Wearing is Believing

Dramatic Earrings, Without Wallet Drama!

Dramatic accessories are nothing new - they’ve been, well, BIG for quite some time now.  They were huge last summer - everyone was wearing statement earrings and bracelets with their sundresses.  Stars like Kate Beckinsale, Salma Hayek and actress Jenna Fischer kept big, bold earrings in the spotlight throughout awards season (and who can forget Angelina Jolie’s gorgeous Lorraine Schwartz emerald drop earrings?) and they’re still all the rage right now.

Wear dramatic earrings this summer with a chic chignon or low ponytail - leaving your hair down not only distracts from your earrings, it can lead to tangles and tugging.  Paired with a maxi dress and low sandals, you’ll be the epitome of summer cool with dramatic earrings.

Big, bold earrings certainly make a statement - but they don’t have to decimate your wallet.  Charlotte Russe sells dramatic chandelier and drop earrings starting at $4.  If you’re looking for something a little more lasting that won’t break the bank, try Sterling Silver Dewdrop Earrings, which feature more than 18 carats of faux blue topaz dangling from clusters of green and champagne cubic zirconia.  These earrings will give you all the elegance of the classic chandelier design in a refreshingly updated look.  I also really like ABS Colored Crystal Chandelier Earrings, which feature blue Austrian crystals and three teardrop-shaped pendants dangling beneath them.  Delicate and trendy, Ice Princess Earrings will go with almost any evening look (featured at above left).

Don’t save the drama for your mama when it comes to your accessories - embrace it!

Valentine's Day Treats!

When I opened this month’s Vogue, I absolutely fell in love with VBH’s black diamond and ruby Passion rings (at left).  And then I discovered that they are $17,500 each -- no little Happy Valentine’s Day treat for me!

I’m a big believer in getting yourself a little special something at Valentine’s Day, whether or not you have a significant other.  Want to treat yourself (or someone you love) to a V-Day gift without breaking the bank?  Here are a few of my favorite Valentine’s treats online -- and best of all, they won’t ruin a post-holiday diet or break the bank!

Most online retailers have special Valentine’s Day boutiques set up to make it easy to find something you (or your Valentine) will love.

Swarovski offers a new Ties of Love Pendant ($90), which features a deep red crystal heart with a fine rhodium plated ribbon wrapped around the top.  The bold crystal juxtaposes the delicate metal, making a beautiful statement.  Swarovski’s site also features the trendy Eros ring ($100, at right), two rings in one that feature delicate dangling crystal hearts.

For the glamour of rubies and the sparkle of diamonds, try the Sterling Silver and Genuine Ruby Marquise Ring ($57) from Holsted Jewelers, which features five rubies and 10 round white cz stones in a sterling silver setting.

Have a favorite V-Day find? Tell us!

Affordable Bling Alert: Evening Watches

These days, having a wardrobe of watches is just as common as having a pair of shoes to wear for every occasion. A lady has evening shoes and, if she's a real fashionista, she also has an evening watch.

Now, there are plenty of watches out there that can be worn in the evening. However, the prices of some of them are simply outrageous. Take, for instance, this one from Chopard:

A steal if you have $189,000 in disposable income. Even if I did have that kind of money, I don't think I'd spend it on a watch, especially when I can have one for $69.75, like the one below:

 

Ladies and gentlemen, the Montparnasse Crystal Evening Watch.  Wear it and you'll have time to shine all night.

Have a beautiful evening.

Affordable Bling Alert: Buckle Rings

Buckle rings have become increasingly popular over the last few  years. It's not suprising, considering that the buckle itself is something that has been with us since ancient times. It is another one of those classic silhouettes that will be with us forever. Wearing it as a ring can be very costly, however, as much as $3900, as is the case with the one below by David Yurman: 

Those of us in the real world don't have to buckle under at the thought of paying so much. Take a look (on the right) at the Brilliant Buckle Ring. Over 100 white cubic zirconia gives it lots of sparkle and, at $36.85, the price will make your wallet sparkle as well, so much so, that you'll be able to purchase a coordinating bracelet and set of earrings

The Brilliant Buckle Set is only part of the story. There are a lot more "designer-inspired" styles available at a fraction of the cost at Holsted Jewelers. Try them on for size!

Affordable Bling Alert: A Bold Necklace

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!

Affordable Bling Alert: Giraffe Print Enamel Bangle Bracelet

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 animal-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!