There’s no denying, when it comes to jewelry, it’s all about making a statement. Lately, the general rule of thumb for necklaces has been go big or go home. From chunky collars to long layers and even knotted chains, gaudy pieces are up for grabs everywhere. However, many forget, sometimes you make the biggest statement by saying little to nothing at all.

In a transitional month like September when the strappy sandals and micro minis are turning into platform boots and below-the-knee swingy skirts, it more than makes sense that the jewelry should follow suit. It’s also fun to juxtapose the crisp lines of seasons past with soft, simple jewelry.

When looking for the perfectly-simple, standout necklace the key isn’t to find the thinnest chain with the tiniest charms— unless, of course, that’s what you want— the trick is to let the effortless nature of the piece make the statement.

Take the Tom Binns necklace for example. The necklace consists of a long strand of crystal pearls (that means fake) and a fun 24K bottle opener (hello 22nd birthday present!). The key to the entire look is the brilliant paradox of a classy strand of pearls and a frat-boy-badge- of- honor bottle opener. There’s also a less obvious juxtaposition in pairing natural objects with man-made objects as seen in the necklace from Shop The Look.

Other fantastic simply-stated necklaces give the big ‘ol finger to the statement necklace trend. The allure of the Topshop necklace is it’s just a long gold rope, while the simplicity of the Forever21 necklace only adds to the “it’s from Forever21” shock value.

No matter your age, style or price range, with beauties like these, you’ll be noticed without having to be, and look, over the top. So, here’s to all the understated and underestimated necklaces that are just screaming to be showcased.

When I was little, I wanted to be Ariel from The Little Mermaid for Halloween, but, pardon my lack of tact, she was white. I obviously am not. As expansive as my imagination was and still is, I love my skin color and wouldn’t want change it for anything. Now, for Halloween and in life, I’d rather be anything but a Disney Princess, and I know if I want to feel like a mermaid in a magical world under the sea— pardon the pun— all I have to do is look to fashion.

For example, this Roberto di Castro ‘Coral Necklace’ looks like a deep-sea treasure found on a distant volcanic beach. With its tangle of gold, coral-like branches and whimsical hook and ring closure, Poseidon himself couldn’t have dreamed a more perfectly forged necklace.

Every girl may not be Ariel and have a plethora of singing aquatic friends, but for the right price and with a little rectangular, plastic friend you can feel like her.

I’m really starting to enjoy making jewelry for myself. I feel much better about spending money if I can say I only spent $40 and made 3 necklaces with material to spare. Actually, I did spend on $40 and I did make 3 necklaces and I do have material to spare.

These two are my favorite of the three necklaces I made over the weekend.

Keep an eye out to see how I mix these new jewels into my wardrobe.

This weekend was full of great finds and new skills. It started off with me going to a new thrift store literally around the corner from my home. It opened about a month ago, but Friday was the first time I had a chance to go in and check it out.

At said thrift store, I found two dresses— neither of which I ended up buying because of fit issues— and a gorgeous vintage cameo necklace. I thought it was going to be the find of the week, until I visited yet a consignment shop I’d been hearing about from friends.

At this shop, I found a vintage, navy, silk, polka dot Ungaro blouse for, get this, only $40. Every piece of Ungaro this shop had was priced under $100, which baffled me, but I’m smart enough not to complain because I love the label and being able to get vintage Emanuel Ungaro pieces for less than $100 makes my life.

I was so empowered by such amazing finds— it’s funny how shopping does that— I decided I was going to do what something I’ve wanted to do for a while and try my hand at making necklaces. I headed to my local craft store, got some supplies and ended up making two necklaces (at top).

As far as I’m concerned the weekend was a success, and you’ll be seeing more of all three necklaces in the future.

Until recently, I thought of Anne Taylor and Anne Taylor Loft as two stores at which I would never shop, no ifs, ands,  or buts. They were stores only my mom and grandmother liked because, I assumed, all they sold were skirt suits and knit separates.

I might have been a little quick judge.

Though, the last time I went into Anne Taylor Loft, they were having a sell on cardigans— all in pastel hues, mind you— there were quite a few non-knit items I would have purchased had I not just spent most of my money at H&M.

This encouraged me to add the Anne Taylor and Loft websites to my list of shopping sites I peruse when trying to find inspiration.

Today being one of those days, I realized not only do they constantly have snazzy, professional looking dresses and skirts, but the jewelry Anne Taylor Loft sells is à la mode too.

Take this ‘Short Mother of Pearl and Feather Statement Necklace’, for instance. Feathers are constantly on my mind, and I love finding great ways to incorporate them into my wardrobe without looking like I just robbed a peacock. The gold feather charms not only create a great tribal aesthetic, but they’re sleeker than having a necklace full of feathers. Plus, the mother of pearl beads add the chicness that only pearl can provide.

p.s Until, October 3, 2009 if you buy one piece of jewelry from Anne Taylor Loft, you get a second for 50% off.

Just days after I complained about not having images of the Anna Sheffield for Target collection, my fashion prays were answered. This pretty ribbon necklace is the first image I’ve seen from the collection, and I kind of like it. It’s not the metal-heavy lovefest that characterizes Sheffield’s Bing Bang collection, but it’s satisfying enough.

All I did was take a necklace and clasp it so it fit my head. Then, using the excess chain, create a chandelier look on one side, and keep it together using the clasp.

Shirt: Forever 21  •  Necklaces: Target  •  Belt: Vintage

There are a few of things I like that are old or at least that look older, my cheeses, my guys, and my jewelry. I have a handle on the cheese thing, and not surprisingly, I like guys that are at the very least a few years older than I am. However, buying older jewelry is quite difficult on a budget.

Most of the vintage pieces I want to buy are actually good quality because apparently they didn’t have Forever 21 back in the day. Good quality jewelry plus a little age means high prices. So, a while ago, I dusted off those wheels in my head and went through my cerebral rolodex of old looking objects I could string around my neck to give the allusion of “vintage”, but without breaking the bank.

A lot of the things I came up with were too kitschy and/or had already been brought back to the mainstream of late, meaning I could actually go to my local cheap-chic store and get a replica without the hassle of being crafty. Then, my great grandfather’s pocket watch came to mind.

As it is, the pocket watch, is lost in a dusty attic somewhere in my great grandmother’s house in Michigan, only to be found under the most unfortunate circumstances, then, given to my brother, even though I’d put it to better use…OBVIOUSLY!

I let this idea fall to the wayside, bringing it up every now and then, until I saw a piece in the August issue of Lucky about timepiece necklaces, leaving me to scream “I told you so” to the walls of an empty house.

The article was the kick in the but I needed to head to eBay, bid on two different cheapo pocket watches from Hong Kong, and win those auctions— being the only one to actually bid on them. I know they aren’t über-vintage, like my great grandfather’s pocket watch, or even slightly used for that matter, but the insinuation is all the same, and I only spent $30 for both.

Next on the list of things to work into my wardrobe, head jewels like those depicted in this painting. Maybe not…

I randomly still get the Alloy catalog that I subscribed to back in my pre-millennial heyday of Airwalks and Hanson. For time to time I get really bored and go through it. Yesterday was one such time, and oddly enough Alloy has sort of lost the skater/surfer vibe I remember it having back in “the day,” not that I’m complaining.

The vibe is fairly boho— I think I hate that term— with a splash of hipster and, is almost like a less expensive version of Free People.

Oddly enough, I found myself marking multiple pages in the catalog with intent of looking them up on Alloy.com, strange, considering the catalog itself is meant to be a medium for shopping at home.

One of the items I marked was this overly charmed, tribal style ‘Belize’ necklace ($24.50).

I’m drawn to it simply because it has a lot of stuff on it, and it sort of looks like a necklace made of crap someone randomly collected over the years. It’s really fun, and is one of those pieces you’d see on the neck of some music festivalgoer under the influence of one or more unknown opiates— an obvious inspiration of style, no?

Gorjana jewelry has designed a heart shape necklace on behalf of the United Soybean Board to help support WomenHeart, an organization aiding in the fight for women’s heart health. All $45 of the proceeds from each sterling silver necklace go directly to WomenHeart’s Heart to Heart campaign.

The necklace is simple, elegant, and gets the health heart point across. Plus, the proceeds go to a fantastic cause that has probably affected almost everyone in one way or another. It is very rare to find someone who has never been effected by heart disease directly or indirectly.

For more information or to purchase the ‘Heart to Heart’ Necklace visit the Gorjana website.

I’m in desperate need of a shopping trip, however, I seem to barely have time to wash, fold and put away the clothes I already have so new clothes would only add to the clutter. Luckily, there are two fantastic inventions that will satisfy my unhealthy need to spend money.
The first invention is something I like to call a necklace, and the other is this new fangled time saving device called a webstore.

Have you heard of them?

I thought so!

The one thing I’m really good at is putting away my jewelry when I take it off— even if I only spend pocket change on it I hate when my jewelry gets lost. Also, I haven’t purchased necklaces in a while.

After sifting through the masses of jewelry on the interweb, I think the ‘Long Bead and Chain Necklace’ and the ‘Pendant Drape Necklace’ from Arden B. will be the two latest additions to my collection of cheap cocktail jewelry.

For some reason I’m falling harder and harder for flower details and floral prints. It must be Spring Fever setting in!

P.S. I know I’ve been M.I.A., life has been beyond hectic lately. I promise there will be a full week of posts next week. I hate neglecting my awesome readers.

Over two weeks ago, I was sent an e-mail from a husband, informing me of his wife’s jewelry line called MacLaine & Mary. I thought it was really sweet of him to help spread the word, but obviously, being swapped with packing tape and cardboard boxes, readying myself to move, has sort of ruined any sort of posting order I may have had. Today, I happened to open the e-mail once more and clicked the link to the MacLaine & Mary website— I was blown away.

The company is name after, designer, Courtney Bamberger’s daughter, MacLaine, and mother, Mary. The collection consists solely of handcrafted necklaces made of gorgeous beads and vintage buttons, cameos, fabric flowers, and other sweet baubles. The necklaces are so charming and make a fantastic focal point for an outfit.

See the MacLaine & Mary catalog here, or show your love MacLaine & Mary on Facebook.

I have this dirty habit of buying extremely long necklaces, but I do have a good excuse. I’m a fiddler, so if the necklace is long, I won’t have to worry about feeling like I’m strangling myself as I nervously pull the chain. I know playing with jewelry is a bad habit, but that’s why I don’t wear rings—I’m sure I’d lose them within the first 12 hrs.

The ‘BAUBLE-ICIOUS necklace’ comes in ten different colors of textured glass pearls, and depending on the color of the glass pearls, the chain may be gold or silver. I also like how nicely these necklaces layer—considering how “in” layered necklaces happen to be. The design is very simple but still has the ability to make a strong statement, and at $110 each they better!

When it comes to fashion there are tons of things I’m afraid of: never getting the chance to wear a pair of Christian Louboutins, owning and then ruining a pair of Loubs, wearing a mini dress that is a little too mini, having platform gym shoes come back into style, bright orange fur coats, and even shorts, but one thing I definitely not scared of is a little bit of eccentricity and gauche. That’s why I’m in raptured with this necklace from Marc Jacobs.

Marc’s fall 2008 jewelry collection is primarily silver and pearl, two of my favorite things, and the over-sized pendant is not only à la mode, but the horn shape makes the pendant classic, simple, and elegant. I adore the way the cold looking silver mix with the pearl to create the perfect dichotomy of modern and vintage.

Though, I do have to say I wasn’t quite as in love with the actual collection— pastel, robe-esque coats and fluffy headbands don’t really do it for me— I do fancy almost every piece of jewelry, from the colossal necklaces to the incongruous cocktail rings.

I’m not quite sure how much this necklace costs, so I’m going to assume that its one of those ‘if you have to ask, you can’t afford it’ type of things. I do think, however, I might be able to afford one of the geometric broaches which could be parlayed into a cool hair accessory if need be.

What are your fashion fears and what jewelry trends are you looking forward to this fall?

Let’s be completely honest. The stuff all of us love buying from Forever 21 isn’t the best quality. Most of it is an exact replica of something from our favorite runways and even if it isn’t knocked-off, the clothes are sure to fall apart sooner than you want and the necklaces turn you or themselves green within a couple wears,. That, however, hasn’t stopped me from shopping there, and it definitely doesn’t keep me from loving their cheap prices and constantly updated e-commerce store. Though I am warning all that read this blog, do not to buy any metallic jewelry I highly advise you view and love this rad beaded necklace.

The ‘Zaria Beaded Necklace’ is from F21′s new shop For Love 21 (the model looks like Alicia Keys, weird!), which is currently only chock full of accessories, but I’m assuming sooner or later clothes will actually start appearing on the site too.

Beaded necklaces are the only kind of necklace I suggest buying from Forevs sheerly because there is very little metal that can tarnish. Plus, this necklace, in particular, is completely gaudy and granny’s-favorite-jewels fabulous, both traits I tend to look for in necklaces. Also some of the beads sort of look like eyes, making it a bit creepy, but again creepy in a good way!

General Rule: If you play with your necklaces, like I do, make sure to check the strength of the metal links, and if it’s a beaded necklace, check to make sure the string used to thread the beads won’t snap when yanked and tugged.

What other stores are you guilty ‘poor quality’ pleasures?