How to Trade-up Diamond Jewelry

In this video series, Ronnie Mervis of Mervis Diamonds provides tips on how to buy diamond jewelry. Jewelz

"Live Life Inspired"

Auntcarla.com

How to Buy Diamond Jewelry Online

In this video series, Ronnie Mervis of Mervis Diamonds provides tips on how to buy diamond jewelry. jewelz

"Live Life Inspired"

Auntcarla.com

How to Clean Your Jewelry

Wendy Adeler shows you how to properly care for your jewelry. Jewelz

"Live Life Inspired"

Auntcarla.com

How to Buy a Diamond

This video will show how to buy a diamond. Expert Ronnie Mervis describes the fundamentals of buying a diamond and the characteristics that determine the quality, value and cost of a diamond. Specifically, he discusses the 4 C's - cut, color, clarity and carat weight - which serve as the basis for any new diamond purchase. This video includes pitfalls to avoid when selecting a quality stone, as well as the importance of proportion in securing a diamond with the most brilliant luster and sparkle. Jewelz

"Live Life Inspired"

Auntcarla.com

Bejeweled: Take 50% OFF @ Shopthelook.net!

Gracing the pages of Shopthelook.net are the most up-to-the-minute trends, hottest “it” items and absolute must-have accessories. ShoptheLook.net caters to fellow fashionistas all across the globe. Their mission is to make the world a prettier place one accessory at a time! Make Mom feel prettier too by getting her some fabulous jewelry and accessories of the utmost quality from, ShoptheLook.net!

Take 50% OFF:

Right now looking pretty just got more affordable. That's because ShoptheLook.net is offering 50% Off Orders, when you use Coupon Code NEW50. That's right, half off any order, up to $20 when you use Coupon Code NEW50 at Checkout. ShoptheLook.net experts jet set all over the world to stock their inventory with, fabulous and affordable jewelry & accessories at a budget friendly pricepoint! So perk up Fashion Circle Followers, because this deal is a potential bonanza for all accessories freaks.

Bonus Coupons:

ShoptheLook.net - 20% Off Entire Purchase with Code NEW20
ShoptheLook.net - Free Gift ($18 Value) with $10 Purchase. Use Code FREEGIFT10
ShoptheLook.net - Accessorize Like the Stars. Free Shipping on orders over $50!
ShoptheLook.net - 20% Off all Alice in Wonderland Jewelry with ALICE20!
ShoptheLook.net - 25% Off All Earrings with code SPEAR25!
ShoptheLook.net - 25% Off All Necklaces with code SPNECK25!

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

Willie D

Gifts For You & Mom @ Shopthelook.net!!!

Gracing the pages of Shopthelook.net are the most up-to-the-minute trends, hottest “it” items and absolute must-have accessories. ShoptheLook.net caters to fellow fashionistas all across the globe. Their mission is to make the world a prettier place one accessory at a time! Make Mom feel prettier too by getting her some fabulous jewelry and accessories of the utmost quality from, ShoptheLook.net!

Take 50% OFF:

Right now looking pretty just got more affordable. That's because ShoptheLook.net is offering 50% Off Orders, when you use Coupon Code NEW50. That's right, half off any order, up to $20 when you use Coupon Code NEW50 at Checkout. ShoptheLook.net experts jet set all over the world to stock their inventory with, fabulous and affordable jewelry & accessories at a budget friendly pricepoint! So perk up Fashion Circle Followers, because this deal is a potential bonanza for all accessories freaks.

Bonus Coupons:

ShoptheLook.net - 20% Off Entire Purchase with Code NEW20
ShoptheLook.net - Free Gift ($18 Value) with $10 Purchase. Use Code FREEGIFT10
ShoptheLook.net - Accessorize Like the Stars. Free Shipping on orders over $50!
ShoptheLook.net - 20% Off all Alice in Wonderland Jewelry with ALICE20!
ShoptheLook.net - 25% Off All Earrings with code SPEAR25!
ShoptheLook.net - 25% Off All Necklaces with code SPNECK25!

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

Willie D

Zippers: Functional and Fashionable

Seven years ago, when Kate Cusack noticed a long zipper holding the edges of an old slip cover together, she instantly became inspired by the multi-functional piece of material.

“I thought of it not as a zipper but as a faceted piece of metal,” she says.

After experimenting with the malleable material, Cusack delved into the realm of jewelry design, creating what she calls “wearable art.” Her first collection in 2002 was a line of zipper pins. Cusack hand sews the zippers into large, brightly colored flowers, available with both gold and silver hardware.

The visually intriguing pieces are a refreshingly unique interpretation of a material we all use on a daily basis. “I like to find typical materials that I can use in unusual ways,” she says.

Cusack first started giving her pins away as gifts and then, in 2003, she began selling them after teaming up with Marissa Alperin, an old high school friend who owns a studio in Brooklyn Heights. Alperin, also a jewelry designer, features delicate precious and semi-precious earrings, necklaces and rings. Cusack brought her chunky, eclectic zipper jewelry to be showcased alongside Alperin’s. From there, Cusack says the popularity of her designs was “very organic.”

When Alperin’s shop was featured in New York Magazine’s, Cusack’s jewelry also received a spotlight in their “Best Bets” column. With this exposure, Cusack then moved her wares to the Fellisimo Design House, located at 10 West 56^th St., where they were featured in an exhibit entitled “Made in Brooklyn.”

The success of her pin collection soon led Cusack to start creating new designs. She has now expanded her collection to include necklaces and bracelets, with her retail prices reflecting the complexity of each design. Zipper pins retail for $85, bracelets retail from $120 to $300, and necklaces retail from $300 to $1,200.

The intricate designs are both eye-catching and beautiful. “I like the contrast between the soft material and the hard material,” she says. Cusack plays with shapes and loves the “aha” moment when customers realize they are made of zippers.

Customers can find Cusack’s pins and select bracelets in her online shop, while her necklaces are sold in galleries such as Julie: Artisans’ Gallery in NYC and the Snyderman-Works Gallery in Philadelphia. To see Cusack’s whole zipper collection, check out her website.

With zippers being such a huge trend in the fashion industry right now, Cusack says she likes to think she started the whole craze. Each of her designs is original and Cusack says it can be very tricky when a lot of other designs from mainstream companies and designers start to look similar to hers.

“Even though the zipper trend is out there, I think it brings a lot more attention to me.” And that attention is growing to global proportions with Fergie being spotted in Melbourne just recently wearing one of Cusack’s necklaces.

Her work has been featured in a number of magazines, including Cosmopolitan, InStyle, and WWD. Italian Vogue also borrowed some of her zipper pieces for a photo shoot.

But jewelry is not Cusack’s only design success. After receiving her MFA from the Yale school of Drama in 2006, she worked extensively with theater design, creating costumes for a number of plays and projects. She was also commissioned by Tiffany & Company’s 5^th Avenue flagship store to create five elaborate “Marie-Antoinette style” wigs for the 2002 Mother’s Day window display. The stunning headdresses were all made out of household plastic wrap, keeping true to Cusack’s design aesthetic.

Although Cusack continues exploring all areas of artistic design and creativity, she devotes most of her focus to her zipper collection, saying that she enjoys this endeavor the most.

In addition to remaining creative and happy while creating new and interesting designs, Cusack says she would also love have Lady Gaga wear one of pieces. “That would make a big splash!”

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

Erin Simpson

Going Green Is More Than A Fashionable Trend

Going green has become quite the fad these days—and one that I hope is going to stick! Environmentally conscious consumer products are literally everywhere, making it easier than ever to green-proof your life. But one woman’s dedication to creating a recycled jewelry collection while leaving the smallest carbon footprint possible is unparalleled.

Meet Ann Skydell Harmon, owner and creator of Ann-Made jewelry, wearable art that is handcrafted out of recycled can tabs. Each recycled can tab is scrubbed clean and polished smooth by Ann’s own devoted husband, dubbed the “Tab King,” before they are used to make earrings, bracelets and pendants. The chunky, unusual pieces are each adorned with beads and natural gem stones for a look that blends man-made and natural materials.

The idea for the collection first came to her when she was an art instructor for emotionally disturbed children. Wanting to teach her students the importance of being environmentally conscious, Harmon introduced the recycled can tabs as an art project.

“The last thing on their minds was recycling. But this was a great way to teach creative problem solving, which these kids needed,” she says.

Harmon ended up creating bracelets out of the can tabs herself and handed them out to the other teachers as gifts. It was her co-workers’ enthusiasm that made her realize she had started something special. “The teachers couldn’t get enough,” she says.

That was two years ago. Now, Harmon’s business has grown exponentially, with her jewelry being sold in stores along the east coast and even as far as Chicago. She has also launched her own website where customers can order pieces from her collection. Harmon travels to about 35 art shows a year and says she is always fascinated by people’s reactions. “I come in contact with thousands of people and it is like a religious fervor,” she says.

But her dedication to the environment is just as impressive as her success. Harmon purchases her can tabs from a nonprofit group in New Jersey that collects tabs from local area schools and sells them to aluminum recyclers. She generously buys the tabs for more than double their retail value in an effort to help this struggling non-profit in their recycling efforts.

Harmon donates a portion of every sale to The Alliance for Climate Protection and its affiliate, The Climate Project. And, to take her endeavors one step further, Harmon even packages her jewelry with clean, reused cardboard and ships her products with left-over, unprinted newspaper—a trick her father taught her, she says. “He has that Depression era mentality.” Something we can all benefit from in today’s economy!

“I wanted to be as socially and environmentally conscious as possible with the company,” says Harmon.

Her company, which is based near her home on the New Jersey shore, is a family-run affair. Her two daughters provide website maintenance, assist at art shows, and help with non-artistic production while her husband helps with packaging. As her business has continued to grow, she has also brought on three assistants to help her family handle the overwhelming demand for her jewelry.

Ann-Made was awarded the Green America Seal of Approval this past June for its green efforts. Harmon’s business underwent a lengthy screening process by Green America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability. Being recognized for her commitment to social and environmental responsibility is something that Harmon is very proud of.

“All along the way this has been such a positive experience,” says Harmon.

To check out more of Harmon’s jewelry or learn more about her environmental efforts, visit Annmadeart.com.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

Erin Simpson

Body Piercings: Part 1

Body piercing is becoming quite popular. In this video, you'll learn about body piercing, information on care, complications, healing time and much more.

Jimmy Choo Brings Glamour To H&M This Autumn

For those of you who've always wanted a pair of Jimmy Choo's but never that the means of doing so, H&M will be granting you the opportunity this fall.

You read it right the first time: Jimmy Choo is H&M's next guest designer to launch a collection of accessories, bags, shoes - for both men and women AND women's clothing! The limited edition collection will be available from November 14, 2009 in around 200 H&M stores across the world.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

Summer Accessories: Forever 21 Haul

Because the summer months are extremely hot, there's no arguing against the fact that you should wear less clothing and more accessories. That's why I decided to stock up on some much needed accessories at Forever 21. When I entered the accessories section, I felt like a pirate who found a treasure chest! They were all different and plenty to choose from: not to mention that the jewelry were affordable, fashionable, and perfect for the summer.





Many people have their reservations on shopping at Forever 21: but not me. I'm a patient shopper. I believe in searching for buried treasure and great bargains. You'll be amazed at what you can find with a little bit of patience. Although they were all beautiful, I narrowed down my purchase to eight: 4 earrings, 3 necklaces, and a set of bobby pins.

If you're interested in getting these items, here they are:

Wire Wrap Earrings
$5.80

Unique wire-wrapped hoop earrings.- 2.0" dia

Wrapped Textured Hoop Earrings $3.80

Antique finish metal hoop earrings partially wrapped with colorful threads.

Circle Filigree Metal Earrings $2.80

Circular hook metal earrings with a filigree cut design and cut-out center. - 2.5" approx length x 2.0" approx width

Cut Out Earrings
$2.80

Slightly elliptical laser cut earrings with abstract cut-outs.- 2.5" length

Beautiful Pendant Necklace
$4.80

A simple, yet cute necklace featuring a Beautiful pendant expression and a lobster clasp closure. - 16" approx chain length x 0.4" approx width x 1.9" approx length pendant

Lover Heart Pendant Necklace
$5.80

An antique polished metal necklace featuring assorted strands and charms. Details include a picture-heart pendant, heart charm with rhinestones on a lacquered background, and a lobster clasp closure.

Heart Banner Necklace
$5.80

Adorable petite cable chain necklace featuring an open heart and banner pendant. Lobster clasp closure.

Polished Rose Bobby Pins
$3.80

Add these rose bobby pins to your hair for a cute look. Set of 6. - 1.7" - 2.1" approx length x 0.4" - 0.7" dia rose. They come in cream, black, and gold - making it possible to match up with just about anything.

When it comes to jewelry I'm not into big, bulky items. I'm more of a conservative type; however, I'm very much into vibrant colors, hearts, stars, charms and lockets. The total came up to a little bit over $35 but it was well worth it considering the beautiful items I walked away with.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna