New Pandora Charm!

Life Saver Charm!

Didn't know Bloomie's carried my new obsesh.  And if it's good enough for Bloomingdale's, well it must be straight up legit.   Besides, packages always seem to arrive to my doorstep in two days when I order from my fav department store of all time:). This one is actually two tone with gold but you can't see it since it's at the top of the charm.  This one retails for $45.  It's a good weight too - pretty heavy actually.  All SS with that bit of yellow gold on top.  It feels and looks like quality... just what I expect from Pandora.  I looked on the eBay market for charms but since I'm new to this hobby, I can't tell the difference between a fake or a real.  Besides, you don't save all that much and I'd rather the peace of mind it's authentic and pay a few dollars more then to always wonder...

I do adore this charm so much.  I love the detailing.  It's just beautiful work.  This is not a cheap hobby, but whenever I get a new charm I'm just so happy and excited to wear it!  And I just love how you can wear as many or as few as you like to suit your mood and style for the day.  Truth: I use to be on camp hate Pandora.  Not gonna lie.  But it was ignorance.  I just thought it was cheap materials and workmanship.  Wrong.  So wrong.  After it was explained to me by one of my obsessed friends, I too became obsessed and a lover of Pandora jewelry.  I guess you're suppose to wait for your loved ones to buy you charms or something maybe... but I just love picking the one I want rather than waiting around.. impatient.  Besides, it's super fun!  For Christmas I'm definitely gonna ask my fiancé for something Pandora over something from Tiffany (relax ladies... I'm just talking about Tiffany silver.  Afterall we still have this wedding gig we have to do in January!)  I'm asking for a necklace with the bow charm (appropriately named Perfect Gift).  It's uber cute!  I must have it!  I was thinking about the Tiffany bow necklace, but I don't like the design as much as the Pandora one.    

Xo

Rolling Outta Bed and Not Looking the Part?

Cuddleduds are a must for winter!

My new sets for winter 2014.  I love the material and comfort, of course.  But the style!  Looks like yoga wear or just casual fleece but the wrap top that you can wear over any top makes it look like you can wear it, well, anyWHERE!  So now it doesn't look like pajamas ... although they are kinda.  You can wear them to bed no doubt but also to run errands, walk the dog, go to the market and still look decent.  Only 19.98 a set at Walmart too!  They are sold out online but you can get select sizes in store.  I was able to get my size before they sold out in the black and grey stripe as well as the all grey set.  A definite update on my sweat pant and top outfit!   Keeps you super warm but it's so comfy it makes me feel kinda lazy all day when I wear them:(

My Year-Round Tree!

First Version - super creepy blue peacock!

I wasn't super happy with all pink and blue.  It felt like it was missing a lot.  All ornaments were initially purchased at Target but I made my way to Walmart to check out their holiday cheer...

Ohhhh this little fella!

And WHO is this cuteness?!?!  I can't.  

Cupcakes?  I could not resist.

The finished product  (for now!)

Ohhhh this is the tree I wanted in 2008.  Well, a larger version of it.  Sadly it was vetoed by le fiancé:(.  Sometimes he sure can be a kill joy.  Anyways...this year I wanted to put up a tiny tree upstairs in the guest room.  Before he could say no, I made the  4 ft. number mine.  Thanks eBay!   I learned the hard way:  sometimes it's better to not ask and just do!  

It's petite and pink and super fun.  Styling this little tree was so fun too.  Initially I wanted all blue ornaments.  Didn't look as good as I had hoped so I decided to add some green and fuchsia to the mix.  Voila!  I love our little tree!  I do want to add more green so I'm hoping to score some cute things on sale post Christmas!     And the kill joy from the first paragraph actually likes the little pink Christmas tree and wants to move it downstairs.  I know, right?!

It's a Charmed Life!

Gorgeous Porgeous and all mine!

My first two-tone bracelet!

Stacked with a Kate Spade bow bracelet in a rose gold tone - pretteeeeeeee!

I've been obsessed with these mixed metal bracelets for awhile now.   This one is from Pandora!  Also my first piece from this line.  Although I had heard about Pandora, I wasn't initially sold.  I loved the emotional commerce aspect of this company - tell your story in a bracelet - but I just felt maybe it was too trendy.  But I kept thinking about it.  I walked past a tiny Pandora store a few weeks ago and there was an insane line.  I picked up a brochure just to see what the hubbub was all about.  When I got home I looked through their thick book of tricks, I knew I had to get one with my next paycheck.  I really don't care if it's trendy because there are so many cute charms.  Gahhhhh!  And all my friends who have them are obsessed and have told me the quality is really nice.  Okay, sold.  And the charms aren't all shaped like balls (which is all I've seen advertised) and you don't have to fill your chain up to the max either.  Although I can appreciate that look, right now anyways, I want something a bit more subtle.  

So it was payday.  Heck, like most of us, this is one hardworking girl... and it is freakin' treat myself Friday afterall!   Why not?  I was so excited to stand in line for 15 minutes (which is totally weird since I'm pretty impatient!) and i literally was like a kid in a candy store when it was my turn to finally get inside this tiny shop!  I knew what I wanted but the sales lady showed me other charms as well.  I loved the chain of the bracelet.  I think that is what changed my mind about Pandora.  Sterling siver and thick.  Of course I  went with the heart as my first charm that matched the tone of the clasp. I told the lady I just wanted to wear it out and that's exactly what I did.  I probably will only wear a few charms at a time - as I just like it to look a bit more understated and to actually see the beautiful chain.  But I like the idea tha if I change my mind, I can totally load this baby up!!  I just love the two tone... did I mention that yet?! 

This is sterling silver with the clasp and heart charm part of the recently launched Rose Collection (the pink hue comes from a mix of silver, copper, and gold).  Still pricey but not as cray cray as the Pandora gold line.   A tad more than the pure sterling silver collection.  Love this in-between option.  And it was even more beautiful in person than in the catalog.  It actually just arrived at the local Pandora store about a month ago.  The lady told me they are starting to sell out for the holiday so I'm super happy I was able to get my hands on my very own.  She did tell me that they do have a free bracelet with any $100 purchase or more, but I think I will die waiting until March.  The only thing that is super annoying is that they don't have many charms available in the rose tone.  Most of them have CZ too - which I have yet to become a fan of ... but never say never.  Pandora has a funny way of changing your mind!

So if you are looking for some new jewelry to cheer up your day, check out Pandora.  Although I always knew you could personalize the jewelry, little did I know that the quality is amazing.  They have a one year warranty as well.  I was actually looking for two-tone jewelry on Etsy.  But what held me back was that I couldn't hold it and feel the materials used.  And what return policy?  Should I invest in something that is 70 or 80 bucks and only have it break a few months later?  And that's what led me to look at Pandora.  I like how I can choose SS charms, rose gold, and pop a bit of gold ones in there (or maybe never as those charms are over 300 a piece!)  So much fun!   Truth - these bracelets can get super pricey.  But it's nice how you can build it whenever you feel like it (or can afford it or someone gifts you a beautiful charm!)  it feels like you are paying it off in installments (so your pocket book isn't hit all at once!)  I like how I can reward myself with a new charm during different stages in life or if I just need a pick me up!  Most likely I'll stick to no more than 8 or 9 charms at a time when I'm wearing it out since I like to see the chain of the bracelet.  It's just so beautiful even on its own.  I hope Pandora expands their Rose Collection and soon because each time I put this on my wrist and hear that click... this ordinary girl suddenly feels not so ordinary anymore... just like glass slippers:)

Xo