December 2009 Archives

When I saw Paige Gamble's headbands 2 years ago, I immediately thought, Blair on Gossip Girl! So when I met Paige, I told her she should try to get her designs on Gossip Girl and guess what? Sure enough, she is now a staple in the show's wardrobe, including her amazing clutches!

This Aura Quartz headband is like no other, it is a piece of art on your head. We all want to wear a tiara around but the humiliation of being laughed at would probably ruin the fun. However, wearing a bejeweled headband is perfectly acceptable and you will still feel like a Princess! At Paige Gamble for $450.

When it comes of jewelry, it really is all in the details. These bangles look like any other until you realize that this is inlaid silver in oxidized metal. Designer Chhaya Kapadia drew inspiration from an ancient Indian art form of this painstaking process and the result is truly mind blowing. The craftsmanship required is so exact and detailed but when done right, like these are here, you get a little piece of treasure to cherish. The Flow Bangle ($750) with minimal in-laid silver is subtle and soothing. The Vine Bangle ($1750) is much more showy and impactful.

Nothing like a little vintage flair to make sloppy tee shirt and jeans look like you mean it. It's the Kate Moss secret =) This Deco necklace is great for everything else as well, the big crystal pave ring hangs down right to your decolletage for added emphasis and the dangling ball at the end finishes it off with panache. The necklace itself are pink beads with a vintage closure. At My Theresa for $ 1078, which includes VAT but excludes shipping.

Maybe because I am on a rock n roll kick from playing Rock Band during my Christmas break, or maybe, it is just because this necklace is damn cool!! There are a lot of mixed chains out there but this one with barbed wire AND pearls speaks to the dichotomy in all us girls. Men thinks we're confusing but we're just well rounded =) The best part is the price, totally affordable and the BEST Frugal Snob find in months!! At Barneys New York for $210.

This bracelet has a delicate look but has the easy of a cuff. The intricate five rows of circles with interlaced diamonds is the perfect combination of classic and chic with a feminine feel and a cool vibe. I love pieces that can be worn with everything in your wardrobe and this effortless bracelet will undoubtedly be one of them. It is 18K gold with a total of 0.58 carats of diamonds. At Bergdorf Goodman for $4320.

The Fallon Slater Lariat is a mixed chain and rhinestone chain lariat with cross-pendent necklace and tassel fringe-- 55" chain length for $285.00  Both at Barneys New York.

This is the most amazing and distinct watch I have ever seen. Diane von Furstenberg's collaboration with H. Stern has produced some gorgeous pieces but this tops it all as the huge standout hit. The face is encased with an asymmetrical faceted sapphire crystal with diamond hour markers (only .05 carats in weight but a great way to add diamonds without feeling like you are being cheated with the small carats). The straps are triple loops of calf leather. You are getting Swiss movement for a fashion watch that will perform and let your style shine brightly and fabulously. Love love love!! I might exchange all my Christmas gifts to get this!! Or is that rude? At Bergdorf Goodman for $1500, comes in black or white.

Everyone knows that the Taj Mahal was built by an Indian emperor for his beloved wife. This X'mas, point your men in a less costly (but no less beautiful) direction to show his love for you, like these white bakelite tourmaline earrings, or the Ottoman cross on white bakelite bangle from Bochic. I found this gorgeous jewelry collection when I stumbled into their online sample sale on gilt.com. I was first wowed by the exotically beautiful collection, then managed to leave the page "accidently" on my husband's computer. Unfortunately thirty minutes later, my husband was still nowhere in front of his desk and I found that everything was SOLD OUT on the site!!!

So I am going to do us all a favor here--HINT: BUSY HUSBANDS EVERYWHERE--you can't go wrong with anything on the Bochic website and they offer a lifetime upgrade service--in case you are out of gift ideas for the years to come.
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Instead of multiple layers of varying chains, Nancy Caten puts it all in one large chain. You get the look without the fuss, and the chunky links has enough impact to wear it alone. The Sterling Silver Large Link Bracelet for $265, can be an everyday affair, works great with embellished tops to add a little something without overpowering the look. Throw the Sterling Silver Multi-Chain Necklace over sweaters, tee shirts and turtle necks to strike up needed flare. For $520.

Update your jewelry collection with this sale at Net-a-Porter, there are some insane prices for pieces that are sooooo drool worthy!!

Kenneth Jay Lane Mutli Hoop Earrings
Not just simple hoops, these linking hoops are interesting and with a hammered finish, you will be rocking these out with everything you wear. Was $45, Now $22.50!!

Stella McCartney Brass Panther Necklace
Sometimes a V-neck just needs something little and simple, but don't go boring. Bring out the Panther pendant! Was $335, Now $167.50.

Lee Angel Bubble Hoop Earrings
Some bubbly for the bubbly, these earrings pretty much ensures you will have a good time when you go out. They are fun but still sophisticated enough for work. Was $85, Now $59.50.

Oscar de la Renta Agate Ribbon Necklace
Go bold with this Oscar de la Renta statement necklace. This is all you need to turn your LBD to runway hit. Was $850, Now $595.

Shop Net-a-Porter's Sale Now!!

Leslie Greene is a red carpet regular, here her Sterling Silver Collection was seen at the "American's Next Top Model" wrap up party on model Angel McCord (with her sister, 90210 actress Annalynne McCord). The fantastic bold cuffs are great for adding extra volume without getting too complicated with stacking. The Hudson Cuff seen here is $1200. Also seen are the Bica Earrings with diamond embellishments - what a great way to get some bling without going all out, these are only $780. These chandeliers really grab your attention and the intricate craftsmanship will not betray your savings.

I love that she has the silver collection as a starting point for her line. The Silver Levana Cuff has the same details as well as .44 carats of diamonds but it is $1695 compared to the 18K gold and .93 carats of diamonds on the Grande Sasha Cuff for $12,895. Such a smart way to develop a line!

It's not even that Henri Bendel is a must stop shop for me in New York but somehow when they opened in LA, I just had to go. And good thing I did. Their fashion jewelry collection is so much fun! Like this totally outlandishly fabulous disco cocktail ring. It is giant, but I have big hands so I can get away with it. The other thing that is huge is the WOW factor. There are over 100 crystals and cubic zirconia on the dome shaped ring. There are 3 color choices but this hematite with the brown and anthracite stones is clearly the stand out. At Henri Bendel online for $78, available in sizes 6,7,8.

If you haven't heard, it is all about bold statement jewelry this season. And when it comes to brightening your look, there is nothing like this blue lapis necklace from Ranjana Khan. You can pretty much wear a potato sack and still look fabulous with just this on. I consider myself an expert on blue accessories, it is my absolute most favorite accent color - I have more than 10 blue bags, and let me tell you, it goes with so much more than you can imagine. There is a natural sereneness to blue that calms the senses but excites the eyes at the same time. This multiple shades and shapes of this necklace allows you to go from fun to sophisticated and eventful. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $1090.

I love Kate Hudson's style, it is easy, chic and full of personality. To me jewelry is all about personal choices, whether it is sentimental or expressing your style. Brazilian jeweler Jack Vartanian has distinct pieces that really define personal style and Kate Hudson clearly agrees. She wore the gold cuff with black quartz during the day at a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria and showed up that night in the white gold fringe necklace and the aqua marine ring to the screening of "Nine" at Lincoln Square Center. The cuff, necklace and ring are all available at the Jack Vartanian boutique at 996 Madison Avenue, New York, NY.

A 203 carat diamond is more like a paper weight than anything you can actually wear. The Millennium Star Diamond is the largest flawless pear-shaped diamond, it was 777 carats in the rough, making it the 6th largest diamond ever found. It was discovered in the early 1990's in then Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo and purchased by De Beers, for an undisclosed amount. The cutting process took intense years of planning, including having over 200 models made in order to calculate where and how it should be cut to get the optimum shine, beauty and weight. The final cut that resulted in the Millennium Star which gave it a pear shape with 54 facets. Mr. Harry Oppenheimer, the former Chairman of De Beers, who has been in the diamond business for more than 70 years, said, "It is the most beautiful diamond I have ever seen." Pretty remarkable coming from someone of his stature. An attempt was made to steal it from the Millennium Dome in London in 2000.

Temple St. Clair is known for exquisite designs that are understated and classic. There are those who appreciate fine jewelery but are modest about the amount of bling. She calls her designs "restrained", I call it fabulous! These pieces from her current collection shows her range and background of art and architecture.

The Tolomeo Pendant with blue sapphire and diamonds is very architectural with an element of engineering feat that is eye catching. I love sapphire and the monochromatic simplicity of this piece because there is already so much going on, but there is also a version with multiple colored stones. For $25,000 (chain sold separately - 18K Classic Extra-Small Oval Link Chain, 18", $1,350).

I love pieces that are versatile and impactful.  The Graduated Necklace with Mango Green Moonstone and Diamonds is exquisite and elegant for formal affairs but this can easily be worn with a simple cocktail dress or even a nice luncheon.  for $85,000.

These Cluster Drop Earrings with Morganite, Diamonds and Green Beryl are gorgeous and of course curbs your pink diamond craving, or at least mine =)  For most, giant pink diamonds are not a reality but that does not mean we can't get the look of our favorite color!  For $15,000.

Cocktail rings are my thing.  I like to keep things simple and have one point of focus and this clearly fits the bill.  This Cluster Ring with Precious Topaz and Rosecut Diamonds is showy but in a modest, "restrained" way.  Yes, I am a sucker for anything pink but this isn't girly in any way, the setting is absolutely sophisticated.  For $62,500.  Available at Temple St. Clair, although not all the pieces shown here are on the website.  Contact their sales department at 800 590 7985 or 212 219 8664.

It doesn't matter what trend is going on out there, you can always count on Jose & Maria Barrera for some exotic blings that won't break your wallet (too much). I always feel that many of their designs could be future treasures for vintage custom jewelry collectors everywhere. This season, I found their earrings particularly suitable for all the upcoming globe-trotting in the holiday seasons.

Look at these turquoise bead earrings found on Bergdorfgoodman.com --don't they just make you want to wrap your tushy in a sarong and go somewhere near the water? I can see them looking equally stunning with a crisp white blouse or a little black dress. If you are leaning towards travels to somewhere French speaking, these hematite earrings found on Neimanmarcus.com are totally in sync with the Chanel movies out this year. Last but not least, I love how Jose and Maria Berrera make these earrings in clip backs so girls like me, with no pierced ears, can enjoy them as well. The turquoise earrings can be found at Bergdorf Goodman for $390 and the hermatite earrings are $240 at Neiman Marcus.

Modern and edgy is not the first words that come to mind when describing Van Cleef & Arpels-- but the latest from the legendary French jeweler is fit for a rock princess. A leather and diamond collar with 14.22-carat Capriccio pear-shape diamond set in white gold, this is a major statement piece but still carries with it the quiet elegance that Van Cleef has been known for since Estelle Arpels married Alfred Van Cleef over a hundred years ago.  I would actually wear this with a t shirt and jeans and not feel one bit self conscious!  The baguettes are placed to look like a zipper, an ode to the '80s I presume.  I don't even dare ask how much this piece is but if Santa is reading, top of my wish list please!  At Van Cleef & Arpels, price upon request, call 877-VAN-CLEEF

In recently years the stingray skin has become a popular material with the luxury designers. In my personal opinion this lux material can appear cheap if not used with caution-I've seen some Stingray clutches in the Thailand weekend markets mixing the bad color dyes with bulky shapes that made lots of stingrays die in vain. This Kara Ross Stingray Cityscape Cuff offers the perfect mix of stingray and metal that makes it the tasteful classy accessory with an edge. It could easily become an ice breaker at boring company holiday parties, and is affordable at $370 so your boss won't think he's paying you too much. It also comes in black and green on the Kara Ross website but the café stingray is my favorite and would make a versatile-all-time-favorite addition to any wardrobe.

Kara Ross Stingray Cityscape Cuff here $370

Ok..It's about that time of the year when people shop the resort collection for cute next-to-nothings to bring to Maldives or St. Barts. Besides the obvious Havianas and SPF infinity , every chic girl on vacay needs something fun to dress up her paisley Etro bikinis. The gems can't be too serious for a relaxing vacation (you won't want to risk dropping your Harry Winston blings while jet skiing) but needs to glam up those tiny cocktail dresses for a romantic dinner on private beaches. These Matthew Campbell Laurenza enamel bangles would definitely do the trick. I've met the designer personally on a trip to Bangkok years ago when his jewelry collection combining candy color enamel and semi-precious stones were becoming all the rage. Now you can find them at Bergdorfgoodman.com retailing at $530 each. Just remember, you can always order cocktails to match these baubles. At Bergdorfgoodman.com

Pyrite rings are the absolute best for making fun, bold statements that are always conversation-starters. When I was in Paris last year for the S/S 2009 collections I was waiting for the Estrella Archs show to start (yes THAT Estrella Archs who now, a year later, made a disastrous collection with Lindsay Lohan over at Emanuel Ungaro), when I spotted a nearby-boutique that had all these pyrite baubles in the window. I can't remember the exact location of the boutique, but Estrella Archs' show was at the Garage Turenne (66 rue de Turenne), in the 3eme that season so for anyone heading to Paris you'll see it if you go to that address. If Paris isn't in the decks for you, for about the same price you can snap this Dannijo Rocco Pyrite Ring ($385), over at Shopbop.

Obviously I love this ring, but what do you think? Snob or Slob?

Banana Republic Monogram Coiled Bib Necklace

My sister wore this one night and I hounded her about this until she finally revealed, reluctantly, that it is Banana Republic.  Trust me, with a piece this amazing, there is no shame in that.  Banana Republic has been doing fantastic jewelry for many seasons, but this looks like Oscar de la Renta!!  Truly incredible in person, you will not be disappointed and either will your lucky gift recipient.  For $150.

Ann Taylor Silver Pavé Four-Row Necklace
Yes, that's right Ann Taylor!!  Their jewelry collection is phenomenal, the designs are edgy, chic and amazingly affordable!  This four-strand necklace of silver links, smoky faceted beads and pavé balls is $65.

Isharya Gypsy Moonstone Earrings

Chandelier earrings are dramatic and eye catching.  Especially in moonstone and 18 carat gold plating.  It was $175 and is now on sale at Net-a-Porter for $87.50

Horn Open Hoop Earrings by Asha by ADM

Horn jewelry is huge right now, it is a natural material so you get the interesting irregular striations but you aren't paying fine jewelry prices.  These Brazilian horn open hoops are a bit exotic but will be your go to earrings for everyday.  An easy look to fit anyone's style.  At Vivre for $85.

Single Rosette Necklace by Nicole Romano

I love wearing a simple necklace sometimes, it really makes people stop and take a closer look.  This Rosette necklace has so much interest and details for something so simple.  I love the multiple rings symbolizing never-ending togetherness, the perfect sentiment for the season. At Vivre for $128.

Crystal Thornbush Necklace

Now we switch gears to a bold statement piece.  Asymmetrical necklaces with multi-strands give boring outfits an instant fix.  The Czech-glass stones are set open in the back for maximum impact.  A Frugal buy that looks like a million bucks!  At J. Crew for $135.

J. Crew Salon Bracelet

If you know someone who is a hand talker, you can stop looking because here is her gift.  She might even be able to speak softer now that she is getting more attention with her hand!  At J. Crew for $95.

Maje Leaf Pendant Necklace

Get flirty with this Leaf Pendant necklace.  The length (22 1/2") is great worn over a sweater or a v-neck tee shirt to give the bare torso something to look at (I don't mean bare as in naked, you know what I mean).  The wispy details are so great, think about its movement when you are walking!  At Net-a-Porter for $120.

Kenneth Jay Lane Glass Pearl Flower Earrings

For the prim and proper girl on your list, this simple and pretty flower clip-on earrings with pearl embellishment is adorable and classy.  Also a great choice for your mom and mother-in-law (just not both, never buy them the same things!!).  At Net-a-Porter for $95.