Valentine's Day Countdown

I'm still working busily on Valentine's Day jewelry and am just taking a moment to post a few things in the last minutes. I have a Valentine's Jewelry page that I am trying to complete (yes, I'm just as last minute as many of those men who wait and wait to buy their gifts although you would be surprised at how many will get in touch with me a month ahead of time: I've been impressed!). The first picture is of a gold ankle bracelet made with rubies and goldfilled charms and beads. It's called "Turtle Days and Starfish Nights" after the little sea themed charms hanging from the tube beads. Next is a pair of earrings made with heart-shaped freshwater coin pearls (I call them "Baroque" because they have little extra tabs of nacre on them so while they are definitely a recognizable heart shape, they are a little "off", too). The earrings have Karen Hill Tribes butterfly beads and rest on a cabochon freshwater pearl that is bezel-set in sterling silver. They hang from sterling posts with a swirling design and another bezel-set pearl on the front. They would look great with the pearl and Swarovski crystal bracelet below created from the same freshwater pearl hearts and Azores (my favorite very pale blue) crystals.


And of course, I have more red jewelry, a must for Valentine's Day jewelry since red symbolizes love and passion. The Swarovski crystal bracelet below features lampwork beads by Robin Weber, her fire opal beads that are a deep red laced with sterling silver for the ultimate in shine. I've mixed them with the darkest red Swarovski crystals, pretty Bali silver, and Karen Hill Tribes charms, including a garnet charm that hangs beside the heart-shaped Swarovski crystal in the middle of the bracelet. This bracelet can be found on the Swarovski Crystal Bracelets page as well as theValentine's Jewelry page. The bottom bracelet features red also, only a lighter tone this time. The sparkling silver-flecked lampwork beads are by Lynn Nurge of Laffinggull. These Swarovski beads are a lighter red tone to match with the lighter coloured lampwork beads, but they are still large (10mm) as are the ones in the bracelet before. This bracelet can also be found on the same pages.
Back to work I go! And if you've been reading about all the terrible weather and the storms, yes, those were in my part of the country, the worst in Jackson, Tennessee were just across the Mississippi River from us (we're 3 miles away from the Missouri line to the north and to the east about 3 miles is the Mississippi River). The terrible storms were also just an hour south of us as well, but luckily we escaped harm although the winds here were strong enough to turn over our heavy metal patio chairs.

Swarovski
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10,000th comment

We have a winner for our contest:

Counting backwards in the list below:

You can see our winner is Anir. I'd previously told Rebecca (two below these) she'd won but I was in error not having refreshed the list once I'd deleted some spam comments. Silly me. Anyway, Anir is our winner. As no prize was defined, maybe Anir can submit an idea or even submit an idea for a topic she'd like to see covered on F-I. I'll also honor Rebecca's request since I wouldn't want to disappoint her for my error.

Feel free to lobby either two for your ideas of what you'd like to see here. Actually, you don't need to lobby anyone. Post away!

Michael Kors & Calvin Klein PLUS lines at Macys!

Ok, SHOCKING! Michael Kors and Calvin Klein have both started plus size lines that are being sold at Macy's, Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor. I have to admit that I learned this fact from my fabulous friend Kathryn's blog TheBudgetFashionista.com. The Bloomingales website does not feature the lines right now, but I did see a few pieces at Macy's online. I am not impressed with Calvin so far, but check out these Michael Kors pieces:



L: Mosaic Print Dress, $169.95

R: Cap Sleeve Lace Shirt, $69.50












There is also a somewhat cute Tiger Print sweater, but I have issues with designers thinking that all plus size women want to wear animal print. Even though sometimes we do....but I digress. Go to Macys or Bloomies and support Michael Kors and Calvin Klein! When straight size designers start designing for us, we need to show them that we'll buy their stuff (especially if its actually good!).

Mother’s Day Lingerie

After having gotten over last year's apprehension about getting mom lingerie for Mother's Day, and with thanks to Rachel for setting me straight, I'm here to present 5 great lingerie picks for Mother's Day 2008. To review previous discussions, Mother's Day is a bit of a strange holiday. In many cases, men are expected to purchase Mother's Day gifts for their wives, and in others these same men may be purchasing Mother's Day gifts for their own mothers. Of course, women will also buy Mother's day gifts for their moms and it's not quite as weird for a woman to buy her own mom some sleepwear. Furthermore, if you're a woman and you're sick of just getting poorly glued construction paper and Popsicle sticks for Mother's Day, then why not go out an get yourself something nice?

In an attempt to find something for everyone, I've broken this year's picks into 5 separate theoretical scenarios. So without further ado (and by “ado”, I mean aimless rambling), here they are...

1) Flirty. You're a guy and you want to let her know you think she's sexier than ever even though you now see her more often in sweat pants than that little black cocktail dress you used to love so much. The Oscar de la Renta Lucky You Chemise is for you. Well, actually it's for her - but you get the point. This flirty chemise is called “Lucky You” for a reason. You'll both feel lucky when she puts it on. It's classic, beautiful and will look great on just about any body shape.

2) Nursing. So, you've got a brand new bundle of joy gracing your home. Congratulations! That kid wants to eat all the time, though. You've gotta find something comfortable for mom that offers that hungry baby easy access without exposing mom to the rest of the world. Problem solved. The Japanese Weekend Short Sleeve Nursing Wrap is made of comfy soft stretch cotton, looks great, and it helps mom find a quick snack for hungry baby. As an added bonus, it comes with stretch cotton capri pants. Watch out, though. Dad may just get jealous, so you'll need to get him this.

3) Maternity. Maybe the bun is still in the oven and you'd like to get a head start on Mother's Day. Mom's probably not feeling extremely comfortable now and there's a lot to plan for. Heck, when that baby is born, people are going to want to come see it. She may be breast feeding after the baby's born. What to do? Get mom to be the Bella Materna Maternity Wrap and matching lounge pants. This outfit is perfect for the hospital. It's stylish enough to be seen in, but comfortable enough to “recover” in. It also transitions well to nursing so its usefulness lasts far beyond the day you take baby home.

4) Comfortable. Mother's Day is all about making mom comfortable, and a lot of what we've featured so far is extremely comfortable. As a general rule, however, it's not a good idea to get mom maternity clothing unless she's actually pregnant or nursing. So here's something every mom will love. The Cosabella Charlotte Collection bamboo long pants and matching camisole are perfect for just hanging out. Bamboo is a natural, breathable fabric that is softer even than cashmere. It keeps mom feeling cool, dry and relaxed. The collection is inspired by HBO's Sex and the City, so if she's a fan (and what woman isn't), that's an added bonus.

5) Luxurious. Chances are, mom wouldn't mind a trip to the spa for Mother's Day. If that's just not possible, then you can at least give her a luxurious treat in the form of this Spa Robe from Vera Wang. It's 100% terry cotton with wide cuffs on the sleeves and a removable tie belt. Make sure you like the way it looks, because you'll be seeing her wear it often.

Whoever you are and whatever you do, enjoy this Mother's Day. We here at the Intimate Guide realize that lingerie is not your only gift option. We're just rather partial to it. So, good luck with your gift gathering and if you're a mom yourself, we hope you receive everything you deserve.

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt at Cannes

I have no interest in the gossip that surrounds Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt; however, I am very interested in what they wearing. At the Cannes Film Festival this May they looked gorgeous!

Angelina Jolie broke out of her uniform of black and wore a stunning green gown that complimented her pregnant belly and large bust. Made by Max Azria Atelier, the skirt of the dress was wonderfully romantic as it swirled around her feet and the accents beneath her chest took the silhouette to a new style level.

Brad Pitt, of course, always chooses a classic look with a modern twist when he makes his fancy appearances. His white button down, charcoal colored tie and white handkerchief scream sexy style when paired with this chic black suit. This is how a stylish man does Black Tie.

Baroni Designs Jewelry

Sarah Baroni has been creating her collection of handcrafted sterling silver jewelry in Arcata, California, since 1991. She is inspired by the natural beauty of her home town on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as well as the North Coast of California where she now lives. It is the organic artistry that resonates in the jewelry Sarah designs - striking pieces that are refined, unique, and timeless. Her designs are classic and elegant, and know no season. They gracefully accentuate the individuality of the wearer.





Sterling Silver Lavender Resin Rectangle Ring

$50



The Baroni Collection offers an inviting variety of sterling silver jewelry for women, men, and children that is sold in popular catalogs like Red Envelope and in chain stores such as Eddie Bauer. They also create specialty corporate items for companies such as Coca-Cola and Mercedes.





Sterling Silver & Ocean Resin Pendant

Freeform Open Circle on Snake Chain Necklace

$55



How was Baroni Designs born?

Sarah Baroni and Cathy Witkos were living in San Francisco. They both had backgrounds in jewelry, and were both always looking for nice sterling silver pieces at reasonable prices. Ultimately they began to make their own jewelry, and that slowly evolved into Baroni Designs. The designs reflect an appreciation for understated but beautiful jewelry. It has moved rapidly into new areas (such as yoga jewelry), and maintains a diverse customer base. The company is now in its 16th year of business.





Matte & Polished Sterling Silver Double Disc Earring

$45



Artist Statement

As we begin our 17th year for Baroni Designs, our hearts are filled with gratitude for so many things. We enjoy a safe, harmonious (most of the time) workplace with an amazing group of people who truly care about what they do, and a loyal, fun and very diverse group of customers that help make our jobs worthwhile and enjoyable.



After many years of building the business, we have reached a point where we are able to give back to the community. Each year we design and sell a breast cancer collection. The 2007 collection exceeded sales from the previous year by over 200%. We were thrilled to donate a portion of those proceeds to the Humboldt Community Breast Health Project, a wonderful cause on behalf of all of our staff and customers.



In addition to the breast cancer collection, which we will again update in fall of 2008. Throughout the year, we will be choosing charities that benefit women, children, and the environment. A portion of all sales will benefit these charities. As the charities are chosen our web page will be updated.



And now we invite you to peruse the all new 2008 Baroni catalog. We are thrilled to offer a full array of looks this season. It is our favorite season yet, with new looks and lower prices on many of the styles. Again, whether you have long been acquainted with Baroni Designs or are new to us, we welcome you, and thank you.

Sarah Baroni & Cathy Witkos

See full article.





Related Entries:

EK Designs - Jewelry for Us All - 19 June 2007

Jewelry That Rocks - 28 July 2007

Emily Armenta Inspiring Jewelry Designs - 08 September 2007

DiSpagna Jewelry Gets Creative with Cold Fusion Jewelry! - 18 December 2007

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Style Inspiration: Out at Sea

Ciara attends a taping of BET's 106 & Park on July 18, 2007 in New York City.

Amerie and Kelly mix denim with this season's nautical trend.

¾ sleeve top: Aimee Keyhole Top, $13.80, www.forever21.com; Necklace: Wood Anchor Necklace, $8.90, www.forever21.com; Skirt: Rope Belt Pencil Skirt, $64, www.topshop.com; Heels: Letsey, $150, www.dune.co.uk; Hat: Nautical Stripe Newsboy Cap, $22, www.fredflare.com; Sneakers: Chuck Taylor All Satr Patent, $49.69, www.converse.com; Red pants: Multi Button Sailor Pant, $19.99, www.wetseal.com; Dress: Navy Stripe Bow Dress, $56, www.missselfridge.co.uk; Short sleeve top: Stripe V Neck , $9.99, www.charlotterusse.com; Sunglasses: Dita Xanadu Sunglasses, $350, www.shopintuition.com; Bag: Nautical Rope Bag, $26, www.alloy.com; Anklet: Anchor on 9inch Anklet, $5.99, www.girlprops.com; Shorts: High Waisted Sailor Shorts, $22.99, www.charlotterusse.com; White pants: Sound of Summer Trouser, $148, www.fcusbuymail.com; Espadrilles: Candyce Espadrille by Steve Maadden, $149.95, www.endless.com

Anchors away! The nautical trend that’s hit our favorite stores is here to stay (throughout the summer at least). Make like a sailor about to set sea with nautical stripes in navy blue or red; high-waisted, multi button sailor pants and shorts; espadrilles and rope detail accessories. Amerie and Kelly Rowland wore denim with their striped tops and added bright red shoes and accessories to finish the look off. Ciara on the other hand jumped straight into the trend with a sporty-nautical dress and gravity defying wedges. Get some inspiration from my picks above then plan your own trip out to sea!

Credit: Photo of Amerie from theybf.com

Picture Perfection

You know that I'm a big fan of Rosalind Russell, and you know that I Love bulldogs, so you know that I squealed when I saw this perfect photo -



I grabbed this photo from It'll Take the Snap out of Your Garters

Even a Supermodel wants Posh to Fatten Up

Word is from Cele*female-doggie* that Project Runway star and supermodel Heidi Klum has given Posh Spice the gift that keeps on giving. Weekly deliveries of cupcakes for a year.

Do I smell a feud, or dare I say - *female doggie* fight?! Pass the (obviously uneaten) chocolate goods, and let's watch!

Cognac Diamonds

Designer Jewelry

Brown diamonds are very hot in the fashion world these days. The shades and hues of brown diamonds, usually grouped under the category of champagne diamonds, can be light and pinkish like wine or dark and rich like cinnamon.



Although they are the most common natural-colored diamond, production at the world's largest diamond mine, the Argyle Mine in Australia, has been down in recent years, and geologists and miners there have not discovered any new deposits. And demand for champagne diamonds has increased.





Cognac and White Diamond Bangle

A luxurious design with contemporary flair. This shimmering bracelet is crafted in polished 14k white gold. It features 34 brilliant round cut cognac diamonds in pave settings at the center. It is also flanked with 32 brilliant round cut diamonds, also in pave settings at the sides. The total diamond weight is approximately 0.71ct.



Cognac diamonds can be yellow, brown, and dark orange in color. Cognac diamonds weighing more than 3 carats are extremely rare but, just like yellow diamonds, their price depends more on fashion than on rareness. A 3-carat pink diamond, which is less rare, is worth 10 times more!





Arco Baleno Cognac Diamond Pendant

Vibrant cognac diamonds.

Dazzling white diamonds.

Criss-cross design of 14k white gold.



If Cognac Diamonds are out of your price range, Cognac Quartz is a good alternative, and it's similar in color. It's very beautiful, and also affordable. Like this lovely ring:





Cognac Quartz Five-Stone Band

This artistic ring is crafted in 14k rose gold, with five brilliant round cognac diamonds in prong settings. The openwork around the band is exquisite. The total diamond weight is approximately 1.25ct. The setting size is 1/4" x 15/16" with a height of 3/16."



In recent years, $5 billion worth of champagne and cognac diamond jewelry has sold annually around the world, meaning these jewels are the most accessible natural-colored diamonds for consumers. As more and more celebrities have been spotted sporting all shades of brown diamonds on the red carpet, the popularity of these natural beauties has been taking off.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Designer for Princesses - 08 March 2007

Judith Ripka Speaks at WJA Conference - 20 March 2007

Baubles up for Bid - 08 December 2007

Take a Gander at Vancox - 05 February 2008

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