How to Accessorize

different metals & styles

Accessorizing can be overwhelming and pricey, but sometimes spending the extra money on a piece of jewelry is worth the splurge. That saying "Get more bang for your buck" goes a long away.

Spend more money on sterling silver or spend hours scrubbing green marks off your skin. 

Here's a few tips on accessorizing and places to purchase good quality jewelry:

Earrings

• Choose a simple pair of studs:

Angelina Jolie does it best!

• pearls, diamonds/CZ, silver, gold or a solid colored stud

Tip - Pick one accessory to be your focal point (earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces). Wearing multiple bulky/bold pieces will create an unstructured and confusing look. 

Necklaces/Bracelets

• Mix Metals & Textures
• Different textures add different vibes to your look
• Adds character & originality
• Sleek & mod looking
• Can be elegant or bold
• It's fun & looks great

HRH Collection

Rings

• Keep it simple and classy if you're already wearing other pieces

Simple & Elegant

Simple & Edgy

• Or make your rings the focal accessory

Midi Rings

Ring Wrist Bracelet

Types of Metals

• Gold Plated $
• Sterling Silver $-$$
• Gold Filled $-$$ (better quality than gold plated)
• Real Gold $$$$ (yellow, white, rose)

Places to purchase:

• Artbeads.com      $-$$
• HRH Collection    $$-$$$
• Kohl's                   $$-$$$$

If you have a budget, costume jewelry will work, just take care of it and you might get some mileage out of it. Accessorizing is fun and a unique way to express yourself. Just have fun and remember, you don't have to wear every piece you own at once. Check out bloggers, magazines and Pinterest for fun, fashion ideas and other ways to accessorize.

Repair Tarnished costume jewelry

Successful Salary Negotiation

5 Ways to Avoid Low Salary Rate

I recently interviewed for a position in my field of expertise and found myself in an uncomfortable offer mid interview. I was offered a couple of dollars below my requested rate (from my application) in front of my interviewer and a vendor.

In shock, I heard myself blurt out "Okay." I could feel my puzzled expression and dissatisfaction immediately. I asked myself "What? Did you really agree to that low offer?"

As I sat there filling out "new hire" paperwork, I began feeling nothing but disappointment. I couldn't feel happy knowing I was offered a rate so much lower than what I'm worth. I even texted a couple friends saying "I got the job, but at ten lousy dollars an hour."

salary.com

After talking with my husband and a couple of friends, I decided I had to call my new employer and tell her how I felt. I knew I would never be happy there and perform to the best of my abilities if I wasn't getting paid what I'm worth.

Long story short, I called my boss the next day and told her how I felt. A couple of days later she called and offered my requested rate per hour. I was thrilled and thanked her!

There are 5 ways to avoid a low salary rate.

     5.  Research

• Know history of the company 
• Current revenue & profits
• Current salary rates

     4.  Flexibility

• Ask. Is there room to counter offer?
• Negotiating is a test of your confidence & experience

     3.  Put yourself in someone else's shoes

• If you don't feel comfortable negotiating for yourself, imagine you are negotiating for a loved one
• Take yourself out of the equation for a moment. It's easier that way.

salary.com

    

     2.  Know Your Value

• Know your self worth & value to the company
• Express what you will bring to the table & how you will improve the company
• Be confident
• Don't settle for less

     1.  Patiently Wait

• Wait to hear from your interviewer
• Don't become scared & start offering lower rates before you've heard from them
• Backing down shows lack of confidence & weakness

Employers will generally offer 10-20 percent below the company's budget for salaries. It's very common for people to say "Okay" and accept the first offer. Don't. Negotiate first and you'll be happy when you make the extra couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars later.

You should always negotiate your salary. The worst a future employer can say is "No." It's better to ask and be denied, then not ask and always wonder.

Thanks for stopping by and if you'd like to connect, leave a comment below!

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