Bejewel my Heart!

If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then jewelry in general is also our best gay friend, our lover, and our stylist all in one!

Jewelry can make or break your look and it does not have to cost a fortune to be stylish and smashing. Even though our clothing options are growing all of the time, some of us still may be facing an unappealing selection of boring, dowdy “women’s sizes” and if this is the case, jewelry is where you can go wild and give your look some great personality.

Jewelry is the treat you give yourself when you’re feeling a little blue and remember that stunning simple ring in the store window that will look oh-so-lovely on your well-manicured hand. Jewelry is the celebratory present you give yourself when you get that promotion you have been coveting. Jewelry is the ultimate intimate and symbolic gift in the form of the engagement ring you share with a most precious loved one.

My recommendation? Play with your jewelry. Have fun with it. Every time you pick up a blouse or dress (or bra..what the hell?!) at Lane Bryant or Lee Lee’s Valise, pick up a great necklace or some fun earrings as well. Your outfit is not done until you have a great piece of jewelry with which to pair it. However, just like I never buy “matching” tops/bottoms or outfits, I would pay the same attention to jewelry. Earrings that match the necklace that match the bracelet are just as boring as not wearing anything. The “Geranimals” approach should be avoided at all costs!

Ultimately, plan to invest in one or two signature pieces that you love and will wear with just about everything. Think about making an impact and lasting statement. Look at Coco Chanel’s pearls or Liz Taylor’s massive diamonds. Even fictional characters have memorable looks, i.e., Carrie Bradshaw’s over sized flower pins. She started a craze that crazy girl! My point is that those accessories not only made their looks their own – these people are known and remembered for those looks. You, my dear, can do the same thing.

My thoughts are to skip the department stores and head over to cool boutiques that feature artisan jewelry or handmade pieces by local designers. You are assured to get a one-of-a kind piece that lets you really show who you are with smashing style. My favorite necklace is a cravat style piece that features three polished stones on the end of wires that criss-cross to form the necklace in the front. It’s architectural, simple, and it never fails to get compliments, and those are NEVER a bad thing!

So, here are some of the favorites I have found on-line recently. I'm especially lusting over the Flutter line, and some of the pieces that Liz Claiborne is doing with their new designs, thank you Isaac Mizrahi! Speaking of designers who just love women in general - Isaac is a lover of women of all sizes and my shameless plug is to check out the website and the clothes!

Credit in order:

Liz Claiborne Necklace

Marc by Marc Jacobs Owl Drop Earrings

Flutter (I don't know if it's a ring, a bracelet or a necklace..but I love it!)

Matthew Campbell Laurenza Sapphire and Pearl Necklace