Monday 6 June 2016

SPOTLIGHT: Jewellery Collection Part 1 (Lovisa haul)...

High time I started a series on jewellery hey, especially given it's yet another of my obsessions that's almost surpassed my makeup & perfume passions  Over the months I've been uploading some of my bling rings, and pics of what I wear each day in my EOTD posts, but there seems to be quite a bit of interest (well on Instagram at least) in my overall collection, so I thought I'd put together some examples of  what I have, and how I gradually build my kit of bits and bobs. Just for the record, I have very few pieces of "real" jewellery (i.e. gold, diamonds etc.) - most of the good stuff I had was stolen (including family heirlooms and items of major sentimental value) when my home was burgled many years ago. I've never really recovered from the loss, but I'm endeavouring to heal the scars by gathering together exceptionally pretty (and inexpensive) costume jewellery, and I buy most of it on sale from Lovisa. So here's my latest haul from their current "up to 70% off" extravaganza...
The original price of all of the above items came to $192.88, but I only had to part with $63.00. The beauty of buying repeatedly from the same store is that I end up with items that match, and you know how important that is to me lol! I regularly fall in love with things I see on their racks, but I bide my time until they have a sale, and then I pounce. Sometimes not all pieces of a set are on special at the same time, and that's why I keep going back - eventually, everything gets reduced MASSIVELY in price, so I hold my breath and wait ♥ Below I've selected a few of the above new goodies, and arranged them with the ones I've previously scored so you can see what I'm trying to achieve...

The cognac coloured stretchy glass bead bracelet ($4 instead of $14.99) was to match the necklace from a previous sale, and the Swarovski earrings and ring I picked up not that long ago at a heavily reduced price - so this glam little set was put together from four separate Lovisa sales ...
And this green/bronze bead necklace (yes I have a "thing" for glass beads ) was to go with the bracelets from an earlier bargain hunt. This was a bonus because at the time I bought the bracelets, I didn't know the necklace was also available, but I loved the colour so much I bought them anyway - it's an unusual shade of green, and goes with quite a few of the tops I have, including some of the more olivey hues. The necklace is a super long one so I can also wrap it around my neck a few times for a different look. Price was $12 instead of $22.99...

Spotted these shell earrings and remembered a necklace/bracelet set I'd snapped up from Millers earlier this year - I reckon they were meant to be together, and especially with a price tag of $4 ...

The plaited glass pearl bead necklace and drop earrings were too good to pass up, although I hummed and haahed for quite a while - the necklace is normally $29.99 but had a $10 sticker, and the earrings were $4. They are set in gold, but it's a very pale gold, so I can get away with wearing these with silver settings as well. I already had the Lovisa bracelet and ring from Goldmark in my box of treasures - they're both a little creamy compared to the pure white new arrivals (which is why I was humming and haahing), but not a problem, given they are not next to each other when worn...
The bronze metal "door-knocker" earrings were a $4 gamble that paid off - the necklace was from yet another previous Lovisa sale haul, and I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted the bracelet during a fleeting visit to the store last weekend. While the earrings don't have diamantes like the other two, the base metal is the same colour and ridgy texture, so I'm glad I took the chance that they'd co-ordinate. This set looks particularly striking when worn with cream, white or khaki green...

Fell head over heels for these cute earrings - they were tagged as "semi-precious" but I have my doubts that they're actually turquoise. Still I was attracted to the blue/green/wood/diamante combo, and felt the shape would give this set a bit of a lift with a modern touch  ($4 down from $12.99). BTW I found the sterling silver bangle in a Vinnies store years ago for 5 bucks, and the pendant was a gift my from Dad (it's my birthstone)...

And last but by no means least, adoring bling as I do, I couldn't resist this Swarovski ROCK (an absolute bargain at $8!) - it wasn't to complete any particular set, but it was such a stunner, well I had to have it, and it's the perfect fit for the ring finger on my right hand. Might just be my ultimate bling-ring!
I take my hat off to anyone who photographs sparkly stones successfully - over 100 shots to get these ones, and they still don't do it justice. Looks like glass here, but the facets are beautifully reflective, and it's around 6 carats of in-your-face bedazzlement...
There all sorts of different styles, shapes, materials, textures and colours in my collection - you can count on me for variety, I truly believe it's the spice of life. Part 2 coming soon 

Take care of  you,
kats xxx

P.S. Linking this to the always fabulous Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party 

22 comments:

  1. You have so much beautiful jewelry. I'm dying over that ring!!! So sorry you had your items stolen. That's really heartbreaking to lose things like you did. I had my whole purse stolen once and I could care less about anything except very special photos that I will never recover. I wish they could have taken everything and just left me my photos. I'll never get over it!

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    1. Aww thanks Amy - I've worn the ring twice this week, couldn't help myself lol! How awful about your purse hon - I had mine stolen from my bag in a packed train carriage decades ago. Interestingly it was returned to me (in my letter box) three days later - everything was still inside, except the cash and the stamps, but of course I'd cancelled the cards and DL within an hour of it being nicked. But at least I didn't lose my precious couple of pics. The home invasion however was both creepy and devastating xxx

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  2. Your collection is beautiful Kats. Reminds me so much of my days working a Diva which is what Lovisa used to be before it's modern, grown up, glam makeover some years ago. :) I still have boxes full of jewellery all bagged up so they all keep their shine and don't tangle. Shame I just don't wear it much anymore, but it is nice to look it and I am keeping a few fun pieces for my daughter. The rest I am thinking of just getting rid of in a blog sale when I eventually get around to it. Can't wait to see part 2! However I am sure judging from all I have seen on your Insta there will be quite a few more parts to this series? ;) xoxo

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    1. Hey Candy - Diva? Oh wow I wondered what happened to them - used to frequent the store quite a bit, but the Lovisa quality is far superior. Hanging out for your blog sale whenever it happens lol - count me in! And yes, the jewellery series might be my longest yet ha ha ♥♥♥

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  3. So sorry to hear about your stolen jewellery Kats - I don't know how I'd cope if something of mine ever gets stolen. I love that Swarovski ring though! Perfect bit of bling I reckon. Not sure how something like that would go on my hands since my fingers are on the slim side.

    Fun/hilarious fact: I've had a guy comment on my "engagement ring" before...except it was a particularly blingy-looking ring from Lovisa. Being the too-honest-for-their-own-good type that I am, I ended up telling him the truth haha.

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    1. Thanks Shell - I honestly don't know how thieves can sleep at night. Although I'm crazy about the Swarovski ring, if I ever was in the no-price-limit market for a real diamond, I wouldn't get anything near as flashy lol. Loved your fun fact hon - just goes to prove that the imitations are just so good these days hey ♥♥♥

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  4. Wow! What a collection! I can't wait for part 2. You are so patient in your buying strategy, when I see something I want I want it immediately. I'm not often patient enough to wait for it to go on sale. Your photos look amazing!

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    1. Lol Ingrid - I wouldn't exactly call myself a patient person, but my desire for a great deal is usually way stronger than my "gotta-have-it". There are always exceptions of course. I'm quite excited about this series too - as you can probably imagine, it will be deliciously colourful xxx

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  5. I haven't been into Lovisa for ages, so dangerous, although I have been stalking a particular crystal necklace for some time. 70% off, you say . . .

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    1. Yep Beth, and the sale is still on! What I love about Lovisa sales is that they continue to restock the shelves the whole time, unlike some stores that have a limited number of items. Nothing worse than turning up and there's nothing left to buy ♥♥♥

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  6. I am so sorry to hear that your home was burgled!! :( I don't have a lot of jewelry but my heart was broken when my dad accidentally threw my Pandora ring in the bin!! (after 2 weeks of purchase). So I can't even imagine what you must've went through. Your lovisa collection is just amazing!!!!

    Lily not Louise

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    1. Oh Lily my dear, I feel your pain - gosh you must have been shattered, I think that's even worse than some low life pinching it. Your poor Dad - bet he felt terrible too xxx

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  7. That white set is absolutely gorgeous. I really need to start checking out Lovisa more, they have some gorgeous pieces.

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    1. Hi there Jackie - I'm such a huge fan of Lovisa, and I reckon if they make a profit this year, it will be largely due to me ha ha!

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  8. Wow Gorgeous!! I always admire your jewellery collection on Insta. I Have a request please please please write a post on how you store your jewellery. I would love to know how you organise your jewellery especially if you have to match up your jewellery each morning how do you do that?

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    1. Hello gorgeous! Yes I will do a storage post for sure my darling - I'm in the midst of rearranging everything (I have more jewellery than makeup!), but it won't be long till I'm organised enough to show you how I manage the whole matchy matchy thing ♥♥♥

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  9. You always pick the most beautiful jewellery Kat! I mainly stick to stud earrings but you've inspired me to break out of my bling rut and get some necklaces and rings. I especially love the turquoise-hued pieces! I'm feeling you because I love a Lovisa sale too - I never buy anything full price from there LOL!

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    1. Ahh Di, a gal after my own heart - not ONCE have I paid the RRP at Lovisa, it goes against all my principles lol! I used to wear studs only too, but I'm getting bolder and braver as I get older - one of the joys of ageing is not giving a flying fig what anyone else thinks ♥♥♥

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  10. Oh wow you have so much jewelry, and that was a really great deal! I'm trying to spend more on accessories and not just new clothes, so that I can shake things up easily. The turquoise collection was my favorite!

    Angelina Is | Bloglovin'

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    1. Gidday Angelina - you're wise hon, accessories can transform an outfit from so-so to sensational in an instant. And I rarely wear the same jewellery with the same outfit just so I don't EVER get bored xxx

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  11. You bide your time until they have a sale & then you pounce! Ha ha! I do exactly the same thing! Good onya! I've admired that turquoise pendant before, that entire set is gorgeous!

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    1. We're peas in a pod when it comes to sales hon! Actually I found some goodies at Target on Saturday - all of what they had on the stands was 75% off. I was very restrained and will post some pics in due course, but I just so happened to spot some pretty silvery earrings with a turquoise centre stone reduced to $2, so now I have another choice xxx

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