A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

Chic Holiday Gifts Under $100

Last minute holiday shopping

 

It’s not too late to get your holiday gift shopping done -in a stylish way. Stella & Dot has some amazingly chic gifts that you or the lady in your life will love.

Here are my top 5 pics:

City Slim Clutch Pewter Exotic ($59)  – Grab this envelope clutch to complement a cocktail dress, or keep it easy and wear cross body by adding our Versatile Chain in silver that also doubles as a necklace! Toss in your cash, cards and lip gloss and you’re ready for a chic night out.

Fontaine Cuff ($69) – Delicate hand-set micro pave inlaid on an intricate geometric gunmetal design. Bold yet delicate.

Renegade Cluster Bracelet ($59) – White bronze or gold plated spikes and black diamond pave beads adorn this Renegade cluster studded bracelet. Mix, match, and stack it with other bracelets to create your favorite combination. Gold colorway as seen on singer Katy Perry.

Rebel Pendant –  A hinged shiny silver or gold plated prism of brass swings from a silver or gold plated delicate brass chain. Available silver and gold.

Reversible Crossover Scarf  ($69) – Black Cable Knit- Three-way versatility makes this scarf the perfect winter accessory. Custom solid black, cable knit pattern reverses to soft and cozy grey faux fur. Pull through slit functionality to adjust loop, as well as hook-and-eye to wear as a shawl.

If you’d like help styling a few looks, please message me here.

Review: Wantable Box

Wantable makeup box and accessories box

Wantable is another subscription service with a bit of a twist, they offer a monthly makeup box or accessories box that is customized to your style preferences. I opted for the jewelry service instead of makeup since I already have tons of makeup just waiting to get used! For a $36/month subscription fee you get the pleasure of receiving 3 to 4 boutique jewelry pieces or you can pay $40 for a one-time box.

How does it work? After you answer several questions your style is matched with pieces personalized just for you. The site looks at your style based on style categories like Glam, Rock n Roll Classic, Boho, Urban etc. You can also share the type of accessories  you prefer like headbands, necklaces, rings, sunglasses and scarves. Throughout this “style assessment” you’re shown several types of accessories and you can rate whether you like them or not. After deeply probing your fashion sense, Wantable comes up with at least 3 accessories that should fit your aesthetic and ships them off to you.

Thoughts: So after answering a myriad of questions regarding my style choices I was sure that I would get a beautiful box reflecting  my personal style. The jewelry that I received was pretty but I found the pieces to be a bit random. None of the pieces fit together in a cohesive style. I received rhinestone earrings that are great for a night out, a bib necklace that would work well for a chic daytime look and a wood bangle that’s a great weekend piece. I was hoping to pieces that I could wera together but it doesn’t work that way.

Overall I think that over time a subscription to Wantable is a great way to add to your costume jewelery wardrobe but I wish that I could choose the pieces that I liked the best. The subscription service has great potential and I’d love to see how it evolves over the next year. Have you tried Wantable?

New York Fashion Week FW 2011 Fine Jewelry Preview

If you are a lover of diamonds and lavishness of New York Fashion Week, than you are in the right place. Lipstick and Luxury attended the fabulous New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 Fine Jewelry Preview  at the magnificent Soho House! The Soho house was beautiful filled with Moet Champagne, sushi, and cupcakes from Baked by Melissa. The NYFW Fall/Winter 2011 Fine Jewelry Preview showcases some of the hottest jewelry collection for 2011.  The five collections at the preview were absolutely grand. From edgy skulls encrusted in black diamonds to a rose gold necklaces pair with natural materials and diamond, the preview was filled with lux! So let’s talk jewelry!

N.oor

The Riviere Necklace from the Touche Du Bois collection

Noor Fares, a talent and young Lebanese jewelery designer has develop a line that combined the beauty of nature with the opulence of 18k gold encrusted diamonds.  One of my favorite collection is the Touche Du Bois ,which means  “Touch Wood for Luck”,  uses of wooden beads and the opulence of the diamonds and rose gold. One of my favorite pieces from the collection is the Riviere bracelet and necklace. These piece to me have  great Subtle details. One example of that is the sapphire set “evil” eye in Riviere bracelets.  The Touche Du Bois is a beautiful collection. Here are a few of my favorite pieces.

Here is a look at the sapphire “evil” eye on the The Riviere bracelet from the Touche Du Bois collection

Soffer Ari

One of my most popular items from The Black Collection is the 9mm bullet balled chain necklace. The tip is covered in diamonds and can add the edge to any outfit.

I love this Cabrini green heavy ring. This ring is blanketed in black diamonds with raw silver exposed.

The Soffer Ari collection can be described in two words,Rock glam. Tons of celebrities wear Soffer Ari collection including Taylor from Beverly Hills Housewives, Singer Fergie, and epic rocker Slash. This handmade collection used the best diamonds and raw silver. My favorite collections from Soffer Ari is the Black Collection. The handmade raw artwork from the collection has subtle and dangerous beauty. Soffer Ari has a diverse line that also includes clothing and furniture.

Gayle Grenadier


With a Egyptian influence and beautiful hand craving artwork, the Gayle Grenadier is full of detail. My favorite piece from the collection is this 18k gold cuff with diamonds and emeralds. I personally tried on the cuff and the detail is skillful. I also like that the designer actually studied Egyptian hieroglyphics. The Gayle Grenadier collection is full of history and luxury.

Alex Soldier

Alex Soldier is known for designing beautiful jewelry and fine art including the Prince Rainer III Award given to Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta. One of the premier collections is the Alex Soldier Haute Couture collection. The Haute Couture collection is full of fine art. The meticulous handmade detail and allure. Each item is hand carved with a special made tool for this beautiful detailing. Up close the Haute collection is splendid and interesting.  Every piece from Alex Solider should be in a gallery.

I love the cuffs. It is a great accessory for any wardrobe.

I tried on this diamond locket and I love the structure of the necklace and the precise work. I love the white and black diamonds.

I had a wonderful time at the New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 Fine Jewelry Preview. You can never go wrong with diamonds.  I had a wonderful time.

 

What I want now: Ariane Arazi Flower Stem Ring

I love unique handcrafted jewelry that you won’t find at every store.So when I came across pieces from Ariane Arazi, a certified gemologist I knew that I was on to something special. Arazi designs modern intricately designed pieces with a playful edge.

Arazi has created a glamorous two-finger gold ring with a feminine twist. The Three-Color Flower Stem Ring is made out of sterling silver and the roses contain three different tones of gold: Yellow, White and Rose.

Ariane Arazi Ring

Each piece of jewelry is handmade, so no two pieces are alike. So stay out of your mother’s jewelery box and start your own collection of priceless baubles, your offspring will thank you one day.

The Three-Color Flower Stem Ring is $275 at www.arianearazi.com