Welcome to Gems & Geodes

An information hotspot for those seeking handy tips and sources for inspiration.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Ode to Nerds


Nerd-chic is all the rage these days and as a self-proclaimed Geek I could not love it more!  There is something so fantastically awesome about the latest retro-nerdy-geek-cool fashions out there that guys and gals can't get enough of!  I've always maintained that this look was cool even when it wasn't so I'm pleased that it has finally gone more mainstream.


I've recently become a fan of the CBS sit-com Big Bang Theory where one of the characters on the show Sheldon, is my latest hero.  Not only is he uber neurotic and suffers from OCD, he's got some of the greatest t-shirts that I want to have all to myself!  So as an ode to all nerds and geeks alike - and those of us who secretly want to be - here are some fabulous tee's that you should consider adding to your very own collection.


Dudes: this post is primarily for you, but gals not to fret, there are loads of awesome nerdy-tee's that you can sport as well.






Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:

Friday, August 13, 2010

The Elusive Scarf

We've all seen them, ladies wearing beautiful fabrics draped around their necks and have wondered "how do they do that?!".  There is something so elegant about a woman wearing a beautiful scarf around her neck, it's very European and very sexy.  So why don't more North American's wear scarves?  I've often wondered this and asked myself "why don't I wear more scarves?!".  Well I believe the answer is simple, intimidation.  Not all of us are entirely sure how to wear them, how to tie them and how to coordinate them with what we have on...that is until now.


Scarves can be worn around your neck, on your head, around your waist, and across your body; the key to wearing one comes down to the shape, size, material, fold and knot.  Let's focus on the neck scarf which in my opinion is quintessential.  A square scarf is always a good bet because all sides are even and will allow for a crisp edge.  However, some scarf knot styles require more material so make sure that you have the appropriate sized scarf for whatever style of knot you choose to wear.


In my quest for tips on how to accomplish the perfect knot I discovered a website dedicated to uncovering the mystery.  This particular company specializes in hand-painted silk and has a scarf tying guide section of their website dedicated to different styles of knots!  TexereSilk showcases a number of adorable painted sketches of knot styles and describes for the reader how to tie each one.  When I think of neck scarves I immediately think of Pairs and I thought, what more appropriate than to share with you the French Twist:
What I also loved about this guide is that they go into detail about what and how to wear the particular scarf styles they showcase.


TIP: When wearing a neck scarf make sure to select a scarf colour (solid or pattern) that complements your skin tone.  And whatever you do, make sure that you have minimal to zero make-up on.  Scary thought I know but believe me ladies, a complementing scarf will add all the colour you need to enhance your beautiful features, so don't overpower the scarf with heavy make-up as this will add contrast.


Now that I've talked about where to find tips on how to secure the scarf and how to wear one, it would be a good time to give you some inspiration from 4 very famous scarf designers:


Hermes:


Emilio Pucci:


Gucci:


Yves Saint Laurent:


Whatever scarf you select make sure that you do one small thing, wear it with confidence. Trust me on this one girls, that's the true secret to wearing one.  You'll thank me for it.


Happy Shopping!