Pearls of Wisdom

I am completely enamored with this gorgeous layered vintage necklace from AJ Vintage Jewelry. The pairing of pearls and baguette-shaped rhinestones is so elegant and timeless, equally chic with a simple shift dress or to dress up a worn-in tee. Passing this "dress up/dress down" test is a hallmark of great investment jewelry.

Be inspired; layer pearls and chains from your bijoux box. Play with styles, lengths and colors to find a winning combination all your own.

Garden Party

They say April showers bring May flowers but I say why wait? Floral jewelry is already in full bloom and as promised, I have a fresh bundle of options - at all budgets - for you to feast on.

Anthropologie has a gorgeous selection of botanical baubles. I am coveting this soft chiffon petal necklace ($38) to complete my spring ensembles. The delicate earrings ($58) add a touch of romance, while the Marni-esque brooch ($28) is super versatile.

Kate Spade is coming up daisies with her enamel bib necklace ($325). The layered topper is sweet and oh-so-pretty for any occasion.

It's easy to make a statement with a bold bouquet ring. Juicy Couture stackables ($88); Kenneth Jay Lane ring ($98); Forever 21 ($5.80); Ariella adjustable gold-plated ring ($68).

Put the petal to the metal with this blossoming necklace from Blu Bijoux ($42).

Alexis Bittar pieces are a teensy bit pricey but totally worth it if only for the envious compliments you'll get. This hand-painted Lucite cuff ($325) is richly textured and decorative.

Nothing says springtime like flowers xo

Extra! Extra!

Check out an article on statement necklaces I wrote for new fashion and lifestyle website anewmode.com. Enjoy!

Spring Fever!

I'm crushing on...

Images courtesy of Style.com. Left to right: Gucci, Burberry Prorsum, Dries Van Noten, Vera Wang (2), Dries Van Noten, Chanel, Marni, Anna Sui, Louis Vuitton, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Valentino, Lanvin (2), Giambattista Valli, Oscar de la Renta, Emilio Pucci, Zac Posen.

This Old Thing?

I recently had to research eco-friendly jewelry for work, and fully expected to be greeted with tacky, homemade jewelry made from recycled trash. Bottlecap necklaces? No, thank you.

It didn’t even occur to me that wearing vintage jewels was eco-conscious as well! To give it a fresh twist, creative designers deconstruct antique pieces to craft edgy, new collectibles that seamlessly blend into our modern-day wardrobes - and are often one of a kind. Here are some of those notable collections, all based in New York City.

One of my favorite necklaces in my bijoux box is by Dirty Librarian Chains, a line based on reworking chain necklaces in an almost haphazard way. Costume pearls, charms, and other trinkets are threaded into gold and silver chains for options that can be dressed up or down.

Erica Weiner blends vintage pieces she finds with natural materials to produce très cool accessories. I like this wood link necklace for its Marni-esque appeal. The medallions in the John and Jackie necklace were actually uncovered in Providence, R.I. – how charming! Best of all, the pieces range from about $30 to $100.

Marquis & Camus is one of the rare jewelry lines where I am absolutely coveting every single piece. I fell head over heels for their Victorian Romance collection, which marries vintage chains with silk flowers. The suspender necklace is sweetly boyish when worn with a tee and rolled up khakis or jeans. Doesn’t it remind you of a WWII uniform or something?

It’s easy to find “vintage-inspired” jewelry but a handmade item with authentic vintage touches holds a story. You can have the old and the new in a completely unique – and sustainable – way. Everyone will be asking “Where’d you get that?”

Hey, Stud

I am crazy about the juxtaposition of feminine and edgy. I love how a hardcore accessory can toughen up an otherwise sweet look (or vice versa).

Studs, spikes, grommets, and chains lend an unexpected hint of rebellion when paired with ruffles, bows, and other girly accoutrements. The contrast is effortlessly cool.

Layer your own chains or cheat with these necklaces from DL by Dirty Librarian Chains ($38) and Burberry ($550).

Accent your ears with funky Landver hoops ($400) or leather Wendy Nichol studs ($77).

Throw on a cuff or two to give your outfit attitude… CC Skye Lucite bangles ($125 for a pair), Linea Pelle leather wrap bracelet ($55).

…or slip on a pyramid ring from Forever 21 ($3.80) or Juicy Couture ($88).

Add these pieces to your bad girl repertoire. The result: a darkly romantic and glamorous combination.

Images courtesy of the respective websites.

Lustworthy: House of Harlow 1960

Celebrity designers are usually nothing to write home about, but I’m pretty taken with House of Harlow 1960, a jewelry line by Nicole Richie.

The socialite teamed up with Mouawad, a major fine jeweler, to produce this collection named after her 1-year-old daughter. Like its creator, the pieces are a bit mod, a little art deco, yet also hippie-ish at the same time (a combination I couldn't previously fathom).

“I’ve always felt that great accessories are essential in every complete outfit and I wanted to create a collection that was easy to mix and match; to either wear alone as an everyday piece, or stack on to make more of a statement,” Nicole said in a press release.

The collection is surprisingly quite affordable, with prices ranging from $12 to $125. The rings, bangles, and earrings are all gold-plated. A standout piece is the Resin Triangle Necklace, which makes a great statement while also being wearable. I can't wait to pair with my slouchy tanks.

Check out the collection at Kitson.

Flower Power

Happy New Year, dear readers!

To me, the stretch between January and March is painstakingly long. The holiday season is over and the weather is brutal. The only thing that keeps me half awake is the anticipation of spring collections hitting the stores.

One of my favorite trends is floral embellishments and accents. Just like the fresh cuts, different ones evoke different personalities and messages. Candy-hued buds are sweet and romantic, while more abstract interpretations are edgy and modern. Take your pick and arrange wisely.

Chanel showed some beautiful bib necklaces, reminiscent of a dreamy Parisian jardin, atop delicate skirtsuits.

Flowers were also in full bloom at Valentino. An amazing gold petal choker complemented an elegant floor-length gown. This is a wonderful example of how to pull off – and show off – statement jewelry.

The garden motif continued at Burberry Prorsum in a collection entitled “Garden Girls.” Thin metal leaves were clustered together to make fun, long necklaces.

Finally, Marni used its signature touch to recreate resin blossoms. These will be great ornaments to a simple, casual outfit.

The forecast for spring? Sunny and optimistic. Stay tuned for budget-conscious options in upcoming weeks.

All images courtesy of Style.com

Fit for a Fête

New Year’s Eve is next week and if you are hitting the party circuit, now is the time to break out the sparkly bijoux. Please proceed with caution though: major jewels require fuss-free ensembles.

A soirée is the perfect occasion to break out a “wow” statement necklace. Go for big colored stones to accent a simple dress or top. Lee Angel makes great options in all price ranges and this teardrop necklace ($98) is a smart pick.


A pair of long, dangly earrings is another great way to dress up your party frock. I also think it’s a very fresh approach since many women tend to levitate towards neckwear. Alexis Bittar, one of my favorite jewelry designers, works magic with his signature Lucite and creates these gorgeous "Channing" hoops ($170).

If you prefer to wear arm candy, this Juicy Couture diamanté cuff ($250) is glamorous and versatile. It is a stunner on its own so a pair of diamond studs is the only other accessory you need.
If your outfit is too busy for a necklace or earrings, a bold ring just may be the right complement. This Kenneth Jay Lane ring ($150) will easily match any look you have in mind.

Here’s to a bright 2009!

History Repeats Itself

Costume jewelry originated during one of my favorite periods, the Art Deco movement of the 1920s. Flappers, prohibition, and jazz, oh my. Fake jewelry was produced to complete a specific outfit, or “costume.” Its sole purpose was to be fashionable and disposable, and was thus mass-produced.

The first couture designer to embrace costume jewelry was the great Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel who paired long strands of rhinestones and pearls with her little black dresses – a look still very much relevant today.

The Great Depression only furthered the popularity of imitation jewelry, which gave off an air of wealth and prosperity. In the years surrounding the World Wars, jewelry was produced with domestic supplies. Glass, plastic, and Lucite were common, and stones previously imported from Europe were no longer used.

The rise of the Hollywood screen siren in the '40s and '50s also created a demand for costume jewelry. Everything was colorful and exaggerated. The allure of glamour was irresistible.

So what is the takeaway lesson in this? Fashion and costume jewelry reflect the times. And if the current economic situation can be any indication, then costume jewelry is back in a big way.