Once When I Was
my interwebs:
Here is where I share my fashion and beauty inspiration, my daily life as a fashion stylist and personal style blog. I have a major obsession for accessories and love discovering new designers.
Photos all mine unless credited otherwise. If you see a photo and it is not credited please let me know the source so I can fix it. Thanks!
Links
Here is my Evil Eye round up on Well RoundedNY
For as long as I can remember my Nana Kitty, a Brit by way of Russia, has uttered the Yiddish phrase “kennahara,” roughly translated to “No Evil Eyes On You,” while tapping my head. Spanning from cultures as diverse as Ancient Greece, Sanskrit and Japan, this famed amulet represents the sentiment of blocking the stink-eye. And now it turns out one of the oldest talisman to ever be adorned is in vogue again. Here are some stylish ways to watch your back and ward off negativity.
New mantra from @lustcovetdesire say YesYesYes! #beopen #magic #goodpeople #givethanks #nyfw (at Pig and Khao)
These lady-like Rory buckle pumps from Sole Society are going to look smashing with a pair of rolled up denim and a blazer.
Here is a holiday gift from me to you! For a limited time you can shop for jewelry from Raven + Lily and use my gift code, RALJENNIFER for a 25% off discount.
Not only are the pieces from Raven + Lily special and unique, they come with a great back story. Raven + Lily are creating new pieces of jewelry that are full of life and history. Each necklace, earrings or bracelet is handmade from melted bullet casings and recycled metals (brass, silver, copper) by HIV-positive women in Ethiopia. Raven + Lily uses proceeds of sales to fund healthcare and literacy programs for women and children in this community.
I am wearing the tassel earrings designed by Tiffany Kunz and this is a piece from The Ethiopia Collection. I love knowing that when I am wearing these earrings there is a positive outcome created out of what was once a piece of metal with such negative purposes.
I’m excited to share today’s Once When I Wore post because it allows me to help you help others. Just by shopping for holiday gifts! When Raven + Lily approached me to share my favorite picks for their holiday gift guide I was more than happy to lend a hand. We all know I love accessories. Not only are the pieces from Raven + Lily special and unique, they come with a great back story.
Raven + Lily are creating new pieces of jewelry that are full of life and history. The stories that come with each unique necklace, earrings or bracelets are way beyond what I could dream up. The tassel earrings I am wearing are designed by Tiffany Kunz and handmade from melted bullet casings and recycled metals (brass, silver, copper) by HIV-positive women in Ethiopia. This is a piece from The Ethiopia Collection which, in addition to providing sustainable economic opportunities, Raven + Lily uses proceeds to fund healthcare and literacy programs for women and children in this community. I love knowing that when I am wearing these earrings there is a positive outcome created out of what was once a piece of metal with such negative purposes.
Here comes the part where you come in… for the next 2 weeks you can use my gift code, RALJENNIFER for a 25% off discount. Everybody wins! You buy a gift, you get a discount and proceeds still get to the women who make the jewelry to get healthcare funding for their community.
Shopping, guilt free.
Are they rocks? Is it wood? Some sort of gemstones? I don’t know! What I do know is that I can’t stop thinking about these rings I tried on by Lydia Marcos during LA market week.
It’s raining in LA today which somehow makes me happy. I like the changes in the weather. It must be that I spent the first half of my life in forever summer-lands of Venice Beach, Houston and South Florida. Memories are all blurred together with no way of knowing when something happened other than if I was in school or not.
Anyways, my point is that it is raining and that makes me want to get into a cozy knit. I visited the FW12 preview of the Italian label Hache and wanted to keep all of the super soft sweaters to wear and don a spotted fedora while eating bread drenched in olive oil sitting by a fireplace. It’s my daydream, you can join me or not.
The turtleneck poncho is here!
Maybe the cropped ribbed is more your style.
Ohhh, look who is back. Matsuda Eyewear was super popular in the 80’s and early 90’s and it is perfect timing for a major comeback. The Luxury Japanese eyewear brand teamed up with director Chris Greco to create a dreamy and conceptual video for the new collection.
As for the new collection, I am especially into style 2808H from the Heritage Collection. Made with premium Japanese acetate and engraved sterling silver in a matte grey tortoise, it is so classic and chic. If I could wear round frames I would be all over the M1005 from the Sun Collection.
Follow Matsuda’s tumblr here!
5 boys collection @fallingwhistles doing good things in the #accessories games (at www.OnceWhenIWas.tumblr.com)
I am a big believer in the power of charms and hidden messages. In God We Trust understands it as well. Since the beginning of the brand’s inception Shana has been etching out hearts with phrases like “let’s make out”, “balls to the wall” and “in it to win it”. It’s like being in a secret club, whenever I have run into another girl with a carved heart in the wobbly scrawl on her neck I know I am meeting a kindred spirit.
In it to win it.
Really f*ckin cute.
Balls to the wall.
Cage cuff.
Pippa cuff.
There is something that feels so warrior woman to me about these pieces from Lillian Crowe’s Silk Road collection. It could be the arrowheads. Or that the pyramids make me think about Cleopatra. Whatever the imagery is that spins in my brain when I try these talisman on it is empowering. Isn’t that the one of the best things about jewelry?
Top to Bottom, L to R:
Pyramid Necklace.
Arrowhead Necklace.
Arrowhead Rings.
Pyramid Ring.
Bones and Feathers
Here I go again, rambling on about another jewelry designer. But that’s ok, that’s what I am here for, right. (Please say yes, to validate my blogging existence.) If I see it and I love it; why wouldn’t I share it? Meet Bones and Feathers.
I got a chance to view the Spring ‘13 collection (in the blue boxes) that has an art deco influenced but balanced with an earthy sensibility filled with arrowheads and cosmic geometric patterns.
The Fall ‘12 pieces are a bit more literal to the brand name with vertebrae and bone castings and are available on their site. A major statement piece is the snake bone necklace. I especially loved the blue cylinder pieces with rattlesnake vertebrae bracelet (top left).
I was also pleased to hear that the jewelry is all made in LA. Since moving here from NY, I have to say, it is really refreshing to meet so many designers that are producing here in the US.
I got the chance to visit my pals @OBEYGiant last week. Of course there was a ton of cool art everywhere but naturally I was drawn to the jewelry. Did you know OBEY Clothing has edgy and bohemian styles to channel your inner Stevie Nicks? No, well, now you do. That pyramid ring is even on sale right now.
It’s in the details. Get the look: @nomianyc blouse @lulu_frost earrings @robynbrooksny stingray clutch on OnceWnenIWas (Taken with Instagram at www.oncewheniwas.tumblr.com)
Hot House Flower fall fashion editorial I styled on FOAM. Click links to get the goodies.
Sleeveless Silk Shirt in Fuchsia by NOMIA
Ascona brown coat by Iris von Arnim
Siren Stud earrings by Lulu Frost
Blondie Brooch by Delphine-Charlotte Parmentier
Trebol Ring by Andréa Candela
Caroline Stingray Clutch by Robyn Brooks New York
Want the full look? Visit OnceWhenIWas to shop @lulu_frost @robynbrooks @paulsmithdesign @xobetseyjohnson for amazing #accessories (Taken with Instagram at www.oncewheniwas.tumblr.com)
Hot House Flower fall fashion editorial I styled on FOAM. Click links for where to buy or websites.
Milos Dress in Blue by H. Fredriksson
Yellow Scarf worn as belt by Paul Smith Accessories
Aphrodite Collage Necklace by Lulu Frost
Spot On Clutch by Betsey Johnson
Meng Polished Stingray Large Circle Ring by Robyn Brooks New York
Lulu Python Hinge Bangle by Robyn Brooks New York
