I’ve had a love affair with accessories probably since I was 1 year old, when my Mother adorned my tiny wrists with two ‘Guyanese” gold bracelets. I wore them all the time then and unbelievably wear them practically every year, typically in winter (my gold period)—lately mixing them with costume jewelry bangles for an edgier look. Talk about quality stuff (and the fact that my wrists haven’t grown much since I was a toddler!). They don’t make gold like that these days. But my emotional connection to those particular bracelets are reinforced not just because they have been the first accessories ever gifted to me but also because it was part of our family heritage in Trinidad—my little sister had her pair and my Mother would have had hers from my Grandmother. If I had a daughter or niece, she would have her pair.

This is an old photo (can’t you tell?) of me and my baby sister–I’m wearing said bangles:

Taking the whole gamut of accessories into consideration, for me personally  jewelry is where I have the strongest emotional connection and I’m most passionate about. Every piece of gold, silver diamond that has been gifted to me –and there’ve been so many!—I still own and cherish even down to my old wedding band that I’ll never wear again. All, including  the pieces I purchased myself, I showcase with pride  on my dressers in a variety of very pretty jewelry boxes that I’ve picked up along the way. The costume/funky/beaded/eclectic necklaces of which I have aplenty, I hang on tie racks from Bed Bath & Beyond and typically I rock those when I’m trying to make a really loud style statement, like this picture:

If you could see my hands in this picture I am wearing my bracelets!

If I truly want to splurge it will be for a special piece of jewelry and there was a time I rewarded major milestones with a purchase of a bangle, pendant, necklace, earring or watch. The most exciting purchases have been the unplanned ones, like when I’m at  street fair and I stroll casually to a jewelry vendor stall and fall in love with a piece that I cannot leave without. That’s the magnetism factor—when the piece calls to you. It’s spontaneous but it’s also non-negotiable. The piece calls, it’s at the right price point, sold!
If we had more time I could tell you some great stories about my favorite pieces. When you wear anything that often it becomes part of the very fabric of your experiences.

Next post, 5 more tips on accenting with accessories!

© The Image Diva, Élan Image Management, image consulting
Accessories, jewelry, style, bracelets

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