The jewelry trend for 2011? Large and in-charge! Layered chains in varying metallic hues and textures… the trendy looks of the season are certainly dazzling! But, as always, timing is everything. The price of precious metals is sky-high, forcing many jewelry lovers to shelve out-of-style precious pieces and wear costume jewelry to stay on-trend.
The funny thing, however, is that costume jewelry can be expensive too! So, before you sink too much cash into a trendy piece, be strategic. You can update grandma’s genuine pearls for less money, and be wearing the real deal while your friends are all wearing plastic!
Pearls are delicate and dainty, and a classic 18-inch strand can be made rocker-chic tough simply by adding a masculine stainless-steel chain.
The 22″ stainless steel chain I added to the pearl strand was purchased from Amazon.com, and retails for $24. Click HERE to buy the Men’s Stainless Steel Chain Necklace from Amazon.com
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Sterling silver has also increased in price, but is still affordable enough to use for layering. It also has the benefit of possibly increasing in value in the future! The dainty chain-link sterling necklace I layered in the image above is also from Amazon.com. Retail price is $16. Click HERE to buy the Sterling Silver Flat Circle-Link Chain Necklace, 16″ from Amazon.com.
Looking for versatility? The men’s stainless-steel chain also doubles as a super-chic triple-wrapped bracelet!
I’m not the biggest fan of Tequila, but I’d gladly drink a shot or two from this gorgeous diamond-encrusted bottle! At left–with a value of roughly $3.5 million–is officially the most expensive bottle in the world. Made by Ami Mesika of GM Diamonds in New York, the bottle was launched in Mexico City last month for Tequila LEY 925.
Ami Mesika of GM Diamonds said “This bottle was a pure 3.6kilo of platinum with 6,400 diamonds, for a total weight of 415ct. Simple awesome piece of work which sat in our office in NYC’s Diamond District and we all admired.”
The bottle won the Guinnss record for the “most expensive bottle” in the world.
Jewelry is large and in-charge for Fall 2010, but with Gold prices making an all-time high of about $1,375 per ounce, the only option for most of us is costume jewelry! Lionette–by Noa Sade and Vanessa Lee–has impressed me lately, with super-modern designs are available at amazingly affordable prices.
The Niya (photo above) is one of Lionette’s best-selling designs. This 14kt gold-plated multi-layered chain link necklace will be the focal point of any outfit. The shortest chain of this multi-tiered design is a choker-length 12″ and the longest is 18″. The overall look can be lengthened with the included 9″ extension (as pictured). Retail price is $175.
The Ariel necklace is another beautiful option, though more understated. A beautiful brown quartz briolette stone dangles from an elegant 14kt gold vermeil diamond-cut chain that is 16″ long. Retail price is $168.
Click HERE to check out Lionette at LionetteNY.com. Prices range from $95 to $300 per piece.
 Any Mom will tell you… the reasoning behind bag selection is vastly different once you have little ones to consider. My bag du jour is the Linea Pelle Dylan shoulder bag. I love it for its versatility and style. Four outer pockets not only look chic, but organize hard-to-find items that would normally get lost in a bag of this size. A zipper runs along the entire length of the bottom of the bag, allowing the carrier to increase the storage size of the bag to tremendous proportions while on the run. Practicality aside, Linea Pelle’s Dylan is a slouchy, shabby chic that just fits my “jeans and t-shirt” style perfectly. And, the leather is so buttery soft, you won’t be able to keep your hands off of it! Retail price is $395.Click HERE to shop Linea Pelle. |
 Who says that a necessity can’t also be an accessory? I’m not usually a fan of ear buds, but I adore Grunge Buds by Atomic9. Each set of Grunge Buds can fit three different ear sizes, and can be used for music, or to chat on your phone! A strategically placed clip ensures that your device doesn’t pull your ear buds from your ears. Retail price is $39.99 per set. Click HERE to head to the Atomic9 website, to check out Grunge Buds! |
 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! This compact, part of Estee Lauders “pink” product lineup from 2009, is still housed comfortably in my bag. I take such good care of it, because it’s a tiny piece of luxury in a very unluxurious life! It also serves as a constant reminder to be aware of how many women are affected by breast cancer. Retail price for this beauty was $55 last year, and I can’t wait to see if a new design will be introduced this year!www.esteelauder.com |
The author of Bags, Bling & Beauty received some of the above products for purposes of review. For more information on sample policies, please click HERE to read my full disclosure statement.
If you’ve invested your hard-earned money in a piece of jewelry, here are some tips on how to clean jewelry at home–courtesy of MyJewelryBox.com!
When it comes to cleaning your jewels it’s not about the professional store-bought cleanser. Celebrity Jeweler and CEO of MyJewelryBox.com David Mamane, shares his favorite easy-to-use at-home solutions that will add luminosity to your jewelry box in minutes.
Toothpaste – Toothpaste is non-toxic and should be used exclusively for silver jewelry. Put a dime sized amount on your finger and apply in a circular motion on the object of your affection. After a minute, clean off toothpaste with warm water and wipe dry with a dry cloth.
Baking soda – Cleaning with baking soda should be used exclusively for sterling silver jewelry. Line a glass or plastic dish with a slightly crumpled piece of aluminum foil. Lay your jewelry on top of the foil and sprinkle baking soda over each piece. Pour enough boiling water to immerse the jewelry. Bubbling should occur, giving off a rotten-egg odor. With a wood or plastic utensil, gently move the pieces around to ensure that all of the silver surfaces come in contact with the aluminum. You will notice that the silver has become bright again. Rinse your pieces under tap water and rub dry with a dry cloth.
Vinegar – Mix with water and use a soft toothbrush to clean; for silver or gold jewelry. Place the vinegar in a small jar put your jewelry inside. Let the items soak for about 15-20 minutes. Shake the jar gently for a few seconds, then remove items and gently brush them with warm water.
Dish Detergent – Mix with warm water; for delicate silver or gold jewelry. For your most delicate pieces, use unscented dish soap and warm water. Dip a dry rag or soft bristled toothbrush to clean these pieces.
If you’ve been reading this blog lately, you’ll know I absolutely love the floral-motif enamel jewelry at Stella & Dot. In fact, I just ordered this Stella & Dot ivory brooch!
This week, the ladies of Shopping and Goodies have decided to post about Spring 2010′s hottest accessory: the cuff bracelet! My passion for the enamel flower has led me to this choice, the Kelly Cuff by Stella & Dot in ivory and black enamel.
This hand-crafted ivory enamel cuff measures 1 1/2 inches wide, and is flocked with glowing golden rope borders. Right in the center sits a chic black enamel flower topped with an adorable pave ladybug. I’m not the only one drooling over this bracelet. It has been featured in Cosmopolitan and Redbook!
Retail price is $89.
Click HERE to buy it from Stella & Dot!
Two friends of mine are Stella & Dot stylists, and since they've passed a few catalogs my way I've been obsessively flipping through the pages over and over! Now that the busy holiday gift-giving season is over, Stella & Dot is having a huge sale!
My absolute must-have item for Spring is this lovely ivory bloom brooch. An absolute steal at only $29, it instantly dresses up any jacket you wear!
Retail price was $39, now $29.
Click HERE to shop the Stella & Dot sale!
Here's a really unique way to savor the memory of a loved one… Turn a lock of their hair into a diamond!
Man has finally cracked the code on diamond creation, and labs have sprung up everywhere, just waiting to take your order! But… here's a new twist on the process. DNA2Diamonds actually takes a sample of DNA carbon from the hair of a loved one, the fur of a cherished pet, or the ashes of the departed to incorporate into the diamond creation process!
Forever your loved one will be immortalized in a beautiful, sparkling diamond! DNA2Diamonds can be created in the style, color and size you choose, including Radiant, Princess or Brilliant cuts in sparkling colors of red, yellow-green, or cognac and in sizes ranging from 0.25 carats to 2.0 carats. The whole process takes 70 days or less.
Tom Bischoff, President of DNA2Diamonds, LLC explains, “DNA2Diamonds are physically and optically identical to earth-mined diamonds, and yet, they're different. Of all the diamonds in the world, they are the only ones containing the DNA signature of you or your loved one. A DNA2Diamond embodies the very essence of what makes the person (or pet) you love unique. When you deeply love someone, you know them intimately. Now you can keep this person forever close to your heart.”
For more information, please visit dna2diamonds.com!
Carol Brodie–”The Queen of Diamonds”–is launching a line of affordable and gorgeous jewelry, available for purchase on HSN. Carol has established a reputation through her work with Harry Winston, and this is her very first solo collection. Named “Rarities: Fine Jewelry with Carol Brodie”, the collection will be available starting on June 21st, and features an assortment of precious and semi-precious gems.
Here’s what Carol has to say about her experience, and the new collection:
“After 20 years of working the red carpet and appearing as the luxury and style expert on countless TV shows, bringing a new line of fine jewelry to HSN is simply a dream come true,” says Ms. Brodie. “HSN is known for its high standards and I can’t think of a better place to introduce a fine jewelry collection. I look forward to bringing Rarities to HSN’s viewers and sharing my knowledge on how to build a luxurious wardrobe within any price range.”
While Ms. Brodie’s attention to materials is certainly notable, what draws me to this collection is her eye for style. The multi-stranded necklace pictured here, part of the Palm Beach Collection, is so eye catching. It’s my #1 summer-jewelry pick!
The collection will include several pieces with price points under $200. A welcome sight for pinched wallets!
Click HERE to check out Carol Brodie’s Rarities: Fine Jewelry selection on HSN.
