THINGS I BOUGHT THAT I LOVE: HOUSE OF HARLOW EARRINGS

Since I turned twelve or thirteen, my parents started giving me gold jewelry for my birthday. If you’re an Indian woman— warning, I’m about to make a massive generalization— if you’re not wearing at least two items of gold jewelry at a time, then my assumption is you were adopted by white Americans. Rocking gold bling is a huge cultural symbol of femininity in India.

But I never wear real gold jewelry, because I always lose it. However, that hasn’t dulled my interest in bling. I love it anywhere; in my clothes, my shoes, my hair, my birthday cake. I love jewelry and wear earrings every single day. The problem is, I can’t wear real gemstones, because I get too worried about them since at work I have to change into my Kelly costume and am constantly taking my jewelry on and off. So I wear only costume jewelry. But in LA, even costume jewelry can be crazy expensive.

When Nicole Richie started her House of Harlow jewelry line, I flipped. I love Nicole’s jewelry sensibilities. Aztec, tribal, deco, she is inspired by some much that’s cool. And the price points are always reasonable.

They’re also great jewelry for day to night. I’ve worn a pair of half-moon shaped earrings to Sunday lunch and also to Jenna Fischer’s fancy bachelorette party at Nobu. (At this party I coincidentally ran into Nicole Richie, whom I excitedly interrupted on her date night with her husband to show her my earrings. Sorry Nicole, I’m afraid that’s what you get for making these show-offable earrings. Joel, to you I do apologize sincerely).

Good for: bling-loving girls who don’t want to break the bank.