What Shall I Wear Today?

Good-bye summer, hello autumn!

Yes, today is the first official day of fall 2010! Here in Denver, we have been graced with a fabulous Indian Summer so far this September, as I am sure many other locales have been as well. (I am personally loving every minute of it!) This is also the time of the year when we are tired of the summer clothes as they are a tad lightweight in feel and look for the cooler morning temps - yet perfect for the rest of the day, but we are also ready to wear what we've already purchased for fall, maybe at FASHION'S NIGHT OUT a few days ago?

"What shall I wear today" is the age old question - nothing short of putting our mornings into a tailspin! I agree, but I have a few of my own "never fail" outfits that are always right, every day, place and occasion! When I am faced with running late, outfits not looking right for whatever reason, I head to my black and white combos! Whether it be in a printed black and white dress or separates they are always right! In spring and summer, they may be more white jeans, cream pants or skirts on the bottom with black sweaters, blazers, embellished T's on top. For fall, pair these with a animal print belt, flats or purse and look perfect. Depending on where you're heading that day, you can dress this ever chic classic combo with the appropriate accessories and maybe a burst of color if you wish. Voila! You're good to go! Recently, many women must've had the same "what shall I wear today?" dilemma, as I was having a trunk show and saw 10 ladies all in black and white combos of all kinds and every lady looked tres chic!


Recently, I have fallen in love with another classic combo that gets me out the door fast this fall and again is always perfect for whatever event or occasion I am heading off to. Camel shades have been making their presence seen and it looks great!



Camel isn't the boring color from years past...when worn with denim..it's trendy and sleek, when paired with a punch of orange or red, it's tres chic, with black, grey or navy, it becomes classic and fabulous or even when a hint of leopard spots appear in your shoes, belts, purses, scarves... it's just spot on!

If when wearing the camel shade next to your face, isn't the best color for you, wear the camel on the bottom and put the more vibrant color near your face! Remember that too many spots can be overload so choose one leopard or other animal print at a time. Try the newer lightweight and updated denims with a tailored camel trouser, long necklaces and your favorite arm candy for a trendy look. Punch up the tailored camel coats and capes with fabulous printed scarves and gloves for additional color and warmth.

As the autumn turns into winter, both of these color combos will have you and me dressed and out the door in no time!

Happy Autumn!

ENCHANTMENT -- Summer Fashion Market

The Elegant Bead is participating in a summer fashion market, ENCHANTMENT that features local designers from the metro Denver, Colorado area.

July 11th, 2010
Grant-Humphreys Mansion
770 Pennsylvania Street
Denver, CO 80203
$5.00 admission

Extravagant unions of fashion and history with stylish local looks captivate the season as Fashion Denver and the Grant Humphreys Mansion present the summer fashion market ENCHANTMENT on Sunday, July 11 from 10am to 4pm at 770 Pennsylvania Street. A beautiful landmark from the Colorado past, the Grant-Humphreys historic mansion serves as the ideal backdrop for jewelry, accessories, and clothing offered by talented local designers.

Proceeds from the $5 admission fee will help support the educational school field trip programs of the Grant-Humphreys Mansion and the Byers-Evans House Museum.

Exquisite jewelry, fun vibrant tutus, stylish handbags, and more will fill the mansion for all fashion devotees. As three, Parisian-style fashion shows wind their way through the many rooms of the mansion during the day, fashion and history will allure guest with fresh contemporary fashions for the season. Fashion Denver’s neighbor, Studio, will be adorning the models with elegant hairstyles while Sarah Bee creates radiance with her makeup talent.






Here's a sneak peak of a new necklace design! I am excited to participate in ENCHANTMENT and hope to see you there!

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations to all graduates!

May and June are graduation months, whether it be from high school or college. I am experiencing this first hand as my son will graduate next week from high school with many hard earned accolades! Although is this is an exciting time for all, it does pose a dilemma for many people as to gift-giving. My advice is if you're going to give jewelry (always welcomed!) this is the best time to start these young ingenues with a stunning wardrobe of jewelry from TheElegantBead.com that she can build upon.

Pearls (June birthstone) are so chic that they are often the gift of choice. I have featured styles of pearls in prior posts, but there are so many choices of pearls that you can't go wrong in choosing between earrings, necklace or bracelet. They will take the wearer to looking great in a T-shirt/ jeans - to work - to a date! They are the epitome of chic - any day and any time!




Not sure of the recepient's favorite color? Shades of blue, in crystals, or iolite, turquoise, amazonite, blue labradorite, aquamarine and pearls are favorites as they coordinate with all shades of denim that is such a staple in all wardobes.



For the more fashion forward young lady, you can go with a hint of Bollywood for pizazz with these gold vermeil chandeliers with Austrian crystals and green pearls. You'd be amazed at what these shades look great with!


Necklace lovers...this is the best layering piece! Labradorite has flashes of iridescence of color with every turn and this necklace is accented with turquoise, but labradorite is a stone that accents every color it's put with. Absolutley goregous alone but looks great when layered for a truly unique look.


These are some ideas to get your jewelry wardobe started or even updated. Many other styles are available to collect all year long and keep you looking tres chic! Jewelry is a great and an afforable way to update your look without breaking the bank and can give you many looks from a few key pieces!

Congratulations to all graduates!
"may you shine and sparkle!"

LBD's - Anything But Boring!

My parents were going to be celebrating their 50th Anniversary! Monumental occasion - Congrats to the lucky couple! Time to celebrate with cherished family and friends with a fabulous and special party planned - Now the great dilemma starts -
'what shall I wear?'

I decided to spend an evening shopping in my closet and trying on many different ideas of ensembles. As one of the hostesses I wanted to look special. I came across an older matching black skirt and top with lots of texture and decided that what was I looked best in, although a bit short on the length of the top. The next day,I proceeded to hunt down black satin ribbon to add to the bottom of the top for length and additional texture and tweak the neckline a tad. The outcome was stunning and I felt like I had a new outfit! I added a burst of color by layering my jewelry with turquoise, Austrian crystals, aquamarine and sterling chain. They give a pretty contrast against the black.

There were many versions of the Little Black Dress (LBD)worn at the party. (No, it wasn't a black tie affair)...just classic elegance at it's finest. A few guests opted for a black and white classic combo - always crisp and right at any age. Color peeked thru with shades of red, blue and green as well. The variety of styles
(ruffles, sequins, polka dots, textures, belted) were refreshing and interesting to see how all ages accessorized their LBD's. The guests wore pearls in both classic and chunky styles, gold chains, diamond stud earrings, hand blown beads and more. Even my father wore a black suit that was accent with a classic striped white/ black tie! My mother was tres chic in a black mesh loose cardi and tank set that she embellished with long matte bronze chains offset with a stunning vintage pin for a dramatic effect. They made a stunning grand entrance!

With so many styles of the Little Black Dress and multiple ways to embellish them they are an asset to anyone's closet! LBD's are anything but boring!

Jewelry Wardrobe

Recently, while I was planning a long weekend away, I was in a quandary of what jewelry to bring. The weekend plans were going to be casual spending time with family and visiting college campuses with my son. As usual, my typical packing frenzy mode ensued, my jewelry was the last to be packed. I was trying to streamline my jewelry choices with my traveling "jewelry wardrobe". I will always carry my jewelry in my travel bag or purse, not my suitcase so it doesn't get lost!

My traveling "jewelry wardrobe" consists of my favorite hoops, either gold vermeil or sterling silver, one other dangle earring, five bracelets all to mix and match as I like to wear three bracelets at a time; two necklaces with one being longer and one being shorter to create two different looks by layering! All of the pieces that I brought with me coordinated with all of my casual outfits to give bursts of unexpected color and texture while looking chic!

TheElegantBead.com recommends these pieces of jewelry to create a versatile "jewelry wardrobe" for all your occasions and events whether they are for work, stay-at-home moms, girls night out, date night, prom, bridal and every occasion in between!

~Hoops, sterling silver and gold, in two sizes, either with or without dangles ~Shorter elegant yet casual pair of earrings, either post or elegant wire, pearls, stunning stone, or crystals
~Bracelets of all varieties to "Layer, Stack and Mix" for more versatility
~Necklaces that can be worn layered or alone
~Statement necklace

We already have the basics for our individual jewelry wardrobe so spend some time to "Layer, Stack, and Mix" with what you already have and then let TheElegantBead.com help you create the missing pieces in your "jewelry wardrobe!"

Classics With Panache Pictures

Here are some stunning styles with pearls, crystals and turquoise that are all being currently featured in TheElegantBead.com collections!

Pearls with textured black chain that can be worn long or doubled.

Austrian crystals and turquoise - an unexpected stunning combination!

Champagne pearls with a delicate sterling chain that can be worn long, doubled or tripled for a choker look.

Classics With Panache

Fashion icon Coco Chanel was really on to something when she started to layer pearls upon pearls with her outfits more than 60 years ago.

The classic white pearl has evolved over the years with a variety of ensembles and styles, from the long pearls worn in the flapper era, to pearl chokers worn by Donna Reed of "Father Knows Best" and the sweater twinset of the 1950's, to the preppy Fair Isle sweaters of the 1970's- 1980's, to the "Tin Cup" movie style of the 1990's to today. Pearls are ever so chic on everyone from the ingenue to the bride. Pearls also look chic when worn with a T-shirt and jeans! Throw on a blazer or great jacket, pair with a scarf and you're good to go -- anywhere! *When wearing a scarf make sure that your necklaces are longer so they can be seen.*

Today, you see pearls in all lengths and worn with every outfit and for every occasion! Pearls are available in both natural and dyed shades and many shapes are available.

When you layer your pearl necklaces with your other necklaces that have different materials such as crystals, turquoise, chains - think "edgy" (sterling, gold vermeil, bronze or black chain). It will add variety to your wardrobe and depth while giving you a unique look that you can vary all the time. www.TheElegantBead.com designs a versatile necklace that can be worn three ways:
long, doubled or tripled to a choker length. These necklaces look great when mixed with labradorite that adds a flash of iridescence, crystals that add sparkle, turquoise that is chic, amazonite that is gorgeous when mixed with bronze pearls,and so much more! A great look is a "Tin Cup" style necklace worn with a longer necklace doubled or tripled into a choker.

A favorite combination of mine is pearls and turquoise! Yes, you did read right - pearls and turquoise! Opposites attract, right? The pearls, smooth, full of luster and texture, iridescence, look stunning when mixed with turquoise in any shade of blue to green to yellow whether the turquoise is faceted, rough, polished or nuggets. Turquoise looks great when worn with the tropical colors like, orange, yellow, green and fuchsia as well as a POP! of color with navy, brown, gray, black and crisp white.

Pearls and turquoise - a jewelry wardrobe "must-have"!