However through this bitterness, we do hold a keen interest on the ‘little things’ purchased by our celebs. These ‘little things’ consist of jewellery or the newly christened name ‘bling’. So here I will take a peek at the most well-known ‘bling’ champions, from rappers to royalty – here they are!

First on my list is none other than rapper Lil’ Jon:

Now according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the self-proclaimed ‘King of Crunk’ owns the largest diamond pendant on the planet. The pendant shown on the left; displaying the words “Crunk Ain’t Dead,” contains 3,756 white diamonds. This is equivalent to almost 73 carats worth of diamond; all set into the 18-karat gold template.
The pendant weighs in at 12 pounds and displays an impressive 7 inch height. Yes I can hear the whisper of jibes now… It really does have that ‘tacky charity shop’ charm to it. Yet despite this, this pendant is worth over $500,000!!

Madonna

During her comeback in 2005 and at the ripe age of forty-seven, Madonna sported some rather fancy false eyelashes. Designed for the music video ‘Sorry’, the singer wore these custom mink lashes. They hold very petite diamonds that are equivalent to 0.75 carrots, and cost a whopping $10,000!

Swiftly moving on to another rapper and hip-hop artist – Mr Bigg.

This rapper, after being shot directly through his right eye; decided that to be a little different, he would have a diamond fitted into his eye socket. The obvious and less imaginative name attached to him is ‘Diamond eye’, you may snigger but his right eye socket alone is now worth a reportedly $70,000 dollars.

Of course celebrity engagements usually boast more publicity than the actual wedding, with the entire focus surrounding ‘the ring’; the men really do have their work cut out. Here we move onto Jennifer Lopez and her engagement ring presented to her by Ben Afleck. The ring was a pink solitaire diamond of 6.1 carats from Harry Winston and said to be worth over $1.2 million. With only a handful of them mined each year, pink diamonds are one of the rarest.

Queen Elizabeth

Now I move onto our Monarch and home of some of the most outstanding and exquisite jewels. Though not necessarily branded ‘bling’ as such, the Queen holds an array of beautiful jewellery; especially necklaces. The Victorian Suite Necklace was a wedding gift to our now Queen when she was just a Princess in 1947.

Bringing an entirely new level to ‘something blue’, this necklace also had matching earrings. Although no exact prices have been attached to this or any of The Royal family’s jewels, we only have estimations and presumptions. I do however predict that this would blow Lil Jon’s ‘pendant’ out of the water!

Finally, I move onto a man that ultimately became the ‘King of Bling’ through one outrageous purchase. So despite attempting to take over the Guinness World Record for his pendant shown in the picture, Akon owns his very own diamond mine in Africa, for ‘obvious reasons’.

After reviewing some of these celebrities and their possessions; it begs the question of why the need for all this ‘bling’? Are they really creative souls that desire lavish purchases, are they fulfilling some sort of personal need? Or, a more realistic guess is that they are probably just bored! Too much money and not enough time to spend it. Despite various ‘bling’ being rather beautiful and classy, the majority of it really doesn’t seem that appealing, but; everyone needs a hobby!

Author’s Bio

Jenny is 100% fashion mad and currently works for Ladbrokes Bingo.

Silver and white gold were previously the most popular choice for consumers when purchasing jewelry. The general colour of the whiter metals is subtle, and can be worn with any outfit quite easily without hesitation. Gold is a strong colour and usually makes quite a statement, which is exactly why it is back on top.

Bold prints, wacky colours and multi coloured hair are a key trend. Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry are the ambassadors of this new trend. They are often seen in outrageous bold and colourful prints, and dye their hair pink, blue, or bright yellow. They also often wear striking gold jewelry.

Without a conscious thought, we all take inspiration from what we see in the media, and we a drawn into new fashion trends constantly, so these bright clothes, and bold jewelry are making their way into our closet.

White metal jewellery becomes lost amongst these bright prints, and is almost considered mainstream and ‘boring’. Yellow gold is now different. In a time when we love retro, it’s no wonder yellow gold has snuck back onto the fashion radar.

It is no longer being marketed as a dated metal. It is now seen as a fun, bold and unusual choice. Its properties as a metal are also something to be noted. Its rich tones will never tarnish, unlike silver. Gold itself is expensive as the cost of precious metals has steadily risen in value. However many designers produce gold plated jewelry which provides the rich warm tones of gold, at a fraction of the price!

It is no wonder yellow gold has made a return. Silver and white gold have dominated the market for so long, it was only time we would consider other metals and made different choices from each other. With such an abundance of beautiful gemstones and metals out there, why stick to the mainstream white gold and diamond ring? It’s only now we are starting to remember this!

Author’s Bio

Kirsten is the owner of Kirsten Hendrich Jewellery. She designs and makes all her own handmade silver jewellery pieces, and will shortly be launching gold designer jewellery.

The great thing about having something personalized is that it becomes incredibly sentimental to you, and it becomes part of your identity. You don’t just have to stick to a necklace with your name on it though! You can opt for many different types of styles and trends, whichever suits you best.

Charm Bracelets

These have become incredibly fashionable in the last decade, with brands like Pandora offering wonderful and classy styles. With Pandora you can design everything about your bracelet; the size, the metal choice (Gold, Silver, etc) and then you can choose each and every charm. They have thousands to choose from, so you won’t be short of options either!

Engraving

Engraving is a great option for those who want to personalize a piece of jewellery you already own. You could have your initials, your name or even a favourite quote put onto anything. Necklaces and rings are probably the most popular choices though, and offer the most flexibility. Engraving is also one of the best options for men wanting to personalize something. You can have watches, cuff links, chains, dog tags, all engraved easily and cheaply.

Photo Engraving

Photo engraving is a newer option in personalized jewellery. It’s done with a fascinating method which etches the photograph onto a metal surface, which could be used as a pendant on a necklace or bracelet charm. The effect is pretty and usually very accurate to the original image. You could get a photograph engraved onto a pendant instead of opting for a locket (think of it as a modernized locket) and watch as people ask with interest how you created such a beautiful and original piece.

The important thing to remember about personalized jewellery is that it is supposed to express something about you and your personality. The more beautiful pieces are ones that have been carefully thought about and that really mean something to the person wearing it. Personalization makes a great gift too for loved ones, so bear it in mind next time you are struggling for ideas for gifts! People love nothing more than receiving something personalized and made just for them.

Author’s Bio

Tiffany Cole is a top jeweller, and lover of new trends. She currently works for Sue Tables, specialists in hand stamped silver jewelry.

For those of us that are baby boomers, we understand the importance of our generation. There were some of us who were out to make the world a more peaceful place, by protesting a war, while others turned more attention toward the environment. It was a time when we felt we could make a difference, by getting involved and fighting for change. Here are some watch designs that evolved during this era:

The 1950’s

In this decade our military was the strongest in the world, and our economy was beginning to boom – along with the population. The military styles, like pilot wristwatches or camouflage pieces were popular. And the new economy encouraged more extravagant spending, and watches emerged with precious metals and gems.

The 1960’s

Some defining times involved John F. Kennedy and also the infamous Woodstock concert in the Catskills of New York. The times were all about peace and love, and hope that a young president could save our country from more war. The ever-popular vintage and retro watches are a salute to this era.

The 1970’s

The environmental movement and the music world exploded with everything from disco to Jimi Hendrix blaring from ceiling-high speakers. It was an era that could never be repeated and it left its mark on all future generations to come. The first electronic Pulsar LED watch surfaced and Rolex was instrumental in designing the first quartz watch technology. The solar watch emerged during this time as well, a testament to the growing interest in clean energy.

The Space Race

The race to the moon between the Soviets and the US was not only an adventure, but also imperative for peace. Apollo 11’s landing in 1969 marked the greatest accomplishment our country ever made. NASA created a new frontier of technology, which became a part of our everyday lives. Omega was unaware that NASA had tested their chronograph watches until their Omega Speedmaster Professional was adopted as the official wristwatch for all manned space missions.

As we know, there are many important events and struggles that shaped this generation. The importance of the baby boomer’s contribution of imagination and adventure definitely had an impact on the way the world tells time.

Author’ Bios

Tanya Peterson resides in NYC and is a content contributor for watchrepairny.com, a Manhattan provider of fine watch repair services since 1978. Tanya’s grandfather was in the antique watch business and it’s been a fascination with her since childhood.

Out of reach?

It may feel like the stars are out of reach to us mere mortals. We see them all the time attending red carpet events and wild parties, as well as on adverts promoting the most stylish brands. But it does not have to be out of your reach to emulate the stars. With a classic second hand watch, you may be able to emulate the best style icons simply and without having to spend a fortune in the process.

Worried about the cost?

Part of the problem when it comes to emulating the stars is the cost. It may be hard to find the clothes to wear because they may be too expensive. You may not have the budget to change your wardrobe whenever your idol changes theirs, and by the time you have saved up for an item of clothing, they are wearing something else and it has gone out of fashion.

Instead, you may want to follow their choice of timepiece by purchasing a luxury pre-owned model. If you cannot afford to spend a fortune on clothes, you can hardly afford to go and buy the most expensive designer watches around, so when you purchase it pre-owned then you do not have to spend a huge amount.

Of course, whether you would call a luxury pre-loved TAG Heuer timepiece cheap depends on your own financial situation. But it is fair to say that buying the same watch second hand may often cost you less than when you buy it brand new.

Go out and get the same watch as your style icon

As soon as you see your style icon wearing a luxury timepiece, either in a film or advertising it, you may want to go and get the same brand. If that happens to be a TAG Heuer watch, one of the most famous luxury brands around, then you may easily be able to find a classic second hand model.

What is even better is that you do not have to stick with it. If you buy a new luxury second hand watch, the value may not depreciate as quickly as a new model. That means if you sell it, you may be able to recoup your money and buy another model to keep up with the trends set by your style icon.

You too can become a style icon

If people see you wearing the same as the celebrities then they are sure to think better of your style choices. Who knows, you may even become a bit of a trend setter yourself when you purchase a quality second hand Tag Heuer watch.

Having said that, there is always occasion to pretty up a bit for a night out, or to look put together for friends/family. The following essentials will keep you looking carefree and natural by day and smoking hot by night–All in the space of one (TSA approved!) quart-sized Ziploc bag.

Concealer

A good coverage concealer will keep you looking awake and fresh without the full coverage stress of foundation. You will be surprised at the wonders it can work when used sparingly beneath the eyes, around the nose and anywhere else your face has redness or blemishes. M.A.C Select Moisturecover is my favourite. Try a couple different brands to find the one that matches your skin tone and will not budge.

Waterproof Mascara

This is a staple that will make you feel pretty both on the beach or trekking around a new city, without adding bulk to your face. Try to find a dark brown formula that looks somewhat natural to keep with the easy, laid back vibe of vacation. I like Clinique formulas as they do not tug my eyelashes once it’s time for removal. And they stay in place, raccoon-eye free!

Bright Lipstick

Nothing dolls you up for a special occasion like luscious, bright lips. Lipstick is extremely portable, requires no brushes and (if you are both well practiced and steady handed), no mirror! For cool toned ladies, a bright pink such as Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Fuchsia is very complementary and fashionable. My personal favourite is M.A.C Lipstick in Lady Danger, a coral, orange red. To make your pretty pout last, keep the tube with you during your night out for touch ups.

Dark Brown Eyeliner

In lieu of toting fragile eyeshadows in your suitcase, pack eyeliner instead. It’s small, quick and makes such a difference! I think dark brown is the most universally flattering (I like Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Bourbon) whilst still being low-key. Pair smoldering eyes with your bright lips and you’ll be the belle of whatever ball you are attending.  Again, no brush necessary, just draw a little on your upper lash line and gently smudge with your finger. I recommend leaving the lower line bare unless you really want to dial up the glamour at a dance club.

Lastly, and Most Importantly: Make up Remover Wipes

When you are having fun on your adventures it can certainly be easy to forget about the most important part of make up: Removing it! Whether you wore eye make up that day or not, you should always cleanse your face before bed. Sweep away daily dirt and germs so they can’t harm your beautiful countenance while you slumber. For travel, wipes are your best option as they are easy to pack and fool proof to use (Step One: Remove from packet. Step Two: Wipe your face). Neutrogena has a wide range of these wipes that are both gentle yet effective.

Bring these five must-haves on your next vacation and you will be secretly done up while looking beautifully undone!

Authors’ Bio

Noella Schink is a travel and beauty writer from Portland, Maine. For your next vacation she recommends Auto Europe for your car rental needs.

The function of the watch is important. If the individual is someone who has an active lifestyle, a rugged watch may be in order. However, if the watch is to be worn with business attire, it does not necessarily need to be one that is built for extreme conditions. A digital multi-function watch is great for the individual that will utilize it for exercise or training. In general, unless used for these purposes, the digital watch has fallen out of vogue for everyday use.

The size of the watch itself should match the individual and his or her wrist. In general, a men’s watch is significantly larger than those designed for women. If a smaller watch is purchased for a man, he may feel uncomfortable wearing it due to the size. For men, an oversized watch is something that is currently in fashion. If choosing a larger model, it should not be too big for the particular individual. Someone with a smaller wrist might not be able to wear a very large watch.

For women, there is a fine balance when it comes to the look of a watch. It should be attractive and petite, but still needs to be functional. Having a colourful and unique watch is great for a woman, but it should not be distracting in that is takes the attention away from the individual or her outfit. This is certainly true when attending a more formal event. In these instances, the need for a second watch that is more reserved might be in order.

A watch can be viewed as a status symbol for both men and women. An individual who owns a Rolex watch may be viewed as having money and being successful. If able to afford such a watch, there is no reason not to own one. The problem is when such a thing is used to flaunt one’s success. This is never viewed well and is something that should certainly be avoided.

In addition to being a status symbol, a watch should be an investment and a wise purchase. That does not necessarily mean that one needs to spend thousands of dollars on the timepiece. A quality watch well certainly last longer and perform better than inexpensive models.

Choosing the right watch is something that can take time and be somewhat difficult. With the wearer in mind and some common sense, a great watch that will last for many years is easy to purchase.

Author’s Bio

Keith Barrett writes about shopping, white watches and other fashion accessories. He believes that it’s possible to be fashionable, without having to spend too much money.

Based in Switzerland, Lucien Piccard has been manufacturing quality timepieces since 1923. They first gained fame with their luxury fourteen karat and eighteen karat gold watches. Today Lucien Piccard watches are sold under a few lines, with each designated to suit a specific need, and they span all price ranges. Their most affordable line, Dufonte by Lucien Piccard, offers watches that are priced below $100! Both Lucien Piccard men’s watches and women’s watches utilize the exquisite timekeeping technology that the Swiss are so famous for.

An excellent choice for a Lucien Piccard men’s watch is #26584BK, a stainless steel and ceramic watch. Silver and black accents combine to make this Lucien Piccard watch an attractive addition to your wardrobe. Arabic numerals mark the hours, and the date is displayed in a small window on the face. The watch’s quality Japanese quartz movement is water resistant up to ninety-nine feet. This watch is easy to read, and provides a durable, yet dressy option that will be a sleek addition to a smart wardrobe.

Lucien Piccard women’s watches are available in both classic designs, and models that are more elegant. The dressier pieces can sometimes take the place of jewelry! One such watch is #28105SL, a watch that exudes understated elegance, with diamond accents. This watch has a unique stainless steel link band and a scratch resistant sapphire window. It features an analog display, Swiss quartz movement, and is water resistant up to ninety-nine feet. Unique designs along the bezel, a pattern of diamonds and sapphires inset around the face, and a faint grid background on the face all lend this Lucien Piccard watch a timeless and elegant charm.

A more sporty option for a Lucien Piccard women’s watch is #27070SET. This watch is diamond accented for a high end appeal, and has interchangeable bands, so it goes well with any apparel! The watch bands are crocodile embossed leather, and come in black, white, medium blue, and a soft pink. As with all quality Lucien Piccard watches, the timepiece boasts Swiss quartz technology, and an analog display. The face is mother of pearl, and artfully adorned with diamonds.

Lucien Piccard watches cater to virtually any preference and need, with watches that span the spectrum of trendy and sporty, to dressy and elegant. For a watch that is affordable, functional, and stylish, look for Lucien Piccard timepieces.

Author’s Bio

Sean Bay is a style consultant for Dealsaholic. Dealsaholic offers quality watches from luxury brands at discount prices. Some of the watches offered on their site are Casio watches, Lucien Piccard, Michael Kors, Invicta, and more.

1. Sabina Drawstring Handbag. Available in black or tan, this 15.5 inch-wide handbag functions as a purse while holding everything you need for the day. The plain bag is dressed up with matching leather detailing on both sides, and the drawstring feature makes opening and closing the bag quick and easy so you can easily find what you need inside. These colours match everything and never go out of style.
2. Brahmin Dagny Tote Bag. This 51 inch-wide Brahmin handbag tote can be carried by hand with the shorter handle or over the shoulder with the shoulder strap. The interior comes with a zip pocket, two organizing pockets, a jewelry pocket, key clip, and pen loop so you can find your stuff fast in this oversized tote. Big enough for your laptop, a sweater, and anything else you need or want to bring with you. The bright and beautiful amethyst colour makes it a winning fashion statement and accessory.
3. Isabella Fiore Olivia Hobo. This hobo handbag is slated for release in February, making it the perfect unique gift idea on Valentine’s Day for women who like to be the first in fashion trends. This hobo bag makes a bold statement in one of two super-bright colors: Mary Ann (turquoise) and Ginger (orange), both with tan leather detailing. At 16.5 inches wide, the bag is large enough to hold everything you need while out for the day, but it’s small enough to carry on evening outings as well.
4. Leatherock Fleur de Lis Messenger Bag. This messenger-style Leatherock handbag is larger than a traditional purse at 14.5 inches wide. The soft leather comes in black or tan and is adorned with a Fleur de Lis detail of metal studs and Swarovski crystals. Additional metal studs outline the flap and edges of the bag. An outer zippered pocket is hidden on the back side to keep all your smaller necessities at hand, without reaching inside the bag.
5. High Fashion Large Messenger Bag. Available in an array of colors—black, grey, pewter, cognac (orange), purple, and black patent leather—this deep messenger bag is taller than its width dimension. The extra-long adjustable shoulder strap can be carried across the body as well to keep your hands free. One of the best features is the three outer zippered pockets on the front of the bag, which serve as the bag’s detail and signature look.

Author’s Bio

Erick D. Smith lives in San Diego and occasionally blogs for an online fashion boutique. If you’re in need of a new handbag and want something that can fit everything you own in one place, look into buying an over-sized Brahmin handbag.

• There is nothing unique about name brand jewellery.  If you buy a name brand piece of jewellery, you are paying mostly for the name.  In fact, having the name brand on a piece of jewellery can mark it up by as much as seventy percent.  And what are you getting for that price? A generic piece of jewellery that you will begin seeing other people wearing all over town.

On the other hand, if you get a handmade item from a jeweller, you will know that you are getting a completely unique piece of jewellery that nobody else has.  If your friends are envious of your new ring, you can rest assured that they will never be able to find the same one – because you have the only one.

• You can choose exactly what stones you want if you are buying from a custom jewellery specialist.  If you buy a chain store ring, it has already been crafted and finished before it hits the stores – you have no input on the design of the ring.  On the other hand, if you go to a local jeweller, you may be able to design or customize your ring exactly as you want it.  If you find a nice ring design, but do not quite like the stones that are placed in it, you could possibly choose from the jeweller’s selection of loose diamonds and find exactly the one(s) that you want.
• Getting a piece of custom jewellery instead of name brand is one of the smartest purchasing decisions you can make.  Besides getting a one-of-a-kind item for a good price (which is almost unheard of today), the jeweller that made it will probably offer free services along with the jewellery.  If you ever need it resized, re-shaped, engraved, etc., the jeweller will probably take care of that for you for free.

Author’s Bio

Erick D. Smith is a blogger from Southern California and writes for a San Diego Jeweler about the differences you’ll see with custom-made jewelry — from choosing loose diamonds to designing your own rings.