Bling-Bling

Bling , Bling
Noun:
1. expensive and flashy jewelry, clothing, or other possessions.
2. the flaunting of such possessions or the flashy lifestyle associated.

Adjective:
3. Flashy;ostentatious.

Verb: (used without object)
4. to flaunt one's material wealth; live in a flashy lifestyle.

verb (used with object)
5. to dress or adorn in a flashy way; Bling up your wardrobe!

Word Origin and History.
Bling also Bling Bling. by 1997, US rap slang, "wealth, expensive accessories, glitter of jewels and other precious metals.

In German: blinken, to gleam, sparkle.

Now that I have explained what bling-bling is let me tell you I love me some bling.
I didn't start out as a little girl, wanting things that glimmered or sparkled.
I grew up in a different era. But once I was in my teens I loved to gaze at the pretty sparkly jewelry at the 5 & 10 store. Do any of you remember Woolworth's?
I spent many dollars of my babysitting money buying that cheap jewelry. It always turned my skin green, and the stones would fall out after a few months. But for a short time that sparkly bracelet or ring were like diamonds to me.
As far as real good jewelry I had a gold cross. What Catholic girl didn't have a cross? I also had a gold locket.
My first engagement ring was a diamond. You had to have a magnify glass to see it, but it was real.
By the time I got my second engagement ring, you couldn't miss it. It was three karats set in platinum with baguettes on the side. That was some bling-bling.
Over the years I added to my bling.
I loved it all. It could be real or faux, or costume , i couldn't have enough.
Then the fabulous 80's came. And sparkle, shine, stones, studs were showing up on clothes. Oh, happy days. What fun.
And to top it off, you could create your own look by the amazing "Bedazzle".
Oh, did I go crazy. I started designing tops, jackets, jeans. Some of the pieces got noticed, before I knew it I was selling at Miami Beach stores. There wasn't anything that couldn't be blinged up. Belts, hats, purses.
By the time the early 90's rolled around it started to die out. Along with shoulder pads and big hair, it was over.
The next couple of decades was not as flashy or flamboyant.
Bling was limited to mostly jewelry.
But by 2013 the studs, crystals on clothing and accessories started to show up on the runways. Designers were bring them back in a more refined way.
For many of the clothing styles, they didn't suit my present fashion style.
I wasn't living in Miami Beach, I wasn't hitting te clubs at night, I wasn't the same person. Many of the hot trendy style don't fit into my present lifestyle.
But I am still attracted to bling. And a dew weeks ago, my eyes lit up when I saw
a glittering red handbag hanging on a rack.
It was like the commercial, I walked up and said"Hello beautiful". I didn't have to ask my insurance agent how much I saved to see if could afford it, for it was at my favorite thrift store. Priced $19.99.
I looked it over , it was perfect. A gorgeous woven red leather with crystal studs on one side, chain on the leather handle. lined in small leopard print. I fell in love, . It was a statement bag. An attention grabber. It was just the bag I would buy, should buy, but I walked away. I didn't buy it.
I came home, thinking about the bag. In a few days there was a 50% off day to shop, I wondered would it still be there. . I am so cheap. Why can't I spend $19.99. I had a $3.00 off coupon. It would only cost $16,99. It was something I wanted, I always save so much, I can afford to spend more. I spent the night thinking about the bag.
I decided to look the designer up to see if I could find out anything about it..
I found the web site, Luxcessories, and low and behold the bag is listed. And it sells for $70.00.
I'm not sure that helped make up my mind to get it, but it probably did. knowing it was a present style and still available.
I went back to the store the next morning. My eyes went directly to the handbag rack, it was still there. I walked straight over, took it off the hanger and not looking at anything else, paid for my "new" bag. Told the clerk about my indecisiveness, glad I was still there.. . She told me she had her eye on it but they can't buy merchandise until it has been on the floor for a couple of days. Otherwise she would have bought it. So here's a picture of the bling bling bag. A description from the web site and a close up photo of the crystal side taken from my scanner.

After I got home with my bag I saw it matched my new Guess red high heels. I had bought them the day before. I love shoes, and have a thing for red. I put them in my scanner and attempted to take a photo, you can see they are very high heel, 4 1/2 inches. But I ware them very well. The nice thing about the heels they only cost me $2.00. Also bought a pair of Chinese Laundry black heels and a pair of Unlisted gunmetal gray wedge strap shoes, both $2.00 each.
Picked up a nice Dress Barn red blazer. plan to ware it on valentine's Day.

Still having problems getting my photo from printer/scanner to computer. So can't show you my latest buys, maybe soon.

It's about that time of day I would open a diet Coke and sit back and enjoy. But I am weaning myself off the habit so will have a cup of soothing tea instead.

I am making some other changes in my eating habits. Trying to be more aware of what, and the correct amount of what I consume. It's too easy to think one more of something won't matter or if it does, I can exercise it off. I want to stop the up and down on the scales. even though it's not too much, I want to stay at a steady weight.

I have told my friend NO candy for Valentines Day. I'm sweet enough. Smile!

Take care Spark friends.
You are the one in control, you make the choices, make good ones.
Peace, and Love,
Tisha.