5 Ways to Wear Your Summer Dresses for Fall

Our sale dresses, (above) inspired us to write this post today! They are a must-have for any frugal fashionistas out there! 

Wearing summer dresses in fall may seem strange, but with the right accessories and the use of layers, you'll be able to get the most out of your fabulous frock! Here are a few ways to style your summer staples for next season! 

1. Pair your feminine short dress with an edgy leather jacket. The girly look mixed with rocker chic is the perfect way to strike a hard-soft balance!

2. Trade in your flip flops and sandals for boots this fall! It's a great way to transition your dress, and depending on the style of boot (ankle, tall, heeled or flat) you can create tons of looks for both day and night! 

3. Wearing tights can transform a sundress into a fall classic in no time! Whether you stay with a solid color or get funky with patterns, this look is easy and fun! 

4. Scarves are great because they're so versatile. Drape it over you shoulders on a brisk night, or layer it around you neck for a chunky and cozy look!

5. Layers, Layers Layers! Just throw a chunky sweater over your dress for a comfy and cute outfit! Pair it with leggings, stacked accessories and a trendy crossbody purse for the full effect!

The History of the Statement Ring

Did you know statement rings were first worn by ancient Egyptian princesses? We love channeling royalty with Accentuality jewelry!

Oversized rings (also known as cocktail rings) have had a long and interesting history. As mentioned above, they adorned the fingers of Egyptian royals first, before the Romans adapted the look for themselves. Let's speed up to the 20th century though, where this look continued to turn heads!

1920's: The term 'cocktail ring' actually comes from the Prohibition era, when only the rich could attend lavish underground parties. During a time when flamboyance and excess was at its peak, donning jewels was a must for any It Girl! 

1950's-1960's: At this point, the statement ring evolved from controversial party girl attire, to the go-to accessory for women. Rings were often worn over gloves in formal settings, which made for a very sophisticated look!  

1980's- Bigger was better in the 80's! This meant bigger hair, shoulder pads, and you guessed it... rings. Since many women were entering the workforce, power accessories became a big trend! 

Present day: While statement rings in the past only featured precious gems, today less expensive materials are used to create the same stunning look!  

Sweet Melody!

It's like music to our ears! The new Alex and Ani Sweet Melody bangle is here and 20% of the proceeds go towards the VH1 Save The Music Foundation!

In honor of this new bangle, Alex and Ani has put together a fun quiz to get you into the spirit of song! Have you ever wondered what type of music you are? Well it's time to find out!

What type of music are you?

1. How would you describe yourself? 

A. Life of the Party B. Wallflower C. Depends on the Situation D. All Over the Map

2. How do you spend your free time?

 A. Trying Something New B. With Family and/or Friends C. At the Mall D. Reading a Good Book

3. What’s your go-to look? 

A. Top and Skirt B. Tank and Yoga Pants C. Dress D. T-shirt and Jeans

4. What type of movies do you prefer to watch? 

A. Romantic Comedies B. Dramas C. Action D. Sci-Fi

5. If you could have a super power, what would it be?

A. Ability to Fly B. Invisibility C. Ability to Read Minds D. Ability to Time Travel

Get Your Score:

If you chose mostly As, you’re pop! – Fun and fresh, you enjoy life to the fullest. You live in the moment and experience as much as you can. People gravitate to your outgoing personality and great sense of humor.

If you chose mostly Bs, you’re alternative! – A true individual, you travel to the beat of your own drummer. You love your alone time just as much as time spent with family and friends and enjoy discovering new things, be it music, movies, restaurants, etc.

If you chose mostly Cs, you’re rock! – Your magnetic personality draws people in, making it easy to make friends. You live life in the fast lane and have no regrets. In fact, people wish they could be more like you!

If you chose mostly Ds, you’re dance! – Carefree and enthusiastic, you make the most of any situation. People admire your ability to brighten anyone’s day and make a positive impact wherever you go.

Adventures in New York City!

Christina just got back from the NY Now show and ordered some fabulous new pieces for the store! One of our favorites is Freaker USA, an all-in-one drink sleeve that keeps your beverage cold and cute! Since they were featured on NBC's Shark Tank, we had to get a pic!

We also ran into Idina Menzel, who helped end our buying trip on a high note (no pun intended)! 

We can't wait for you all to see the new products that will be added to our store soon, including Chavez for Charity, The Giving Keys, Lokai, and much more! 

Another Day, Another Chance to Sparkle!

Handcrafted with it's beautiful and unique design, Mariana Jewelry is a great addition to your jewelry box!

What makes these necklaces even better is that they work for all seasons! In this odd time between summer and fall, it's a perfect piece for any outfit!

In Full Bloom!

An outfit without accessories is like a garden without flowers. So why not dress in full bloom with Kameleon Jewelry? 

What makes this jewelry truly unique is that it's interchangeable! Just choose a JewelPop, add it your bracelet, ring, necklace, or earrings and you have a new look every time! 

Casual and Chic with Chamilia!

This leather wrap is one of our favorite Chamilia pieces! It's so easy to create fun and fabulous designs with all the beautiful beads. Even better, you can wear this wrap as a bracelet or a necklace, which means it will become your new go-to accessory in no time!

Speaking of accessories, if you're like most people, you probably have plenty of jewelry and not enough room to store it. Well luckily for you we found this awesome DIY way to organize your bracelets, necklaces, and earrings!

Just spray paint two planks of wood, attach them with hinges, add hooks, and you have an elegant jewelry hanger! Check out the step-by-step instructions here.

The Lauren: Your New Favorite Accessory

By day the Lauren is your go-to wallet, but at night she becomes your stylish clutch! We love her classic look and cute colors!

Even better, this Hobo the Original design is celebrating an important birthday this year- the big 1-0! With such sophistication, beauty and fun, this legendary wallet will be around for many years to come!

Want a detailed look at the Lauren? Watch the video here!

There are so many reasons to love Hobo the Original bags, from the quality leather, to the functionality, and those fabulous designs! Which one is your favorite?

How to Care for your Alex and Ani Jewelry

Many of our customers come into our store and ask about the best ways to take care of their Alex and Ani jewelry. Because most people wear their bangles on a daily basis, this is a very good question! By following these simple steps, you will help keep your jewelry looking it's best!

1. Alex and Ani bangles should be the last thing you put on before leaving the house and the first thing you take off when you get home.

2. Always remove your jewelry before swimming, bathing, or doing household chores.

3. If jewelry requires cleaning, use a mild soap, water, and a soft cloth. Rinse with water and pat dry. Avoid using jewelry cleaner, as the recycled metal that the bangles are made of could oxidize.

4. If you are cleaning the birthstone bangles or crystal earrings, use a soft toothbrush. After you clean them, make sure they are dry before you store them.

5. Try avoiding direct contact with your bangles and cosmetics. Lotions, (including sunscreen), perfume, hairspray, and deodorants could cause your jewelry to oxidize.

6.Wear your bangles on your non-dominate hand. When you bang your wrists on desks, cars, and other objects throughout the day, this takes a toll on your jewelry.

7. Each Alex and Ani bangle comes with a care card, so keep it in the same place where you store your jewelry, and you'll always have a reminder of maintaining your bangles!

Taking care of your bangles means they last longer and you can enjoy them more! Just follow these steps and keep up the (+) energy!

The Meredith: So Many Options and Only Two Feet!

New shoes cure the blues, especially when they're the Meredith T-strap gladiators by Lindsay Phillips Switchflops! 

We love these gladiator sandals because they are trendy, stylish, and perfect for day or night! Not to mention that when you change the snap, they look like totally different shoes!

Don't take our word for it though, check out these photos of the Meredith T-strap and see how many looks you can create!

Photo: Lindsay Phillips

Photo: Lindsay Phillips

So how will you wear your Merediths?

Papyrus Card of the Week!

With its retro and whimsical bike design, we think this Papyrus Card of the Week is wheely cute!

Last week we showed you how to make a greeting card display, this week we discovered another great idea: Create a greeting card album! After you make yours, store it on your bookshelf so friends and family can flip through and reminisce! 

Check out the video below for the step-by-step instructions:

Gifts that Keep on Giving!

Gifts that give back are a fun way to help those in your community and around the world live a better life! We've created a list of great charity-based products we offer that look great and will make you feel great too!

1. Banded Elastic headbands- Each headband purchased provides 3 meals for a child in Uganda.

2. Aid Through Trade roll on beaded bracelets- This company teaches women in Nepal to craft high-quality beaded jewelry, while paying them a fair living wage and strengthening their community in the process. 

3. Alex and Ani Charity by Design- Alex and Ani's charity division donates a portion of it's proceeds to non-profits through special charm creations.

Always remember that YOU can make a difference! 

You Can't Hide That Blue Hen Pride!

Alex and Ani UD bangle

The Princeton Review has ranked the University of Delaware among the leading colleges in the US!

According to the article, UD was ranked as 1 of 379 best universities in the nation, thanks to its "school spirit, top notch academics, well rounded college experience and vibrant campus life."

Wow, what a great reason to show your Blue and Gold pride!

Are you a UD Alumn or a current student? Check out this awesome Buzzfeed article about what it means to be a Fightin' Blue Hen! 

Glitz and Glamour!

We've just invented a new fashion rule: Always match your manicure to your jewelry!

Lori Bonn bracelet

Trollbeads Day 2014

Trollbeads Day 2014 has been a blast! One of the best parts was having our favorite Trollbeads enthusiasts come in to check out the never-before-seen limited edition bead! 

The special bead was designed by Søren Nielsen, who also designed the very first Trollbead more than 30 years ago!

2014 Trollbeads Day Bead 

Trollbeads Day Display at Christina's