Kelsey Dundon

A guest post by my sister-in-law Jaclyn.

And no, I’m not talking about the dreaded pre-requisite for all you commerce kids. If you’re like me you are constantly looking for new ways to store and display your ever-growing jewelry collection. After one too many trips to Forever 21, and one too many days cruising European street markets, I have accrued more than one bedroom can handle. I decided it was time for an organization overhaul. After all, my travel treasures deserve to be flaunted. Isn’t that what all the bargaining was for?

These hand-painted wooden trays are from Florence and serve up everyday jewelry. Ok so the necklace isn’t so “everyday,” but it was designed by Elizabeth Taylor’s personal jeweler. Hiding it would be a style sin.

Most jewelry stores will sell you their display stands. This one is from Loulou Luv on Broadway, and I noticed some great ones at Front and Company on Main St. last weekend. 
 
I found this coat hook in a sale bin at Urban Outfitters. It’s turned into a “statement necklace” hook and I like the Indian vibe. Coat hooks are great ways to turn a tiny wall space into dazzling displays.

 
This floral cake stand left me with such feverish glee, my mom thought I was insane. What a flirty and fresh way to stack your jewels. The best part is, if I ever decide to unleash my Martha, I can just switch up the pearls and rhinestones for cupcakes and tarts. 

For now I think I’ll stick with the jewelry. Such an easy way to cut calories.

Want to write a guest post? (Oh good!) Send me a note at theanthology@live.com. Thanks again Jac for getting me a real deal on this dress and for writing the post on being a to-orist.

Because I didn’t go frolicking in any fields with flowers in my hair today.

And a long flowy dress like this begs to be frolicked in. Especially when paired with a vest and a long beaded necklace.

I bought it in Turkey from a man named Erol who fell in love with my sister-in-law.

“Hiiiiii Jaclyn!” he would yell from across the street as she came out of our hotel. Morning. Noon. And night.

When I bought the dress, Erol gave me the Jaclyn discount. Because it’s not what you know, it’s who.

As soon as Liv of A Beautiful Life returned from Hong Kong, she wrote a lovely guest post on that city (which only made me want to visit even more than I already did).

Now that I’ve just returned from Turkey (more specifically, now that I’ve just returned from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul), I was all too happy to return the favour and write a little something for her blog, which you can find here.

Speaking of Turkey, I fell in love with all the cats that owned the streets there. Crazy cat lady that I am, I would have adopted them all.

Not that this kitty is from there. He, like me, was born and raised in Vancouver.

But back to the task at hand, you can read my guest post here.

Especially the ones who let you pilfer pieces from their closet.

This shirt was my husband’s, but when the dry cleaner shrunk the sleeves, I nabbed it and have worn it with pants and shorts and skirts.

When I showed up to work wearing it, my friend Melissa pointed out that it is very Katherine Hepburn. (I found this photo, along with one of my favourite Ms. Hepburn, here.)

I wore that shirt with these vintage anchor earrings. If I wanted to go, umm, overboard with the whole nautical thing, I would rock the earrings with this shirt.

And if I wanted to make this belt (which I clasped with a pin from a kilt) really pirate-y, I would wear it with this bracelet. Aaaaargh you thinking the same thing?

It’s a combination that sounds anything but elegant.

Yet somehow, with this shirt/dress I bought in Turkey, it works.

It’s actually long enough to be worn as a dress (anywhere except the office). But I opted to tuck it into the linen skirt I bought in Dublin when I was visiting my sister there last summer.

Then there’s my amethyst bracelet, which isn’t quite as magic as my power ring, but it’s got to have some sort of special powers, right?

This shot of Leroy is by far my favourite shot of the series. Wasn’t even supposed to be of him.

He really is turning into a poorly behaved beast (technically he’s not allowed on the couch). But not only do I laugh and take pictures when he misbehaves, I snuggle him instead of scolding him.

I will never be an animal trainer.

I blush really easily? Well imagine how I felt when the charming Paul Melo stopped me on the street and asked to photograph me for his Vancouver fashion blog Style Quotient.

I was nervous, I was flustered, but above all, I was honoured.

I thought I’d leave you with some detail shots. His photo is much better (the man’s a pro). Take a look at it here.

Thank you Paul!

And I kinda did. See:

But when I was up in Whistler I also stopped into the amazing vintage shop F as in Frank (which also just opened up in Vancouver on Main and Broadway) and got this vintage Expo 86 t-shirt (I’ve wanted one soooooo bad ever since my brother found one).

What I can’t decide is whether I should chop it up as per my New Kids on the Block t-shirt or leave it pristine.

And then there’s the shirt my husband bought. Which would be a crime to cut up.