To be a Tyrant

(Farahbella dress from Pixie Market, F21 tights & flower ring & hoops, Zara belt, Wilfred blazer, GUESS? boots, personalized Tyrant nameplate necklace, Tyrant 5 chain fringe bracelet, Tyrant leather charm wrap bracelet, Kimski chain purse, ObscuredCouture rhinestone-studded glasses)

Photos by Catharine Acurso.

As a fashion blogger, I've been very, very lucky to come across some amazing individuals. Two of them include Ty and Brandon, the creative geniuses behind Tyrant Collection. They were kind enough to craft one of their signature nameplate necklaces for me. I love the modern simplicity of the design - a sleek, sterling silver rectangle with my name etched in capitals on the front. Their butter-soft braided leather bracelet with its dangling charms (a skull, a crown, a wing and more), which I wear wrapped around my wrist four times, has also become my talisman recently. Each hand forged Tyrant piece feels personalized and incredibly special. The proof lies in the fact that every single time I wear their jewelry, no matter where I go, people fall in love with it.

Fluid modern cuffs

I recently blogged about how I'm looking for the right pair of bracelets or cuffs to wear as my signature accessory. While on the hunt for the perfect pair, I came across these modern looking Elizabeth and James bold silver cuffs. I'm such a fan of the line's clothing, so it's easy to translate that love onto the jewelry that Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are selling under the line. I mean, take a look at this beauty! The cuff is big and bold, possessing a kind of fluid, organic quality about it, with the cut outs and curved shape. My only gripe is its price, which is a whopping $525 for mere sterling silver! We're not even talking 18k gold here. Apparently, the cuff is sold out on Revolve's website too... and here I thought we were in a recession! For now, I'll just have to admire from afar and scrounge eBay for this lovely creation.

Signature Accessory: Gold Bracelets

Little known fashion fact about me: From the time I was four up until I was 17 or 18 years old, I used to wear a thin gold bracelet around each wrist. They weren't fancy--just 24k solid bracelets, not very thick--but I wore them every second of the day (even when I was taking a shower or swimming) and literally grew into them. The last few years I wore them, I could not take them off even if I wanted to because my wrists had grown too big for the narrow bracelets. We finally had a jeweler cut the bracelets right off my arms and my mom has them stored away somewhere. But I recently started thinking about how much I loved wearing them because of the story behind it (everyone would ask why I wore these bracelets, and I'd explain how they were a gift from my grandmother) and they were my signature accessory. Now, years later, I'd love to have another pair of signature bracelets--or even cuffs--to wear. I've been perusing Tiffany & Co. for some good options. The crazy Jean Schlumberger twist bracelets are gorgeous but pricey. I like the idea of these modern Etoile bangles with a few diamonds. This classic bracelet is probably closest to the original ones from my childhood. The Elsa Peretti Wave three-row bracelet (pictured) offers a more elaborate twist, while these Frank Gehry Flux cuffs really make a bold statement. I'm completely torn between all these choices, but somehow, I'm sure price will factor into this big time! If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

School rules

Ever since I walked into the Revolve Clothing boutique in West Hollywood and spotted a gorgeous Disaya spider bangle, I've been fascinated by the brand. Then I found this amazing gold cuff carved to look like a pencil shaving tipped with red. The curved shape and gold-and-red color scheme are great, but most of all, I love the original and quirky concept! The bracelets come in yellow and dark blue as well, and you can wear them stacked on your wrist for a layered effect. At $151 each, they'd make great stocking stuffers for any girl who wants a totally innovative, avant garde accessory to add to her jewelry collection!

Silkfruits bracelet

This vintage-looking silk cuff from SilkFruits comes in a array of lovely colors, from grass green to magenta. But I love the true violet hue of this shade, which goes with so many things. The studded gold flowers, silk ties, and beads make this such a special piece, and seriously, statement jewelry has never been so in! You could wear it with your prettiest party dress or add a whimsical--and colorful--flair to a simple tee-and-jeans combo.

Tom Binns neon stone cuff

Do you ever get that overwhelming, all-consuming, burning desire to purchase something that is so pitifully beyond your price range, yet you (almost) don't care due to your total obsession of said object? Welcome to my world. My latest love is this gorgeous cuff, a true work of art, by Tom Binns. With a single neon yellow stone set in a tangle of black crystal and metal floral detail, the cuff comes across as both edgy and elegant. And since statement-making jewelry is becoming a big hit, the bracelet is perfect for the upcoming fall. Unfortunately, its breathtaking $825 price tag is way beyond my budget. Until I hit the jackpot, I suppose I'll console myself with more affordable pieces (Anthropologie offers an intricate cuff made with strands of orange beads).

Designer Spotlight: Iosselliani Jewelry

Iosselliani jewelry has, for a long time, registered on the radar of those in the fashion biz. The creation of Italian designer Paolo Giacomelli, the line is often featured on models in magazine photo shoots, which is how I first took notice of the brand. While the pieces are decidedly delicate, the heads of serpents, dogs, and panthers give the jewelry a tougher edge. Semi-precious gems and metals are blended together to create edgy, ornate pieces of jewelry. The designer is fond of layered necklaces and statement rings. Some of my favorites include the single earring with a catlike head and ruby eyes, the stack of five bracelets including one serpent head, a glittering panther ring, and a tangled necklace starring rubies, garnets, and zircons.