A Blog with Brio

Hello World! After becoming an inveterate magazine/novel reader, film aficionado, and developing a flair for fashion—I figured it was time to share my thoughts about such topics with others. What is life if we cannot speak with passion, hence the term brio, about culture and people’s artistic ventures. Thus, in posts to come I will share with the world my pop culture tidbits. However, I also want to share with others my take on world affairs and facets of sociology and psychology. After all, intelligence and components of pop culture, like fashion, are not mutually exclusive. With that said, I chose a fashion piece for my first blogspot. In this first post I will share with everyone my favorite part about 2009's imminent fall fashion trends: COCKTAIL RINGS! 

While I am a self-proclaimed fashion-o-holic, this obsession with clothing can tread in financially perilous waters at times.  Those who are fellow film and fashion lovers, must have viewed this year’s version of Legally Blonde—Confessions of a Shopaholic. While I am certainly not in debt like the film’s profuse but lovable titular character Rebecca Bloomwood, her penchant for shopping to make herself feel better did resonate with me. After a bad day there is no greater guest to one’s own pity party than a recently purchased item. I can sit in my dark room, listening to morose music, which in my case would be an Ingrid Michaelson song, and simply stare at a recent purchase and alas, my troubles seem far away. Clearly this is an ephemeral fix, which is why some women feel the need to keep shopping once their withdrawal symptoms kick in. However, a true fashionista must learn to maintain self-control. Remember, Ms. Bloomwood was forced to sell all of her clothing at the end of the film and attend Shopaholics Anonymous. Lets not go down that dreary path. 

This is why I am elated that 2009’s Fall Fashion allows for affordable purchases. The vicissitude of every season promises affordable apparel that emulates high-fashion seen on the runways. However, I found that it was rather difficult to achieve this look in the past without looking like a knock off Fendi bag. But this season is different. This season we can finally wear our father or brother’s oversized oxford white button down shirts, or purchase our own at stores like Old Navy and Gap (which won't put a dagger in our bank accounts). This season we can step into American Apparel and purchase spandex shorts reminiscent of the one’s seen on Alexander Wang’s recent runway. Then there is this season’s other trend (which I could not be more excited about)…cocktail jewelry. Reminiscent of the 1960’s and 70’s, large in your face rings, bracelets, and necklaces have returned. My favorite affordable line is Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow: 1960, 35-piece collection. While most celebrities ultimately deliver us insipid overpriced clothing and jewelry lines, Richie’s stands out beyond the rest. The best part? It is within a reasonable budget. Take this oversized sunburst ring I purchased today for just $ 38 dollars. Take a plain outfit and throw on an oversized cocktail ring, and Voilà! You have achieved panache with minimal effort.

Please share your recent cocktail ring purchases with me! I am DYING to see them!

Interested in seeing the sunburst ring I purchased? No one wears House of Harlow better than the designer herself. In the photos below Richie is wearing the aforementioned sunburst ring among multicolored bangles/cuffs that are also featured in her House of Harlow: 1960 jewelry line. 

CRAZY FOR COCKTAIL RINGS!