Archive for Body Jewelry
Budget Accessorizing -Halloween Costumes of Your Favorite Movie Characters: Harry Potter
Posted by: | CommentsIf you’re anything like me, you might feel like you’ve been in the middle of Harry Potter mania for the past few years, and maybe you’re considering going as your favorite character for Halloween now that the series is finally complete. Character jewelry replicas and pendants based on the movies have gotten very expensive though; way too expensive for a one time use as part of a Halloween costume. So instead of paying up to four times as much, why not go for budget fakes and save some serious green?
To go as Harry Potter:
Our title character doesn’t really wear a lot of jewelry, but there are a few things that can make a slightly lackluster costume really pop. For example, you could wear a necklace that looks like either a snitch or a philosopher’s stone. Both of these items are normally fairly pricey (running for up to 75 Euro ((just under$100)) ) but you can get your hands on a budget fake for around fifteen bucks. Just look at these philosopher’s stone type necklaces, all under $14.99.
To go as Hermione:
There are a couple things that will let everyone know you’re dressed as Hermione, (even if you can’t get your hair to fluff up quite right): a faux time turner necklace, or a pair of pink posy earrings. Both can be snatched up for about half the price if you choose pieces that give the overall look and shape instead of an exact replica.
To go as a member of Slytherin House:
The easy way to accessorize is with a snake ring. Affordable and unmistakable. Or if you want to go for house colors, just grab a colored enamel band.
General Potterisms:
When going as a generalized character or adding interest to an existing costume, there are some relatively inexpensive accessory options that will bring the fantasy world to life. Things like phoenixes, owls, lightening bolts, and magic hats.
Now you’re good to go at a fraction of the cost.
Budget Accessorizing -Halloween Costumes of Your Favorite Movie Characters: Twilight
Posted by: | CommentsSo you’re looking to dress up as a character from your favorite movie for Halloween, but there either aren’t any of the crucial accessories available on the market, or there are and they’re just amazingly expensive. Well never fear, because over the next few weeks I’ll show you some amazing deals on jewelry that completes the look of your favorite characters from popular movies. This week, we start with Twilight.
Bella:
To fake Bella’s style, the thing that will really make her character come alive for you is the jewelry. There are a few items to choose from that her character is constantly seen wearing and here they are:
Her turquoise bracelet
There are several replicas out there that can get pretty pricey, but to cut out the cost, your best option is to just go for faux turquoise and stick to a similar shape, like this bracelet has. At just $17.99 it’s a major steal, and a great way to get the same feel for a lower price.
Her charm bracelet
Instead of paying full price for a replica, you can make your own fairly easily for about half the cost. Just check out this combo. The belly ring is around seven dollars and the necklace is made with real Swarovski crystal and runs just $15.99. Throw the wolf charm onto the chain and wrap it around your wrist twice. Voila! Budget Bella charm bracelet.
Her engagement ring
This is probably the easiest to get a cheaper version of if you know where to look. Just look for an oval costume ring like this one; only $14.99.
Alice:
The piece of jewelry that represents Alice is her choker necklace, and it’s incredibly easy to make one yourself. All you’ll need is a length of ribbon and a charm, brooch, or even a ring to connect the ends. Since Alice’s pendant is circular and bears her family crest, a ring like this one is an ideal stand in.
The Volturi:
Many of the volturi characters wear gold jewelry with their own v-shaped crest on it like the piece seen on Jane. To fake it you’ll just need a faux gold chain with a similar shape and style pendant. Because of the v-like shape and floral elements, a fleur de lis is the perfect budget alternative.
Edward:
Like most of the male Cullen characters, lead vampire Edward doesn’t wear a lot of accessories, but the one thing that sets his character apart is the leather braclet we see him in that has a silver family crest on it. Luckily there is a great a way to cut spending for this item in half by adopting a good fake. This one, for example, looks almost just like it and is only $19.99. Sweet deal, huh?
Join me next week for more budget accessorizing for costumes of your favorite movie characters. Happy bargain hunting!
TGIF – a Tribute to the Fashion of the Weekend
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It’s almost here. The long-awaited weekend. For anyone who’s in college or even high school, or who works at a job that’s less than friendly towards visible tattooing and piercings, the weekend is the time when we can really let loose. It’s the time when all of our favorite jewelry comes out, our tattoos show off, and our interestingly colored hair can be let down. So in the spirit of uniqueness and knowing how to have a good time, here it is: a tribute to the artful fashion of the weekend.
Weekend chic isn’t just a fabulous phrase anymore, it’s an actual phenomena that’s sweeping the world of alternative fashion. Even popular culture is influencing the trend, with singers like Rihanna and Katy Perry spitting out weekend anthems like wild fire, and crazy punk and club brands turning out everything from glow in the dark hoodies to purposely destroyed stockings. It sure is a wonderful time to be a pierced goth, punk, or alternative chick.
screen shots from Rihanna’s “Cheers” and Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night (TGIF)”
So how do you pull together a hot party look for whatever your weekend entails? I personally start with glow, animal print, snake skin (faux of course), glitter, or neon, and then let the mood take me.
Just check out the hot new brand of snake skin. Perfect for the club, and with some added shimmer and a dose of hot color. Absolutely fabulous.
And glitter, for it’s part, has been through some serious changes since the 90′s, and we’re loving every minute of it. Galactic looking shimmer is definitely a favorite, more modern, and less clunky way to bling. As the popular phrasing goes, “sparkle, sparkle.”
So here’s to the weekend, preserver of our sanity, purveyor of partying down, and unflinching guardian of a little thing we like to call “fun.” TGI (seriously!) F.
Comic Book Geek Chic and National Comic Book Day
Posted by: | CommentsFor those who don’t know, yesterday, September 25th, was National Comic Book Day. With the rash of comic superheroes being brought to the big screen in recent years, it’s definitely no surprise that it’s become fashionable and chic to be a comic book geek. Of those movies surrounding comic book heroes in the past decade we have the Spiderman franchise, the Fantastic Four series, the Incredible Hulk, the Matrix Trilogy, the X-Men movies (now numbering five), Hellboy and its sequel, the new Batman flicks, Ghost Rider, Iron Man (which also has a follow-up), Watchmen, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, remakes of the Punisher, and the less than stellar Daredevil. And that’s not to include lesser well known comic book hero spin-offs (like Elektra and Catwoman) and those originals based around the more generalized super hero mythology, like Hancock and My Super Ex-Girlfriend.
Released in 2011 were Green Lantern, Captain America, Thor, and the Green Hornet respectively, and whispers of the upcoming for 2012 include more from Spiderman, Superman, and the Dark Knight, along with introductions to Green Arrow, the Avengers, Silver Surfer, and possible film appearances from Wonder Woman and the Flash.
So now that super heroes are a super fashion “do,” what’s a comic book lover to wear? The answer is just about anything you want! Along with the rising trend of hero and heroinedom comes the availability of super sweet character-based clothing and jewelry. Just check out some of those who have taken the leap:
from left: Thor’s Hammer necklace, Punisher ear plugs, and Superman pierced earrings
Pretty super, huh?
Fall Trend Report – Hottest Body Jewelry Trends for Autumn
Posted by: | CommentsWith Fall looming just 24 hours away, it’s hard to be psyched about the impending cold weather. But there’s one thing that’ll always be cause for Autumn celebration: hot new Fall Fashion. So without further ado, here it is: the Fall fashion trends body jewelry overview. Enjoy!
Trend #1: Hot Color
From hair, to clothes, jewelry, and even lingerie, super-saturated brights are super in for Fall. Just take a cue from Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj. Best body jewelry bet: keeping it simple with solid, vivid acrylics. Love that pink!
Trend #2: Animal Print
This isn’t your mama’s same awkward 80′s animal print. New and interesting faux skins are becoming a huge trend this cold season, and snake skin, monochrome spots, and new takes on zebra are all at the forefront of this update on animal.
Trend #3 Chain, chain, chain
Multiple layers of chains are absolutely everywhere, and add interest and shimmer without being blindingly blingy. Best body jewelry bet: for added interest blend chain styles and add subtle gem accents but stay away from uber-bling to avoid overdoing it.
Trend #4 Retro Rockabilly
Retro tattoo art, styles, and motifs continue their rise to the top, bringing a sweet and flirty vintage feel to heavier Fall layers. For a look at the Rockabilly style in particular, just copycat Dita Von Teese’s vivid colors, retro patterns, and antiqued jewels.
Trend #5 Naturally Neutral
Flesh tones, subdued pastels, and ultra-neutral bronzes and taupes are the hot ticket for looking pulled together and polished for fabulous Fall occassions. Even as an unpierced celebrity, Kristen Stewart recently rocked this trend to perfection with a nude dress covered in sequins. Best body jewelry bets: go for simple shapes and muted tones that are slightly off shade with your skin. Trés chic.
Trend Update – Belly Button Piercing in Comic Book Cosplay
Posted by: | CommentsFor those of you who may not recognize the term “cosplay,” essentially it means playing a favorite comic book hero in costume, like dressing up as Wonder Woman to go to a comic book convention. The comic book trend has reached an all time high in the past decade, with higher turnouts at local conventions, and more comic book hero movies coming to the big screen than ever before (the Spiderman franchise, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men series, Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, and Green Lantern, just to name a few).
But the most impressive trend tied to super heros and comic book heroins for the pierced in the amazing rise in cosplay. Character photography is everywhere, costumes are now readily available, as well as fabrics for designing custom creations, and there are even entire shops in areas of Japan dedicated solely to character play and costume.
For those of us with belly piercings, the amazing addition of a spectacular navel ring is the finishing touch to our favorite costume. Recently the most popular styles have come to include stars for many female characters.
Also picking up speed are rich looking cascade design belly rings (those that have elongated chandelier dangles that form an oblong or diamond shape.)
And lets not forget the advent of blended bright colors, which really adds that little something extra to a simple character ensemble.
With so many amazing and blingy, hero worthy belly rings out there, it seems there’s no excuse for not getting into the cosplay spirit, even if it is just for Halloween.
Traditional Meets Modern – Jewelry Celebration for Oktoberfest
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s time again for one of the best festivals of the year. No, I’m not talking about Burning Man or Coachella Music Festival. I’m talking about the first holiday of Autumn, and arguably the coolest for those legally of age: Oktoberfest.
This year’s Oktoberfest will begin on September 17th and run until October 3rd. The festival usually culminates on the first Sunday of October, but due to new laws passed in a reunited Germany, when first Sunday is the 2nd of the month, the holiday closes on the 3rd, which is German Unity Day. The real Oktoberfest is held in Bavaria (specifically, in the Theresienwiese, a field near the town center in Munich) and includes special Bavarian beer, traditional German food and delicacies, and folk music. Other Oktoberfest celebrations will be held worldwide in imitation of the original festival, and will run for the same or similar duration celebrating German heritage, the fall harvest, and of course, beer.
Whether of German descent or not, Oktoberfest is a holiday that demands friends, fun, and flamboyant celebration. All manner of buttons, shirts, belt buckles, necklaces, and other jewelry are common party wear when attending Oktoberfest events, and should be worn with pride for the duration of this awesome 17 day affair.
And who could forget, the newcomer to the Oktoberfest accessory line-up: the belly ring. This item has become popular festival fare in the United States in particular, as local beer companies bring out beautiful young piercees in their Bavarian attire to join in the festival for a modern update on time-honored traditional fun.
From 1810 to the present day, Oktoberfest has evolved, but retained it’s folk appeal and focus. So get your Bavarian beer steins ready, throw on your lederhosen, and prepare for the knödel, because this time of year is truly a time to celebrate. O’ zapft is!
Jewelry for a Fashionable Future – Celebrating Fortune Cookie Day
Posted by: | CommentsTomorrow is National Fortune Cookie Day, and we’re ready to celebrate! And what’s the best way to celebrate the illustrious life and times of one of the world’s favorite cookies? Okay, the second best way (eating it would definitely come first): by paying homage to our fave Chinese treat with some sweet Chinese style.
Chinese character jewelry is still a big trend for fall, along with silk mandarin style tops and dresses, and splashes of ethereal Chinese red. For an easy way to rock your red, all you need is to pucker up, or to throw on some cool red jewelry.
As for the Chinese characters, embracing the color of the moment is a sure way to go. Just look at all of the gorgeous pink kanji jewelry out there right now.
And the last Chinese jewelry trend we’ll look at: applying modern materials to the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. Media like lucite, Austrian crystal, titanium, acrylics, and natural material including carved stone, bone, or horn are a hot ticket right now.
So throw on your Chinese slippers, brake out the lo mein, and crack open a delectable batch of your favorite wise and wicked snack. Happy Fortune Cookie Day.
A Very Beary Holiday – Jewelry for National Teddy Bear Day
Posted by: | CommentsTomorrow is National Teddy Bear Day, and for everyone out there, whether pierced or not, I have just one question: who doesn’t love a good teddy bear?
As fashion has proved through various means, teensy plush teddies are not just the stuff of babies‘ rooms and fanciful tea party frocks, they’re also a standing symbol of comfort and cool in adulthood for young and old alike. After all, when even prominent ladies mainstay designer Chanel comes out with a temptingly comfy, teddy splashed garment, it seems to be time to pay attention.
And as she so aptly proved on the cover of the Asos April 2009 magazine issue, even Lady Gaga goes gaga for teddy bears.
More recently these stuffed snugglies have branched out their appeal into jewelry, as the availability of teddy earrings, necklaces, and belly rings continues to rise in all of it’s cutest glory.
Just check out some of these sweet little picks:
So whether you’re seventeen or seventy, take a snuggle tomorrow in celebration, and don’t forget your favorite fuzzy friend, the teddy bear.
New Health Craze – Facial Piercings?!
Posted by: | CommentsIn a country like the United States where health, weight management, and holistic medicine are a booming national industry, it’s usually easy to spot the next big thing. But what if the next big thing is already a “big thing” in it’s own right? That right, I’m talking about facial piercings. We all know that facial piercings look great, allow for a variety of changing looks, and conform to a cultural standard that’s setting them apart more and more every day, but did you ever think that your piercings could become a healthy living choice? Well, the answer already being given by some pierced persons out there might just surprise and enlighten you.
There are actually cultures around the world that have promoted piercings of certain parts of the human face as a health tool for years. Amongst the most common instance is traditional Indian medicine called “Ayurveda,” which states that piercing of the female nose is believed to improve feminine health. This goes for everything from reproductive health, to the natural glow attained from healthy skin and the ability to rear children. And India isn’t the only face piercing culture in the know; other ancient and traditional forms of Eastern medicine also show how piercings of certain points on the face are believed to aid skin health and whole body well being, like acupuncture.
The idea behind acupuncture is that the insertion of a needle into certain pressure points on the body, or “acupressure points” will effect overall health or even illness in a positive way by realigning the body’s energy force or “qi” (pronounced chee). Many of these points can be found on the face, neck, and even the ears and are touted as helpful in everything from decreasing headaches, to softening wrinkles, to helping you quit smoking.
Although modern medicine has yet to fully embrace these ideas, it’s interesting to think that when studying a chart of acupressure points, some of the placements accepted by the general professions of acupuncture and acupressure massage will be startlingly familiar to those in the piercing community. Some you might recognize? The exact points on the face where you would expect to see a labret piercing, medusa piercing, tragus piercing, or a set of dahlia bites (piercings at each corner of the mouth).
Although there’s no proof that piercing any specific spot on the body has a direct link to your health or can cure any kind of pain, countries like India, China, and Peru continue to pierce in their traditional fashions as per the belief systems that they’ve held for centuries. And while the United States may be slightly behind the curve in terms of cultural meaning for this type of piercing, one day soon you may find an alternative therapist in your area asking, “have you ever considered what a nose piercing could do for your health?” It looks like facial piercings’ future may be healthy indeed.