It’s October and all the leaves may be brown and the sky may be gray, but that doesn’t mean you want to wear some of your own icing, right? Add some Autumn awesomeness to your style by wearing some leaf-inspired jewelry!

Click play on this video for the perfect soundtrack to this article…

If you’re city folk like me, you spend a lot of time surrounded by the manmade, manufactured, mass produced environment of offices, grocery stores, traffic, and shopping malls. And, even though I work from home, I spend too much time in front of my computer with a few houseplants scattered here and there – and not enough time in my backyard or the nearby parks…

I think that’s why wearing jewelry that evokes nature feels so good. Flower hair clips, a lady bug brooch, a leaf designed scarf (okay I wouldn’t suggest you wear these all at the same time!) – elements from the natural, organic world comforts us as we live our city lives… they keep us grounded.

This week we are going to focus on some Autumn inspired art as we feature the leaf in jewelry.

Leaf Necklaces

Jennifer Aniston wearing a gold leaf necklace in the movie “The Break Up”

The gold pendant below is made from a real Birch Leaf.

A more ornate version of the leaf necklace, from Studio Rona(Etsy).

I love the asymmetric look – this necklace would be fantastic with a scoop neck sweater when the weather cools down, or dressed up with a black velvet strapless gown.

Leaf Rings

Fun

This dainty ring is made by organic metal jeweler Beth Cyr.

Each one is unique (no mold is used) and made from sterling silver.

Formal

A leaf design runs around this platinum princess three stone engagement ring from Danforth Diamonds.

Leaf Earrings

This Autumn Leaf hoop earring design looks like something Vanessa on Gossip Girl would wear.

Leaf Bracelets

Silver vine bangle from Australian jewelry artist Michelle Pujol.

I just discovered her today, you should check out her website for other amazing nature-inspired creations.

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Happy Birthday to Me!

People born between August 22 and September 23 are Virgos. While some people say we’re persnickety, picky, even prudish, perfectionists – we know that we just like to do things right the first time. Virgos are great planners because they are great at paying attention to the details. And, while you might find us to be hyper critical of everything (and quite possibly every one), keep in mind Virgos are usually the hardest on themselves…

Virgos are a little bit nerdy…

Virgos are also plucky – Pee Wee Herman is back for a limited engagement in November at the Music Box in Hollywood (latimes.com) and there is also talk of other Pee Wee projects in the works… .

and a little bit rock and roll…

Or, in the case of Joan Jett, virgos are a LOT rock and a LOT roll! Apparently Kristen Stewart is set to play Joan Jett in an upcoming movie… which is hard to picture at the moment due to her portrayal of the weak, annoying character she plays in Twilight. I’d like to see Joan Jett appear in the Twilight series instead – she could set Edward straight! And I’m betting she’d totally go for that werewolf character (can’t remember his name – is it Sam?) – he’s way hotter than stone cold, Victorian Edward.

Virgos write it all down…

Agatha Christie

William Rice Burroughs

D.H. Lawrence

Henry L. Mencken

Agatha Christie

You can read a great article about Agatha Christie, described as “what Steven Spielberg is to American cinema. What Stephen King is to the horror genre” by Yoshinori ‘Todo, at criminalbrief.com.

…and can be, perhaps, a bit creepy

H.G. Wells

Stephen King

Mary Godwyn Shelley

Mary Shelley wrote the original Frankenstein story when she was 19 years old and is also the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft (considered by many to be the very first feminist).

Virgo Style

Earrings

Necklaces

Rings

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We all know that A list celebrities can afford the very best of the best. We also know that most of them are following strict diets to maintain their famous figures.

What if you have a sweet tooth and a fat bank account but you’re on a calorie budget?

It’s all about quality not quantity…

Featured in our very first Celebrity Icing article, Jessica Simpson might want to sweeten up with some of these tasty treats  now that her and Tony Romo’s relationship has gone sour. (See “Jessica Simpson Covered in Icing“, September 2008.) The couple got together in 2007 and there were rumors in 2008 of engagement ring shopping, which Jessica denied. Rumors of an impending wedding surfaced again as recently as January 2009 (USmagazine.com).

I never met a chocolate I didn’t like. (Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation)

The Best Chocolate in the World (and most expensive chocolate)

Amedei Porcelana

The Chuao bar from Amedei has received Chocopaedia’s highest rating so far (9.3 out of 10). It shares this rating with four other bars – you can see the entire list at Chocopaedia – they describe themselves as an “encyclopaedia of fine chocolate, with lists and information about fine chocolate makers and reviews of the chocolate bars they produce.”

Chuao, Baby!

“The often-quoted price of this chocolate is $90 a pound” (wikipedia). The cocoa beans used to make this chocolate are very rare so that only limited quantities of the chocolate can be made each  year, contributing to the high price.

While Amedei Porcelana has often been called the world’s most expensive chocolate, the truffle pictured  below is $250. For. Just. One.

La Madeline au Truffe, by Knipschildt Chocolatier

Knipschildt Chocolate

According to their website, Knipschildt Chocolatier was “voted as one of the top 3 chocolates in the world by Gourmet Magazine” (knipschildt.com). Not all of their chocolates are priced so high – you can get their Giant Chocolate Box for $25.00. Warning – it only contains 9 chocolates (the term ‘giant’ refers to the fact that each chocolate is slightly larger than the regular size).

“All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!” (Lucy Van Pelt, Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)

Not Rich and Famous, But Still Want a Taste the Sweet Life?

Pralus

In contrast, the ‘Le 100%’ bar from Pralus is ranked equally with the Amedei bar mentioned above – and you can buy a 3.5oz bar online for $7.75 .

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“Spotted, Juliette Lewis in Tribeca. Greenwich Street between Watts and Desbrosses.” (omgicu)

Website OMG ICU (omgicu.com) allows users to share New York City star sightings with each other.

Often the information just includes the name of the celebrity and the location; but sometimes the information is juicier.  For example,what they are doing, who they are with, even critiques of how they look are sometimes included. I found first spottings of engagement rings and smooches, and I’m sure there will also be spottings of weddings, newly married couples coming out of churches in the future, too!

You can search by most recent sightings, neighborhoods, or celebrity standings (A to D list). You can also do specific key word searches for celebrity names, streets, or other key words. A list spottings include everyone from Stephen Colbert to Justin Timberlake and the Dalai Lama. D list spotting examples are: Nicholas Cage (what?! I do not agree!) and Fisher Stevens (formerly married to Kirstie Alley).

Members also get to rate whether they care about the celebrity sighting (or not). For example, 75% of members cared that Uma Thurman was spotted “…on her blackberry, Busy but friendly, smoking a cigarette and looking great.” (omgicu)

Members who live in the NYC area can sign up to receive texts when sightings occur.

This site is great is you are in New York City, but also fun if you just want to keep up to date on your favorite celebs!

Heather Matarazzo

Heather Matarazzo (of Welcome to the Dollhouse and The Princess Diaries fame -she was also DJ’s girlfriend on Roseanne) spotted on the 5 train to Union Square“reading Conversations with God with an engagement ring on“(omgicu).

Edward Westwick and Chace Crawford

In a beautiful case of irony, Gossip Girl fans can keeps tabs on their favorite gossip boy crushes Chuck Bass and Nate with OMG ICU. Also a great way to find out where they are filming so you can try to catch a glimpse of them ‘for reals’.

“…saw ed westwick and chace crawford at a gossip girl set infront ofgramercy dorm “Chase Crawford with a big posse @ The Thompson Hotel (190 Allen St) on the les around 1am wearing a hat and hoodie.” (omgicu)

OMG ICU is a new website (it is currently operating as an alpha version) so I think the lack of current members is swaying the ratings quite a bit. Do them a favor and sign up and help save Kyle Maclachlan and Kim Gordon from the D-List category, for heaven’s sake!

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The fourth installment in a series about

how your accessories can have some star power!

Born between June 21 and July 22? Then you are a Cancer just like Drew Barrymore, Jessica Simpson, Courtney Love, Meryl Streep, and Pamela Anderson.

There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very good indeed,
But when she was bad she was horrid.

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

Cancer Star Style: Drew Barrymore

One characteristic of a cancerian is their loony sense of humor. They also find themselves saying, “well, it seemed like a good idea at the time…”. A lot. Drew Barrymore has experienced some ups and downs in the relationship department but she does shine with good taste in the jewelry department. Her engagement ring to Tom Green was from Tiffany’s and her most recent ex, Justin Long, was seen shopping for engagement rings for her at Cartiers (she reportedly dumped him recently).

Here’s the perfect wedding ring for a cancer: it’s fun, yet it is inspired by a classic Tiffany’s design (Cancers also love tradition and dependability). Cancerian Drew Barrymore seems to favor the simpler, less showy designs – so this would fit right in.

Lost Love: Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain

Two other famous Cancers and an undisputed part of rock n roll history, Cobain gave Love a 5 karat diamond and ruby engagement ring (tragically for Love, it was then stolen on Valentine’s Day one year after his death). I couldn’t find any pictures of the original ring, but here is a 2 karat diamond and ruby ring that I would personally love!

Happy Birthday Cancerians Everywhere!

Here are some gift ideas for the weird yet wonderfully dependable Cancerians in your life…

Grey Pearls

Grey pearl studs with diamond accents – $359.99…

This version is cubic zirconia with grey pearls and is only $25.

The birthstone for Cancers is the ruby (one of my favorite gemstones of all time). And the symbol for cancer is the crab…

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The third installment in a series about how your accessories can have some star power!

Born between May 21 and June 20? Then you are a Gemini just like Johnny Depp, Joan Rivers, Stevie Nicks, and Nicole Kidman.

Geminis are adventurers in life – they aren’t afraid to try new things and they are fun people to have around. Geminis are known as great communicators – they’re good talkers but also good listeners and are usually dialed in to all the dirt on their friends (famous gossip columnist Hedda Hopper was a Gemini). The Gemini, or two sisters, are also known for having two sides to their personalities.

Gemini Star Style: Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman’s adventurous spirit is seen in her very diverse choice of film roles: from chick flick Practical Magic, edgy comedy To Die For, experimental foreign film Dogville, to blah Hollywood flicks like Far and Away and Days of Thunder. Like all Geminis, Kidman has two sides to her character: she is a celebrity but she is also a humanitarian (recipient of the United Nations Citizen of the World Award). She has had two very different husbands. She is a dual citizen: American and Australian – she was born in Hawaii but has lived most of her life in Australia.

One of my best friends is a Gemini and all of these characteristics fit perfectly with her as well: she loves life and is a fantastic listener. She has her professional side, working in the corporate legal world, but also uses her connections and talents to contribute to local fundraising. Early years in California but living in Canada – she has enjoyed two very different childhoods. Happy Birthday, Kristine!

Gems for the Gemini

When a Gemini arrives in our world, Summer is just around the corner. Perhaps that is why they look great in anything that catches the light: sparkly stones, transparent gems, and silver or white gold.

Here are some great birthday gifts for Geminis:

Bulky Bracelet

Birthstone Moppet

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Weddings are usually all about planning ahead – when you ask someone to marry you, you are asking them to spend the rest of your life with you. Unless you elope, even the wedding event itself takes quite a bit of planning and foresight. So, it just makes sense to shop for a wedding band and the engagement ring at the same time.

I don’t mean that you have to buy them together, but at least keep the band in mind.

For example – jewelers offer sets of rings, engagement rings that have matching wedding rings, as well as stand alone engagement rings.

A Match Made in Heaven

Matching stones on both rings bring the set together visually. Wedding bands don’t have to be plain, boring, bands of gold – they can include designs, diamonds,  and other stones and they don’t have to be shaped in a straight circle: they can be twisted, pointed, or knife-edged (seen below).

Fitting Together Perfectly

Sometimes the shape of the rings complement each other. Keep this in mind when you buy an engagement ring – if it’s an odd shape it might be difficult to find a wedding band that will sit next to it comfortably, without an awkward-looking gap.

They Just ‘Clicked’

Or, the two rings may fit together and actually appear to be one larger ring. This is my favorite style of matching rings – they fit together perfectly (just like the two people getting married, hopefully!).

Here’s another great example- the engagement ring actually rests on top of part of the wedding band, binding them together on your finger.

Trust me, this is something to think about – I write this as I glance down at my white gold engagement ring and yellow gold wedding band… I always intended to just wear my wedding band but I found I was very attached to my engagement ring by the time my wedding rolled around so now I’m wearing both together. They don’t really make a great looking pair but they have learned to tolerate each other…

And don’t worry – if it’s too late to think ahead (she’s already wearing her engagement ring) – a simple wedding band like this will work with almost any ring:

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Celebrity Ring Bling

If you admire a celebrity’s style- why not get inspired by her engagement ring?

Here is a great slideshow of celebrities with their engagement rings.

(The youtube subscriber disabled embedding so just click this link: SLIDESHOW )

Nicollette Sheridan

Nicollette’s ring is estimated at $200,000 but you can get something very similar for much less. You might even be able to get her ring now that her engagement to Michael Bolton has been broken.

Katharine Mcphee

Katharine married actor Nick Cokas in Beverly Hills.

Katharine may have been a runner up on American Idol, but her engagement ring is a real prize! Katharine’s ring is valued at $100,000. The centre is a pale pink stone, here is a similar ring with a diamond in the centre. 

Scarlett Johannson

Scarlett recently got married to Ryan Reynolds in a small ceremony held near Vancouver, British Columbia. They announced their engagement in May 2008. Her ring is estimated at $30,000. It looks very similar to the one below, which you can buy for under $500.

Or Do Your Own Thing

Or your ring can express your own unique style. Here are some of my favorites:

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Thanksgiving on Gossip Girl

Eleanor Waldorf announces her engagement to Cyrus Rose! Cyrus is played by the excellent Walllace Shawn – who we’ve seen before in the Clueless TV series and the movie the Princess Bride, and he’s perfect for this role. Eleanor shows a softer side as she actually puts Blair first for a change. She goes out looking for Blair and is even nice to Jenny! Shocking. Hopefully Eleanor and Cyrus’ marriage lasts longer than Lily and Bart Bass – after this episode, their wedding seems doomed. Particularly after Lily ends up back at the loft eating turkey with Rufus and family, while Bart eats crow from his spy spot outside.

Don’t Forget to Say Thanks!

Who are you thankful for? Your daughter or your best friend?

Or maybe you are thankful for that special man in your life?

Say, ‘thanks for all the memories’ or, maybe, ‘here’s some help getting there on time for a change’ with a watch that also allows him to carry valuable data with him (like, photos of you and the kids for example).

Or, tell your mom thanks for making the huge dinner every year!

Flowers are always nice, too. On a budget this year?  Offer to make the centerpiece or set the table. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make place mats that are perfect for the season (and not too expensive either!).

At the very least, don’t be a turkey and help set and clear the table!

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A beautiful engagement ring was the climax of last night’s episode of Fox TV’s new show the Fringe.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen this show and I was impressed! It’s kind of like a cross between Numbers and X-Files. Great eccentric ‘Dr. Bishop’ character, likable female lead (Anna Torv as character Olivia Dunham – is it just me or does she remind you of Sam Spade from Without a Trace?), and it doesn’t hurt that good-looking and huggable Joshua Jackson (Pacey from Dawson’s Creek) also has a role!

At the end of last night’s episode (Episode 5, “Power Hungry”) John’s personal effects are turned over to Olivia, including a gorgeous engagement ring. I couldn’t find a photo of the ring anywhere but it looked kind of like this, I think?

If anyone has a picture or can describe it better, please let me know!

PS Want to see the ring for real? You can watch the episode of Fringe on Fox’s website.

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