Adding a fabulous pop of color with a stunning piece of jewelry, is the easiest way to make resort clothing go from casual to chic.
We recently had a chat with a new jewelry designer
Laura Goldstein, from
Mashu Mashu Jewelry and wanted to share a few of her new pieces from her resort collection.
Her unusual pieces incorporate ocean & tropical motifs like Swarovski crystal studded starfish, gold and enamel seahorses, natural shell and mother-of pearl flowers & leaves. Her “Gone Fishing Collection” of aquamarine, Mediterranean Blue & Turquoise Chalcedony lariats, with oversize fish/pole toggles, create an immediate resort vibe. Her “Sea Charm Bracelets” add a fun punch of color to casual resort chic. “There is nothing more beautiful than the natural luminescence of shell & mother-of-pearl on the skin.
Now you can get these beautiful baubles for a 10% discount just put in fabafter40 when checking out!
Glam Gals: So Laura, what is your inspiration for this collection?
L.G. I love thinking about going on a trip to be near or on the water. So designing this collection gives me the perfect opportunity to experiment with color- sea and sand, romantic sunsets bring out the “inner siren” in all of us!
Glam Gals: As you know here at Fabulous After 40, we are always suggest to our ladies that they try putting more color into their wardrobe. Your pieces are so pretty and full of color!
L.G.
When I design with gemstones, I always think of eye color. Eyes really do reflect the inner soul of every woman and I try to create earrings with gorgeous color combinations because they are the closest pieces to the eyes. Also, I love to see a “surprise” of color in earrings peaking out through a woman’s hair- there is nothing more chic or sexy for that matter- of turquoise, lapis, aquamarine, shell, hoops or chandeliers, as those sea breezes blow. Sometimes that’s all the jewelry you need.”
Whether you tan or not, these elements bring out a beautiful glow in women of every age.
These whimsical pieces have appeared in
Coastal Living,
InStyle &
Elle magazines and you can find these and more at
www.mashumashu.comDon’t forget to use your fabafter40 discount code when checking out!
This is a sponsored article, however the Glam Gals only promote items that they feel are up to the FAF seal of approval.
Don't get suckered into a crazy trend!
Dear Glam Gals,
I’ve found that Earrings are a great way to add some life to my wardrobe. The only problem is there are so many out there, I have no idea what kind to buy. Can you give me some tips for what to look for and what is currently in style?
Anne — Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Hi Anne,
The most important thing is not to get suckered into wearing a pair of earrings that are “currently in style” but do not suit you. (Believe us, it’s not just young gals like Jessica Simpson who fall for ridiculous trends.)
Don’t get us wrong. Earrings are a wonderful way to perk up your face and make you look classy and fabulous after 40. There are many things to consider when choosing the right pair. The most important is:
Face Shape
 These will slim a round face. |
Round Face? If your face is round and you end up gaining a few pounds after 40, you can really look very wide and full. Wear long earrings to make you face look slimmer. Avoid large circular earrings, hoops and studs. |
 This will widen a long face |
Long face? Avoid long earrings. Try round earrings to widen your face, and make it look fuller. |
 Ovals soften a square jaw |
Square Jaw? Rounded edges or oval shapes soften things up. Circular earrings and Hoops will work. |
 Chandelier earrings look fill in a heart shaped face. |
Heart Shaped Face? Counterbalance your sharp chin with chandelier or tear drop earrings that fill in the bottom half of your face. |
Oval Shaped Face? You can wear almost anything, but triangular earrings or simple studs will show off your lovely cheekbones best!
Here are a few more of our current favorites:
 Good for long or oval face |
 Nice choice for square jaw |
 lovely for heart shaped or oval shaped |
 Cute on average width face |
Want to know the second most important thing to consider when choosing earrings? Watch for our next post.
All earrings are from Saks.
Free Shipping on all Saks.com orders through May 27th! Use code SHIPSPR9.
The second most important thing to think about when buying earrings is:
Bone Structure
Do you have:
 Fine Bone structure – fine earrings
|
Small, fine bone structure? (Meryl Streep/Sharon Stone)Choose earrings that are thin, fine, flat and delicate. Imagine someone with fine bone structure like Sharon Stone in chunky wooden hoops. They would overpower her gentle beauty. |
 medium boned - medium size and weight earring |
Medium Bone structure? (Terri Hatcher, Madonna. Liz Hurley)Opt for medium weight and thickness. |
 heavy bone structure- heavy earrings |
Heavy Bone Structure? (Oprah, Donatella Versace) You can carry off heavy, chunky earrings. |
Other things to consider when buying earrings…. Check out our next post.
When choosing earring you also need to ask yourself:
 News anchor Katie Couric wears conservative earrings to convey authority |
Where will you be wearing the earrings?
Work or Office: the more formal the office the more formal the earring. Choose classic styles in gold for the most authority. Executive dressing means nothing dangly, no hoops. Avoid large earrings if you are in the most conservative types of businesses like finance, law.
After Work: Now’s the time to loosen up and show your personality. You can forget the simple studs and have some fun. |
 Diane von Furstenberg shows off her personality. |
What’s your Style Personality?
Are you the romantic type who enjoys pretty feminine clothes? Choose earrings with rounded and curvy details. Dramatic, or city chic types, choose earrings with straight edges, and square, rectangular, and triangular shapes. If you are the artsy/creative type, some dangle suits you, and you can wear color well. Classic types – simple timeless styles such as small hoops, button earrings in gold and silver, diamond studs work. Natural types - wear small and simple so you barely notice them. Nothing too shiny or detailed. |
 Warmed toned Cynthia Nixon sizzles in gold. |
What season are you?
If you have warm undertones in your skin (yellow or peach), that means you are a spring or autumn and look best wearing golds and copper metals.
If you have pink or blue undertones in your skin, then you are a winter or summer. Silver and pewter make you look fabulous. |
* If you are unsure of your style personality and seasonal coloring and would like an analysis by email, then check out our online style consult and Let us help you Tweak Your Chic!
Welcome to part 3 of our Tweak Your Chic series, where we show you how a few small accessory updates can take you from Frumpy to Fabulous, instantaneously.
In part 1, we saw how to jazz up a plain brown shirtdress.
In part 2, we made a conservative black outfit look modern and hip.
Now in part 3, we show you how to Tweak Your Chic using a basic gray outfit. Let’s get to the before and afters.
The Look – BEFORE Tweak Your Chic:
This is a great example of how many of us are following fashion “rules” and still look don’t look our best. This gal is dressed basically in a column of color…She’s got a gray sweater, pants and top which is supposed to make you look very slim. Well it works only to a certain point. Her sweater may be gray but it makes her look old and heavy.
The Look – AFTER Tweak Your Chic:
The biggest change we made is we ditched her big bulky “momsy” sweater for a more stylish refined one. Now she looks much slimmer and up to date. Moving forward, let’s take a closer look at her accessories.
Necklace – BEFORE:
This pretty little necklace, is just too pastel and too dainty for this knit outfit..
Necklace – AFTER:
See how much better this bolder chain necklace works. The weight and size of the links is better in sync with the material and this gal’s bone structure.
Silver is more chic and appropriate for winter than peach.
Belt – BEFORE:
A beautiful belt, but not the best choice for this outfit. It would be a better belt for jeans.
Belt – AFTER:
To update this outfit and make it look more chic, we opted to go wider. Good news – a wide belt can really enhance your figure, and on the right body type will be very flattering! Also, if you can find a belt that sits down on your hips, it will create a flattering line, versus a belt that just goes straight across your middle. See how much more relaxed this looks below. The new belt complements the feel of this soft, stretchy knit.
Purse – BEFORE:
We have all seen (or have) this type of purse. It’s nice. It’s very safe, but safe is old and boring. Your handbag is the perfect accessory to have fun with.
Purse – AFTER:
Give yourself permission to buy something colorful. Size matters. Today’s purses are oversized, and have more hardware. Croc is a popular choice.
Shoes – BEFORE:
Please don’t be caught wearing something like this! Sure, you may need low heels for your aching feet but don’t succumb to these clunky boring clodhoppers.
Shoes – AFTER:
Serious about wanting to look Fabulous after 40 and ready to take the plunge? Then, Tweak your Chic with a sexy shoe. Warning…this might mean being a little uncomfortable…but we think it’s worth it. You can also try some high heels with wedges or platforms. Try to stay away from thick straps which will definitely spell dowdy.
THE LOOK – BEFORE
THE LOOK – AFTER TWEAK YOUR CHIC
That’s how you Tweak Your Chic!
If you’re planning on asking Santa for a little bling bling this Christmas then make sure your wish list is up to date with the latest jewelry trends. After chatting with our friend and jewelry expert, Alan Sklut of Diamond Empress for tips and trends we bring you….
What’s hot in fine jewelry this year:
1. Sprinkles of Sparkle
Jewelry designs this season are more subtle than before emphasizing the metal more than the diamond. Many pieces like this Cono Harmony Open Pendant by Dana David are lightly sprinkled with diamonds, rather than encrusted. Also, burnished stones offer an elegant sparkle that is also softer looking and easier to wear. This new change is a welcome relief to the more-is-more mentality of past seasons that some found overbearing.
2. Odd and Unusual Rocks
Rough, oversize, or irregular shaped stones create one of a kind looks. This stunning diamond ring with (one of a kind stone) by Diamond in the Rough is a perfect statement piece for any woman 40+ who wants to look stylish and chic. You’ll also find unusually shaped rocks popping up in necklaces this season- another great option, especially set against an elegant little black dress.
3. High Styles for Hearts
Hearts are always in fashion and the latest styles are nothing less than dramatic. Look for embellished initial lockets, interlocking open heart designs in larger sizes and colorful mother of pearl charms dangling from larger open loop chain necklaces and bracelets. Love this sleek Judith Ripka Fontaine Heart Enhancer that blends old world sophistication with cool modern lines of the new world.
4. Red and its related hues are the ‘Hot’ color
If you love Jennifer Lopez’s big pink diamond, it’s time to get one for yourself. Pink Diamonds, Rich pinky red Rubellite (red tourmaline), grapey amethyst and soft pink tourmaline, are the recent favorites of many jewelry designers. Feminine and soft, who could resist this Platinum and 18 k pink and white diamond gold ring by Diva Jewelry?
5. Metal Magic
This season designers are playing with metals and creating surfaces that rival luxury fabrics in their sensory appeal. You might want to consider a bracelet with silky satin sandblasting, or a piece with an antique Raku pottery broken metal look. This exotic hammered and hand formed 22 karat gold gothic and Byzantine inspired cuff by Arman wreaks luxury.
