Off Season Shopping - Shimmer, Sparkle and Shine For Summer

Since  we've just seen the runway shows for Spring 2011 and Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman are already sending email about their Resort Collections, I've got warmer weather on my mind.  Not to mention that we just a week of not warm but hot sunny days here in Los Angeles, a true Indian Summer.
Is it too early to start thinking about shopping for next Summer?
I don't think so, especially when there are benefits to off season shopping.
Look what I found ON SALE at Couture Allure Vintage
Naturally, I paired these vintage dresses with estate jewelry from Beladora.com.
Let's start with this shimmery little number, cute isn't it?

A 1950's Gold Wiggle Dress on Sale for $145

Yellow and White Diamond Earrings $3850

Yellow and White Diamond Ring $3850

Also on sale at Couture Allure is this sparkly lilac sequin dress 

Vintage Lilac Sequin Cocktail Dress $50

Amethyst and Diamond Earrings $1150

Amethyst and Diamond Cocktail Ring $1850

Finally, Couture Allure has this slightly psychedelic beaded shiny gown in shades of green

Vintage 1960's Beaded Floral Evening Gown $50

Carved Peridot, Orange Sapphire and Pink Tourmaline Earrings $4450

Peridot and Diamond Cocktail Ring $3750

Now...if I buy one (or all three) of these dresses I'll be appropriately outfitted if someone just happens invites me to a poolside cocktail party.
Just saying, it's good to be prepared because you never know what the future has in store for you.

Eat, Pray, Love - And Be Thankful

And yes, we are very thankful for this pretty picture on Elle.com of Julia Roberts bedecked in bangle bracelets from Beladora.com

Sapphire and Ruby Bangle Bracelet from Beladora.com

Emerald and Ruby Bangle Bracelet from Beladora.com

Ruby Bangle Bracelet from Beladora.com

We are very thankful indeed

How To Wear Vintage Estate Jewelry - The Gold Statement Necklace

Well, once I get on a topic I just keep going on and on....like how to wear Beladora vintage estate jewelry. I'm making this my BHB meme...at least until the ADD hits in and I go off on some other tangent.
Of course I love to wear Georgian and Art Deco diamonds...who doesn't
But more often I go for big bold statement pieces from the 1960's and 1970's.
Such as this gold and diamond necklace with pendant that was worn this week by Faith Hill

Here I am wearing the exact same necklace. It can be worn long as on Faith Hill or short, as I am wearing it here in this photo. I used the second half of the necklace to wrap double around my wrist as a bracelet. Might I add that the necklace also fits perfectly as a belt.

Here's he detail from Beladora.com

Gold and Diamond Necklace with Pendant in 18K $13,550

Why so expensive you ask? Simply because there is a lot of gold weight in this piece.

Oh...and did you notice that fox throw that I am leaning against in the photo?

It is the same one from this famous va-va-voom photo of Kate Winslet from Vanity Fair.

Naturally, like the necklace the silver fox made by Frette is for sale...with a matching pillow.

Any offers?

Bringing Out The Rubies For The Boxing Day Bash

One of reasons that I love the Christmas season is my friend Marcella's annual Boxing Day Bash held at her very cool architectural house in the Hollywood Hills.
Marcella, is a renaissance woman. In addition to being an artist and an attorney, she is involved with the arts and decorative arts at the Getty Museum and LACMA, and with the historical and cultural preservation of historic Los Angeles architecture. Where most private parties in Los Angeles tend to be clannish, you know the same group of people that only socialize within their narrow range of friends, Marcella's parties are put together with an eclectic group of guests, from filmmakers to socialites to curators to business tycoons and then random people like me thrown into the mix.
At any rate I always have a good time.
And this year in the spirit of the colors of Christmas I wore the big ruby and diamond parure that was purchased from a princess....because why should all that pretty sparkly stuff just stay in the vault.

Unfortunately I didn't get a good photo of the house but here is her view of Hollywood to the east

And her view of the Sunset Strip to the west with the Chateau Marmont in the foreground.

But I couldn't stay outdoors for too long with the camera because it was a frosty 50 something degrees last night...

Thank God I have a quiet week until the next party on New Years Eve.

Vintage Value Venture - Couture Allure On Sale

OK people pay attention here
The holidays are always about finding just the right gifts to please our family and friends. But the post Christmas week is a good to time find something wonderful for ourselves.
I know you all have some post holiday cash in hand....or you will as soon as you return that holiday sweater that you received as a gift that you will never wear, back to the department store.
Well Couture Allure Vintage is having an after Christmas Sale!
For me it's kinda a toss up for me between the vintage Oscar de la Renta evening gown with matching coat with mink collar and cuffs...because god knows that I lead such a formal life of galas and black tie events that I need an evening gown...
and this very wearable 1950s Mr. Blackwell cashmere and wool dress for $175!

Certainly the simple black dress will go better with a double strand of south sea pearls and my new favorite pair of south sea pearl and diamond earrings.

South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings

So this is what I've picked out....what are you going to get?

(Oh, and don't forget that Beladora's discount code is HOLIDAY09

till the end of the month)

Vintage Value Venture - Getting Ready For The Cold

Well now that the worst scientific scandal of our generation has been exposed, I can finally stop worrying about melting ice caps and concentrate on getting prepared for cooler temperatures.

And how better to get prepared but with a warm wrap coat.

Right now I'm loving this 1940's film noir look.

Vintage 1950's Black Cashmere Wrap Coat from Posh Vintage $345

Doesn't a coat like this need a great hat

Vintage 1940's Black Wide Brim Tilt Hat from Couture Allure Vintage $125

And a great brooch for the lapel

Tiffany & Co. Black Onyx and Mother of Pearl Brooch in 18K

Yeah I know, it was a 1980's revival on the runways this year but as long as I'm thinking vintage I'd rather go for the retro 1940's look.

Beladora Bacchante Beauty

I say forget the 10 Ridiculously Stylish Cameo Themed Objects
brought to us by The Frisky
such as this Cameo print scarf
for $165 from Shopbop


And go straight for the antique cameo

Antique Victorian Bacchante Cameo

Especially a Neo-Classic themed Bacchante

with vines and grape clusters amid the tendrils of her hair

bacchante [bəˈkæntɪ]
n pl bacchantes [bəˈkæntɪz]
1. (Myth & Legend / Classical Myth & Legend) a priestess or female votary of Bacchus
2. a drunken female reveller

Bacchante With Grapes by Paul Merwat

Because Bacchante Babes are Beautiful!

Playing With Polyvore - Fall Fashion Asian Style

This is as close as I am getting to the Japanese countryside this year.

Vintage Value Venture - Seeing Red

Let's see what we've got here

one color, vintage, affordable, Beladora estate jewelry and comfortable shoes

This is my perfect Fall outfit for the office

Go ahead Corporette...beat this is you can

Vintage Patullo Red Brocade Dress with Jacket from Tresor Vintage $200
Nice bow and cuff details

Vintage 1940s Cobra Bag from Vintage Skins $185

Bruno Magli Red Shoes from Zappos $178

Vintage Mid-Century Gemstone Bird Brooch from Beladora.com $3650

Vintage 1980s Gemstone Earrings from Beladora.com $2850

Savvy Shopping - Earthy Elongation

I have to admit that over the summer I've gotten used to wearing those long flowy 1970's hippy chick style dresses, with groups of bangle bracelets, multi stand chain necklaces and hoop earrings.

At first I thought that I would tire of this trend quickly

but I am liking the boho babe look more and more

and really, what's not to like about wearing a dress that covers up a multitude of skin (and sins)

and is as comfortable as a nightgown.

This is how I would take that look into Fall.

Rachel Paley Long Dress from Nordstrom.com $242

Multi Gemstone Necklace from BeladoraII.com $495

(I love the earthy color mix of malachite, tiger's eye and agate)
Set of Vintage Bangle Bracelets from BeladoraII.com $1850

So, do you like this trend or are you over it already?

Vintage Value Venture - Kitschy Kittys and Charming Charms

Keeping with my cat theme from yesterday

I thought that I would post a few pieces from Beladora2.com

Beladora2.com Vintage Jade Cat Pendant in 14K

Beladora2.com Vintage Heart Pendant in 14K
On the front there is a jadeite figure
and on the back there is this charming engraving
Who wouldn't want a vintage charm that was given to a woman called
"Pussy Dear"





Beladora2.com Vintage Cat Charm in 14K

Purrfect for Pendants Too

Can't Stop Catting Around

Lately, Wendy B, Karen and Pseu have been showing their awesome animal prints

So, I'd like to suggest a way to show off your feline fabulousness with vintage estate jewelry.

Rivaldy Love Kitty Tabby Cat Pendant in Sterling and 18K

Leopard Choker Necklace with Diamonds in 14K

Vintage Hermes Cat Brooch in 18K

Panther Necklace and Bracelet in 18K

Vintage Graff Diamond and Onyx Cat Pendant in 18K

Because sometimes I just can't help being catty

The Ultimate Accessory - The Boucheron Bag

While not being a bag snob who would drop bundles on a Birkin,
there is just one bag that I consider to be the ultimate accessory

The 18K gold bag with diamond clasp by uber French jeweler Boucheron

Elegant yet simple design

Handcrafted with a built in mirror and attached gold backed comb

The perfect size for a credit card, cash, cell phone and a condom

What more does a woman need?