Cheap Bling: Little Things That Add Joy

Yes. We know. “Life is short.”  It’s depressing and inevitable.

And, plastered all over mugs and memes to keep us on our toes!  So, what are we doing with the time we have?   Well……. I, have deliberately, chosen to live my life inappropriately.  Yes!!  Inappropriately!  Until, the wheels fall off!

On my terms.  Doing what I want to do without giving two cents about what others think, say or feel.

Go ahead, call me a narcissistic and mean bitch!  But, I prefer meaningful.  This new attitude gives me the green light to draw outside those stupid lines!

Truthfully, I’ve always been a bit of a maverick.  LOL!!

Don’t fret, folks!

This rant isn’t about breaking the law and styling an orange jumpsuit in the big house.

NO!

It’s about my over the moon addiction with jewelry; especially, earrings and bracelets.

Nurse goes Bollywood

You couldn’t tell me a thing last week, as I got dressed to go to work wearing my gray nurses’ scrubs; the color of torrential rain clouds.  Trust me.  I wasn’t suicidal when I bought them.

The uniform store doesn’t have a huge collection of cheerful colors without juvenile unicorns, rainbows, hearts and balloons.  I’m a little long in the tooth for that. You get the optics.  LOL!

I love pops of color.  So, I put on a pair of ruby red, sparkly, Indian, Bollywood chandeliers that draped my shoulders, swung all over the place and made noise with each footstep and crank of my neck.

I felt alive!  Yes!!  Evening wear in the daytime!!  Dazzle for a drab, flat-lined uniform.

Oh yes, I got a few side-eyes and dropped jaws from my home care patients with the ”extraness.” You know, that, ”where does she think she’s going?” look.

I felt sassy, bold and confident in my own skin; liberated!!   In my early career as a RN, I wore dainty, silver or gold hoops with the personality of an eggplant.  I conformed and blended in. What was I thinking?  Nothing about me is….dainty or reserved.  LOL!

Now.  Anything goes!  I decide what is appropriate.  I wear whatever I want-whenever I want- even if it only makes sense to me.

Diamonds aren’t this girl’s best friend

I don’t wait for a special occasion or holiday to get dolled up with my CUBIC ZIRCONIUM?  LOL!   The way I look at it, everyday we are above ground is a special day, so infuse your glamorous personality– whether doing laundry, grocery shopping, pumping gas or lounging in bed watching “The Wonderful Mrs. Maisel.”

I put on big, hoop or dangle earrings as soon as I jump out of bed every morning; before I even brush my teeth. And, it’s part of my ritual when I write content for this blog or Facebook posts.  They’re the last thing I take off at night.

I’ve convinced myself it makes me more creative.  LOL!

This compulsion started as a little girl, as my mom told me.   She was a beautician.  Many times, I would sit on her customer’s laps, as she was getting ready to do their hair.  She said I would zone in on their jewelry; touch their earrings and ask to try on their bracelets. I was transfixed!!

That’s when the magic was born!!

My little piece of happiness in every nook and cranny

My jewelry is holed up in two dresser drawers,  on a wall display in the hall near my bedroom, in artsy, little bowls on top of my kitchen radio and bathroom counter top, random coat pockets and in the bottom of my purse, otherwise called a landfill; where old gum, candy, tooth floss, loose change and bank receipts congregate.

I, even, keep an earring stash in my car’s glove compartment and cup holders.  Heaven help me, if I left the house, ”naked.” I would go into withdrawal.  A stint in detox wouldn’t be a bad idea.  But, I really don’t want to be ”clean.”  This is who I am!

Oh, by the way, none of  my bracelets, in the cover shot, came out of expensive, Tiffany boxes.   Nope, mine are cheap; but, extremely valuable to me. Old and new stuff; each one has its own story. I buy what makes me happy.  That’s what makes it fun.

They set the tone for my day! Please don’t ask me to pick a favorite.  That’s like asking a mom to pick her favorite child.   LOL!

I adore bangles;  pewter, gold, leather and pearl cuffs and anything, turquoise–my favorite color.   I wear my healing stone beads every day.  It’s not unusual for me to layer them; the more the merrier.  And, I’ve received many baubles from my sister, Karla, and best friend, Brenda.  They never have to scratch their heads for gift ideas.

A nose for sniffing out gems–off the beaten path

I have found funky, vintage, Bohemian pieces at New York City street fairs, music and food fests, St. Lucia and Dominican Republic beach shops, Hallmark Card stores and while trolling around a Boston art show. While there, I met a fresh and exquisite jewelry designer; who was selling her “Georgia Marie,” handcrafted gems.  I talked her ears off and shared a hug.

Of course, I visit her website regularly.  LOL!

My favorite local boutiques are Lulu’s in New Haven, CT near Yale University and Pure Poetry in Trumbull, CT. They have unique pieces that fit my eclectic moods and wallet.

Chico’s, White House Black Market and Lord & Taylor’s are my old standbys when I splurge.   The clerks at Lord & Taylor’s know me on sight and what moves my needle.   One clerk told me, ”those earrings are too small for you.”

Own your style

The law of attraction is real.  Most of my girlfriends love big earrings, too.  Especially, those fellow, dramatic, crazy, Leos.  LOL!

But, no matter what your astrological sign is, if I see you from across the room and your ear or arm candy catches my eyes; get ready for a wink or a nod.

Wear what you love with confidence and ease.

So, what, if it doesn’t ”match.”

Your soul knows what it needs to make you shine.

Even, if it’s stinkin’ cheap.  LOL!