Sparkle Like The Stars

I’ve got a secret that I am a little embarrassed to share. I have started to like Shakira. I can’t really pinpoint the reason why she’s moved from my annoying column to the enjoying column, but she has. I even kind of like her fuzzy hair. It’s wild and very pre-dreads. I don’t know if Shakira’s hair is naturally curly or if she’s (gasp!) had a perm. It looks so dry and over-processed that I think it’s been perm fried. Even after 100 years of perm practice, it’s sad that women come out of salons looking like they’ve put their finger in a eletrical socket.

Shakira is rocking with silver jewelry in this photo. You can get this look too by layering sterling silver necklaces. This mens 22 inch sterling silver chain is a good place to start. The links are a bold size and are similar to the chain Shakira is wearing. There’s no reason why women can’t wear jewelry traditionally marketed to men. Women have been pushing the barriers of fashion with inspiration from menswear for decades. A recent jewelry trend has been for women to wear oversized mens watches. So, if you like it, wear it!

This fabulous sterling silver necklace is made of round links that form three rows of chains. At just $35, it’s a great way to get a jump start on the layered silver look. This necklace is very versatile. It makes a big statement by itself with a blouse or low cut evening wear.

Jessica Alba is a chameleon of fashion. You never know what look she’s going to try next. It’s dizzying really. In this photo of Jessica from this year’s Oscar celebration she’s golden in classic glam. But her hair - um, what’s up with that? I mean, it looks like a bird nest - really. It’s just too high. Since the straps of her gown are so close to her neck she made a good choice to not wear a necklace. Her earrings are fabulous! I love the large colored crystals in the teardrop shape. The gold settings are rich and coordinate well with her dress. They are a great choice for this dress. Jessica’s stylist should be proud!

You can get a similar look with these 7 1/8 carat lemon quartz and diamond earrings. These earrings aren’t a good choice for a gold dress. But unless you’re Jessica Alba or Beyonce, you probably shouldn’t be wearing a gold dress anyway. Very few people look good in a gold dress. These earbobs are great though with just about any other color. The large facets of the stone reflect light in a delicate way that accents the stone’s size. The diamonds add a pop of contrast that is very dramatic.

Oleg Cassini, the designer behind the dresses that made Jacqueline Kennedy the most glamorous first lady, died recently at the age of 92. It’s hard to believe that Jackie was just 31 when her husband was elected president. But she embraced the role with a style never before seen in the White House. The simplicity of her geometrically inspired dresses in wonderful fabrics, the pillbox hats, and perfect hairdo were copied by millions of women the world over.

A hallmark of Cassini’s designs for Kennedy was color. In a museum exhibit of Cassini’s creations for Jackie only one dress among the many he created was black. The hope of the Kennedy presidency was reflected in the colorful and vibrant outfits Jackie wore. This is a photo of the Kennedy’s as the arrived in Mexico City in June 1962. Even with the summer heat, Jackie is styled in a green silk day ensemble complete with 3/4 length sleeves and gloves! The bright color grabs your attention especially compared to the other ladies in the photo.

As far as accessories, classic pieces like pearl necklaces and subtle diamond earrings help to complete the Jackie look from the first lady years. For just $85 you can have a real, beautiful strand of cultured freshwater pearls. This 18-inch strand features 7-7.5mm pearls and a polished 14K yellow gold filigree clasp. No wardrobe is complete without a strand of pearls!

These diamond and rare South Sea pearl earrings have the look of refined, classic elegance Jackie embodied. The pearls are large and luxurious at 11-11.5mm each and the diamonds are 0.45 carats a piece! The Omega backs and settings are rich and durable in 18K white gold. These earrings are versatile and would go well with an outfit appropriate for meeting the president United States or your kid’s teacher.

Who is next on the Kabbalah train? Looks like it’s Lindsay Lohan! Check out the red Kabbalah string on her left wrist that she donned at the Elton John Academy Awards Viewing Dinner and After-Party. Anyway, it looks like Lindsay might be making progress on her eating disorder…she’s wearing a tablecloth! Her make-up looks great though and those red nails are hot (and coordinate with her red Kabbalah thread). Her jewelry is tasteful and fits with the romantic look she’s got going on with her lacy dress/tablecloth.

This 1/2 carat diamond and 14K white gold necklace will help you create your own wistful and romatic look. The graceful curved links are very feminine. Flower-like groups of four diamonds remind me of those necklaces my friends and I used to make from clover when we were little girls. Now that we’re all grown up (yeah right), we can treat ourselves to the adult version!

These 1/3 carat diamond earrings in polished white gold are a great partner to the necklace. They echo the flower theme in six sparkling diamonds each!

You’re on your own with the red string!

I spend way too much time looking at jewelry! I’m obsessed! Every once in a while I come across pieces that (despite my feelings for Paris Hilton) make me say, “That’s hot!” Here are a couple of goodies that recently caught my eye that I hope you’ll like too.

Guys get neglected around here sometimes, so let’s start with this iced out mens 2 carat geometric diamond ring in 14K white gold. The 25 diamonds in this beauty bring a lot of bling. The size and square shape of this ring is very masculine.

These 3 1/10 carat citrine and diamond earrings are pure Hollywood! The huge pear-shaped citrines dazzle surrounded by white diamonds. They are perfect for the red carpet or your own special occasion.

This colorful and festive apple green quartz ring is so much fun. It would look great with a flirty spring skirt or on your hand lifting up a cool drink poolside this summer.

Ok, so I am not a huge fan of the bag-lady chic that Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have been sporting recently. But the way that they put together outfits using new and vintage pieces, different prints, and a rainbow of colors is refreshing. Just think of all the time they save by just throwing on any old thing they grab in their closet! Anyway, I think that brooches are a great way to accessorize this Fleetwood Mac meets Courtney Love look. This 1/5 carat diamond and pearl brooch will instantly give a vintage t-shirt the quirky contrast that make this look so much fun. Or use the brooch as a clasp for a croched shawl or wrap. There’s no need to follow fashion rules in our post-modern world…if you think it’s cool, wear it.

Dolly Parton wowed everyone at the Oscars with her performance of “Travelin’ Thru”. Dolly wrote the music and the lyrics for this tune that was nominated for Best Original Song. A lot of things about Dolly are bigger than life and that’s what entertainment is all about. Dolly’s also quite the philospoher. She’s been quoted as having said, “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” Dolly sure is brave and it shows in her getup. Just check out that rock on her finger. That’s pure glam!

Now, there’s just one Dolly and I am not suggesting that you re-create her look. But there are aspects of Dolly’s style that could be lots of fun to try. Take this huge 8 carat blue topaz and diamond ring. It’s set in 14K white gold and it’s similar to the one Dolly was wearing at the Oscars. The dramatic color of this ring is a real showstopper!

Dolly is a small town girl that made it big. But I don’t think that she’s forgotten the value of a hard earned dollar. That’s why I think she’d love this spectacular blue topaz ring in a setting of sterling silver. It’s just $65 and will add a stunning sparkle to any outfit.

There has been some serious buzz going around recently speculating about the status of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s relationship. See for yourself. They’ve been spotted wearing matching gold bands. Brad and Angelina are definitely not your typical couple - but it’s sweet to think that they’ve exchanged promise rings…or whatever. In our busy world (and you know that Brangelina’s world is super busy with flying around the world adopting children and all), it’s even more special to have a reminder of our loved ones. No matter where you are - a movie shoot in some exotic location or in a windowless copy room on the 15th floor of your office building waiting for your career to take off - it’s nice to be reminded that someone loves us.

This ladies band is a wonderful way to express your devotion. It is a 5mm comfort fit tiffany-style ring styled in 14K gold that any woman will love. There is a matching mens band that is equally beautiful. It is a stunning 7mm comfort fit tiffany-style ring in 14K gold. These bands are nice and big - luxurious even. They’ll catch the flash of the paparazzi cameras or the eyes of your co-workers!

Rachel Weisz may have won an award at the Oscars for her acting, but her dress at the award show was just so-so. She looks great though in all of her pregnant glow. But that great neckline and beautiful skin is just screaming for some glam! Just because you played an activist in Africa doesn’t mean that you can’t really dress up for your big night. I mean, this is Hollywood! I found a couple of pieces that would have looked great.

A wonderful choice would have been this stunning 3 carat diamond fleur de lys necklace in 14K white gold. The curves of this piece would have been perfectly framed in the box neckline of Rachel’s dress.

This diamond necklace featuring baguette and round cut stones would have added more than a touch of elegance to Rachel’s gown. The scalloped design is feminine but not overpowering. The diamonds are set in 14K polished white gold.

Take a sec to check out that huge rock on Rachel’s middle finger! Heaven! Not everyone can be an Academy Award winning actress. So for the rest of us, here’s an 11 carat cubic zirconia ring in sterling silver that (for just $40!) will turn up the sparkle at any event!

Reese Witherspoon walked home a winner from the 78th Annual Academy Awards - she went home with ultra-cute hubby Ryan Phillippe! Seriously, our favorite blonde won the Oscar for her protrayal of June Carter in Walk the Line.

Reese should also get an award for her outfit! She really knows how to dress her 5′2″ frame. Reese donned vintage Dior for her big night. Decorated with light pink ribbon and silver embroidery, this dress didn’t really call for wearing a necklace because it would have just been a little too much. The dress is perfect for her body because the decorative elements create soft horizontal lines that become more narrow as you move from the hem to the bodice. This adds height and subtle drama to the dress.

Her earrings are perfect! The dangles are the right length for the fancy occasion. The diamonds really echo the silver accents in her dress. A small pink coral stone continues the soft pink theme. It’s feminine and elegant.

These diamond and 14K white gold tear drop earrings are similar to the ones Reese is wearing. They’re more versatile though because they don’t have the pink stone. Not all of us can afford to buy a special pair of earrings to match a single gown. So, these beauties will make a wonderful addition to any formal ensemble.

For those of you looking to complement an outfit with that soft pink tone, these opal and diamond earrings are perfect. They’ll add that special opal hue with the deep fiery spark to any outfit.

I am super excited about the Oscars! I can’t wait to see how the stars will be sparkling! You can count on me to bring you news of the jewelry trends froom the red carpet and post-Oscar parties!

As part of my research for the big night, I came across these classic pictures from the Oscars. They’re a hoot!

The Oscars have often found themselves a forum for all kinds statements from social issues to fashion. Cher definitely has made fashion statements at the Oscars. But I think more than anything she’s saying, “I got confused at LAX and missed my flight to Las Vegas where I’m a show girl so I just decided to come here instead.”

This is what Barbra Streisand wore to accept her first Oscar. Babs may look tame in this picture, but the fabric had a see-through appearance. She wore pants! There were so many statements a roled up into one. “I am a woman, not a girl - and here’s the flesh to prove it. But don’t just value me as a sex object. I can wear the pants too. So there!” It’s no wonder she went on to play crazy people in her movies.

Jenny McCarthy is a winner - of a Razzie for Worst Actress in Dity Love! Razzie is the nickname givien to The Golden Raspberry Award. It’s an award that according to their website has been dis-honoring the “worst acheivements in film since 1980″. Former Playboy Playmate, Jenny not only starred in Dirty Love, but she also wrote it! Her now ex-husband, John Asher, directed the film. He also won a Razzie for Worst Director! Richard Roeper said regarding Carmen Electra’s performance in the movie that, “They may have to invent a whole new category in the Razzies for Carmen Electra’s jaw-droppingly awful performance as Rebecca’s (McCarthy) best friend!” Ouch!

Jenny’s not crying in this image from the Dirty Love movie poster because of those mean Razzie people. She’s all teary because she forgot her earrings! She knows that no outfit is complete without earrings! These 3-stone, princess cut diamond earrings in 14K white gold would have been perfect. The total diamond weight is just over a 1/4 carat in these versatile and beautiful earrings.

Another great choice would have been these cubic zirconia and sterling silver hoops. The hoops are set with the cubic zironia all the way around so they look great with your hair down or up. And after Jenny’s big flop with Dirty Love, she’ll really appreciate their price - just $35!

Yep, it’s true. Will Smith is a stud. I mean, he’s got hip street cred. He’s a loving father and devoted husband. He makes Oprah laugh. He can sing, act, and dance. He’s a star of movies and TV. Plus, he’s just darn sexy!

The Fresh Prince is stylin’ for spring here in his purple shirt and tie. Most people can’t pull of that snappy look, but Mr. Smith has got what it takes to keep it real. Our man is featuring a huge diamond stud in his right ear. It adds a street edge to his otherwise straight-laced look. Now, lots of folks have single or an odd number of piercings. This 1/4 carat diamond stud earring in 14K white gold is just for you. Why buy two earrings when you just want one? The diamond is a good size for your first or second holes. Plus a diamond stud will coordinate well with many other styles of earrings. For just $250, it’s a great gift idea for that special someone.

Ok, so this outfit’s more glam than goth, but Lindsay Lohan is using crosses here to give her look a rock-n-roll edge. I don’t know if Lindsay is religious but you know she’s spent some time praying over the porcelain altar - if you know what I mean. My goodness, what I would give to overhear this girl’s confession! I imagine it might go something like this, “And then Wilmar said, ‘Lo, you’re stupid.’ and I said, ‘I’m rubber. You’re glue…’”

If you’re normally a pearl wearing good girl, it might be time to shake things up a bit by adding a few crosses to your pretty ballerina jewelry box. This diamond and 14K white gold cross pendant with chain is a great place to start. Its delicate design has a hint of Spanish influence.

Nothing says bad girl better than black. This sterling silver and black onyx cross will bring out the rock star in you. Its black rubber cord gives a nod to the industrial jewelry trend.

Imagine an outfit with a black mini-skirt, a flashy and tight top, and these diamond and 14K white gold cross earrings. It’s sexy. It’s fun. It’s rock-n-roll.