February 2008 Archives

I was recently introduced to the spirit of Cindy Chao, a jewelry designer based in Taiwan. I love discovering new jewelry designers, especially those with an incredible eye for detail and design like Cindy- one of the most promising jewelry designers I have seen in a very long time! A friend of mine had several pieces made by Cindy and showed them to me during her last visit, the pieces were extraordinary and exquisite and like nothing I had ever seen. Inspired by her Eastern roots and by the forces of nature, Cindy's jewelry is astounding and fascinating. Owning one of her pieces is like capturing the essence of nature and owning the spirit of beauty. Each piece is carefully designed and meticulously handcrafted- a conch pearl rests delicately against the sensual curves of lily petals made of diamonds, a golden pearl mounted as the exotic center of a spray of diamonds, a diamond nestled in a cluster of pearls, each piece unique in its own way. I am waiting for my first Cindy Chao pieces, I was told the wait would be long, but as all things worth owning, it is worth the wait. Email her showroom for details and point of purchase.

More photos after the jump!

Our friends always say I have my husband wrapped around my finger; just to give you a quick example, he spent hours (it was a workday and he had to cancel meetings, luckily he is self employed!) looking for a dress I forgot to pack to New York for Fashion Week last month and after he found it, he sent it to me Fed Ex overnight so I could wear it to a party. Not gallant enough? What about the time he sent me Easter cookies via Fed Ex International overnight (with a Bvlgari diamond necklace hidden inside) when I was working in Asia so that I wouldn't miss out on one of my favorite holidays? I could go on but it would just make you sick and hate your own husband. His friends constantly tease him but he just laughs them off, there are worse things in life than being lovesick! If there is someone in your life you'd do anything for and are just lovesick over, show it to them with the Pianegonda Lovesick Heart Wraparound Ring, at eLuxury.

Southern women love to monogram everything, and I do mean everything. Towels, bags, toiletry cases, soap, you name it, we'll monogram it. When I made my formal debut I even received a soft little portable cooler with a polka-dot handle and a monogram on it. (Because every debutante must have a inconspicuous way to carry her liquor and who can think of a better way than an adorable monogrammed cooler disguised as a bag.) This seems to me to be the only explanation for why I love this necklace by Lizzie Scheck. It is a classic and would dress up a pair of jeans and a white tee-shirt perfectly or I could wear it with a dress. Lizzie Scheck necklace, $685.00, www.lizziescheck.com.

I was a Fine Arts major in college before switching to International Finance (due to the urging of my father who feared I would end up on the streets of New York painting Chinese characters on small grains of rice). Though I do not regret making that decision, I wish I continued my education of Art History. My favorite subjects during the short time I was an Art major was studying Goddesses depicted in art from different cultures. To me, Goddesses represent a celebration of femininity, grace, and beauty, like the earrings from Ippolita in 18k hammered gold. These earrings transcend time and culture, I can see it on Nut- The Egyptian Sky Goddess or on Kwan Yin- The Chinese Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. And have you ever noticed- no matter if the Goddesses are depicted in flowing gowns or in the nude, they are always adorned with a piece of fabulous jewelry. As you should, daily (wear jewelry I mean, not run around nude). Ippolita 18K Gold Goddess Earrings $2,500 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

One of my favorite fashion eras are the 1920's. My great-grandmother was born in 1901 and passed away when she was only three weeks shy of her 100th birthday. There are many pictures of her in my house in Alabama. I love to study them in great detail because they depict the evolution of fashion. My favorite pictures of her are from the 1920's. These are my favorite pictures because she is not only fascinatingly beautiful, but her clothes are to die for. I always love her necklaces which are usually layered pearls and chains much like these. I can see myself wearing this Temple St. Clair necklace and looking just as chic now as she did then. Temple St. Clair 18K Ball Chain, $450, saksfifthavenue.com.

You are never too young or too old to believe in love! M2's Believe and Love Necklace is the piece to wear daily and be reminded of how much you love and are loved. I love little trinkets, this is something I'd give to my goddaughter for her 18th birthday(I had my heart broken when I was 18 and thought I would never love again-boy was I wrong- but you know how every break up seems like the end of the world at that age!). 14k gold believe tag with diamond Chinese love symbol and white topaz drop. Chain is adjustable from 16-18". $622 with free shipping. At Max and Chloe

Wearing Temple St. Clair's jewelry is like carrying a Monet painting on your arm. Each piece of her jewelry is meticulously designed and crafted, a masterpiece in its own right. I met Temple at one of her trunk shows years ago and through the years have thought of her when looking for a special piece of jewelry to treat myself. I am in love with this stunning blue moonstone ring, made of Royal Blue Moonstones set in 18k gold with diamond accents and Temple's signature archer's granule, it is just the thing to perk up a LBD or a pair of jeans.$5,900 by Special order at Temple St. Clair.

I don't like anything that is trendy or that has experienced mass popularity. I feel like overexposure of a product makes it lose whatever quality it had that made it endearing in the first place. David Yurman is pretty much the gold standard of jewelry in Dallas, especially at SMU. During rush parties, girls will ask you about your necklace/ring/bracelet to see if it is by David Yurman. This is exactly why I don't particularly care for his jewelry. It's not that I don't think his things are beautiful, it's just that I don't feel like something can be uniquely mine if the girl sitting next to me has the exact same thing on. It makes me feel like I've lost some of my individuality. This ring by Roberto Cavalli appeals to my individuality. The moonstone gives it a touch of softness that lends an interesting contrast against the details of the metal band. Roberto Cavalli Moonstone Ring, $263.00, eluxury.com.

Suzanne Wilson is the preferred jewelry designer of Hollywood A-listers on the red carpet and off, she is also one of my favorite jewelry designers! I have had the pleasure of meeting Suzanne on several occasions and own many of her pieces. Suzanne's designs are timeless and classic but always stylish. Like this delicate and chic wreath (her signature!) necklace of 18k gold and diamonds. It's the perfect trinket to throw on with jeans or a floaty summer dress. $2350 at Blue Bee.

I adore Christian Lacroix, if you have ever watched "Absolutely Fabulous" you will remember how obsessed Eddy was with "Lacroix Sweetie darling, Lacroix." Like Eddy, I am obsessed with his couture line and plan to buy my first piece of Christian Lacroix couture jacket this year. Lacroix also has a line of fun and shiny trinkets like this bracelet. It was $1,600 on sale for $1,120. This is the type of piece you can travel with and not worry about it being lost or stolen. Christian Lacroix Exclusive diamanté encrusted bracelet at Net a porter