MOKODO is offering Chic Galleria readers an exclusive 15% discount code from December 5 through December 12. Just type in 2011CG15 as you check out.

It’s October and with it, Breast Cancer awareness month and it’s time we ALL start thinking about miracles! As a partner in Surviving Beautifully, a brand new project to help women with aesthetic issues during treatment, it’s my latest, heartfelt work. I promise more about that later. For now, the ... Read More »]]>

“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and… I believe in miracles. ” – Audrey Hepburn

It’s October and with it, Breast Cancer awareness month and it’s time we ALL start thinking about miracles! As a partner in Surviving Beautifully, a brand new project to help women with aesthetic issues during treatment, it’s my latest, heartfelt work. I promise more about that later. For now, the jewelry and fashion lover in me wants to Think Pink with style. Move over, my beloved pink ribbon, here are some picks for cool pink jewels and accessories:

Michael Von Krenner 14K Gold & Pink Spinel Ring

Gorgeous and sophisticated beyond belief!

Here are some beautiful, delicate earrings by Cathy Waterman with a decidedly antique flair:

Cathy Waterman Earrings

I’m thinking about them with a tailored Byron Lars dress I just saw….

Now onto the less serious: remember these? Who doesn’t! I guess the classics [??] never get old.

Jelly Bracelets

Sorry, designers, these are so ubiquitous that I didn’t know who to credit them to!

But jewelry can’t have ALL the fun: pink leather goods need some love too. Chanel is known for the subtle color palette, and this tote is no exception. C’mon, dontcha want it even if you don’t love baby pink 1000%?

Pink Chanel Tote

Don’t forget your keys: the King of Color, Jonathan Adler, has just the thing to corral them in cuteness:

Jonathan Adler Pink Poodle Keychain

The edgy German fashion designers Dirk Bikkembergs is known for his darkly quirky style. His pink kicks are quite a departure from his post-industrial chic and are just the thing to walk in this October.

Dirk Bikkembergs Pink Soccer Shoes

Finally, not to be too matchy-matchy, a classic shade from OPI: good color, great cause!

D

OPI Pink of Hearts Nail Lacquer

Be sure to think pink this month and support breast cancer awareness and research. Komen for the Cure is always a great place to start learning how to get involved.

A large showing of actors came to ... Read More »]]>

Hollywood was all the buzz about Silpada Jewelry at the Kari Feinstein’s 2011 Emmys Style Lounge, the highest sought after pre-event celebrity gifting suite.  This pre-Emmys event is possibly as anticipate as the Emmys themselves, as the stars are well-versed on where to get the best swag.  On September 15th -16th at The Mondrian Hotel, West Hollywood, CA, Emmy nominated actors, TV  hosts and personalities, and reality stars came out to hand select their favorite Silpada jewelry.  From bangles to bracelets to earrings and necklaces, stars were eager to scoop up what caught their eye.

A large showing of actors came to get their Silpada at the Emmys Style Lounge.  Constance  Zimmer (“Entourage”) caught up with Cheryl Hines  (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) while snatching up her Silpada.  Constance, with her larger than life personality, joked about getting some jewelry with cubic zirconia in it – or “CZs” just like her initials!  She selected a multi-strand sterling silver and cubic zirconia chain necklace (N2302).  She said:  “This necklace has a little bit of me in it – CZ!  I like the leather mixed with it.  You can wear it with a t-shirt!”  Cheryl Hines loved Silpada’s pink and bamboo multi-strand seed bead necklace (N2243), saying, “I’m committed to accessorizing this fall! I really love this necklace!”  Here is Jerry Ferrara  (“Entourage”) picking and choosing his favorite pieces.   Although Silpada reps beg to differ, Jerry called himself “stylistically challenged.”  Challenged or not, he managed to find a beautiful piece for his girlfriend.  He chose a turquoise statement ring (R2017).  He went on to say:  “I’m stylistically challenged, but I can see my girlfriend wearing a LOT of this!”  AJ Buckley  (“CSI: New York”) came to the event with an armful of bracelets already on his wrist, but that did not stop him from getting Silpada’s braided leather and sterling silver bracelet (B2274).  He said he plans to wear his Silpada bracelet on “CSI,” saying “I wear all my own bracelets on ‘CSI’ and this is a great addition!”

“Extra!” Co-hosts Renee Bargh and Maria Menounos made a visit to Silpada’s gifting lounge.  Bargh immediately fell in love with the Silpada jewelry calling it her “new obsession!”  This ring-obsessed beauty selected two rings – a sterling silver and turquoise ring (R2017) and a sterling silver and brass mixed metal ring (R2293).  Loving what she picked out, she said,  “This is very much my style.  I love the combination of the gold and silver.”  Menounos walked away with several items from Silpada’s new line for her jewelry box.  Among her favorites were a turquoise statement ring (R2017) and a coordinating pair of sterling silver and turquoise earrings (W2132).  Maria, a long-time fan of the jewelry, said: “I had to stop by and say ‘hi’ because Silpada is always so good to me!”

A great showing of reality stars came to the Style Lounge.  Camille Grammer (“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”) was absolutely stunning when she visited the Silpada Style Lounge and was really drawn to our bracelets.   She chose Silpada’s sterling silver, cubic zirconia and hematite stretch bracelet (B2312).  She raved about Silpada: “Isn’t that stunning!  It is awesome – I love this!”  Lynne Curtin (“Real Housewives of OC”),  picking up Silpada’s pink and bamboo multi-strand seed bead necklace (N2243), stated:  “This goes really well with the outfit I’m wearing.”  Chelsie Hightower (“Dancing with the Stars”) immediately danced her way into our hearts at the Silpada Style Suite.   In fact, she accidentally lost one of her earrings earlier in the day.  Luckily she was in the right place for a replacement!  She selected Silpada’s sterling silver and turquoise earrings (W2132) to complete her lost-earring look!

Here are a couple of “Bachelor Pad” beauties styling their favorite Silpada pieces.  Vienna Girardi loved the variety and versatility of Silpada’s jewelry.  She selected Silpada’s floral etched sterling silver earrings (W2378).  Loving the pieces, she said:  “These are exactly what I needed to complete my outfit today!”  New mommy, Melissa Rycroft, stopped by the Silpada Style Suite with her husband.  Once she started shopping she couldn’t be pulled away, trying on Silpada’s statement rings and cuff bracelets.  She regularly asked her hubby, “What do you think, baby?”  Ultimately, Melissa chose Silpada’s sterling silver and multi-bead necklace (N2340) that layered perfectly with her existing jewels.  Giving her husband a lesson in what she likes, she said:  ”This is beautiful stuff! You need to know what I like!”

Whether it’s turquoise, silver or sparking gem stones, you will find it at Silpada.  SHINE LIKE THE STARS!!!  Find beautiful pieces like these and more by checking out Silpada’s website:  http://silpada.com.

Suzanne Crumbacher, Senior Style & Beauty Editor and Social Media Director for ChicGalleria.com, has a certificate in fashion design and a master’s degree from Regent College, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.  She has traveled to Venezuela, Indonesia, Malaysia, all over the U.S., one month stay in Hawaii, studied in Canada for 2 1/2 years and now resides in Oklahoma with her husband and two daughters.  Suzanne loves social media interaction, so tweet her @ChicGalleria and follow her personal accounts on Tumblr, Twitter,  Facebook and Google+.  Read and comment on more Suzanne Crumbacher articles…

My love affair with leather began long before my bumper sticker and continues long after. Gone is the 1980s, and 1990s, and 2000s and with the decades, ... Read More »]]>

When I was 18, I put a bumpersticker on my car from a leather boy shop in Boston. Sporting discreet little handcuffs, it read: “It’s Better in Leather.” This really spiffed up my uber-dorky VW Dasher! My feeling of cool was cut short when, unsurprisingly, my parents removed it. I was hugely annoyed at their bourgeois mentality but soon realized that suburban New England was not ready for me…or my pretentious leather.

My love affair with leather began long before my bumper sticker and continues long after. Gone is the 1980s, and 1990s, and 2000s and with the decades, my Ramones jacket and cowboy boots with duct tape. So instead I now enjoy a little leather jewelry. Eschewing the ubiquitous Chan Luu beaded leather bracelets, here are some of my current favorites which sport a little of that old leather-loving style.
Leave it to the French to put the S for Style into S & M – this serious chunker from Givenchy sports bi-color metals and softened spikes:

Silver and Gold Studded Bracelet by Givenchy

For you natural types, check out this leafy choker by Natalie Brown. Resplendent with ferns and a dreamy aura to boot, it’s just the thing with a slouchy, off-the-shoulder tunic.

Natalie Brown fern shaped neck piece

A little more discreet but still sporting a rocker fleur-de-lis motif are these shabby-chic beauties from Early Jewelry.

Black Leather earrings by Early Jewelry

Why should “chicks” have all the fun? Here’s a truly guy’s style wrap bracelet with a birdie skull from LostApostle jewelry on Etsy.

Bronze and Leather Raven Skull Bracelet

Need something a little less hardcore and a little more fun? Check out this knotted orange leather ring by byboe jewelry. I like the ring cuz it’s cool, but especially because I’m fortunate to counts its designer, Annika Salame, as one of my students!

Orange Leather Knot Ring by byboe

Let’s end on a happy note: this bib necklace by tomgirl jewelry is piled with colorful leather leaves and just makes me want to smile.

TomGirl Necklace

My bumper sticker was right: it IS better in leather!

PS: If you’re a DIYer, you may want to peek into this cool book by Lark Books and make your own leather lovelies!

Leather Jewelry

The LOFT is making it easy to run off to a holiday getaway in oh-so-chic Alpine Lodge inspired attire. Prepare to get comfortable and stylish in incredibly cozy sweaters—or layers of the season’s easy knits in Loft’s favorite wintry neutrals. Expect to see cowl neck sweaters, faux fur pieces, cute peep-toe heels of all sorts as well as boots, sophisticated fit pants, skirts, and blouses. All of the apparel and faux fur accessories will make you ... Read More »]]>

At a stunning rooftop venue in Chelsea NYC, the LOFT threw a fabulous cocktail party to give an insider’s preview to their Holiday 2011 collection.

The LOFT is making it easy to run off to a holiday getaway in oh-so-chic Alpine Lodge inspired attire. Prepare to get comfortable and stylish in incredibly cozy sweaters—or layers of the season’s easy knits in Loft’s favorite wintry neutrals. Expect to see cowl neck sweaters, faux fur pieces, cute peep-toe heels of all sorts as well as boots, sophisticated fit pants, skirts, and blouses. All of the apparel and faux fur accessories will make you want to curl up next to a fireplace on a nice winter evening!

When transitioning from day to night time looks, The Loft has you covered with pretty sparkles and faux fur accents. You will look glamorous and sophisticated when going out for a night on the town and for all of the holiday parties you will be attending. To accentuate the styles, the LOFT added Pops of Color to brighten up any look. Mix and match these colors all you want—each color looks great together.

Let’s not forget the accessories. The LOFT is bringing back 70s-inspired shapes that look utterly modern in the season’s freshest jewel tones. The merchandising of the holiday “bling” was eye-candy and certainly what I will be asking for this Christmas to top off my alpine lodge inspired outfits.

Available at LOFT stores nationwide and online at LOFT.com

Blaire Brown started a purse business at the age of 16, designing and creating purses to sell online at www.fashionflamingopurse.etsy.com. It first started out as a hobby, and then it flourished in her hometown so she decided to pursue fashion as a career in college. Recently she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and is continuing  to chase her dreams of running her own business in the Big Apple. Throughout the 5 years of being in business, her purses have been recognized by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Next In Fashion blog, and other publications