Opulence vs. Sophistication

People love to look at opulent things.  Every show on HGTV seems to be about helping wealthy people find a luxurious home.  Fashions right now tend towards bling and sparkle.  We even need Swarovski crystals on our telephone covers.  Perhaps that's why I like hobbies that favor fancy costumes, like ice skating and historical reenactments.  It allows me to pretend for a little while that I have wealth and riches beyond my imagining.

In reality though, I tend to be a practical person.  I don't go to cocktail parties.  (After all, I have to drive home afterwards, so I can't drink very much.  What fun is that?)  Charity galas are far outside of my comfort zone.  So, as much as I might like that 13 carat necklace, I feel it's important to find jewelry that I can wear in many different settings.  

Sleek, sophisticated designs are what naturally gravitate to.  Sophisticated designs say, "I am beautiful just the way I am.  I don't need "bling" to get you to look at me."  

This pair of earrings embodies the best of sophisticated designs.  The pearls seem to float on the wires, and the silver arcs gently frame your face.  These earrings would dress up a simple, black business suit, yet they would still be perfect with a black party dress.   

But, where I think they would really stand out is with a simple, black sweater.