Product Feature: Tights from Berkshire...

Tights and hosiery are staples in my wardrobe collection.  As a busy professional, it's essential that I have an array of tights/hosiery in various hues and styles at hand--to ensure I am always able to pull off a more polished look while "on the clock."  So... When the folks at Lipton Publicity approached me about sampling products from Berkshire, I gladly accepted their offer!  See my thoughts on and stylings of their products below...

I adored this pair of sheer diamond hosiery (#8013)!  Donned them (last week) to an all-day conference I attended in Toledo.  They were comfy, durable and the perfect accent to my vintage houndstooth jacket. An interesting note about Berkshire: they've been privately owned since 1976, and their legwear history dates back to the early 1900's (They've been "doing hosiery" for a long time. That, I like as well!).

Tights: c/o Berkshire

Jacket: Vintage

Dress: Michael Kors

Boots: Munro

Handbag: Coach

Scarf: Farm Girls' Boutique (local shop)

Jewelry: All Vintage Pieces

Sunnies: Ray Ban

Additionally, I was able to test a pair of Berkshire's sheer dot hosiery (#8012).  

Yup, loved those as well.  Again, comfort and durability were paramount in my assessment. They withstood a full day at the office and dinner out with Mark that evening.  Plus, they were so easy to style (this leo print scarf was fun to pair with these dotted tights).  

Tights: c/o Berkshire

Sunnies: Ray Ban

Boots: Frye

Dress: JCrew

Belt: Coach

Scarf: The Shops at Sawmill Creek (boutique along Lake Erie)

Shoes: Michael Kors

Handbag: Vintage Dooney & Bourke

Watch: Coach

Bracelet: Self-made (using courtesy items from endlessleather)

Opaque tights are perennial faves of mine; so, I was elated to try out Berkshire's shimmer opaque tights (#4643).  

What an elegant touch to sport to the office (especially on a day ladened with meetings!). And, as you may have already guessed, they, too, met my standards for comfiness and quality.

  

  Tights: c/o Berkshire

Top: L.L. Bean

Skirt: Banana Republic

Sunnies: Ray Ban

Moto Jacket: Michael Kors

Handbag: Kate Spade

Heels: Michael Kors

Bandana Neckerchief: Ace Hardware

Earrings: Gift Shop in Williamsburg, VA

Given my level of satisfaction (which is high) with Berkshire's products, I'm passing along a bonus Berkshire is offering readers of my blog through December 16, 2016: with code blogger15, receive 15% off and free shipping on Berkshire products (available here).

Joy & peace & thank you for reading! T.

Quality and Values and a Lovely eShakti Dress...

Happy Fall, Y'all! Autumn marks a period of deep reflection for me.  Added time is spent journaling, creating, meditating, candle lighting and truly assessing every aspect of my life.  As a result, my identified core values play an ever-increasing role in my decision-making processes.  For example... When I was contacted by a representative from eShakti about a blog cooperative, it was easy for me to say, "Yes!"

You see, I've had two prior (and very successful) collaborations with eShakti (see the gorgeous eShakti dresses I've featured in the past here and here).  Following those experiences, I've even made independent purchases from eShakti, myself (see one of those featured here--in this past post). Plus, eShakti's corporate values resonate with me (I turn down blog cooperatives if they aren't in sync with the quality and social responsibilities I hold near and dear.).

My favorite thing about eShakti (aside from their selection, corporate values, and the quality of their products) is that I can customize any garment ordered.  At 5' 4", it's often a challenge to find a maxi dress that doesn't need to be altered professionally after I buy it.  With eShakti, I was able to share my height with them when placing my order--making this dress a perfect fit and ready to wear upon arrival (Hooray!!!).

Now, about this dress... I adore it!  I'm always drawn to stripes for some reason; so, this one was an especially easy selection (smile).  It's the perfect transitional piece for fall.  I can dress it up or down.  Best of all, this dress doesn't wrinkle easily! Today, I wore my lovely maxi dress semi-casually... Donned it out to breakfast with Mark (downtown); where, afterwards, we visited the local farmer's market to buy pumpkins and gourds to display in the front of our home. And, tonight, I'll sport it to the pub for dinner (Hopefully, we can catch a good football game while there!).

Dress: Courtesy of eShakti (you can find it here)

Handbag: Brahmin

Boots: Frye

Belt: Michael Kors

Watch: Coach

Wooden Bangle: Vintage

Sunnies: Ray Ban

Nails: Butter London Champers

Lips: NARS Scarlet Empress

Joy, peace, grace, and a special thanks for reading! T.

DIY Silk Cord Wrap Bracelet

The folks at endlessleather recently contacted me about another blog cooperative.  This time, they asked me if I'd be willing to try my hand at jewelry making--using one of their lovely silk cords.  My answer was a resounding, "Yes!"

I adore bracelets; so, it was easy to figure out what I'd select as my DIY project (smile).  Their selection of silk cords, Murano glass beads and closures was extensive, but I finally landed on this lovely pink/rose combo with a silver closure as the materials I'd use.

The items I used (courtesy of endlessleather):

Silk Cord

Jewelry Findings

 

What I loved best (aside from the look and luxury of the silk cord) was that I could easily tie knots on each side of the three Murano glass beads.  This firmly anchored them into place.

I tied the first bead into the center of the cord.  I wrapped the cord around my wrist, tied another bead into place, and wrapped again--before tying the last bead into place. 

Snipping my bracelet to size, the ends were then placed into both ends of the closure.  Household pliers were used to secure the closure securely.  The whole process roughly took me 20 minutes to complete!

I absolutely adore this lovely silk cord wrap bracelet!  I've got several quart pink items in my wardrobe that I cannot wait to don alongside this beauty!

Check out two prior DIY projects I completed using endlessleather products here and here.

Joy & grace, T.

DIY Leather Cord Bracelets

A little over a year ago, I was contacted by the folks at endlessleather regarding a blog cooperative.  Until that point, I'd never ventured into jewelry making outside of a workshop setting. Nevertheless, I gladly accepted the challenge.  Happily, I was thrilled with the outcome! Check out the edgy/chic bracelet I made (in 2014) in this past post. It's a fave I proudly don on a regular occasion!

When I was recently contacted by endlessleather about a second blog cooperative, I jumped at the chance.  You see, their selection is, indeed, endless, and their products are top notch in terms of quality.  I know this because the bracelet I crafted last year is as beautiful, today, as it was the day I created it.  Plus, there's a true joy in doing it yourself! Featured above (in plastic bags) are the courtesy products I received from endlessleather for this second exciting bracelet-making endeavor. 

My "formula" for bracelet making is an easy one (I adore simplicity!).  The only "tools" needed are likely ones you'll have at home: a pair of scissors and a pair of pliers. I used a cord cutter on the second bracelet featured below, but a pair of scissors would have easily accomplished the job. 

I've always wanted a braided leather cord bracelet.  Now, I have one that I made--all by myself!  In making the sweet bracelet, below, I used the following items (courtesy of endlessleather):

Round, Braided Leather Cord 

Closure

To make this treasure, I simply slipped the smallest end of the connector onto one end of the leather cord and crimped it (using household pliers).  I then measured the desired length, and cut (using a pair of scissors).  I then slipped the leather cord into the larger end of the connector; again crimping the connector with a pair of pliers.  The whole process merely took a few minutes to complete!

Feast your eyes on the luxurious second bracelet I personally crafted (featured below)...

This one is made of a stingray leather cord, and includes Murano crystal beads.  Below are the courtesy items I selected and received from endlessleather to make this fabulous jewelry item:

Stingray Leather Cord 

Murano Crystal Beads (I used 6)

Closure

To make this gorgeous bracelet, I simply followed the steps above.  The only modification was to slip the beads onto the cord after I crimped the smallest end of the connector using a pair of pliers.  I then measured for size, cut, and finished by inserting the cord into the largest end of the connector; thereafter crimping (again, with a pair of pliers).

My second experience crafting bracelets using endlessleather products was every bit as fulfilling and successful as my first one.  These one-of-a-kind bracelets are pieces I'm proud and excited to sport!

Joy & peace! T.