Orange - The 'It' Shade

Orange is such a vibrant, dynamic and happy color, but people either love to wear it or say they can't wear it when it comes to clothing, but they are more willing to enjoy it many other ways ~ such as eating, cooking with oranges or while they enhance their homes with the tropical scent from lotions, candles and that will transport them to the tropics! A big bowl of oranges also looks great on the kitchen table in a beautiful bowl especially in a contrasting shade; two of my favorite color combination's for this are royal blue or a lime green! The color contrast is lively and oh so much fun! Dream a little dream...



The hues of orange are quite varied and cheerful. The shades range from bright to muted ~ think of these colors of orange, tangerine, mango, peach, cantaloupe, coral, crystal copper, cognac, pumpkin. Go for orange if you want to step out in a brightly colored day dress. Each will look a little better on certain hair and skin tones. The most universally flattering bold color, it has warmth and comes in countless shades. For those with light hair, skin and eyes, go for a sunny cantaloupe. Brunettes with brown eyes and olive complexions, try a mango. For darker complexions, a deep tangerine is your best bet. (InStyle, What to Wear Now, October 2010)






With so many shades of orange you can put together many ensembles from your closet. As we head into fall and winter, orange is a perfect color choice to pair with a classics palette of camel, beige, winter white, navy and grey. Talk about brightening up a dull day and your mood will be elevated! Turquoise and fuchsia look great when combined with all of the shades listed above, although some may think it's more on the summer tropical side. Mango and fuchsia is a fun color combination to wear together - looks fabulous with denim! Add turquoise earrings and voila! you're good to go! I love both of those combos paired together and wear them all year round! Lately, many shades of orange and coral have been seen in more winter fabrics so these hues can be enjoyed all year. A soft purple hue is also very complimentary to orange without coming across to forced.

Have fun and try a shade of orange that makes you smile ~ maybe in a unusual pair of earrings, unique necklace or bracelet, belt or purse and even in your home decor with that vibrant bowl of oranges or even treat yourself to a bouquet of orange flowers! You'll be radiant!

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 Styles

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"!