Whimsical August Baubles

Charms to Spare
It's almost September, and it's back to business at my school (today was the first day of staff orientation), which means I have tons and tons and TONS to do in the next week-minus-two-days. And which also means I'll probably expend more energy on blog-posting, as my procrastinatory powers have always been remarkable. Once I seamlessly avoided grading a huge stack of very important tests by seeking ALL THE STICKERS I OWNED, deciding I needed more boy-oriented stickers (dudes love stickers too), going to CVS to seek them, and sitting in the aisle to read magazines rather than going home to my duties. Anyway, don't worry - I'm going to write lesson plans, too. (I SWEAR! In case anyone from school is reading this and judging me...)
Back to work always signals a buttoning-up and a more straight-laced steez, but I'm still in the throes of this punk-rock girlie teen-witch accessory obsession. Above are a few of the items I'm currently rocking - don't worry, not all at once! - with some great bargains as usual. (In the top right hand corner - that's the recently captured green studded bag from my last post!)
From top left, going clockwise: gold-and silver-tone spike bracelets: Forever21, $10.80/e. (These are satisfyingly heavy METAL, not plastic, and the spikes are SHARP, which makes them super fierce - a major jump from the 3 inches of black silver-studded Hot Topic crap I rocked in college, but far more reasonable than the $465 Auden Design beauty I've been stalking.) Sorry about the glare: Gold-tone leaf ring: Aldo, $6.00. Silver-tone chunky abstract ring: Forever21, $2.80. Gold-tone chunky abstract ring: Forever 21, $2.80. Gold-tone and black-"enamel" love-knot earrings: Forever21, $4.80. Chunky and somewhat aggressive but still ladylike.

The two pieces in the center, I simply adore. Definitely playing favorites with these two these days. (Also, see the two-tone bar ring from 2 posts ago.) The first one, a custom piece from C'est Magnifique in the city, has been getting a surprisingly significant amount of play lately - I believe I've mentioned it in a few posts now. Funny, this bauble had my heart from Jump Street even though I bought it in a far less macabre accessory mood about 4.5 years ago. I'm just real down with the double-double-toil-and-trouble of it, and the detail of the partially oxidized silver adds to the freaky feel. Plus I like the eye-dea (ha, ha) of a "third eye," and an old post (2009 "A Ring Thing") explains the Arachne myth involving the spider, which perhaps you've heard. I like to think that wearing it spikes my creativity and inspiration levels.
The gigantic, shiny gold fish ring truly has my heart at the moment. It takes up/wraps around +1/3 of my index finger, the detailing is excellent, the fish is really happy but still a tad dark and creepy (I suppose not unlike myself), and it's generally a heavy chunk of wonderfulness. Symbolism? Just keep swimming, essentially. (Smiley face.) I also like that it's the kind of gold-tone metal that doesn't fade and end up looking like I've raped and pillaged some dentist's-office spoils, but instead takes on that kind of soft, burnished patina. And the price? Drumroll please: $4.80. Really beats the $6,600 Max and Chloe version as well as the Anaconda $3,200 one. I'm "hooked." (Oh my God, stop me.) Other symbolic meanings of fish, from various mythologies and cultures: change, transformation, creativity, femininity, good luck, knowledge, happiness. My father says that Buddhists also link fish to freedom. Way better than a fortune cookie, if you ask me.

Note: I'm really hoping that earlier today during orientation, my C.E.O. (as we made eye contact during his welcome-back speech) didn't notice that I was gazing lovingly into the eyes of a huge, funky-ass fish on my hand. Doesn't seem like the best way to get noticed at one's place of work.
Anyone else into charms, talismans, and good-luck trinkets? I'm also currently favoring a gold four-leaf clover on a thin chain, one of the only delicate pieces I'll eff with lately. I believe jewelry takes on its owner's wishes, dreams, strength, and all the rest. As autumn comes to Connecticut, I plan to let my hands do the talking - and I don't mind if they sound a little bit like Stevie Nicks.

xo