Jewelry Sample Sale Alert!

Jewelry hounds, mark your calendars. I just got word that my favorite jewelry sample sale site, JewelClub, is launching a rare vault sale where they're knocking off 25% on 18 select styles.

That's 25% off WHOLESALE!

Um, yeah. Now that I've got your attention...

The sale will start this Thursday, June 17th but will only last a few days (through Monday, June 21st) - and like most big discount sales the inventory is limited and may go quickly.


I have only seen this teaser piece to whet your whistle - it's a three-stone bridal ring that's over $3,000 off the suggested retail price. (insert lower jaw-drop here)

But brides and grooms aren't the only audience they're targeting; they assure me there will be trendy pieces, jewelry box staples and colorful creations all ripe for the picking.


So be sure to sign up on www.jewelclub.com, using the code: INSIDER (if you haven't already) to get in the loop on this super sale. I won't steer you wrong on this. Their prices are as low as a Mariah Carey neckline.

Blondes, Baubles and Bad Taste at the CMT Awards

Jewelry hounds, I'm not trying to be disagreeable. Red carpet jewelry and fashion gawking is certainly not saving any oil-soaked pelicans or curing cancer anytime soon. But when Jersey Shore's Snooki looks better than half the divas doing the rounds at the Country Music Television (CMT) Awards, you know you're in for a long night.

And what is Snooki doing at the CMT Awards?

Let's start with the good. Taylor Swift. Always a fashion winner. Love the straight hair. Hoops. Galliano. Louboutin. What's not to like?


What's not to like? How about this unfortunate statement necklace choice by Kellie Pickler?


Or this bizarre lace mini green monster thing on Hayden Panitierre?


Or the weird day-glo dress meets sparkly gold teardrop earring look on Leann Rimes?


Or Laura Bell Bundy's gold stripper, I mean, red carpet get-up?


Or Miranda Lambert's Snooki impression?

Or this ho-hum look an the usually stunning Faith Hill (love the trendy big hoops, though)?


Clearly this battle of the blonde bombshells left me battered and bruised. Am I going off the rails here? Or is Country Music in desperate need of a Rachel Zoe makeover?

Summer Jewelry Trend Alert: Get Cuffed

Forget 'raindrops and roses' and 'whiskers on kittens', 'summer' and 'jewelry' are a few of my favorite things - and one of the hottest bauble trends of the season is both affordable and creative:

Cuffs!

Sarah Jessica Parker can't get enough of them and designers like Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui and Diane von Furstenburg are using them on their runways like nobody's business.

So how do you wear them?

You can go for just one big look like this cool agate cuff from Nordies for only $68!


Or better yet, layer them up using a variety of cuff categories - like this Betsey Johnson floral look with this metal stretch piece.




And there's no rule against using a cuff/bangle combo. How cool would this trendy faux turquoise style look with a series of gold clinks to go with?

Jewelry.com has a great assortment of statement cuff cuties from the hottest (and most trusted) jewelry retailers. Or you can cruise vintage stores, garage sales and grandma's jewelry box for styles screaming for summertime fun.

Getting cuffed never looked this glam. Unless you saw this 'bachelorette party' gift on The New York Housewives last week (ahem).

Red Carpet Jewelry at the CFDAs

Jewelry and fashion design were honored last night in New York at the hottest ticket in town - The CFDA awards (aka The Fashion Oscars). While fashionistas like Jessica Biel, The Olsen Twins and Anna Wintour came out in couture classics, it was Gwenyth Paltrow who stole the show in my book.




Appearing arm and arm with Michael Kors, who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, Gwynnie channeled Grace Kelly glam in a long, black paillette one shoulder Kors gown and simple diamond Fred Leighton drops. Now THIS is the way to wear black (see my earlier boring black rant for more)!




Coming in a close second was Sarah Jessica Parker, who was there to pay tribute to the late Alexander McQueen (one of my all-time favorite designers). McQueen, who committed suicide earlier this year, had one last line in the works, including this dress SJP wore to the event. And her Stephen Russell jewelry was pitch perfect - stunning diamond cluster earrings and a series of statement bangles (one of her favorite looks of late).



Check out Jewelry.com today for a roundup of the night's big winners, including the fab Alexis Bittar who took home the Accessories Designer of the Year award.

The Male Moment at the MTV Movie Awards

Jewelry moments at the MTV Movie awards couldn't compete with the spray tans, blue wigs and the most talked about accessory of the night - Lindsay Lohan's alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet - but I managed to find some sparkle on folks who are rarely in the mix:

The fellas.


Pairing statement necklaces with shirtless chic were Olympian Shawn White and comedian Russell Brand.



Puffy brought back the hip-hop medallion:


And Jersey Shore star, Pauly, took his stud status quite literally with an icy pair of square diamond earrings.


Men's jewelry trends range from the once ubiquitous diamond stud or dog tag pendant to leather cuffs and (the dreaded) pinky ring. But aside from the blinged out looks of guys like Lil Wayne or Fifty Cent - statement necklaces haven't really been popular as far as I know.

Maybe their time has come?

What do you think? Guys? Weigh in! And be sure to visit Jewelry.com for a round-up of the ladies' looks.

Jennifer Aniston & Courtney Cox: BFFs in Boring Black

The little black dress. It's timeless. It's elegant. But it's the equivalent of a 'forfeit' on the red carpet if you're an A-lister like Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox.

What's the rub? Once you've got syndication royalties rolling in you can throw in the fashion towel?

Aniston, in particular, wears basic, boring, black to nearly every movie premiere (perhaps she's in mourning for a good script) - and don't get me started on her (dare I say its name) 'pants suit' to the star-studded 'I'm Just Not That Into You' red carpet.

Every once in a while? Fine. But to every. single. friggin. event? Enough already!

But I digress. The leading ladies did look lovely at the recent Women In Film celebration in Century City this week (maybe it was a black and white dress code, who am I to judge?).

Loving the big hoop looks on these 'Friends', despite the basic black.


Hair jewelry is another hot trend I'm spotting like this sparkly headband on Emily Blunt (in BLACK Elie Saab):


And Zoe Saldana continues to hit it out of the park in a (white!) MaxMara gown with black and white diamond drops:


What are your thoughts on the basic black bonanza? Should I step away from the ledge and chillax? Who wore your favorite look? Weigh in!

Liza Launches Jewelry LIne

Divas and drag queens, get out your debit cards. Liza Minnelli is debuting her new jewelry and apparel line, The Liza Collection, with HSN on June 30th!


Like the ubiquitous stylist, Rachel Zoe, Liza 'loves herself a sequin' so you can be sure the line will be littered with big costume jewelry looks, flowy pants and lots of shimmer (check out Jewelry.com for more details).


I saw Liza on the Joy Behar Show the other night, and she was wearing several pieces from "The Liza Collection". I liked them - they seemed showy not tacky (just like their creator). She said she found her jewelry designing inspiration when she was recovering from knee replacement surgery and had time to kill in between physical therapy sessions.

So Liza gets bored, and we get another celebrity jewelry line.

Here's our Liza wearing her namesake gems at the Sex And The City 2 premiere:





And here are a few product shots:



So, jewelry hounds. What do you think? Will you be marking your calendars for June 30th (10pm EST)? My guess is she'll sell it like she does a good torch song. Better act fast.