Designer bracelets are a great addition to any wardrobe. They add a splash of color to an otherwise conservative ensemble, jazz up your favorite jeans and (almost) add dignity and distinction to your Sunday sweats. Today’s designer bracelets are going in a whole new direction than those we’ve seen in the past, and on today’s fast paced fashion scene anything goes.

The problem is, like anything with the term “designer” stuck in front of it, designer bracelets tend to come complete with designer style and a designer price tag-and since the men and women doing the designing are the best in their field that design doesn’t come cheap. If you’re not making a six figure income (and have nothing better to spend it on than designer jewelry) you might find that many retailed designer bracelets are so far out of your price range you might have caught a glimpse of their shadow as they went sailing on by.

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Many men and women are getting ready to pop the question to their significant others. So I decided to give you some wisdom in selecting the perfect ring for you future husband or wife to be. I am going to discuss the steps of buying the perfect engagement ring. I will also add so fun and funky alternatives to the typical “diamond ring”! Let get started all my totallymystyle.com readers!

1.)Know what your mate wants!

Know your guys/girls style. Look at your mates jewelry and pay attention to what they like. If your companion points out a ring or bracelet, than go toward that kind of jewelry. If your girl/guy wants a ring with vintage appeal, than click here

2.) Silver, Gold, Or Platinum

Ok, this is a easy on unless you are completely oblivious of your mate. If your girl/man wears silver, than get a silver or platinum engagement ring. If your partner wears gold, I suggest you get them a gold ring. It is just that simple!

3.) Ask His/Her Friends

Ask your mate friends, they will know what your love wants. If you mate has a close sibling-even better. I would take them with you.  Take their suggestion too.

4.) Know your 4 C’s

The 4 C’s are Carats, Color, Cut, and Clarity. I found a great site by G.I.A (The Gemological Institute of America). It explains the 4 C’s in great detail. Just click Here

5.) What is your budget

Know how much your have before you spend. If you have $1,000 for the ring, than try to get the best quality for the price. If you have less than 1,000 than opt for a Bridal set. A bridal set includes the bride’s wedding ring and the groom’s wedding ring. There are also trio wedding sets. These sets include the engagement ring, the bride’s wedding ring and the groom’s wedding ring. my fiancee brought the trio wedding set and I am very happy.

6.) Find a great jewelry/jewelry store

Research different jewelry store in your area.  Make sure you ask your friends, family, and other married couples. They will tell you who is good and who sucks! Research every store before you enter. Make your choice is a registered jeweler and/or gemologist.

7.) Buying the ring

When buying make sure your ring has a Certificate of Authenticity. Have your ring(s) appraised. Know how much your purchase is worth. This way you will know if your ring(s) is worth the price. Do not forget to get insurance on your ring. Remember that anything  can and will happen!

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Cuff bracelets are all the rage this year. Many celebrities are wearing cuff bracelet to formal and informal events. Personally I am a huge fan of Cuffs! Cuffs bracelets are define as a bangle but it does not close. That definition is changing. Many cuffs close around the wrist well others remain open. You can find many different styles and designs. There are leather cuffs, material cuffs, plastic cuffs, and fabric cuffs. Guess what my totallymystyle.com readers, I am going to show you the hottest cuff bracelets online. You can not get better than this.

I love this cuff. It is a great combination of rock ( the Leather band) and glam ( the large Swarovski Crystal in the middle)! The best part about this cuff is that the band.his Crystal cuff comes in Forty One different colors. Yes, 41! I love the croc print and the distress brown bands! I almost forgot to tell you the price. Are you ready? It is on sale for $35.99! Check it out here!

This is not a key to your heart or the door but a key for your wrist! Unlock some fashion innovation and get this bracelet! This twisted key is buzz worthy for any jewelry fanatic.  You can wear this work of art anywhere and receive a many complements. It is absolutely Fantastic! This sterling silver cuff is from escottoriginals on etsy.com. Though this piece is $125, it is worth every penny. I never seen a piece like this but it is a bracelet to remember. For more information check it out here!

Neckties are becoming a great accessory for the wrist. This funky take on a cuff bracelet is awesome. This is absolutely great. There are many styles out there on this Necktie cuff. I am feeling this! Check out this item here!

This 2.5 inch silver brass cuff is lovely. The Damask pattern is unique and trendy. If you are not familiar with a Damask pattern than here is some info. The Damask pattern was first produced through out Asia. This pattern was used on many fabrics such as silk, cotton, and linen. The pattern is mostly of plants, fruits, and animals. Damask later became popular during the 12th century in Damascus, hence the name. OK, back to the bracelet.  I also love the copper tone of the bracelet. This item is so chic.  I deem this my favorite bracelet on this list! If you are interested in buying this cuff, check out here!

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She’s one of the hottest jewelry designers to date. Missy Industry is your not your ordinary jewelery line, in only short matter of time Melissa Lafreniere has already managed to bring in a diverse group of costumers from various age groups. Honestly it’s no surprise, these items are gorgeous, but don’t take my word for it- just look for yourself.

Highlights from the Miss Industry collection, and my personal faves are the Love Ring ($78) , Chainsaw Necklace ($58) , Shear Necklace ($72) , and Safety Pin Earrings ($45) perfect for any season.

The Canadian designer graduated from the Jewelry School of Montreal in 2003. To further promote the brand Melissa would make necklaces and rings not only for herself but friends as well. As time progressed, her collection grew and now Missy is creating brand new designs every other week.

Melissa Lafreniere tells Totally My Style her influences come from graphic design, fashion, tools, mechanics, tattoos and horror films. The jewelry line is also a reflection of her personal style: punk rock meets girly.

When she’s not hard at work, Lafreniere pastimes include museums, dance clubs, rock shows, galleries and riding her bike all over Montreal in the summertime.

If you like what you seen, then I’d highly advise you head over to the official website and etsy. The line is available at trade shows in Canada and select stores. For more information on where exactly you can purchase these pieces, visit the retailer’s section of the site.

SpongeBob SquarePants is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary, so Nickelodeon and the Simmons Jewelry Co develop an exclusive pendant to be auctioned off for charity. This $75,000 pendant is made in 18-karat yellow and white gold, It is 12 carats of diamonds, including white diamonds and yellow, red and blue diamonds. The collection will feature designs for both men and women.

The SpongeBob collection will be available at fine jewelry and specialty retailers in fall 2009. Te best thing about  with pieces retailing between $150 and $75,000. I would love to see the $150 pieces. I know that Spongebob Squarepants pendant will make an appearance at the 2009 Sundance film festival, which is going on now! I am not a big fan of the TV series, I do love the jewelry! As the old saying goes, Diamonds are a girls best friend. I wonder who will sport this $75,000 pendant in the news.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F.) is a non-profit international organization with the mission to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations. Diamonds are a natural resource in Africa. I love that luxury is being use to help a country in trouble. If you would like more information on The Diamond Empowerment Fund , than check it out here!

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During the holiday season we deck the halls, decorate the tree and wrap almost everything with bells and bows.

Why not extend this sense of whimsy to our fingers as well! A more dramatic approach to the conventional ring is the cocktail ring. Upping the size, “wow” factor and and overall affect of your rings can completely change your look and show your personal sense of style.

The options for cocktail rings are as varied as can be imagined. You can find something incredibly unique, perhaps a specific shape like this bow from KateJewelry.

Or if you prefer a more classic look, you could always go for a simple floral shape like this Sterling Silver Vintage Flower CZ cocktail ring from Limoges. A little sparkle added to this classic look makes sure that your accesory won’t be overlooked.

Whether more taste specific or clean and classic, a great cocktail ring can add punch to any ensemble.

New jewelry for all ages

Ok so I was asking many of my fashionista friends what is the hot new trend in jewelry today! Well I have something for you. Let me introduce you to Tutu Luv Me Lip Gloss Charm Collection.

(Here is a picture of TUTU Luv Me Bracelet)

I love this product because Tutu Luv Me Lip Gloss Charms are a Nickel and Lead free. It has a lip-gloss filled heart charm and a plastic mirror instead. I think this is the best thing candy necklace! The best thing about The Tutu Luv Me Collection is that it was inspired and created by Dasia Aigner (a 10 year old girl from Willingboro, NJ) and her dad Marcus C. Dawson Sr.

The meaning of Tutu Luv Me is Teach U to Teach Us. Tutu Luv Me collection will include shirts for boys and girls. The TUTU Luv Me slogans that will appear on the shirts will be “Do good in school because I Luv Me” or “No drugs because I Luv Me. The TuTu line also includes a bracelet with a heart charm, a necklace with a heart charm and a dog-tag style necklace, also with a charm. All of the jewelry pieces include lip-gloss charm.

I personally like this charm because it is stylish and fun. The design is very chic and simple. Plus $2 from the sale goes to the local PTA. For more information go to http://www.tutuluvme.com/

Let’s face it–pulling off some of the couture looks of the runway isn’t all that easy to do in anyone’s day-to-day work life or personal life.  But there is one new runway trend that can be adapted to real life–the jewelry.

The hot new jewelry trend that filled the Spring/Summer 2009 runway shows?  Statement jewelry.  The runways of Giambattista Valli, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, and many more were filled with models wearing ornate and exotic necklaces, chunky bangles and elegant cuff bracelets.  This type of look is one you can easily bring to your wardrobe!

On the left is a necklace from Giambattista Valli’s 2009 Spring collection.  Gorgeous, isn’t it?  Yet I doubt many people would have an occasion to wear such an elaborate piece.  A statement necklace like the one on the right by Bounkit for Vivre can give the same strong effect and fits right in with the trend.

The statement necklace above isn’t exactly inexpensive (it normally sells for close to $1000), but it goes without saying that a piece like this is well worth the money.  Imagine how much mileage you would get out of a necklace like this during the spring and summer this year!

The bracelets seen on the runway were made of all sorts of materials.  Traditional gold and silver is, of course, always in style.  But the bold, chunky bangles and cuffs were also offered in more exotic materials–anything from enamel to wood to wool and much more was fair game.

Take a look at these bracelets (from left, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and The House of Dereon–Beyonce’s fashion line):

You can find some great options for adding a style statement to your wrists this spring and summer–and the choices are pretty much endless.  Go with designer pieces like those above if you like, or go vintage and stack some Bakelite bangles on.  Try a lacy cuff or a couple of colorful chunky bracelets.  Here are a few good sources for finding some new pieces for this season:

Topshop.com has several designer-inspired pieces at not-so-designer prices.  Check out my fave, a rhinestone leopard bracelet:

Etsy.com is a treasure trove of handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces.  There is such a huge selection of jewelry on this site, so shop when you have some time to browse.  Here’s an exotic kingwood bangle I found for only $36:

I also like www.shopkitson.com as a source for bracelets.  They carry a wide range of styles, many of which are from well-known jewelry designers such as Alexis Bittar, Rafia & Bossa, and The House of Harlow (Nicole Richie’s line).  I especially like this black cuff from Tommassini:

With multiple work parties, family gatherings, and get-togethers with friends this holiday season it may seem daunting to keep coming up with different outfits to wear to each one.

All you really need, though, is a great LBD (little black dress) or white shirt and great pants. The secret to changing up these classic looks this season is to change your accessories! Let’s have some fun with this season’s hottest accessory, the brooch!

You may be thinking that brooches are something your grandma wore. And you’re exactly right! You may also be thinking that you’re too young to wear one. That’s where you’re wrong. Brooches are a classic piece of jewelry that come in infinite styles to suit all tastes. You can go classy with pearls and cameos or for a more trendy look with crystals and modern, abstract shapes.

Adding a different brooch to a top or dress can completely change your look while only costing a small price. Try clustering a few small brooches just over your heart or even around your neckline. Or add a large one to a scarf wrapped around your waist or skip the scarf and pin it just above your hip bone for an unexpected twist to your outfit. This looks exceptionally chic on a wrap shirt or dress.

A great website with just about every shape, size and style of brooch(including the ones seen here) is WhimZGirlBrooch.com. Not only do they have a brooch for everyone (or two or three) they also have excellent prices! Who could pass up these vintage mosaic ones for just $24 each!

So as you see those invitations come in the mail each day, you don’t worry about what you’re going to wear. Just make sure you have enough brooches!

Looking for the best fashion gift ideas for teenage girls?  Here are trendy togs and accessories for teen girls on the go.

Trendy Tunic Tops

Tunic tops are a whole new range of a fashionable way to add beauty and style in the modern means yet with a classy touch of elegant tradition.  They are typically available in various fabrics and a variety of embroidery work.  Tunics are best with jeans, leggings, or skirts, and are perfect with hot metallic flats. (more…)