Archive for June, 2009
The Ultimate Black Tie Affair: A James Bond Wedding
Monday, June 15th, 2009Every event needs a theme, so why not go for the ultimate black tie affair – a James Bond themed wedding! We can just picture it now…the Bond song in place of the wedding march, a groom dressed in the signature 007 tuxedo, and a special Casino Royale inspired love knot necklace for the bride. You may not want to go full on Bond for the big day, but you can pull 007 style elements to make your wedding truly unique! Of course, you can always emulate the only filmed James Bond wedding – 1969′s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service…
If you want to add just a touch of James Bond glamour, try starting with clothing and jewelry inspired by the films. It’s easy for the guys – Bond’s signature style is available at almost any men’s suit and tuxedo shop! Just request a shawl collar tuxedo with a bow tie. Generally Bond wore black, but he also sported a white tux from time to time. Either color works as long as you have the distinctive shawl collar and the perfectly knotted bow tie. To truly stand out, the groom can wear white, and have the groomsmen wear black. Stylish men’s watches or matching cuff links in shapes like dice or knots can tie the entire group together.
Bridesmaids can be dressed as Bond Girls, in slinky black dresses. Just be careful that they don’t look too sultry – you can’t have them upstaging the bride! Brides and the bridal party can all rock Bond Girl jewelry, like our best selling Algerian Love Knot Necklace. The design was featured in Casino Royale, and it is said to represent joy, wealth, and health. This echos the traditional wedding vows (for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health), making the jewelry appropriate for the theme but also deeply symbolic. The bride can wear the original size Algerian Love Knot Necklace, along with the Bond Girl Earrings that Bond Girl Vesper Lynd wore in the film. Bridesmaids can wear the petite Algerian Love Knot Necklace, or instead wear sparkling martini glass pendants.
You can use the different films (22 in all!) as various themes before and throughout the big day. For instance, the invitations can begin with the phrase For Your Eyes Only, and the bride can refer to her groom as The Spy Who Loved Me. At the end of the ceremony, the officiant can announce that the couple now has a License to KISS! Some of the films would work particularly well as reception themes, such as Casino Royale. To use this theme, you could make the reception area look like a casino, complete with standard card tables and piles of poker chips. You can even give out personalized decks of cards as part of your wedding favors…
The various movies also parlay perfectly into cocktails – but don’t forget the mandatory (shaken, not stirred) martinis! Once you have the signature Bond beverage on the menu, you can add various drinks like From Russia with Love (White Russian), Diamonds are Forever (vodka on the rocks), or GoldenEye (your favorite pale ale or light beer). Besides decks of cards, you might also want to give out printed instructions on how to create the perfect shaken martini, as well as re-prints of old James Bond books or comic strips. Of course, handcuff bracelets, martini necklaces, and love knot pendants are also sure to please!
Photomontage of all Bond Girls by Chris Shackleton
Get your guests involved with the theme also! They can all pose like spies and snap pictures with disposable cameras, or vote on which actor played the very best Bond. Some couples may even like to incorporate Bond trivia into the mix. Kids can be entertained with Austin Powers movies or Bond video games in a separate room, leaving the grownups free to relax. For the final touch, the bride and groom can ride off to the honeymoon in a rented Aston Martin – the ultimate 007 vehicle. If you want a wedding that everyone will remember, try a James Bond theme wedding! Even if you only go for the little details, you can’t help but feel ultra-glam when you emulate James Bond and his famous Bond Girls…
Celebrate Good Times…Come On!
Friday, June 12th, 2009Are You a Recessionista? Tell Us To Win a $100 Gift Card!
Thursday, June 11th, 2009Is Your Bond Girl Collection Complete?
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009Happy Birthday Angelina!
Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Modern style icon Angelina Jolie has always gone for extremes, but her look has changed drastically throughout the years. From her past obsession with snakes and skulls to a her ultra-glam appearances on recent red carpets, Angie’s fashions are oh-so jolie…

Angelina started as a the daughter of two actors, so she was born with a certain degree of drama in her blood. This has served her acting career well, but it has also influenced her many – and varied – different looks. The evolution of Angelina’s style is one of the most fascinating that we’ve seen! As a child, Angie often attended red carpet premieres with her mother (actress Marceline Bertrand) and father (actor John Voight). In those early years, she was dressed a bit like a doll, wearing grownup jewelry and fancy gowns.

Angelina embraced the role of rebellious teenager, and she has commented on how out of place she felt at Beverly Hills High School. Tattoos, wildly colored hair, hardcore music, and self destructive behavior seemed to rule Angie’s life those days. She was said to wear mostly black clothing, which didn’t endear her to her peers at the ritzy Beverly Hills school. In particular, she liked her big black combat boots, which came much more into fashion with the rise of grunge shortly thereafter.

She started modeling at age 14, and appeared in several music videos. She didn’t really make an impact on the Hollywood scene until she was about 16, though, but her career jump started at that point! The early 90s saw the rise of Angelina’s career, and she everyone’s attention in the cult classic Hackers. She met her first husband (Johnny Lee Miller) on set, and wore a white shirt and black rubber pants to her wedding. The marriage didn’t stick – both have said they were too young for that kind of commitment.

There were two movies in the late 90s that truly established Jolie as an actress to pay attention to. The first was the HBO film Gia, where she portrayed the late supermodel Gia Carangi. Angelina’s gritty portrayal captured the heart of the character, and raised quite a few eyebrows. Shortly thereafter, Jolie played a sociopath named Lisa Rowe in the angst filled memoir film Girl, Interrupted. Angelina stole the show from Winona Ryder, who was cast in the leading role. These movies, combined with her very public – and odd – marriage to Billy Bob Thornton, made Angie a hot topic in the media. Most people recall one distinct fact about the relationship she had with Billy Bob…the vials of exchanged blood that they wore as necklaces.

Jolie’s style during the early years of the new millennium can only be described as gothic. Long, flowing black gowns, exaggerated eyeliner, pale face powder, and lots of tattoos were all elements of her signature look. During these years, she could often be spotted in snake rings and skull rings, which also became a major trend. She made waves with her skintight costume and defined muscles as the star in Tomb Raider, and fans of the video game tend to agree that Angelina is the epitome of character Lara Croft. After the breakup with Billy Bob, Angelina’s look matured a bit, she began focusing on both on her career and her humanitarian efforts.

Angelina became a mother in 2002, adopting a baby from Cambodia. She seemed to find her new calling, and a series of adoptions ensued. Jolie now has a brood of both biological and adopted children, all born in different places around the world. Despite her new roles as a mother and a worldwide humanitarian, Angelina has always looked polished and put together. This was most obvious during the media storm known as “Brangelina”, in which a romance with co-star Brad Pitt was said to have caused his split from America’s sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston. The gossip magazines and paparazzi still fuel the so-called rivalry between Jen and Angelina today, keeping both women in the spotlight.

When we see Angelina now – especially when she’s at events with husband Brad Pitt – her style is sexy, glamorous, and indulgent. Her decadent jewelry, old Hollywood style makeup, and stunning gowns have catapulted her into an international fashion icon. Of course, her perfectly proportioned features and incredible body (even after having twins!) also helped. Her recent appearance at the 2009 Academy Awards sparked a surge of public interest, and suddenly everyone was dying for Angelina’s emerald earrings. From red carpet kid to red carpet classic, Angelina Jolie’s style has always been unique and enviable.

Summer Jewelry Horoscopes!
Thursday, June 4th, 2009Go for the gold! Any Aries is sure to achieve their secret hopes and dreams with a little extra work this summer. Remind yourself that wishes do come true by wearing a gold plated wishbone pendant.
It’s time to get lucky in love Taurus! The stars say that this is your summer for romance, so be on the lookout for a secret admirer. Wearing a designer inspired triple heart necklace is sure to give you three times the luck.
Happy birthday Gemini! Summer can be stressful for many Gems, because they want to make sure their birthday plans go perfectly. Keep your eyes on the big picture by wearing a golden peace and love necklace.
Happy birthday Cancer! This summer you have a can-do attitude. From work, to love, to family and friends, you’ve got it all under control. A pave crab pendant will remind you to embrace your crab nature each day.
Happy birthday Leo! Do you feel the pride? You should feel proud of yourself this summer – you’ve worked hard to get where you are! A candy apple necklace can be a sweet way to reward yourself for a job well done.
Hang in there Virgo! This month requires some extra effort on your part, but it will all pay off when you have the rest of summer to relax. Keep your eyes on the prize by wearing a tropical reminder – a palm tree pendant!
Libras are set for smooth sailing! Now is the time to travel and enjoy the sun, sea, and summer spirit. Capture the essence of the season by wearing a nautical charm – like an anchor necklace.
Keep it calm Scorpio! Summer should be stress free for you, but other people keep interupting with their own drama. Ward off negativity and bad vibes with a hamsa necklace, and don’t let anyone else bring you down.
Sags are getting friendly this season! Summer is all about spending time with your closest friends, and enjoying the love in your life. This seahorse necklace symbolizes everlasting friendship, so it’s the perfect pick.
Why so serious Capricorn?! You should be playing and having fun this summer – it keeps you young! Wear a pave cupcake necklace to remind yourself of the simple pleasures of your childhood.
Keep your chin up Aquarius! Determination is all you need to make your dreams come true. The sea turtle knows that he has to keep moving towards the goal, so a sea turtle pendant is the perfect reminder for you.
You hold the key Pisces! It’s all right there for you to take – just open up to receiving all the joy in the world. A pave key necklace is the perfect reminder that you’ve already unlocked the secret to happiness.
The Benefits of Clip On Earrings
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009Earrings are returning as a must have accessory for Summer 2009 and pierced ears are no longer a necessity for women to enjoy the jewelry’s sparkle and glow. The perfect earrings flatter a woman’s features and reflect her inner beauty. Thus, fashionable earrings should be available to fit every woman’s needs. Whether you prefer clip on pearl earrings, diamond clip earrings, dangle clip earrings or non pierced hoop earrings, you will be able to find a perfect match among this season’s designer clip on earrings collections.
As the clip on earrings market is expanding it is essential to consider the benefits of non pierced earrings and how they can prevent medical conditions and allergic reactions. One of the most apparent clip on earrings advantages is that needle phobic women don’t have to pierce their ears. Clip on earrings are also a better choice when the earring is a heavier piece of jewelry, as it will not cause a slit in the ear or affect the size of the pierced hole. More importantly, clip on earrings eliminate the risk of a serious medical side effect from ear piercing, including a nickel allergy or an ear keloid.
Nickel allergy is the most common allergic reaction in women and girls with pierced ears. The condition includes symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes and itching, which continues to worsen as long as the skin is in contact with metal earrings. Nickel allergy can arise after a single exposure to certain earrings, but can also develop after prolonged skin contact with metal. While allergic reactions to gold jewelry are unusual, any earrings with metal posts can cause worsening of the symptoms. Nickel allergy tends to be a chronic condition and therefore clip on earrings are a great option to explore in order to avoid nickel intolerance.
Another serious reaction that can occur from pierced earrings are ear keloids. A keloid is overgrown scar tissue that develops from the injury that, for instance, ear piercing causes to the skin. Keloid scars keep growing after the pierced wound has healed and become more apparent until they reach a final size. Some keloid scars continue to grow for years and can cause itching and discomfort, as well as interfere with joint movement. Furthermore, keloid skin from ear piercings is highly visible and might cause self esteem issues. Keloid formations are especially common among African American women, age 10 to 30, and tend to be a hereditary condition. Many women who know that they have a history of keloid in their family still decide to pierce their ears to be able to wear all kinds of earrings. However, with an expanded clip on earrings selection available, this regrettable decision can be avoided.
It is clear that clip on earrings are an excellent choice for any woman who wants a safe way to wear jewelry and who appreciates the substantial benefits of non pierced earrings. Women with clip on earrings can leave their worries of allergic reactions and other skin conditions behind. Embrace the advantages and treat yourself to a great pair of trendy or vintage clip on earrings.
Mimic Marilyn Monroe’s Movie Style For Less!
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
Yesterday we showed you all of the celebrities who enjoy modeling like Marilyn. Today, we’re showing all of you everyday celebrities how to mimic Marilyn Monroe’s style for less! Like most modern style icons, Marilyn had her own unique take on the classic and chic look. Marilyn Monroe’s jewelry, hair, makeup, clothing, and accessories all exuded femininity.

Marilyn’s hair was quite distinctive, and is still very much in fashion today. To truly look like Marilyn, you need golden blonde locks and a tousled, layered shoulder length style. Her makeup is still the epitome of glam – glowing skin, defined eyebrows, and sultry smoky eyeliner. Of course, you can’t forget her signature deep red lipstick and matching nail polish! Emphasize your eyes and lips to truly capture the essence of Marilyn.

Simple, flattering clothes were another hallmark of Marilyn Monroe’s style. A white halter neck dress (as seen during the infamous subway grate scene of The Seven Year Itch) is the easiest way to look just like Marilyn. You can also opt for a pink gown with matching gloves, like Marilyn wore in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Other wardrobe staples for any Marilyn Monroe fan include pencil skirts, snug sweaters, and peep toe high heels.

Now for the best part – the bling! Marilyn will forever be associated with the song “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”, from her performance in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Any fancy faux diamond necklace, bracelets, or earrings will suffice – and be sure to include a huge emerald cut faux diamond ring! She also showed off rubies and stunning gold rings and earrings, as well as classic pearls. Cluster earrings and layered necklaces are other easy ways to steal Marilyn’s Monroe’s style for less.

Celebrities love to emulate Ms. Monroe on the red carpet, and stars like Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera, and Paris Hilton have copied Marilyn’s signature style. See how they mimicked Marilyn Monroe, and then give it a try for yourself!








































