Local Feature: Julia Bergen of Do Rei Mi Jewels

 This is not a sponsored post.

Jewelry is one of the things that it is so easy for most of us not to think about in a sustainable way. When putting together an outfit, the quick and cheap fix is to your local online boutique or down-the-street-store for extremely cheap prices. Quality and uniqueness is usually sacrificed for accessibility. I'm guilty of it, but I'm really trying to change. Lately, the changes have been overwhelming satisfying. As I'm slowly adding more jewelry by local designers into by arsenal, I've been so pleased with the quality of the pieces. When buying local jewelry, it is definitely not as easy as mass-produced alternatives. I think I think we all run into two issues - price and quality. You don't want to buy something that looks like it came from a craft fair, and let's face it, most of us don't have high price points. Nonetheless, the jewelry designers, though more difficulty to find, are just extremely appealing to you and me; Julia Bergen of Do Rei Mi Jewels is one of those designers.

I've been fortunate to meet the lovely Julia through a digital art class I took at Lill Street Art Center last month. Julia makes contemporary cross-stitch jewelry - beautify pendants with modern art and patterns. Once I checked out her website, Etsy site, and Of A Kind sale, I immediately bought a piece for myself, and started planning my future gifts! 

You can find Do Rei Mi Jewels here, here, and here! All images in this post are from Do Rei Mi Jewels.

A Lesson on British Silver: Determining the Hallmarks

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Scrapping silver. Driving gold and silver prices in the last year has attracted ambitious investors. And, why not? Silver is currently priced 1.7% to $28.97. In recent weeks, I have come across several consignments of silver and silverplated objects. With its current value in today’s market, it is crucial to accurately describe and distinguish between the two. Shameful to admit, prior to this recent exposure I had known very little about the distinction between the two; therefore, I decided to do more research. Throughout my research, I came across an incredibly useful and reputable site, of which the following has been referenced - 925-1000.com: An all-inclusive resource for various silver makers, hallmarks, articles, and other resources

There are 5 simple steps to determining British Silver Hallmarks: 

1. Determine if it has a Silver Standard Mark. This is important, as it determines the purity of the silver. If a Silver Standard Mark is not present, the piece is likely silverplate or has a different country of origin.
2. Decipher the city mark. There are quite a few, but with a quick look-up – it becomes simply a matching game.
3. Check for a duty mark. This will be pre-1890, as the use of this mark was abolished thereafter. It will be a profile of a monarch’s head.
4. Date letter. This will be of varying format and is represented by a single letter.
5. Maker’s mark. This is the maker’s signature; a stamp to ensure that forgery will likely be avoided. 

I am relaying this information not merely for the potential financial rewards it may yield, but for my continued fascination of the material culture that we live in and the everlasting imprint these objects leave for future generations.

So, next time Grandpa offers you that silver tankard you previously rejected, take it and do the research!

-E

Other resources: Silver Makers Marks // Silver Collection // Silver Mine

Sunday Style File: Oscar Party

Going to the Chicago Blogger Network Oscar Party this evening, I plan on wearing pieces that really represent living sustainably and supporting local businesses. All the pieces I will be wearing I already owned or I purchased from local Chicago Boutiques. As a side note, I got this fabulous gold coat, which retails for $370, for $25. Couldn't believe it!  I'm pretty excited for the pieces I purchased, especially the jewelry. I'll be posting pictures on Instagram.

Gold Brocade Jacket from Cerato Boutique // Ganni Bashful Black Dress (old) // Black Heels (old) // 

Mint Green Clutch from Lori's // Cerato Boutique Ring // Rock Bracelet from Foursided // Lori's Ring //

Cerato Boutique Earrings // J. Crew Bright Blue Belt (Old)

Sunday Style File: White Jeans in February

I've never been able to commit to funky, bold color pants. I did buy a pair of coral-colored J.Crew corduroy's three years ago, but I never wore them much, and they were one of the things I took to the consignment store. However, I am currently loving the idea of white jeans. A long favorite of my mother's, I've never seemed to get over the idea of light color fabric on my bottom half. Fearing it would not do justice; however, if I get the right fit, style it right, I think white jeans can be pretty fantastic.

Jeans (Left to Right): 7 for All Mankind // Gap Printed Legging Skimmers // J.Crew Toothpick // J. Brand // Joie Irreplaceable Pants

White jeans are a staple; I'm thinking of getting the J.Crew Toothpick or Matchstick Jean. I feel like it would be a better purchase than a color pair as I don't know if I will still like mint, peach, or printed by the end of the summer or even next year. But white, I always love white. Finally, fashion rules are meant to be broken. White before Memorial Day is definitely okay, especially when paired with dark neutrals.

Look 1: Vince Blazer // J.Crew Cardigan // Joie Top // Rib & Hull Tote // Kate Spade Heels // Anthro Belt

Look 2: Joie Emeritte Jacket // Three Dot Cardigan // Joie Blouse // Anthro Bag // Steve Madden Boots // Belt 

Look 3: J.Crew Velvet Blazer // Joie Sweater // J.Crew Blouse // J.Crew Hobo // Report Jezzica Flats // Belt 

I could see myself wearing all three of these looks for multiple different occasions - casual work, date night, weekend errands, etc. Despite full of black and dark neutrals, none of these options cry winter, but they can be edited for those warmer days that are hopefully right around the corner. Which one is your favorite?

Work + Pop of Color

J Crew pleated dress // Stella McCartney long sleeve shirt // J Crew drape jacket // Topshop floral skirt // Nine West slip on shoes // Milly handbag // Gold necklace // J Crew leather wrap belt

It's February 5th, if you are Chicago-resident, spring won't be here for another 3-4 months, but you can still dream of losing your winter jacket, snow boots, and black suit, for ligher fabrics and pops of color. The things I wish I knew before I started working. I would have definitely invested in two suits - a black suit (Fall/Winter) and white/light grey one (Spring/Summer). From there, color can come and go. So if pinks are your thing, this ensemble would work - wear the blouse with the suit or skirt, layer it underneath the dress for those colder spring days, and always the dress + jacket combo. Color blocking is a god send. And if you are going to work, nothing is going to fit in less than a tote!

Sunday Style File: Mint

Last spring, I debated for about a month whether or not to spend $125 on a pair of mint-green, skinny jeans that zipped at the ankle. In the end, I didn't get the jeans, reasoning that 1) mint-green would probably be a one-season wonder and 2) February through May is not worth the price. However, it is January, and as I was walking around my local boutiques and doing some online surfing, mint green is back. Insert: Not buying regret. This year, I think I'm going treat myself to something. I already have two mint-colored, glass bangles from China and India, but maybe I will let mint green venture into my wardrobe.

1. J.Crew Crinkle City Mini // 2. Jcrew Skinny Jeans (on sale)  // 3. Stella & Dot Lily Chandeliers  

4.  Anthro's Spotted Blouse  // 5. Baublebar Seafoam Venus Bib // 6. J.Crew Collection Italian Wool Dress 

7. Baublebar Jade Floral Drops  // 8. Anthro's  Blouse (Photo doesn't do it justice) // 9. Jcrew Skinny Belt  

10. Anthro Hobo  // 11. Kate Spade Emerald Heels

I really like mint green with Pantone's Color of the Year: Emerald Green. Easy to do some color blocking with both colors that are fresh for summer.

Work Week Outfits in 9 Pieces

The work wardrobe is probably the bane of most female adult's existences. As my friend said, "I wouldn't be caught dead outside of work in my work clothes." But it is my work clothes that I spend most of my day, my week, my life in. So my work clothes need to be something that I would be caught outside of work in. Clothes that I love and that I feel comfortable wearing. When I first entered the workforce a couple years ago, it was a huge dilemma - what to wear to work. I can't even tell you how many pairs of work pants and blouses that I have bought. After cleaning out my closet, figuring out what looks best on me, and realizing that "yes, I can wear the same pants in the same week," I don't really need much. Thus, I present to you a whole week's worth of work outfits in nine pieces (shoes included). Obviously the winter outerwear and jewelry/scarves are not included, but the big pieces - blouses, pants, skirts and shoes are in here.

Clock-wise from the top left: 

Chambray Button-down // Sleeveless blouse // Black Skirt //

Animal Print Heels // Red Sweater // Black Dress // Black Pants // 

Long Cardigan // Black Heels

After putting these outfits together, it really made me think about how few things a person needs and how a little can go a very long way. Moreover, it did make me think about my current closet, and I really have a lot of clothes! Ah! The things I wish I knew when I first started working a few years ago! 

Here are my tips & tricks for shopping for a work wardrobe:

• Rome was not built overnight, and neither should your collection of work clothes.
• Buy quality pieces - excellent quality, comfortable, and great fit. If it doesn't match all three characteristics, don't buy it.
• Shop around for sales. You should never pay full price; unless it is a completely dire situation. Ask the sales assistants about when certain products will come on sale. 
• You don't need much: 3 bottoms (skirts and pants), 1 nice dress, 1 blazer, 1-2 cardigans, 3-4 blouses, and 2-3 pairs of shoes.
• Accessories, especially jewelry, always complete an outfit. 

Winter Outerwear Essentials

Work Bag // Glittens // Coat (old) // Headband // Boots

This weekend, I spent a few hours going through my closet and putting things together. My current winter outerwear repertoire consists of this - my J. Crew Attache work bag, J. Crew Glittens and headband, the Cole Haan wool-cashmere peacoat that I have had since my first year of college (2005-2006), and my Vero Cuoio boots that I bought at Lori's Chicago sometime in college. I've had other coats and boots since then, but they have come and gone (by gone, I mean worn out). Both the coat and the boots were investment purchases, and they have paid off. Their quality is still unbelievable. These items really make me think about what I was buying when I was 23/24 and ensuring that now when I make purchases they are on quality items. 

As for the black, I always feel like I'm dressing well when I wear black. Since outerwear should last a few years, the black can remain, but I can add scarves and broches to give pops of color to these staples. I'm easily attracted to different color trends - scarves and small items of jewelry are an also economical way to stay current.