Gina Lollobrigida once asked “What’s the point of being beautiful if you have to buy your own emeralds?” and while I’m sure there’s a good answer out there, it still doesn’t change the fact that there are entirely too few people in the world who have made it their life’s mission to cover me in Bulgari.
So to tide us over until then –and in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day tomorrow– let’s have a little celebration of some seriously glam costume jewelry for the girl who finds it extremely easy to be green.
Kenneth Jay Lane Foiled Drop Earrings — this classic 80’s drop looks fresh and modern but not *shudder* ironic.
Kate Spade New York Palace of Mirrors Large Bib – life is too short for small jewelry and this proves it.
Kenneth Jay Lane Snake Cuff – Queen Victoria’s wedding band was a serpent. Cartier made them big in the belle epoque and beyond and KJL’s iterations in crystal and enamel have been iconic since the early 60’s.
Kendra Scott Sona Earrings – a little Paul Poiret, a little Edie S. What’s not to love?
Nicky Hilton Sterling Silver Bullet Earrings – I hate that these are good, but they are. I’m going to guess they’re copies of some Lalique earrings in the family vaults.
Privileged NYC Green Aqua Quartz Gold plated Branch Earrings Sweet little figurals manage to be both delicate and statement-making.
Kenneth Jay Lane Ergo Ring – Until that plover-egg emerald comes in, you could certainly console yourself with this.
Lilly Pulitzer Behind The Hedge Cuff – A little prep never hurt anyone, and you know I’m a sucker for basket weave.
Kenneth Cole New York “Urban Rock” Green Hoop With Gold Wrapping – I still maintain that Nice Girls Don’t Wear Hoops (go ahead and argue, it’s a cultural thing) but I’m awfully tempted to make an exception for these.
Whaaaaaat? Nice girls don’t wear hoops? I wear nothing BUT hoops to provide better proportion with my size.
Not that I am overly interested in being nice (or will ever change my wicked, wicked earring ways), but I do like to at least KNOW when I am being nasty, so what’s the supposed deal with hoops? Or is this a Plumcake rule rather than a commonly accepted rule?
I’m really no on board with that cuff. But everything else is lovely. And I hope somebody covers you in Bulgari soon.
Comment by Lisa from SoCal — March 16, 2011 @ 11:46 am
These pieces are effing gorgeous.
Comment by Camo — March 16, 2011 @ 11:51 am
omg! i want every piece….i need more emerald in my life, it’s my birthstone and i just look freaking fab in that shade of green. lmao, love the opening quote/paragraph of the post
Comment by vonnie — March 16, 2011 @ 12:07 pm
I’m a complete & utter bitch and I wear big fat hoop earrings 6 days out of 7. So I guess you’re right about the nice girls not wearing hoops thing. But at least I own it.
Comment by Madame Suggia — March 16, 2011 @ 1:24 pm
I love and want each piece! Why was I not blessed with independent wealth or even the ability to resist buying pretty things?
Comment by lucy — March 16, 2011 @ 2:40 pm
I gasped aloud when I opened the page just now. Such gorgeous greens!
Comment by The Accidental Tangoiste — March 16, 2011 @ 4:43 pm
I’m IN LOVE with that cuff! I wonder if it’ll fit my big wrist/arm…
Comment by Jeni — March 16, 2011 @ 6:29 pm
LOVE the bib!
Comment by Josie — March 17, 2011 @ 7:21 am
@Tangoiste: They are pretty fab aren’t they? And most of ’em aren’t too spendy either. Emerald green is my favorite color, particularly in jewels. Guys tend to propose to me a lot (not because I am so fantastic, but because I am a crazy magnet) and I always tell myself the only guy I’ll ever say yes to is the one who goes on one knee with an emerald, not a diamond.
@Jeni: The Kate Spade one? I bet it would. Usually the metal cuffs with big openings are easy to wear although it might require an inexpensive trip to the jeweler to get it adjusted.
Josie: So do I! In fact, if I didn’t have something almost exactly like it I would snatch that thing up in a hot, hot second. The great thing about bibs like that is it’s essentially a cocktail dress in a box. You put it in on and poof, the black sheath you wore to work or church or wherever magically becomes ultraglamorous evening wear.
Comment by Miss Plumcake — March 17, 2011 @ 11:11 am
@The Hoops Thing The hoops thing is a very socio-economic specific bias indicating a woman of extreme sexual availability, probably originating from some anti-immigrant/anti-Catholic sentiment and stereotypes prevalent during the Great Depression. Since hoop earrings were more prevalent culturally in and around Mediterranean countries, they became shorthand for women who were not to be trusted because they wanted to use their exotic feminine wiles and easy virtue to lure desirable, marriageable WASP men away from deserving (i.e., pale and Protestant) women. It’s interesting to note that pre-code sexpot Betty Boop, once she made the transition from dog to person, was never seen without her hoop earrings.
Most of the original bigotry faded away by the time I was informed that girls who wear hoops were easy and the sentiment had been replaced by a nebulous feeling of hoops being something associated with a lower economic class and a sort of tacky sexuality so unless you wanted people to think you were that sort of girl, or that you didn’t know enough NOT to make that rookie mistake, it was best to avoid hoops.
“Nice Girls” wear hoops all the time now, and unless they’re big and tacky I don’t really care one way or another, but old habits die hard and I’d never feel personally comfortable wearing them.
Comment by Miss Plumcake — March 17, 2011 @ 12:17 pm
Woo hoo! I’ve always wanted to use my erotic feminine wiles to get my way but have found the rest of the world remarkably uncooperative on this matter. I shall wear my hoops with my cha-cha heels and razz it up no end now.
Comment by Lisa from SoCal — March 17, 2011 @ 1:26 pm
I like to wear teeny, tiny hoops as my default “I don’t feel like putting on earrings” earrings because I can sleep in them. I can’t even sleep in tiny studs, because the backs jab into my skull. :)
Comment by wildflower — March 17, 2011 @ 6:19 pm
It’s true – all the bullshit “Day time to ultimate glam” articles that tell you to put on a bit of extra eyeliner, heels and red lippy should really just have a big picture of this next to it. WEAR ME, even with a binbag, you’ll look good to go!
Comment by Josie — March 18, 2011 @ 9:58 am
As for hoops, I believe it is possible not to look tacky wearing them if they are the “right size” for your stature, well made and blend with the rest of your outfit. A big no-no for me (and something I see too often) is gigantic skinny, cheap hoops, athletic shoes, too tight jeans and a cap. Ugh!
Comment by Lilly Munster — March 23, 2011 @ 12:04 am
Le vert jade est une de mes couleur prefere avec le cobalt ;O)
Comment by Nefertiti — March 24, 2011 @ 3:29 am