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This morning I came across this old newsreel that predicted how the stylish woman would look in the 21st Century:
Do the cantilevered heels look familiar? Take a look at Marc Jacob's Spring 2008 Women's Shoe Collection to see what I mean. Very interesting, huh?
The new issue of Harper's Bazaar includes their monthly "Buy, Keep, Store" feature, in which they tell you what you should buy now, what things you've bought that you should keep wearing and what things you should store away until they're in fashion again. This month they're focusing on three categories, one of which is jewelry. What piece of jewelry should you buy now? A bold necklace.
The magazine suggests a very interesting one made by a very high-end French couturier. The price: $7,600. Chump change, right? Yeah, sure.
Do you want a truly affordable bold necklace? The Neptune's Daughter Necklace (below) is made with hand-strung glass beads. It's a multi-strand, 14" necklace with a 3" extender and a secure lobster-claw clasp. The $39.75 price includes a pair of chandelier earrings (for pierced ears only).
After this purchase you'll have enough money left to do more shopping. Too bad most of us can't say the same thing about that $7,600 piece!
Ah, diamonds. They are the hardest substance known to man, "a girl's best friend," the most precious gem and the birthstone for the month of April.
The Greek word "adamas" is where this brilliant stone gets its name. "Adamas" means unconquerable. Unconquerable, everlasting love perhaps, or unbreakable stone? In any case it's clear that diamonds do indeed last forever.
They say that if you're looking to buy real diamonds, you should consider The Four C's: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. I don't know about you, but I'll just have to hold onto that information for another time far into the future. Today, (from left, below) white topaz, clear crystal and Cubic Zirconia suit my budget just fine:
Need more choices? Check them out here. Happy birthday and happy shopping.
Next month: Emeralds
Sources: Jewelry Central and Jewelry.com
Animal prints never seem to go out of style. They continue to be an inspiration to designers and fashionistas alike who are looking for a way to put together an edgier look. In the world of fashion jewelry, one designer has become famous for his animal-print jewelry, in particular his cross-over bangles. I won't mention his name (but if you don't know who I'm talking about, click here). His bangles sell for nearly $100 a piece.
Ladies, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: You don't have to pay $100 for an ani
mal-print bracelet. The one pictured here is available for only $39.50. You can even buy a matching ring and pair of earrings and still pay less than $100.
Now, that's what I call affordable bling. Happy shopping!
Last month during Fashion Week I found out about this cool new fashion site called Votour. I know what you're asking ladies: "Why do we need another fashion site?" I asked myself the same question. There are lots of great sites out there that cover fashion from head-to-toe.
Votour's different, however. At Votour you're not just a spectator, looking at and voting on your favorite looks. Other users can look at and vote on your looks. That's right. When you join the site you have the opportunity to show off your self-expression by uploading pictures of yourself wearing your favorite outfits.
Showing off your self-expression is only the beginning. The developers of the site have much more planned. Their goal is to address all creative aspects of the fashion industry, including jewelry. I think it's great. Pay them a visit when you get the chance!
Remember Easter clothes? If the Easter season was part of your upbringing you may have received a new outfit every year around this time to wear to church on Easter Sunday, where all you could do was think about all the candy in your Easter basket at home. Like the candy eggs in your basket, your new outfit symbolized re-birth and new beginnings.
Not many people dress up for Easter anymore, at least not here in the New York City area, and some people think of candy almost as an illegal drug. The ideas of re-birth and new beginnings are still good ones, however. You might not dress up anymore and your consumption of jelly beans may have decreased over the years, but having something new to symbolize the season is always a good thing! Here are some ideas that will help you celebrate the seas
on in style:
Which do you prefer? (Counter-clockwise from Left) A cross adorned with flowers, a Faberge-inspired egg, a blossoming ring, a bracelet of wildflowers or a set that looks like candy from an Easter basket? All of these pieces make a statement, both for Easter and for Spring. They're all affordable, but if I were only allowed to have one, I'd choose the bracelet. How about you? Can you choose between these five or is there something else that says Easter for you?
Spring will officially be here in a few more weeks. Are you ready for a bigger, bolder and brighter wardrobe?
I'm still thinking about the Spring color report I saw a few weeks ago with all its bold, bright hues. I know there are some of you out there for whom bigger, bolder and brighter is not an option this season. That doesn't mean you can't be on trend. Chosen carefully, jewelry and accessories can help you look just as stylish this Spring and Summer.
I love this Austrian Crystal Ring and Bangle Set. The crystals on the bangle are very festive and the ring is very cutting edge. I can picture this set on a woman wearing a simple sleeveless beige shift at a casual get together with friends.
These Gold-Over-Sterling Miranda Earrings remind me of a day at the botanical gardens. Can you see yourself wearing these with a white cap-sleeve tee-shirt and medium-washed jeans?
Finally, this Audrey Checkered Evening bag is so chic! It has genuine mother-of-pearl and black horn tiles. Wear it with your little black dress at that big Summer evening event that you know will be on your calendar very soon.
These pieces are all new arrivals at Holsted Jewelers. In fact, there are over 700 new arrivals at the site, so you'll have no trouble getting your Spring Bling on!
Happy Spring!
An Irishman once told me that only Irish-Americans wear green on St Patrick's Day. "It's a serious, religious holiday over in Ireland," he said. "They don't even know what corned beef and cabbage is!"
I don't know about that, but I don't see any harm at all in donning a bit of green on March 17th, just as long as it's not head-to-toe. Then again, if you're attending or marching in a parade that day, anything goes.
For those of us who are more inclined to be reserved, there's always the lucky charms opt
ion:
This is a gold-over-sterling four leaf clover charm with cubic zirconia accents. You could wear this on your bracelet even after March 17th. 
Do you want something more traditional? Then choose a claddagh ring like this one.
Of course, if you want to wear green bling on St Patty's day, what better way to do it than with genunie emeralds? Check out this circle pendant:
That's just the tip of the emerald iceberg, of course. Find more at at Holsted Jewelers.
Happy St Patrick's Day!
