The best sartorial dollar you can spend is on a statement piece that goes with everything. I’ve been wearing this Gerard Yosca necklace almost exclusively since I received it, so three outfits featuring the bauble this week wasn’t much of a challenge! Today, I strayed away from Monday’s mod attire in favor of something classic and feminine. A full skirt can become saccharine awfully quickly, but the necklace’s graphic flowers and a bright crossbody bag keep the look from being too prim. 

Wearing: J.Crew dress (worn as a skirt) // J.Crew sweater // Gerard Yosca necklace (c/o) // DVF purse (also love this one) // Hermes bracelet // Julie Vos ring (c/o) // Kate Spade heels

Inspired by the organic imperfection of nature and decay, Lacee Norris launched Lacee Alexandra, a jewelry collection that embraces these forms in a sophisticated, wearable way. Lacee’s artistic nature was apparent at a young age when she spent time in her grandmother’s studio painting miniatures. In 2008, she began studying fine art and design at California State University Long Beach and enrolled in her first jewelry making class on a whim, igniting a passion for what would eventually become her career. Lacee still resides in Long Beach, hand crafting her collection with sterling silver, 14k gold, black spinels and black diamonds. 

Lacee is offering B&B readers a 30% discount through April 29! Just use code BAUBLES at checkout!

Shop It: Transitions Pendant, $360 // Treasured Pieces Lariat, $183 // Collected Crevice Necklace, $397 // Staggered Hoops, $350 // Eternal Stacker, $95 // Moments Band, $125 // Staggered Studs, $350 // Pieces of One Studs, $79

Follow Lacee Alexandra: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest

I’m such a proponent of investing in quality accessories that you’ll wear over and over again—and I have no doubt that, in time, the cost per wear of that statement splurge will be lower than a cheaper alternative. Gerard Yosca’s latest collection is full of these versatile statement pieces, so when the team challenged me to style one necklace three ways this week, I jumped at the chance. First up, a mod shift dress that matches the mood of the black and white necklace. I’ve been wearing this to work quite a bit over the last few weeks (sadly, with tights), but it’s just as fun for weekend wear with pointy black flats. 

Wearing: ASOS dress (old) // Gerard Yosca necklace (c/o) // earrings via eBay // Coach purse // Kate Spade heels 

No, as a matter of fact, I’m not done obsessing over pearl jewelry and this pair of earrings from Hortense is my favorite yet. The double pearl bars come in a combination of grey and white or all white and they’re actually a pretty good deal at $184 considering they’re made of solid 14k gold and real pearls.

1. Tibi, $675 // 2. Gap, $30 // 3. J.Crew, $165* // 4. Tibi, $285 // 5. Aldo, $76 // 6. Alexis Bittar, $145 // 7. YSL, $35

*Loafers and stripes and bows, oh my! You know I want these. Would it be a terrible violation of my shopping ban to use a Christmas gift card on them? 

I have no doubt that you’ve already fallen for Gerard Yosca’s latest collection and, as with most jewelry affairs, it was probably love at first sight. (Really, how could you resist the signature mod blossoms? I’ve been styling this necklace to no end and, as you’ll see next week, it goes with just about everything.) However, I find the passion for a coveted piece intensifies after learning about its inspiration. I can just imagine the person residing in that A. Quincy Jones home reaching for Gerard’s gems before her midday martini. Poolside, of course.*

*I’m not sure if the Sidney F. and Frances Brody House actually had a pool. That’s the great thing about the imagination, isn’t it? 

Gerard Yosca’s latest collection is a good one (more on that tomorrow) and the statement necklaces steal the show. Whether you prefer to wear one standout piece or layer with abandon, it takes a healthy dose of panache to pull off a bold bauble. Gerard’s tips will have you effortlessly incorporating a statement necklace into your wardrobe in no time.

Take heed of that final guideline. The piece you select should be one you’ll love for years. I promise it’s worth the investment.

Lately, I’m loving:

• Yet another bouquet of tulips. I can’t help myself. 
  
  
• This trench coat in navy. Before my self-imposed shopping ban went into effect, I placed one more order at Banana Republic. The jacket has a subtle sheen that makes it feel more elevated than your standard-issue beige trench and the striped lining with magenta piping won me over. As some of the reviews mention, it really is tight in the shoulders and bust, so take that into account if you have your eye on it. The white eyelet shift also arrived last week, which was a huge disappointment. I was pining for this since BR’s spring preview last fall and it fell short of expectations. It runs really small and I didn’t love it enough to go up another size or two to get the carefree fit that dress needs. The final item from my order (this dress) is scheduled to arrive today. Fingers crossed for a success! 
  
  
• A batch of lemon bars I made yesterday afternoon. Even though they’re one of my favorite sweets, I rarely make them because I’ll eat the entire pan within the week. Time to cue up a workout with Jillian Michaels to burn off that pound of butter.
  
  
• A pair of Loeffler Randall sandals for just $62. Will someone please buy all of the size 7s so I’m not tempted anymore?! 

I’m thrilled to share that Gerard Yosca and I are partnering this month to introduce you to his latest collection, Bel-Air, inspired by decorative mid-century architecture. Gerard will pass along advice on styling a statement necklace, I’ll show you how I wore the Stonebloom necklace (above) with three different outfits (proof that one great statement piece is better than a handful of cheaper alternatives), and we’ll wrap things up with a giveaway. I hope you’ll stick around for the fun! (And may I suggest adding the Mini Bloom ring to your jewelry box in the meantime?) 

Read more about Gerard in his "Behind the Baubles" feature. 

Every store email, every blog post and every Instagram is another temptation to buy the next “It” item, which makes a month without shopping for clothes especially difficult for a style blogger. Heck, if you’re like me, you’re not hiding an Internet history littered with tawdry sites, you just don’t want to admit how many dresses you looked at before your first cup of coffee.

Challenging myself to a “No Shop April” was less about saving money  and more of an effort to stop accumulating stuff. I like to shop. I like to own pretty things. But lately I’ve felt like I’ve gone off the rails a bit. I just need a month to step back and reevaluate what I want in terms of general financial goals and key items to eventually add to my wardrobe.

Here are my strategies: 

1. Avoid temptation. It goes without saying that the mall is a huge source of temptation for many of us, but your inbox is an even bigger landmine. I receive hundreds of promotional emails each week touting new arrivals and promotional discounts. It’s easy to fall victim to a friends and family sale when it’s a rare chance to save 25%. My advice? Unsubscribe. Or at the very least delete the emails without opening them. If you’re serious about streamlining your inbox, Unroll.me is a startup company that lets you view how many lists you’re subscribed to, gives you the opportunity to unsubscribe, then consolidates the messages into one daily email. (I was on 488 lists.) 
   
   
2. Mix and match your existing wardrobe. This is the perfect opportunity to be creative. Pick a piece you haven’t worn in awhile and challenge yourself to wear it three different ways this month. It also makes for blog fodder that’s more interesting than showcasing new purchases. 
   
   
3. Clean out your closet. Go through your closet and take out every single item. Look over each with a critical eye. Do you wear it? Is it in good repair? Would your current self buy this piece again? If you can answer yes to those three questions, the item goes back in the closet. If not, it’s off to eBay or Goodwill. I did this in February and, honestly, I was embarrassed by how much I donated and by how much money I spent on things I didn’t wear. It forced me to be more thoughtful about future spending. 
   
   
4. Appreciate what you already own. You know that rush you get when you buy a new item? Rekindle that flame with your wardrobe. We all have items we treasure and it’s important to realize that you can’t always have the latest and greatest thing. In fact, what you own now is already pretty great. 
   
   
5. Keep your on the prize. Be honest about your reason for doing this. Are you padding your savings account? Putting away money for an expensive item? Looking to break away from unconscious consumerism? Whatever it is, write it down. Remind yourself of your end goal whenever temptation strikes. There will always be another must-have item. 

Illustration by Garance Dore