Blingology

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.

Most Popular For Mother's Day

One of the features on the new homepage at Holsted Jewelers is Most Popular Customer Searches. With Mother's Day coming up on May 11th, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a look at some of the more popular gift ideas for that special day, including this adorable little charm:

It's the Sterling Silver Baby Carriage Charm and it's one of the cutest pieces of jewelry I've ever seen!

There are many more popular search categories all conveniently organized at the bottom of the homepage. If you're as busy as I am they'll definitely save you lots of time trying to find the perfect piece of jewelry.

Happy Mother's Day.

Prom Season Is Upon Us

Earlier today I was looking over a prom checklist. No, I'm not going to a prom. Those days are far behind me.  It still was fun reading the list, though. The first item on it was a suggestion that the reader start using said checklist 16 weeks before their prom night. A little further down the list was this item:

12 Weeks Before Prom: Pick out accessories that will coordinate with your dress and/or with your date's outfit.

Well, any girl adhering to this list who's planning for Prom '08 is probably in a lot of trouble if she hasn't already chosen her jewelry and accessories for the big night. For most girls the work has already been done. But, then again, maybe it hasn't. Here's a suggestion:

This is the Fun & Flirty Multi CZ Necklace & Earrings Set.  A girl can wear either the necklace or the earrings on prom night and her mom can keep the other piece as a reward for getting through Prom Season.

Need more ideas? Click here.

Bejeweled For Easter

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 season 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?

The Wearin' O The Bling!

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 option:

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!

Valentine's Day Fantasies

It's Valentines Day and I'm sitting at my desk, blogging away, intent on writing the best post any blogger has ever written. There's a knock at the door, and when I open it, there is the Fed Ex Man with a special delivery just for me. I sign for it, and after I've closed the door I open the box and see to my delight, another box, from that store where Audrey Hepburn had breakfast. A card attached says it's from a secret admirer. I slip the top off and see the most beautiful suite of diamonds ever made.

I squeal with delight. Squeal? That's not like me. I don't squeal. Then I realize it's my telephone doing the squealing and suddenly I don't see  Audrey's box anymore. It was never there, of course. It was just my Valentine's Day Fantasy.

Valentine's Day brings out the best in the imaginations of many women. But, alas, most of us will never get to live out our fantasies. We're lucky, though, because there are affordable alternatives out there. Here are just a few ideas:

If a suite of diamonds isn't in your husband's or boyfriend's budget, pass a hint along to him about this 5-Piece Spark of Brilliance Cubic Zirconia Pendant, Rings and Earrings Set.  I like this set because it includes two rings, one a solitaire and the other, a channel set design. I also think that, with its 5 pieces, this set is a great introduction to the quality and affordability of Holsted Jewelry.

Women who are drawn to classic, sophisticated looks will enjoy a Sterling Silver and Cubic Zirconia Heart Necklace. It's a modern take on the classic heart pendant.  I've seen this look out there in real diamonds, so you can rest assured that by wearing this necklace you'll be on trend.

Finally, if you want something more personalized, consider a Birthday Wish Genuine Birthstone and Diamond Heart Pendant. On one one side of the heart: the gemstone of your choice. On the other:  a genuine diamond. The good people at Holsted tell me this one is limited, ladies. So act fast if you're interested.

Still need more ideas? Click here.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

What Are You Wearing For New Years?

All of my Christmas shopping is done. Whew!  Now all I have to do is decide what to wear on New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve is one of those occassions during which glamour and glitter govern and where sparkle and dazzle rule. It's definitely not the time for simple suits accesorized with petite hoop earrings. Of course, you can wear something simple like a little black dress. If you do, I know you won't forget your bling!

Now ladies, unless I was heavily guarded, I wouldn't wear my real bling (if I had any) on New Year's Eve, especially when I know I can look stunning in special occasion jewelry without depleting my bank account. Imagine walking into a party wearing a ring like this one (above, right). Don't be surprised if you hear something like, "Girl did you see her ring?" Ladies will be grabbing your arm all night wanting to get a closer look!

If you really want to turn on the glitz, how about a  total look? While you wouldn't want to wear an entire jewelry set on an ordinary day, New Year's Eve is the perfect time to do just that. Go ahead and wear that pendant, bracelet, ring and earrings set (like the one on the left) and "bling in" the New Year.

Whatever you decide to wear this December 31st, make sure that you feel comfortable enough in it to have fun. After all, fun is what special occasions are all about.