Over the Top Valentine: Three Valentine's Day Outfits Featuring the Beaded Rose Necklace

I haven't bought JCrew jewelry at full price in a VERY long time, such a long time in fact that I can't even remember when the last time was. My costume jewelry drawer (actually a box) has reached full capacity, meaning that I have to carefully choose the pieces that I am going to add from now on so as to not replicate what I already have. And let's be honest, after a while all the JCrew baubles start to look the same.

But the Beaded Rose necklace looked very different from everything I have and a true statement piece that 1) isn't gold-toned and 2) isn't sparkly, so I took the plunge and ordered it without seeing it IRL (a rarity for me!)
Let me tell you, this necklace is stunning and totally worth the price IMO (in fact I don't even think that the price tag is excessive compared to other pieces that cost more without having the same impact). My reserve when ordering it was that the color would be too neon-y and not wearable on a day-to-day basis and that the roses and size of the necklace would overwhelm me. But I was surprised that the color goes with a lot of what I have and that the roses, while definitely on the big size seem to frame my face instead of overwhelm it. I would describe the color as a very bright coral, a little bit more orange and it would have been neon-y but in my opinion it manages to stay a true coral. it is perfect to brighten up a plain sweater in a neutral color, like my cashmere turtleneck in heather dusk and I couldn't resist wearing it yesterday just to pick up my daughter at school:

With Valentine's day fast approaching I put together three outfits that are candidates for my Valentine's Day outfit and that you can copy if you have the necklace. Keep in mind that I will probably celebrate Valentine's Day a day later and in warm weather, as I am going to reach my husband in Miami on the 15th (I know I haven't mentioned this on the blog yet but a post on my Miami trip is coming soon). It would be fun if you could vote for your favorite outfit as I will take the winner with me!

Outfit #1: Collection persimmon sequin tank, curator pants, Valentina slingbacks

Very strangely last week the Fifth Avenue store had plenty of the Collection persimmon sequin tank (that I never really noticed or seen before) on the sale rack with 50% off to boot. As you know this kind of saturated orange is one of the colors that is most flattering on me and I don't have any top in a similar shade so it was a no brainer (this is a XS). The necklace, while slightly more pink IRL complements it perfectly:

In Miami I would probably wear the tank and necklace with white pants but I wanted to show you a Northeast-friendly version that you can wear here, especially since the shell is available on the website!!! I just want to show you that the shell has a sexy V-neck in the back, perfect for the warm weather (that you can cover with a cardigan or shawl in the city):

Outfit #2: Hearthrobe shirt, curator pants, bright papaya cashmere cardigan

OK, I won't bring this one to Miami as it reads very wintery but I am probably going to wear it (with different shoes) at my daughter's Valentine's Day breakfast at school next Thursday. I actually fantasized about wearing the hearthrobe shirt with the necklace before buying it but the colors aren't a match as I had hoped, the brightness of the necklace makes the red in the shirt look faded (and in this case the necklace looks much more orange and clashes with the red in the shirt):

However, I think that the bright papaya cashmere cardigan kind of pulls everything together: the color, while not exactly the same as the necklace, tones it down and the differences are leveled out. What do you think?

Outfit #3: Perfect shirt in Ashbury floral, café capris in cerise and Nolita jacket

This one is probably my favorite pairing, even if it is a casual outfit. The colors just go so well together and it is such a fun outfit. My only reserve is that last year I wore this shirt non-stop in Miami and I have all the pictures in it. OK, I wore it with the festival green toothpicks and without the necklace, but still. In case you have the Jules in Ashbury floral, that would be awesome with this necklace and perfect for Valentine's Day if you are in warm weather (my pants are a tad small and probably a bit too heavy for Miami but I also have the Oxford shorts in cerise that would fit the bill):

And with the Nolita jacket in Great lakes Wash, a vacation favorite:

The only con that I can possibly find about the necklace is that it has a matte finish, like it hasn't been coated with a glossy (and protective) layer. Difficult to explain and its part of its uniqueness but the paint "could" chip easily and you have to handle it with care, probably (making sure for example that you don't throw it with other jewels). Also, when you move dometimes it makes a little noise like a mechanism that hasn't been oiled but I personally can live with it! Besides that, I really recommend it if you are on the fence.

And now, please vote for your favorite Valentine's Day outfit!