And we'll all float on

(Club Monaco sweater, Corpus skirt, Kenneth Cole boots, Club Monaco jacket, UO tights)
Photos by Vincent Lim.

Life never slows down! I've wanted to update for so long, and this is literally the first free evening I've had in ages. I've only had a few minutes here and there to look at everyone else's blogs and keep up with all the New York Fashion Week news - runway collections look amazing! - but I hope you are all doing well! I'm posting an outfit featuring one of my favorite mini skirts by Corpus. I love the exposed side zipper, the tulip hemline, the plaid pattern. I bought the Club Monaco sweater last year; the crest vaguely reminded me of Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf - speaking of which, I am thrilled the show is coming back in March. It'll make Mondays tolerable.

A couple months back, I was invited to the one year anniversary party at House of Love & Luck, an amazing boutique on La Cienega that sells vintage and reworked vintage jewelry culled from markets and estate sales all over the world. Their selection is truly extraordinary. My absolute favorite has got to be the snake collar necklace in the third photograph. Definitely check out House of Love & Luck if you're in Los Angeles and on the hunt for a unique piece of statement jewelry!

Bing bang birthday

(Zara shoes, Topshop dress, Bing Bang necklace, vintage cuff)

I was so busy sightseeing and eating my through Paris that I didn't have a chance to take pictures of my birthday dress over there! So here they are... as promised. Thanks so much everyone for your sweet bday wishes and comments!

Even though I was working on my trip, I did manage to slip in some shopping. The black lace dress with shoulder cut outs--purchased after several trips to the Topshop on Oxford Street (I had to go several times; the place is overwhelming!). The Wonder Woman-inspired cuff--found in a vintage store near my hotel in Paris, where I consulted with the shopkeeper about its price using a very handy French phrasebook. And one of the best birthday presents I got this year was the Bing Bang Joan of Arc necklace, a creation of mixed metals like sterling silver, yellow gold, rose gold and brushed brass on a brass chain. All in all, it was a truly wonderful way to spend my 25th birthday. I hope everyone gets to celebrate their birthday in Paris at least once!

Glacier ring

(AA oversize tee, super old DKNY jeans pink tank, Ksubi jeans, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, Gucci purse, Elizabeth Wahyu glacier ring & necklace)

The giant Elizabeth Wahyu glacier ring is a treasured piece in my sprawling jewelry collection. Since much of my mother's side of the family lives in Indonesia, we visit every year. Last summer we met the incredibly talented jeweler, Elizabeth Wahyu. She's established a name for herself throughout Asia, where her pieces sell out in department stores and on home shopping network TV. My sister and I are now the distributors of her amazing jewelry in the USA, and once there's a website up and running to make purchases available, I'll let everyone know! 

On another note, Ty from Jeffrey Campbell gave me a heads up that he featured me on the JC blog wearing the CAMP shoes (pictured here as well), and I'm so thrilled about it! I've been a devoted fan of Jeffrey Campbell footwear for a long time (it's so rare to find shoes that are both affordable, innovative, and stylish) and the CAMP is one of my all-time favorites. Check out the sweet post here! 

Alex & Chloe wedding bands

On Saturday, I attended an event at the Revolve store in West Hollywood. The party was to celebrate the debut of Alex & Chloe's exclusive wedding rings for Revolve--14-karat gold bands with inverted diamonds. Plus, the store had a big display of Alex & Chloe accessories on sale that evening, so of course I perused the collection. I was hooked by a necklace called Chloe's Swords, a pair of swords made of gold mirror acrylic that should add a funky, unique twist to a simple outfit. One woman working the event was wearing these gorgeous Alex & Chloe sterling silver triangle earrings, and offered to let me purchase them on the spot (since they're brand new and the only ones available) but I'm glad I held off because I just spotted this cute pair of hexagon hoop earrings on the website!

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!

Welcome back to the '90s

My attempt at '90s fashion for a coworker's themed birthday dinner turned out to be an interesting one--I was told that my look veered toward somewhat the late '80s and early '90s. With a L.A.M.B. printed T-shirt tucked into a lime green Diane von Furstenburg cotton skirt, I had the colorful mismatched clothes down pat. Then I added black Converse and knee-high black socks, plus a chunky necklace from Subversive for Target jewelry for good measure! While I was slightly more put-together than I should have been, getting all dressed up for a theme party was a load of fun and the experience made me think about theme parties I could host in the future.

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.

Something fishy

I was browsing the jewelry offerings at the Intermix store on Robertson Boulevard last weekend and saw these quirky Elizabeth Cole fish bone earrings on display. The Swarovski crystal fish head and tail is dazzling, while the fish bones are made of a 24-karat gold-plated Cuban link chain. I rarely buy jewelry that doesn't make a statement and at four inches long, this pair fulfills my requirement for big statement earrings, yet are so whimsical and fun at the same time. Elizabeth Cole makes some other amazing pieces that I'd be proud to own, such as these key charm earrings and this gorgeous gold buckle ring.

The statement-making choker

Much like the other breathtaking creations of Tom Binns, this vintage-inspired crystal choker is beautiful enough to make me drain my savings account. As you can see, the necklace isn't perfectly symmetrical: on the left, the stones are attached directly to the chain, but on the right the stones are surrounded by topaz crystals. The unbalanced design is slightly disconcerting, but gives the necklace such an interesting and eye-catching twist. The centerpiece, of course, is a spectacular rectangular amethyst measuring 1" by 3/4". As statement necklaces are measuring up to be a major fall trend, this Tom Binns beauty is perfect for taking out to a party or swanky dinner. The exquisite multisized stones, in a dazzling rainbow of colors such as topaz, gray, green, ruby, emerald, and purple, manage to convey a regal air that is youthful and fresh at the same time.

Kevia's handmade gold band

I'm obsessed with simple yet stunning accessories, particularly when it comes to rings. Kevia's handcrafted gold band has a basic shape and comes with little adornment except for the sparkly bezel set stones in gold vermeil, which is sterling silver dipped in 22K gold. But look closely at how the jeweler meticulously carved this ring to create that rough, hammered looking texture. And note how the edge of the band is slightly uneven and crooked, making this piece all the more charming in my eyes. The beauty of this ring really lies in its simplicity and streamlined shape.

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).

The statement-making limoncello necklace

A statement piece of jewelry, like this dazzling limoncello necklace, can glamourize a plain outfit without much effort on your part. These colored stones, as pure yellow as a glass of chilled limoncello, add a burst of citrusy color with three sparkling strands. As statement necklaces are shaping up to be a major fall/winter 2008 trend, it's important to remember not to overdo the heavy jewelry. For example, don't pair a giant, multistrand necklace with oversize earrings. Keep it simple and let the baubles do the talking. I like wearing my recently acquired black J.Crew bubble necklace with my James Perse button down shirt and jean shorts for a casually glam outfit.

Elementary school nostalgia: BFF necklaces

My best friend from elementary school and I used to wear those best friend heart necklaces, cheap pieces of pink plastic jewelry signifying our loyalty as BFFs. Each of us got one half, either "BE FRI" or "ST ENDS." I loved wearing mine; it remained a comforting and tangible expression of our friendship as we grew up and went on to different schools. Those necklaces are long gone (I suspect my mother of throwing mine out) and though my friend and I are now separated by geography, we still have intermittent contact and remain in touch. That's why I immediately thought of her when I saw these rather grown up Best Fuckin' Friends necklaces in brass (made by In God We Trust). Hand hammered and engraved in pretty cursive, these necklaces are a sassy reminder of that nostalgic piece of elementary school jewelry. Now that we're adults, it doesn't stand for best friends forever...but you can remind your BFF that she's your best fuckin' friend with a necklace in silver or brass.

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.

Discount Spotlight: Lauren Wolf

As I mentioned before, my earrings obsession has continued well into my twenties. However, I am actually quite picky with my earring choices. They must fulfill certain standards in size, shape, color and design, and most importantly, they must have that "it" factor, the special something that makes me sit up and take notice, like these earrings from Lauren Wolf. Wolf studied jewelry design in Mexico and her nature-inspired designs both "complements and commands attention" (as her website puts it). I'd have to agree--the "it" factor in these earrings can't be denied. The blackened silver palm frond earrings, with those jagged, sharp points, have a dazzling strip of 14k green gold down the middle. And Wolf's petal earrings are a casting of stingray skin in silver, with a uniquely mesmerizing shape that reminds me of a leaf.

Use the code "FABULOUS" at checkout to get 25% off anything you buy from her online store.

Anthony Nak's signature collection earrings

Try as I might, I can't find a more affordable alternative to Anthony Nak's finely wrought earrings. Each piece is so special and one of a kind that you'd be hard-pressed to accept anything less. Take these 18K gold hoops, made to look like the delicate branches of a birch tree with subtle pave diamonds and a single tourmaline nestled in each earring. Or the dazzling pair of hanging teardrops, featuring mint ice quartz marquis framed in intricate gold settings. While the hoops are casual enough for the office (just be prepared for some envious stares), the stunning teardrops are appropriately glitzy enough to wear to fancy soirees. Launched in 1999 by Anthony Camargo and Nak Armstrong, Anthony Nak enjoyed the spotlight when they were asked to design Barbara and Jenna Bush's jewelry for George W. Bush's 2001 Inaugural Ball. Since then, celebs like Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon have flaunted the brand's unique designs both on the red carpet and off.

Searching for: A New Pair of Earrings

When I was a senior in college, I was obsessed with huge earrings. On a whim, I bought a pair of large, hammered gold Kimberly Baker hoops and haven't taken them off since. I've worn my "lucky earrings" everywhere--while taking final exams, going clubbing with the girls, studying at Starbucks, or catching a midnight movie. But now that I've moved onto the next phase of my life, I feel like it's time for a new pair. What better place to look than Kimberly Baker Jewelry of course?

After surfing through her online collection of amazing jewelry, I think I've found my new lucky pair-- "Roxanne." Here's the description from the website: If the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom Roxanne must be one smart cookie. She can drink like a sailor and dance until dawn, so it takes some serious jewelry to stand up to her personality. That’s what drew Roxy to her new earrings. A chain-mail arrangement of ten Maltese crosses they’re wild enough to match her minute for minute. They’re also wild enough to match the tattoo on her…oh, never mind.

I can tell right away I'll love wearing them every minute. These eye-catching earrings will add glamor and high drama to any outfit. I'll buy the $250.00 18kt gold vermeil over sterling silver pair. Sure, this purchase may drain my wallet, but these earrings are going to last for years and--hopefully--bring luck during my next career phase!