On The Red Carpet - Vanity Fair's Krista Smith's Style

I don't know what you will be doing tonight, but I will be watching Vanity Fair's Krista Smith and Tim Gunn in their Oscar's Pre Show on ABC. 
(since I don't have TV at home this is going to take some maneuvering, but I will see this show)

From the Vanity Fair website
Oscars Fashion: Krista Smith Opts for Armani

Vanity Fair’s West Coast editor Krista Smith, who’ll co-host ABC’s Oscars pre-show on Sunday alongside Robin Roberts, Tim Gunn, and Maria Menounos, will wear Armani, complemented with Beladora jewels. The long navy gown and Art Deco–style jewelry were picked for their Old Hollywood feel, Smith says: “I will be doing my best to channel Rita Hayworth—although, considering she was one of the great beauties, it might be a stretch,” she laughs. “At least it will be my mindset!”

Channeling Rita Hayworth - not a bad idea except for the smoking

she was Hollywood glamour personified

so Krista will be wearing Armani and Art Deco Estate Jewelry (from you know where)
that's a whole lot of awesomeness.

unlike Wendy B and her fancy backless Zang Toi dress, the closest I'm ever going to get to Graydon and his Vanity Fair Oscar bash is loaning out a little Beladora bling.

Beladora Vintage Jewelry - How To Wear It

I realize that many fashion forward women think that antique estate jewelry is too old fashioned and frumpy for our contemporary lifestyle. I beg to differ. Not only is it easy to wear estate jewelry with current clothing styles, it adds visual interest to mix up the old with the new, especially if you mix up jewelry from different decorative periods. Today I'm wearing Georgian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Contemporary diamond jewelry...and it works.

Antique Georgian Diamond Brooch and Antique Edwardian Diamond Earrings

Here's the detail on the brooch

Vintage Harry Winston Diamond and Sapphire Watch and Art Deco Diamond Ring
also added to the mix is an Art Deco Diamond Bracelet

OK, it won't always be the big diamond stuff...I have a couple of appointments today that call for it, but I will wear something vintage every day....whether big bold Retro brooches and bracelets, funky 1970's rings or a Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra pendant that is less than 5 years old.

Whatever your style, vintage jewelry will work for you too.

Around Town - The LA Opera Salon Event

Il Trittico - Three One Act Operas by Puccini at the Los Angeles Opera

Vintage Christian Dior in Sapphire Silk at Retro Dress
Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet at Beladora

Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Ring at Beladora

The Opera Council of the Los Angeles Opera puts on a special Opera Salon event for its Board members and Patron donors. While I'm not a patron donor, I'm lucky enough to have a good friend who is on the Board who invited me to this week's Salon with a short talk by William Friedkin who directed two of the one act operas of Il Trittico. (Yeah...it's good to have friends in high places!)

William Friedkin , the Academy Award winning director of such films as The French Connection and the The Exorcist, loves Opera. Who knew? He gave a charming talk, with some particularly amusing stories, about the evolution of his career from starting in the mail room at a local Chicago TV station to directing TV programs to eventually directing movies. About ten years ago Zubin Metha, asked him to direct an Opera and he's been directing them ever since.

I haven't seen Il Trittico yet but everyone is raving about it. Of course, with the quality direction of Friedkin, the sopranos of the LA Opera, and the music of Puccini, which in my opinion is absolutely sublime, I know it's going to be wonderful.

And...when I go next week I will be wearing something like this vintage Dior suit in Sapphire with vintage Sapphire jewelry from Beladora.com.

Oh, and none other than Woody Allen is directing the third one act opera of Il Trittico.

Art Deco Jade Jewelry - Gorgeous Green

Beladora Featuring Art Deco Jade Jewelry

Christie's Jadeite and Diamond Pendant in 18K sold for $31,858

Beladora's Art Deco Jadeite and Diamond Pendant in Platinum for $7,750

Christie's Jadeite Ring in Platinum sold for $17,699

Beladora's Art Deco Jadeite and Diamond Ring in Platinum for $7,550

Jadeite has been prized for its rich color and translucence for thousands of years. In China it was known as the royal gemstone. Yesterday, I was glancing at a Christies catalog with the results from a recent auction in Hong Kong. I noticed this lovely jadeite and diamond pendant in 18k which sold for US $ 31,858, Wow, I thought...it's a beautiful piece...but it's not even a period piece.
Meanwhile, Beladora is bringing us magnificent jadeite estate jewelry in platinum from the Art Deco, Retro, and Mid-Century eras....and at a fraction of Christie's prices.

I understand the sexiness and excitement of bidding at auctions. But, when you buy at auction you not only pay the hammer price, you pay the buyer's premium which can be as high as 30% depending which market you are in. Then, after you make your purchase, if you find that you don't like what you bought, you can't send it back for a refund.

I'd rather skip the sexy excitement of auctions and buy online where I pay less, and have the option to return what I buy for a full refund.