Maybe it’s the heat or the feeling left over from years of hooray-I’m-out-of-school summer freedom, but from June through August, I just can’t dress seriously! No stuffy pinstripes, no matched suits, and no more black!
Instead, I favor bright reds, lime greens and hot pinks (sometimes all in one print!), strappy shoes and a much more playful attitude. The addition of whimsical jewelry and accessories that would look decidedly out of place in my “real” wardrobe are a daily delight (and surprise to my coworkers!)
To celebrate the joy of my favorite season, I found several key pieces that you can easily and affordably add to your wardrobe to keep that summer feeling alive.
First, from Danforth Pewter are these adorable Dragonfly Pewter Mini Wire Earrings. The earrings have exquisite details and are created from 100% lead-free fine pewter. The French wires are surgical stainless steel, which is perfect for me, since I have base metal reactions. Retail $15.00
In addition to the adorable dragonflies, Danforth Pewter has a host of other charming creatures from which to choose. From baby sea turtles to gangly tree frogs to elegant hummingbirds!
Each piece is handcrafted in the Danforth Peweter’s Middlebury, Vermont workshop. Fred and Judi Danforth founded Danforth Pewter in 1975, reviving a Danforth family tradition that stretches back to 1755 when Thomas Danforth II opened a pewter workshop in colonial Connecticut. You can even find early American Danforth pewter in Colonial Williamsburg’s collection, the Smithsonian and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston!
Photo courtesy of Danforth Pewter.
Next, I discovered Sea Fairies in San Diego. Sea Fairies may be continent away from rural Vermont, but offers the same fanciful attitude that perfectly meshes with my summer mindset!
The Watermelon Ring by Sea Fairies is absolutely luscious! Gorgeous smooth slices of watermelon toumaline mix perfectly with little rondelles of multi-colored tourmaline in this quirky cocktail ring. The pompom of tourmaline is poised on a triple band of lightly hammered gold filled wire. Retail $65.00
Sea Fairies also offers an exceptional range of gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, earrings, as well as additional must-have rings, all crafted of striking semi-precious stones.
Photo courtesy of Sea Fairies.
Finally, I can’t face summer without a new bag from Kura Design! I have a well documented handbag addiction which Kura is happy to feed. My most recent addition is the Kitten, a fanciful pink and green swirl design, beaded with thousands of tiny glass seed beads, fully lined, with an easy snap closure. The bag has a soft frame and unlike many beaded bags, is actually large enough to hold my cosmetics, cell phone, keys, credit cards, and all that mysterious stuff I seem to carry! Retail $68.00
The Kura line of bags is wonderfully extensive. In addition to my preppy little bag there are exquisite beaded bags for evening events, weddings, proms and more. Kura also has beautiful bags in lizard, fabric – even spectacular feathered bags!
The Kura story is also inspiring. After living overseas for nearly four years, Kura Founder Margo Schlossberg got used to being able to pick up items that were stylish, unique and crafted with quality — all for an affordable price.
Returning back to the US and working the normal 9-5 life, she dreamed of something more exciting. It became clear that Margo needed to start her own business, capitalizing on a love for color, style, and uniqueness. And so, Kura Design was born.
The word Kura is actually Indonesian, meaning “turtle.” Since each tortoise has a unique shell and swims freely in the sea, Margo’s thought was that each Kura bag would have a unique style that would allow you to express your freedom.
Photo courtesy of Kura Design.
Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!
We’re giving away another beautiful, sterling silver WHIMSY™ ring!
