September 2010 Archives

It's all about the rose gold watch now but instead of investing in an heirloom, get this Michael Kors. It gives you the same look, albeit without the resale value, and you won't have to decide between a new car or a new watch. Kors knows how to do watches so you won't be making much of a compromise. The watch looks expensive and has a good weight to it. I love the simplicity and smooth lines, the 3 dials gives it some added interest and function. It is water resistant so you can take it in the shower and pool with you without worry. At Blommingdales for $250.

One-of-a-kind Anna Sheffield Claw Talisman Necklace, now on sale exclusively at Ahalife!

Q&A with Anna Sheffield:
What inspired you to create the Claw Talisman Necklace?
The claw pieces are part of the La Chasse collection in my line, which is designed around the theme of the hunt as it relates to flora and, in this case, fauna. The hooves and claws symbolize the kind of benevolent and fierce qualities of the chase. And the jewelry is a means to impart that magical interaction between these two elements.

How was this it made?
I came across an actual wolf's claw and thought it was such an elegant form, so I had a mold made and cast it in silver. I then sawed the top from the talon part so that I could make the piece in two parts, one gold and one silver (though some are made in all gold). Once reassembled, I devised the bail and the chain drop down for the pendant. Then I strung the necklace chains, which are layered in three varieties then joined to a thinner chain that runs around the neck. Everything was adjusted link by link to achieve the perfect balance.

What was the big aha! you had while creating it?
The big aha! would be the double-sided pavé gemstones and the chains that drop down in an inverted 'Y' to hold the pendant. It's a cross between a Victorian fob and a re-imagined alchemist's amulet.

Can you describe your creative process?
Euphoric.

What do you love about what you do?
Sitting down at the bench and making the prototypes by hand are by far the best hours spent in my studio.

How would you sum up your aesthetic/design philosophy?
I like to take methods or ideas and mull them over. I flip things around and make unusual decisions, which hopefully result in a contrast or dichotomy of tough and feminine.... or as I always say, giving a nod to salty and sweet.

You want to kick some butt and look amazingly sexy at the same time? This is Donna Karan shouting out, "I am woman, hear me roar!!". I am so in love this with cuff, it is going to be my everyday accessory forever. And it is on sale now so there are no excuses whatsoever. What would be really kick ass is if you wore this with something not so aggressive and strong but with something that is willowy and sweet. Get it now before they sell out! At Net-a-Porter for $595, now $238.

I'm a total Woody Allen junkie (the opening scene of Manhattan was filmed at my lower school!), so of course I went to see his latest film, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, as soon as it opened. One of the film's key scenes revolves around two sets of gorgeous rain drop earrings, so the silhouette has been on my mind for the last few days. This must be why these Pippa Small Tourmaline Earrings, which retail for $3,695, caught my eye. I usually don't opt for this type of earring because I have a relatively small face, but Naomi Watts made the diamond rain drop earrings she tried on look so good, I'm tempted to go a little glam this weekend and opt for a similar silhouette!

These particular earrings are made from 18-karat gold and pink tourmaline. And, if you're wondering, yes, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, is worth seeing! Full of awesome one-liners and classic Woody Allen twists:)

What do you think about this glam earrings silhouette?

When it comes to costume jewelry, nOir is my favorite (KJL is a close second, but the quality doesn't hold a candle to nOir). The brand debuted their new collection, designed by Leeora Catalan, on the L.A.M.B. Spring 2011 runway and it added the perfect pop of dimension and contrast to Gwen Stefani's lavishly printed designs. The statement necklace and the stacked bangles pictured above stood out most. They've got an Egyptian quality to them and I love how the bangles were piled on in different sizes and textures. 

If you're a fan of Eddie Borgo, you'll likely love Shayan Afshar's collection. The up-and-coming LA-based designer is only 21, but he's already caused a splash at Fred Segal and Curve with his debut collection for Fall 2010. The line includes a number of gorgeous time pieces (done in collaboration with Levi Maestro), as well as pyramid-heavy sculptural pieces. I love the geometric feel of the designer's collection. One of my favorite pieces are the Pyramid Stud earrings pictured above. At $98 they're the perfect frugal alternative to the pricier Borgo pieces and they're plated with 14kt rose gold. Lest you think Afshar is a one note designer, just check-out his custom portfolio.

Tomas Maier delivered a terrific spring collection that emphasized fashion ease. In contrast to the nonchalance of the clothes, the Bottega Veneta fine jewelry collection is more exquisite and involved--each piece, continuing a benchmark since its launch, an example of the masterful merge of technique and tradition. Obvious elements juxtaposed against the simple lines of the garments are the dramatic elements of the filigree and cameos hand-carved in lava stone by craftsmen from the vicinity of Naples, where the art of cameo-carving was first practiced by the ancient Romans. The cameos, which are darker in shade and much rarer than those made from shell, are set in an exquisitely beautiful blackened sterling silver.

WOW!! These are AMAZING! A definite focal point - and not just on you but of the entire room you're in. Everyone will be taking notice. Hoops and feathers! You can't get more brilliant than this. I can almost do without the extra dangling chain and beads but when it is on, it does add some movement that's needed to have the feathery effect without using actual feathers, which as you can imagine would not be very practical. Jennifer Lopez should definitely wear these on American Idol and trade in her beach ball sized hoops. I love her so this is purely constructive criticism =) Alex Monroe Gold-Plated Peacock-Feather Hoop Earrings at Net-a-Porter for $365.

Need a quick fix for some flash? This cuff is an instant glamourizer (is that a word? if not, it should be!). The silver rhodium-plated brass is topped off with massive and exquisite Swarovski crystals. The bangles are cut into panels so it looks like you are stacking. Such a good way to power up your evening number in a quick simple snap. I would forgo the cocktail ring but coordinate an equally stunning necklace. Accessories really do make an outfit. At Net-a-Porter for $850.

While I love the leopard look, I rarely venture out in anything leopard because I always end up feeling like a Kate Moss wannabe! I just can't seem to separate the model from leopard bags and jackets. This collar necklace from Candace Ang ($345) is a perfect way to incorporate the leopard trend into a look without feeling like a copycat or, for those who feel a bit intimated by the feline trend. The handmade necklace is made from silk burnout velvet wrapped into a gold chain choker and finished with Eddie Borgo-esque dip dyed circles and spikes.

Don't get me wrong, my Cartier Santos is my most treasured jewelry possession, but I do enjoy switching my watch up for something quirkier from time to time - case in point the Zub Zenv from Nooka ($130). It comes in a few color iterations, but my favorite is the gray/green pictured above. It's not the easiest watch to tell time on, so I've been wearing it more as a bracelet. That said it's a statement piece and you'll definitely get some people pulling at your wrist to look at it! The watch reads time through the bars: the left and center bars collectively displays the hours, while the right most bar displays the minutes. The seconds are read on the small window display, along with the day of the week right underneath. The watch also has a chronograph and an alarm mode.

Nooka has a bunch of original designs which have already been worn by everyone from Kanye West to Kelly Osborne.  Check-out the collection here!

So, go shop NOW!

This aptly named necklace ($800) is part of Lulu Frost's collage collection and is fashioned from a mix of vintage chains, vintage rhinestones, and Deco parts from the 1920s. Could there be any more bling on this piece!? This is a fab editorial piece, but it would also go well with a classic cut knee length LBD (or something equally simple), or as part of an outlandish bachelorette party outfit :-) That said I'm finding that all the rhinestones and that pop of pink make the necklace look more like a frugal, fun find, than something worth spending $800 on. If you're like me and like this style, but would like a slightly tamer, lower priced version, check-out the Fenton/Fallon collection over at J.Crew.

Martin Margiela may not be designing for his namesake brand anymore, but the design team he worked with has done a great job at keeping up the mysterious, avant garde feel of the brand (just check-out their website!). I saw a number of the brand's accessories (including some awesome home pieces!), at MAC in San Fran and I was surprised at just how extensive the offerings were. I like the organic feel of the bracelet above and I could see it being a great base for a meaningful engraving.

What do you think about Maison Martin Margiela Jewelry? Do you own any pieces?

I bought this Alexis Bittar Molten Bracelet ($375) at Saks in San Fran last month and have been wearing the 18k goldplated brass cuff almost everyday since. I love that the piece is simple, but still totally eye catching. It has a beautiful sculptural quality to it that reminds me a bit of Michael Aram's home furnishing (particularly his leaf-inspired pieces). The molten bracelet has matching rings and earrings as well. I tried a few of them on, but none seemed to suit me all that well. If you like this piece however and can pull-off hoops, check-out these earrings - gorgeous!

A big bold pendants hanging off a long chain is the hot look right now. But just because you are going with the trend does not mean you can't be creative. The British Museum Store has the most unique pieces (don't you love museum stores?!), like this Bell Pendant that is sure to be a conversation starter. And plus, you will look and sound so cultured when you tell people you found this in a museum =) Just make sure you get all the details right, this is from the temple of Tenochtitlan in Mexico City. Great Temple Bell Pendant is £100, about $150 US.

I love the mixed chain look, the Janis Savitt is chunky and sturdy which makes it great for pulling off the look. But it is $400 for something that might be fleeting. It is 18K gold and brass with agate embellishments, so you are getting some value, but this is not a timeless piece. So, what I did was, I got the Banana Republic Manor Lock and Key bracelet and removed all the dangling charms (which are very bad, as you can see). Once removed, you get the same look for only $29.95. It is not as heavy and chunky but for a fun trendy look, it sure beats spending $400. If you only wear this for a season, there's nothing to feel guilty about when you find this on the bottom of your jewelry drawer. Janis Savitt at Neiman Marcus, Manor lock & key bracelet at Banana Republic online.

Never one to be ostentatious, Sofia Coppola has always opted for discreet style and grace when it comes to being a mother and critically acclaimed writer and director. For the premiere of her latest film, "Somewhere," at the Venice Film Festival that included a bash hosted by Louis Vuitton, Coppola, both a Marc Jacobs muse and client, wore a dainty Vuitton dress.To accessorize her outfit, she chose a black croc Vuitton clutch she helped design and sported a simple Pomellato Tango bracelet in rhodium silver with white diamonds. It's discreet luxury at its finest and reflects Coppola's attitude in wearing the finest products money can buy. While it is certainly expensive, it's versatile in the sense that it can be worn with a jean jacket or black-tie gown. The best part, however, is that only you'll know how much it really cost.

$67,500 (white diamonds) and $40,320 (brown diamonds), available at Pomellato: 741 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10021, 212-879-2118

The Zsa Zsa Bling Rings are each named for woman famous for their jewelery collection. This particular one is named after Queen Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and is a pale blue 5/8" diameter octagon chandelier crystal with a gold plate wire wrapped setting and band. For only $35 you get a lot of look! Such a fun statement piece. I have a similar ring I bought a few years back from KJL and every so often I'll wear it and some guy will come up to me and say something to the extent of "Oh my god...is that a real diamond!?" Guys are so cluelessly funny sometimes! Needless to say this ring is an eye catcher.

What do you think about this crystal ring?

I hate all my accessories all of a sudden. I need all new stuff. The trend for jewels have suddenly changed and it is all about this type of funky yet ladylike clusters. I still see bib necklaces everywhere but I feel like that look is stale. This however is refreshing and fabulous and a must have. Multi-chain has been around but the tangled multi-chain is what has endured. This silver sterling necklace has Swarovski crystal accents to give it more formality so you can wear this with your most extravagant of evening dresses yet you can down play it during the day with something effortless. At Net-a-Porter for $915.

The one thing you can count on is always seeing a big bold cocktail ring on me. I have relatively big hands so I can handle really large, in fact, dainty just get's lost on me. This chunky and funky YSL ring especially amazing and exciting for me, I love the statement and I really love the price, it's $295 for something that will grab the same attention as a mega diamond ring. There are Swarovski crystals sprinkled in for added glimmer. At Net-a-Porter for $295.

Started by designers Amy Glaswand and Catherine Marion, CG arte is a delightful line of pendant necklaces and bracelets. One of the designers is a close family friend and after running into her at a Bar Mitzvah recently I was made aware of the heirloom-quality line. The charms retail for between $1,500 and $1,900, while the larger pendants go for between $1,980 and $2,300. The pendants come on a thick ($2,300 for the necklace; $1,200 for the bracelet) or thin ($920) chain. I love the stick motif and the leaf with the small touches of diamonds down the center. The line is build-able, so you can start off with one charm and keep adding every time an occasion calls for it - such a great way to keep memories close to your heart with a piece you can wear everyday!

The line is currently stocked at four boutiques, but you can email the designers at info@cgarte for more information.

Multiple straps wrapped around the wrist is being done by all these days. But one that is all rhinestone with gunmetal hardware is not only way decadent but edgy. This looks like it's wrapped around and around but it actually one solid piece (notice the intertwining of the strands) and attached with a hook and eye closure. It's really the gunmetal and irregular wrapping that gives it the cool edgy effect, shiny gold or silver would totally ruin it. Vera Wang is on fire with leading edge accessories, I want everything!! Vera Wang Wrapped Rhinestone Bracelet at Bergdorf Goodman for $675.

Imagine spending a leisurely day hunting for treasures in North Carolina for $3 a day and pulling this 65-carat emerald out of the ground!! Among corn rows, a farm known for small pebbly emeralds allow people to come and rummage around for fun. This is the largest ever found in North America. Wow, I guess they weren't expecting this to be buried in there. This gem is so large it is being compared to historical treasures like those found among the crown jewels of Russian empress Catherine the Great. This stone was cut down from it's original size to produce its final 65-carat weigh. I guess they will shut down this farm and get serious with mining emeralds.

Via Huffington Post.

Kimberly began working with geodes for her first jewelry collection in 2007, but her fascination with the crystal-filled rock formations goes back to childhood, when she was a self-described "rock geek" who filled cans with cool-looking stones plucked from the driveway. Working only by hand, she pairs the naturally stunning geodes with other precious stones (one pair of earrings features inch-long, paper-thin slices of diamond) and reclaimed precious metals. Earth-honoring efforts permeate all her pieces; any wood she uses has been re-purposed from things like shipping containers and musical instruments.

I was lucky enough to get to wear these blue geode earrings and ring for a night this past weekend, and it was just what my super comfortable but almost dangerously understated black Alaia dress needed: a dash of celestial blue with a flash of diamonds at the edges. Kimberly said the geodes would bring good luck, and they did, for me, in that I did not (as is always my fear) fall down, tear my dress or otherwise embarrass myself. Also, I got lots of compliments, which is always nice.

Visit kimberlymcdonald.com for more information and to find a list of retailers. (photos by Steweart Schecter)

Editor's Note: Unlike myself, Liza was too humble to include a photo of herself in these to die for jewels!  See Liza in Kimberly McDonald Jewels here.

The estate-inspired Judith Ripka Deco Estate Wide Cuff ($60,000) has been fashioned from 18K white gold and it features over 15 carats of diamonds...nice! I love the art deco-meets-Victorian feel of this piece. It's classic, but will still get lots of attention. If I had the extra money to splurge, I would love to wear two of these stacked on one arm and a simple diamond-encrusted watch on the other with an LBD and a pair of Camilla Skovgaard's signature pumps. How would you wear this cuff?