Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

Let's get right into it: I have a new obsession. I'm almost 98% positive it started on Etsy, as many of my bauble obsessions do. The sparkle and luminescence of Herkimer diamonds caught my eye a few months back, and I haven't gotten over them since. 

Herkimer diamonds are gorgeous crystals that are only found in the mines of Herkimer, New York. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are often used in rings and earrings in their double terminated, pointier shape. Since they are usually much cheaper than actual diamonds, but still stunning, I took it upon myself to seek them out wherever possible, and eventually, acquire some of my own. So far I own a couple of Herk rings, one I bought on Etsy, and one I fought for with another bidder on Ebay (both rings are sterling, yet under $30 each).

I bought a few drilled ones and made knuckle rings and bracelets; check them out in my shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TresLexi

 If you haven't discovered these little beauties yet, you're in for a treat!

Rings 'n Things

As an accessories addict, it's hard for me to miss the latest trends in jewelry. 

For the past year or so, midi rings (aka "over the knuckle rings") have been a huge trend in the fashion world. Believe it or not, I was a fan of this particular look before it was a trend. 

I bought my first midi ring while I was in college, from a woman who was selling sterling silver jewelry on campus under a tent near the student center. I fell in love with the many designs she had, and eventually settled on a ring with a zig-zag pattern, and one with a squarish up and down "U" pattern. She came over to me with a tiny Ankh ring and showed me how awesome it looked perched just above the middle knuckle of my left ring finger. I was instantly enamored. Finally a ring that I could wear on even my knobbiest of fingers!

Since then, I've purchased a few other little rings, most of them from etsy. I've gotten a few sterling rings for around $10 each. (Check out Kriya's adorable pieces; she creates each ring, so you can get whatever size you want.)

With so many options to choose from, I can see why this look has been so big. I can't wait to see what jewelry trends become big this Spring.

Spring Cleaning

It's been almost a year! As usual, I got so caught up in everything else, I neglected my writing. Even my journal is looking kind of dusty.

Anywho... I'm sick of Winter. Sooooo through. I'm tired of wearing a pair of socks on top of my sweater tights, tired of squinting in the wind, tired of dreading every little errand that I have to run out in the cold.

Needless to say, my shopping habits haven't changed much; they've just shifted. Instead of making my monthly runs to Georgetown or the huge Forever 21 on F street or Pentagon City, I've been looking high and low for the things I want online. 

Etsy has been getting a portion of almost every paycheck for the past few months. Ever since I got my second earlobe piercing, I have been scouring sites, looking for cool mismatched earring studs. I'm always excited for a new excuse to buy jewelry!

Guess who's back...

It's been forever. To be fair, i pretty much live at the office, and i haven't been on my laptop much since it was pretty much useless. My Dell laptop, that is. Since I got an iPhone in November and a MacBook Pro for Christmas, I can finally have an internet-based social life outside of Twitter again.

I blame the less than stellar weather and my obsession with accessories for my sudden addiction to internet shopping. In the past week, i've purchased 2 rings, a bracelet, a necklace, and a few charms (to go on a chain of my choosing). Giles & Brother, Miansai, Etsy, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Shopbop... *drools*

"Where does it end?" you may ask. I uh... really don't know. That Christmas bonus my boss gave me really didn't help...

P.S. Follow me on Instagram (@ouiouilexiaussi). Most of the stuff I buy will prob end up on there, since a third of my pics are fashion-related, lol

A New Chapter

So I'm finally getting my own place. Never mind that it is in my parents' basement; it will be renovated and will have my own entrance and I will be paying rent, so it will be MY place. Teehee! I'm so excited that I don't even care that my wallet will be much emptier. I already have a huge flatscreen tv, an entertainment center, and a dinette set, so now I'm starting to focus more on the decor. And it's going to be amazing.



I'm going for a natural, apothecary theme, so I've been looking for fun storage solutions, as well as quirky, organic-looking pieces to accent my bedroom and living room. So far I've found a couple things that I had to have and am waiting impatiently to brag about at my housewarming soiree...





One of these display domes (sans flower)... still don't know what I'm gonna put under it yet...! - UO





Laboratory Flower Vases - Urban Outfitters

White Window Wall Frame (clothespins + gridwork = genius) - Pier 1

Feel free to toss ideas my way. Where to shop? DIY decorating tips?

Meet my new bag

Yes indeed. I went a little crazy (ok, a lot crazy) and got an Alexander Wang bag.



But in my defense,

a.) I neeeeeeeded a grey bag because grey is my comfort color of choice. While many say, "Hmmm... I wonder if they have this in black?" when they pick up a tee or skirt or whathaveyou, I ask if they have it in GREY.

b.) I had to have silver hardware. (I am super matchy matchy with jewelry metals/purse hardware). I dunno why Marc Jacobs insisted upon using gold hardware on 85% of his bags, and thus, I was led astray... and into Mr. Wang's arms.

c.) I have been in love with this bag for MONTHSSSSSS.

d.) I didn't pay full retail. And yes, it was brand new, tags attached, dustbag ncluded. Thank you, eBay :)
e.) You only live once. And I want to live with this bag in my got-dayum hand... kthanksbye! (Let's just call it an early birthday present, shall we?)




I'm already planning fall outfits with it; I feel at peace knowing I can wear this bag with every frikkin thing; it can be dressed up or down.

I heart... asymmetrical stuff.

Every time I see an asymmetric, drapey piece of clothing, I stop in my tracks. There's just something so artfully whimsical about a tank top with a hem that dangles a tad longer on one side. A dress that is much longer in the back. It speaks to me...

So it was pretty darn awesome that I found a Cheap Monday skirt in Urban Outfitters that gave my heart a little squeeze. It was more awesome still, that it was the last friggin one, in my size, and had been in the store for so long, (and without a sales tag at that) that they had to give it a random price -oh, say... ten bucks?!- and sell it to your truly!

I wore it today with a striped, loose crop top from American Apparel, and my black patent Sam Edelman Gigi sandals. Needless to say, my bf liked my outfit ;)