My name is Teekay, and I'm an Accessory-phobe.

I'm a minimalist when it comes to fashion and decor. I don't like to adorn my house or myself with anything that doesn't have some functionality. It is the same with my fashion sense. I guess when it comes to accessorizing, I lack any sense. I have a hard time finding the right jewelry to go with the right outfit. I'll put on a necklace, take it off, put another one on, and take it off. I keep this routine going until I finally succumb to my indecision and conclude the outfit never needed it anyways.

So, to help myself with my accessory phobia, I've started to pay more attention to jewelry -- necklaces, earrings and bracelets -- and forcing myself to view these pieces as compliments to my clothes. Here are a few inspirations to get myself and anyone else who shares this "condition" to see the potential in the possibilities of jewelery.

Necklaces

Left: Banana Republic Mixed Media Necklace, $55.30. Right: LuLu's So Charming Necklace.

Earrings

Left: Liz Claiborne Post Earrings, $22. Right: Elsewares Demeter Earrings, $28.

Bracelets

Left: Banana Republic Elegant Stone-hinged Bangle, $27.30. Right: Liz Claiborne "Wonderland" Flex Bracelet, $22.

Jewelery Set

World Market Shell & Wood Necklace and Earrings, $9.99.

Fashion Immitating Life

A friend of mine forwarded me this quote from Coco Chanel about fashion and style. It epitomizes the breadth of fashion -- how it can transcend past fabric draped on our bodies to a metaphor of life. The following looks are reflections of images that we see everyday -- from the sky to the street to bold statements -- and represent how fashion can transform how we think.

The Sky

Loose and light like the sky with a bit of rigidness reaching for the soft clouds.

Mystical dress, French Connection, $228

The Street

Vibrant colors mixing around varied layers and textures with a sense of whimsy and adventure.

Donegal tweed ecole jacket, $198; watercolor floral roset tank, $98; distressed vintage slim jeans, $135 (all JCrew).

Bold Statements


Out-of-the-ordinary, intense statements that leave a lasting impression.

Extreme cut-out sandal, Dior, $780

Favorite Things

Check out my friend's new blog endeavor -- Oprah's Not the Only One with Favorite Things. It's an on-going collection of her favorite items, and to quote her cleverness, it's a place to share "Stuff that ranges from .25 cents to $2500. Some are steals and some are deals and others are not-- but worth every red cent."

Falling For Sales

It's that time of year again. The in between seasons. Summer is almost over and Fall is peeking around the corner. Living in Phoenix, Fall doesn't appear until nearly November, so we still get to wear summer clothes well into October. Luckily for us Southwesterners, we can find some fantastic deals during these end-of-summer sales and not have to wait another nine months to wear them. But for the rest of you non-desert dwellers, I do envy your changing of the seasons and being able to enjoy the new seasons looks. Nevertheless, here is a cute outfit from the boundless summer sales proliferating the Web. And what's even better, the look can definitely transition into Fall with a simple cardigan.

City Style Bow Top, New York & Company, $16.47

Single File Skirt, Anthropologie, $39.95

City Style Basketweave Belt, New York & Company, $13.56

ErileyAnkle Strap Sandal, Nine West, $31.48

Fall Alternative

Pointelle-Knit Cardigan, Old Navy, $24.50

A Good Review

My annual review is approaching, and, as a running joke with my boss, I'll be wearing my "review dress." It was my first review, and wearing the dress wasn't completely unintentional. I wanted to look nice, and I had just purchased this chic teal-colored wrap dress, so I thought review day would be a good day to premiere it.

I didn't think he would notice the dress, but after the review, when my boss and I went to lunch, the wind kept blowing the wrap panel up and I made a little, and perhaps inappropriate, joke about revealing too much on my review day. Well, the kind of boss (and friend) he is, he continued the joke, saying "oh, that's why you wore the dress today!" And, thus, came the name "review dress."

So, in honor of my upcoming, and hopefully excellent, review, here are some "review dresses" that I would say significantly exceed expectations.

Ellen Tracy Belted Dress, $160, Dillards

Colette Dress Sling, $38.47, Chinese Laundry, Endless.com


Dagny Taggart, $86, Shabby Apple


Rembrandt Pump, $63.71, Dollhouse, Endless.com


Jacquard Sheath Dress, $66.59, Donna Ricco, Lord and Taylor


Rock & Roll Pump, $56.90, Naughty Monkey, Nordstrom