40 DIY Bracelets You Need to Check Out

Pavoi 14K Gold-Plated Freshwater Pearl Necklace

This $35 necklace is dotted with tiny freshwater pearls that lend your look such an elegant feel. The chain itself is more on the choker side, measuring around 14 inches long. This pick looks gorgeous alone, but it's also super easy to layer up with if you have a go-to necklace stack.

KissYan Bubble Letter Necklace

Bubble letter necklaces are very trendy at the moment. Everyone's loving their playful shape, especially in the wake of summertime! This $14 take is placed on a cute beaded chain that comes with a 2-inch extender for finding your perfect fit. This Amazon necklace also makes a fun gift for the ladies in your life since it can be personalized with any letter of the alphabet.

Barzel 18K Gold-Plated Multi Stone Crystal Baguette Necklace

Give us all the color! This $15 chain necklace is crafted with high-shine materials and a variety of little artificial gems for incorporating the entire rainbow into your look. It's available in different chain lengths (16, 18, 20 and 24 inches), plus you can find it in a more pastel color theme if this vibrant one doesn't quite resonate with your personal style.

Nuzon 2-Tone Interlocking Heart Pendant Necklace

The thick chain on this $15 gold piece makes an elegant statement, so much so that you may not have to layer any more chains to complete your outfit. The heart-shaped pendant is fitted with an eye-catching green agate stone, plus this pick flaunts a unique bar clasp that closes up front.

Miabella Bee Medallion Pendant Necklace

This $44 mixed-metal necklace lands around 18 inches, making it a great layering necklace if you like to rock both silver and gold. It's crafted from Italian sterling silver with a thin coating of 18K yellow gold for durability. The subtle hexagonal frame that surrounds the bee medallion hangs from a chic, thin chain.

Funeia 14K Gold-Plated Birthstone Necklace

The dainty charm on this gold-plated pick is so femme, providing a small pop of color. It also has the perfect amount of personal flair, since you can shop it in all 12 birthstones based on your birth month. The box chain part of this design is crafted without nickel or lead, so it's conveniently hypoallergenic for the sensitive skin-havers out there! Layered or not, you'll be reaching for this $10 Amazon necklace every single day.

Lydow Starfish Charm Necklace

This $13 Amazon necklace is beachy AF, and truly an unexpected affordable find. It flaunts charms of starfish, shells, conchs, suns, and turtles to really channel the summer energy! It's made with an adjustable paperclip chain with a 3-inch allowance, so you can play with adding more necklaces to your look.

Foxgirl Gold Initial Necklace

When it comes to looking expensive, a tiny charm is gonna do it every time. This $14 necklace measures around 16 inches with 2-inch extension, making it instantly layer-able. The whole piece, including the sleek, skinny chain, is made from hypoallergenic materials – mainly brass and a 14K gold plate layer for durability.

Kendra Scott Elisa Pendant Necklace

A classic Kendra Scott design, the Elisa Pendant Necklace, is now on sale for $48 (was $55). There are tons of colors and materials to shop on Amazon, too! This pick measures around 15 inches long with a 2-inch extender. Plus, it arrives in a luxe gift box and soft jewelry bag, so it can be prepped and ready for gifting purposes.

Mauzew Dainty Chain Necklace

Someone might mistake this dainty $11 (was $13) chain for a Catbird or Mejuri design, but it's actually much more affordable. The best part is it still gives the same fancy look! Whether you wear it alone or tack on your favorite charm, this 14-inch, tarnish-resistant piece will become an everyday must-have.

Skqir Teardrop Initial Letter Necklace

The teardrop-shaped pendant on this tiny $10 necklace is everything. You can pick the initial letter based on your first or last name, which makes personalizing it so fun. This pick measures 16 inches with a 5-inch extender chain that closes with a lobster clasp. it might be best to avoid moisture of any kind when you wear this necklace to maintain its shine. The shower or pool, or even perfumes may be a no-go.

Heaven Mayhem Tabi Earrings

IMO, Heaven Mayhem is the queen of gold statement earrings! They have so many different styles and options for the classic and chic, cool-girl look! Even THE It-Girl herself, Hailey Bieber, has been seen rocking these beauties lately.

Heaven Mayhem Hoop Earrings

I see these earrings everywhere, and for good reason! They're a great starter pack to gold statement earrings, and they go with every outfit; casual or dressy! After these, you'll be hooked for sure!

Sézane Flora Hoops

I have these in the white, and I wear them to almost any major event, dinner, or wedding that I have because they mix and match with so many different outfits! I get soooo many compliments on them multiple times anytime I go out, so be prepared — they're well-loved!

Open Edit Teardrop Earrings

These are almost identical to the Bottega earrings that went viral last year, worn by Hailey Bieber and so many others. Except these adorable earrings are about $800 less than their designer counterpart, so I would definitely opt for this cheaper, but still chic alternative!

Madewell Chunky Heart Earrings

Madewell does such a great job with their accessories — I've bought multiple items from them with them never really tarnishing. These chunky earrings are perfectly on trend, and at such an affordable price too!

Mango Chunky Stone Earrings

I love these gold statement earrings! The hardware is definitely gold, but the pops of color in the stones bring such a fun element to any outfit. I'd pair these with an otherwise simple dress for date night, matching my bag to one of the four colors in the stones. I can totally see these with a dainty pink purse, or a classic chocolate leather bag.

Jenny Bird Florence Earrings

These were gifted to me, but I'm telling you right now, I've worn them SO much that I would buy them in a heartbeat. In fact, I've already planned to re-purchase them once they show signs of wear, but that's yet to happen after having worn them for nearly a year! They are extremely high quality, durable, and perfect for everyday use!

Coach Carriage Studs

These are giving me all the vintage-vibes with the sweet horse-drawn carriage engraved into them! I love the detailing, and I especially love how affordable they are, given these earrings are Coach. They're simple but are sure to become an everyday pair!

Madewell Pearl Earrings

Pearl and gold together just look phenomenal and so classy! I love these because they aren't as weighty, so they won't feel super heavy on your ears when you wear them, all the while still giving the illusion of more hearty earrings. Definitely perfect for a comfy, cute statement earring!

Heaven Mayhem Wine Earrings

I personally have these and wear them ALL the time! They are the perfect accessory to an all black look. My favorite way to style them is with a chic blazer and jeans with a slicked back bun, and voila! The earrings pack a punch and add some fun to an otherwise simple outfit!

Bauble Bar Flower Earrings

Flower earrings are a great way to make a statement, and I absolutely love Bauble Bar for all of their statement jewelry! They have some other great gold options that are sure to stand out and help add some flair to your outfit!

Sézane Heart Earrings

These gold statement earrings definitely made a statement (see what I did there?) when they went viral on Tiktok! They sold out for a brief moment, but they're available now, so run to grab them while they're still in stock!

Anthropologie Gold Starfish Earrings

Want to be an IRL Princess Ariel?! Then these are the earrings for you! I would definitely grab them if you have any upcoming tropical vacations planned because these would be to-die for during a beach-front dinner!

Petit Moments Dangling Earrings

Dangling earrings are such a moment because they just feel so elegant and extravagant at the same time! Every time I wear earrings like this, it feels like I'm headed off to fancy ball in a gown. And these stunning earrings are made with 18k gold plating, so they're extremely nice quality without all the fully-gold cost.

Sterling Forever Pearl Earrings

The vintage '80s brooch-looking earrings will never be out of style, I'm truly obsessed with them! If you can't thrift them, then I would highly suggest these stunning pearl earrings from Sterling Forever, because they really do look straight out of the '80s! These are the perfect statement piece to any outfit!

1. We thought our first love was perfect and would argue with anyone who wanted us to take things slow with them.

I'll never forget the first time I fell in love at 19. I thought my ex was the "wind beneath my wings" because he had a great sense of humor and was creative like me. I told myself he was the person I was going to marry so I was offended when my parents didn't think he was mature enough to be in a serious relationship. If this sounds familiar, pull up a chair because Menon explains why we tend to idealize our first love.

"Your first love is your first experience with romantic love too, hence you typically see it with rose-colored glasses. The overwhelming emotion is often infatuation, which tends to overshadow the more critical and analytical part of our brain," she says. Sadly, this sounds like something my parents told me before but I couldn't fathom how true it was as a teen.

As the Clinical Director at Southern California Sunrise Recovery Center, Cavins has seen this play out before too. He says, "In your first relationship, there is a tendency to put your partner on a pedestal. The excitement of new love can create a powerful emotional fog that makes it hard to see flaws clearly."

Essentially, this "excitement of having a boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner supersedes" our ability to questions things we normally wouldn't put up with, according to Menon.

2. We tried to ignore the how many times our first loves disagreed with our values or goals.

While some couples are able to make their relationship work despite having a different outlook on life, sometimes it can be a sign that things aren't going to work long-term. Cavins says, "One major red flag is disregarding differences in values or goals for the future. For instance, you wish to become a parent someday while your spouse swears this will never happen— or vice versa. Early on, you might dismiss these differences, believing love will conquer all. However, these mismatched priorities can lead to resentment and challenges over time."

Honestly, I probably should've ran whenever my ex would mock my belief in God only for us to have to attend his mother and stepfather's church whenever I visited. There was so much confusion there, but I tried to dismiss it as something he needed time to work out.

Menon adds, "If this relationship makes you feel like you'e standing in quick sand - where you are trying to move forward but often feel held back in your individual aspirations, it may not be the right fit for you."

3. We thought it was 'cute' when our first loves made suggestions about which friends to avoid or what clothes to wear.

Cavins says, "Excessively possessive behaviors are another red flag that people often ignore easily when they fall in love for the first time. People tend to justify such behaviors by citing that it's due to love or protective instincts." I'm all for being in a relationship where your partner's able to see different sides of a picture, but controlling behavior shouldn't come with that. What might that look like?

Cavins says, "Your partner may frequently check in on you, offer opinions on who you should spend time with, or subtly pressure you into making choices that suit them." For example, your partner could start off making suggestions about your style that slowly morph into them controlling everything you wear. Somehow I went from being a self-professed 'girly-girl' to trying to emulate the style of 'sneakerheads' in a short amount of time. Though I love wearing everything from New Balance to Niké sneakers now, it's in a way that feels cohesive with my style.

You may have brushed this kind of behavior off because, again, you thought it meant your first love wanted the best for you. "It is understandable that such behavior hypothetically may come off as pleasant or affirming; however, they often signal an unhealthy dynamic of control rather than mutual respect," says

4. We always gave in when our first loves forced us to be affectionate.

*Sigh* I'm shaking my head for my younger self because there were many times I didn't advocate for myself in my first romantic relationship. I'd often give in to affectionate or intimate moments despite wanting personal space so I wouldn't be seen as 'boring' or uninterested in my ex. Menon says, "Given the infatuation, your first relationship can feel all-consuming and often is codependent. Hence, this may result in you overlooking that your partner does not respect your boundaries or desire for personal space."

Partly because the excitement of the relationship makes you want to spend all of your time together, until you don't. And then, it is often too late to correct a maladaptive historical pattern.

4. We always made excuses for why our partners would shower us with affection only to ignore us days later.

Let's be clear, 'love bombing' feels confusing and awful. No one should make you feel like you're the center of their universe only to ignore your calls or texts days later. But, this probably happened while you were with your first love. Cavins says, "There's a tendency for people to brush off their first love's emotional unavailability. When, for example, a partner is not responsive and not engaging in intimate discussions or does not express their feelings, some may rationalize this as them being 'just not ready.'" If that were the case, this person wouldn't have made you feel like being with you is something they truly wanted.

Of that, Cavins believes "it's important to recognize these behaviors early" because "they can result in a one-side emotional investment that leaves one party feeling unfulfilled in the long run." Sadly, my first love would have days where he was super sweet to me only to feel like I was smothering him with attention. This is also the same person who begged me to remain in our romantic relationship when he went to basic training although I felt it would be better if we chose to be friends. Imagine my surprise (and hurt) when he told me we should have an open relationship months after getting stationed for the first time.

I should've known better because he was never 100% on board with the idea of marriage until after he graduated from basic training. Cavins calls this "emotional disconnectedness." His further explanation is this is "when the initial chemistry between the partners subsides that emotional attachment matters." To avoid this, he feels "identifying and addressing any of these is critical in a case where you are looking to create a strong and healthy bond."

5. We ignored the ways our former partner blamed us whenever they got in trouble with their parents or an authority figure.

Did your first love have a hard time taking responsibility for things that went wrong by gaslighting you to absorb the blow of their mistakes? If you've furiously nodding, we should start a support group. Cavins says, "A key sign is a lack of personal or relational growth. Healthy relationships encourage mutual development, but if one partner stays stuck in old patterns while the other grows, it can create frustration and distance."

At no point should you be the reason why your first love got in trouble after answering their parents' house phone late at night after telling you to call at a certain time. It's situations like this that should've alerted us to awful behavior, but I can see how easy it is to dismiss things.

What if I'm in love for the first time and recognize these signs?

First, my heart goes out to you for being in a relationship that doesn't feel healthy. It hurts when we realize the person we thought was so great is anything but. The road to letting go of idealization may be long, but you can and will get better. Cavins says, "In the process of self-healing and recovery, the first step that must be taken is self-reflection. Ask yourself all of the necessary questions that arise, such as what this relationship means for you, what your boundaries are, and what this partnership has revealed about you as an individual."

I keep saying this, but relying on journal prompts can help you unpack a lot of things and, thankfully, Cavins agrees. He says, "You could always opt to talk to a specialist or being journaling in order to find some closure and draw meaning from the experience." Also, he wants you to start "making new memories." But, don't be passive about it.

"You will have to engage yourself in activities that will help redirect the focus of your thoughts. This could include joining a new class, engaging in a hobby, or traveling that involves some independence. These experiences can help shift your mindset from loss to growth and reinforce your identity outside of the relationship," says Cavins.

Another important thing you can do is "solicit help from others," according to him. "Calling on people you trust, like friends and family, to talk about these feelings can significantly help in healing," he says. This also helped me navigate life outside of my first real romantic relationship, reminding me that I still had a lot of love in my life that didn't begin or end with my ex.

Here are Menon's tips:

• Let yourself grieve — Let this loss run its course. If you need to feel angry, sad, distraught, nostalgic. Allow yourself the full breadth of this experience. If I ask you right now "don't think a out a yellow monkey", I can bet you just thought of a yellow monkey. We call this "the imp of the mind". When you reject feelings, or thoughts, they come back 10 times more fiercely. To move the feeling along, we must let ourselves experience it.
• Rediscover your identity (So important) — Your first love is often intertwined with self-discovery, and identity formation. Reconsider your goals, interests, values, friendships and hobbies and try to build your own sense of identity and individuality.

I saw my first love again and it feels like we're falling in love all over. Can we have a happy and healthy relationship?

I'm not going to tell you to run even though I told my ex I never wanted to speak or talk to him again. You could easily reconnect with the first person you fell in love with and realize that you're both in a place where you can have something beautiful. However, Cavins and Menon want you to be mindful if you're in this position.

"Reconnection is possible," begins Menon, "if both parties can objectively claim that they have grown emotionally and resolved the issues that held their relationship back." But, "if the reconnection is built on one person growing and the other not, it is likely to fail," she alerts. You'll need to "proceed with caution," she says because "your first love was a nostalgic era in your life that can cloud your judgement." To put it more clearly, she doesn't want you confuse "the fuzzies" with a "true knowing that the two of you can make it work."

Cavins says, "Reconnecting with a first love can trigger a strong wave of emotions, but it is important that such a decision is made with caution and a strong sense of pragmatism. Personal growth is a primary factor. Each party in the relationship must ask themselves how they have grown and evolved as individuals over time. If past patterns of conflict, immaturity, or unhealthy dynamics remain unaddressed, the same issues could resurface."

He wants you to consider these things:

• Are there any active relationships or past engagements that would make it rather difficult? That's because the feelings that come with reigniting old flames are very strong and can alter a person’s life, making it essential to start thinking from all angles before going ahead with it.
• Address previous challenges that caused the breakup in the first place. If the reasons behind the breakup have been resolved or do not exist anymore, then yes, meeting again has its prospects. However, keep in mind that, at times, memories can be selective and unfavorably distort the truth by overplaying the good qualities while avoiding the negative ones.
• Only rekindle things if both individuals are in a healthy emotional state and the decision is grounded in practical, mutual considerations—not just sentimentality or romanticized memories. Clear and honest discussions and an understanding of purpose are vital in ascertaining if rekindling the relationship will be worthwhile for both parties or if it will simply be an act of revisiting unresolved emotions.