Monday Musings: White Flats, Brooches and a Brilliant Tip
I’m so blessed to have the smartest community of ladies here at AWSL. You often come to my rescue with information, wisdom, and solutions that work for you. Today, I want to share a simple tip that a reader shared with me.
How to Keep Your Brooch On
I’ve lost several brooches over the years that mysteriously went missing, likely by simply falling off. Last week, Lauren shared a brilliant little tip to prevent that. You put the pin of the brooch through the fabric and out again, leaving a small space, just large enough to put a silicone earring stopper on the pin, then slip the pin into the latch. If the latch fails, your brooch doesn’t fall off. Thank you, Lauren, this is brilliant! I ordered a large box of them here for $3.99.
Now I need another tip. I bought this vintage Chanel brooch second-hand, and the tiny faux pearls keep falling out. I guess the old glue has just dried up. I’ve found several on the floor and put them back with super glue, but they continue to fall out. Any tips on how to keep them from doing that? Is covering it with a layer of clear nail polish dumb? I’d love to hear your ideas.
MORE BROOCHES ON MY RADAR
WHITE SHOES
I had no idea how valuable a pair of white flats would be in my wardrobe. I was hesitant to order these woven flats in white because I thought the vibe might seem too vintage Palm Beach…but I love them and have to make myself not choose them every morning. Much like a black shoe, these go with everything I’m wearing these days so they were a smart buy…plus they’re very comfortable. You can save 10% off with the code AWSL10 at checkout.
It turns out there are lots of white flats around this spring, and many in a woven texture. Here are a few I found:
OUTFIT OF THE WEEK- Shirtdress Edition
I’m not a big dress wearer, but the exception is a shirtdress. I have several and love their relaxed vibe. They feel more casual than many dress styles and are easy to work into my wardrobe.
I spotted this J. Crew shirtdress in navy and white striped poplin that ticked all the boxes for me, so I’ve put together several ways to wear it.
I’m firmly in sneaker mode these days, so for this look, I paired the striped shirtdress with sporty sneakers, a denim crescent bag, and a collarless denim jacket. I accessorized it with a hammered silver heart brooch, fun hoops, and blue polarized sunglasses. This is a great look for a day of sightseeing or running errands.
This dress could also be dressed up for lunch on the patio of a casual baby shower with a raffia lady bag, woven sandals, a raffia bucket hat, a cotton bandana, fun enamel earrings, and some chic oval sunglasses.
I love the chameleon nature of this bag, that you could style for so many more occasions. How would you wear it?
Fantastic tip from Lauren so will store it in my memory bank. Also appreciate your links on the white shoes. As to your brooch and being a one-time project without the purchase of gadgets, just some thoughts: a) For the pearls you re-glued but still fell off , is there any old residue that might require removing? IF so, to prep you could try some nail polish remover. Resize a q-tip end and test first in an inconspicuous place. b) For the others, consider testing them by enclosing the brooch in a plastic bag and put in freezer for while as some may just fall off whereas for those that seem loose, use the smallest/flat Screwdriver head to pop the pearl out. (A cheap S-Kit can be found in the $-store.) c) For a glue; Gorilla Glue Gel works well on metal as so does clear Silicone. Use a toothpick to apply and tweezers for positioning. Hope this helps Jennifer. -Brenda-
Great ideas Brenda! Thanks. I’ll try the zip lock bag trick.
Dresses are no longer my style but your blue striped shirt dress and the way you styled it are wonderful. I would love to see it on you. I’m afraid that my short height and no longer slim waist would not be a good look. I have been wearing my slimmer white straight leg jeans, white sneakers from Brooks, and my Biden look nautical striped tees. It is 69 degrees today! Four days of lovely weather before it turns cold again and a snowstorm coming Friday. I love the comfort of my sneakers. I’ll stay in for this wet snow coming but get out in the warm spring like weather. Enjoy!
I’ve had good luck with jewelry glue. I would think you would put a drop of glue in the setting then place the pearl. Probably using tweezers would help. Also, I’ve taken costume jewelry to my local jeweler. It probably cost more than the piece was worth, but if you love something, it’s worth it!
Yes I use E6000 for all jewelry repairs. Apply small amount with a toothpick into the casing then press pearl into the casing and hold for a few minutes.
I would suggest taking the sharp end of a pin to loosen the pearls, remove all of the pearls then reseat all of them. Good luck.
Thanks Sharon. That’s what I needed to know. I’ll have to buy a few replacements for ones that I’ve lost.
A Jewelry store might not be able to fix but could tell you how to fix it yourself. I love the all the white shoes. I have a woven pair that I really liked but ended up hurting my feet. I might replace them with those cute sneakers!
Great point! I will ask a local jeweler
I’m having trouble understanding the brooch hack but would love to know how to do this as I love brooches and have some that are my very favorites but never wear because I’m afraid to lose them. Can you please post a photo of how this is done?
I will post an image of it when I get home and my silicone stays arrive
E6000 glue will fix your pearls.
Thank you
To elaborate on my previous comment of jewelry glue, found in jewelry section, very small tube JEWELRY METAL GLUE. Have tried all the others, use this to assure your beads are safe, found out the hard way.
Jewelry glue will keep those pearls glued in. It is made for metal. Go to a craft store. Have fun.
Do I put it over the ones that haven’t loosened yet?
I have been avoiding white shoes in the summer too however, I recently purchased a pair of Clarks silver metallic flats that I love. Close to a white and also upgraded with the metallic.
I’ve got my eye out to replace my worn out Ecco metallic shoes too.
I noticed and liked your white shoes on yesterday’s post I think. Surprised me because I’ve avoided white shoes for years now, but these look so cool and fresh!!
Great tip on the brooch. You’ve inspired me to dig out a couple of my vintage pins and wear them soon. Most of them were my mom’s. I just wanted to let you that the Eileen Fisher knit booties went on sale today for 40% off at Nordstrom. Great deal and you bet I ordered them.
Amazing, I’ll check to see if they still have my size! Thanks
I have been desperately searching for a casual spring dress or two but at 5’1″ everything is down to my calf or ankles! This is so unflattering on me and having a dress so dramatically shortened can ruin the line and look. Or I find mini dresses meant for teens and twenty-somethings.
Petite, knee length dresses would be your best bet
Would you not ruin the value of your Chanel brooch by putting nail polish over the pearls? Perhaps, a jewellers will have a better suggestion for you. It is lovely!
I love a shirt dress but have stopped wearing them since I put on some weight around my middle, preferring something straighter now. Hopefully, one day I will get my slim waist back.
Instead of super glue use E6000. It is much stronger.
I would use B-6000 jeweler’s glue. Readily available on Amazon, I used this back in my beading craft days. It’s designed specifically for stone-setting. There may be other brands.
Sounds perfect. But how do I secure the ones that keep loosening and falling out? They look perfect when I put the brooch on, then fall out randomly.
Hi Jennifer,
I just signed up for your blog. Love it! In one of your blogs, I had read I had ordered the skin care Haruharu Wonder (face wash, eye cream, toner, but my cream did not come. I like it!
I recently added a bead to an antique brooch with Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control. Easy to use.
Hi Jennifer,
Perhaps a small independent jeweler could re-glue them for you. I take my jewelry to my local jeweler for minor repairs.
I wasn’t sure. I’ve been told they don’t work on costume jewelry but I need to ask around.
I miss your save or splurge outfit pictures (not sure if they’re a lot of work)……..I also like your outfit inspiration pictures. Have a great day!
They are a lot of work but I am working of some more
I, too, love brooches. Great tip on the earring stoppers. Ordered a box; thank you!
Great post, I have a striped dress blue shirt dress as you displayed today, a true favorite. I enjoy the casual and dressy looks I can wear.