YOU BETCHA

I've just completed my seasonal mood board for S/S 13. Now is the perfect time of year for me to have a think/plan what I'm going to be wearing a season ahead (It's nowhere near spring in London...).


It's also pretty handy that London Fashion Week's a-going on and while I'm aware of the shows, I don't necessarily look them first. The FIRST thing I do is get my ideas down on paper (computer?) and sort out what I think is interesting at the moment. Right now, that's a combination of The Shanghai skyline, Jewels, smiles, high waisted pencil skirts, crop tops, bouncy pin curls, lipstick, Veronica Lake, Karla Deras, Bettie Page, Motel Rocks and Clothesencounters.


Since my everyday life is hugely busy, I don't have a lot of time to dress in the morning or change after work before I go out. So the options are either wear boring clothes (er, I might or might not be doing this now - depends on how much you like black I guess).

Or, I could look ahead a little. Here'sa behind-the-scenes of what I tend to do every season:

1. Make mood board - Pinterest
2. Post my fave fashion week collections (London, NYC, Paris, Milan, Stockholm)
3. Construct outfit ideas into a collection on Polyvore
4. Clean my closet and see what I've got already
5. Decide what else I need to pick up
5. Outfit of the day posts (Instagram)

Might seem like a lot of work but hey, I think it's fun and it definitely helps me to stay pulled together when I am facing a packed schedule of work, classes, more work, gym, other projects and (at some point!) a social life :)

THE NIGHT HAS ALREADY TURNED ON THAT IMPERCEPTIBLE PIVOT WHERE 2AM CHANGES TO 6AM. YOU KNOW SOMEWHERE BACK THERE, YOU SHOULD HAVE CUT YOUR LOSSES, BUT YOU RODE PAST THAT MOMENT ON A COMET TRAIL.

I like buying jewelry from museums - something about showing artistic masterpieces from around the world really pulls the gift shop selection together; I find everything to be in excellent taste. And let's face it, it's CULTURAL which helps to assuage any lingering guilt associated with gratuitous consumption. Here are some if-onlys from my favourite London museums - the V&A and the Tate Modern.

[title quote comes from 'bright lights, big city' - a novel by jay mcinerney]

[images and purchasing details can be found on tate.org.uk & vandashop.com]

BUTLER AND WILSON COSTUMER JEWELLRY

I like this bling-- as usual, I'm mostly into the earrings and necklaces. Rings and bracelets make me feel claustophobic lol.

























Lola Re xoxoxo

[images: butlerandwilson.co.uk]

Lola Loves: Forever 21

I'm extremely picky about jewelry. I usually avoid department and high street jewelry like a bad smell. However, the same goes for overly ornate and needlessly expensive accessories. I haven't exactly pinpointed what makes hot jewelry for me, but I do know that Forever 21 does it. And it's so cheap! Here are some of my current favourites:

[Images courtesy of: forever21.com]

If I bought these all, they'd probably only cost me 45USD not including shipping. That's incredible. The only thing I have to watch out for now is wanting to wear them all at once. Edit, Lola.

Lola Re xoxoxoxoxox

My Name About My Neck

[image: mitnamnhalsband.se]

I'm loving this Swedish company MittNamnHalsband (My Name Necklace). Starting from 23 pounds, you can customize a necklace with your name on it. Go for gold or silver in a variety of different carat options. Yes.

Lola Re xoxoxoxoxo

BRAND SPOTLIGHT: ABAZIAS DIAMONDS

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about jewelry; I think it’s important for women to invest in pieces that are timeless and elegant. I ran across Abazias Jewelry online, and they’ve definitely got me dreaming! I’ve picked a few of my favorites to share here with you lovely lovelies.

As an unconventional young woman, my favorite pieces are the edgy classic looks, like these Square-Cut Diamond Post Earrings. They’re so cool!!! I can see myself wearing these with strappy studded pumps, wide-leg jeans and a cuffed blazer, or with a flowing 70s evening gown by Halston or Vera Mont. You could have these forever, and they’d never go out of style! You could accessorize ANYTHING.

[image: Abazias.com]

What about these Diamond Square Hoop Earrings?!?! I’m dreaming of wearing these to work with black leggings, a black blazer, black Opening Ceremony heels and some kind of colourful scarf.

[image: abazias.com]

Next! I think this necklace is just really friggin’ incredible. I love the horseshoe design because it’s really classic but also quite unexpected. I wouldn’t get sick of wearing this, plus it would go with everything-- even pajamas (that’s right, I would accessorize my PJs with this necklace). It’s that amazing.

[image: abazias.com]

I noticed Abazias does lots of business in engagement and wedding rings; you can build your own, mixing and matching different cuts, stones, and types of gold bands. I’m not getting married, but I liked the eternity bands they listed. I can imagine getting an eternity band for myself and wearing it on my right hand! Maybe even this one; it’s got medium round cut diamonds. Wow.

[image: abazias.com]

One of the reasons I wrote about Abazias Diamonds is because the company’s got a great reputation for NOT selling conflict diamonds, or diamonds which exploit African labour and support wars. They use the Kimberly Process to make sure that their diamonds come from conflict-free zones.

I think sometimes it’s important to invest in yourself and get pieces that you’re going to love and wear for years down the road. What do you think crickets??? Aren’t the jewels luscious?!?!

Xoxoxo
Lola Re <3