-rose-encrusted couch–stay on topic, Christina!).

At first, I simply casually observed it among other Lotus pieces, as I’m normally more of a “statement piece” type of girl (for my friends who are fashion neophytes, a statement piece is an article of jewelry so freaking huge that it borders on the obscene, and in order to avoid crossing the border, may only be paired with other pieces on the rarest of occasions when one is channeling Iris Apfel).  Nestled between a group of the Petal bangles I recognized from the February issue of Lucky and the most simply elegant black pearl threaded on a delicate chain, I kept coming back to it because I just felt a connection with it.

Lotus Cross

As I giddily proceeded to make payment for my new little treasure ($30ish–nominal for sterling), I noticed a surprising detail; the pendant is two-sided–so no matter how it flips, it always looks right (it’s the little things, isn’t it?).

Pleased that I had secured such a cute little necklace to wear on the occasional summer day with a tank top and cutoffs, I jaunted back to work.  And then proceeded to wear it every day for the next seven days. And then come back to it again and again this summer.

With a striped boatneck (usually accompanied by earrings of the aforementioned statement variety), layered with other chains above a ripped-up T-shirt and black skinny jeans for a motorcycle ride, or mixed with rice pearls for work, its flattering length and delicacy have earned it overtime in my closet for the past two months (see my post on cost-per-wear).

What does my experience prove?

a. I always advocate buying pieces you feel a connection with, even if you think, “Whatever in my closet will go with this?”  Every.  Time.  I have done this, I end up with something that I wear the heck out of.

b. You don’t have to spend a fortune to collect some really special pieces.

c. It never hurts to try a different style than you’re used to (especially at a lower price point).  You may wind up having a new favorite!

d. Get thee an (infinitely versatile) Lotus piece pronto!  If you’re in Central Florida, drop by 1026 and tell the ladies that AiS sent you; they’ll direct you straight to the honey spot! (And if you happen to pick up a blue-rose-encrusted couch while you’re there, so much the better!)

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Don’t Bike [Nearly] Naked

Bike Seat TitleI learned a valuable lesson on Friday. Apparently, I cannot “do it all,” as they say (I know–shocking, right?). My friend Beth Geohagen of BeFly Bike Tours hosted her first (of many, I hope) First Friday Fashion Show. In my excitement, and suffering under the delusion that I could, in fact, do it all, I agreed to model in the show knowing that I also wanted to highlight the event in a post.

The result? The following photos, shot from backstage at the event. Not the best of the event (find the best on BeFly’s Facebook page, and hey, like them while you’re at it, would you?).

Beth Geohagen, BeFly Bike Tours, and her mom

Beth Geohagen, BeFly Bike Tours, and her marvelous mom

A few of the goodies we got to wear during the show

A few of the goodies we got to wear during the show

Michelle Fischer-Pugh models "Bikes and Botanicals"

Michelle models “Bikes and Botanicals”

Michelle's cheery yoga-themed Electra bike

Michelle’s cheery yoga-themed Electra bike

William Shaffer sports "Lake Hopping" attire

William sports “Lake Hopping” attire

The point? You don’t have to be of the spandex-shorty-short-shorts-sporting variety to get outside and enjoy the fabulosity that is riding a bike.

In fact, you can ride your bike in any of your favorite outfits (including heels, as Beth often proves in BeFly photos)!

As I and my partners in crime William Shaffer, Allison McKee, Michelle Fischer Pugh, and Kevin Branham and Tamara Lee  showed, bikes provide the perfect transportation for exploits involving “lake hopping”, romantic rides, local museums, downtown pubs, or (for my fellow Lakelanders) a ride through Dixieland Historic District, Fort Frasier Trail, or Circle B Bar Reserve.  And thanks to Kimberly’s Recycled Art Projects, we proved that you can do it while being perfectly accessorized (we sported her jewelry made from recycled bike parts for the show and it is to. die. for.)

When "Art is in Heart", you can never go wrong with a linen scarf to keep you warm once you arrive at the museum

When “Art is in Heart”, you can never go wrong with a linen scarf to keep you warm once you arrive at the museum

I’m always excited to be part of collaborations showcasing incorporating creative style into everyday life. After all, most of our “adventures” occur in everyday life, so why not dress for them?

What’s your favorite bicycling outfit?

I ham it up for David Dickey's camera

I ham it up for David Dickey’s camera

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