Men More Forgetful Than Women

And all this time I thought that I was just being ignored.

According to Live Science it's not that they aren't listening..they've just forgotten what you've said.

Men are more likely than women to have problems with memory and other thinking skills, symptoms considered to be an early stage of dementia, research suggests.

French Ask British For Help In Bed

Sacre Bleu!

Shocking news from Paris as reported by the Times Online.

French ask British for help in bed

In a curious reversal of roles, the new craze in France for chic designer boutiques offering tips to couples on how to spice up their sex life is being fuelled by erotic products from over the Channel.
“We are supposed to be the land of Eros, the country of expert lovers,” said Patrick Pruvot, owner of Passage du Désir, one of several new “love stores” in the centre of Paris.
“As a matter of fact, about a third of the products I sell come from Britain.”

Wow, talk about a slippery slope.

How long until we see the headline

French ask British for help in the kitchen.

Today's Trend versus Enduring Value

Costume Jewelry vs Estate Jewelry

Snakes have been a common motif in jewelry dating back to the Georgian Period. Here are two snake bangles: the first from Roberto Cavalli from Net a Porter in an unspecified material for $350 and the second a genuine antique Victorian bangle set with sapphires and old cut diamonds in silver and gold from Beladora for $4850.

I know what you're thinking....why invest $4850 (!!!) when you can get the look for less?

Well here's why, the antique bangle has lasted for well over 100 years and will continue to be wearable for another 100 years or so. It was made by hand and set with stones that were cut before the invention of the diamond saw. It is not only chic, it is wearable history. Estate jewelry is basically a collection that you can wear.

The new factory made costume bangle might last through the next season....maybe. Costume jewelry is a throw away product with little lasting value.

Bound to Happen - Backlash of the It Bag

Accessories and beauty products have always been the key to growth for luxury brands. At Chanel for example, where the average customer can't afford the pret a porter, let alone the couture, she can afford at the low end buy a mascara and at the high end a piece of costume jewelry.

These businesses survive on volume sales so they need to carefully price accessories to be expensive enough to attract the aspirational consumer but not too high that they can't afford it and will choose another brand.

So, according to WWD, after years of emphasis on handbags and shoes, which are basically now too expensive for the recession wary consumer, costume jewelry is positioned to be priced at the sweet spot.

The backlash of the "It" bag phenomenon has also opened up new opportunities for other accessories. As the euro has risen, so has the price of handbags produced in Italy by the likes of Fendi, Chanel and Prada. The aspirational customer is now thinking twice before spending over $1,500 on a handbag to key into trends."The bag looks tired to me," said jewelry designer Gerard Yosca. "How much more can you say with a bag right now? Costume jewelry looks more one-of-a-kind and it's about the jewelry, not about the name."Fialkoff said, "Women still love bags and shoes, but we've had a fabulous run of those categories and now jewelry is seen as fresh and new and different. It's offering her newness that she hasn't purchased as much of in recent years."

Only time will tell if costume jewelry will see the same backlash as the "It" bag, especially since iconic luxury brands have joined the mix. Costume jewelry is yet another category where firms like Louis Vuitton and Marni can create branded "It" necklaces."You can tell when someone is wearing a YSL or Lanvin necklace," said Roxanne Assoulin, creative director at Lee Angel. "Costume jewelry has become signature and has brand awareness."

My opinion on all of this, thank you for asking, is that costume jewelry is a complete waste of money. It isn't well made, it breaks easily and can't be repaired, it looks and feels cheap, it can't be reworked into something else, or sold for its intrinsic value.

If you are looking for enduring value and timeless elegance estate jewelry is the only way to go. You get the design, the quality, the history, and the intrinsic value of the gold, gemstones, etc. for a discounted price.

As for history, here's a couple of vintage 1940's - 1950's Retro bracelets from Beladora.com each priced under $500.

Art Project Jewelry

From WWD

Arts-and-Crafts Hour

With their eye-popping colors and vintage vibe, the latest costume jewelry offerings look as if they could have been plucked from a neighborhood street fair.

From wood and feather-festooned earrings to necklaces of chiffon rosettes to silver cocktail rings bedecked with teeny-tiny plastic platters of fruit tarts, the new costume pieces being snapped up by retailers have a fresh whimsy, and usually occupy a more affordable niche in the ever-expanding jewelry market.

Yeah, and is that supposed to be a good thing?

If your child has made this necklace in his 3rd grade art class, by all means go ahead and wear it around the house or during carpool.

Otherwise, avoid it like the plague.