Summer Jewelry Trend Alert: Get Cuffed

Forget 'raindrops and roses' and 'whiskers on kittens', 'summer' and 'jewelry' are a few of my favorite things - and one of the hottest bauble trends of the season is both affordable and creative:

Cuffs!

Sarah Jessica Parker can't get enough of them and designers like Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui and Diane von Furstenburg are using them on their runways like nobody's business.

So how do you wear them?

You can go for just one big look like this cool agate cuff from Nordies for only $68!


Or better yet, layer them up using a variety of cuff categories - like this Betsey Johnson floral look with this metal stretch piece.




And there's no rule against using a cuff/bangle combo. How cool would this trendy faux turquoise style look with a series of gold clinks to go with?

Jewelry.com has a great assortment of statement cuff cuties from the hottest (and most trusted) jewelry retailers. Or you can cruise vintage stores, garage sales and grandma's jewelry box for styles screaming for summertime fun.

Getting cuffed never looked this glam. Unless you saw this 'bachelorette party' gift on The New York Housewives last week (ahem).

Lead a Charmed Life

Forgive me, jewelry hounds. I forgot an important fall jewelry trend in my post last week: charm bracelets!

Most of the hot celebrity jewelry lines are featuring them this season – from Paula Abdul to Tori Spelling – and top designers like Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs and Betsey Johnson have special charmed creations in their collections as well.

Even Brad Pitt got shiny additions for his beloved Angie's bracelet - as if they didn't already lead a charmed life!

Charm bracelets are one of those timeless jewelry categories that work for all ages and styles. The fun isn’t about a one-off bracelet purchase – it’s about collecting the charms that represent who you are. And it’s a great way to get gifts that really mean something to you come birthday-time and holiday season.

One hotspot for charms is Reeds Jewelers on Jewelry.com. The retailer, in business since 1946, just joined the Internet juggernaut with over 4,000 (count em!) charms ripe for the picking - in addition to their extensive collection of fine jewelry styles.

Some of my favorites border on the bizarre, but you’ve got to hand it to them: they’ve got every whim and whimsy covered.

How much do you love this bathtub charm? They’ve got everything from a minivan and a gas pump to a spider web and a camera! Anything you can imagine.

So take some time to troll the Reeds coffers on Jewelry.com to add to your charm collection or to start a new bracelet just in time for the fall season.

And let me know how you make out! Which charms best suit your personality? They've got it ALL, I'm telling you. Surprise me!

Betsey Johnson: Timeless Fashion Design

Betsey Johnson first nabbed her spot on the fashion in the sixties and seventies. Her designs were just as hot then as they are now. In fact, they were so hot that they have been referred to as "culty brands" by New York Fashion, which has her fashion status marked as "Established, Household Name."

This fashion designer and fashion jewelry designer has worked with clients such as Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Janis Joplin, Debby Harry and Paris Hilton. Her designs can be purchased in major department stores including Macy's and Bloomingdale's as well.

Many brands describe themselves as "flirty", but Betsey Johnson's designs really own and exemplify this term. Just consider her Fall 2009 collection, which is brimming with colored leggings, short skirts and short boots; all of which is very '80s, early '90s and Cyndi Lauper-esk. Although there are several designs that tend to "throwback" to these decades, it's easy to see how Betsey Johnson's designs are always on the cutting edge.

Johnson's choice of fashion jewelry to compliment her runway designs is creative as well. Her chosen accessories for her Spring 2009 show include items like thin, black choker necklaces on every model, not to mention colorful wigs and round brim hats. Bangles, colored sunglasses and long, ornate earrings are also used throughout.

Throughout Johnson's lines, it's easy to see that she's really just a punk rocker at heart. She's unique, daring and full of surprises, which is evident from her cartwheels at the end of her fashion shows. And, although they try to remain austere and mysterious, it's easy to see that her models are having just as much fun wearing her fashion and jewelry designs as she did creating them.

When you visit her online store, you will find Betsey Johnson is also one of the hottest jewelry designers as well. She has several new designs including starfish earrings and skull studs that are definitely unique fashion jewelry pieces. Like the marine theme? You'll also enjoy her unique ring designs as well including Lobster and Rhinestone Crab rings. See, Betsey Johnson's jewelry designs are just as fun and timeless as her clothing!