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One of my favorite ways to accessorize an outfit is with jewelry, especially on my arms.  Think about it, you have the most real estate on your arms because with your ears, you can only wear so many pairs of earrings at once, and unless you want your neck weighed down like Flava Flav, you can't really wear 15 necklaces.  Rings are fun but bracelets are definitely my favorite way to accessorize.  

There are different ways to style your wrists with bracelets so today we'll look at a few. 

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Amazing Gift Ideas [Ask Away Holiday Gift Guide]

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The most wonderful time of the year is finally here! It's time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping this year.  If you're Christmas shopping on a budget, great! Because the ideas I'm going to share with you today are budget friendly and there's something for everyone on your list!

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How I Used A Necklace to Soothe My Anxiety + 15% OFF

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You wake up and begin to get ready for your day.  Maybe you're going to work or maybe you have to run errands because it's a weekend.   Then that dreaded feeling of anxiety hits you for whatever reason and your heart begins racing and fluttering.  Your stomach starts to spin and your breathing becomes fast and makes you panic even more.  Maybe you know the reason you feel this way or maybe you're like me and although you treat your anxiety in a variety of ways, you still need a little bit of help.

If you were reading that paragraph and nodding your head yes, I FEEL YOU and please keep reading!  

See, for years I've taken medication for anxiety and depression.  It runs in my family and I've managed it very well.  Still, there are times when for whatever reason (a huge TO DO list for the day) I start to feel panicky and my heart races and as I'm walking to my building for work every morning my anxiety sky rockets.  I get in the elevator (alone since it's so early) and close the door and in the time it takes me to get up to the 10th floor, I'm staring into the mirrored doors at myself, breathing hysterically and wondering what my deal is.  I try to take deep breathes but I feel like in order to do that I need someone physically there to guide me through it.

I don't get like this every single day but when it does happen it's usually because there's A LOT going on in ALL the different aspects of my life.  

Some people have a soothing behavior they do to calm their anxiety and whether it's a quick meditation, a tap on their forehead (yes, someone told me they do that and it works for them), or writing their worries down, I am all about finding what works for you. 

What do I do now?
Well, I discovered this amazing necklace from Komuso Design.  It's The Shift necklace and it was inspired by Japanese monks and designed by a therapist with a tested circumference that slows your exhale when you are breathing.  No mechanics, technology, or confusing instructions.  Seriously, it's that simple!

I was very skeptical at first because I was convinced breathing can't help me calm down.  That's because I was doing it all wrong. 

I mean, yes, you could just take a deep breath but if you're like me you need some training to actually breathe really deep.  The Shift trains your breath to go deeper so that you can feel better.  This physical act of breathing with a longer exhale triggers a neurological response inside you that calms your nervous system, slows your heart rate, reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), and relaxes you mentally and physically.

When I put it on for the first time I felt like I was in some science fiction movie where I had a magical tool around my neck that would transport me into a different time and place.  It kind of DOES do that though because The Shift brings you back to the PRESENT MOMENT.   You do realize that when you feel anxious and panicky it's usually because you are worrying about something in the future.  The Shift is designed to snap you out of it.


So I began using it right away.  At first it was awkward because I was trying to rush my breathing and I blew out like it was a straw.  It made a whistle sound and I realized it's because I was being too intense.  So I really stopped and tried my hardest to exhale slowly and naturally and after 3 tries it worked!!   For the last 2 weeks at work I've been using it every morning as I ride the elevator up to my office and I'm feeling so much better every day.   The Shift is like my little crutch, like a worry stone that you rub in your pocket.  When I sit at my desk and get anxious I turn my chair around, face the wall, close my eyes, and breathe.  The best part is, it's so discreet that no one even knows what I'm doing anyways.  

But, it's also really fashionable...
The second best part is that The Shift is such a gorgeous necklace and I get compliments everyday.  The third best part is that people don't even know what it is unless I tell them.  You can choose silver, gold, or rose gold based on the type of jewelry you typically wear and you can absolutely layer this necklace with other ones. 

Yes, it's easy to use!
If you're thinking to yourself "I won't even know how to use it", stop that! Inside the packaging there's a little fold out guide that explains in 4 easy steps how to do it. 


First, you inhale deeply through only your noise so you fill your belly with air.  While you do this you should try to become aware of your thoughts.  Then you pause briefly and gently exhale through The Shift for about 8-10 seconds and release all of the air from your belly.  This is EXHALING, not BLOWING.   Then you relax your jaw and shoulders and notice your thoughts and shifting to your breath. And finally you repeat 5 times at least.  Congrats! You just told your nervous system to take a chill pill and you're becoming more present with your breath.  Now you can tell your mind to be still.  It's almost as if you distract yourself from the silly thoughts that don't matter.

Does it really work?
I guess that all depends if you use it correctly.  I can tell you that I feel a lot better and I haven't really had the random anxiety and panic feelings in the mornings lately. 


I also tend to feel rushed and anxious if I get stuck in traffic and I have somewhere to be and I actually started using The Shift necklace to calm myself when that situation comes up and it has been working like a charm.  In stead of sitting there angry at the other drivers, I go through things in my head like "Oh wow, that is a really pretty tree over there that I never noticed." Yea, it sounds corny but you will enjoy your life and your day so much more if you notice the great things around you.  I promise you that.

Do you want your own necklace?
I highly recommend them and if you want to purchase one today you can get 15% off with the code ASKAWAY over on the Komuso Design website.  Like I said earlier, there are different colors to choose from and it's such a beautiful and lightweight piece of jewelry that even if you only use it as that, it's still worth it. 

Do you struggle with anxiety? What do you do to try to calm yourself down?  

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Wedding Attire [OOTD] w/ 7 Charming Sisters

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Last month I attended a rather casual wedding so I didn't want to overdo it with a fancy shmancy look. 

 So I chose this... I thought the green was classy and the dress isn't over the top. It's so comfy too.   But you know what they say about fashion - the accessories can make or break the look.  Well, I of course chose my Avocado Bag because how perfect is it to go with the green dress.   But I needed something more.

So I chose this gorgeous gem necklace from 7 Charming Sisters.

Bib necklaces are a great statement for any outfit but I really love coordinating the colors.  Even though this statement necklace was a lighter green than my dress it still drew a lot of attention and got a few compliments.  The gold color on the chain really looks nice too.  

The wedding was a blast and once again, I am proud of my outfit!

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Bullets Making A Fashion Statement

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I love fashion trends that make a statement and stand out from what everyone else wears so when I got the chance to work with Little Black Gun, I was excited.  Little Black Gun offers a line of earrings that are made from bullet casings that have actually been fired from a gun.  Their earrings are handmade out of nickel plated casings and the earrings themselves have surgical stainless steel backs and Swarovski Crystals.


There are plenty of colors to choose from like blue, green, pink, and grey and all of their earrings come in two different cuts - regular and thin cut.


These earrings give any look a little bit of edge and at first glance they almost look like small gauges.  I love that whenever people see me wearing these earrings they ask me what they are  and where they are from.    I of course had to choose the pink because they have an adorable feminine look regardless of what I'm wearing.

I also love wearing these earrings because they remind me that I'm in a way, recycling something that most people just let sit on the ground.  I like to know that I'm helping the environment even if it's just one ear at a time!


Definitely check out Little Black Gun for all your edgy earring needs!

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How to Accessorize with Statement Jewelry {{+ a giveaway}}

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I get asked quite often how I pick out my outfits and put them together and how I select certain statement jewelry for each outfit.  So here are a few tips on how to accessorize your looks.

|1| Invest in Colorful Pieces
Even if your clothes are pretty plain and not very bright, you can always give them a pop of color with a statement necklace.  Think of colors you like and then choose those colors. I love gem tones like warm blue and greens, as well as pink and coral.   I try to find those colors in different pieces when I shop.


|2| Less is More
Don't overdo it.  If you have a really busy shirt, your statement necklace could look tacky and add way too much to your outfit.  Sometimes you don't need to wear a necklace, and you can just opt for a single statement bracelet.   Or focus on a ring and earrings.



|3| Display Your Jewels
It's easier to pick out jewelry when it's properly displayed in your closet or bedroom.   Choose displays that allow everything to hang in front of you like a bracelet rack, coat hooks for necklaces, and a simple ring holder.  

My Favorite Necklace

Normally I'm obsessed with handbags as accessories but lately I've been more focused on statement jewelry, especially necklaces. This gorgeous Multicolored Flower Necklace is from Pretty in Pynk. They mainly offer jewelry items and I just love the colors and selection. If you are looking to make a statement with affordable jewelry - look no further. I love this necklace. It goes with so much since I can basically match any part of my outfit to one of the many colors.

One lucky winner is going to get a $25 gift card to Pretty in Pynk!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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How To Organize Your Jewelry + A Giveaway

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When it comes to jewelry, most of us have plenty of I and we are always lacking storage ideas.  I like to keep my jewelry on display but still in organized manner.  That's why I am dedicating a whole blog post to organizing jewelry using my BelleDangles Wall Mounted Classic Jewelry Organizer.

1// Make sure you can see your necklaces.   I like to have my necklaces hanging side by side because it makes it easier to see the colors and the selection.  When you have to get dressed in the morning, you don't have to time to debate on necklace choices, so make sure you have everything displayed so all you have to do is grab the one you like.  I love that the BelleDangles Jewelry Organizer has little s hooks that go on the necklace bar, however for me personally, I like to hang mine directly on the bar with the clasps closed. It's just a personal preference of mine.

Here's how it looks if you do it the other way.


2// Keep earrings together.  I hate storing earrings in a little drawer because they get all tangled and separated.  Some people say you should hook your hoop earrings together but that's just a pain.   I love the little holes for earrings.  Everything fits in nicely so you can see it, and you can keep the left and right together.

3// Layer bracelets on a bar. I love the bracelet bar because it's easy to slide the bracelets off to get the one you want.   When you use the ones that stand vertically, it can be a pain to lift the bracelets up and off. This way, they just slide gracefully forward. 

Honestly, having your items all neat and organized makes it easier to get ready in a rush, and it makes it more fun to pick your outfits and accessories out ahead of time.   Plus, when you go shopping, you'll know what you have and what you still need because nothing is hidden!

 

One lucky winner is going to get a Black Jewelry Stand to organize THEIR jewelry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Rockin' It with ROCKSBOX

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I got another one of my favorite monthly subscription boxes the other day from ROCKSBOX ! If you don't like what you get, just send it back.  If you like it, you can keep it and you get charged the insider price. This is what makes ROCKSBOX so awesome.




Here's how it works: You take a survey that basically lets you choose the type of jewelry you will receive and then you get 3 hand-picked items sent to you, that can total up to $200!   Whatever you like, you can keep and you note it on a little card that comes inside.  Whatever you don't like, you can send back in the postage-paid envelope you get with your monthly shipment.   You can even make note of why you don't like something so that they know not to send you something similar again.  

I got the House of Harlow 1960 Triangle Trellis Necklace in Lapis. It's so classy and elegant.  It's a great necklace for layering.   Also, I am in love with the Perry Street Jenna Necklace.  So colorful!

The Gorjana Mara Cuff is so elegant. I love the detail on it. It's very comfortable and great for layering.

And if you sign up, be sure to use my code askawayblogxoxo! With this code, you get 1 free month.  This code will go on until April 11th and then after that you will only get 50% off your first month!

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These Are A Few Of My Favorite Positive Things (For Spring)

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It's finally staying light out for longer, it's warming up, and the birds are always outside chirping.   In an effort to be positive and spread the good vibes I wanted to highlight 3 of my favorite things right now!

 

 

1 | Alex and Ani Bracelets
I seriously love Alex and Ani.  I'm sure you've heard all the buzz that these bracelets have positive energy infused in them.  Well, they do.  And tons of people I know that wear them say they seem to have great luck and are able to stay upbeat even in the worst of times.  Even if it's just a mindset from putting the bracelets on, that works for me!

Each Alex and Ani product is infused with positive energy.  They embrace the power of positive energy as their core company belief.  The ensure that the products themselves are manufactured with positive intention in American factories that they select very carefully.   The symbols featured in their designs also carry their own energy and special meaning.   And each design is intended to empower the wearer and reflect the unique qualities of that individual.  There are some pieces with sentimental meaning and others with protective talismans.  I love the fact that you can mix and match the different bracelets as well.  This one is the Turn Up Peace bangle.  This symbolizes the small  actions that can be taken toward bettering humanity.   This charm represents standing up for kindness and liberating the world from negativity! Whenever I put it on in the morning I take a few moments to reflect on how I want my day to go and how I plan to notice all the beautiful things about the day.

 



2 | Walking the Dogs on a Pleash

 

Yes, you heard that right, a Pleash. The reason I love the Pleash is because it has plenty of room for me to keep a few treats, a key, my phone, and a doggie bag.  It's made of nylon webbing and has a little carabiner to fasten keys or a small flashlight too.  In the Summer I'm going to attach a collapsible bowl to it.  The cinch cord attached to the carabiner gives me hands-free transport of waste! AMEN to that!   This zipper pouch is water resistant and it's the perfect size to hold my iPhone. 

 

 

 

 

3 | Playing with the Kitties

My mom has 2 cats and lately I've been spoiling them with treats. These Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Boost Minis in Rabbit Formula are perfect for cats because they are meat eaters by nature.  So they love the taste of these freeze-dried treats.  They have the benefits of all-natural pure raw ingredients made with REAL rabbit and without the grain or gluten.  There are just 2 calories per piece and NO corn, wheat, or soy.  And I love that there are no meat by-products or artificial colors or flavors.  My cats loved these as a treat here and there but I also put a few on top of their regular food which enticed them to be less finicky!

 

 

 

So what are you loving lately?

 

 

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Do You Know What Time It Is?

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I never used to be a fan of wearing a watch, especially when everywhere you go someone has a cell phone that can tell you the time as well as the weather, the date, and everything else. 

Then I started getting into the whole arm candy trend where you load your wrist up with bracelets and a watch.   

It can't be any watch though, it has to be fun and colorful.   I love this Sea Anchor Watch from Renee Fitness Boutique.  The band is so soft and I love the vibrant color and the cute anchor design. It's very lightweight which makes it perfect for layering with bracelets and other accessories. 

 I love this turquoise color too. It's so classy and elegant but also brings a nice pop of color to any outfit! 

Do you wear a watch or do you just depend on your phone for the time?  

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Kissing + Mistletoe = Kisstletoe + A Giveaway

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Tis the season... because it's coming and fast!  Holiday fashion can be so gaudy and tacky sometimes which is why I'm a very tough critic with jewelry and accessories to wear around Christmas.  But Kisstletoe has a great way of being festive and fashionable.  It's the Kisstletoe Real Mistletoe Pendants.

Kisstletoe is a mother and daughter company who donates a portion of their sales to The Malala Fund to amplify, advocate, and invest in empowerment of girls! Each Kisstletoe necklace is made in San Diego, California from local mountain mistletoe. 

Mine is the KisstleBerry necklace! I love the elegant leaf charm and the dainty white wooden bead. 
The mistletoe is harvested by hand through collection in the local mountains.  It's then dried and encased in resin.  Mistletoe is actually a parasite so technically they are doing the trees a favor!  

It's such a great statement necklace for the Holiday season!!   I love the craftsmanship and how easy it is to wear!   Plus everyone asks about it! 

And Kisstletoe is actually giving one of you a necklace!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Elegant and Eco-Friendly // A Giveaway

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I love nature and the environment and I'm always trying to go green where I can.  So when I found out there was a line of eco-friendly vegan jewelry by Ecolissa, I was so happy!

I absolutely love my Blossoms Lotus Earrings.  They are so lightweight but they make a great statement. They are laser cut and made from a very thing but strong multi-layered sustainable wood.  Even though they are colored, it's with a non-toxic natural dye.  And no need to worry if you have sensitive ears because the posts are silver-plated surgical steel and nickel-free! 

They measure a square inch in size so it's really easy to wear these even with my long hair!
And guess what - You can use the code "aa20" for 20% off at Ecolissa!

And that's not all.... Ecolissa is giving away a pair of Green Tree Jewelry Earrings to one lucky winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Key To Happiness

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I have found the key to happiness.  It's in the form of a necklace from Samantha Faye, but it still makes me just as happy!   I am obsessed with keys so adding a key necklace to my jewelry collection made me squeal.

What I love about the Samantha Faye brand is that it was started by a woman that understands the power of jewelry and how it connects with different milestones and weaves through generations.  Samantha Freedman was influenced by the world around her and she used that inspiration for the charms she creates for her jewelry collection.  At Samantha Faye you can shop for City charms, engraved with your longitude and latitude, and even weather themed charms!

I love jewelry that has to be explained to people when they ask what it means.  So when people ask what my Key necklace means I explain to them that I've always loved keys because they symbolize the future to me.  You unlock your future a moment at a time.

And I have two codes for you guys!  These codes are good through october. 


Use Askaway10 for 10% off sitewide
and
Use Askaway20 for 20% off the key necklace like I have!

Which piece of jewelry is your favorite from the Samantha Faye website?

 

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