When looking to enhance your wardrobe with jewelry, consider your purchase wisely. It’s always best to look for what I like to call core pieces of jewelry. Most often core pieces are necklaces that can be worn in multiple ways to create varying looks with one simple piece. These are pieces that can stand alone, or in combination with others quite easily. They can blend in with your current jewelry wardrobe or be partnered with other new items.

You may be wondering what to look for in a core necklace. Look for multiple strands, the ability to wear the necklace long and short, interesting textures, and basic colors including silvers, golds or blacks.

The high fashion jewelry that I sell offers many unique and versatile core pieces. Take for example Main Event Necklace: a 6-strand beaded necklace featuring a mix of silvery grey faux pearls. This is a true core necklace that can be worn with casual, business or formal attire. It can add a fun flare to your wardrobe or offer the elegance you desire. Check out these examples below. Keep in mind, with this core necklace you’ll see a total of 11 ways to keep it fresh, and it’s only $46!

Main Event twisted

Main Event twisted with Camille Pin at center

Main Event twisted with Ovation

Main Event twisted with Pearls Night Out

Main Event braided

Main Event braided & doubled on black ribbon

Main Event braided with Camille Pin at side

Main Event opened & worn as belt

Main Event opened

Main Event opened with Camille Pin at side

Main Event opened with Camille Pin at side and Ovation Necklace

As you can see above, versatility pays off and is a feature that you’ll learn to appreciate in our economy. Core pieces of jewelry are essential to any woman’s wardrobe and can make the difference between a mediocre wardrobe and a fashionista. More Core Necklace examples to follow!

So I posted part 1 of God of the impossible a few days ago, taking a look at the Israelites journey out of Egypt to the Red Sea, focusing on the fact that our impossible circumstances have the opportunity to bring glory to God…if we let them. You see, it’s our choice to invite God in or try to deal with them on our own. The Israelites were backed into a corner, literally stuck between a rock and a hard place, that is the Red Sea & the approaching Egyptian army. The people cried out to God & Moses. But I want to take a look at what happened next. Exodus 14:13-14 “And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Take heart, your impossible circumstances are possible with God! Again and again in the Bible we see the reality that God fights for us. Deuteronomy 1:30 “The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes.” Deuteronomy 3:22 “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.” And here in Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you.” And He did just that. Picture it…Pharaoh and all his army and chariots, and officers were approaching the Israelites. They were close enough that the Israelites looked up and saw them approaching, which means the armies had the Israelites in their sights as well. There was no where to run and they knew it. They cried out and God heard their cry. His response through Moses was fear not, stand firm where you are, don’t do anything, be silent and watch as I deliver you. You’ll never again see the Egyptians that you see now…watch as I the LORD fight for you.

As we see what happens next, I can only imagine the Israelites standing in awe of God. The next 24 hours held deliverance from their impossible circumstance and they were able to witness it with their very eyes! They saw God’s supernatural ability to overcome working in their favor! God truly fought for them. We see this threefold: we see God’s protection, provision and power.

We see God’s Protection over the Israelites. “Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.” – Exodus 14:19-20. Whether the Israelites realized it or not, this was God’s miraculous protection, shielding them against the impending attack of the enemy. The presence of God that was leading them moved from before them to behind them. The presence of God shifted from guide to guardian so that one never came near the other all night. I can only imagine the times that God has supernaturally brought his protection to us. Some we may recognize and many more we may never know about. He is our shield, our protector.

You see, we have a REAL enemy. This isn’t an enemy that we can see with our physical eyes. This isn’t a tangible enemy that we can capture and defeat. This is an enemy that can only be defeated by God, and in fact has been. I love what the Bible, Jesus says in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” You see, Jesus understood the reality of the spiritual world. He understood that there is a real and present enemy whose sole purpose is to steal, kill and destroy! But He also says, I came that they may have life, and not just life….abundant life!!! What does that mean? Abundant Life? Many of us think Abundant life means living life to it’s fullest…and that’s part it of, but there’s so much more. Abundant Life means victory. Abundant life means freedom. Abundant life means reaping God’s blessings. Abundant life means intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior. Abundant life means living your life to the fullest that God has designed for you. Abundant life means inhabiting the promises of God, the promised land!

Not only do we see God’s Protection, but we see God’s Provision. “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” – Exodus 14:21-22. We see here that God literally did that. He is the creator of all things, he is able to control the winds. All things are possible for God because He is God! Just as God made provision for the Israelites in their impossible circumstance, know this: he has already made provision for yours. Whatever it may be, he already knows and he has prepared provision beyond anything you can imagine. This an old hymn that I grew up with: God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide. Hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way!

I can think of many times in my life that God miraculously provided because He IS able! Can you imagine the Israelites watching the waters part before their eyes, rising to be walls of water to the right and left, so that they could walk through on dry ground? Wow! That would be one of those awestruck moments. Jaw dropping! Yeah, God said he would do it, but oh my….he really did! And the waters remained long enough for 2 million people and their flocks and herds to walk through on dry ground. God miraculously provided a way for the Israelites and He will for you too!

So we see God’s protection, His Provision and lastly God’s Power! “The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.” – Exodus 14:23-31.

I love that…the Egyptians began to flee from before Israel for the recognized the mighty hand of God at work on behalf of the Israelites…and they were no match for God! As if parting the red sea so they could walk through on dry ground wasn’t enough, God fulfilled what he promised through Moses: the word tells us that not one of them remained. He not only protected them through the night, provided a way for them through the sea, but also showed his great and mighty power over the Egyptian army by annihilating every last one when he released the walls of water to confuse and overwhelm the Egyptians.

We all face impossible circumstances. The good news is that God is God of the impossible. He specializes in the miraculous, in the supernatural! In fact, he loves to do it because it brings glory to His name! We serve God who will fight for us, who will deliver us to victory, who makes our impossible circumstances possible! Despair will try to cast you down, keeping you from standing. Fear will tell you to retreat, run away. Impatience will tell you to do something now. Presumption will tell you to jump into the Red Sea before it is parted. But God would have us to stand, and watch His supernatural victory as he delivers us from our impossible situations!

What impossible circumstances face you today? What circumstances make you feel cornered, with no escape? What circumstances are rising up to overwhelm you? And what will be your response? Will you respond to your circumstance with fear, and retreat? Or will you call upon God and implore to see HIM move in your life, fight on your behalf, and bring victory that can only be attributed to Him and to His Glory? We all want to see God’s miracles in our lives, we want to see God bring hope to our despair, healing to our brokenness, and restoration to our relationships and ultimately deliverance from our circumstances.

In this economy it’s important to make every dollar count. It’s just not realistic to keep up with the latest fashion trends and still keep within budget. Let’s admit it, all of us would love a wardrobe makeover. If you’re like me, you enjoy watching what not to wear or shows like it. My favorite part of the show is the shopping spree! Though you might not have that kind of money, I’ve got some quick tips to update your wardrobe without breaking the bank!

Tip #1 – Jewelry is the quickest way to update your wardrobe. Jewelry can make the difference between a fashion faux paux and a fashionista – it completes your look! As opposed to spending your money on clothes, spend the same amount on jewelry and get enough to update multiple outfits. With the right jewelry, you can take an outdated sweater and bring it back to life!

Tip #2 – High fashion jewelry gives you the most bang for your buck! Jewelry falls into three categories (1) costume jewelry is typically cheap, made from low quality material and won’t last, (2) high fashion jewelry is moderately priced, made from semi precious stones and metals, and will last through many seasons, and (3) fine jewelry is made from precious stones and only the highest quality metals, and as such is quite expensive. Investing in High Fashion Jewelry will compliment your fine jewelry, accessorize any wardrobe, last through multiple seasons, and stretch your fashion dollar.

Tip #3 – Invest in jewelry pieces that have versatility. When purchasing jewelry, look for pieces that can be worn in multiple ways to create a variety of looks that will suit all occasions, from casual to formal. Look for shorter necklaces that have multiple strands or longer necklaces made of beads or semi precious stones. Those shorter necklaces will allow you to create many looks from one necklace. Often they can be worn as-is, layered with other necklaces, worn in combinations with enhancers, opened (unclasped) and worn as belts, braided or twisted for a classy spark, combined with ribbon. The longer necklaces will allow you to wear as is, double or even triple for a layered look, often as belts, and layered with other jewelry or ribbon. Get creative with your jewelry, the ideas are endless! And stay tuned for some examples using my line of high fashion jewelry!