by | Mar 11, 2013 | Fashion |

JTwisdom
Hello Elegant Readers, hope you are having a wonderful day! God is Good and He is good all the time.
When you wear all black; how do you add some color? Well, you can wear a scarf, jewelry, colorful shoes. But I am adding a very high style headband.

Embroidered headband
I bought this headband at a Beauty Supply store for $3.00. It looks like I paid much more for it. Sometimes I have to sort through stuff to get to the headband that really is calling my name. This one was calling my name. A headband is so simple. All I have to do is put it on. I have made flower pins and headbands from recycled stockings, but I want to start making some headbands with different sorts of material, maybe braiding.
I serve in Media Ministries at my church where we have to wear all black to remain invisible. I have to have a smidgen of color so this time I went for a colorful headband that still has some black in it.
I get compliments all the time because this headband is so unique.

by | Mar 3, 2013 | Fashion |
Hello Elegant and Lovely readers,
I recently was gifted a Susan Graver Quilted Peachskin Snap Front Jacket in the color of my choice. The colors where antique white/ black trim, black/ light khaki trim, and navy/scarlet red trim. I choose the white because it is so fresh. When I opened the package, the jacket looked sharp and reminded me of a jacket that is very reminiscent of something that Jacqueline Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn would have worn. I began contemplating how I would style it. There are no more rules anymore when it comes to white. The color can be worn all year long. I chose white because it is refreshing and makes me smile all year long.
For church I styled the quilted jacket with a Jones New York metal matte sequin tank that I purchased last year for a good deal. The outfit just clicked. The metallic with the quilting of the jacket gives it a rock edge. So cool!

JTwisdom in Susan Graver Quilted Jacket/Jones New York metal pailette tank.
To have simplicity with an edge is sheer genius in an outfit. You appear youthful without looking immature. I loved styling the jacket with the tank and color contrast of the red pumps. The necklace over the metal sequin tank was not overpowering and added depth in a good way.

JTwisdom
It was a cold snowy day when I took this picture below. I could not resist getting a picture in the park along this bridge. I took my coat off to take the picture and the jacket looked really good. The construction of the quilted jacket is structured but relaxed. Black trim is along the edges of the jacket, pockets and sleeve trim. It is put together well. White brightens your complexion and I feel it makes me look even more youthful than I already am. The size I requested in the jacket was a Small; which is giving me a looser fit. I think if I sized down to an Extra Extra Small, it would be more of a fitted look. The small is a 42 1/2 in the chest and the XXS is a 381/2 in the chest. By getting the small, the jacket could be an outer jacket also for me.

I wore the jacket to work. I was getting compliments right and left; so I knew this was a winner. Now this was a snowy cold day; but again this jacket could also be an outer jacket in the spring.

With the Susan Graver jacket, I am wearing my Lamo boots and Dooney and Bourke handbag. The outfit has been elevated to another level.
I have the same teal turquoise turtleneck, with the Susan Graver jacket that I wore to work and paired it with dark denim jeans and high heel ankle boots. This look could be for a night out with my hubby or I could wear this to church.
This Susan Graver jacket has such a cool look; but is not overdone. It rocks. It sets the stage and the actors and actresses are my gold jeweled boots and turquoise bracelets. To have an outfit that flows well gives a feeling of confidence and great satisfaction.
I had so much fun styling this jacket.

JTwisdom in Susan Graver Jacket.
The quilted jacket is so versatile whether I wore it with jeans or trousers.

Thank you to Susan Graver and her team for the opportunity to style such a well made jacket.
Stay tuned when I style the Susan Graver Quilted jacket with a skirt.

by | Feb 27, 2013 | Travels |

Snow, Rain, and Sleet. These wintertime activities lead some people to sing the blues and long for warmer days and the promise of spring. I am amazed at how many people do not really care for snow. For me, I love the sights of falling snow and my doggies playing in the snow. However, if you are one of those people who are looking for cheap holidays, you are not alone. Cheap doesn’t mean it’s not fun and memorable. You can have a great vacation and not break the bank.
Many people set their sights on warmer climates and enjoy popular destinations on a budget. Travel websites like Dealchecker are offering great getaways to many popular destinations, like The Bahamas.
Even though my hubby and I enjoy the snow, we love to visit cities and countries in various climates. The Bahamas vacation, almost two years, was a vacation to remember. When we boarded the plane for Florida, it was snowing. We were going to a completely different climate. It was 54 degrees in Missouri and 80 degrees in the Bahamas.
Seeing the clear blue ocean in Nassau is breath-taking and I recommend that everyone takes a trip to this beautiful place.

Nassau, Bahamas
In Nassau, we visited Fort Charlotte.
Our tour guide was so informative, telling us about the fort. Built in 1789, the Fort was meant to protect the island from pirate invaders. Despite the expansive size of the fort, it was never involved in any battles.
It was very interesting to go down into the Fort, seeing where soldiers were stationed.

One important point to mention. I always made sure that if I took anything out of my bag, I made sure that all my important items were put back in.
For example, our passports. That travel bag is great because it had so many different compartments. It is unisex so I or my husband could carry it.

The Bahamas also has many open air shopping. You can barter with the locals for some great deals. You can find from everything necklaces to handbags. If authentic Bahama-made gifts are important to you, make sure to ask the vendor. Another thing you can do is look at the price tags or inside the clothing piece. Sometimes you think you are getting a great souvenir, but the tag may say “Made In China”. Make sure you do your homework if having a real souvenir is the only option for you.

These pictures bring back so many joyous memories. I think that it is time for my hubby and I to think about planning another trip. Where would you like to go on your dream vacation?
by | Feb 25, 2013 | Accessories |

metro.co.uk
Downton Abbey season 3 is over and fans can’t wait for season 4 to engulf their TV. I can’t help but think about a crucial point this season, how Lady Edith was left at the altar.
She truly loved an older man, Sir Anthony Strallan, who thought deep inside and told her on many occasions that he was too old for her. Sir Anthony left her at the church with her bouquet in her hand and alone with her friends and family watching in devastation.
I often wondered what did Lady Edith do with her engagement ring? I remember her taking it off. Would she give it back? Would she go to New York and sell it?
Well, what would you do if you were Lady Edith and selling your engagement ring in New York?
Selling a diamond engagement ring can be difficult, since there are thousands of buyers out there that will try to scam you or offer you just a small percentage of what it’s really worth. If you have done lots of research, the process of selling can become a lot easier, but most commonly people have no idea as to what their diamonds are really worth. Because of this, it is best to take your precious stones to a certified local lab that specializes in grading diamonds for what they are truly worth. For example, if you’re in the Big Apple, you can sell engagement ring in NY or sell other types of jewelry: in person, or by website. If you are certain that your diamond is extremely valuable, you could also send it to an international certified lab.
The best you could do is having your diamond appraised from two or three different professionals to get a precise approximation of the diamond’s true worth. Rapaport Value is something you must consider when taking your diamond to an appraiser. The Rapaport is the wholesale value of the diamond, and it basically tells you the highest amount of money you could get from your diamond. If your diamond is not certified, think about investing in a certificate from GIA. This can be extremely helpful to get a higher price for the diamond when you decide to sell it. Remember that there are other great alternatives for getting your diamond appraised or selling it. There are online appraisers that will tell you what your diamond is really worth with great accuracy.
Now, the best option will always be selling to friends or people you know. Friends and family will usually be the ones that would give you the best price and won’t try to rip you off. However, if friends and family are not interested in buying your diamond, you could always try outside sources. We recommend staying away from pawnshops no matter what. A pawnshop will try to buy your diamonds for very small amounts of money, even as low as 10% or less. It’s also not a good idea to sell your engagement ring on consignment. There are just too many factors that can go wrong, and there are always scammers. If your diamond is of great value, you can think about auctioning it off through a certified auction house. EBay or other online auction sites are also an option, but sometimes diamonds can be difficult to sell because of their nature.
Hmmmmm….What would you or Lady Edith do?
by | Feb 18, 2013 | Accessories, Fashion |
Five Reasons Why High Heels are a Good Investment
Lets face it ladies, most of us have a love/hate relationship with high heel shoes. While some are hesitant to wear high heels because they feel they cannot walk in them, others are worried about the pain that certain designs bring. The trick is to find a designer that fits your unique feet and who uses only the best quality textiles. The material’s quality truly will make all the difference in the world when it comes to comfort.
If you are still reluctant to wear high heels, Footcandy has complied five reasons why high heels are a good investment.

1. High Heels Allow You to: Radiate Confidence
No matter how tall a woman is, when she puts on high heels it becomes all about confidence! If you’re a tall woman worried about being even taller or a short woman worried about not being tall enough, remember it’s about radiating confidence, being chic and most importantly finding a style that allows you to emanate poise. Confidence is without a doubt the ideal accessory any woman can have. So, the perfect designer that will help a woman find inner confidence is Kate Spade. Not only will one fall in love with Kate Spade’s feminine yet timeless designs but the self-assurance that will emit from your step while wearing her designs will make everyone turn their heads.

footcandyshoes.com – Kate Spade – Licorice-13
2. High Heels Allow You to: Stand Up Straight
If you are hesitant to learn how to walk in high heels, always remember that although the heel adds height, if you slouch rather than hold your shoulders back, you will waste every ounce of poise and beauty the shoe is looking to add. Keeping proper posture will not only add to the splendor of the heel but it will give you balance, assertion, conviction but most importantly, it will help align your spine. Consequently, if you are a woman who tends to slouch too much, throw on a strappy pair of high heels by Rupert Sanderson—not only are they the perfect solution to fixing your posture problem but perhaps the best part is that you will look absolutely fabulous doing so!

footcandyshoes.com – Rupert Sanderson – Ivory
3. High Heels Allow You to: Feel/Look Sexy
Putting on a pair of fabulous high heels can not only make women feel sexier but heels can also make them look sexier. Since high heels transform the body by making our calf muscles more prominent, which aids in one’s posture, and by pushing the rear and chest out, it is evident that high heels generally just make a woman’s figure far more attractive. Designer, Jimmy Choo is an incredible designer who never fails at making a woman feel/ look sexy. So if you’re looking for a fabulous pair of shoes to make you feel or look sexier, then Jimmy Choo is the designer for you!

footcandyshoes.com – Jimmy Choo – Maurice
4. High Heels Allow You to: Command Authority
When a woman puts on high heels not only does her body transform but her mannerisms change as well. Wearing the correct high heel will without a doubt allow you to command authority in the workplace. If you’re a professional woman, combine a professional suit with an office appropriate high heel, usually a pump rounded or pointed toe in a neutral color, and not only will you have an authoritative appearance but you will epitomize authority. Your colleagues and/or subordinates will definitely view you as a serious professional woman. Giuseppe Zanotti is a designer who not only makes fabulous high heels that are comfortable but his designs are perfect for any woman looking to command authority in a tough meeting!

footcandyshoes.com – Giuseppe Zanotti – I26058
5. High Heels Allow You to: Create a Complete Look
Whether you’re wearing jeans and a t-shirt, a suit, a wrap dress or a skirt with a blouse, high heels can make an outfit. High heels add a feminine touch to any ensemble and will transform an ordinary outfit into a fabulous look. What women don’t realize is that a pop of color, a pattern, a brilliant metallic or a patent glossy heel can revolutionize an ensemble. So, instead of grabbing those worn out sneakers, throw on a pair of comfortable pumps by Stuart Weitzman. Not only will this designer make you feel fabulous and transform your ordinary outfit into a complete look but Weitzman is one of the most comfy designers out there. He uses only the best quality textiles; therefore, making your feet content. If you’re looking to modernize an outfit, make sure that you look at Stuart Weitzman’s collection first because he will not disappoint!

footcandyshoes.com – Stuart Weitzman – Capsize
To purchase these high-quality investment high heels or to find more of your own, be sure to visit footcandyshoes.com
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