Get Familiar: Karen Karch
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Bravo Chad; Victoria’s Vintage 1 year Anniversary Gift
You know you watch the show every week; you even watch reruns and not even know it. Twenty minutes into the rerun you're like--"wait, didn't I just watch this episode last night?" But you'll finish the last ten minutes until the end just because. Million Dollar Listing has been pretty good television. I even get to have snack breaks when Madison's part comes on (he's so boring). Chad is my favorite. I also like to predict what clips are going to be on The Soup because Joel McHale does a sweet job of making fun of him. Now, after the latest episode, I've come to like Chad and his girlfriend Victoria even more, so I might not laugh as hard the next time Joel McHale makes fun of him. The episode shows Chad at a jewelry store, picking out a gift for Victoria for their one year anniversary. Chad chose a vintage diamond ring from the 1920s--nice move. The ring was perfect for the occasion and he presented it to her in Palm Springs. I've found a few "look-alikes" on some vintage jewelry online shops, so check them out below, and you could have you're very own vintage ring as seen on Million Dollar Listing! This ring has a similar style to the one Chad gave Victoria. It is also from the same time period. There are seven rose cut diamonds (lucky number??) and the ring is set in 18k yellow and white gold. It can be found here at Adin. Price: around $625. The next similar ring comes from Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry. This one is very elegant and has more diamond weight to it--1.15 carats to be exact. It is also set in platinum. The price on this one is $3950. Worth it! This one is probably the most similar to the style and shape of the ring Chad got Victoria. He mentioned while purchasing the ring, that it sort of looked like a butterfly, and this does as well. It is from the Ross-Simons estate collection, and priced at $1195 ($956 if you catch the Labor Day Sale). Very pretty, set in 14k white gold with, again, seven diamonds. Must be a trend that was done back in the 20s-30s, with the seven diamonds. You can tune in to the Bravo channel, and check your local listings for times of Million Dollar Listing. You could probably turn it on TV right now and watch it, it's always on. Read More
eBay: Pick of the Week!
Haven't looked at eBay in awhile! I think it is because I am still mad at their changes, especially the high costs of seller's fees. My dad had me list his Girard-Perregaux wristwatch, and it cost $45 just to list it! And it did not even sell! Anyways, I think I've found a new seller to add to my favorites list, beverlyhillsantiques.com They have some really pretty antique stick pins and bar pins. Here are a few stick pins that are ending this week. A few things you could do with a stick pin: stick it in an updo in your hair, take it to a jeweler and remove the stick and make a pendant out of it, or secure your trendy scarf with a beautiful platinum & diamond stick pin! This stick pin is decked out in platinum and 18k gold. The sapphires, diamonds and filigree work make this piece stunning. I could see this used to secure a scarf that is wrapped around your neck. The starting bid is $223. You're looking at a half carat in this pear-shaped diamond, with a pearl attached to the end. This one is in platinum and 18k gold as well. I could picture this one being poked into a sleek updo. Starting bid is $493. This bird is encrusted in diamonds that are rose cut and sees with ruby eyes. With this stickpin, I would turn into a pendant at a local jewelry store. You could remove the stick part and use that gold to sell as scrap. Then, a jeweler could easily make the bird into a pendant. The starting bid is $385. You may have thought stickpins don't have much use--but hopefully my ideas will inspire you! Read More
Shop My Picks
Cute Critter Jewels
There has been an increase in animal and critter jewelry lately. Have you noticed? It kind of started off with the enamel bangles that were zebra or leopard that became popular. Now, the trend has transformed into something less tacky, where there is a subtle creature encrusted in diamonds on a necklace or ring. I've seen owls, panthers, turtles, crabs, and many snakes. I found a few favorites that I would wear...these are two little birds and an alligator! I don't necessarily recommend wearing them all together though! The first little bird comes from designer Elisa Solomon. This necklace is so charming and I just love the yellow gold/turquoise combination. That precious metal and stone combo creates such a pretty look. The bird has a diamond for an eye set in 18k yellow gold. The price on this necklace is $600. Do you have a thing for Lacoste polos? That cute little embroidered alligator? Well here's a golden and diamond encrusted version of that same alligator! Lena Wald has created this unique necklace, which is 14k yellow gold and 16" long. It is $242 and can be found at Twist. I love this little enamel birdie ring designed by eclectic designer Solange Azagury-Partridge. I wish I knew price details. On her website, you can view her interesting jewelry designs--like none other! She is located in London, so I'm not even sure if her pieces can be found for purchase here in the U.S. Read More
I wanna piece of the Peace trend
The peace sign is making a comeback. And I really want in on it this time. So I've scoped out the perfect earrings, necklace and bracelet which shows off that infamous symbol in the best way possible--gold. This trend has been seen all over Hollywood and in stores such as Urban Outfitters. If you have a good eye, you could've even spotted a peace sign bracelet on Stephanie Pratt on The Hills. Check out my finds below, and feel free to post some links of other websites where you grabbed a piece of the peace sign jewelry trend in the comments section! I want these...now. Cute peace sign earrings, in 14k yellow gold by Zoe Chicco. The studs would fit close to your ear, so you could easily wear them all the time. Nice price tag too: $176. Not a fan of yellow gold? You can choose to purchase them in white gold...even rose gold! If you want to go for a necklace with this trend, this is the one. Made from recycled gold and handmade by Heather Moore. It would look great on its own, or seen here with two faceted gemstones. The 14k yellow gold peace sign is $375, or if you would like sterling silver, that is also available for $225. From Ylang|23, look under designer Heather Moore! The bracelet also comes from Zoe Chicco and is $272. It is conveniently adjustable, from sizes 6.5" to 7.5" which is great! This piece also comes in yellow, white or rose gold, whichever you prefer. Pictured is the yellow gold version. UPDATE: More Peace Sign Additions! I've been checking out more lovely peace sign jewels, trying to spot a ring. Well, I found a ring and a peace sign necklace that is a little more glam than the simple, organic looking ones I've been finding. Such a perfect, simple ring...something you'd say, "just what I was looking for!" It is 10k rose gold designed by Jane Diaz. It is only $175 and can be purchased at Eliza Page. More of a glamorous side of the peace sign trend, is this necklace. Designed by Rebecca Lankford, the silk cord and simple peace sign is transformed into a sophisticated piece by adding the gray-green sapphires and pink sapphire. $430 will buy you this gorgeous necklace, handcrafted in the U.S. From The Clay-Pot. Read More
Mother’s Jewelry; The good, the bad, the ugly
When I used to work at a jewelry store, we got so many shoppers looking for mother's jewelry--something that commemorates children, like birthstones or children charms. We had a few choices to give our customers, all of which I think were very ugly and not elegant at all. Being a mother should be something someone should be very proud of, and by wearing a large golden boy charm is not my idea of celebrating that! Or a golden pacifier?! We also had mother's rings, which were very popular. Most were heart shaped, and made out of birthstones. I have some better suggestions than the "usual" for any mother out there that wants to commemorate their children in the form of jewelry. You don't have to go with what everyone else does--start your own tradition or trend. One idea is from jewelry designer John Christian. The Continuous Life Wheel Pendant features your children's names on one side, and then their birthstones on the other. They go around in a circle, which is even more symbolic. I just think wearing a necklace like this is way more elegant and trendy than wearing boy or girl charms. You can even choose between 14k or 18k gold, even platinum. Prices range from $690-$2600. Another idea is to simply buy an eternity band in your child's birthstone, and engrave their name and maybe even birthdate on the inside. It wouldn't matter what finger, you can decide which is most comfortable. You can continue to stack the rings as your family grows. This one is from QVC and priced at $161. It is blue zircon, which could be for a December baby. I've also come across something even more personalized. Those cute, little drawings your little one first makes are always memorable. Why not treasure them forever in gold? This company takes your child's drawings and turns them into jewelry! Such a neat idea and the many examples show how exact the picture is to the jewelry. Check it out! The prices are unknown since you have to send in the drawing to get a quote. Read More
