Jewelry Fashion In Different Decades, Part 2

This is my second part of Jewelry Fashion In Different Decades, if you haven´t read already the first part, you can simply click here to read it.

This time I will write more about 70´s, 80´s and 90´s jewelry fashion. I´ve been 80´s child so I remember some jewelry and of course 90´s jewelry is in more better in my memory because back in 90´s I was close to teenage age.

Jewelry Fashion in 70´s

70´s fashion style and jewelry
Top row: 3rd jewelry can be purchase at my Etsy shop: BlueBellJewelry
Top row´s Gold Peace sign necklace can be purchase at FjeldDesign

Disco dancing 70´s gave us a fabulous new wardrobe full of color, texture and retro patterns. Do you remember jumpsuits, fringe jackets, flared pants, maxi dresses or retro T-shirts?

70´s jewelry continued the gold trend with gold chain belts and necklaces, vintage tassel necklaces, and long bead necklaces. On the disco dance floor, gold was essential. Bone and ivory were carved into bracelets, earrings and necklaces.

In 1970´s colors were bright and bold. Colorful, large patterns were used in the decor and clothing. The most popular colors of the 70´s were mustard yellow, various shades of brown, blue and olive green. Homemade and tuned items were also popular.

• Gold jewelry
• Peace sign necklace
• Flower and floral jewelry
• Ethnic jewelry
• Tassel earrings
• Tassel necklaces
• Tassel bracelets
• Feather earrings
• Statement necklaces
• Fabric jewelry
• Wooden jewelry
• Sequin jewelry

Jewelry Fashion in 80´s

80´s fashion style and jewelry

I was born in 1980´s so I can remember few jewelry that I owned back then. I remember having plastic electric blue colored teardrop shape earrings which I got from earring box where was different kind earrings and I loved to make friendship bracelets but what else where in fashion?

In the 80s, the colors were bright and usually in neon colors, which was repeated in both jewelry and clothing. Women’s hair was often creped and eye makeup was usually blue in color. Jewelry were big and bold.

• Plastic jewelry
• Lightning bolt earrings
• Sequin jewelry
• Neon jewelry 
• Punk jewelry (crosses, rivets, chains)
• Oversize bangle bracelets
• Big brooches
• Oversize hoop earrings
• Beaded necklaces
• Cocktail rings
• Woven friendship bracelets
• Charm bracelets
• Jelly bracelets

Jewelry Fashion in 90´s

90´s fashion style and jewelry

In the 1990s, clothing fashion featured off shoulder shirts, floral dresses, flannel shirts, crop tops, denim jackets, loose jeans and belt bags. Pastel colored hair were trendy and also oversized hair scrunchies. The most popular jewelry of the 90´s were choker necklaces. 

In Finland was popular in the class rings, best friend necklaces and parrot earrings which I owned back then. I remember doing a lot hair scrunchies in home and at school. In 90´s also Kaleva and Aarikka jewelry were popular. Kalevala jewelry has been made in Finland since the 1930´s. The classic, Finnish Aarikka has become familiar with its wooden and silver jewelry and interior decoration items.

• Large and oversized silver hoops
• Diamond stud earrings
• Dramatic drop earrings
• Chandelier earrings
• Oversized studs
• Big bracelets
• Flower bracelets
• Heart-shaped collar necklaces
• Tattoo choker necklaces
• Gothic jewelry
• Matchy-matchy earrings (earring color had to match your dress)
• Heart of the ocean necklaces
• Layer necklaces
• Pearl chokers
• Lace chokers
• Cocktail rings
• Crystal headbands
• Forehead headbands
• Scarves as a choker
• Safety pins everywhere
• Climbing arm bands
• Piecing jewelry

I hope you enjoyed to read these blog posts. At least, it was fun to write about it. So many style, fashion and jewelry have been forgot but writing this brings so many memories back in my mind. 

~ Minna

Jewelry Fashion In Different Decades, Part 1

My friend gave me idea to write about jewelry fashion in different decades. I must say that this topic is also have been interesting me too.

When I was child, I love to watch movies. Back to 80´s women usually had in movies natural looking almond shape nails and jewelry. I have always love sparkling jewelry. So this blog post journey starts in 20´s and we are going through all the way back n 90´s.

Jewelry Fashion in 20´s 

1920´s jewelry took turn to simplicity and Art Deco "modernism" in all styles from rings to necklaces and bracelets. Long pearl flapper necklaces, large gemstone brooches, bangles, bracelets and sparkling filigree rings are all icon of the 1920s. Earrings were long drops that exposed bare necks.

Not all pearl necklaces were long or worn in a single strand. It was popular to wear layers of them in various lengths from 60 inches or on up. Longer pearls were fashionable in the early twenties and were getting shorter as the decade progressed.

In 1920´s jewelry were simple but colorful for daywear. Elegant white crystals were worn in daytime and black crystals for evening. Necklaces were single strands  of beads or pearls, some with tassel ends running over 20 inches long and often tied in a knot. Bracelets were thick cuff gemstones or rounded bangles. Black, red, orange, teal and sage were popular colors for gems and beads in daywear jewelry.

• Long pearl necklaces
• Long beaded necklaces
• Large gemstone brooches
• Bangles
• Sparkling filigree rings
• Bib necklaces
• Gemstone jewelry
• Diamond jewelry
• Semiprecious stones: jade, coral, turquoise, marcasite, onyx, agate and carnelian
• Bold Deco Art colors: deep yellows, reds, greens, blues and pink

Jewelry Fashion in 50´s

In 1950´s jewelry trend were lucite, plastics. Popular jewelry metal colors were yellow-toned gold and trendy rose gold. Jewelry design were clean, colorful, ornate and perfectly coordinate with an outfit. Women worn also matching jewelry sets which is called parure. In 1950´s women wore often matching earrings, brooches, rings, necklaces and sometimes bracelets.

Pearls had been a popular choice of jewelry past few decades but in the 1950´s, pearls became very popularity. They were the perfect accessory for the little black dress. Black and white color combinations were very chic. Other popular pearl colors were champagne, coffee, lemon yellow, cream white and gray. Pearl strand were usually very short so they could be seen above a modest neckline.

In 1950´s many fashion designer built jewelry in the clothes. Rhinestones were stitched onto dresses, belts or embellished collars. Pearls were beaded onto hats, chignon, hair wraps and purses. Rhinestone jewelry were highly desirable.

Costume jewelry grew in size, the trend for cocktail jewelry emerged. Cocktail ring were designed to be oversized statement pieces. They were made of large fake diamonds and translucent stones that reflected light.

Cocktail rings were made also clusters and rhinestones, pearls and colored gems. Most were round but some designer shaped them into shake-like lines, atomic stars, sunbursts and geometric bands.

• Costume jewelry
• Long pearl necklaces
• Multi layered pearl necklaces with sparkling details
• Hoop earrings
• Gold button earrings
• Gold flower and leaf necklaces
• Gold cuff bracelets
• Gold large figure brooches
• Gold chain bracelet and necklaces
• Single or double strand rhinestone necklaces
• Cocktail jewelry
• Multi row chokers
• Pearls mixed with stones

Jewelry Fashion in 60´s

1960´s jewelry trends include Mod or Pop Art colors: black and white, yellow and green, pink and red.

In 1960´s jewelry designers became bolder and more expressive. Costume jewelry looked very much same as the previous decade. Gold colored pearls and sparkling paste remained a popular choice in 1960´s.

Jewelry designer began to experiment more with the ideas of creating textured surface to the jewelry. Textured gold was popular in the late 1950´s and remained so into the 1960´s. Additional textures also emerged. A gritty effect dulling the shine of gold was created by fusing gold onto gold. Crumpled and hammered textures were also popular.

• Geometric shapes
• Black and white
• Resin and plastic jewelry
• Pop colors: rich pink, turquoise, orange and yellow
• Flower and florals designs
• Long large earrings (bigger the better)
• Hoop earrings
• Big cocktail rings
• Bangles became popular
• Peace sign jewelry

Are you 1920´s, 1950´s or 1960´s child? Do you remember any jewelry that worn in your childhood or have you inherited any jewelry from your grandma or from your mom? Leave your comment below if you have been child one of the presented decade. If you remember any jewelry that have been worn one of the this blog post decade, it would be so interesting to see photos of them or you can simply described the jewelry.

~ Minna

Dress Codes & Jewelry - What to Combine? Part 2

This blog post is second part of my dress code & jewelry post.

Most are confused about what to wear, if they have dress code invitions. So in this blog post I will tell briefly about the dress code and what to wear and how to accessories. Please read also my first part about the dress codes and jewelry which you can find HERE.

SMART CASUAL:

Smart casual attire is a blend of two innately different dress codes. The term "Smart" alludes to a dressed-up something more than formal than classic t-shirt and jeans. Smart casual dress code are slightly less formal than business casual which you read below.

Women can select pencil skirt, top and jacket in pop colors (bright colors). Also blazer goes.Select for a shoes flats or high heels. 

Men can wear denims, chinos or suit pants with a shirt or dressed-up t-shirt. No ties for this type dress codes. What comes to shoes, select loafers or boots. 

Jewelry to combine with this outfit:

Women can wear pearls or small sparkling jewelry.

Men can wear bracelet and necklace.

BUSINESS CASUAL:

Business casual attire is less formal than traditional office clothing but it still falls under “just professional enough” to be appropriate. Business casual dress code changes from company to company, from industry to industry and in all parts of the globe.

Women: For this type attire choose pants and blazer. Also pencil skirt and blouse goes. You can choose for shoes flats, pumps, stilettos or open-toed heels.

Men can wear slacks, chinos and a collared shirt. Do not select jeans or sneakers. As for shoes, select tie-up shoes, dark leather shoes or loafers. 

Jewelry to combine with this outfit:

Women: Choose pearls, small sparkling jewelry. Stick to high quality jewelry.

Men: Choose luxury brand watch and if you like to wear bracelet, choose chain bracelet.

BUSINESS FORMAL:

Business formal dress code is a standard dress code and it´s also highest level of professional attire. Suits are essential for both men and women but stick in conservative colors and polishes accessories.

Women can wear tailored dress or pantsuit.

Men can wear suit with a tie.  

Jewelry to combine with this outfit:

Women: Wear simple and minimal jewelry that don´t draw much attention. Choose medium size hoops or pearl jewelry.

Men: Cuff links and luxury watch.

CASUAL:

This dress code is most relaxed and employees are allowed to dress-up comfortably but your outfit needs still to fit to event.

Women can wear casual dress and skirts. If you don´t want to wear a dress, select jeans and blouse.

Men can wear jeans, sneakers, khakis, polo shirts or sweaters.

Jewelry to combine with this outfit:

Women: Choose hoop earrings, costume jewelry, layered necklace.

Men: Choose bracelet (chain, leather, beaded or layered) or necklace with pendant or some charm. If you have pieced ears, choose studs.

I hope my blog have clarify for you different dress codes and helped you to pick the outfit and jewelry for your special event. Finally, I would like to thank my stylist friend Annika, who inspired me to write about this. She also keep Finnish blog called Ihana Tyyli so check that too if you are more interest about fashion.

~ Minna

Dress Codes & Jewelry - What to Combine? Part 1

My newspapers & ads distribution work has kept me busy this week. I took one extra district to distributed and in two days I have been cycling a lot more than normally I would but I don´t complain, since weather has been Sunny and warm. My work is independent, I get nice tanning and exercise in fresh air. 

Although, in this unfortunately COVID-19 time you can´t host big parties, I want to write a little bit about the dress codes and what kind of jewelry you could combined with the dress code outfits. 

If you’re lost with these dress codes, then don’t worry, I’ll tell you about each dress code briefly. Please also remember to read my last blog post, as those tips are also useful for these dress codes & jewelry post. You can find my last blog post HERE.

WHITE TIE:

This dress code are most formal one so what should you pick?

Women can select floor length formal gown and gloves. 

Men can select suit with vest and white bow tie or wear a tuxedo.

Jewelry to combine with this outfit:

Women: As a jewelry, choose as authentic as possible but stick to small jewelry. Good choices are genuine gemstones, pearls and diamonds. If your dress is simple, you can put earrings, necklace and bracelet. If your dress have some embroidery in top or rhinestones, choose just earrings and bracelet.

Men: Choose cuff links with genuine gemstones and luxury watch. 

BLACK TIE:

This type parties are usually after 6 p.m and weddings. 

Women can select floor length formal gown. 

Men can select suit with a black bow tie.

Jewelry to combine with this outfit:

Women: What comes to jewelry, stick in small jewelry and select genuine jewelry materials like pearls (seashells, freshwater pearls...), jewelry that have genuine gemstone or classic diamond jewelry.

Men: Choose cuff links with genuine gemstones and if you like or own, add a luxury watch.

LOUNGE SUIT:

Lounge suit parties are during lunch time or if you are English, timing is during afternoon tea.

Women Can choose preferably knee-high dress or formal gown. 

Men can simply choose suit with a tie.

Jewelry to combine with this outfit:

Women: As a jewelry, you can choose less formal but pearls are always suitable as long they aren´t acrylic or wax pearls. Choose preferably glass or crystal pearls if you don´t own any genuine pearls. Swarovski Crystal pearls are closest in real pearls, they feel little cold towards skin since the pearls have crystal core. Plus, Swarovski pearls comes in variety colors. If you like to add a necklace with your outfit, choose something simple like a pendant necklace. 

Men can choose classic cuff links and classic watch.

COCKTAIL:

Cocktail attire is a standard dress code for parties and evening functions.

Women can choose dress that finishes at or above knees. Also short black dress is appropriate. You can also select evening pantsuit. What comes to shoes, select high heels that are neutral colors or black

Men can select dark colored suit and tie is optional.

Jewelry to combine with this outfit:

Women: Choose sparkling jewelry like anklets, pearls, cubic zirconia jewelry or any other high quality jewelry. 

Men: Choose pendant necklace, sparkling cuff links or statement watch. This time the watch doesn´t needed to be classic and restrained, your watch can be eye-catching. 

I have divided the dress code attires in two parts in order to keep my blog post in decent size. I will post later second part of dress code attires. Special thanks to my stylist friend Annika, who keep Finnish style blog called Ihana Tyyli.

 ~ Minna

Building Your Jewelry Wardrobe

Losing My Creative Powers

At this point I´m so out of blog post ideas and feeling like all my creative powers has gone. I think this is pretty common situation time to time to people who do a lot of creative works in their hands. I have lost my creative enthusiasm couple times before but luckily it always come back.

When I feel that I have used all my creative energy, I usually head my focus elsewhere for little while. I might scrolling Pinterest or just going walk in the nature and trying not to stress so much about lack of my creative powers.

I have always enjoyed to do something with my hand weather its baking, trying new food recipe, planting flowers, crocheting, knitting or making jewelry that I  have done past eight years now more or less as a full-time job. Sure, I have my work as a newspaper distribution but it only takes one or two days from my week.

What Do When You Don´t Feel Creative

Here´s few tips what to do if you feel you´re out of creative powers:

1. Don´t force yourself to make something if you feel opposite

It´s pointless to sit in front of your work table many hours just wait if something comes up. This usually lead frustration and leaving you more angry than you were at the beginning.

2. Do something else

Usually when you head your focus elsewhere, you might get sudden inspiration what to do or make. If you are professional writer, you might get writing inspiration when you least expect it. In my opinion, same goes pretty much other things that require creativity. Don´t be scared, if month or two passed when you get back in track. Our brain needs "vacation" or other things to think. I like to say that creative mind is usually busy mind. I mean that creative people often do multiple things at the same time and your focus might change hundred times during the day.

3. Learn something new

When you head your focus elsewhere and learn to do something unusual you, you often find yourself to having fun and not to worrying your creative power. Don´t stress about it. Most important is to have fun and enjoy what you are making even if it renovating your home. That´s creative too but you might feel much happier when you see your favorite color on the wall.

4. Take a course

I went couple years ago to jewelry making class although I make my own jewelry. It was wire wrapping class and it was so fun! I never get same peace and calmness to make my own jewelry in home because I have multiple cats that´s usually start to fight each other or dropping things that they shouldn´t and my work usually interrupted multiple times in day. Plus in course, I learned new and there were similar people who shares my interest to making jewelry. The course cheered my up and given me so much boost to make my own jewelry.

5. Scroll Pinterest

Pinterest is a good place to go when feel out of creative powers. Pinterest offers so many good tips for gardening, home interior, how to renovate your home etc. Usually just looking beautful pictures might get you inspired again.

6. Walking in the nature

Walking in the nature by yourself, with boyfriend, friends, husband or with your dog might get you inspired again. Nature has healing powers and our stress level decreased. I love to live in Finland since we have so much forest near us. I love to go for jogging by the river or small forest path. I usually plan my walking and running routes that I don´t get interrupted by cars or other traffic so much. I love to listen music too so that´s is good way to relax. Finnish singer artist have once said that she doesn´t know any state of mind which the music wouldn´t help and that´s so true. Music and nature has power to heal us and help us to deal with our emotions.

I hope these tips would help you and feel free to comment which has helped you.

~ Minna

Mother´s Day & Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day is celebrated around the world and this year Mother´s Day is celebrated on May 10,2020 in United States and also in Finland.

Many families have traditionally bring breakfast for the mother in her bed with self-made card. With cards, the mother is often remembered with a Mother’s Day poem or verse.

Today, Mother’s Day lunches and brunches are also popular. Here in Finland our Mother´s Day tradition is to collect white anemones for mothers. I did that every year when I was younger and lived in home but as a adult, I usually send a card. At the Finnish Mother's Day celebration, the President of the Republic awards Mother's Day badges to deserving mothers. Grandmothers are also often celebrated on Mother’s Day.

How Mother´s Day Celebration Started

The Mother´s day celebration began in the United States when Anna Jarvis mother died in 1905 which made her thinking society haven´t take into account the role of mothers the nation's industrialization and raising children. At Jarvis' suggestion, a memorial service was held for all mothers at Andrews Methodist Church in May 1907. The following year, May 10, 1908, the first “official” Mother’s Day celebration was celebrated in Jarvis ’hometown of Philadelphia, and six years later, in 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

Mother's Day was celebrated in Finland for the first time on July 7, 1918, although only in Alavieska. Mother's Day was brought to Finland by Vilho Reima, who once worked as a primary school teacher and Member of Parliament. The following year, the day was celebrated on the third Sunday in May and in several localities, but by 1927 the present time had become established for Mother's Day. Mother's Day was confirmed as the official flagging day in 1947.

Mother´s Day Around The World

Nowadays, the second Sunday of May is settled and below is dates and other countries when they have Mother´s Day.

• February second Sunday ━ Norway
• March 8th ━ Albania, Bulgaria and Romania
• Mothering Sunday ━ Ireland and United Kingdom
• March 21nd ━ Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria
• May first Sunday ━ Spain, South Africa, Lithuania, Portugal, Hungary
• May 8th ━ South Korea (Parents' Day)
• May 10th ━ United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Commonly celebrated in South America 
• May second Sunday ━ Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Philippines, Hong Kong, Italy, Austria, Japan, Canada, China, Cuba, Latvia, Malta, Peru, Germany, Singapore, Slovakia, Finland, Switzerland, Taiwan, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey, New Zealand, Estonia, United States 
• May 26th ━ Poland
• May 27th ━ Bolivia
• Last Sunday of May ━ Dominican Republic, Sweden
• June first Sunday or last Sunday of May ━ France
• Aug 12th ━ Thailand (Queen Sirikit's Birthday)
• Aug 15th ━ Belgium (Antwerp), Costa Rica
• Second Sunday of October ━ Argentina
• Oct 14th ━ Belarus
• Last Sunday of November ━ Russia
• Dec 8th ━ Panama
• Dec 22nd ━ Indonesia
  

Gift Ideas For Mothers:

• Cook for your mom special dinner
• Spend movie night together or go to cinema together
• Buy a ticket in her favorite concert
• Buy a jewelry
• Reserve table in her favorite restaurant
• Buy flower bouquet
• Make a long phone call if can´t visit 
• Take a walk to the park
• Record a video (everyone can say "Happy Mother´s Day" etc)
• Make a playlist 
• Make your own card

Or go to help your mom with her garden or offer helping hand with yard.

~ Minna