Grandma nearly disowned my mother the day my ears were pierced. I was three years old and cried like a baby when Dr. Stark used some ice and a needle to poke tiny holes in my tiny lobes (this was back when your pediatrician did body modification instead of the mall-bopper). Although the Doc did a shoddy job (one lobe droops when I wear heavy earrings, and no, I don’t attribute that to the three decades I’ve added to my life!), I thank my mom to this day for standing up to Grandma and cheering her little girl’s girlie ways. In a fit of tears, my jewelry addiction began.

By the time I was kicking the third-grade bully with the heavy plaster cast on my broken ankle, I was wearing the daintiest, most colorful flowers in my ears. The addiction was growing up. They were much more stylish than those bland gold-color studs and just the perfect girlie balance to my tomboy-ish ways.

This small decoration made me feel like a princess. And it made the trip to the principal’s office that much sweeter when I saw him grin with amusement as he realized that it took a girl to take down the school bully. Me—with my Wranglers, tennies, pigtails and sparkling ears.

Are you ever too young to be a jewelry addict? No way! And is it worth baby tears over pierced ears and adult twinges over maxed-out credit cards to feel like a queen? Absolutely, baby! Why? Because you’re never too young to feel feminine. And you’re never too old to feel like a little girl.

Just look at all the possibilities for your newest addition!

Enroll her in charm school—Start her charm bracelet! Dangle girlie charms from a sterling bracelet and add them as she grows up, celebrating every moment, hobby and interest.

Her first hair DO—A swanky barrette cuddling a few baby hairs or a stretchy headband is her first lesson in accessorizing her hairstyles.

Miss Fancy Pants—Okay, so cloth diapers are a thing of the past, but why not accessorize her Pampers with something that sparkles? Add Swarvoski® crystals or beads to a diaper pin. You can even find pins with fancy clasps and rings to dangle charms!

What’s her name?— An ID bracelet, alphabet beads on a chain, anything with her name for her to tell the world she’s arrived!

Close to her heart—Sure, down the road, she’ll replace the photo of Mom and Dad with her very first boyfriend, but a locket pendant lets her carry what she cherishes with her.

Finally, sparkling ears—Just make sure to keep her first pair of earrings small so she doesn’t snag them while she’s out in the world playing.

Click here to find a jeweler who has everything a little girl wants.