Jewel River

We Have Moved!

2011-01-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

To all Jewel River lovers. We have moved! We're sure you'll love the new makeover. Please click here to visit our fantastic new site for the latest fashion and jewelry trends in Hollywood & the hottest runways. Don't forget to subscribe too. See you there!

Julia Roberts Eats, Prays & Loves Her Bling

2011-01-07T01:27:00.000-08:00

As Julia Roberts’ Eat, Pray, Love hits the theaters, she has been traveling to promote her movie from America all the way to the Far East in Japan. She was the first actress to appear in Vogue, is one of the highest paid actresses of all time, has been named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” eleven times and is an Academy award winner. Well, I’m sure there isn’t anything else left on her “to do before 40” list.

And If I was in her shoes I wouldn’t need to adopt power dressing at all. But that is what the Mona Lisa Smile actress did for the New York Premiere of her latest chick flick.

She sported a men’s-wear inspired black Stella McCartney blazer but gave it a sexy twist by combining it with a teeny pair of black tailored mini shorts by Diane von Furstenberg that exposed all 88 inches (or 82 rather) of her famous long legs. Had she removed her blazer though we would have had reruns of her micro-short body-con dress in Pretty Woman.

The Tokyo press conference however was a fashion debacle of sorts as she went from sexy to saggy and her stylist should be given a good knock on the head! Yes, the multicolored floral print of her green Dries Van Noten Fall 2010 dress seemed sort of Asian but the old-lady fit did absolutely nada for her figure.

I do not even want to comment about her out-of-place green Celine ankle strap wedges. But from her neck up, Julia actually looked pretty stunning thanks to a pair of gold and diamond, tear drop earrings by Jamie Wolf which shows that the actress’ jewelry style is still intact.

The same goes for her colorful Indian-inspired jewelry by Me&Ro at the New York Premiere comprising of an ink-blue lapis bead bracelet, matching lotus lapis earrings and a gold necklace with dangling trinkets which wasn’t on her neck but innovatively wrapped around her wrist. Using your necklace as a bracelet is in fact a fun, stylish and effortless method to give off the illusion of many bangles.

Her jewelry provided a colorful touch to her all-black ensemble and she seemed to be in total bliss. Well Julia darling, we are totally eating up your new movie, praying for you not to repeat any ancient looks but absolutely loving your mystical jewelry!

Shine like Cameron Diaz

2011-01-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

In our books, stealing is permitted only for one thing. CELEBRITY LOOKS of course! Do you want to go for that hot diva look that says you rule the red carpet? Let’s steal Cameron Diaz’s wardrobe for some inspiration now shall we? Tom Cruise and Cameron have reunited in action comedy, Knight and Day after Vanilla Sky and Cameron’s look for the movie’s premiere in Seville, Spain, serves as the perfect fashion recipe for all the diva-wannabes out there. It takes two to tango and only an additional step to shine like a Hollywood star:

Step 1: Become a black beauty

Choose a sexy black outfit with some shine and the perfect pumps. Cameron rocked an off-the-shoulder draped Lanvin Spring 2010 mini dress that had a belt detail, paired with a hot pair of Lanvin pump heels. The length need not be as short as Cameron’s but it solely depends on what complements your body type. Make sure it’s not too short that you’re not even able to sit comfortably in public without feeling like a conscious crouching tiger or an unhidden dragon for that matter. Simultaneously if the dress is too long you may end up looking like Morticia Addams from the Addams family which is not necessarily a good thing.

Step 2: Accessorize with ice for spice

It goes without saying that the ice/jewelry that you choose is what will spice up your outfit. The advantage of wearing black garb is that jewelry of almost any color and gemstone goes well with it, but this is the downside as well as the possibilities are simply endless and you may spend long hours wondering what bling would bring it. But the stars do shed some light here on how to sparkle like one. The secret behind a diva’s spark is to wear something out of the ordinary. Think outside the box. It may also be helpful to think big! Bold pieces certainly magnify your celebrity presence such as a cubic zirconia cocktail ring or large silver earrings.

Cameron accessorized with jewelry from House of Lavande and Falon which included a pair of big gold cabochon earrings with turquoise stones that really brought out her eyes and a thick colorful textured Swarovzski crystal cuff bracelet. But remember the golden rule: If you wear big earrings, cut out the neck wear & vice versa. It is imperative to add a unique personal touch to your jewelry too. Cameron’s playful personality shined through her chic black look via an unusual but funky pair of gold anklets.

Step 3: Classy Hairdo & Crimson Make-up

Usually, celebrities opt for a hair updo on the red carpet because one, that is simply the age-old norm and two, it gives maximum exposure to those super-sized earrings! But hey, you could always let your hair down for the after party. Cameron wore her messy trademark updo. Last but not the least, be armed with some scarlet lipstick to get that true Hollywood chic like Cameron to complete the look. And it could be pink-red, cherry or maroon if you have a tan.

So there you have it, the three fashion steps to red-carpet success. Ladies, it’s SHOWTIME!

Madonna & Lourdes Team Up for New Fashion Line

2010-12-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

A little birdie by the nickname of Lola told me that the world would witness the launch of an exciting new clothing collection in early August, called Material Girl designed by the original material girl, Madonna herself. The birdie is none other than Lourdes Leon, the only daughter of the music legend.

I must admit that I had an inching fear when I heard that Lourdes, who is only 13 years old, played an integral part in the designing process of the clothing and accessories line for young adults. I mean when you’ve got a world-famous celebrity for a mother and billions of star cash in hand, the formula for superficial success just seems a bit too easy doesn’t it?

But as they say do not judge a book by its cover or in this case do not judge a young celebrity by her stardom. After getting an exclusive sneak peek at the edgy outfits showcased by Gossip Girl actress, Taylor Momsen, Lourdes proved me and many other evil critics wrong.

The affordable Material Girl collection seems like a fusion between the looks of Madonna’s iconic fashion phases in her songs of yesteryear and this year’s hot trend of layering with a pinch of grunge and girly glamour added to the recipe.
And the layering is not just in the clothes but in the jewelry too, embodied by long chunky charm chains and numerous silver bangles and bracelets. I especially liked the cute angel wing earrings.

Madonna graciously says that 90% of the result was inspired by her daughter, whom she likes to call fondly, as Lola. Kudos to the mother and daughter for setting aside their diva egos and joining forces to create a truly promising and hip clothing line. Material Girl’s truly got the material fo’shizzle.

Image Courtesy:
http://blog.materialgirlcollection.com
http://www.refinery29.com

Tron: The Fashion Legacy – Beau Garret

2010-12-24T03:49:00.000-08:00

In the previous post, I took you through the focal point in which fashion met cyberspace, courtesy of the Tron:Legacy premiere where Olivia Wilde glittered like the sequin of her gold gown. But folks, I think we’ve got a case of a lesser known star upstaging the main star of the movie based on my recent star-sighting at the Dubai premiere of the legendary movie where a beautiful actress by the name of Beau Garret walked the red carpet.

Her name says it all (google beau in French if you don’t know what I’m talking about) and so did her lovely silver-grey floor-length gown. The 27 year-old actress surprisingly wore a similar dress to Olivia Wilde’s one at the L.A premiere but her gown had a more regal, effortless feel to it in comparison to Olivia’s glitzy look and the dress seemed to hug her body in just the right places.

One winning factor was how Beau wore her hair. Olivia wore her hair in loose waves which wasn’t a suitable look to her already flowing gown. A pair of futuristic triangular silver earrings and silver bracelet were the finish touch to the lady’s look and this is one of the few times where subtlety won over all the drama. What a gorgeous beauty!

Tron: The Fashion Legacy – Olivia Wilde

2010-12-20T03:36:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days, everybody’s lips have been buzzing about a certain sci-fi movie which originated as a 1982 video game/live-action computer animated film and is now back with a sequel. Yes I’m talking about Tron: Legacy which got released on the 16^th of December and has got theaters jam-packed already.

Sam Flynn, the hero of the film is the 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn who looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same cyber world of dangerous programs and gladiatorial games, where along his father embarks on a fierce journey in a visually stunning (yes the movie has been released as a 3D version) universe that has naturally become more advanced and exceedingly thrilling. It goes without saying that the movie would be a delight to all Sci-fi fans.

The premiere itself gave a taste of the film’s action-packed grandeur with laser and smoke machines lighting up Hollywood Boulevard with a dusky futuristic glow as the cast arrived at the El Capitan Theatre in L.A. Needless to say the stars of the film were dressed aptly in futuristic outfits themselves as a tribute to the film’s personality.

Olivia Wilde who plays the lead female role of Ourra had all eyes on her as she arrived in a sequined gold floor-length Pucci gown with a key-hole detail. The 26 year-old brunette is no stranger to figure-hugging outfits and this one did do a certain amount of justice to her fab figure thanks to a belt that gave the gown some shape, though I feel she could have maintained the original belt-less look that would have given her a more celestial tone.

A gold glittering clutch bag completed the look and the House actress took the right decision in wearing a subtle but gorgeous pair of citrine earrings from Tiffany & Co which didn't steal the limelight from her glittery gown but still highlighted her pretty face. The golden girl followed the golden rule of ‘less is more’ when wearing an overpowering sparkling gown.

Stars Wars: Eva Mendes vs Jenny McCarthy

2010-12-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

Eva Mendes is known for her bombshell looks and flirtatious persona. But the Brazilian beauty had to face some tough competition from Jenny McCarthy in the wardrobe department when Jenny wore a sparkly blue and silver Stella McCartney dress to the 2010 American Music Awards recently. And it wasn’t just any dress folks but the very same one that Eva wore at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

Now it’s not uncommon for the divas of Hollywood to occasionally clash when it comes to fashion repeats, either intentionally or unintentionally. But the resounding question remains: Who wore the dress best? Let’s take Eva first. The 2 Fast 2 Furious actress wore the stylish creation as a short-sleeved loose-fitting one (it didn’t show off her envious curves though) which came up to her knees and she accessorized with gold accessories.

Ms. McCarthy took the dress and gave it a wild modification sans the sleeves. It was shorter, sexier and sleeker and the diva paired it with killer Louboutin black peep toe pumps. The uber-high hairdo was the kick-ass finishing touch to the edgy look. So who won? Let the jewelry speak I say! When it came to the dress alone, it was Jenny who won without a doubt and she would definitely appeal to those of you who want to show the crowd who’s boss.

But looking at the bling that the ladies sported, it was Eva who accessorized the sparkly number beautifully with a flashy gold bangle and an equally charming clutch bag whereas McCarthy’s silver floral cutout earrings did nothing to please the dress. Yes she did follow the golden rule of less flashy bling when one ears a flashy dress. But why the plain Jane earrings darling?

Remember that you cannot pile up on the jewelry when you wear a shimmery number but at the same time it won’t hurt to add a single statement piece that highlights the entire style like Eva’s gold cuff bangle. You go baby!

Miley Cyrus' Wedding Style

2010-12-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

Miley made my day at the 2010 American Music Awards which took place at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. Other than being famous for her role in Hannah Montana, the young crooner is also pretty legendary for her fashion debacles, ultra mini nightmares and over-the-top pouting. *Cringe*

But since the actress hit her 17^th birthday recently, it seems like Cyrus is finally coming out of her premature frolicking in the wardrobe department. And would it be too early to say the actress may have actually set a wedding trend for promising brides in 2011? Read on to decide for yourself.

At the AMAs she arrived at the red carpet wearing a dress which I think has been one of her best. She looked surprisingly cute in a Marchesa Spring 2011 mini dress but, but…there was an added twist. Her chiffon strapless creation had a floral illustration, beaded details, a large dramatic bow detail on the back but I haven’t gotten the twist yet. Trailing at the back of this sexy number was a gorgeous flowing train that looked absolutely gorgeous in the winter breeze.

It wasn’t just the dress I loved though. Her hair and makeup were doing their thing, her Christian Louboutin Maralena glass heels would have given Cinderella a run for her money and best of all, Miley showed us that she knew how to jazz up a beautiful dress in just the right way via a stack of silver bracelets and three cocktail rings that featured diamonds and pearls and contrasted beautifully against her goth black nail polish. Ooh La La girlfriend.

The look was the epitome of the modern bride who likes to keep it on the edge and sexy but at the same time add a subtle touch of elegance. I just hope Miley can keep up her new and improved fashion resolution for 2011. *Fingers crossed*

Emma Watson: From Witch to Pixie

2010-12-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

Hillary Swank did it, Halle Berry always had it, Keira Knightley was no exception and now the latest to jump on the pixie hair bandwagon is none other than our favorite know-it-all witch from Hogwarts, Emma Watson.

Doing the same role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter saga for ten years can certainly be slightly cumbersome for a growing actress who wants to spread her wings. So after a decade of magical spells, broomstick battles and young wizard love, fly she did, like a pixie to be precise by chopping off her glorious auburn hair and shocking her fans far and wide. Guess they never thought she would be drinking some of that Polyjuice potion in real life huh? ;-)

Jokes aside, the girl has clearly transformed into a woman with the new edgy hairdo and brought some black magic to the black carpet at the NYC premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in Alice Tully Hall, rocking a black slinky floor length dress with a sophisticated backless style. The dress was custom-designed for her by Calvin Klein and she paired it up with small floral stud earrings and a fun gold bracelet.

But what wowed me the most was the bling she chose to wear on her hair which was a dainty gold hair clip and showed us how to make a crop cut more chic with a dash of femininity. Not only did the hair jewel highlight her hair but it gave her entire black look some glamorous sparkle. She didn’t need a wand to do that now did she? J

Alicia Keys Kills it in a Nethi Chutti

2010-12-01T21:51:00.000-08:00

The 7^th Annual Keep A Child Black Ball took place last month at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NY city. A string of stars graced the red carpet including Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston and Usher to name a few. A certain 8-month pregnant someone attended the event too with her hubby, Swiss Beatz and she looked absolutely divine in a gray, strapless and lace Dolce & Gabbana gown with a hair updo.

You can see from the photo on the left that I’m talking about the gorgeous Alicia Keys who gave birth to a baby boy, named Egypt Daoud Dean, fourteen days after the photo was taken. Her baby bump did its thing, her skin was glowing but there was another element of hers that outshone all the stars that evening and I really don’t know how it missed my jewelry radar. You guessed it. It was the exotic pearl, ruby and gold headpiece on her forehead that caught the spotlight.

I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw this jewel because not many have dared to wear it for its sheer royalty. It’s called the ‘nethi chutti’ or ‘gold tikka’ and yes its roots are Indian. The head adornment has been around for centuries and was worn by Moghul princesses in the past and today it is a 21^st century jewelry-must for the Indian bride on the day of her wedding. As you can see the gold tikka is a long ornament pinned to the middle of the head with its pendant falling near the forehead, just below the hairline and the one Alicia has on is a ‘Kundan’ design.

In my opinion, it’s the best jewel that can highlight your face and eyes with earrings taking second place. But only Alicia can take an age-old Indian traditional jewel, merge it with a modern evening gown and still look amazing with a huge baby bump! Swiss Beatz is surely one lucky man (he tied the knot with Alicia in July on the French Island of Corsica). A wreath of traditional Indian jasmine flowers around her hair bun would have been the perfect finishing touch to the exuberant new bride.

Jessica Simpson's Fiance Hides Engagement Ring in a...

2010-11-27T02:11:00.000-08:00

You've been in love for a long time now and you’re finally ready to take the next huge step in your life and enter into wedding bliss. But before that comes the actual popping of the question. Some prefer to hide their engagement rings in a glass of champagne which would be brought out by a waiter amidst a string quartet. Others go to the extent of hiring an airplane to fly in the skies displaying a huge sign attached to it which reads “Marry me!”

But all you gentlemen out there need not panic. There are some affordable methods which give you the same guarantee to get your girl to say the magical word of optimism (I do mean YES). Former, NFL star, Eric Johnson adopted one of those methods prior to proposing to his girlfriend of 5 months, Jessica Simpson (too short a time you might think, but let’s say love has no time constraints). Guess where he hid his engagement ring. It was in a…*drum roll* SHOE!

The singer was in the middle of watching Parenthood when Johnson, 31, asked her to pause the show so that he could pop the question. He got down on one knee on which Jessica had to sit and nearly swooned as she was in utter shock (in a good way of course). The shoe had been hidden in her own house somewhere.

The ring itself was a three stone stunner, featuring a ruby in the centre surrounded by a diamond on each side. Choosing a ruby as the centerpiece was a trendy move by Eric as nowadays, people are opting for colored gemstones for engagement rings due to their affordability as well as beauty but he stayed true to classic traditions in choosing the dazzling diamonds to be set on either side of the ruby. Well played mate!

All the guys out there should know that your marriage proposal should consist of romance, humor, style, drama, a bit of glamour for good measure and of course the perfect ring that your girl would die for! If you’ve got those elements right it doesn’t matter whether you hide your ring in a glass or a shoe! ;-)

Katy Perry Surprises Us at the American Music Awards

2010-11-23T03:41:00.000-08:00

Perry was a pretty girl in pink at the American Music Awards 2010 at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. She had been up for multiple awards including Favorite Female Artist: Pop or Rock, Favorite Album: Pop or Rock as well as the coveted Artist of the Year award. Although she went to the after-party empty-handed she did win the thumbsup from fashion critics and fans who adored her pale pink Badgley Mischka Couture dress which was covered in mini rosettes.

Katy always loves to surprise us with her diverse and sometimes whimsical fashion takes on the red carpet which are quite hard to forget (remember how she arrived to the MTV Europe Music Awards, recently, dressed literally as a ticket stub?). But at the AMAs the voluptuous crooner showed off her enviable figure in the relatively demure but sexy sequined pink number, paired perfectly with nude suede Brian Atwood heels.

The question is when you’re wearing a sequined shimmery dress, should you or shouldn’t you accessorize it further with bling? The answer lies in subtlety. Yes you can go the extra mile with some sparkly jewelry but make sure it aint over the top. Katy chose drop earrings featuring a lovely light pinkish purple shade of stones to draw more attention to her face. A delicate 18 karat white gold bracelet with white diamonds, adorned her wrist and oh boy was she having a major fling with her rings. Holler!

She was all smiles as she showed off her gold wedding band ring, a Looping Shine ring in white and pink gold with diamonds and crystal from Brumani as well as another adorable ring comprising layers of mini pink stones. Instead of seeming like she was overloaded on jewelry, the pieces added just enough sparkle to accentuate her dazzling dress. Better hold on to your girl, Russel…coz Katy’s sure got the goods!

Rose McGowan Teaches Us the Art of Wearing Turquoise

2010-11-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

Over the ages, turquoise has been believed to be strong enough to cure snakebites, bring about positive dreams by the Native Americans, placed in guns by the Apache Indians thinking that it would make them shoot straight and even thought to forecast the weather! In the 21^st century this wonderful gemstone is worn not as a fad or fashion statement but as a timeless tribute to the gem itself.

Whether you wear turquoise jewelry casually with a simple shirt and jeans or more formally against the softness of a silky evening gown, the spiritual turquoise stones will surely hypnotize all those around you, like how it did for Rose McGowan at the Museum of Contemporary Art's annual gala in Los Angeles. Her turquoise tear drop earrings and chunky bracelets were the perfect compliments to her emerald green Issa silk gown and they made the Charmed actress stand out amidst the likes of Kate Bosworth, Gwen Stefani and Rachel Bilson.

Or I think it would be more appropriate to say that her gown complimented her earrings and bracelets because turquoise is the kind of gemstone where you select your jewelry first and THEN find the perfect dress to accessorize it! One thing I would have changed though is the upper green part of the teardrop earrings which looked slightly out of place in the ensemble.

Rather, turquoise looks best when it is paired with gold, white or black diamonds and coral. Since it offers such as bold look, the magical stone is often worn as the centerpiece of an outfit. Think lovely oversized necklace or smaller scale earrings in complimentary metals topped with a beautiful turquoise ring to emanate a fashion forward look. The stones are often set in floral as well abstract designs.

It is a gem that immediately conjures up thoughts of tropical islands and deep blue seas and brightens anyone who wears it be it any skin type, but the most important element to remember is you gotta wear this precious stone with confidence and in your own style!

Miley Cyrus Tames Herself at Clothing Launch

2010-11-14T02:28:00.000-08:00

Now who said Miley Cyrus can’t be tamed? Well yes, SHE did, but last week, she had to eat her own words. I guess Hannah Montana decided to perk up and pay attention to fashion critics (not to mention, the 1000s of livid fashion bloggers who’s eyes were subject to her visually provocative dressing styles in the past which included everything ranging from ‘destitute teenager’ to ‘fishnet fishergal’) and chose a high-fashion vintage look when she promoted her new Miley & Max for George clothing line at Asda, England.

The 17 year old knows that she’s an influential fashion idol to millions of teenagers but her questionable fashion choices were getting pretty uncontrollable. My fears subsided though when I saw her kick some ass in power-dressing mode at her clothing launch, sporting a chic white blouse paired with a black L’Agence leather mini skirt which not only looked ultra-sophisticated but also age-appropriate. The outfit was accented with an Antonio Berardi corset belt as well as black pumps.

Now you may get your cake right but what about the icing or in this case ICE? Yeps I’m talking about her bling bling. The young superstar stayed true to her inner rebel self and rocked some black bands on one wrist and on the other was a dainty gold charms bracelet.

Such a contrasting fusion of jewelry reminded me of Sarah Jessica Parker who loves to mingle classic jewelry pieces along with her other fun and less formal bling but did Miley pull it off? The answer is a big resounding YES! Miley decided to come out of her comfort zone and dressed demure which in itself was daring and proved to us that she’s making steady progress on the road to fashion redemption.

Katy Perry's Multiple Personality Disorder

2010-11-09T01:22:00.000-08:00

Katy Perry has schizophrenia. OK, before I go into the details, let’s go through the categories of celebs that that turn up at a red carpet event. To sum it up, there are three types of people who turn up. A) The “I don’t have much going on with my career so doing this would be good for my image” group. B) The “Uh, I got an invitation, so where’s the party?” group. And C) The “What can I do to make people’s eyes go POP” group. Well it can be confirmed that Katy Perry clearly belongs to the third tier.

Last year at the MTV Europe Music Awards, she turned up with a bullet, not in her head but in her hem, her dress’ hem that is (scroll down to see what it looked like). It would have made a perfect “corpse bride” costume during Halloween but not MTV Awards material. This year, she stepped up a cheerful notch with a much more lighthearted style but with interesting undertones, as expected. The newly married Mrs. Russell Brand came to the awards function along with her hubby in Madrid, Spain, dressed up as an old school ticket stub with a lot of pun intended.

It was a red and black sequined dress with “Admit One” streamed down the front from the Jeremy Scott Fall collection which she paired with bright blue Sergio Rossi heels. With a single high ponytail and stud ruby earrings, I’ve got to admit that the burlesque look did seem cute, sexy & quite MTV-worthy I should say, almost like an adrenaline-charged teenager attending a Katy Perry concert!

Three things can be learned from the frolicked fashionista’s fashion approach. No. 1: Who said bright block colors don’t go well together? Check out her blue heel-red dress combo y’all! No. 2: Those ruby studs made Mamma proud *happy tear*. They were not too much, nor too little and gave shorty just the right amount of shimmer. No. 3: Be it onstage, on screen or off-screen, Katy Perry sure knows how to stay in character!

Coming back to the schizophrenia thing, she said so herself in the December issue of Harper’s Bazaar. Quote: “I have multipersonality disorder - in a very good way, of course - when it comes to my fashion choices.” Well that does explain the bullet hole dress a little dear. But let’s owe it Katy to give any event the crazy element of larger-than life fun J

Yaya DeCosta's Fascination with Feathers

2010-11-05T23:12:00.000-07:00

The world premiere of Love & Other Drugs kicked off at the AFI Fest 2010 in Hollywood, California recently which a handful of celebs attended including the stars of the film, Anne Hathaway & Jake Gyllenhaal. Seeing the premiere made me flash back to the exclusive screening of the film last month where one sassy woman stood out the most: Yaya DeCosta.

Yaya is an actress and fashion model who touched the glamorous tinsel town a few years ago but really hit it big in the TV series, Ugly Betty. But did you know that before this urban New Yorker of Brazilian, Native American, West African & Irish heritage ruled the silver screens, she appeared in Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model where she ended up inches away from winning the title?

That didn’t stop the exotic beauty though as she slowly but steadily rose to stardom. In Ugly Betty she played the role of Nico Slater, a rebellious wild child. Off-screen Yaya is the epitome of serene glamour & natural beauty. If I had to pick a lady who’s extremely comfortable in her own skin so to say, I would choose her. Even when it comes to her hair, the 27 year old actress stays away from chemicals, extensions and all that jazz and shows off her curly locks in their natural form which was how it was during the Love & Other Drugs screening in East Hampton, New York.

Paired with a sheer snake-print jumpsuit, black peep-toe pumps & an array of silver bangles Yaya’s look was unique & certainly eye-catching. But what made it even more extraordinary were her delicate pairs of dangling feather earrings. I smell a signature style here as Yaya has always completed her look with feathery bling in previous occasions. I say pairs because she donned not one but two pairs of feather earrings, the first one in black and the second one in green, which hung stylishly from her second shot on the top of her ears.

Amongst all the flashy bling out there, designers are slowly returning to earthy styles in line with the global Green awareness and feather jewelry is one trend that’s catching on fast amongst those who want to go for a natural but alluring look. You can even incorporate feathers into necklaces and bracelets as well. If you really want to spice up an evening look, try peacock feathers for a vibrant and dramatic effect.

In an interview, Yaya said “Whether people are wearing their hair naturally because it's trendy or it means something to them doesn't really matter because the point is that it's the new acceptance of self. It's about loving yourself for who you are, and then going out and exploring other things." Well said girlfriend! With that in mind go ahead and strut those feathers with style!

Bling Babe of the Week: Leighton Meester

2010-10-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

Guess who everyone’s gossiping about lately? She’s 24 years old, has appeared on Entourage and House, is the current sweetheart of teen heartthrob, Sebastian Stan and additionally, she’s a bit of a Gossip Girl herself. What was that? Do I hear Leighton Meester? Bull’s-eye!

The TV star was found guilty on the red carpet at the 14^th Annual Hollywood Awards Gala at the Beverly Hilton of stealing Rob Patz from Kristen Stewart. Correction! She was found guilty of stealing everyone’s eyes as she looked absolutely heavenly in a powder-blue chiffon Elie Saab tulle frock with subtle sequin details and a cute satin sash.

In fact she rocked the look even better than the model, who showcased the dress on the runway earlier during the Elie Saab Spring 2011 Collection fashion show. Guilty as charged I say! Matching Elie Saab peep-toe pumps and a silver Jimmy Choo clutch were the perfect pixie dust to her ensemble but what was even more magical were her shimmering beaded drop earrings from Cathy Waterman that glimmered through her lovely curls.

I really adore the Cathy Waterman jewelry collection that draws its inspiration from nature. They even make spiders look pretty (check out the spider-web cuff bangle from their website). The earrings that Leighton chose captured the romantic essence of her entire look.

Her makeup was toned down by several notches compared to the rest of the attendees and for once it was subtle chic that won amongst glitter-overkill. Later in the evening, Leighton picked up a Spotlight Award at the event for her role in the upcoming drama, Country Strong. Well she sure stole the spotlight at the Awards too in the true manner of a Hollywood glam doll!

Taylor Swift, Diamonds & Jake Gyllenhaal

2010-10-27T02:41:00.000-07:00

Taylor Swift is a mere 20 years old but this pretty lass from Pennsylvania has risen to the top, swifter than you can say Taylor Swift. And what’s more, she’s stayed there. She’s got her country ass well rooted to the ground despite her numerous hit singles, awards & her recently unveiled wax figure at Madame Tussauds!

But the country pop singer-songwriter, guitarist and actress is quite the plain Jane when compared to her notorious counterparts such as Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera & Miley Cyrus who, unfortunately represent today’s archetype of the contemporary female pop star. So how did a girl-next door-image, introspective lyrics and a non-sexualized media portrayal manage to stay in people’s hearts?

For the simple reason that her fans can relate to her, not only to the songs but also to her looks. Take her 1^st getup for her performance on the Today Show for instance, where the star was dressed like any other normal 20-year-old in a simple purple plaid shirt, with her hair swept away under a blue beanie.

Later in the performance though, CUTE soon transformed into HOT but without any meat embellishments, wild hairdos or other wacko incarnations. She still wowed the crowd in an uber-shimmery silver mini dress with spaghetti straps, paired with black knee-high riding boots. Signature curls cascading down shoulders? Check. Signature soft-smoky cat-eye makeup? Check.

Moreover the charming chica looked blingtastic with her bejeweled glittering guitar and layers of diamond studded bracelets. Ladies should know that it’s important to maintain your own signature look but still add some gloss to your style with a single statement jewelry piece. For Taylor, it’s almost always a cute pair of sparkly earrings or an ensemble of bracelets.

Add in some modest charm and you may even end up attracting the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal! (Yes, Taylor and Jake were spotted in several occasions recently, chatting & getting up-close and personal. No kissing yet ladies :-p)

Kim Kardashian Turns 30 in a…

2010-10-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

Kim Kardashian concluded her string of birthday bashes for her 30^th birthday in a private cruise along with Kanye West (BF-to-be?), family & friends. Before partying out in the waters though, the reality TV star decided to attend the Angel Ball, a charity event benefiting cancer research in New York.

She aptly chose a black strapless mermaid gown by Zac Posen as her pre-cruise wear which played up her enviable figure to perfection. But this time, her curves had to share the limelight with something else – a breathtaking statement necklace, featuring giant teardrop emeralds surrounded by strings of tiny diamonds. It rested dramatically against her bronze skin and ultimately brought her black gown to life!

She donned a pair of bright dangling emerald earrings too but frankly speaking, the diva didn’t need them at all as the huge necklace was working overtime. Emeralds were famed to be Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone back in the ages. They come in various shades, ranging from yellow-green to blue-green but the ones that are the most valuable come in a grass-green tone, like the sparklers on Kim’s necklace.

Remember that emerald jewelry is not for the faint-hearted. The serene mystery of this precious gemstone reflects your inner beauty in ways unimaginable to your male target of interest. One word. SEXY. So I’d say wear your emeralds with caution ladies. They can make your guy go crazy. Kim & Cleopatra would know!

Helen Mirren – The Timeless Queen of Fashion

2010-10-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

It’s common for us women to feel a tad bit weary when choosing which dress or jewelry to wear for a fancy occasion and finally we end up playing it safe. But taking a look at British actress Helen Mirren will perhaps give us a much needed kick on the backside! The talented diva is a thriving 65 years old but she delivers the same punch to her fashion as she did 40 years ago.

When I saw snaps of her back in 2008, flaunting her curves in a hot pink bikini, I knew this daring dame was here to set some serious trends a la mode not only for women of her age but for the younger generation as well! She proved herself again at the UK premiere of her new action-comedy movie, Red working a dramatic gothic black gown by Bruce Oldfield, teamed with a pair of black Caovilla ankle boots and a red gemstone-inlaid clutch.

Now Helen’s smart style can be seen from the fact that she didn’t opt for a standard red gown but paid a fashionable tribute to the movie by accentuating her black dress with a sizzling sash of red at the centre. Moreover I can’t get over the amount of bling the starlet was dripping in which included a gorgeous diamond cocktail ring and diamond bangles.

And did you see the size of those hoop earrings?! She’s certainly not one to beaten by age and her sparkly hoops were living proof of that fact! Guess what? She had a bit of a slip when one of those earrings fell out and landed on the floor. But her spruce co-star Bruce Willis came to the rescue as he picked it up for her. Awww! Now is it just me or did it look like he was rightfully bowing down before the Queen?

Sarah Jessica Parker Brings Down the House

2010-10-15T05:13:00.000-07:00

Oh man, she OWNED the red carpet! I wasn’t a great fan of her all-nude ensemble for the NY City Ballet Fall Gala on the 7^th of October but at the Empire State Pride Agenda Fall Dinner at the Sheraton Hotel in New York, she was back in the game! Well I’m talking about none other than our very own Sex and the City gal, Sarah Jessica Parker.

She may only be 5’4 but her confidence zoomed all the way to the 102^nd floor of the Empire State building as she stood poised, with a shiny black bag in hand rocking a hot little black one-shoulder dress from Halston Heritage, sheer patterned tights and black satin pumps.

It would be an understatement if I left this blog post at that because I would not have mentioned the key ingredient that made the cauldron go BOOM - her gorgeous statement necklace of course. Sarah Jessica Parker was the soul of the party and her huge diamante necklace was the soul of her outfit, so to speak and would have made her on-screen persona, Carrie, very proud.

It featured a mesh pattern but with tons of diamonds sparkling in the light and it also had three strands of larger diamonds attached in between. The twinkle of her rocks not only matched her shiny bag and dress but also the twinkle of her grey-blue eyes and 1000-watt smile. Now that’s what I call a match made in heaven!

Image Courtesy:

http://www.sarahjparker.com

Eva Mendes – The Grecian Goddess

2010-10-11T06:50:00.000-07:00

As I write this post, my speakers are relaying the pure sound waves of Vivaldi’s Spring composition from Four Seasons. My sudden urge to visit the maestro’s legendary musical piece on YouTube was initiated by a Hollywood fashionista whose name spells Elegance, Versatility and Attraction – Eva Mendes.

She graced the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A during the Philharmonic Opening Gala looking nothing short of a Disney princess herself in a pink-kissed blush flowing gown by Christian Dior with well-placed golden leaf embellishments. The color of the chiffon creation suited the Cuban-American beauty’s tanned glowing skin but perhaps the actress’ hair could have been pulled back into an updo to highlight her stunning gown a bit more.

Her refined jewelry sure didn’t miss the spotlight though. The 2 Fast 2 Furious actress gained my A* for her accessories featuring a beautiful Raven Kauffman clutch, diamond cluster earrings and two diamond cocktail rings by Neil Lane. But the best of her bling was surely her simple golden bracelet that underlined the tint of the golden detailing on her dress and brought a touch of royalty to the romantic aura that she exuded. Ah take me to Greece I say!

And I loved that the 36-year old took a risk and chose a trendy green eye-shadow which was a funky twist for the otherwise serene dress. Vivaldi’s orchestra is coming to the grand finale now and so am I. When people begin to hear violins and flutes in their minds once they set eyes on your fantastic dress and jewelry like Eva’s, then THAT is when you know you’ve hit the spot!

Top Trends for the Fall that You Can’t Afford to Miss

2010-10-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes history repeats itself for all the wrong reasons but in the world of fashion, history is frequently presented to us fashionistas in an updated and totally trendy kind of way. This fall, get ready to mix classic styles in a whole new palette. I’ve hand-picked some of the top trends of the season, right off the ramps, which you would instantly fall in love with.

Hues Hues Hues

First things first: colors. After a season of “brights”, Fall 2010 sees an arrival of grey skies outside our windows and sophisticated neutrals on our clothing such as olive, beige, navy blue, oyster grey and other subdued colors. “Nude” and black are still very popular from last season, as well as other brighter colors that rule the roost including lipstick red, orchid purple, rose.

Swing into the 70s

The 70s are back with a bang this fall and the styles give our wardrobes the much needed vintage vibe that we all crave for from time to time. By day it’s all about the high waist pants and soft sheer blouses. The look is given a twist with belted draped pants and mixing this ultra feminine style with power dressing which includes sleek cuts and tailored jackets, made popular by Julia Roberts and Blake Lively.

Complete the look with: A leather statement handbag, lots of loud layered jewelry such as rings with bold stones, neat stacks of bangles, long pendant necklaces and strings of beads or pearls.

Capes and ponchos will be on the rise and you can pair them with stylish black leggings and complete the look with knee-high boots like Lilly Allen. A smart printed jumpsuit is another great alternative.

By night the boho chic kicks in, presenting us with shimmering flowing gowns that are loosely draped over your body with low necklines or cuts that hug your curves. For the daredevil queens out there, a pair of hot pants is the ultimate 70s item (popularized heavily by Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Alicia Keys this time around) and that also brings us to the next trend:

Wearing Your Innerwear as Outerwear

The last time we saw a shift towards lingerie as outerwear was during the 1980s AND also on Superman. Superman did it to promote a domineering image of masculine power. The reason why we ladies should do it is not a far contrast; that is to showcase a concoction of both sexuality and femininity. Think it wouldn’t suit the cold weather? Think again.

Pair that bare corsette with a pair of high waist pants and layer on a cute tuxedo jacket or wear your hot pants along with long stockings or leggings inside. This is one area where you can shift slightly from darker tones and experiment with bolder colors such as hot pink, green and blue.

Complete the look with: Layered silver chains, metal jewelry, gemstone earrings in sapphires, rubies or cubic zirconia, a single cocktail ring with a large motif.

Sheer, Cutout & Lace Clothing

I’ve included those three styles in the same sentence due to the sheer fact (pun intended) that they can be combined together for this season. Cutout clothing, normally a style exclusive to Spring/Summer has made an updated impact this fall. Cutout pieces can be filled in with sheer fabrics to fight the cool weather in style.

Don’t forget that cutout boots and pumps are a hot basic too. Lace is simply an extension of the sheer trend and a more feminine modification of cutout clothing. The ultimate balance of wearing lace is to be romantic but not over-girly and sensual but not over-suggestive. Ashley Greene’s black and white lace dress at the MTV VMAs is a perfect example of how to combine sheer, cutout & lace clothing.

Complete the look with: Pearl earrings, extra long chandelier earrings, plenty of silver bracelets or a large cuff bracelet.

Fall Essentials

The season wouldn’t be complete without the following fall necessities: Fur (and loads of faux fur) adds instant luxury to your fall couture and appear in everything ranging from collars on jackets, full-on coats and also on boots. Coming to boots, celebrities have been donning thigh-high boots for months now and you may have been wary to emulate the look in the past but take the plunge willingly this season into boot heaven!

And all those lovely silk scarves that you had been buying can now be unleashed to add depth, color and texture to any outfit. Turtle neck sweaters or vests tucked into pants or skirts as well as hats make a comeback this season.

Complete the look with: Diamond earrings, huge retro-inspired cocktail ring, bib necklaces for the vests.

So there you have it, the top trends for this season. Last but not the least, let me remind you that fall is when you can go crazy on the layering, be it in clothing or jewelry. Mix and match from the styles above and you would end up with a myriad of chic possibilities. But the important thing to remember is to take a trend and give it your own little personalized twist. Have a great season ahead!

Catherine Zeta-Jones Kills it in Red

2010-10-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

When Catherine Zeta Jones made her appearance in The Mask of Zorro alongside Antonio Bandaras in 1998, she looked as stunning as ever.

Her charisma, charm and ultra-sexiness captivated many a young man’s heart but she gave hers to the Romeo of all Romeos back then, big shot Michael Douglas. Now, an Oscar, two children and 12 glorious years later, the Welsh beauty looks like she still has it in her.

She made a debonair appearance on the red carpet after a hiatus, back in her homeland at the Welcome to Wales event in Cardiff, rocking a ravishing red cap sleeve creation from Reem Acra Pre-Fall 2010. The 41-year-old actress accessorized the figure-hugging satin gown with a Judith Leiber clutch and towering gold heels.

The only speck in her otherwise perfect ensemble was the severe side parting hairdo. It is no secret that the diva has absolutely gorgeous dark chocolate brown hair and I would have loved to see her flaunt it a bit more. The hairdo did, however, highlight her beautiful chandelier earrings from Lorraine Schwartz which were the epitome of intricacy and complemented her red gown to perfection.

Comprising of yellow diamonds, they formed a beautiful floral shape at the top and branched down into a series of petals, topped off with a refined drop at the end. Catherine loves long chandelier earrings and she won the crowd again with this divine pair.

With her immaculate taste in fashion and genuine persona, it’s no wonder that Michael Douglas has stood firm by his woman all these years. As for us, we can always rely on Catherine to bring that unadulterated, timeless Hollywood glamour to any red carpet.

Kim Kardashian Gets Too Hot For the Museum

2010-09-28T02:23:00.000-07:00

The Kardashian girls offer plenty of entertainment for guys and girls alike, on-screen in the E! Reality series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians as well as off-screen in other more, let’s say, indiscreet modes.

On November 23^rd their fans will have some additional access to their personal lives via their sisterhood autobiography, Kardashian Konfidential which would feature fun facts about their childhood, beauty and style secrets and perhaps some other juicy tidbits which I’m sure would be expected?

What’s not so confidential now is their solidarity in always looking put together and dripping with style. Kim’s couture at the L.A County Museum of Art’s “The Unmasking of Resnick Pavilion Opening Gala” was proof enough of that fact. Her gorgeous red one-shouldered gown from Georges Hobeika would have had sirens ringing all over L.A. The pleated details on her dress looked as artful as any painting in that museum and did a great amount of justice to her fabulous curves.

The Reality TV star topped off the look with her trademark smoky eyes and a classic hair updo. Yes, the dress spelled fire and passion that night but shimmering, delicately in the flash lights of the paparazzi’s cameras were her darling crystal earring studs.

On the contrary, Kim has always had a penchant for large dangling earrings but her choice for the Gala shows that crystal earring studs are stylish staples for any occasion that would never become obsolete.

You can pair diamond or CZ studs for all kinds of outfits and while classic clear crystal is the universal option, you may experiment with other colored crystals and shapes too (floral studs are my favorite). They are also perfect for those of you who like to keep it low-key, with minimal jewelry but still want to make a fashion statement. These are the kind of studs that you can definitely depend on!

Vanessa Hudgens Loves Zac Efron and…

2010-09-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

When you think of Vanessa Hudgens, many things may come to mind: Zac Efron, High School Musical, young love, summer skies, wavy locks, raspberry chocolate cupcakes…Umm...I think I shall stop right there. But did you know that Vanessa Hudgens is a self-proclaimed fashion fanatic?

The stylish star has admitted to owning roughly a 100 pairs of jeans! When she’s not in a sassy pair of jeans, you can see the hot brunette rocking the boho-chic look for which she’s famous for.

Vanessa likes to keep a low profile though. She’s reported to have told US Magazine the following: “I dress down, like a bum, kind of. Nobody looks at a bum, you know? That’s my theory behind it.” But girlfriend looked nothing like a bum at the premiere of Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole held at the Grauman Chinese Theatre in Hollywood recently.

She rocked her signature boho-chic style in a breezy pink, black and yellow floral print maxi dress from her favorite shop, Planet Blu which she paired with Yves Saint Laurent suede platform pumps, a leather fringe belt and a Cole Haan ‘Phoebe’ flap leather purse. But am I forgetting something here? Her jewelry of course!

Remember that the Bohemian look is incomplete without the right accessories, especially the bling and Vanessa looked fresh with her stacked up bangles, including a Cartier “Love” bangle, a silver tribal snake arm band and a long silver Katie Costello Triangle Knot necklace. Now the 21-year-old usually loves to wear a long chain along with a smaller necklace around her neck and sure enough there was a gold owl pendant necklace this time as a tribute to the film, no doubt.

So the next time you want to dress like a Boho bombshell, just look to Vanessa for some hints. Apart from the mini maxi dress, you could try out long flowing skirts with floral patterns, lace and embroidery for the ultra-feminine peasant girl look or tunic tops, denim cutoffs and cowboy boots for the more rugged Boho approach. And don’t forget that bangle bracelets, head bands, layered long chains and other oversized jewelry are the key to nail this popular fashion to express your creativity and individuality.

Coming to Vanessa, the former Disney star is said to be planning on creating a jewelry line with her friend and then slowly work her way into the fashion industry. Knowing her immaculate and trendy taste in jewelry, I can’t wait to see the fun line which I’m sure would be a hit!

Ashley Greene's New Dark Love

2010-09-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

The New York fashion Week, branded as the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 2009, occurs in February and September of each year and is one of the major fashion weeks held around the world along with those in Paris, London and Milan.

This September, the lean, mean modeling machines stomped it out to strut their stuff, courtesy Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein who were a few of the ‘Goliaths’ against some fresh ‘Davids’ such as newcomers, Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzzara, Prabul Gurung and Jason Wu (whom we all know is a fashion favorite of First Lady, Michelle Obama).

While all eyes were on the supermodels who were busy setting the fashion trends for the coming season, my irises were zoomed in on the red-hot (or black-hot, rather) Twilight starlet, Ashley Greene who killed it in a jade-toned strapless satin dress for the Donna Karan Collection show. She paired her frock with multicolored satin pumps that would surely make any girl go green along with a sleek-side pony tail.

Now the reason why I said black-hot, was purely due to her dangling black pearl earrings which gave her satin dream dress, a subtle touch of vintage chic. It’s no secret that black clothes are the most slimming but black jewelry, my sweets, is the most daring. Ask Ashley who seems to be on a black bling spree. Last week, during the 2010 MTV VMAs, she had donned a white and black lacy strapless mini with intricate lace bodice from Giambattista Valli along with Jimmy Choo heels.

But what amped the romantic look were her jeweled cuff and drop-dead gorgeous platinum drop earrings from Lorraine Schwartz’s Ofira collection which were made of, wait for it - BLACK sapphires and diamonds! Now that punches STATEMENT in your face baby!

You need not go for the costly sparklers to rock the sexy black look in jewelry though. Black onyx, bohemian glass beads and jet-colored cubic zirconia, which looks like black diamonds, can bring you the same ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ at a fraction of the cost and also define unorthodox urban glamour.

You can choose to go pure raven or merge black stones with other colors such as red, blue, pink and brown. Mix up many black bangles along with a silver bracelet or you can even steal Ashley’s New York Fashion Week look and wear pearl earrings that feature black as well as brown (or white) pearls.

Ashley isn’t the only one who’s going black. Heidi Klum wore a black diamond necklace mixed with rubies at the 2010 Emmy Awards while Lea Michelle accented her navy dress with a dark mesh diamond necklace at the same event. And one can’t ignore the darkened metallic look that’s all the rage amongst the fashion divas. With the stars emerging in dark and mysterious black bling, I think it’s pretty safe or rather dangerous to say that BLACK is definitely the new black this season!

Audrina Patridge Dazzles in Diamonds at the MTV Video Music Awards

2010-09-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

When the worlds of music and style collide at an event like the MTV Video Music Awards there’s bound to be an explosion of styles and this time some leaned towards catastrophic proportions while others, classy.

And yes by catastrophic I do mean the juicy yet tasteless meat dress worn by the infamous Lady Gaga (her diamond studded clutch would have probably looked better if it had not been made from the insides of a cow!).

Thankfully there were a few stars who managed to stand out and created some pretty cool bling trends on the white carpet, against a myriad of OTT fashion faux pas. I’m talking about pretty lady, Audrina Patridge who sparkled in a silver stone-encrusted Isaac Mizrahi dress with spaghetti straps. Now this isn’t the first time The Hills actress wore silver to an MTV awards show.

Back in June, the brunette bombshell rocked another silver dress by CD Greene to the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

But instead of getting the cynical look of disapproval from fashion critics, the 25-year-old actress made a clean sweep with her couture. Why? Because she accessorized with perfect jewelry and took the trend of stacking to a whole new level of awesome!

In addition to stacking numerous thick and thin diamond bangles from Jacob and Co Audrina also gave her equally glamorous Judith Leiber belt a stacked look. And another accessory that had the stacked appeal were her killer DIAMOND Balmain strappy sandals which made her pedicured feet look like they were wrapped delicately in diamond coils. Don’t be surprised if you’ve got a case of foot fetish coming on!

The Into the Blue actress topped off the look with natural make-up, consisting of a peachy nude lipstick and a touch of brown eyeliner.

Her incredible outfit, stacking style and attractive sparkly jewelry on her wrists and FEET made her a super-bling babe that night. Now this is what I call dazzling from head to toe!

Blake Lively's Flings with Bling at Toronto

2010-09-12T01:57:00.000-07:00

Blake Lively never ceases to stun me with her carefree yet matured sense of style. There’s something about the sun-kissed girl that keeps you guessing about what she would dole out to the next red-carpet fiesta. Every single outfit that the Gossip Girl actress dons seems like it was just randomly pulled out of her closet but she still manages to look effortlessly fashionable.

The 23-year-old actress arrived in Toronto to promote The Town, her upcoming film with Ben Affleck for the film festival pulling off a traveler-chic inspired look comprising of a baggy coat, hat, jeans and a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Vintage Long Necklace with floral details that gave her wardrobe a feminine tinge.

A few hours later, the L.A lass maintained the masculine look for her film’s press conference but looked sophisticated in an ultra-chic silk beige cut-out blouse and a sexy pair of animal-print Christian Louboutin Pigalle python pumps.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress showed that she knows a thing or two about pants herself as she rocked a pair of black belted draped ones, which emerged as the alternative to harem pants last year but still looked pretty fierce on Blake. The finishing touch to her layered look was naturally several long layered black bead chains. The strand of turquoise beads colorfully stood out at the centre and made this smart-casual look a hit.

Now her style for The Town premiere was a different saga altogether and it was girly glam power all the way. Blake wore her lovely hair down, dolled up and rightfully painted the town red in a seductive Chanel Fall 2010 Couture crimson-wine dress with rose petal details around the hip that looked absolutely gorgeous on the leggy beauty’s lean frame.

Her Christian Louboutin Big Lips 120 pencil pumps did their thing as did her black metallic earrings and three large cocktail rings with a large ruby ring as the centerpiece. Two words. Pure intoxication.

You can certainly look to Blake Lively for fashion inspiration, as she not only lets you into her fabulous wardrobe collection but also shows you that wherever you go, the right jewelry can always uplift an outfit beyond your wildest dreams. And guess what? She doesn’t even use a professional stylist! With her grasp on the latest fashion trends and amazing style sense, she truly doesn’t need one.

Jennifer Aniston Becomes Barbra Streisand For Harpar's Bazaar

2010-09-07T06:07:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Aniston wearing the Cartier Trinity necklace

Gone are the days of huddling up on the couch with a group of your best friends each week to watch every knee-slappingly funny episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. The 10 year run of the internationally popular sitcom not only had an emotional impact on all of us, but also a cultural effect.

Three words – ‘How you doin’?’ (Yes, you’ve said that now, at least once in your lifetime, haven’t you, thanks to Joey?), the Central Perk coffee house, Phoebe’s Smelly Cat which became a youtube sensation and the list could go on. And how could we forget “The Rachel” which was the nickname of Jennifer Aniston’s ever-changing hairstyle which was immediately copied all over the world?

Aniston’s come a long way in terms of her personal and professional life and she continues to make strides in the comedy genre of movies in Hollywood. She appeared in the September 2010 issue of Harpar’s Bazaar magazine, looking as classy as ever. America’s favorite funny girl wore Versace on the magazine cover and paid homage to the legendary entertainer, Barbra Streisand by replicating her iconic fashion looks in a series of shots.

Now when current-day actresses attempt to mimic celebrated actresses of yesteryears, it almost always ends up as an experiment gone wrong. But I must say Jen nailed it – the dramatic eye-makeup, the vintage hairdos and even the cat-like nails were perfect to the tee & would certainly not have made Barbra flinch.

I feel that the Jennifer was indeed an apt choice to recapture the free-spirited nature of Barba more so due to Aniston’s similar naturally sophisticated flair. Throughout the years, the 41 year old actress’ style has changed with the times while remaining simple and classic.

The Switch actress always chose lean, figure-flattering cuts with minimal fuss, subdued solid shades and delicate dainty jewelry like the one she wore this time too in my favorite Barba-style shot, wearing the newsboy cap (from Streisand’s What’s Up Doc?) and tank top. It was the timeless Cartier trinity necklace that completed the elegant look though.

Barbra Streisand in What's Up Doc?

The necklace features three intertwined circles of gold each representing different stages in a relationship: yellow gold for friendship, pink gold for love and white gold for loyalty and costs over $1000. But if you’d like more bling for your buck, you could easily get a gold-plated sterling silver imitation piece for less or try combining three of your favorite rings on a chain for a more personalized effect.

As the trend of big and bold jewelry takes the world by storm, Jennifer Aniston shows us that delicate, understated pieces still hold a special niche in everyone’s hearts and truly defy the sands of time.

Image courtesy:

http://www.harpersbazaar.com

And the Emmy Award for the Best Dress & Jewelry Goes to…

2010-09-02T00:29:00.000-07:00

It was all about statement jewelry during the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. As the silver screen stars descended on the red carpet at the Nokia Theatre in L.A, my jewelry radar was working overtime. When it came to bling, Lorrain Schwartz was the name of the evening hands down. Among all the dress colors, mysterious black and confident navy ruled the roost accented by bold statement jewelry.

Heidi Klum impressed me with her dramatic Lorraine Schwartz ruby and diamond necklace that was the highlight of her daring mini black strapless tulle dress by Marchesa. The necklace had that dark ‘blackened metal’ look that’s all the rage this season.

Eva Longoria made it difficult to ignore her with her show-stopping pair of ruby chandelier earrings by Loren Jewels arranged in a delicate floral design. They were the perfect complement to her basic black goddess gown by Robert Rogriguez which otherwise seemed like a recap of her Cannes 2010 couture.

As golden as an Emmy herself, Sofia Vergara stunned us in a Carolyn Herrera beaded gown accented with gold jewelry. I loved her inverted tulip-shaped earrings and her wavy hair that was rated the best hairstyle of the evening by E Entertainment.

And how could I not mention Glee actress Lea Michelle’s ruffled navy Oscar de La Renta fantasy dress? It was highlighted by a dark mesh diamond necklace, which reminded me of Heidi Klum’s jewelry sans the stones.

Some deemed Lea as the best dressed of the evening but it was love at first sight for me when singer Jewel entered the red carpet, looking breathtakingly divine in a sheer nude pink Zuhair Murad lace gown with a sweetheart neckline and a delightful satin bow waist.

The 36 year old Foolish Games singer paired her sparkling dress with a peach floral-shaped coral and diamond cocktail ring by Jacob & Co with matching hoop earrings that certainly brought out her flawless tanned skin. She carried a Christian Louboutin ‘Pliage’ nude satin shell-inspired clutch which completed the mermaid-goddess look.

The soulful crooner shined like a precious jewel herself, far above the blacks and blues of the evening with her bold but delicate choice of dress and exquisite jewelry. I think her wardrobe stylist needs a raise! Don’t you?

Image Courtesy:

http://www.cosmopolitan.com

Jessica Alba Goes for Gold

2010-08-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

The L.A premiere of the action thriller movie, Machete kicked off with a bang at the recently restored Orpheum Theatre in downtown L.A to which the stars of the film arrived in style in twenty bad-ass authentic low rider cars.

Jessica Alba led the pack with co-star Danny Trejo and looked amazing in an action-packed outfit herself, comprising of a black and gold sequined zigzag mini dress which she matched with black Christian Louboitin Tinazata cut-out booties.

But I was having a bizarre case of déjà vu once I set my eyes on her couture. Where had I seen it before? AH yes! Rihanna rocked a similar style on the July cover of Elle magazine in a purple and gold beaded silk version that put the spark in ‘sparkle’. Sharp edged broad shoulders, glittery material and bold colorful prints could only mean one brand – BALMAIN.

Every single look in the Balmain collection looks like a piece of abstract art and you can mark my words that the red carpet will see more of this style of dresses this season. But if you’re planning to steal Jessica’s look, here is what you should do to pull it off: Keep your hair and make-up casual but catchy. The hot 29 year old mom styled her hair in loose sexy waves which matched the zigzags on her dress too. She chose to tint her cheeks with a rosy brown blush and wore nude pink lip gloss giving off a natural fresh aura.

Moreover when you wear a show-stopping dress such as Alba’s, everything else should be kept simple including your bling. Of course a necklace would have looked rather garish with those bold prints so the Fantastic Four actress opted to stack a few stylish bangles from Aandra Neen to complete the gold look which comprised of a pewter and gold bracelet with pyramid studs and a number of thin pewter bangles with delicate gold detailing throughout.

Her wrist jewelry and cutout heels reminded me of Julia Roberts’s style for the New York premiere of Eat, Pray, Love and seeing both the leading ladies’ fashion approaches, four things are crystal clear:

Numero uno: Dresses with sharp edges are definitely here to stay and they give off a modern sophisticated look to your wardrobe.

No. 2: Cutout heels are all the rage and if you do not own a pair yet, then get yours now, pronto!

No. 3: Cover up with style with those long sleeves and high necklines to stay fashionable for the spotlight as well as the climate.

No. 4: Flaunt your unique pieces of jewelry one at a time such as a single bib necklace or that cocktail ring or a number of bangles stacked together like Jessica.

So there you go ladies – few of the vital trends for the fall with a little help from our Hollywood fashionistas. Keep rocking with style in the meantime and see you in the next blog post mi chicas!

Tyra Banks' New Obsession With Dinosaur Jewelry

2010-08-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Tyra Banks is the fashionista of all fashionistas, who is always on the lookout for fresh blood in the modeling industry as well as in the world of fashion.

Her larger-than life personality, unique ability to capitalize on her modeling and a zest for the best easily make her one of the most successful and enviable supermodels in the world. So when she flaunts her fashions, my advice would be to perk up and take notes!

Her newfound fashion pet is 21 year old, emerging fashion designer, LaQuan Smith who dressed her up in a cute caramel baby doll dress with Victorian puff sleeves for the cover of Tyra’s magazine, Tyra: Beauty Inside & Out. She combined it with Azzedine Alaia grey sandal pumps and looked nothing short of stunning. A modern-day pixie is what came to mind sans the feathery wings.

The highlight of her ensemble though was undoubtedly the giant black and white bib necklace from Basile & Pape and this is one brand that never ceases to amaze me. They gave Fergie ‘intergalactic’ a little while ago with sparkling quartz jewelry and this time it was ‘prehistoric’ for Tyra as her necklace was made out unusual materials such as chocolate agate which can be found in certain volcanic or metamorphic rocks and megalodon fossil, which (you wouldn’t believe it) is found in shark teeth! They aptly call it the Dinosaur Bib Necklace and Tyra absolutely ‘rocked’ it (pun intended).

Apart from giving your couture a more upscale look, bib necklaces shout STATEMENT when you need them to. And as the green movement hits the world of jewelry in unthinkable ways, look for natural gemstones such as turquoise, jade, wood and even bone, courtesy Tyra. These are the perfect pieces to be incorporated into those dramatic statement necklaces which will surely give a jet-sized impact!

Image Courtesy:

http://www.tyra.com

Julia Roberts Eats, Prays and Loves Her Jewelry

2010-08-21T00:51:00.000-07:00

And If I was in her shoes I wouldn’t need to adopt power dressing at all. But that is what the Mona Lisa Smile actress did for the New York Premiere of her latest chick flick.

Drew Barrymore's Sexy Transformation

2010-08-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Drew Barrymore is an actress of many facades who was first labeled as a failed child star after her childhood flings with a range of narcotics but transformed herself into the respectable actress that she is now. Her onscreen roles have translated into her personal style as well.

She’s been a rebellious wild child (think Charlie’s Angels or her nude photo shoot for Interview Magazine when she was a ripe 17), uber-girly (think 50 First Dates or Never Been Kissed), or subtly simple but rarely has she given us ‘sexy’. She’s got this adorably cute face, you know, the one with pinch-worthy cheeks and pouty lips which makes it slightly harder to make a sexy impression.

But all of that changed this August and I’m not talking about plastic surgery. The 35 year old actress put the ZING in amazing for the August issue of Elle magazine, rocking a strapless black leather dress from the Calvin Klein collection that gave her a mature yet hot look on the front cover.

But all you Jewel River readers should know by now that black is always a safe bet when it comes to dressing for a night out. So how do you distinguish yourself from the 49 other women who decided to go raven as well? With some scintillating jewelry of course! It really is your bling that will make it or break it amongst the crowd for that one night fashion stand and Drew’s cuff bracelets did me in!

The Going the Distance actress wore wide mesh cuffs from Urstadt Swan that were not made of silver but stainless steel. First of all she earns some brownie points for wearing bold but delicate jewelry as opposed to her usual understated selections but the real medal should be given for her choice of material.

The popular trend this year is to ditch the familiar and go for the eclectic but that doesn’t mean you should let go of your diamonds & gold. It wouldn’t hurt (your wallet) though to try other materials every now and then. Although silver is shinier than stainless steel, the cuffs which hung chicly on her wrist could totally be worn on the red carpet.

If you think that you’re ready to take charge, hold the reins with both hands and go the real distance as a sexy femme fatale, then follow Drew Barrymore’s lead and get ready to reap the benefits.

Image Courtesy:

http://www.elle.com

http://shop.laurenurstadtny.com

Megan Fox Gets Foxy with Elephants

2010-08-11T00:42:00.000-07:00

The MTV Teen Choice Awards left some questions unanswered. Where was Kristen Stewart when the Twilight cast needed her the most? Why didn’t the best kiss go to Taylor Lautner and Kristen in Twilight? (You've got to agree with me that it was much steamier than the one with Rob Patz. Go team JACOB!).

Most bafflingly, why in the world was Zac Efron wearing blue nail polish?! Showing off his girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgen’s girly whims and fancies in front of millions of unsuspecting viewers on national television? Not cool Zac.

But there was another hottie wearing blue that evening who probably foresaw herself winning the Choice Female Hottie Award and Choice Actress – Horror/Thriller Award because she aptly matched the colors of her chic outfit to the blue, grey and black hues on the surfboard-shaped award.

The sexy starlet was none other than the current booster to every guy’s testosterone and every girl’s envy, Megan fox and win, she did! The Transformers actress amazingly stood out like a chiseled babe on the beach as she posed with her surfboard in a two piece mini outfit when everyone else wore dresses.

She rocked a vibrant blue and white printed top and a metallic grey draped skirt from the Isabelle Marrant Fall 2010 collection and purple peep-toe pumps from Christian Louboutin. The new Armani makeup ambassador gave a final touch of glamour with Fern Freeland black and gold earrings and an array of bold rings.

But the one that drove me absolutely crazy was her diamond elephant cocktail ring from Ofira. Not only is this brunette bombshell fashion-savvy but her taste in jewelry is surprisingly impeccable too! Animal-inspired jewelry is a highly popular trend amongst the glitterati who want to make a bold statement and I’m not just talking about snake jewelry.

We’ve got owls, peacocks, dolphins and even octopuses springing up in the form of necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings but my favorite is the elegant elephant cocktail ring that elevates your outfit to a whole new level of OOMPH like how it did for Megan. She not only won awards that night but also a lot of hearts too, thanks to her sassy fashion pick and oh-so-foxy animal jewelry.

Image Courtesy:

http://www.ross-simons.com

Fergie Gets Jewelry From Outerspace

2010-08-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

“I gotta feeling...that tonight’s gonna be a good night! “

It wasn’t a good night but a frikkin’ great day when the Black Eyed Peas brought the New York crowd alive in Rumsey Playfield as they performed for ABC’s Good Morning America recently. The group’s futuristic theme in their latest songs such as in “Meet me halfway” could be seen in their ultramodern outfits too that day.

As the dancers choreographed their moves in a mechanized manner, the peas churned out their famous hits amidst smoke effects. You could imagine what Fergie would have looked like against this backdrop in an electric blue mini dress by Falguni and Shane Peacock. The top and sleeves were both black and sheer which was a fine contrast to the colorful funky patterns on her toned midriff.

But the best is yet to come. Most female singers go through several costume changes at concerts. This time Fergie didn’t change her costume but her rings! She underwent THREE ring changes, each one screaming for more attention that the previous one due to their ascending size.

The seductive starlet seems to be a huge fan of the larger-than-life ring collection from Basile and Pape that welcomes jewelry lovers to unleash their wild side. ‘Untamed, raw and bold’ are what pops up in the mind when you set your eyes on this uniquely eccentric collection of bling.

The rings are made from sterling silver, colorful, eclectic unpolished gems and metals such as quartz, silicon and titanium which are getting more and more popular this year. Seeing the “Intergalactic Knuckle Ring”, the “Polar Ring,” and the “Star Love Ring” that Fergie wore at the concert, it seemed like the seductive singer went for a Martian promenade under the two moons and collected some precious cosmic stones for her rings.

So what are you waiting for? Jump into your spaceship and zoom away into space with your own bold & colorful cocktail rings. Get wild, let loose and get FERGALACTIC I say!

Image Courtesy:

http://www.basileandpape.com

The Clinton Affair - Chelsea Ties Knot in Flowers

2010-08-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

Did you hear? Former president Bill Clinton was in the news recently for...hold your breath now…it was for…his daughter’s wedding of course!

America’s very own royal wedding of the century took place recently at the Astor Courts in Rhinebeck in New York where a super-flushed Chelsea Clinton finally tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend and investment banker, Marc Mezvinsky amidst the crème de la crème (sans Mr. Obama though).

Yes, there were $600,000 tents with glass walls, flowers worth half a million bucks, mobile toilets, security that costed $200,000 and yadayadayada! I shall cut the – I mean cut to the chase and reveal what you’ve been waiting for – her look for the big ‘I do’ moment.

She dazzled every dollar that was invested in her custom-made Vera Wang strapless organza gown which featured a draped silk tulle bodice. The highlight of the gown was undoubtedly her bejeweled belt which gave it a modern yet elegant twist and is a fantastic style trend that any bride-to-be can emulate.

But you would be surprised by Chelsea’s choice of minimal ornaments – an understated pair of diamond earrings, matching tennis bracelet and her princess cut diamond engagement ring set in platinum. The earrings were simply a delight though and comprised of two clusters of seven diamonds that were set to resemble small flowers.

The former first daughter serves as a beacon of light to show that a few pieces of tasteful jewelry can still complement your wedding gown on that big romantic day. Now if Marc didn’t fall in love with her all over again after seeing her dainty look, then I certainly would have (with her jewelry of course).

Madonna Designs New Trendy Clothing Line

2010-07-30T03:13:00.001-07:00

Angelina Jolie Sets Russian Red Carpet On Fire

2010-07-26T10:53:00.001-07:00

Angelina Jolie’s appearance at Moscow recently was like a pinch of ‘salt’ to spice up a dish. She was there to promote her latest thriller Salt in which she plays the role of a Russian spy. Angie pulled a rare 'Kristen Stewart' by donning a color other than black, the color of love, blood, passion & danger – RED.

Not surprisingly her fans devoured every bit of her while she stood like a queen in a red halter neck silk chiffon gown from Versace Atelier that hugged her slim tattooed body.

Perhaps the Tomb Raider actress checked up on the Moscow weather before touching down in the land of Vodka because it seemed like she took full advantage of the wind by letting her gown’s train and long hair flow radiantly in the zephyrs.

Asked about her training for the movie, she said she had to spend long hours practicing Russian, a language which she described as ‘soft and seductive’. Not far from her jewelry choice at the premiere I would say, comprising solely of a sparkling pair of subtle diamond earring studs, which didn’t steal the thunder of her siren-hot red attire but nevertheless it gave it a touch of sophistication.

Take a tip from Brad Pitt’s lady that whenever you want your couture to be the centre of attention, keep your other accessories to a minimum but at the same time it is imperative that you do not neglect wearing jewelry to make a statement such as a classy pair of diamond studs or a single bracelet.

Spies are notorious for hiding top secrets but I think we can excuse Angelina Jolie, just this one time, in the name of jewelry fashion of course!

Star Wars: Gwen Stefani vs. Miley Cyrus

2010-07-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

Gwen Stefani sang to us in ‘Sweet Escape’ that she had been a real bad girl & Miley Cyrus struck her own bad girl chord by singing that she couldn’t be tamed. We totally understand their brutally honest musings after seeing their identical dress-up drama of Shredded t-shirts from Obesity and Speed which could have landed them in jail (in the land of high-fashion of course).

The front of the tee can be excused but turn the crooners around and you would find yourself gasping for oxygen and asking – Is it a cobweb? Is it a sweater attacked by a cat’s nails? Is it a bird’s nest? Well I can tell you it certainly isn’t Superman! I can hear the car siren of the fashion police already.

Miley chose to complete her so-called rock star look with a blue cropped camisole, paint-splattered skinny jeans and Frye boots, back in January whereas Gwen opted for a more casual style and wore her striped version of the *ahem* t-shirt along with baggy harem pants and a bright blue bra a few days ago.

Yes, we understand your need to bare your emotions ladies but not all this skin for the love of Gucci! But let’s move on to safer waters, ignoring the backside of the tops now, shall we? Jewelry. Gwen went all white with a neat stack of numerous bangles on each wrist but Miley drove the opposite way with a few goth-black chunky bangles and rings en suite.

Vital jewelry fact: When thou art going for the rebellious raggedy look thou should combine thy rags with less raggedy looking bling. Therefore the Sweet Escape singer and mother of two surpassed the 17 year old face of Hannah Montana. But who do YOU think pulled off this style better? You, the jury will decide. For now, case dismissed!

Ashley Greene's Psychic Jewelry

2010-07-18T03:07:00.000-07:00

Here’s a Twilight fun fact: The eyes of a vampire who feeds on animals, are said to be a deep golden color whereas the eyes of a bloodthirsty vampire who feeds on human beings are said to be red just like the short lipstick red Versace dress that Twilight Eclipse actress Ashley Greene chose to wear during the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.

Needless to say, all eyes of the hungry paparazzi as well as other celebrities were on the gorgeous actress as she showed off her bare shoulders along with a black clutch from Raven Kauffman Couture and black Brian Atwood pumps.

The hot 23 year old plays the role of Alice Cullen, a petite vegetarian vampire who has the power to foresee the future. Perhaps the jewelry she sported on the red carpet has something to do with her psychic abilities. Here’s why. Ancient beliefs relate that subsequent planet movement provided a map of a person’s moods and decision making process.

Consequentially Ashley chose only a single jewelry piece in the form of a black, eclectic stone-studded cuff bracelet by Padma Lakhsmi. The cuff is from a micro collection called Nav which is based around traditional Hindu beliefs, incorporating nine precious stones into one jewelry piece, which represent the nine planets that harness the stones’ energy which is said to give the wearers balance and harmony, as not just one planet is pulling them in one way.

Ashley also shows us that wearing just a single jewelry piece can do wonders to uplift your outfit. No wonder she exuded a mystical power on the red carpet just like her counterpart, Alice Cullen in Twilight who not only foresees the future of every soul on the planet but also has Jasper hooked to her vampire hotness!

Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem’s Secret Wedding

2010-07-16T03:22:00.000-07:00

From their sizzling performance together, way back in Jamon Jamon to their recent romantic escapades in Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona, it was pretty obvious that the chemistry between Spanish hotties, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem was brimming over the test tube. Penelope’s luscious lips have always been sealed about their three year romance but the Spanish cat is out of the bag mi chica.

The lovebirds joined the recent host of stars to wed in private and tied the knot at a secret wedding at a friend’s place in the Bahamas this month. Didn’t we see this coming, my pretties, when the beautiful Oscar winner refused to comment on her sparkling Princess Diana-style sapphire and diamond ring in 2009? I’m sure that the ever-present sparkler shone in the Bahamas sun on her engagement finger at the intimate nuptials along with a stunning wedding gown, designed by her dear friend, John Galliano.

Nowadays, more and more star couples are going for less pricey colored gemstones for wedding or engagement rings, replacing the traditional diamond. I wouldn’t ask you to leave out the diamond altogether though. You can give subtle hints to your beau to choose a colored gemstone such as a sapphire, ruby or emerald as the centerpiece and surround it with complementing diamonds or treated cubic zirconium stones for that special ring.

The Spaniards may not be the best conquerors in world history but when it comes to pure refined jewelry hotness, they certainly know what it’s all about. Just ask Penelope & Javier!

Marion Cotillard's Sexy Little Secret

2010-07-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

Marion Cotillard is a French actress and she’s a testament to the old saying “beauty & brains.” But she ain’t any normal beauty with brains. She made film history by becoming the first person to win an Academy Award for a French language performance for the movie La Vie en Rose.

She’s been dating Guillaume Canet for 3 years now but the classy French actress has been having frivolous affairs on the side too with Christian Dior, Chopard & Jimmy Choo. They have wooed her with their creations for quite a while and they were last seen, seducing her on the red carpet at the Paris premiere of Inception, Marion’s latest flick with Leonardo DiCaprio.

Jimmy Choo adorned her French feet with beige cutout heels and Chopard kissed her fingers with a beautiful emerald-cut diamond ring. The fact that she chose to wear highly minimal jewelry and nude shoes shows that it was clearly all about the dress that night.

The 35 year old actress looked 25 in an uber-feminine, strapless black and white dress from Dior with a black lace overlay and sweetheart neckline. From what I have seen so far, Marion has always been a fan of classic hairstyles. But this time she sported a sexy pompadour that modernized her retro look.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you’re in a dilemma on how to match jewelry pieces together for your outfit, it’s sometimes best to simply stick to just one piece like Mademoiselle Marion. Because doing so actually highlights that particular jewelry. In Marion’s case, it was her lovely ring from Chopard.

In Inception, Leonardo DiCaprio plays the role of a man who is enlisted to steal secrets within people’s subconscious state of mind. Might I dare say that we have stolen Marion’s little jewelry secret of keeping it simple for maximum exposure? SSHHHHH….

Rihanna's New Boyfriend & Cosmic Jewelry Trend

2010-07-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

If you’re planning to read the July issue of Elle magazine then be sure to wear your pair of designer sunglasses. Why? Because the glossy front cover has been transformed into a glittering potpourri of incredibly shiny couture and eye-blinding bling. It looks so dazzling that you might get your hands sprinkled with the star dust.

The only R&B glam diva that could bring the sparkling oomph to any magazine’s front page without looking too over-the-top is none other than the singer of the R-Rated song album, Rihanna.

She looked amazing in a purple and gold beaded silk dress and a gold studded belt from Balmain topped off with smoky eye-makeup. Highly intergalactic I say! She’s famous for stacking her rings and she did it this time too with an emerald ring from Chopard, a diamond, onyx & sapphire ring from Cartier and her own Neil Lane rings.

The three-time Grammy award winner has gotten herself a new dark chocolate hair streak color, a new boyfriend, namely L.A dodger Matt Kemp, and yes, a brand new jewelry trend for fashion-forward bling lovers everywhere: Humongous hoop earrings or what I would like to call, cage earrings, with not one, not two but four large silver hoops on each ear.

It’s good to see that hoop earrings aren’t just a basic accessory anymore but provide a wide scope for fashionable innovation by the likes of music superstars such as Rihanna & Alicia Keys. What I like about the earrings is that they bring the wearer’s outfit to life as the hoops are always on the move, rotating within each other like rings around a planet, which really suited the Barbadian singer’s celestial style as well.

So all you pretty babes out there, the message from the universe has been received: rock it like Rihanna with those fab hoop earrings, because let me tell you, you can never go wrong!

Image Courtesy:

http://www.popbytes.com

Paris Hilton's True Colors

2010-07-05T03:27:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton has not always made the right decisions in life. But when it comes to her wardrobe, boy oh boy, the hotel heiress sure knows how to sparkle (almost). She was spotted at Roberstson Boulevard with her sister, Nicky Hilton, in Los Angeles recently, doing what she does best. Shopping of course! But did her dress do her justice?

Paris served as eye candy for the paparazzi, literally, wearing a long rainbow-like striped maxi gown, the colors of which may have been right for the summer but overall, made her look rather like a colorful party balloon or a pregnant woman in her first trimester.

She could have really shined had the dress been converted into a short vibrant tank top, matched with a pair of black-blue denims. Nonetheless her jewelry may have been the saving grace for her, during the diva’s day out.

The multi-millionaress simply could not leave her gold behind as she accessorized with a jeweled headband, chunky gold bracelet & a gold cocktail ring on either hand. And how could one not miss the overpowering multihued bib necklace? The neck piece was without doubt, the showstopper of her look and comprised of a yellow crochet centerpiece surrounded by a combination of colorful crochet designs and large irregular-shaped beads.

Well you certainly need not to be a millionaress to whip on a fancy beaded necklace. Beads are all the rage this summer and they come in various sizes and shapes. You can try a beaded necklace or bracelet that really helps in revealing your playful and fun persona.

As for Paris Hilton who is usually seen in pink, pink & pink, due credit needs to be given for her new fashion efforts. The 70s fashion hippy look suits you girl, but next time, go easy on the stripes!

Lindsay Lohan Reinvents Herself with Leggings and Layered Chains

2010-07-01T03:32:00.000-07:00

Keri Hilson’s trend-setting inverted inner wear and chunky chains have seemed to rub off on diva-in-distress, Lindsay Lohan. In her new promotional campaign for her spring/summer 6126 leggings collection, the hard-partying actress actually looked like she may have converted into a chic fashion phoenix. Lohan is set to pose in the nude for a new set of shots for her handbag line but for the leggings collection she was completely clad of course.

The 23 year old showed off her fabulous curves and legs in a white corsette with shiny black leggings. Lindsay darling, don’t you realize that you do look good with your clothes on?! And it looks like her alcohol-monitoring anklet is not the only jewelry that the diva possesses. She nailed it with her bling by following in the footsteps of Keri Hilson, rocking a silver delicate layered necklace that completed her sexy outfit to perfection.

The name of the leggings collection was inspired by sex-symbol, Marilyn Monroe’s birth date, June 1 1926. But let’s hope Lindsay doesn’t parade her way into destruction like the fallen idol. Now all she needs to do is to revive her cherry red hairdo & pre-party monster attitude & she will be on her way to fashion redemption.

Image Courtesy: http://www.hollywoodlife.com

Alicia Keys’ Bangles Bigger Than Her Baby Bump

2010-06-28T01:22:00.000-07:00

Singer Alicia Keys brought Central Park to life recently as she performed on ABC’s “Good Morning America”, drawing the largest crowd in the history of the programme’s summer concert series as she wowed the audience with her renditions of Empire State of Mind and Broken Heart.

There was pure energy exuding from the glowing expectant mother-to-be as she flaunted her burgeoning baby bump in a causal white khaki romper accented with a dark brown belt. It was not just the bump she was showing off though.

The usual funky wildness of her hair had shifted to her goliath bronze bangles, stacked stylishly along her arm for even the farthest audience to see. Perhaps the 29 year old R&B singer got inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama who sported similar large bangles at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. A pair of bronze tinted metallic hoop earrings complemented the bangles.

The beautiful singer is proof enough that all the preggy ladies out there need not drown in a pitiful mountain of boring maternity clothes and zilch fashion sense. If your tummy is getting bigger, that’s a perfect reason to celebrate with even bolder jewelry, which is definitely something stylish to reminisce about with your kids in the future!

Kristen Stewart: Twilight Snow White at Eclipse Premiere

2010-06-24T23:27:00.000-07:00

Thousands of Twilight fans went over the moon (pun intended) yesterday as they finally got to witness their favorite Twilight Saga: Eclipse stars, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart & Taylor Lautner on the gothic black carpet (that’s right, black!) for the most-awaited movie premiere of the year.

They had been waiting all week, in make-shift tents outside the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre with the hope of getting spots near the black carpet and their patience finally paid off. I was over the moon for a different reason altogether: Kristen Stewart took a risk and wore WHITE! Halleluiah! It’s about time girl.

She looked neither like a vampire nor a werewolf but a contemporary angel, who finally decided to come out of her black couture comfort heaven and shine like the pearly white moon itself. Now this is what I call a reverse fashion eclipse. She rocked a white backless, one-sleeved Ellie Saab mini gown with Big Lips 120 suede pumps from Christian Louboutin.

I must admit that before checking out whatever Kristen’s wearing, I always find myself searching for her lucky necklace with the tiny circular pendant. And not surprisingly, I found the chain, peeking at me, naughtily from her neckline. Kristen’s become inseparable with her lucky charm, I tell you, as she wears it with almost every outfit & not necessarily for show. A single gold ring adorned her left hand and completed her pure angelic look.

The bold change in wardrobe definitely seemed to reflect in her positive attitude as she looked comfortable & happy, graciously pleasing her fans by posing with them for photos. She did not look one bit the publicity-shy Kristen that we normally see. On June 30^th, we will get to know what happens to Bella amidst the war of vampires & werewolves but the mystery behind the lucky chain still remains.