Best necklace for your neckline

Tips for choosing the best necklace length for your shirt's neckline.

Oh harmony.... beautiful jewelry harmony.  A good combination between your necklace and your shirt or dress's neckline can bring beautiful harmony to your wardrobe.  Choosing the right necklace length for your outfit not only compliments your ensemble, but can also flatter your neck, collar bones and bust.

Here are 4 basic tips for choosing the best necklace length:

1. Higher necklines need larger or longer necklaces.

2. Collared necklines need narrower or shorter necklaces.

3. Open necklines need a necklace that covers the exposed area.

4. Embellished necklines are gorgeous on their own and are best paired with cute earrings and bracelets.

Here is a great visual cheat sheet for pairing a great necklace length with your neckline!  Paparazzi Accessories has tons of different necklace shapes, lengths and styles to match every neckline and personal style!

But hey - rules are meant to be broken.  My rule of thumb is wear what makes you feel good and happy!!!!  

How to care for your fashion jewelry

Tips on how to take care of your fashion jewelry:

All jewelry, including Paparazzi jewelry, is susceptible to tarnishing.  The air, chemicals in soaps, body chemistry, etc are all tarnish-culprits. Here are a few tips to keep your jewelry looking great for a long time!

• Jewelry should go on as the final step of dressing, after using products such as soap, lotion, perfume and hair spray which can potentially damage your jewelry’s finish.
• Fashion jewelry is not crafted to withstand excessive use or abuse, so it should always be removed when performing yard work, cleaning, showering, swimming, and participating in sports activities. Remove rings before washing hands or dishes and handling detergent, bleach, alcohol, and cleansers.
• When jewelry is not in use, store each item individually away from steamy places such as showers and sinks to help ensure they stay dry. 
• To combat high humidity, placing a piece of chalk in your jewelry box(es) will help to absorb moisture.

 With proper care, your fine fashion jewelry will offer years of enjoyment and beauty.

Jewelry turning fingers green

A few people have asked me if Paparazzi Rings will turn their fingers green.  The answer isn't so much about the jewelry itself, but a person's body pH or the substances used by the person.  All Paparazzi jewelry is lead and nickel free (nickel being a common green-finger 'culprit').  But for more of an explanation.... I like this information below:

Question: Why Do Rings Turn Your Finger Green?

Have you ever had a ring turn your finger green or wondered why some people say rings turn their fingers green? The reason this happens is because of the metal content of the ring and the individual person. Here's a look at what's happening.

Answer: When a ring turns your finger green it's either because of a chemical reaction between acids in your skin and the metal of the ring or a reaction between another substance on your hand, such as a lotion, and the metal of the ring.

There are several metals that oxidize or react with your skin to produce a discoloration. You can get a noticeable green ring around your finger from wearing a ring made using copper. Some rings are pure copper, while others have a plating of another metal over copper or the copper may be part of the alloy (e.g., Sterling silver). The common green color is not harmful of itself, though some people experience an itchy rash or other sensitivity reaction to the metal and may wish to avoid exposure to the metal.

A common culprit is silver, which is found in sterling silver jewelry, plating for inexpensive jewelry, and as an alloying metal in most gold jewelry. Acids cause the silver to oxidize, which produces tarnish. The tarnish can leave a dark ring on your finger.

If you are sensitive to metals, you may see a discoloration from wearing a ring containing nickel, though most likely this will be a red ring and may be associated with inflammation.  PAPARAZZI JEWELRY IS LEAD AND NICKEL FREE!

How to Avoid Getting a Green Finger from a Ring

Even silver and gold jewelry can produce a discoloration, so advice for avoiding a green finger isn't as simple as just avoiding inexpensive jewelry.

You'll greatly reduce the chance of any ring turning your finger green if you take care to keep soap, lotions and other chemicals away from your ring. Remove your rings before bathing or swimming, especially in saltwater.

Some people apply a polymer coating to their rings to act as a barrier between their skin and the metal of the ring. Nail polish is one option. Be aware you'll need to reapply the coating from time to time, since it will wear away.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/jewelrychemistry/f/Why-Do-Rings-Turn-Your-Finger-Green.htm

What does your favorite color say about you?

Do you know what your favorite color says about you?  Check out these color “character traits” and see if they describe you at all!

If your favorite color is RED: You are impulsive, quick to speak your mind, have a need to be well informed and involved, passionately believe that life is meant to be happy and exciting, and you have a desire to experience the fullness of living.

If your favorite color is ORANGE: You are adventurous, good-natured, make sure work and play are done with intensity, you are social, friendly, and an agreeable individual that has a need for challenges.

If your favorite color is YELLOW: You have a yearning for the new and modern, you look forward to the future, are inclined to be highly imaginative, curious and creative, have a cheerful disposition that uses logic to create new ideas.

If your favorite color is GREEN: You are one of stability, balance and persistence, have a tendency to be frank, moral and sensitive to social etiquette, have a deep need to belong, to be loved and to feel safe.

If your favorite color is BLUE: You have a need for a calm, harmonious and peaceful existence, are capable, conservative, trusting and confident, have a highly developed sense of responsibility, and are sensitive and trustworthy.

If your favorite color is PURPLE: You believe that you are set apart and unique from others, are creative, glamorous, sensitive and observant, always looking for beauty, are typically highly artistic, with a desire to help others in need.

If your favorite color is PINK: You are an affectionate and concerned individual, offering love, attention and nurturing to those in need, are romantic and wrap yourself in world of dreams, are gentle and serene with a deep need to be loved.

If your favorite color is BROWN: You are conscientious, dependable and steady, with a character of reliability, duty and responsibility, have a desire to remain in control, place value on honesty and home, and have a strong need for security.

If your favorite color is BLACK: You are conventional, conservative, serious, sophisticated and dignified, and are inclined to conceal your real feelings and emotions from others.

If your favorite color is WHITE: You prefer simplicity, seeks perfection, searches for happiness, is inclined to be a bit critical, strives for the best, and is independent and self-reliant.

If your favorite color is GRAY: You are the middle of the road type, cool, composed, and reliable and tend to conform to keep the peace.

Wearing jewelry on scarves

The Fall means.... A new school year is starting, the leaves are starting to change colors, but most importantly, SCARF SEASON is upon us!!!!  Woo hoo! I love scarves.  I love heavy, keep-you-snug-as-a-bug scarves and I love fun, light and airy scarves. This is my first Fall season loving, wearing and selling Paparazzi.  I am so excited to be able to mix two of my fashion loves together this year!  I wanted to share with you, just a few of the ways I've found to combine them already. Here are some great ways to Glam up your scarves this season!

Adding a cuff bracelet Paparazzi's Urban Collection has a great selection of leather cuff bracelets.  Made from flexible materials and using adjustable snaps to accommodate different wrist sizes, these leather cuffs are an adorable addition to a scarf.  Using a basic scarf wrap (scarf around the neck with both ends in the front), I attached a cuff around the neck cowl and one of the ends to add a cute touch to the simple look. Even my daughter Adrianna wanted to show off the style!

Using a ring as scarf jewelry Scarf jewelry pendants are a popular trend these days.  Unfortunately the pendants can be a little pricey.  I recreated the same look by adding an adjustable band ring to my scarf!  Using the same simple scarf wrap as above, I created a fun new look!  I threaded the scarf through the ring band and centered it in the middle of the scarf.  But it could be worn in numerous different areas of the scarf for a cute affect!

Make a scarf tie using a ring Using an adjustable band ring, you can create a super simple and chic tie look!  Putting both ends of the scarf through the ring, it adds a little pizaz to your outfit. I played around with moving the ring higher and lower on the scarf and it made for a fun new scarf accessory!

Wrapping a necklace into your scarf I love necklaces and I love scarves!  Unfortunately your scarf typically covers up any necklace you are wearing.  Now I've found a fun way to include them both!  I used a long necklace and a simple half-fold scarf technique (fold your scarf in half and drape around your neck.  Take the two ends which should be next to each other, and slip them through the loop in the scarf).  Loving this fun new style for the season!

These are just a few of the fun new ways I've started glamming up my scarves!  Excited to continue to play around and find fun new ways to accessorize this Fall!

Color trends for Fall

Color trends for the Fall I love the changing colors of Fall... both outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest - as well as indoors in the cute fashions that I see. Pantone, the global authority on color, has made their predictions about the Fall colors coming out in 2013.  I love the richness of these! Green seems to be the front runner.   From deep mossy greens to a yellow-based Linden green.  They are also predicting Emerald, Acai purple, Mykonos blue, Samba red and Vivicious pink. Gorgeous, right?!?!  I'm excited to see all these colors walking down the street this year!  Plus, excited that these colors are ALREADY showing themselves in Paparazzi's Fall line!

What colors look best on your skin's undertone

Learn what jewelry colors look best with your skin's undertone!Learning whether you are a cool or a warm can help you learn what colors look best on you!  


We all know that some colors look better on us then others.  Do you know which ones?


There is a simple 'test' you can take to figure out your skin's undertone.  Look at the veins in your forearms while in the sunlight.  If your veins are blue or purple, you have cool undertones.  If your veins are yellow or olive green, you have warm undertones.  If your veins are both blue and green, you have neutral undertones.

Now that you know which undertone your skin has, below is a list of colors that look best with each type!

COOL UNDERTONES
Those with cool undertones look best in richer colors from the "cool" side of the color wheel.  Blues, purples, greens and gray are most flattering.

WARM UNDERTONES

Those with warm undertones look best in earthier colors.  Reds, oranges, yellows and browns are most complimentary.


NEUTRAL UNDERTONES
Thankfully black doesn't have a preference for undertones.  All skin types look GREAT in black!  If you have neutral undertones, count yourself as super blessed and enjoy every color of the rainbow!



But of course.... rules were meant to be broken!

No matter your skin tone, if you find a jewelry piece you love, then by all means, wear it with pride!  That's one of the amazing joys of Paparazzi.  For only $5, you can have fun, try new things and see what really makes you feel beYOUtiful!

Breast Cancer Awareness month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As a way to support the important research going on for Breast Cancer, I will be donating $1 for every Pink item purchased throughout the month. 

I will be ordering new inventory this week and will create a Facebook Photo Album showcasing all my pink inventory when I receive it. $1 of each Pink item will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 91% of their donations go to research and awareness. So stay tuned! 
If you are looking to sport your Pink Pride this month, consider purchasing some $5 Paparazzi!

Fun Alternative Uses for Your Jewelry

Jewelry can do more than just brighten up an outfit.  Some simple tricks can totally transform how certain pieces of jewelry get worn. Check out these fun alternative uses for jewelry, that I got from other bloggers...

USE A HAIR CLIP OR BROOCH TO SHORTEN DRESS STRAPS

Extra long spaghetti straps on a dress?  Use a hair clip with a pin or a brooch to cinch the straps together in the back.  This technique pulls the bodice up a bit, making the dress more fitted.

USE A NECKLACE AS A BELT

If you have a very durable necklace that has no clasps, you can double the strand, feed a ribbon through the loops and tie the ribbon behind you.  Now you have a new fashionable belt!

USE BRACELETS TO DETRACT FROM SHORT SLEEVES

If you have a shirt or jacket where the sleeves are just a smidge too short, don’t throw it out!  Use matching bracelets on each wrist to fill in that empty wrist space!

USE A SAFETY PIN TO SHORTEN A NECKLACE

Use a safety pin by passing the point through one of the chain links of a necklace.  Use the safety pin as the ending jump ring, by attaching the necklace clasp to it!

USE A HAIR CLIP OR BROOCH TO TIGHTEN A BLAZER

If you have a blazer or cardigan that needs a better fit, you can use a hair clip with a pin or a brooch, to cinch in the waist!  Putting the hair clip or brooch in the back works great! Great idea for on-the-go tailoring!

USE A BRACELET TO LENGTHEN A NECKLACE

Any bracelet with a clip closure that fastens securely can be used to lengthen a necklace. Clip the bracelet clasp to the small ring of the necklace, and then attach the small ring of the bracelet to the necklace clasp. Now your necklace is several inches longer. 

USE A HAIR CLIP ON A NECKLACE

Add another 'pop' to your necklace by adding a hair clip to it!  Either right up below your shoulder or adding it to the bottom of the necklace, a hair clip secured by the alligator clip will add versatility to your necklace.

USE ONE NECKLACE TO DOUBLE UP ANOTHER

If you’ve got a clasp-less necklace is too long, try using a clasped necklace to double up the other. Fold the clasp-less necklace in half, thread the clasped necklace through the folds, close the clasp, and voila!  Now you are wearing a double-stranded necklace.

USE HAIR CLIPS ON THE TOPS OF SHOES

Have some shoes that need a little something extra?  Using the alligator clips on matching hair clips, attach them to the top of the shoes for a new fun and cute look!

USE A RING AS A CUTE PONY TAIL ACCESSORY

After putting in your pony tail, wrap a stretchy band ring around it for an extra cute touch!

Some photos and information courtesy of http://www.alreadypretty.com/2010/03/alternate-uses-for-jewelry.html