Michal Negrin Lovely Hoop Earrings with Blue Swarovski Crystals

Miriam Haskell Brass filigree hoop earrings with Swarovski crystals

Fall Fashion Trend Alert - Miriam Haskell Brass hoop earrings with swarovski crystals. Autumn hued beads and brass turn these hoops into a sparkly accessory to enhance any outfit. These brass hoops are wrapped with Swarovski crystals and glass beads.  Try them with a strapless dress for the next big cocktail party you attend. Visit Miriamhaskell.com for more detailed information – a My Beauty Match Insider favorite vendor!

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MELINDA MARIA “Spike Collection” Rose Large Spike Hoop Earrings

Fallon Hoops with fierce spikes are the Fall Fashion Trend

Fall Fashion Trend alert, seen on celebrities and in major fashion magazines, spiky brass hoop earrings are the next big thin! Watch out this Fall for these really cool spiky hoops to spice up any outfit. Check out a My Beauty Match Insider favorite for great earrings Fallonjewerly.com

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***This post will make a lot of sense to anyone living in Toronto***

I know that we’re facing some difficult financial times and a lot of us have less disposable income or we’re simply not shopping as much. That said, I’ve noticed lately some really insane sales where prices are slashed so much, it seems they are giving the merchandise away.

This afternoon, I was at a pastry shop when I noticed a woman with three boxes of shoes. I quickly glance at the bag she was carrying and made my way to that shoe store. Now, I don’t need shoes and I had no intentions on buying shoes, but I do like to look.

The shoe store didn’t have anything to write home about because there is no way I’ll ever be caught walking in four inch heels. As I was making my way to another appointment, I noticed that Kumari’s (one of my favourite stores in city because it’s such a pretty store filled with items you find no where else), on Cumberland in Yorkville, was having a sale.

I gazed at the beautiful pashminas from the window and longed for the day when I would be able to buy the large pashmina shawl in a bright colour ($400). I was about to leave when I decide to go in quickly just to look (once again) at my dream pashmina close by.

As I was making my way around the store, the sale people informed me of the sales. I quickly started looking at the jewellery and landed in front of a bit display case of bracelets made of stones, pearls, fresh water pearls and beads in as many colours as the rainbow. As I was reading the sign, the sales person told me that all the bracelets were $30!!! Yes, bracelets that were $195 were now $30!

I got a few really beautiful bracelets that I’ve never seen before. The colours are dazzling and I know that I’ll get a lot of compliments every time I wear them.

I’m not going to go into much more details, but suffice to say that I would highly recommend that you stop by Kumari’s because this is the type of sale you might never see again. Obviously, I’m not advocating spending money you don’t have, but if you were looking for an inexpensive treat, skip a cheap-buy and opt for a quality bracelet at bargain-basement prices.

The pashmina’s scarves and shawls are on sale (buy one and get the second at half price) and all the silk and cashmere sweaters are 50%.

The sale will be extended until the end of this week!

Kumaris’ is located on in Yorkville and you’ll find directions here: Kumari’s

Photo of bracelets from Kumari’s

The only thing I like more than watching Lipstick Jungle is talking about how much I like watching Lipstick Jungle.

I’ve reviewed the many reasons why the Lipstick Jungle style and fashion keepsme glued to my telly on Friday nights.

I wanted to remind my readers that the Lipstick Jungle Boutique on SeenOn.com has tones of the beautiful jewellery featured on Lipstick Jungle episodes and I just had to share this with other fans of the Lipstick Jungle show.

If you’ve been dying to find out how to get your hands on Wendy Healy’s (played by Brooke Shield) purple drop earrrings or Nico Reilly’s (played by Kim Raver) killer bold rings or Victory Ford’s (played by Lindsay Price) beautiful flirty glass seed bead necklace, now you can and you can get it all in one spot!

You’ll notice that at the Lipstick Jungle Boutique at SeenOn, you’ll be able to get some really incredible looking jewellery that is both stylish and original!

While you’re on SeenOn.com, you’ll also be able to shop for fashion and accessories from other TV shows like Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, 90210 (you should check out the jewellery here as well), House and Grey’s Anatomy!

You’ll find more details on Lipstick Jungle’s dazzling  here: Lipstick Jungle atthe SeenON boutique!

Photo from episode 14 of Lipstick Jungle “Let the Games Begin”

I have to say that Lipstick Jungle has had the biggest fashion impact on me since Sex and the City. The difference between the two shows is the fact that I can actually see myself wearing many of the fashion and accessories featured on Lipstick Jungle, while Sex and the City was more of a “I cannot believe she’s wearing this” reaction.

I will admit to having many fantasies about walking in 4 or 5 inch designer shoes thanks to the ladies of Sex and the City, but since I’m already quite tall and I walk so ungracefully with anything higher than 2 inches, I’ve used the show’s influence to really take my accessories to another level because Patricia Field (the show’s stylist extraordinaire) has really showed us all how bold accessories can “make” any outfit.

I will admit to watching Lipstick Jungle for the fashion and accessory features. I really like how the three main characters (Wendy, Nico and Victory) wear some of these bold fashion statements:

* Short nails and rich-dark nail polish

* Big rings

* Big chunky necklaces

* Drop earrings as daywear

* Diamonds in the middle of the afternoon

* Vintage furs

* Super-high heels

* Fashionable glasses

* Multi strands of pearls as daywear

* Vintage fashion that is stylish and not frumpy

* The softer side of the “power wardrobe”

* Beautiful handbags

The best part about this show is that two of the characters in real life are over 35 (actually over 40) and both Wendy (Brooke Shield) and Nico (Kim Raver) are always dressed to kill … it’s always sophisticated, but VERY sexy!

Lipstick Jungle is a breath of fresh air and another statement that you CAN look good as you age and being/feeling/looking sexy after 35, 40, 45, 50 or 60 is up to you.

We might not all be able to buy the high end designers featured on the show, but ladies, you can take those fashion cues to your nearest Target (Canadians call it Tarjay for fun) store and you can find the same styles at prices that suit your budget.

Here are some of my favourite fashion moments from Lipstick Jungle:

Take a look at the neckline on Nico’s dress

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I love the bold gold necklace against Wendy’s purple blouse

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Look at how Wendy paired those dropped earrings and that updo for daywear at the office!

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The jewellery … the jewellery and the jewellery again!

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I LOVE how Nico placed that big broche at her waist instead of the usual shoulder placement

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Nico is famous for her big-bold-look-at-me jewellery

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Nico has brought back the fashionable eyeglasses

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This is the new power suit “look” ladies – see how Wendy and Nico wear clothes that command attention and respect, yet they still look very feminine and sexy:

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Victory’s vintage inspired dresses

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All photos are from Lipstick Jungle

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A few weeks ago my editor Mary declared during a breakfast meeting at one of our favourite French pastry shop that she had just read that the “IT” bag was a thing of the past.

It seems that fashionistas around the world are putting a curb to their Sex-in-the-city-must-have-bags and they are being a lot more conservative and in many cases, just being content sporting last season’s “IT” bag.

I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it: October 2008 will change us forever … we’ll never be able to look at anything the same way we did before the market meltdown.

More and more high end designers are creating more recession-proof lines to meet the demand of women wanting to (still) wear a piece of couture at an affordable price. No one does affordable-recession-proof couture like H & M. For years now they’ve been teaming up with top celebrities, models and high end designers to create special collections that usually end up selling out before lunchtime.

I’ve found a site that is devoted to designer inspired handbags that you’ve seen in fashion magazines, gossip magazines and on gossip web sites at the arm of your favourite celebrity.

It’s getting harder and harder for most women to justify dishing out $1800+ for a handbag, but if you are able to get the look without the sticker-shock price, this is one avenue a LOT of women will explore over the next few months until the economy gets to a healthier state.

When you visit Baghaus, you are either able to shop by style or you are able to shop according to your favourite celebrity’s latest handbag obsession.

It’s such a cool way of choosing which bag you might want to buy.

You can simply head to the Celebrity Style page and click on the photo of your favourite celebrity to see which handbags she’s been seen sporting and Baghaus will show you the designer-inspired-version at a fraction of the price of the real-designer-version.

If you flip through your favourite fashion magazine or if you make your way to any high end department store or if you go directly to the designer stores, you’ll quickly recognize these inspired looks.

I’ll be honest, in some cases the inspired-looks are incredibly believable. You won’t have the chic logo, stamped dust bag, look-at-me shopping bag or the credit card bill that goes along with high price handbags, but Baghaus allows you to have some pretty attractive handbags and attractive and recession-proof prices!

Here are some examples of the Baghaus designer inspired handbags:

1) Inspired styles from Julia Roberts – Urban Expression Versatile Weekender Baghaus Recession-proof designer-inspired handbags.

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2) Inspired styles from Victoria Beckham – Urban Expressions Snake Skin Woven Tote Baghaus Recession-proof designer-inspired handbags.

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3) Inspired styles from Jennifer Lopez - Primo Limited Medium Loft Tote Baghaus Recession-proof designer-inspired handbags.

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4) Inspired styles from Halle Berry – Madeleine Padlock Tote Baghaus Recession-proof designer-inspired handbags.

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5) Inspired styles from Gwyneth Paltrow – Mini Andi Tote Baghaus Recession-proof designer-inspired handbags.

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You can check out which handbag your favourite celebrity is sporting here: Baghaus Recession-proof designer-inspired handbags.

Baghaus featured on Good Morning America, Click Here to Watch

Photo by *clairity*

Taking fashion and style cues from celebrities over 35 who are aging well is the second best thing to having the money to hire their talented stylist.

Now if you were to go out and buy Halle’s designer inspired bag, you’d have to dish out several thousand dollars, but I found a look-a-like bag that is the fraction of Halle’s designer handbag.

I won’t reveal the name of the designer bag, but the look-a-like is called “Urban Expressions Faux Croc Print Madea Carry
” and it comes in faux crocodile in black, brown and tan and it’s only $58 USD! This tote is perfect for any season and what can I say, I really like the price.

Another celebrity noteworthy tidbit about this bag is that Ashley Simpson and Cameron Diaz have also been spotted wearing the original.

I’ve seen the original in red from the original designer … which happens to be one of my favourites … and I tell you the original is SEVERAL thousands. This is a fun look at a fun price!

If you like Halle’s inspired bag, you’ll get more details here: “Urban Expressions Faux Croc Print Madea Carry“

The first few times, I really didn’t take note of the brand or the price tag … I just looked at the jewellery in awe. It was only in the April 2008 issue that features Demi Moore on the cover that I became fascinated with a green necklace adorned with beautiful crystals and I HAD to find out how to get it.

When I read the caption near the necklace I noticed that it was Badgley Mischka (owned by Mark Badgley and James Mischka) and I also noticed that the necklace of my dreams was only $495.

I could not believe that a high-end designer like Badgley Mischka would create a line of custom jewellery that was actually within reach.

I had recently read about Badgley Mischka’s fine jewellery line (in gold and precious, semi-precious stones) that debuted in Las Vegas in May, but I had not realized that they had already started marketing a “more affordable” line of jewellery. When I started doing a bit of research I realized that this new vintage inspired custom jewellery line is a collaboration with the Renk sisters (designers of the six-year-old fashion jewellery line Sequin).

I’m unfortunately not in a position (yet) to line my wardrobe with Badgley Mischka couture, but their vintage-inspired custom jewellery is quite possibly the next best thing.

Here’s one more reason to want to consider adding a gorgeous piece of jewellery to your collection … not only will you look sleek and chic, but for women who are trying to divert attention from body parts they are concerned about, jewellery can make for a great style trick to divert attention. For women who have sagging skin around their neck, a more solid piece of jewellery will help to hide imperfections. Finally, jewellery is an inexpensive way to update an outfit that is a few seasons old.

Alas Canadian readers will have to travel for this one. The Badgley Mischka/Renk jewellery collection is available at Nordstrom and Henri Bendel and the prices are quite affordable, but I had to eye the most expensive piece in the collection.

Photo from Bazaar US edition April 2008