Rachel Zoe Trades Diapers for Diamonds

Hard labor has its perks. New mom Rachel Zoe got one doozy of a 'push present' from hubby, Rodger Berman - a 10 carat cushion-cut right hand ring from celebrity designer, Neil Lane!

“Rodger wanted to surprise Rachel with something romantic — and huge,” Lane told People.com of the sparkler, which is surrounded by smaller diamonds in a platinum setting. “I knew she’s wanted a cushion cut forever. It was their first baby and she’s been working so hard that Rodger wanted to do something very special. Rachel was thrilled and hasn’t taken it off since!”

Cushion-cut stones have becomen the 'must-have' look among the celebrity set and bridal crowd the past few years.

"A lot of it has to do with Hollywood," president of New York manufacturer J. Birnbach told National Jeweler. "Celebrities have been embracing the cushions and the Asschers for the last couple years."

Famous brides like Ivanka Trump, Alyssa Milano and Anna Paquin each received cushion-cut engagement rings. And we're seeing A-listers like Penelope Cruz wear cushion-cut jewels to big events like the Oscars.

And if it will 'cushion' the blow of the baby blues - I'm all for it.

Did any of you get a 'push present'? Weigh in! And here's a link to my previous post on other great jewelry gift ideas for new moms. Enjoy!

Jewelry Shines for NY Fashion Week

Jewelry fashion has always been the lady-in-waiting on the runways of Fashion Week – there solely to make all those lauded frocks sparkle instead of shining bright in its own right.

But it seems the tinseled tide is turning this year, as more and more jewelry designers are using the tents and runways to debut accessory collections first and foremost – relegating the clothes to back of the bus for a change.

Stylist extraordinaire, Rachel Zoe, is debuting her jewelry line with QVC in the IMG Tent, and hipster jewelry designer, Pamela Love, is sharing the low-cost version of her couture gems at the downtown alternative to the big tents, Mac & Milk Fashion Week.

Not to be outdone, Macy’s and Jewelry.com are using the much-publicized ‘Fashion’s Night Out’ extravaganza on September 10^th to debut their new Manhattan Collection, featuring a stunning array of couture gems inspired by the icons of New York.

If you’re in the city on the 10^th, there is an open invite to their premiere party, The Manhattan Exhibition, at the Macy’s flagship store from 6-9pm. The exhibit will feature 10 super high-end museum-worthy pieces – from a Central Park pendant and a Bull and Bear bangle to a Chrysler-inspired ring and a cuff that borrows from the bridges of the Big Apple.

Pretty stunning, if you ask me. And perfect timing.

So join me as I celebrate the jewelry category taking center stage for a change when the fall fashion machine goes into overdrive next week. I’m fastening my seatbelt – and my purse strings.

Jewelry Trend Alert!

Jewelry fashion is a fickle beast. Just when you think you can retire your statement necklace (or day-glo bangles, as the case may be), the trend-setters bring them back to catwalk another day.

This fall, there are a few relics from bygone eras that are trending big for the new season, but there are also some tried and true jewelry categories that are holding steady for us too.

Here are my four top fall jewelry trends to watch – at least until we get a look at what Fashion Week has in store this October.

Tell me about it, Stud:

Break out your bedazzlers, studded jewelry and clothing is back! From bracelets and belts to shoes and bags, bejeweled fashion is polka-dotting its way back into our hearts and jewelry boxes. Tori Spelling actually has some cute studded styles in her collection. Who knew?

Black and White (and Green all over):

Black and white jewelry may bring to mind the mod days of the 60s, but its making Fall 2009 fashion shine bright this year. Find black and white with a splash of green, and you’ll get high marks from all the sartorial looky-loos.

Yellow Gold:

Summer’s favorite metal has staying power well beyond poolside BBQ season. Gilded, golden, over-the-top jewelry is a major ‘do’ for trend setting fashionistas and Rachel Zoe followers alike. ‘Gaudy’ is no longer a bad word.

80s Glam:

Just when you thought it was safe, shoulder pads, day-glo and leg warmers are showing themselves again - and punk rock 80s jewelry is joining in the renaissance. Think Duran Duran meets The Ramones.

So stay tuned throughout the season for my updates to the fall jewelry fashion evolution. I'm secretly happy to know that even though the economy still blows, there is still whimsy and imagination to be had out there - and jewelry trends we can all participate in no matter our wallet size.

Rachel Zoe Designs for the Masses

Love her or hate her, uber-fashionista, Rachel Zoe, is fast becoming the empress of her own sartorial domain. In between filming her Bravo! show, The Rachel Zoe Project, and styling Hollywood’s A list, including Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner, Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore, People.com reports that Zoe is getting the ‘witch vibe’ for her own full-range clothing line.

We die!

While collection details are still top secret, Zoe promises a complete line that includes clothing, bags, fragrance, and – of course – jewelry. And price points won’t be as crazy stratospheric as her well-heeled clientele can afford.

“It will be absolutely, 100% accessible fashion for sure — for everybody.” Zoe explained.

“There’s no reason for me to do a luxury-level design. That’s not who I am. I don’t think it’s what people want from me. I think that I would need to give people that fantasy becoming a reality. That’s my job.”

Awww, she’s thinking about us huddled masses yearning to find deals.

And if you can’t wait to see what jewelry Zoe offers up (the collection launches next year), the fashion maven recently cleaned out her jewelry box to benefit the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. You can bid now on pieces she designed for Judith Leiber along with costume jewelry straight from her drawers on eBay’s DecadesTwo store and www.decadestwo.com.

And fans of the show will go bananas for news that the second season is scheduled to air sometime mid-year. Bring on the Brad bow-tied meltdowns!