www.youtube.com/watch?v=zacV85PFhBk

You’ve seen me wearing Claudia Labao’s jewelry for year, now meet the beautiful woman behind the designs. In this video she takes you through her Fall 2010 collections at Tootsies.

I love her line because every piece is noteworthy; even the simple hoops have character.  She uses blushed metals so despite the size the pieces are lightweight and shiny without being gawdy.

And finally, the icing on the cake, her designs are affordable ($65-$700). Spending a couple hundred dollars for jewelry you’ll love forever is a deal if you ask me. Even her new gemstone collection that you’ll see in this video won’t break your bank.  Pay close attention to the emerld, I’ve never seen the raw stone in this form before.

See something you love, contact her sweet husband Paolo directly with any and all questions you might have.  (They promise to have an online cart soon!)

The New Trend Demands A New Strand – Pearls

(see below for a discount from @WhiteHouseBlackMarket)

When trends circle back around, you always cringe just a little bit. Reaching to the back of the drawer for the piece you knew would come back into style, your hand hesitates.  You think back to how you wore it before….there is no way you want to replicate that look!  But thankfully, fashion evolves so incorporating an old faithful, classic accessory like pearls actually adds a new dimension to your current style.

Mix and match strands of pearls with chains, rhinestones, pendants.  Or simply wear them on solo.  At this point, pearls of any size or color are unexpected outside of a black tie affair, so pile them on.

I warn you, cheap pearls look cheap.  The real deal is pricey.  So opt for the middle ground.  You can find a solid selection from White House Black Market. Click here for my fav pictured above.

USE DISCOUNT CODE 9297 FOR 25% OFF YOUR PURCHASE UNTIL AUG 8.

(Full Disclosure: This post is sponsored by White House Black Market and their social media initiative that I proudly support.)

She pulled in more revenue off my bags this year than I did!

I honestly wish she had more.  I’ve had dozens of people emailing lately about them.  But that’s why the search continues to find the best means to relaunch the line.  Fingers crossed.

Woven Embellished Bib Dress – $22.90

Wear this as a mini-dress to show off your summer tan and then transition into fall by adding leggings or skinny jeans and a cardigan.

Rhinestone Encrusted Shell Ring – $5.80

Reasons I love this ring: its big, eye-catching, shiny, and maybe even a little obnoxious, but in a good way. AND it resembles Bella Swan’s engagement ring a la Twilight.

Metallic Braided Top – $24.80

I’ve only been 21 for a few months, so right now I’m really taking advantage of the idea of after-work drinks. This top, paired with my favorite black capris, would get me compliments in the office, but still impress my friends when we meet up for a drink or two.

Ross and Claire declared their love under a perfect California sunset.

A modern bride’s bouquet. I love it!!

A nontraditional, very handsome boutonnière.

The sun setting on the water never gets old for me. Night night.

According to Neimans and Fendi fall is upon us.  WTF?  I guess they’re trying to soften the blow with these fabulous boots, but I’m not buying it – the season or the boot!  And thankfully I don’t have to make this kind of investment until they go on sale.  It’s one of the many benefits of living in the South.

Elizabeth’s Forever 21 Picks of the Week

Striped Knit Dress – $15.50

Throw on this dress any day to look cute on a lunch date or while running errands. Available in pink/cream stripe and navy/cream stripe online, but my store carries a solid black version as well.

Freestyle Strappy Sandals – $17.80

I keep it simple when it comes to shoes, but with sandals this affordable, I can have enough pairs to go with every summer outfit. This is just one of the many pairs at Forever 21 that I love right now.

Layering Knit Cardigan – $17.80

Drapey cardigans look great over tanks and tees. I especially love the cut on this style that makes it just a little more special than you’d expect to find at such a low price!

You are such a great curator of fun, wearable trends Jaclyn!  I might be more of a hat person if I saw a selection like this.

jaclynday:

Hats are everywhere this summer! I’m not much of a hat person myself (just a style that’s not for me, perhaps!), but I can appreciate the chic-ness on other ladies and celebrities. I’m still on the hunt for the perfect hat for me, but maybe you’ll find one among these!

P.S. All are under $50!

Top row, left to right:

• BKE Fedora, $20
• Nordstrom Fedora, $28
• Anonymous Venice Floral Hat, $40

Second row, left to right:

• Urban Outfitters Cloche, $34
• ASOS Corsage Hat, $27
• BDG Tweed Fedora, $28

Third row, left to right:

• TopShop Floral Hat, $44
• Forever 21 Hat, $3.80
• Miss Selfridge Cream Floral Hat, $27

Fourth row, left to right:

• 15DollarStore Fedora, $15
• ModCloth Beta Cap-a-Mod, $35
• ModCloth Cloche, $30

Just Like A Kiddo Head To Toe:

— Gucci sunnies

— Diamond studs

— Tom Ford shirt

— Pearls (I know, random right?!)

— Piazza Sempione shorts

— Roger Vivier shoes

I might look like a woman (and tuck into bed early like a grandma), but I licked, slurped, and devoured this cheesecake yogurt in a sprinkle-dipped cone just like an eight year old kid. It was a miracle none of it dripped on my shirt! I don’t think Mr. Ford would appreciate dairy spots on his design….spread all over a naked body would probably be a different story… Well, it seems I’ve left my childish state of mind and digressed to horny teenager!

Anyway, happy Friday!

“Hi Mary – long time reader here…I’m stoked about your ambitious intern’s willingness to take on the challenge that is F21.  I just wore this dress to a cocktail party/dinner on Monday night.  It was $27.00, 100% silk and a dead ringer for the contemporary brands that I’m used to dropping $300+ for.  I couldn’t believe the quality and I had about 20 women ask me where I got it!” — Reader and Tumblr Emily

MR NOTE:

I’m moving up in the world (aka I have so much stuff going on I can’t keep it straight) so I’ve hired Elizabeth to work as my assistant. She was an intern with me last year and then left to study abroad.  Although I did have astute girls interning with me while she was away, they really never got in the groove with me like Elizabeth.  So with my powers of persuasion (and a little begging ) she has kindly taken on my chaos part time.  I continue to offer her a learning experience because that’s the biggest value in working one on one.  Now she also gets compensated for having to attend to the tedious minutia of my life and keeping my schedule organized, which is a charge beyond just entering appointments in a calendar.  No one should have to deal with that for free!

So when you see a picture of Mason’s dog food on the blog followed by my consideration to see if it truly is edible, you’ll know I’m sticking to my guns and adhering to my priorities: wearing hot shoes and not having to spend my time on hold with AT&T.