18 holes, like a golf course

Happy New Year, fam! I hope your 2026 is off to a beautiful, not-too-stressful start. January can kick up a lot of emotions; it can be a little bit like a pressure cooker, especially if you’re trying to stick to resolutions. On the other hand, it feels refreshing, like a clean slate and a chance to reset your energy. For me, that usually starts with a little self-care and, of course, a few of my favorite things.

And that absolutely includes earrings. Fun fact: I have 18 holes in my ears! It’s basically a golf course at this point. I’ve got them trailing up and down, plus a conch piercing. I also had one that grew shut, and I’m already thinking about where to go next (maybe a new row at the top?).

People always ask me how this whole ear-piercing thing started — and the answer is… rebellion. (Mild rebellion, but still.) I got my ears pierced for the first time at Claire’s when I was little. Very classic. Very mall-core. But I was also a sports girlie, and I kept having to take them out for games — so they closed up. That happened more than once, and eventually I just gave up.

I didn’t re-pierce my ears until later — late middle school / early high school — when I wasn’t playing sports as much anymore. I also thought I needed pierced ears for modeling, which… honestly, I kind of did. But the reason it turned into this — the reason I started going a little cray-cray — was because my mom never let me color my hair or get tattoos. So this became my loophole.

No hair dye?
No tattoos?
Cool. I’ll pierce my ears.

Some places only let you get two or three piercings at a time, so it happened in phases. Different eras. Different levels of commitment. And before I knew it, I was fully in my ear-stack era. The funny part? My mom was considered a rebel in her town because she had two piercings — in one ear. So for me to show up with all of this felt very full-circle.

Now it doesn’t feel rebellious at all. It feels expressive. Personal. Like a little timeline of who I’ve been and where I’ve been in life. Some people mark chapters with tattoos or hair changes — I just kept poking holes in my ears.

Since I get so many questions about my ear party, I wanted to share the earrings that are currently in my rotation. Whether you have one piercing or many more, these are the ones making me feel the best right now.

A) Maria Tash Invisible Set Diamond Threaded Stud: Maria Tash is the queen of piercings. These are my go-to for a luxury “forever” piece. They’re tiny, sparkly, and look incredible in a stack.

B) Jacquie Aiche Pave Diamond Mini Hoop: Whenever I want to feel a little extra glam-rock, I reach for Jacquie Aiche. Her pieces have this effortless, bohemian vibe that makes any outfit look intentional.

C) Jewels & Aces Celeste Earring Set: I love these because they are so modular. You can wear them as simple studs or add the jacket for a bit more drama. Perfect for when you need to go from a meeting to a dinner date.

D) Jen Hansen Puff Teardrop Earrings: These are also really versatile; I love combining them with gold pieces (don’t be afraid to mix metals!).

E) Mejuri Trio Chain Stud: You can’t go wrong with Mejuri. This chain stud is lightweight enough to wear all day and the tiny emeralds make a statement.

F) Hey Harper Dove Hoops: For my girls who never want to take their jewelry off (even in the shower), this brand is a lifesaver. These don’t tarnish, and the gold tone is just right.

G) Swarovski Constella Drop Earrings: Sometimes you just need a little high-octane glam. I love pairing these with a classic white tee to let the earrings do all the talking.

H) Catbird Diamond Greco Lariat Earring: If I want something delicate for my upper piercings, I love a gold threader. It adds a little movement and looks so chic and dainty when it catches the light.

I) Jenny Bird Diamond Huggie Earrings: I’m a sucker for a good huggie. These are comfortable enough to sleep in (though I usually take mine out for my earplugs!).

J) Aurate Gold Bar Earring: There’s something about a gold bar going across my ear that feels so badass, and this one has a unique shape.

K) Chopard Ice Cube Ear Cuff: I love adding a cuff to my stack to create the illusion of even more holes. It adds that perfect “more is more” finish.

**And one for my unpierced girlies…Alexis Bittar Jardin Rose Clip Earrings: No piercings, no problem. These are so cool and oversized; great for showing off with a turtleneck sweater or dress.

As usual, I want to hear from you! How many piercings do you have? (They don’t have to be in your ears…I won’t judge. 😉) And more importantly, what are the jewelry brands you’re obsessing over right now? Drop a comment and let’s talk ear parties.

Wishing you a sparkling start to the year,

xo
Ashley