This really packs a punch

I love what JCrew is doing with jewelry right now.  they’re taking bold colors that are subtle but striking in design, and pairing them with unexpected clothing- picture this: a preppy blue button-down shirt with trousers, and a long strand of bright yellow, Japanese glass beads strung on silk.  it adds femininity to an otherwise menswear inspired outfit, and of course, a punch of color which I always advocate!

I wore this piece the other day with a plain royal blue T, and instead of feeling plain, I felt completely chic.  It’s amazing what one touch can do.

Lemon drop hand-knotted japanese bead necklace

for an exotic touch…

…add something like this to your collection.  this totumo and tagua neckace, handmade in Columbia, along with the matching tagua earrings, will really make you stand out.  while everyone else is wearing basic silver pendants, you’ll be glowing in these rich tones and bold shapes that have that beautiful handmade rawness – those perfect imperfections- that make it truly beautiful.  plus, not to get too hippie on you, you’ll find that wearing natural materials makes you feel more in touch with the earth – and that’s never a bad thing.  as long as you look good doing it.

find this and similar pieces at http://www.productsofcolombia.com/RC_Collars.asp

nothing says “elegance” like this.

to me, the epitomy of simple elegance is a strand of pearls.  not just any strand of pearls, mind you… the highest quality, meticulously crafted kind.  the woman who wears them doesn’t need to say a word.  she can glide into a room and all eyes will be on her.  she’s not trying to be sophisticated, feminine, perfectly stylish.  she just is.

these Paspaley pearls are perfection.  Paspaley is the world’s leading source of South Sea pearls, and uses the largest and rarest pearl creating oyster: the Pinctada maxima.  the strand makers use an extremely discerning eye while matching their pearls to create each piece.  you never see knots between Paspaley pearls because they pioneered a special stringing technique that keeps the look clean and polished.

Stuller & Paspaley is where i go for my pearls.  the choices and quality are unmatched.  i have to say, wearing a string of pearls is this amazing combination of unexpected yet completely and utterly natural.  it’s the most classic thing a girl can wear on her body aside from the little black dress.  wearing both together?  as What Not to Wear’s Stacy London would say, “shut up!”

check out http://southseapearl.biz/index.aspx?c=23500

guys need a little bling too…

this is easy to forget when we’re immersed in the world of women’s fashion, but we want our men to look just as fabulous, right?  ok, maybe not just as fabulous, but close.

it’s not often that i find a piece i really like for men, but this one really caught my eye.  the Di Modolo 18k Yellow Gold Zitan Wood Ring on overstock.com is truly stunning.  at around $1000 it’s pricey but it’s more than half off the original price.  i may have to dig into my savings a bit just to see the look on his face if i give this to him for our anniversary…

there’s nothing like handmade

i’ve always been a big fan of leather cuffs – especially since I saw some gorgeous ones at a little leather shop in Niece on the French Riviera. i adore this one for it’s raw simplicity. designed by Mexico’s Ricardo Hinojosa, it fastens to the desired length so it can snuggly grip your arm. you don’t want a cuff to move around like bangles – this is meant to be worn fairly tightly around the wrist. i love adding details like this to an outfit. you never look like you’re trying too hard – just effortlessly stylish. plus it’s under $30, so you can afford to buy a couple and wear both at once if you want to make an even bolder statement. (and you know i always do!) pair with emerald, deep purple, turquoise, or royal blue for a beautiful combination.

http://jewelry.novica.com/leather/leather-bracelet-dynamo/149074/

love this cocktail ring

cocktail rings are huge at the moment, and i love to combine trends with classic touches.  this david yurman piece is simple yet bold, and in 18-karat yellow gold with a gorgeous amethyst stone, you have a nice pop to any otherwise quiet outfit.  you don’t need any other accessories with this on your finger. 

and did you know that amethyst has been used for thousands of years as a healing stone?  it’s said to radiate psychic healing energy, to calm and bring harmony.  check this out to learn more:  http://www.newagedirectory.com/cry/amethyst.htm

 

“absolutely astonishing”

according to Tiffany & Co., and I could not agree more…
this beautiful piece is the Tiffany 1837 Interlocking Circles Pendant in sterling. at $175 it’s not cheap–but for Tiffany, it’s very reasonable. this pendant comes with a 16″ chain. on my “have-to-have-it” list… i’m tired of the traditional tiffany’s necklaces that you see every girl wearing- the hearts that drape off of a chain.  they’re pretty, don’t get me wrong, but i’d rather make a statement than blend in.  there’s something powerful about these two rings bound together permanently.  they both have room to move, but they never move too far from each other, and they always touch.  a nice analogy for love, isn’t it?