Sparkle for the Holidays

It's the sparkliest time of the year.  Yes, that's been scientifically proven.  Between Christmas decorations, Hanukah candles, and holiday parties, there are more candles and twinkling during the month of December than any other time of the year.  And when you go out to for your holiday shindig - whether the office party, the charity gala, or even the neighborhood spiced cider get together - why not be part of that sparkle?

In my small arsenal, two of my favorite things for party glitzing is a super sparkly, multi-chain necklace a friend of mine convinced me to buy (oh, the arm twisting!) and a pair of high-heel red shoes.  (Side note - every girl should own a great pair of red shoes, right?  I'm sure that's in the girly handbook.)

For more ideas for all your holiday parties to come, I turned to my friend Robyn, owner and designer of SydneyAustin Designs, hand-made custom jewelry.  

How to Accessorize for Your Holiday Parties

Scene: Formal Holiday Dinner Party

Go for Old Hollywood glamour! Think Great Gatsby! Anything that sparkles. Try a pair of long crystal or rhinestone earrings, jeweled headband or perhaps strands of pearls accented with a big sparkly brooch. Here is your opportunity to wear that statement necklace that you bought and you had no idea where/when you would wear it, but it was on sale and everyone has a statement necklace. 

Scene: Holiday Cocktails/Appetizers Party 

One statement/conversation piece will do here. A big chunky cocktail ring, colorful festive dangle earrings or rhinestone bangle bracelet. 

Scene:  Secret Santa/Ornament Exchange Holiday Luncheon

More casual but still festive. A pretty pair of gemstone hoop earrings. Try a rhinestone barrette in your hair. Several gold chain necklaces of various lengths with a great pendant. Lastly, add a crystal brooch to jazz up a plain blazer or cardigan. 

  

Where to buy Holiday Jewelry

1. SydneyAustin Designs on Etsy

2. Bauble Bar - online retailer with great statement necklaces

3. Charming Charlie - lots of jewelry at a reasonable price

4. DIY - make your own holiday jewelry. There are lots of tutorials on Pinterest and YouTube! 

Have fun!! Robyn 

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#GivingTuesday - What Shall I Give?

I caught on to the idea of #GivingTuesday too late last year - maybe on Monday, still full on sweet potato pie and lazy from hanging around the house all weekend.

Having missed it in it's inaugural year, I was excited a couple weeks ago when I got an invitation to be a social media ambassador for this movement to encourage people to give back to their community.  After we enjoy the turkey, spend all our money on Black Friday, over the weekend, and on Cyber Monday, what's there to do next?  Give!  Now that I'm in it, I'll be honest with you and say I need to think of what my giving will be.

Don't get me wrong. I volunteer and donate to my community all year long. Whether through the PTA or my church or alumni association or sorority, or just helping the kids gather cans for the local canned food drive, I try to do my part.  But for this #GivingTuesday, it should be something specific, right? Something on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

While I think, you can check out more about it on the website - #GivingTuesday. If you decide to participate, let me know in the comments below.  Or if you have a suggestion for me, tell me that below, too!

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