Recently in Frugal Snob Category

When it comes to jewelry at Barneys, I actually find more pieces I like in their co-op section than on their main floor. In the NYC flagship they've got three large cases on the seventh floor with a ton of fun, affordable (relatively at least), original designs from the likes of Fallon and Subversive. When I first saw this Thea Grant Quadrangles Multi Chain Necklace ($385), I thought it's kind of fun and quirky, but for nearly $400 it's a bit ridiculous to have a hotchpotch of items on a metal chain. I tried it on for fun and it predictably looks ridiculous. Plus the random items aren't even interesting!! The necklace makes me think of those monochromatic canvases you sometimes see at modern art museum and think to yourself...uhhh, I could have done that myself!

Am I missing something here? What do you think of this necklace? Snob or Slob?

If it weren't for the Kenneth Jay Lane counter at the mall in the Plaza Hotel, the space would be a total bust (well KJL and the Demel Cafe...best coffee and petit fours!). Nothing like an afternoon trying on dozens of bold baubles and indulging in some sweets:-) I only wish there were QVC KJL buys at the counter. Hard to believe, but many of the KJL QVC pieces are near-identical (maybe even totally identical -- both design and quality-wise), to the main line. Not that KJL is ridiculously expensive, but the pieces aren't great quality and it's not uncommon for them to break after a few wears making QVC all the more appealing. I'm liking the KJL Elaborate Enamel Flower Necklace ($220). The size of the piece could make it veer on the tacky side (though this is the case with many KJL pieces!), so I would pair it with something simple and casual like jeans and a white tee.

What do you think about this KJL necklace? How would you wear it?

Amanda Rudey jewelry is seen coast to coast, from the streets of New York on Gossip Girls to the shores of California on 90210. And the best part, you can be a Frugal Snob AND still look like a shining star without compromising. This handmade North Star ring is only $130 and with code PEOPLEAR, you will recieve 20% off at AMANDA RUDEY, making is only $104!! Her collection ranges from $60-$345 - this code is good site wide until Feb. 12th. Let me know if you need me to send a hint to your significant other for the perfect Valentine's gift =) Code and info via People Style Watch.

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.

Fabulous at all price points, the beauty of Darby Scott is the ability to switch things up. This faux Golden Amber Bib Necklace is bold and fabulous with a price point that is amazing. You get maximum impact on a minimal budget. Get the shorter choaker at 28" or for the full bib look, get the 34", both are $450. Of course, there is the Smoky Quartz Mélange Ring that has twelve faceted stones for blingy fabulousness with the smoky quartz and three blue iolite stones encircle this 18K gold ring. Not as friendly on the wallet but this is an investment piece that will get long term wear, $2,950.

Wow. Once in a while I peruse the latest jewels from Banana Republic, and find myself blown away by the fantastic designs and the fantastic prices. Kind-of makes me wonder what on earth I'm doing spending more than necessary elsewhere. Anyhow, clearly it's been a while since I took a look at BR's new offerings, because this stunning ring is already on SALE! To me, this piece looks sharp - and significantly more expensive than it is. $34.99 here.

Another perfect example of great things on the horizon for fall. What a great impact costume piece in such a cool neutral for just $80!

Every so often, I discover a jewelry designer I was previously unaware of, and when they're a talent like Robindira, I am elated. The minute I saw these Byzantine Starburst Earrings from her Modern Antiquities collection, I knew I had to have them. At first, I was a bit confused by the gold hooks against the oxidized sterling silver, and then something just clicked and I was completely into the idea. These are a must-have and at $213, I'd say they're a bargain.

In fact, some of it is pretty darn cute, particularly for the price, like this
Tori Spelling Bold Brushed Link Necklace

I'm a sucker for chainlink - and I love the weighty look of this piece and for about $60, it's a fun frugal investment - and will work well into fall/winter.

J Crew Beaded Fireworks Necklace
In case you hadn't picked up an appropriate accessory for the forthcoming festivities this weekend, J Crew has an affordable, fashionable option that will light up your ensemble with an explosion of coral-colored fireworks. Fortunately, they've spared us the red, white and blue concoctions of cheesy flag-laden and/or inspired pins, t-shirts and other paraphernalia that so many of our relatives tend to unearth once a year. Be the exception to that rule and wear this $118 necklace instead. Trust me, you'll be a better American for it.

On an unrelated note, I can be a complete idiot from time-to-time, and realized post-posting that I did in fact confuse John Hardy with Ed Hardy in a previous post about that gorgeous dragon bracelet. Thanks to those of you who pointed that out after the fact as well. Oops. Sorry John Hardy!

Mona Assemi Chalcedony Necklace

Tassles are cool. Whether they're hanging from chandeliers, doorknobs, drawer pulls, or your own person, there's something about them that I love. Maybe it's the fluidity of their movement, or the delicate draping quality they have. In any case, this could very well be why I'm digging the Tassle Collection by designer Mona Assemi.

Mona Assemi Crystal Drop Earrings

Featuring 14k gold filled chains and tassles, the Chalcedony necklace retails for $200 and the Crystal Earrings retail for $80. Needless to say, this is another fantastic frugal find that would look perfect with virtually anything - even a bathing suit.

Erickson Beamon for Target Jeweled Dome Ring


Matthew Campbell Laurenza Enamel Sapphire Ring

I am admittedly a junkie for cool cocktail rings. They're great statement pieces and I feel they flatter any finger. I've never been a huge fan of my hands, particularly as delicate rings don't look quite right on me, hence the cocktail ring obsession. That being said, I was perusing various websites looking for something fun to place on one of my empty digits that wouldn't break the bank - and found the fantastically faux Erickson Beamon ring on the Target website. Considering I'd already guiltily examined and fell in love with a number of Matthew Campbell Laurenza rings at Neiman Marcus including the one pictured here for $590.00, I was thrilled to discover I liked the $29.00 Erickson Beamon for Target ring better! It's always nice to find a less expensive version of something fun like this that you're bound to eventually get tired of anyway! By the time the metal starts to tarnish, you'll be on to the next fun, funky, chunky piece to don.

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

Kenneth Jay Lane offers the most adorable jewelry at reasonable prices. Get a lucky charm in your favorite shade and fruit this season and perk up your t-shirt and jeans. Was $115 but currently on sale At Net a porter from $42-$63, at these bargain prices you can pick up all the yummy colors!
Kenneth Jay Lane Pear pendant
Kenneth Jay Lane Pear pendant necklace

Kenneth Jay Lane Pear pendant
Kenneth Jay Lane Apple pendant

I gushed about these earrings back in August and if you did not get them yet, they are now on sale! Was $216, now $151- how can you pass that up? It is perfect for the Holidays! Buy Mawi Quartz drop earrings HERE

While you're at it, check out the funky Mawi smoky quartz necklace and mixed stone bracelet, both also on sale.
Mawi Teardrop necklace- Was $400, now $240
Mawi Mixed stone bracelet- Was $378, now $226

I was not a John Hardy fan until I discovered how its jewels are made. John and Cynthia Hardy believe passionately in a concept of luxury that extends to the people involved in the process of making their beautiful jewelry. “When you invest in something that might be passed on to your children and grandchildren, it’s nice to know that it was made by someone who learned his craft from his father and grandfather,” says John. Their workshop is built literally out of the earth of Bali. The place is a complex of rustic buildings whose walls are made of woven bamboo and mud plaster and whose floors are of soft local stone. “You don’t turn rice fields into a factory without leaving a way to convert them back again,” says John Hardy, now fifty-three, who has lived in Bali for nearly thirty years. “You’re not going to be on earth forever. So if someday the Balinese want to turn this factory back into rice fields, they could do it in about a week. There’s no concrete here.” The jewelry workshop is also a small organic farm, and the food is grown to feed the people who work there. The food supply is augmented by rice fields and organic gardens in another part of Bali, owned by a company that John helped start.

If you are looking for a gift with a little bling but do not have a 7 figure income to indulge at Harry Winston, this could be the gift for you. At $595 you get a lot of style and Balinese craftsmanship. John Hardy Kawung Diamond/Silver Necklace at Saks

A few weeks ago I had the honor of escorting one of my dear friends, Kate Hall, to an event entitled "Girl's Night Out". Now Kate is not only absolutely fabu, (as my mother would say) but she also is an intern at Stanly Korshak, Pink Memo, and D Magazine. So when she asked me if I would be so kind as to be her date to an event with an open bar, I of course said yes. Normally, Kate and I go to parties for the Fashionistas or to fantastic cocktail parties at LFT together so I was really excited and dressed to impress. Boy was I out of luck. This was honestly one of the most bizzare experiences of my life (which is saying a lot since I'm from Alabama). The event was held in a warehouse on the fairgrounds and there were women from out of the wood-work there guzzling down cheap liquor. Kate and I could hardly keep our jaws from dropping. We sucked it up and decided to at least get our free gift bag and a drink while we toured the cheap collection of fake handbags and sparkle mess. Suddenly, as we were about to leave, we caught glimpse of these beautiful pieces of jewelry from Ayazakura spiritual jewelry. The gold was so intricately wrapped around each exotic stone. Some pieces were very delicate with huge stones and others were interwoven with fantastic brightly colored stones and very modern. This booth was a rare find for me that night and well worth the experience. Ayazakura spiritual jewerly, prices range from $25 to $200.

I love these cute little earrings from Alexis Bittar, made of simple Lucite dew drop earrings that are hand-carved and painted, it's a cheap thrill that is also tres chic! These will also make great little stocking stuffers for my book club girlfriends. Lucite made a huge comeback last season and is continuing strong through next Spring so you'll be able to wear this through the holiday season and beyond! Alexis Bittar 18K Lucite Drop Earrings $75 at Saks.

The bold necklace is tres important for Fall, if you can only buy one piece of jewelry to accessorize with, you must go for a great necklace! It can turn a plain t-shirt into a stylish top for any occasion and you don't have to spend a small fortune either! Take this fabulous Marc by Marc Jacobs glass heart necklace, it is made of juicy colorful glass that will perk up the most boring of outfits. It is also in the season's must have silhouette, long and chunky (54")! Rock it with a simple tank dress at night and you'll be ready to party or double it up during the day with a white t-shirt for a bit of color and drama.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Long Glass Heart Necklace is available for $148 here

Okay frugal Jewel Snobs, check out these fabulous earrings by Mawi! At first glance they resemble rubies surrounded by antique seed pearls with diamond leaves. At second glance they still resemble the real thing! I love the antique setting, perfect for my friend who is afraid to buy old jewelry for fear the previous owners' energy is still attached to it. (I am a fiend for antique jewelry but I always spray it with alcohol and lavender to clean the energy off. I then ask the piece for permission of ownership. Although true Jewel Snobs know that you never really own your jewelry, it owns you!) Anyway, this piece is perfect for the girl who wants nice jewelry but can not afford her own yet or found a man who can. The bloody red quartz is the splash of color you need to liven up a little black dress or dress up a pair of jeans. The best part is the price, $216! Purchase Mawi Quartz drop earrings here.