Novica → Style Chicks → Page 2

Usually, when I grab for a wrap, it is because I’m cold. With this Alpaca blend wrap in Bold Black from Novica, it is because I want something stylish but cozy. And cozy it is: last night when I wore it for a walk after work in the center of town I couldn’t believe how warm, soft, and luxurious it felt.

This wrap is the answer to a years-long search for me: a wrap that looks professional enough to wear in the office. My office tends to get freezing cold. I’ve tried other wraps, including some rather expensive high-end brands. They have all been difficult to style in a way that doesn’t look like I’m wearing a blanket. Not so with this wrap. It drapes easily and looks professional, and I’m not shivering in the conference room when I’m presenting to workmates. It is such a luxurious look and feel that it fits in well in a high-tech office and it is versatile enough to use with casual looks. There is a local Farm to Table restaurant that I frequent, and it is also freezing there. It works as well with jeans and a tee shirt as it does with a Ralph Lauren suit. When the weather was a little warmer before this recent cold snap here in the Northeast, the wrap also served as luxurious looking outwear for that in-between timing when it is too warm for a coat, not still chilly in the morning and at night.

I have a few friends in the astronomy field who have Star Gazing Nights in the Spring and Summer: several of our friends gather together for a night of sitting on blankets on a gloriously lovely field away from the city lights and enjoy the night sky. It gets chilly and I can’t wait to bring this soft and warm wrap out for those incredible nights!

The workmanship on this item is incredible. The knit is even and the edges are finished so beautifully. The wrap is 45% acrylic, 40% alpaca, and 15% wool, and it is one of the softest things you will ever touch. Alpaca has a reputation for being hypoallergenic, which isn’t entirely true but there is a far lower chance of getting itchy from Alpaca due to the type of fibers. I’m usually pretty sensitive to that kind of thing and I had no problem with it at all. And I have been wearing it a lot because it is just so soft and cozy!

About the Artist: Alfredo Falcon is exceptionally talented with textiles from Peru. He learned the best artisan weaving techniques from his parents when he was a child. This is a family tradition: his parents learned it from their parents as well. Don’t you love families who pass down their expertise to the next generation?

He now uses both traditional weaving techniques as well as classic machine weaving techniques that combine Inca and Colonial themes with modern colors. This is definitely evident in this lovely wrap!

Alfredo has been working with Novica for seven years and this alliance has allowed him to expand from a few local vendors to a far greater market. He has been able to purchase better production equipment and produce the beautiful pieces you see in his work on Novica.

Find this gorgeous wrap at Amazon.com.

Wearing my NOVICA Alpaca Blend Wrap Bold Black out for a walk in town.

Damsel in no distress – I was really comfy in the wrap!

The edges are finished so well on this piece

I received this item at a discount for the purpose of review. All opinions are 100% mine. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to answer it!

I was drawn to the Blue Muse necklace because I like to wear blues such as cobalt and royal, but these deeply saturated shades can sometimes be difficult to accessorize, so I like the idea of a mixed gemstone piece. And I really like the saturated color of a gemstone because it adds nice color to an outfit and some interest and can be dressed up or down. This particular necklace pairs nicely with this Italian dress I am wearing in the photo with a bare scoop neckline. Iâ€™ve been trying to find just the right accessories for several months and I really like the look of this choker because not only do the colors match, but also there is texture to the necklace, which seems right with the dress fabric. And in looking in my closet at my general wardrobe, there are several other items that could match these colors amongst both my dressy clothes and my more casual going to brunch or museum type outfits that just need a little character.

NOVICA Lapis Lazuli and Dyed Blue Calcite Beaded Necklace Blue Muse

About the Necklace
The gemstone pattern is about ½ inch wide, which is not large enough to be clunky yet it is also not too thin, so it is dainty and ladylike but still enough to make a statement and be noticed without being overpowering. I like the combination of the blues, the two colors play the saturation of the hues of the other stone nicely, and there is generous use of the gemstones.

It is basically choker length. There is an optional 2 inch extra extender “drop” for the length to accommodate neck size or make the necklace a bit longer if needed. You can wear this hanging down the back of the neck for interest, you can extend the length of the necklace, or leave it off entirely.

NOVICA Lapis Lazuli and Dyed Blue Calcite Beaded Necklace Blue Muse

Some details:
It is a silver plate base, hand tied stonework.

The necklace has lapis lazuli (the darker blue color) and calcite (the lighter blue color) gemstones. The lapis lazuli stones are two shapes of gemstone. The calcite, as seen in the photos, are clustered.

There is a lobster claw clasp, so I am not afraid of the clasp coming undone. But, and this is the one and only thing I sort of dislike, it is a difficult clasp to secure on oneself because the eye of the loop is small. Since this is a handmade item, perhaps that is just mine. If you find this to be the case with yours as well, just give it a little check just to make sure the clasp is closed after you put on the necklace.

The irregularity of stones adds interest and texture, but they are not damaged, chipped or scratched gemstones. The irregularity does not seem uneven, the stones are of the same size but appear crafted.

The thread is dyed silver, which I like on the clusters to have a hint of metallic and not bare white or clear thread. It looks richer and does not distract from the beadwork itself.

The lapis lazuli gemstones appear to be lightly buffed but not a fake or shellac type of shiny

This particular necklace comes in an attractive patterned and thick jewelry pouch that will keep the necklace safe from scratches while stored away and is also an attractive bag that makes for nice packaging if giving this necklace as a gift, and inner plastic bags.

This is a versatile piece that would match the style of women of various ages, useful as a gift.

NOVICA Lapis Lazuli and Dyed Blue Calcite Beaded Necklace Blue Muse

About Novica

I received the Novica print catalog for years and always like seeing the unique, handmade items on their website. I enjoy owning items that are distinctive, use quality materials, are well-crafted, and not the exact same thing that everyone else is wearing.

I own a few Novica jewelry pieces and artisan glassware, the handcrafted quality is always evident and Novica makes it a company mission to treat their artists well. Each piece has a small autobiography of the artist, which is interesting to read their stories of how they came to hone their artisan skills and often some details about customs from the region they live, as well as some information about the materials used in the making of the artisans item, such as if those gemstones hold special meaning, or if they are indigenous to the region. Many of the artists are women.

NOVICA Lapis Lazuli and Dyed Blue Calcite Beaded Necklace Blue Muse

NOVICA Alpaca Blend Wrap in Bold Black

NOVICA Lapis Lazuli and Dyed Blue Calcite Beaded Necklace, 15.5″ with 2″ Extender, ‘Blue Muse’