A painter paints pictures on canvas.
But musicians paint their pictures on silence.
-Leopold Stokowski
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Jewelry Insider's Top Ten Blingy Bits of 2010
It's been a year full of surprises my fellow jewelry hounds. From diamond dentures and bug jewelry to gold parties and Gaga, the "Year of the Tiger" was nothing if not 'unusual'.
So as the last days of 2010 take their final bow, it's time to do what we media folks love to do best: Look back. And make lists.
Here is a smattering of some of my favorite jewelry moments combined with some of yours - because without you guys, I'm just all alone in the universe writing about Lindsay Lohan's jail jewelry and diamond dog collars as if it actually MEANS something.
So my heartfelt thanks to you all for joining this shiny place of jewel-filled sarcasm, schadenfreude and joy for yet another year. Here's to more days of diamond diversions!
10. The 'Ears' Have It
If 2009 was the year of the statement necklace, 2010 brought the sentiment to the ears. The trend started with the smashing success of Courteney Cox's Golden Globe teardrop triumph and continued throughout awards season. Look for swinging chandelier shapes and shoulder dusters to continue to shine well into 2011.
9. Baseball Bling
In the year's 4th most popular post, I got to the bottom of those weird rope necklaces all the baseball players were wearing last season. I was surprised as anyone to know that jocks not only get emotional about jewelry - they believe it has super powers. And I thought I had issues...
8. Pink Diamond Shatters Price Record
So. There's this dude, Laurence Graff. And he has piles of money. What does he do with it? He gobbles up the world's most valuable diamonds like pints of Chunky Monkey. His latest acquisition was a 24.78-carat piece of pink perfection that sold for a record-breaking $46.16 million. And now back to our regularly scheduled budget deficit....
7. Neil Lane - Jeweler of the Year
My jeweler of the year award has to go to Neil Lane. He's always been a red carpet staple but his monopoly on celebrity weddings in 2010 was staggering. He designed Anna Paquin's bridal jewels, Nicole Richie's wedding band, Jessica Simpson's newsworthy ruby rock - along with the bling for the entire Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise. AND he launched a bridal line with Kay Jewelers to reach the mere mortal market. Just call him the Kim Kardashian of the jewelry world: He somehow seems to be everywhere. And he's taking it straight to the bank.
6. Black Diamond Blitz
5. Diamond Disappointments
Not to be all Debbie Downer and all...but there were some MAJOR jewelry/fashion bummers this year.
Exhibit A: The Oscars
When Kathy Ireland's questionable interviewing skills are the only thing worth squawking about - you know you've got a bummer year on your hands.
Exhibit B: Fashion Week: Spring 2011:
Exhibit C: Sex And The City II:
My favorite New York women finally jumped the shark. Aiden? In Abu Dhabi? "I Am Woman" karaoke? C'mon!
Exhibit D: Angelina Jolie.
The world's most stunning actress (a la Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn) can't seem to wear anything but black and diamond studs on the red carpet. And Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts are stuck in the muck with her. Help me, Housewives of Beverly Hills. You're my only hope.
4. Where's The Beef?
Lady Gaga wore a meat dress. 'Nuff said.
3. Kanye West's Diamond Dentures
In the third most popular post for 2010, we learned that replacing your teeth with real diamonds might help people forget you're an egomaniac for a week or so.
2. Chelsea Clinton's Engagement Ring
More people read my post on Chelsea's engagement ring than any other entry in the history of the blog. Despite the fact that I (and all of my other fellow jewelry hounds) STILL haven't found a decent picture of the thing. Hat's off to you, Chels, for keeping us all well out of your business. And for making my Alexa rating skyrocket.
1. The Sapphire Heard 'Round the World.
Hey. Did you hear? Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton. Shocker! Seriously, though, you're going to have to endure many a royal wedding post in 2011 - cuz there's gonna be major crown jewels on display. I'm already hyperventilating.
But perhaps the most important repercussion from all this nonsense, is the resurgence of the Lady Di ring silhouette and sapphires as a popular stone for engagement rings. I hope the trend continues, because if there's one thing I've learned in 2010 - you don't have to break the bank to get a great piece of jewelry these days (JewelClub, anyone?). And that includes engagement rings.
OK. I think I hear the champagne calling my name. (It happens.) I hope you all have a safe and shining New Year. In the meantime, weigh in with your favorite jewelry moments from 2010! As always, I love to hear from you. (Janet - that means you!)
See you on the flip side!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sula Perfumes
A few days ago, while shopping in Fremont with Berit and her mother,
I ran across some GLORIOUS little oil perfume rollers.
(There is also the option of an Eu de Parfum spritz bottle,
but I like the roller because of it's portability and controlled application,
plus the rollers are oil based, so they last longer and smell better)
The fragrances are:
Blackberry Blush-blackberry, cassis, osmanthus, rose, soft musk, vanilla
Butterfly Kiss-sweet pea, pink peony, freesia, blackberry, gardenia
Stiletto Musk- musk, amber, flora
Vanilla Blossom-vanilla, tonka bean, cherry blossom
Sun Kissed Citrus- tangerine, lemon, orange, grapefruit, bergamot
and Champagne Sugar- champagne, ginger, cotton candy, sugar cane
Every single one smells amazing, simple and light
I personally LOVED the Blackberry Blush
(I actually got so excited I broke this one in the store... oops!)
They are not too pricey, and come in a variety of lovely scents.
Berit's mom even bought one!
I don't remember the name of the little boutique we were in,
at Anthropologie, or at Ulta
"Break rules,
Set Trends,
And always play pretty."
-from Susane Lang, the founder of Sula Beauty
<3
Claire
Jewelry Libations for New Year's Eve
Cocktails and jewelry - what a winning combination. As I was recently pondering what jewelry to break out for my favorite champagne-drenched holiday this Friday (wait for the Carrie Bradshaw moment...), I couldn't help but wonder (there it is...): Why is it that jewelry and luxury libations have such a glittering partnership?
First, there's the cocktail ring. The jewelry category emerged in the roaring 20s during Prohibition at illegal, booze-filled ‘cocktail’ parties. Women went big with fashion statements at these underground soirees, flashing their oversized, colorful baubles along with their newly exposed knee caps.Cocktail rings generally have an oversized center stone of 3 carats or more and are typically worn on the right hand (any finger will do). But as we jewelry hounds know, there are plenty of costume options out there that won't break the bank.
But there's another drinkable jewelry look emerging from the shadows lately - champagne diamonds. From light champagnes, to burnished browns and rich cognacs, these natural diamonds offer a selection of tones and hues to compliment every style, taste and tolerance level.
An informative piece in the New York Times reports that the stone made its debut in the late 1990s when it was discovered in Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in Australia, but is only now gaining a strong following - including from yours truly and a bevy of Hollywood's leading ladies.
If you really want to tie one on, how about a double shot with a champagne diamond cocktail ring like this one for almost $400 off retail? 'Tis the season!
And be sure to check out the champagne diamond treasure chest on Jewelry.com for more bubbly bling - it's jewelry that's perfect for teetotalers and the tipsy alike!
Made Up?
Why do I love makeup?
Well, lots of reasons,
but one reason is that cosmetics allow us to see parts of ourselves in a new way,
to bring out the beauty that might have gone unnoticed,
to reach within ourselves and find a new person that wasn't being seen.
Inspiring, I know.
Fashion Models are by no means perfect.
They are chosen for their distinctiveness, their unconventional attributes...
Their slightly strange qualities make them noticeable.
But what sets them apart is their ability to wear any look, any makeup, rock any style.
Every time they work, an aspect of their beauty is discovered.
As a makeup artist, it is my job to look into a face and see those different possibilities.
By now we should all know that adjectives like:
"Beautiful" and "Ugly" and "Normal" and "Weird"
they have no place in the fashion world,
the art is in the blurring of the line, in not limiting ourselves
And I LOVE that!
Natasha Poly has the most lovely lopsided mouth and delicate bone structure
Karolina Kurkova is famous and desired for her wide mouth and narrow nose
Find it in yourselves!
LOVE yourself
Be a supermodel, the world is your runway
Do not wear a mask, but rather accessorize your beauty
YOU are the superhero, your beauty is the sidekick,
and makeup should be just one of the things in your tool belt.
<3
Claire
Monday, December 27, 2010
Prada Resort Collection/Capsule Collection 2011
In 2005 I was lucky enough to travel to Spain and Portugal with my mother and some friends. One of my favorite places that we visited was the Portuguese town of Sintra, home to the Palacio Nacional and its beautiful "azulejos," or blue tile murals.
Flashback from the weird geography lesson: I was delighted to find out that Prada not only included azulejo-inspired designs in their Resort 2011 collection, but created an entire blue-and-white capsule collection based off of them!
Prada's designs as of late have been a really great mix of classic mid-20th century America/pinup mixed with a little Lolita, and I wiiiiiiiiish I could have found a good photo of the beautiful three-quarter-sleeved, full-skirted dress made in this same print. So beautiful!
It's so wonderful to see designs that evoke deep emotions or memories in a fashion world where so many designs are judged based on their shock factor.
Hope you're all having wonderful holidays! I still have a food baby!
-B
The Holidays Can Be a Lonely Time
Single Ladies put your hand up...
This time every year,
with all the fairy lights and mistletoe and fireworks,
I get a little sad about being single...
But then I remember:
i have a family that loves me
i have bomb-tastic siblings
i have the best, most beautiful friends in the world
tigers are awesome
So my single friends, be happy!
And always remember:
<3
Claire
Celebrity Engagement Blitz
Celebrity engagement news is breaking big today! Here's the scoop:
From "Black Swan" to Baby Momma:
Not only is Natalie Portman engaged to her (gorgeous!) choreographer boyfriend, Benjamin Millepied, they're also expecting their first child. The Black Swan star met her hubby-to-be on the set last year (he choreographed all of her numbers), and the Oscar buzz is building along with her little ballet-dancing bun in the oven.
Portman has been on the red carpet all month promoting the film (and Dior's new perfume), but despite a mention of 'eating a lot' lately - this news is a total shock.
No ring sighting yet, but stay tuned.
Hef's Getting Hitched:
The other shocker today is news that everyone's favorite bachelor octogenarian popped the question to his 24-year-old playmate girlfriend, Crystal Harris.
"After the movie tonight, Crystal & I exchanged gifts. I gave Crystal a ring. A truly memorable Christmas Eve," Hefner, 84, tweeted. "When I gave Crystal the ring, she burst into tears. This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory."
Later, he clarified, "Yes, the ring I gave Crystal is an engagement ring. I didn't mean to make a mystery out of it. A very merry Christmas to all."
What kind of ring exactly remains to be seen, but my guess is Hef will make sure his bunny's got enough 'carats' to keep her satisfied.
But celebs aren't the only folks with romance on their minds. With New Year's Eve around the corner, many questions have yet to be popped. So fellas? If you need a little nudge in the right direction - check out the amazing post-Christmas engagement ring deals on sample sale sites like JewelClub.
And check out my 'Affordable Engagement Ring' guide here for more sparkling solutions.
In the meantime, congrats to the happy couples!
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