Saturday, January 31, 2015

One time...I borrowed a sweater...and never gave it back.

Does anyone else have an accessory or piece of clothing that is;

1) Way, way old?
2) Has some type of sentimental specialness?
3) Both

I have this sweater from J. Crew...it is a beautiful shade of red-violet, almost magenta (even now after so many years, the color is still pretty vibrant) The thing is...it's kinda not my sweater.  

Sorry...I borrowed your sweater and never gave it back.
Well, it is now but originally it was my friend Gin's...I just kinda...kept it.  Since 1997.  And every time I wear it I think of my friend. (Can't wait to see her soon...maybe this spring!!)


Today I paired it with a fun leopard scarf with an emerald green edging, matching ring (both from Charming Charlie, aka 'my jam') and a few other rings...not pictured, distressed skull tshirt from Express, which is why I had on the skull ring. 

 'Cause I like to match.  Hence the name of the blog, Miss Matchy Matchy :)


Friday, January 30, 2015

Goin' to the chapel...

The latest Project Runway All Stars challenge inspired me to look at my own bridal pieces for inspiration for my daily art.  

Here is the episode in case you're into that kinda thang;



http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway-all-stars/video/season-4/episode-11/always-the-bridesmaid



July 2005...seems like yesterday!
I had found my dress at a small bridal shop near where we were living in Raleigh.  Some of the beadwork on the dress had these beautiful multi-faceted crystals on it, kind of irridescent....and then she also had this beautiful tiara with aurora borealis crystals...and that became the inspiration behind all the details for our wedding. I need to dedicate a whole post on my art blog to all the fun DIY details (on a budget, too!) but for now...here are some pics.

(Left) My awesome husband...and see that bouquet?  I made it...includes hand-wired aurora borealis crystals and a butterfly brooch with the same sparkles.  

(Top Right) Aurora borealis crystal earrings, vintage

(Bottom Right) The tiara that started an obsession...made up of...yep, aurora borealis crystals!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

What a pearl...

...still on a pearl kick...with some PINK!

To see how this is inspiring my Miss Matchy Matchy Art series...click below!



(Jan 29, 2015)

Monday, January 26, 2015

She Sells Seashells by the Seashore...and made a necklace, too!


I love a DIY costume, or really anything for that matter.  One year I was a mermaid...a creation that stemmed from a full-sequinned green gown I found at Goodwill...no doubt it was from the 80's.  


With that gown, some msc embellishments, a few rolls of tulle, a hot glue gun and a dream, I became a mermaid.  After a few hours of course!

One of my favorite parts of the costume was a pearl and shell necklace that I created using just wire, shells I found and some faux pearls.  The costume was a hit and I even brought the necklace back out to wear to Stich Rock this past fall, since I was going to be around other crafty folks!



Sunday, January 25, 2015

'Purrrl Gurrrls'

Layers of PEARLS!
Today...it was all about the pearls.  I have a huge multi-strand monstrosity of a pearl necklace that I wanted to wear to contrast with my all-black attire...channeling my inner Coco Chanel, and on a budget no less!

But...it needed something. So I layered another necklace underneath it, a pearl and black beaded number on ribbon and leather cording...and I kinda liked how it turned out.  I felt like the black necklace underneath helped to made a bigger 'statement' to the piece and also made a connection to the top of the black dress, almost as if it was all connected.

And I used to not like to do drop earrings with a bold necklace, but lately I like it, especially if I wear my hair up.  Feels like it 'frames' my face. 

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Picture this!

Mona Lisa Necklace...some random find from many, many moons ago...Klimt earrings, I think these were from the National Gallery of Art gift shop in Washington DC...Van Gogh 'Sunflower' socks courtesy of my cousin's wife, a fellow art teacher! (I mean, what's not to love?!) and finally...this bracelet.  I bought a Ginger Snaps bracelet at a gift shop in Tennessee last year and turns out other snaps fit it just fine.  The three artist snaps that are picture were purchased this past fall at Stitch Rock in Delray Beach, FL. 


Here is the link for these snaps..and more!  http://www.snappycouture.com/




Oh...and this ensemble inspired TWO pieces of art for my Miss Matchy Matchy series...to see what MMM's friend Jewel and her cat Gem are up to, and just how I incorporated art history into the latest pieces...click below!

http://www.jenniferlovegironda.com/blog/artnerd

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Sparkly Scooter

This piece is from Charming Charlie...one of my favorite places on earth. I have been waiting for a special event to wear it...and my recent art show at Dada in Delray was just the occasion!

To see more pics from the event...and find see art piece inspired by this gold and multi-colored jewel statement necklace...
click HERE!




Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Black monochrome.


I attended some art events...and I didn't want to have the same accessories on for both.  So I took it upon myself to revamp a necklace I bought at one of my bargain spots...and it went kinda like this...


1) Aquire statement necklace...the bigger the better.

2) Spray paint the BACK of said statement necklace.  Add fine black glitter while it's still wet.

3) Wear said necklace with a backless black sweater.  The contrast from the skin underneath will show the design.

4) Flip said necklace to the front and head on over to the next event.



My daily art didn't match this necklace...but this necklace did match the piece I created for the Continuum Black Tie and Sneakers event....a pair of candlestick sneakers...covered in layers of black gems, glitter, sequins, rhinestones and beads.  You know...just to have a lil' sparkle!  For a slideshow with more pics from the night, click on the link below;







Sunday, January 18, 2015

Let's get PHYSICAL.

...the focus of my art today was based on workout attire...since I was pretty excited I made it to the gym myself!  (yay!) Working out is not my most favorite thing...so if I can bring something pink, sparkly and/or leopard with me it eases the pain.  I had found a great pink-sequinned duffle bag a while back and I take it with me every time.  I am pretty sure it is for a little girl...but why should the kids have all the fun?  And I found some fun Betsey Johnson gray-leopard yoga pants...at first I wasn't going to get them because I was like...no...you'll look like Peg Bundy.  But you know what, I always thought she was sassy so I just decided to go with it.
The best workout find has been a pair of pink gloves from Femme Fatale.  They are pink and black with a few rhinestones and they make lifting just a little bit easier.  I can concentrate on the sparkle and it gets me through.                                                          MMM's friend Jewel also made it to the gym today...to check out what she and Gem were up to...click here!






Shade of Gray...leopard, of course!

...or maybe it is gray because it is some kind of old, fabulous leopard?  Not quite sure.

But I love leopard print, whether it is the natural shades of brown, crazy rainbow colored or, one of my favorites, gray leopard.

Here are some random pics that include bits and pieces of the elusive gray leopard...some are jewelry some are on clothes...one thing about this print, I love to pair it with silver and/or gunmetal.  

(Left) Random gunmetal skull ring paired with mid-ring with a gray leopard dress (Middle) Gray leopard cardigan with multi-strand seed bead necklace in shades of gray (Right) Fun ring that I found at a shop in NYC...and later found matching earrings for in Hollywood, FL...and it's this pairing that inspired my daily art...and a new character to add to the Miss Matchy Matchy mix!



Saturday, January 17, 2015

Seeing Spots.

Random leopard...can't get enough!
I love leopard print and whenever possible I try to infuse it into my day.  It makes me happy. Sometimes I am able to do that with accessories.  I try my hardest NOT to go overboard (...WEAR the leopard...don't BE the leopard...

My favorite pairing is all-black (surprised?!) with leopard accents...and I get REALLY bothered if the leopard prints don't 'match' (if you love leopard...then you get it)  For the most part the past few days I have used my regular (brown-based) prints to inspire my daily art...except for yesterday when I looked at a colorful leopard print necklace and fun art shirt as my sources for inspiration.

And I never throw out my LPs because they always rotate back into style.  Never.

(Left) Betsey Johnson cuff paired with some multi-colored jewel ball-drop earrings (Middle) Thank you Pinterest  for making me even THINK about pairing leopard print with polka dots...who woulda thought?  Express scarf, crazy clear jeweled bracelet from a shop in Indianapolis and a single Swarovski crystal bracelet.  (Right) Multi-colored/Multi-strand leopard necklace...bought at a cheer competition (?) and a fun art short from the Art Institute of Chicago gift shop. 


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Put a ring on it!

I love my husband, my family, friends and my cats, Mackie and Scooter.  That's a given.  But I also love art, jewelry and...ORGANIZATION.  These are my favorite things in the world.  My love for organization seeps into all of my other passions...especially my accessory collection.

Here is a little organization trick that costs less than $1.30....shower curtain rings...more on that in a minute.

When we first moved into our new place I had a new closet to organize...challenge accepted!  (BTW, I love to organize a closet just about as much as I love working on my daily art...true story)  

My goals for closet organization are always...

1) Maximize space...especially vertical space
2) Create something that is visually pleasing
3) Make sure things are easy to find
4)...make it happen for super cheap!

I had previously had my scarves in a small white clothes basket...and that didn't work out.  It was tough to find what I wanted, and it made me feel all crazy.  Then I changed to three canvas bins, separated by warm, cool and neutral colors.  This was a little better.

In the new closet there was a space above my jewelry shelf that was just kind of dead space.  Like many folks out there, my closet has the white wire structure already built in...so I started thinking, why not activate that space and make it useful?  So I bought some clear plastic shower cutain rings from Target ($1.30, with tax at Target) and started hanging.  The scarves are in two layers, from front to back and are in color order for the most part.  I had some room on the end for hanging belts, too!


One area that has bothered me since I started organizing the new closet- the tank top area.  I had them folded in color order and they only took up one shelf but anytime I wanted to take on out I had to either mess up the folded pile or lift the entire thing up to get the one I wanted and then try to place it back neatly...'cause I don't want to mess up the colors, right?  (...right?!  Am I the only crazy one out there?!)  I found the perfect solution on Pinterest and wouldn't ya know it- shower curtain rings were the fix!  So back to Target for shower curtain rings, then to a local dollar store for the black hanger (I went with a metal based hanger so it wouldn't bend/break from the weight of the tank tops) The total cost for me was less than $10. Then I just sorted them by color and hung them up. Original I had them on three separate hangers (warm, cool, neutral) but they would kind of shift and be all lop-sided so I combined warm and cool together.

Now I have an empty shelf to work with and it is so much easier to select a tank top and take it out of the closet.



I was thinking...a few extra shower curtain rings in the bathroom would be an easy way to quickly transport jewelry back and forth.  I always take off my jewelry when I come home...the 'drop zones' can get a little crazy (I did add small hooks in each bathroom just for this purpose) but by putting the necklaces in shower curtain rings it makes it easy to take them back to the closet area to put away.

Organization makes me happy.  If you also feel the same, here is some 'organization crack' for you.  Enjoy!




Monday, January 12, 2015

Filigree Fab

...not going to write a ton...kinda tired...but today's accessories centered around three things;

1) A bohemian vibe
2) Bronze metal
3) Vintage finds

I was trying to remember where these earrings came from and I think  I may have bought them years and years ago at a thrift shop in Cameron, NC.  I love all the teeny tiny filigree details and whenever I wear them I feel kinda like a gypsy.  And I like that.

Today I based the metal color, bronze, as the main detail to link the earrings to a ring Momma Love gave me for Christmas.  She picked it up in a thrift shop...its huge and bold and I love it....again, many little details, from the flowers to the filigree-winged butterfly, to the one clear crystal beside the amber crystals.

...and, of course, my daily art was inspired by these pieces...

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Fancy.

There are a few people that have had an impact on what I think of as 'stylish'.  One of those people is my husband's aunt Nancy.  When John and I were first dating and I met her, I thought she was so put-together.  She always wore a ton of black with assorted jewelry, hair done, manicured nails and perfect pedicured toes peeping out from her sandals (at that time we lived in North Carolina and she lived in Florida).  She influenced my own choices about what I deemed to 'look nice'....especially considering I was just (and still am!) just a small town girl from NC.
To me she was truly FANCY.

Which...inspired me to create a piece of art dedicated to her...a new gal I call 'Fancy Nancy'.  She is Miss Matchy Matchy's super chic aunt




I selected just a few pieces from my IG account under #MissMatchyMatchy that show her influence...from the embellished sweater that she bought for me one year for Christmas (white and gray pearls with rhinestone accents...so I had to pair it with the same jewelry...right?)...to my love of anything sparkly which leads me to frequent Charming Charlie...to the combination of black, gray and sparkle...her signature palette.  

So...just a few pics:


fgfhfd

'Miss Matchy Matchy meets the Sisters in the Cloth'



This was me today heading out the door...I felt like that scene from The Jerk where Steve Martin is carrying all the random items as he is leaving...



I had my yoga mat...a crazy rick-rack bag...a scarf from my girl in Colorado...some gold jewelry...a few #AngelDrop pieces...and art supplies, just in case.  These were all the things I needed to somehow transition from attending a quilt show, leaving some angel painting with folks up in West Palm Beach and also make my yoga class.  All this paired with  all black yoga pants and a tshirt...and made it happen I am happy to report and I felt pretty 'put together'!



If you have never been to a quilt show or anything related to fabrics or lovers of fibers and textiles...then one thing to know- wear some texture and color and you'll fit right in!  I found this fun bag made of rick-rack at the Surface Design Association Confluence in Minneapolis in 2009.  I was immediately drawn to the color and all the craziness...and of course the hints of sparkle from the golden threads...but the best part is that it is a handmade bag- made by ladies in a village in India and the money goes towards education and health programs there.  (yay!)  

The scarf is from World Market, a gift from one of my dearest friends, she lives in Colorado now. She is the absolute BEST at surprising me with these amazing boxes filled with fabulous finds, and this was one of them.  It doesn't match....but that makes it match.  I was going for eclectic, tribal, prints, textures...and this worked.  The hints of gold and the warmth of the orange and red-violet colors in the scarf went with the gold jewelry.

Earrings...when in doubt, gigantic earrings.  Bonus points if they are gigantic round discs.  I love the way long earring frame the face.  And the cuff...I have had that thing since undergrad and it has never failed to be the easiest way to add some sass to up really anything.  Its a little scuffed but it is one of my favorite pieces.  I don't even think its metal, either metail or wood painted gold...but I love it.  Sometimes the best pieces are the super cheap ones!

And no doubt- these funky patterns and colors made their way into my daily piece.  If I titled it I would call it 'Miss Matchy Matchy meets the Sisters in the Cloth.'  

That will make more since if you visit my art blog...to see the final piece on the Gallery page...view some FUN and FUNKY quilts and find out just who these 'sisters' are...hmmmmm...


Friday, January 9, 2015

Just BEEcause!



I wrote a little on my art blog about the inspiration BEEhind the inspiration...and that inspiration is my love for Art Hive Magazine.  Seriously, so fortunate to be a part of 'da hive! 






I looked to a piece that I bought at Stitch Rock this past fall.  The best part of the piece (...besides being a BEE, yay!) is that it is made right here in Florida!  I want sooo many more pieces...but for now this will do.

Here is the site to see more pieces by C.A.B. Fayre;


....this red patent leather heart bag also made a cameo in today's art piece.  I was in a random shop and saw it a couple of years ago and had one thought... mineZ.






Thursday, January 8, 2015

Back in Black


Monochromatic...no...not even, forget the tones, tints and shades...let's do ALL BLACK.  I am pretty sure this ring was a Charming Charlie find...there will be another post dedicated to black on black jewels...but for now...just this ring.


And this black shirt with black sequins.

And my artist hand before I got paint all over 'em today with my my students.  (kind of funny, we're studying COLOR and I am in all black..,)


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Gunmetal.

I couldn't think of a fun title...so...just...gunmetal, 'cause today's pieces were just that- gunmetal.  I have these earrings in gold, silver (not real of course, these are costume jewels!) and the gunmetal color.  They have held up really well, as you know the metal on costume jewelry sometimes kinda tarnishes, looks dingy after a while.  The texture on these pieces helps with that, and I love the tear drop shape.

...which made me pair it with this cuff bracelet, the shape is more enlongated but has that same organic feel.  The bracelet also has a texture on it...and of course, they are both gun metal.  I had bought this marled heather gray knit at Express pretty recently and I thought it was a good backdrop for these gunmetal pieces...kinda thinking that the eye blends the black and gray together for a dark gray mix... and side note, I had to look that knit up, ...knew it was some kind of  a variegated yarn but I wasn't sure the specific name...so that's it- marled.

To see how these pieces inspired Miss Matchy Matchy (and Trinket!) today, please click here.



Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The Chevron...formerly known as the Zig Zag

Alright, I am just gonna call it.

Its a zig zag people.  A zig zag.  

Alright, we can call it chevron, too...but I spent too much time drawing invisible 'zig zag' lines in the air with my K-2 art students to think anything other that those words when I see this kind of pattern.

So this IS really matchy-matchy.  Like, much.  Matching earrings and cuff bracelet?  Yes, I went there.  (all black with red cardigan) But I figured that there is enough space between my earlobes and my wrist so that it isn't too much all together.

I bought these two pieces at my 'secret jewelry spot' in Palm Beach Gardens, FL for a steal.  I loved the pattern and the primary colors.  The are made of a light weight metal which is great, especially since earrings that large could get a little heavy.  

And of course I bought these pieces thinking, 'hey, I know a little bit about cutting and soldering metal...maybe I will make something like this...'

Nope.  


Monday, January 5, 2015

MINT to be!

Alright...a few things in today's blog.  I had two things I had to get off my chest.

1) I think I have a way to pack that is crazy but...you organization junkies may like it.
2) I am obsessed with the color combination of MINT and RED.  (or even aqua for that matter)

...in-progress packing for the NC trip...color scheme selected...outfits ready to go!
When I go on trips, packing is a process. More like an EVENT.  I choose a color scheme, then pull things from my closet and jewelry ONLY in that color scheme.  My reasoning is that everything I pack will match and the pieces will be interchangeable.  (I still over pack, so I won't even lie and say this helps with that)  I walk by everything for a day or two, putting pieces back and then finally have it figured out and pack it up.  

I have been doing this for a while and it works great for me.  Side note, it helps to have someone to text for a second opinion.  I usually text John's cousin Jen...she really has an eye for fashion and also loves organization...but rarely tells me to NOT pack something...which I kind of love. (Jen...THANK YOU)

A new thing that I did before my last trip to NC was I did the above process...but I went ahead and placed outfits on hangers with the jewelry already on there...then tied up the hangers with hair ties, threw them in the car and headed on up north.  When we got to NC all I had to do was hang up my clothes...but the best part was when I came back home anything that I didn't wear I just hung back up. Also, because of only packing a set color scheme I could easily put the jewelry back.  

Sometimes when we get back from a trip I don't unpack for days...maybe a week even.  It just takes so long.  This past trip I unpacked in about twenty minutes!!  Yassssss!

Ladies, get yourself some hangers, hair ties and a COLOR VISION for your next trip!
Which brings me to my next thing...MINT and RED.  I wanted to bring red  because of Christmas (duh, right?) but I didn't want to go with green and start matching all the wrapping paper...so I opted for shades of mint and aqua...I think I was in Express when I started thinking about how amazing these two colors would look together, thinking about how great the contrast would be. (complimentary colors almost, baby!) So I went with it...here are a few pics;


One piece that I didn't take pics of is this awesome beaded necklace I picked up in Chicago a couple of years ago (I believe the stones are red coral...or a darn good knock-off!) ...which also happens to be my inspiration for my daily art.


Now...about that necklace...


I love pieces that can be worn different ways.  This necklace is long, but has a large 'flower shaped' piece that you can 'loop' the necklace onto and make a shorter piece.  Kinda fun, right?

And of course...I bought this necklace thinking, 'hey, I am going to make one of these'.

That was a few years ago, folks.  Sigh.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

What a pearl!


Necklace, Denkers in Southern Pines, NC.  Bag, Charlotte Russe.
Aunt Jan...THANK YOU for this sparkly, fun necklace!  I wore it today for a special celebration (Congrats again, Bill!) and it was perfect.  I didn't even wear any other pieces with it, just brought my leopard bag!  

Oh...and it inspired my daily art, too!   Click here to see how Miss Matchy Matchy and Trinket wore this gold and pearl combo!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

A Pirate's Life for me!


...even if it means we didn't win the game!


Let me back up...my alma mater played today in the Birmingham Bowl.  We were supposed to go...but realized that driving to AL not too soon after our drive to NC and back was...well...crazy. So we stayed at home and cheered from the couch.

And those Pirates put up a good fight but in the end, the Gators prevailed.

But on a more positive note...this ring.  It is a skull and cross bones.  It is not real diamonds but it made me feel pretty awesome when I was working on my daily art. (Miss Matchy Matchy and Trinket were cheering on the Pirates, too...wanna see 'em? CLICK HERE!


Friday, January 2, 2015

Ode to the Seed Bead

My Christmas present this year from mom (Love you!) was a with three fun necklaces and a big ol' copper-colored ring.  Now with mom, you never know where the treasures came from.  Sometimes she finds things for me at yard sales....thrift shops...and if it comes from a store it is usually some amazing deal.  ('cause Momma Love likes a deal, yassss!)

This particular necklace, in all its multi-layered seed beaded glory is pink, magenta and yellow.  I defintely got a Native American vibe when I saw it...it appealed to my own Cherokee and Lumbee roots way back on mom's side of the family.    I paired it with a denim shirt, but after I did my daily art drawing I thought that the necklace would also look great with a simple fitted white tee and a black pencil skirt...or when in doubt my go-to, just all black.  


Side note...some ideas I have for this necklace...intertwine a thin, sparkly necklace...maybe with some lightly colored crystals and/or adding a brooch of some sort for an assymmetrical focal point.  


Is the statement for this necklace that I am crazy?

Did I mention that I am an artist?  Did I mention Art Hive Magazine?  You should probably know that about me.  I will be cross referencing/linking/what have you between my art site and this blog...'cause my daily art this month will be inspired by pieces from my jewelry collection!  So if you see links randomly in my jewelry posts (some, not all of 'em!) take a minute and check the link out to see some fun art starring Miss Matchy Matchy and her lil' cat Trinket...for more about THAT click HERE!

The first piece in the January 2015 series was inspired by this crazy black necklace I picked up at a kiosk in the outdoor mall in downtown San Diego some years ago. 

Side note, here are some important things to know about me:
1) I like crazy and I like sparkle. (Think Iris Apfel with a little Ric Flair...yeah...I am serious)
2) I take care of my jewelry so I can keep 'em and wear 'em for a long time.
3) I DO NOT buy expensive jewelry.  Not interested.  My wedding ring is pretty much my only 'fancy' jewelry and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Back to this necklace...it's made of black beeds attached to black monofilament, tons of layers- it's a little out of control.  So of course when I saw it my thoughts were...it's perfect.  I have gotten some wear out of it, one of my favorite occasions was last Spring in Fort Lauderdale when the Art Hive Crew went to see Dita Von Teese's show...and meet her after!!



First Post...the gal behind the sparkle!

Hi my name is Jennifer Love Gironda.  Folks call me Jenny, some know me as 'da Muse.  

Regardless of what you call me...I have a alter-ego, like many of us do...she is obsessed with jewelry.  Earrings, necklaces, rings, hair accessories...she loves them all.  Now, they may not be expensive thangs but that is the most fun part!  Not only that, she is on a quest to coordinate all of this jewelry, stay organized and if she can get her friends to stay still long enough she accessorizes them, too.  Her name is Miss Matchy Matchy.


I have been playing around with the idea of this blog...and maybe some other things related to it...for quite some time.  I have ALWAYS loved matching and coordinating things.  I think it started with that ol' gal Barbie and it just kind of snowballed from there. 

In the past year or so I have been working out the details of this idea and my starting point was the idea of Miss Matchy Matchy..figuring out who 'she' was and then starting to create some content, mostly via photographs of some of my favorite jewelry pieces using #MissMatchyMatchy on my social media accounts.

And I will have some more things to write about later, and many, MANY more jewelry pics (and some of my art...wait, you'll see!) But for now, here are some of the photos I have posted using #MissMatchyMatchy.  To find our more about the pieces look them up on Instagram or Tumblr!

(Please Note:  Photos will NOT be in order)





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