Dog Day Afternoon

OK...it's true

Beladora is going to the dogs!

Well to the Love Puppies to be a little more exact.

I'm sure that all of you are familiar with the enamel jewelry of Aaron Basha,

these Love Puppies were created by Aaron's brother Saul Basha for Rivaldy.

Love Puppy Pug Pendant from Beladora.com

this one is for Wendy b

Love Puppy Bouvier des Flanders from Beladora.com

Love Kitty Tabby from Beladora.com

These sterling silver animal pendants with diamond heart collars come in almost every breed. If they don't have your breed, you can send a photo of your pet and Beladora will have Rivaldy custom make pendant or charm with your pet's exact likeness.

C'mon Jill, you know you want an IG!

And with dogs on my mind don't forget to check out Couture Carrie's blog post today with gorgeous fashionistas and their dogs.

Getting My Summer Swag On - Beladora Style

The subject of necklace's and how to wear them have been popular this month in the blogs. Duchesse wrote a great post this week about layering necklaces
and gave us some great tips

Mixing strands of beads, say a strand of turquoise with a strand of deep amethyst, or a tiger-eye strand and a citrine strand, is a refined, elegant look.

Mix pieces of substance with airier ones; too many thick necklaces will kill the charm. Play with mixing beads with other beads, chains of varying weight, or an assortment of chains and pendants.

Start with a two-layer composition. Aim for some sort of harmony, so you don't look like a kid throwing on the contents of your mother's jewelry box. I like pieces with some heft, though you do have to watch out for too much weight on your neck. Assembling many bitsy chains and pendants looks jeune fille no matter how many you layer on.

Well layering is one thing, but this Givenchy multi chain necklace worn by Madonna is another.
Seriously, is there anything that Madonna won't wear?



I don't need that much swag in my sautoir
so this is how I layer it on.

90 inch multi-gemstone by the yard style necklace in 18K

from Beladora...bien sûr

Vintage Value Venture - Posh In Pink

OK, so maybe the weather totally sucks....after a week of gray clouds, cold temperatures and rain....but I can still shop for spring.
Especially when there's a spring sale.

Posh Vintage 1970's Jack Hartley Climbing Rose Maxi Dress $95

Posh Vintage 25% Discount - use code - posh 25

Adorable Pink Sapphire Earrings from Beladora.com in 20K $495

Playing With Polyvore

I don't know what's up this week in my computer world but for some reason mine was en panne yesterday. My bluetooth went down and with a wireless mouse and keyboard...I was stuck.

After an hour spent on the phone this morning with a heavily accented customer support person, I finally got them to agree to send me what I need and hopefully I will be back online tomorrow.

So until the new stuff arrives I'm en vacance chez moi, at least in terms of blogging.



In the meantime...I've been so impressed with the style selections of Jill's Shopstyle "look of the day" posts that I did a search on Polyvore for Beladora and came up with pages and pages of gorgeous ensembles.

This particular one caught my eye....obviously I'm desperately in need of a real vacation and right now a Roman Holiday would suit me just fine.

This is just one of 14 pages of ensembles with vintage jewelry from Beladora on Polyvore...

who knew?

Savvy Shopping- Blush Coral and Nude Shoe

Nude- Sand - Blush - whatever you call it, this is the color for shoes this spring.

From Kristopher Dukes
Nude shoes swing in and out of vogue, but I always adore them. A nude heel is more must-have than a basic black pump: nude shoes match everything, and they’re pure sex. Since a nude shoe melts your leg and arched foot into one long line, nudes like these Jimmy Choos’ll give you stems like Jessica Rabbit…

Kristopher's Choice - The Jimmy Choo Clue
Style Spy's Choice - Calvin Klein Dail

My Choice - Jimmy Choo Quote

Quiet, unassuming, lady like I admit, but they go perfectly with this

vintage Mid-Century blush coral jewelry by Ruser

as modeled by Miss de Ville

Every once in a while you just have to go Grace Kelly

Vintage Value Venture - Lilac and Green for Spring

This Spring
The clothes and accessories that I won't be wearing...as modeled by Heidi Klum on Rodeo Drive

(although this is totally Daphne Guinness isn't it?)


The clothes and accessories that I will be wearing...

Woodlawn Vintage Floral Silk Dress $125

Woodlawn Vintage Silk Dress Bow Back Detail

Amethyst Ring in 14K on Sale at Beladora2.com $396

Amethyst Earrings in 14K at Beladora2.com on Sale for $396

Le Silla satin shoe at Yoox $295

Miss de Ville Models Mahie

On occasion Miss de Ville gets the day off from school.

Today for example, she had the day off for Cesar Chavez Day....
Naturally she didn't get President's Day off because Cesar Chavez is soooo much more important than...mere Presidents such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln...you know who didn't do too much for this country.

Well anyhoo, when she gets the day off she comes into the office to help out.
Somehow she prefers to try on the goods rather than doing any actual work.
Quelle surprise!

Jean Mahie Amethyst and Diamond Jewelry in 22K
Jean Mahie Galore!

Jean Mahie Lapis and Diamond Jewelry in 22K

Jean Mahie Ruby and Diamond Earrings ion 22K

If you're an appreciation of jewelry artist extraordinaire, Jean Mahie

Beladora.com has some for you.

Vintage Value Venture - Spring Roses For Spring Weddings

Well, it's spring...finally

Well maybe not in North Dakota

My mother is happily getting ready for her spring trip to Spain, France and Italy. Included in her little European jaunt is a wedding of the daughter of family friends in southern Spain and for the happy event she's packing a smart little frock, a rose print jacket and adorable shoes each with a gigantic fabric rose on the top.

Considering that the family owns a major Sherry winery and after a couple of glasses of fino and in an outfit like that I wouldn't be surprised if ma mere ends up with a rose in her teeth flamenco dancing with some young toreador.

Alas, I'm not off to Europe until the weather warms up to at least 85 degrees.

But.... if I had a lovely spring wedding to go to this is what I would wear.

Woodlawn Vintage Rose Dress in Silk $350

Beladora Pink and Green Tourmaline Earrings in 18K $1450

And I'd be flamenco dancing with a young toreador with a rose in my teeth!

Luxe For Less - Managing Margins Down

From Jeanine Poggi in Forbes.com
Fashion Deflation
The recession is prompting clothing makers and retailers to lower prices.


There's some good news for shoppers amid the economic gloom: Lower clothing prices are coming soon, and not just for sale items. Mainstream brands such as Lacoste and Coach plan to cut retail prices as much as 30% on their fall offerings.
The reason: Fashion producers are trying to anticipate consumers' tighter budgets and avoid last year's drastic markdowns, which can undercut a brand's perceived strength. "The 70% discounts we saw during the holiday season are risky not just for brand integrity but brand equity," says Erwan Rambourg, luxury and sporting goods analyst at HSBC.


As a defensive action, clothing makers are tightening belts, making do with lower profit margins and passing along the cuts to consumers in the form of lower retail prices.


OK...so mid level brands are lowering their margins, which is great for consumers, but what about luxury brands?


It's highly unlikely that you will see these reductions at true luxury players such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier. "These brands offer classics, and if Cartier doesn't sell one of its watches today, they can still sell it six months from now," notes Rambourg.
Roger Kowall, owner of Ohio-based men's boutique Cuffs, says suppliers such as Hermès, Loro Piana and Brioni have maintained their prices for the fall. Burberry and Bally also say prices will remain steady.
"Luxury is all about perceived value," Rambourg observes. "If you lower prices you take away that 'wow' effect, which is what defines luxury."

While luxury may be all about perceived value, I have to differ with Mr. Rambourg on the price reductions on luxury goods.

While price reductions my not be published, I know that you can walk into any Cartier store in the US and get an immediate reduction on a Cartier watch. These stores desperately need to move product and manage their cash flow.

Perhaps a one of a kind piece of jewelry will never be discounted, but a stock item will be discounted 10-20%. I wouldn't be surprised if you can also get a discount on the Cartier "Love Bracelet"...although who would buy one new when you purchase one pre-owned at a discount.

Even with brick and mortar stores lowering margins, internet businesses, will continue to be the best places to shop, because you can shop at your own convenience from your own home, not be pressured by sales staff to make a purchase and avoid ridiculous retail markups.

This is what I'm liking now online. I don't need a branded item for the "wow" effect.

Black Onyx and Diamond Earrings from Beladora2.com $395

Antique Victorian Black Enamel Locket from Beladora2.com $895

Vintage Value Venture - Because I Didn't Get Any AIG Bonus Bucks

Every week I read the news and shake my head about the massive screw-ups coming out of Washington.

...AIG bonuses paid by the taxpayers and then our friends over at Fannie and Freddie reaching out for taxpayer backed bonuses too.

Of course we have the usual suspects complaining about limits on bonuses

Citigroup, Bank of America, JPMorgan Criticize Limits

Next we have this

Blogger Amy Alkon reminds us of even more nonsense from Capital Hill.

Bend Over, America!

(Again.) Guess who owes us back taxes? Matt Jaffe writes on ABC News that at least 13 companies who've sucked up some of the $300 billion in TARP funds owe hundreds of millions of dollars in back taxes:
Two of the companies owe more than $100 million in taxes, said Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight.
Altogether, the 13 companies owed the government more than $220 million in unpaid taxes, he said.

No wonder we had the largest weekly drop in the dollar since 1985.

Thank God for Vintage...because I'm assuming that you didn't get government backed bonus bucks this year either.

OK, so it's not Roland Mouret....but I like the Mad Men 1950's vibe and detail. Plus the emphasis on the shoulders fits with everything shown this year at New York Fashion Week.

1950's Black and Blue Silk Dress from Swank Vintage $200

Dress Detail - Note blue interior at neckline

Rhonda Faber Green Sapphire and Diamond Earrings from Beladora.com $3250

Sapphire and Diamond Ring from Beladora.com $1950

Yeah...I know that the jewelry is on the pricey side...but with the dollar going down and gold going up...not to mention the inevitable inflation that will be coming our way soon...I'd rather have my assets invested in estate jewelry than in the stock market.

Savvy Shopping - Going Green For Spring

Wondering what to do on a foggy spring weekend? How about a worry free drive along the coast to Santa Barbara in an environmentally sound and super sexy and sleek Tesla Roadster.

With oil prices on the rise again last week, it's nice to know that you can drive an electric car that is energy saving, high performing and cost efficient.

From Autobloggreen

H/T Instapundit

When Tesla formally announced the Model S Sedan last June, the MSRP bandied was about $60,000 for the all-electric sedan. In its newsletter today, Tesla has confirmed that the "anticipated base price" for the Model S will be $57,400. With a federal tax credit of $7,500 available, however, the Model S should cost just $49,900. Details on what's included in the base version of the Model S should be available at the vehicle's official unveiling next week. Tesla says that even with a sub-$50,000 price tag (just barely), the Model S is really competing with cars that cost much less:

Because of tax incentives and relatively inexpensive maintenance and refueling, the lifetime ownership cost will be closer to cars with far lower sticker prices. [...] The Model S will become the car of choice for environmentally conscious and discriminating drivers throughout North America and Europe.

Tesla Model S Roadster

From the Tesla Newsletter

"We're not beholden to Middle East oil – and by the way my car is probably faster than your car!" joked Rob, CEO of WilderShares LLC and manager of WilderHill Clean Energy Index, the first Index on Wall Street for energy efficiency and zero-carbon solutions. "This car is an elegant solution to some of the world's most difficult problems. And buying it is helping push along EV adoption generally because Tesla is investing the money in lower-priced cars down the line."

Tesla is now producing approximately 20 cars per week, which will increase to 30 per week this summer. About 1,000 people are waiting to take ownership of their Roadster, which means Tesla is sold out through October of this year. The Roadster remains the only highway-capable production electric vehicle of any kind (not just in the sports car category) for sale in the US or Europe. It does 0-60 in 3.9 seconds yet is twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius.

Cashmere Cardigan on Sale at Neiman Marcus $114

Cole Hahn Shoe on Sale at Neiman Marcus $74

Michael Kors Jeans on Sale at Neiman Marcus $42

Chrysoprase and Gold Bead Bracelet at Beladora.com in 18K $995

Vintage Jade Ring from Beladora.com in 22K Gold $1850

Citrine, Adventurine and Emerald Earrings from Beladora.com in 18K $1550

And with all of the money that you save from driving an electric car, you can pick up a few baubles from Beladora.com.

Beladora Babe at Global Green

Wanna Be Me at Global Green USA from WannaBeMe.tv on Vimeo.

Here's interviewer Charlotte Al Queen aka Belador jewelry diva

wearing the Jean Mahie Jewelry

Vintage Value Venture - More Dior

Vintage Dior Gold Silk Cocktail Suit from Retro Dress for $565
Citrine and Diamond Ring from Beladora.com for $1550

Citrine Chandelier Earrings from Beladora.com for $1750

If you're not ready to assist Bernard Arnault with amassing even more to his fortune by buying brand new Dior...you can always go Dior vintage.

Vintage Value Venture - Making A Statement

British blogger Ladies Who Lunch posted on the Statement Ring as seen at this year's Academy Awards.

First, we had Marion Cotillard's wing shaped ring from Chopard

Then, Angelina Jolie's Rock of Gibraltar sized emerald ring by Lorraine Schwartz

LWL adds this ring to the mix, The "Marie Antoinette" amethyst and tsavorite ring by the irrepressible jewelry designer, fashionista and blogger Wendy B.

A serious statement it is....especially the Versailles sized price of $12,500.

I'd like to add my pick for a Statement Ring.

Vintage Estate Tourmaline and Yellow Sapphire bombé style ring in 18K from Beladora.com

Priced....a very reasonable $1500

Here are the details:

Liven up your look with this fabulous bejeweled estate cocktail ring in refreshing citrus shades of lemony yellow and deep lime green. Crafted in high polish yellow gold in a domed shape, this estate ring features a lush step cut forest green tourmaline at center, bezel set in yellow gold and surrounded by a glittering thicket of vivid deep yellow pave sapphires. For a special touch, the inside of the band features lovely gold openwork hearts surrounding a center heart covered in pave diamonds. The attention to detail on this vintage gemstone ring is remarkable. It is sized approximately 6 ¾.

Metal: 18K Yellow Gold

Gemstone Weight: Tourmaline = 4.00 carats,

Orange/Yellow Sapphires = 3.00 carats

Design Period: Contemporary

Circa: 1995

Note the attention to detail on the inside of the ring with the gold openwork in a heart design, highlighted by a diamond pavé heart in the center.

Most definitely Red Carpet worthy.