what i want today: studded bangles

aren't these just lovely?? bangles really are all the rage this year, as are punk-inspired studs. but, in both cases, most of the styles out there are a little too predictably trendy for me.

so i was thrilled to find these lovely bangles from gorjana. they manage to incorporate both trends seamlessly...and tastefully. naturally, i couldn't resist - and it's all worked out beautifully. these have been a near-perfect addition to my jewelry wardrobe this season - i've worn them constantly since they arrived. individually, the style is delicate enough for everyday. but combined, the differing size and shape of the stud accents make these the perfect statement piece.

pick them up (separately, here and here) at gorjana's website - i love the yellow gold vermeil, but they're also available in silver. you're sure to get a lot of mileage out of either.

what i want today: gorjana's new fine jewelry collection

gorjana is always one of my go-to designers when i'm looking for affordable, gorgeous, and on-trend jewelry. so when i saw that they'd released a fine jewelry collection, i couldn't resist a peek.

true to form, the pieces are delicate and detailed - and for 18K gold and precious gems, quite reasonably priced.

my absolute favorite is this trio of grey diamond briolettes on a simple yellow gold chain ($370, above). the grey is so unexpected, and i love that the style is so understated. at first glance, you might not even realize they're gemstomes at all.

also, be sure to check out the petal ring ($370), which would be absolutely gorgeous stacked as a trio, and the hand-sculpted gold bangle ($650), which feels more like a work of art than a piece of jewelry.

check out the entire line here, and let me know what else you find to love!

lucky mag redux: april 2008 edition

i remember the days when lucky arriving in my mailbox was the highlight of my month. lately, though, it feels like little more than a catalog, with a few useful coupons in the back. am i the only one?

anyway, it's gotten to the point that i really feel the highlights of any issue can usually be summed up in about 5 minutes. let's see if i'm right...

p. 86: i kind of liked that peach suede clutch by hype ($125, no online sourcing, sadly) - but probably not enough to buy it.

p. 95: i did love a couple of these 'ethereal tanks' - particularly the ones by eva franco (also, annoyingly, no online sourcing - are we sensing a trend?) and forever 21, the token bargain throw-in. the forever 21 version is long gone from the website, naturally, but you can get 25% off the eva franco top if you love it enough to call & order (see p. 254).

p. 243: randomly useful write-up on shopping in oakland, CA...hey, this i can actually use! you know, if i remember to tear out the page and not lose it in the sea of paper on my desk.

p. 247: love that knit necklace by jorge morales...and it's under $100. fabulous!

p. 249: ooh, gorjana discount code?? hmm. no...just another stupid giveaway. how i've never won, given the sheer quantity of lucky mag giveaways i've entered, baffles the mind and defies any odds i can come up with.

p. 252: hmm, 25% off at hayden-harnett (code luckybreaks4) and tulle (code luckybreaks2)...that's not bad. off to browse now...

p. 258 (for you bay area girls): that laptop case is actually pretty cute, and again, a rare under-$100 find. and, wait, is that online sourcing i see?? surely not!

hmm. yeah, that's about it. glad i'm only spending $12/year on this.

and yes, i realize this turned into more of an exercise in snarkiness than anything. but aren't we all entitled to a little snarkiness here & there?

what i want today: beautiful bows by gorjana

how precious is this providence necklace by gorjana? i'm loving the delicate size, the double chain detail...really, just about everything. i have no doubt this will become my new daily go-to if i decide to take the plunge and pick it up. fortunately, for $80, it's not exactly a serious investment.

pick it up over at gorjana's website, but make sure you don't get distracted by any of the other goodies...like the coin wrap necklace, or that gold regal bracelet, both of which i've been lusting after for months....

ooh, and use code HOLIDAY07 to take $25 off your $100 order, $50 off $200, and so on. enjoy!

what i want today: gorjana jewelry

it has recently occurred to me that, while my shoe and bag collection are pretty rounded out at this point, i'm woefully lacking in the jewelry and other accessories department. the truth is that i've just never been that great at picking pieces of jewelery that were designed to really accent an outfit...i'm much more of a "wear the same necklace every day" kind of girl.

but, i'm determined to change that. the truth is that i really am starting to think the accessories make the ensemble...so i need to get to work! lately, i've been eyeing several pieces by a designer called gorjana (who i've featured before), who does really stunning pieces at very affordable prices.

from their current line, i'm gaga for the coin wrap necklace, which i think would be just a fabulous staple piece. at 40 inches long, i can see it double-wrapped as a chic daytime look, or worn as a single strand for a night on the town. it just strikes me as incredibly versatile piece that would definitely be in regular circulation in my closet. at under $200, that's a cost-per-wear i can get behind. this is the only piece here that i can't seem to find at gorjana's official website, but looks like you can buy it here instead :)

i also really love the 3-petal necklace, which i think would do wonders to improve the neckline of a boring v-neck top or an open blouse. plus, it's definitely the bargain of the bunch, at $95. i also think this one would make a perfect gift - really, can you think of any woman you know who wouldn't look fabulous wearing this??

and, if money were no object, i'd buy up a handful of their 'regal' bangle bracelets and layer them for a really fun, eclectic look. at $170 each, you might not be able to buy several....but they're so classic and unique that i may just have to splurge and buy at least one.

definitely worth taking a look over at gorjana's website, where all of these lovelies are available for purchase - you're sure to fall in love with at least three or four pieces.