Julia Roberts Rocks 'Barely There' Bling Trend

Is it me? Or has celebrity jewelry fashion dropped completely off the radar this month? I've been searching high and low for big summertime stars to wow me with their bauble choices at various movie premieres and the like...and well...it just ain't happening.

And then it occurred to me. Maybe (gasp!) less is more?

Take Julia Roberts at her Larry Towne premiere in LA this week. Nevermind the on-trend menswear look (which I find 'safe' and 'snore-worthy') - but take a gander at the jewelry choice. Simple diamond studs and a three-strand emerald wrap necklace by Beladora.com. Easy. Breezy. Beautiful.

Or how about Jenna Elfman at the same event? Just a splash of a  yellow gold drop earring and she's good to go.

And Katie Holmes sported similar 'tiny treasure' style at the LA Film Festival in small pearl earrings and a delicate yellow gold 'S' pendant (for daughter Suri, I suppose). Sweet.

So while we've all been starved for a lower jaw-drop moment since the Cannes Film Festival over a MONTH ago - I have to admit: I'm OK with diamonds on the down-low every once in a while.

Just DON'T make it a habit, Hollywood.

Jewelry Gift Guide for New Moms

Jewelry is often the go-to gift of choice for those 'BIG LIFE' occasions: weddings, anniversaries, graduations, it's Wednesday... But there is one present-producing event that often gets the shaft when it comes to shiny things: giving birth.

As a new mom myself, I surely appreciated the deluge of diapers and the like. But do you think jewelry-loving new moms like Rachel Zoe should have to settle for nipple cream and a bottle brushes? I think not! And neither should any of you other mommies out there.

So in honor of all that hard labor, ladies, I've collected a few of my favorite gift options for new moms. Just click on the heading or image for buying options and more info.

(A sidenote: #1MOM pendants should be banned from NOT JUST our jewelry boxes, gift givers - but the earth.)

1. Pink and Blue Gemstones:

If this seems a bit 'on the nose' - think again. Gems like the pink sapphire or aquamarine could remind moms of their gurgling bundles of joy - or could also work as just a fun fashion piece.

Birthstone Jewelry:

Always a crowd-pleaser, moms will love to have birthstone gems from the month their babies were born. Especially if it's an April baby (diamonds, anyone?).


Mom/Child:

This traditional jewelry silhouette never goes out of style. And you can find some options with birthstones already in the design.

Charm Bracelets:

What better time to start a charm bracelet, right? You can get baby shoe charms, birthday charms, initial charms - the list is endless. I'm waiting on the epidural needle charm to make mine complete.

Teething Jewelry:

Carrying the benefit of both 'Form' and 'Function', teething jewelry gifts are a fashionable way to get jewelry in a new mom's wardrobe during those grabby first months. And if there's a patent for drool-proof clothing? I'd like to add that to my list too.

So let's get out there and make us some shiny, happy mommies, gift givers. Are there any moms out there who have other jewelry ideas they'd like to add? Weigh in!

Pearl Jewelry at the Purrrfect Price

Free jewelry. Other than 'cocktail hour' and 'lottery win' I can't think of two words in the English language I'd rather hear. So I'm spreading the news that my sugar mamma, Jewelry.com, just launched their latest Sweepstakes extravaganza with three blingy jewels up for grabs.

June is all about pearls in the jewelry world. It's this month's birthstone, it's "the" go-to graduation gift and brides-a-kimbo put them on to walk down the aisle. So wouldn't you know it? Jewelry.com decided to center their sweepstakes around it (savvy sparkle sellers that they are).

It's called the "Purrrrfect Pearl Sweepstakes", and there are three very worthy pieces up for grabs.

Pearl & Diamond Necklace in 14K Gold. (Retail Value: $679.00)

Pearl and Black & White Diamond Ring in 10K White Gold (Retail Value $579)

Pearl Clover Earrings in 10K Gold with Diamonds (Retail Value: $199)

All you do is visit the Jewelry.com Facebook Page to enter or click here. You can also shop their Purrrfect Pearl Collection here that features some of their hottest pearl styles at up to 80% off retail - a refreshingly strand-free stash that has lots of fashion forward finds.

But first and foremorest (as my dad always used to say) "You can't win if you don't play." Words to live by in the jewelry hunt, playing the lottery - and in life.

Did I mention there's FREE JEWELRY?

(just sayin')

Tutti Frutti Treasure Triumphs at Christie's

Lower jaw-drop alert, jewelry hounds! I've been trolling auction results again. I know. The first step is admitting you have a problem. BUT - if I went on a diamond diet, who would bring you face to face with the likes of THIS amazing creature?

What is this explosion of Art Deco decadence, you ask? It's a Cartier 'Tutti Frutti' bracelet - and those are real diamonds designed in the shape of an undulating vine, with real emerald bead leaves and real ruby flowers and berries.

Ain't it just diVINE?

The Tutti Frutti jewelry category emerged after Jacques Cartier designed this staggering little number called the 'Hindu Necklace" for one of America's richest women, Daisy Fellowes, in 1936.

How do you know it's Tutti Fruiti? Look for precious gemstones or cabochons in the shape of flowers, berries and vines. Look for diamonds. Don't look at the price tag.

The Tutti Frutti bracelet at the top of the post went for a cool $1,880,332 yesterday - the highest price at auction for a Tutti Frutti jewel. So you might want to look into a winning lottery ticket, a pig flying or hell freezing over if you want to grab one for your own collection.

HOWEVER. In typical Insider style, I gawk at the gazillionaire gems and come down to earth with fun fruity styles with 'mere mortal' price points.

Who doesn't love these Tutti Frutti-inspired treasures on Jewelry.com? C'mon! Click on any image for more info - and get in touch with your inner fruitcake!

Heavy Metal Jewelry Lights Up CFDA Awards

Lady Gaga never met a spotlight she didn't steal, which was certainly the case at the 2011 CFDA Awards (aka: The Fashion Oscars) last night at New York's Allice Tulley Hall.

While she didn't bring the bling (sigh), she did shine in a studded Thierry Mugler number that unraveled into a sparkling thong (because who doesn't need a sparkling thong?).

Add one Anna Wintour-inspired seafoam bob, red-nailed monster claws and towering platforms, and you've got yourself a style icon in the making.

Which is exactly what the Council of Fashion Designers of America thought when they awarded her with the (aptly titled) Fashion Icon Award, which she accepted with her parents looking on.

And while pop stars were on the minds of the fashion elite, it was heavy metal that made the red carpet sparkle with a huge showing of statement jewelry in solid yellow gold - along with summertime staples like yellow gold hoops.

Turquoise trimmings were also trending - another must-have for summer, as every fashionista worth their debit cards ALL know, dahling.

So. What have we learned? Lady Gaga is keeping the wig industry in business - and there are two essential items you gotta put in heavy rotation for the upcoming summer months: turquoise and yellow gold sparkle.

Here are two great looks from Jewelry.com to get you going (click on the image for product info and pricing)...or click here for their entire assortment of fine jewels and gems at up to 80% off retail!

Day-glo bob, not included.

FINALLY - don't forget to cruise over to the Jewelry.com Facebook Page for a complete look at all the CFDA red carpet pics - from Jessica Alba and Naomi Watts to the Olsen Twins and the Divine Miss Anna and more!

Michelle Obama Jewelry Update

It's been a while since Michelle Obama's jewelry dominated the posts of this blingy chronical of all things shiny, but I'm happy to report that our Fashionista-In-Chief is back with some serious jaw-droppers for your gawking pleasure.

(A tip of the hat to the Mrs. O blog for their diligent chronicling of our First Lady's fashion.)

The Brooch Is Back!

Michelle Obama met Kate Middleton and her in-laws in her signature brooch bling - this one a 1940s Hobe brooch from the House of Lavande.

And this sparkler a pink vintage Henry Schreiner brooch - also from House of Lavande.

Tom Binns Goes to Washington

 

I've always been a fan of Tom Binns' wild and whimsical designs (click here for more info on his bling) - but I was surprised to see our First Lady embrace his eccentric stylings not just for this dinner she and the Pres. hosted for the Queen of England - but on other occasions as well.

Pearl strands are fine and all - -but THIS is Jewelry! (Her ring is a jade and diamond lattice piece by Yewn)


Mrs. O Channels Jackie O!

Our Commander in Chic wore this classic Tom Ford gown with dangling diamond earrings (designer unknown) to Buckingham Palace for a formal state dinner. Elegance personified. Somewhere Jackie O is smiling.

 

While the pearl strand will forever by synomymous with First Lady Fashion, I'm thrilled to see such variety in her jewelry selections.

What are your favorite looks?