You start buying pieces because they feel like you.

Not sparkly for the sake of sparkle. Not loud for attention. Not disposable.

Intentional.

That is exactly where Barse Jewelry fits.

If you have not wandered through barse.com yet, picture bold natural stones, rich metals, earthy color palettes, and statement pieces that somehow feel grounded instead of flashy. It is the kind of jewelry that does not scream for attention but absolutely earns it.

And for moms juggling carpool, work calls, grocery runs, and the occasional date night, that balance matters.

Statement Pieces Without the Drama

Barse is known for handcrafted designs featuring genuine stones like turquoise, agate, jasper, and quartz. The pieces are bold but wearable. Substantial without being overwhelming.

You can throw on a simple white tee, straight-leg jeans, and one Barse necklace, and suddenly you look styled.

Not overdone. Styled.

That is the difference.

The beauty of natural stone jewelry is that no two pieces are identical. There is something refreshing about wearing jewelry that does not feel mass-produced. It feels curated. Personal.

In a world of fast fashion accessories that tarnish before your next Target run, that kind of quality stands out.

The Grown Woman Statement

There is something about Barse that feels grown.

Not old. Not conservative.

Grounded.

The designs lean into texture and depth. Hammered metals. Rich, saturated stones. Warm finishes that feel intentional rather than trendy.

This is jewelry that pairs just as beautifully with a linen dress at a summer event as it does with a structured blazer at a meeting. It transitions effortlessly between roles, which is important when you are someone who wears many hats in a single day.

And let’s be honest. Accessories are sometimes the only part of the outfit we have the energy to think about.

Easy Elevation for Everyday Style

Fashion in this stage of life is about efficiency.

You want pieces that elevate without requiring effort.

Barse necklaces layer beautifully without looking tangled or chaotic. Their cuffs and earrings add impact without feeling heavy or uncomfortable halfway through the day.

For moms who lean toward capsule wardrobes, neutral palettes, or classic silhouettes, statement jewelry becomes the personality piece. It turns a safe outfit into something memorable.

You do not need ten accessories.

You need one good one.

The Appeal of Natural Materials

There is something grounding about natural stone.

Turquoise carries warmth. Jasper adds depth. Quartz reflects light softly rather than dramatically.

Barse leans into those organic elements, which makes the pieces feel timeless rather than trend-chasing.

In the current fashion cycle where everything moves fast and micro trends rotate weekly, there is comfort in jewelry that does not feel seasonal. You can wear it this year and next year without feeling dated.

That matters when you are building a wardrobe intentionally.

Jewelry That Feels Like a Gift, Even If You Bought It Yourself

Barse pieces also carry that subtle gift-worthy quality. The kind of jewelry someone notices and asks about.

Where did you get that necklace?
I love those earrings.
That cuff is stunning.

It feels substantial without being flashy.

And if you are at the stage where you are buying your own gifts, it is nice to choose something that feels meaningful.

How to Style It Without Overthinking

If bold jewelry intimidates you, here is the secret.

Keep the rest simple.

Let the necklace be the focal point.
Keep your neckline clean.
Pair statement earrings with pulled-back hair.
Balance a chunky cuff with streamlined clothing.

Barse does the heavy lifting for you. The designs are already strong. You just have to let them shine.

Why It Works

At AKA Mom, fashion is not about chasing every trend.

It is about finding pieces that reflect who you are right now.

Confident. Layered. Multifaceted.

Barse Jewelry fits into that mindset. It offers craftsmanship, natural materials, and statement design without feeling excessive.

It is jewelry for women who know themselves.

And that might be the best accessory of all.

SHOP BARSE

The post The Jewelry That Makes an Outfit: Why Barse Is Having a Moment appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Spring is finally here and what better time to bring some major color into your wardrobe!  Mixing bold colors can create a great look but it can also easily go wrong.  The key is to pair two or maybe three colors with classic neutrals to create a fun look that is not reminiscent of a circus clown!

This first outfit shows how you can fit 3 pastel colors in one outfit is a tasteful, classic way.  Start off with dark wash jeans.  Dark wash is important here because it anchors the look and keeps you from appearing washed out.  Next add a staple that I am obsessed with right now, a white denim jacket.  The reason that I am so in love with this piece is that it is super versatile!  Next add a colored v-neck.  These come in literally every color under the rainbow so feel free to pick your favorite.  I chose this great mint color because it screams springtime.  Now you can play up the outfit with fun accessories.  Nothing says spring like sunny yellow and this necklace adds interest to an otherwise very classic outfit.  Finish off with some trendy turquoise loafers that are both practical and stylish!

The next outfit is dressier and slightly less bold than the previous outfit.  It starts with this great coral wrap dress from Banana Republic.  Wrap dresses are great for slimming your waist and giving your body a more hourglass shape.  A blazer balances the dress by adding structure.  The fun khaki stripes and bright yellow lining definitely add some attitude to this outfit, but you could also sub the denim jacket from outfit one to dress it down a bit.  Next, bring in some teal with a delicate necklace and bold handbag.  Finish the outfit with some nude strappy sandals, just be sure to shop around to find a pair that complement your skin tone to maximize their slimming effects!

Every year Pantone comes out with the Color of the Year and I am in love with this year’s color, emerald!  Emerald translates so well across ages, body types, and lifestyles.  Another big trend is colored denim, which can be very hard to wear.  My personal rule for making colored denim wearable is that the color needs to be darker than medium wash jeans.  These emerald jeans are perfect for highlighting both trends!  My favorite color combo with emerald is magenta so I paired the jeans with this soft magenta top.  Finally, to brighten this otherwise dark outfit I added some bright orange earrings and sandals. 

The key to mixing colors is balance.  Mix dark with light, pair bold with classic.  When you create contrast, you get really interesting, wearable outfits!

Outfit One 

Anne Klein Talin Women's Slip on Shoes in turquoise

Anna & Ava Flora Bib Necklace in Yellow

GAP Essential short-sleeve V-neck T in Neon Mint Green

Gap Women’s Dark Perfect Boot Jeans Dark Wash

Gap White Denim Jacket

Outfit Two

GAP Striped Khaki Academy Blazer

BR Gemma Wrap Dress
David Jones Tote Bag with Removeable Shoulder & Crossbody Strap - Turquoise

Michael Kors Pave Slice Pendant Necklace, Turquoise/Silver Color

Naturalizer Dhani Slingback Sandals 

Outfit Three

Eddie Bauer Slightly Curvy Colored Denim Straight Leg Jeans

H&M Embroidered Yoke Top in Burgundy

Alexis Bittar 'Dewdrop' Earrings in Neon Orange

MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Plate' Thong Sandal in Tangerine

The post Put Some Spring in Your Wardrobe! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

There are very few people that are busier than the modern Mom.  From work, to the kids’ events, and maybe even grabbing some drinks with the girls, Moms are constantly transitioning between their many roles.  Don’t you wish that your fashion could do the same?  This article is all about taking one versatile item and switching your accessories to help you create very different looks on the fly!

First off we have the main piece.  I chose this Travex ¾ length sleeve dress from Eddie Bauer for a few different reasons.  This dress has a classic cut in a versatile A-line silhouette that is both work appropriate and stylish.  The print on this dress is fun and interesting without being too bold for work.  Everyone knows that a plain dress can be versatile but this is the perfect dress to prove that you shouldn’t be afraid of prints!  The final reason that I chose this dress is the material.  The fabric is high quality, comfortable, resists wrinkles, and retains its shape so it won’t stretch out half way through the day.

The first outfit that I put together is for work.  When you are at your job you want to look polished but still stylish, so I paired the dress with a classic pair of nude patent leather pumps.  I cannot stress enough how wonderful nude pumps are at elongating the leg and adding a bit of class to any outfit.  A lot of offices are moving away from overly dressy dress codes, so I included this fun casual take on a blazer.  This knit blazer has all of the structure of its traditional counterpart, but is a little more interesting and a lot more comfortable!  If your office is more formal, throw on your favorite suit coat and it will look just as good!  Finally, I added this great structured handbag that is big enough to hold all of your work essentials and even carry you over into the next part of your day.

The next look is for whatever event your kids might have going that afternoon, from soccer practice to Girl Scouts you will be stylish and comfortable in this outfit!  Since you will no doubt be on your feet, we traded in the pumps for cute and comfy flats.  Naturalizer is my go-to brand for supportive shoes and this cute flat adds just a touch of style.  Since fall weather is coming I threw in a fun wide knit sweater that softens the look of the outfit.  Finally, transition the same structured bag for an accessory that is polished yet practical.

After a long day of work and Mommy duty, its time for a girls night out or maybe even date night with your other half.  This same outfit will transform into a flirty look by adding a pair of boots like the ones I chose above.  Since the dress is pretty feminine, I touched it up with calf-height leather boots with a silver buckle.  Next add a bold, statement necklace like this shiny silver one.  Finally, add a sweep of a bold lip color (here are my top three) and you are ready for a night on the town!

Remember, these are just my picks.  Look in your own closet and see what outfits you can transform with different shoes and jewelry.  You might be surprised at the combinations that you can come up with when you allow yourself to play dress up!

Products:

Bag: http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?catId=100&productId=649348&productGroup=649347

Blazer: http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/56033/62092/detail.aspx?BPID=140&cm_mmc=GoogleProductAds-_-Women%27s%20Apparel%2FJackets%2FBlazers&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=004005855%20032%20105

Pumps: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/jessica-simpson-calie-pump/3172497?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=jessica_simpson_’calie’_pump:354575&cm_pla=shoes:women:pumps&cm_ven=Froogle,Google_Product_Ads&mr:ad=20584802873&mr:adType=pla&mr:filter=44339929433&mr:keyword={keyword}&mr:match={matchtype}&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=4854F165-A4A9-E011-8116-001517B1882A&origin=pla

Flats: http://www.endless.com/dp/B005DSP5Y0/ref=asc_df_B005DSP5Y02166956?tag=googlecom09c9_endless-20&creative=395033&linkCode=asn&creativeASIN=B005DSP5Y0

Sweater: http://www.janenorman.co.uk/fcp/product/buy-fashion-look-fabulous/Sale/silver-cable-ladder-stitch-cardigan/14670?colour=gry

Boots: http://www.planetshoes.com/item/fossil-rebecca-high-heel-boot/15550

Necklace: http://www.etsy.com/listing/86919322/silver-gray-pearl-necklace-chunky-silver?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_includes%5B0%5D=materials&ga_search_query=silver+gray+pearl&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Lipstick: http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/lips/semi-matte-lipstick/heat-wave?aff=k147466&link=j26781826k147466

The post One Item, Three Looks appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Sometimes it seems like the fashion world has grown detached from the reality of day-to-day life. Very rarely do you see clothes during Fashion Week that make you say “Oh, I would love to wear that to the Farmer’s Market!”  The key is to find a way to translate the trends from the runway into wearable style that works for you. 

Marc Jacobs spring 2012 runway

One trend that has been all over the Spring/Summer 2012 runways is the color tangerine. This color is bold and fun but can actually be extremely wearable in your daily life! Below are two examples of how you can wear this runway trend.

The post From Runway to Real Life appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.