Vintage and bibs...

...make for excellent fall accessories!

So lovelies, I'm sure you've noticed certain celebs and models sporting statement piece necklaces with their otherwise simple outfits (plain t-shirts, simple dresses, etc.), much like Molly Sims (see slide show).

Imparting a cool, vintage, ladylike feel to an outfit with a lovely, bold necklace is an amazing way to stand out, be comfortable and jazz up the normally-blah-but-already-bought stuff in your closet, all at the same time. We like that!

First spied during Spring 2009, the trend is in full-force this season, with so many options and price points, you're sure to find one (or many) that are perfect for your style and budget.

Some of my faves (featured above):

Urban Outfitters Studded Bib Necklace - $48

Express Beaded and Ribbon Bib Necklace - $44.50

Forever 21 Fallen Leaves Necklace - $7.80 (seriously)

Anthropologie's Thunderstorm & Ranuncula Necklaces - $48 and $42

JCPenney/MixIt Hematite and Gold Bib Necklace - $23.99

Not a necklace, but just as cool - the J.Crew Tissue Stone Necklace Tee

And, of course, Etsy.com always comes through, with handmade and true vintage styles at incredible prices...I love love love the Vintage Vanity's Elegance Necklace, Attic Fanatic's gorgeous Ooh La La Necklace and Florabond's Seriously Racy and Romantic Bib Statement Necklace.

Think flowery, sparkly, colorful, feminine and the bigger the better. Don't you just love being a girl?

D.I.Y. time again...

As you know, I'm a huge fan of DIY projects, especially when it involves clothing or accessories. One of my favorite sites ever, BurdaStyle, an excellent on-line community/open source for people who sew "with style," continually posts new creation ideas and how-to's in addition to hosting a space for cool, creative people all over the world to share their own stuff.

This week, BurdaStyle introduced a super-easy project for a chic, eclectic accessory - the Susanne Necklace. The coiled fabric beads require no sewing at all, perfect for those new to DIY and/or too busy/excited/impatient yet still wish to be uber-fashionable.

Love the gold spandex fabric and leather cord, but there are a gazillion different possibilities for this (colors, fabrics, sizes) to make it your own or as a gift! I can already picture this seriously dressing up a t-shirt, tank or casual dress. After all, elevating existing basics is what we're all about, right?

And won't you feel cool when someone asks you where you got your necklace? It might go something like this:

Gushing Girl: "OMG! Such a great necklace! Where did you get it?"
You: "You won't believe this, but I MADE it."
Now Jealous Girl: "No way, really? You are so crazy talented/gorgeous/cool that I can never, ever compete."
You: "Oh, stop." (Insert secret grin here)

Now go roll up your sleeves and bust out your glue guns girls - fashion isn't always found at the store!

Corsets...for your ankles!

 Sorry I've been AWOL lately lovelies...much to do with school and work and more school. I promise I will be more timely with my posts a month from now when the craziness slows down a bit. For now, I'll leave you with this whimsical, kinda crazy-sexy-cool yet somehow still girly accessory...

Check out the EcoCorset Ankle Cuffs in brown suede by the etsy shop greenbelts!

The designer, Shannon Ritscher, is a Seattle artist and self-described high school art class flunkie turned accessory maven who finds inspiration in recycling items into one-of-a-kind, stand-out pieces.

They come in black too, for the brave. I kind of just love these, if you've got the moxy to wear them, don't you?

Stick your neck out...

 For a gorgeous scarf.

Next in my "efforts to look effortlessly cool" series is a fashion recommendation to all ladies - you must have at least a couple of beautiful scarves in your accessories arsenal.

The history of the scarf dates back at least as far as ancient Rome, when a linen kerchief known as a sudarium (Latin for “sweat cloth”) was used by the Romans to wipe their necks and faces. The ancient Romans developed the scarf into a diverse men's fashion accessory and the style was also quickly adopted by women. Since then, the scarf has become synonymous with women’s fashion (from Content Corral).

After visiting France a few years ago, I was struck by how nonchalantly en vogue each woman looked in a scarf, an accessory that is quintessentially French. By adding a scarf to a simple outfit and tying it just so, you can take your look from lame-o to "Oh, do I look chic? I didn't know."

I am partial to brightly colored, woven, fancy ones as well as big, shawl-like ones that can easily be turned into a hood in case of a rain shower or an ex-boyfriend. Whichever scarf you choose, experiment with how you wear it and what you wear it with.

You can get 20 more outfits out of it, I swear.

For some ideas, see Wet Seal's 7 Ways to Wear a Scarf OR Elle Girl's Wrappers Delight OR, for the more traditional, Brooks Brothers Elegant Scarf Knots.

Then get yourself a cafe du creme, a little attitude and go look French!

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P.S. For those of you interested in a little more contempo culture/food for thought, read this interesting article about the pop culturization of the keffiyeh: Scarf's Cool, But What Does It Mean? by Malcolm Venable.

The perfect fancy clutch...

While it may not be perfect for EVERY one of your outfits, the Alexis Clutch by AO3 Designs is bound to be so for most of them. I'm picturing it with a little black dress or with a tank top, dark jeans and heels... Don't you just love how accessories are multi-purpose?

In a black and white vine trellis pattern and your choice of either apple green, light blue or hot pink liner and ribbon, it would make the ultimate chic gift for a girlfriend - or yourself!

AO3 Designs specializes in designing, customizing and producing purses, handbags, clutches and accessories by hand, one at a time, in their Minnesota studio. In addition to the super-fun, huge variety of colors and styles already listed, AO3 Designs can also customize anything you fancy. For you bride-to-be's out there, they also have a custom bridal party collection!

Check out their Etsy Store or their website to purchase one of these little pieces of fanciness. The trouble is deciding on just one...