Sunday, March 16, 2008

Is there such a thing as too much wedding day bling?

Yes!
You want your bridal jewelry to enhance your look, not overpower it. The most important consideration is that people notice you on your big day more than your jewelry or dress. Everything in your wedding ensemble should work harmoniously.

That said, you can choose one standout piece of jewelry, just make sure it’s not so outrageous that it’s distracting. And keep the rest of your look simple. For example, if you choose chandelier earrings, skip the necklace. If you choose a dramatic necklace, leave your wrists bare. If you want to wear a necklace, bracelet and earrings, choose something less flashy and make sure they work together—buying a pearl jewelry set ensures that you’re getting bridal jewelry that works well together.

Remember, bridal jewelry should accent you, not overpower you.

See the latest in fashion earrings at SweetPz.com

Saturday, March 15, 2008

How To Choose Earrings That Flatter Your Face Shape

Submitted by sisadvice

The conventionally perfect face shape is a perfectly proportioned oval. Few women have that perfect face shape, but through the careful choice of earrings, a woman can give the illusion of a slimmer or wider face, depending on the effect she wants.

For example, a woman with a round face might want to use accessories and makeup to make her face looks slimmer, unless she is a model. Models thrive on their unique looks, so she might want to highlight the roundness of her face.

A woman with a square face might want to soften the lines of her jaw, but if she views her face shape as an asset, she might want to emphasize the sharp angles of her face to stand out from the crowd.
Creating the illusion of a slimmer face, or a wider one, of sharper features or softer features is easier than you might think. All you need are the right earrings. The earrings have to be large enough to frame the face in order to have the necessary result. Tiny ear studs wouldn't cut it. Larger earrings that are clearly visible when people look directly at you are necessary to help create these illusions. If you have an oval face, you can wear literally any kind of earrings and look great. If not, you can use earrings to make your face appear oval.

Let's start with a thin, narrow face. What you need is something along the horizontal lines to give the illusion of width. Try a pair of round button earrings. From 70's style plastic earrings to sophisticated diamond earrings in a large circular design to wooden ear clips would do fine. If you like hoops, wear huggies that are close to the ear and which are wide, to give the illusion of width.

To soften too sharp features, go for earring designs with curves or which are rounded. Hoop earrings work very well as would earrings with round beads or with circles in the design, or even waves.

To sharpen flat features, wear angular earrings. Triangles, stars and shapes that are pointed or with sharp lines would work very well.

For a round face or square face, you'd want the illusion of length. A dangling pendant or a cascade of beads that draw the attention along vertical lines would visually slim and lengthen your face. Shoulder dusters are your best friend, as are drop earrings and chandelier earrings.

Shop for fashion earrings at SweetPz.com

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Accessories Are Just As Important As The Designer Prom Dress

By: Robin OBrien

There's no doubt that wearing a designer prom dress to Prom can really help a girl to stand out and looking radiantly beautiful. And, many girls will spend a very long time in choosing that perfect dress, but it's just as important to choose the accessories that will be worn with the dress. So, if you haven't already done so, take a little time to consider what you'll need.

Even the most beautiful of designer prom dresses can be made to look even better with the judicious use of accessories. In fact, every type of prom gown, from a classic style like the Joli prom dress to the Hollywood look of a Jovani prom dress, can be enhanced with the right accessories.

The good news is you don't have to spend much either; you've already spent enough on the designer prom dress. An accessory isn't the main item - the gown is - so people don't inspect the accessory. The right accessory shouldn't even be that noticeable; it should highlight the dress but should almost be non-existent.

Here are some prom dress accessory tips to get you thinking.

If your dress is either strapless or has spaghetti straps, you're neckline can look quite bear. It's a great opportunity to wear a sparkling necklace with matching earrings. Remember, it doesn't have to cost much; it just has to be in keeping with the style and embroidery of the corset. Pearls are another old favorite, especially with the more classic styles of gowns like the Joli prom dress.

A strapless gown just looks lovely when accompanied with by a shawl. Try wearing the shawl loosely around you arms so that your necklace and earrings remain on view.

How often do women get the opportunity to wear long gloves? A prom dress is usually sleeveless and allows women to wear beautiful satin gloves. You may not be able to buy an exactly matching shawl and gloves when you buy the designer prom dress, but be sure that the colors and patterns match the dress.

Choose your hosiery and prom shoes according to the prom gown length. With long skirts style isn't paramount as no one is going to see them anyway, so put comfort first. For high-and-low prom dresses or short prom dresses, choose prom shoes and hose that will complement your legs and feet.

Open-toe prom shoes with flesh or light-colored hose look divine with slender legs. If your legs are heavy or large in the calves, and you want to de-emphasize your lower legs, choose closed-toe prom shoes with dark-colored hose.

Choosing the handbag can be the biggest challenge. Again, few dresses come with ready made matching bags, so you need to choose one that matches. It doesn't have tobe the same color; the colors should be from the same part of the color wheel so they complement one another, or they must be from opposite ends to contrast one another. More importantly, try to find a handbag whose materials matches that of you gown.

Finding accessories can be a lot easier if you shop online for your designer prom dress as many retailer's websites provide a comprehensive list of items that will accessorize the particular gown you're interested in.

Shop online for earrings at SweetPz.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Hoop Earrings a Style From History

Author: Robert

Earrings add beauty to a face. Different types of earrings suit different faces. Women have a fascination for earrings of all metals. While gold earrings are more traditional, silver earrings are smart. Earrings are essentially worn in the ear lobe, but in recent times, the trend is to wear them at the top of the ears too. Earrings, although by and large remain a woman’s domain, men too have again taken to wearing earrings, like their ancestors.

The various types of earrings in the market today are numerous, made in different styles, with different metals. The precious metals such as gold, silver, white gold, platinum are used to make earrings. The cheaper earrings are made up of beads, wire, plastic etc. The hoop earrings come in all these precious as well as synthetics materials.

The earrings that take a turn from one side of the earlobe and join on the other end are called hoop earrings. They are known to suit oval faces the best, although they look good on everyone. The two styles are the hinged hoop earrings and the puffed hoop earrings. The hinged hoop are short rings whereas the hinged hoop ones are longer and have bigger hoops.

Diamonds set in the hoops make the hoop earrings a beautiful piece of jewelry that can be worn for parties too. They look quite dressy even when worn over normal clothes.

Jewelers make all sorts of combinations for hoop earrings. There are some with only diamonds, while others are combined with other precious gemstones. Gold and white gold are mixed too and the effect of those earrings is exotic to say the least.

The thickness of the hoop earrings varies from the extremely thin to the very thick. Some of them are made very fragile with several wires and some are made so thick that diamonds or other stones can be set in these thick ones.

Diamond hoop earrings are very much a fashion statement now. Some of the most beautiful famous women love hoop earrings and they love the single studded hoop earring. A single diamond is embedded into the hoop and it gives a very youthful look.

Hoop earrings with their cascading style are very popular these days. Many celebrities wear these hoop earrings on big occasions and that in itself makes them exotic to wear for the fashion conscious woman, who wants to keep herself up-to-date with the latest trends.

Imagine the look it would create if you wear a long hoop earring on your earlobe and a small fitting hoop earring for the top of the ear. Wear it with the most modern and trendy clothes and you yourself are creating fashion.

See the latest in Hoop earrings at SweetPz.com

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Best Jewelry for 2008, Plus Celebrity Jewelry Trends

By: Amy Drescher

Now that the holidays are officially over, and the days are getting longer, it’s time to turn your focus from shopping for other people to shopping for yourself. Late winter is the perfect time to revitalize your wardrobe and get ready for spring. The big question on every fashion-forward gal’s mind: What trends are hot this season? Last year, it was all about fussy fabrics and flouncy details, which made it hard to wear bold jewelry, which couldn’t compete. This year, all the pomp has been relegated to the back of the fashion closet, and style gurus, including me, are calling for clean, classic lines with little or no fuss.

For jewelry lovers, this spring’s sleek fashion forecast is welcome news: The minimalist styles we’re seeing all over the hottest designer runways and in top fashion magazines’ spring fashion previews are the perfect blank canvases on which to showcase our most spectacular jewelry. Now is the time to add a few fun jewelry pieces to your collection and dust off pieces that have been in hiding in your jewelry box waiting for their time to shine.
As Clairee Belcher, Olympia Dukakis’s character in Steel Magnolias said, “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” Indeed. Without further ado, here are my top six jewelry looks for spring 2008, along with the celebs who love them.

1. The pendant necklace. Like a charm bracelet, a pendant necklace is the perfect accessory if you’re looking for something to personalize. Take a chain or cord, and add anything that will give the world a glimpse of your personal style. Whether it’s a pretty stone in your favorite color, a teardrop-shaped pearl or an item that means something to you such as your grandmother’s wedding ring, a peace symbol, locket, heart or other lucky talisman, you can thread it on a chain and make it the focal piece of your ensemble. Wear the necklace long if you want to draw the eye down and create the illusion of a longer neck, or shorter if you want to accent your face. Pair the pendant necklace with an open-necked oxford, a simple dress or a vee-neck top. Jennifer Aniston has long been a fan of the pendant necklace, which is a perfect accessory for her boho vibe. For a super modern take, do like Jessica Simpson does and display your pendant on a leather cord rather than a chain.

2. Layered necklaces. After several seasons in the spotlight, the layered necklace look is still going strong. Dare we say the style might even become a classic? It’s certainly interesting, giving the eye a lot to take in, and, because it’s versatile and the combinations are endless, it works well with many different types of necklines. To pull off the look, pair a shorter, 16- or 18-inch necklace with a much longer chain—or three. For added contrast, choose different thicknesses, metals or materials. For instance, pair a pearl pendant and a long, pearl-and-chain rope. So fun because it allows you to wear two or more of your favorite necklaces at once, the layered look is favored by fashion-forward celebs like Maria Menounos and Joy Bryant.

3. Dangle earrings. While I adore diamond or pearl studs for day, dangle earrings are all the rage this season—for both day and night. Cate Blanchett and Rihanna love the style, and who can forget the huge turquoise dangle earrings Marcia Cross wore to the Emmys? Those giant blue babies, by designer Lorraine Schwartz, were the talk of the awards show! That’s because dangle earrings are anything but subtle, adding punch to any hairstyle or outfit. Just make sure you don’t wear other jewelry that will compete. Let the dangles do the talking.

4. Interlocking Hoops. Because bare skin is in this season, it’s okay to forego wearing a necklace once in a while so that your earrings (and sleek, bare neck) can be the focus. Want to be in vogue? The hot earring style right now is the interlocking triple hoop. What it is: three hoops starting at your earlobe that gradually get bigger to form a triple hoop style that’s fun—think hoops—and sophisticated—think dangle. Gold hoops are especially popular right now, as are diamonds, if you can afford them, or CZs, if you’re on a budget. Jessica Alba and Uma Thurman have both been spotted with this sassy style, so you know the triple hoop earring is a trend worth emulating.

5. Oversize hoops. Like the layered chain look, oversize hoops are here to stay. Kate Bosworth, Alicia Keys, Ellen Pompeo and Katherine Heigl are fans of the style, and it’s no wonder: Oversize hoops have an edgy feel that adds a funky, playful, urban vibe to an otherwise staid outfit. No wonder J.Lo and Jessica Alba rock the style so often. To make the style even more exciting, choose big hoops with dangling stones in a springy color, like green aventurine, or sterling silver hoops with peridot drops.

6. Cocktail rings. Cocktail rings pack a surprisingly big punch in a terrific little package! Draw attention to your hands (and look younger) by choosing unfussy rings with one big stone rather than stones with diamonds or other detailing. Choose rings made of bold, colorful materials like turquoise, onyx, mother-of-pearl or jade. Black pearls and oversize white pearls make great cocktail rings too. Trendsetters like Eva Mendes, Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum, Cameron Diaz and Catherine Zeta-Jones are all fans.

Find the latest in fashion earrings at SweetPz.com

Saturday, March 8, 2008

How to Accessorize Women's Clothing

By: Chris Robertson

Looking your best is not all about buying expensive clothes. If you want to look stylish, think about accessories. Women's accessories can help you can reflect your personality and preferences without being outlandish.

Accessories can be great for defining your good points and minimizing the less favorable ones. They also can help you look more fashionable even without wearing fad or trendy clothing. Women's garments can be accessorized with jewelry accessories, a scarf, a purse, a belt, gloves, and women's shoes. All these items combined can make your outfits look charming and complete.

Tips for Women's Accessories

Choose accessories that coordinate with the fabric, colors, and textures of your clothing. Find accessories for women's clothes that will work with more than one outfit to stretch your budget. For instance, look for neutral-colored items such as hats, scarves, handbags, gloves, and jewelry so you can wear these with a number of outfits. Colors that usually go great with a variety of patterns include plain tan, white, blue, green, red, and black.

With basic women‚s accessories, try to follow the fashion trends. Look through fashion magazines to see what is trendy for the season and change your accessories as needed. You can great ideas on how to combine colors, fabrics, and patterns for a great outfit. Keep in mind that many fashion magazines go to the extreme when it comes to trendy women‚s clothing and accessories. There are some women‚s garments displayed in magazines that you would never dare to wear. So, choose those that you feel will look great on you for the occasion, and leave the others to the fashion models!

You might also be able to use your jewelry, shoes, or belts with different ensembles after you get some new ideas. Many clothing items for women can be interchanged with other pieces to create multiple outfits. So you might wear one shirt with two different skirts or one skirt with several different shirts. Then switch around your accessories to match.

Accessorize with Jewelry

Make sure your jewelry complements your clothing's neckline. If you were wearing an open v-neck blouse or sweater, then a lovely necklace would complete it. If you have a detailed neckline with fancy trim or stitching, try wearing a nice bracelet and eye-catching earrings.

If you have a complex necklace and bracelet set, wear it with something simple. A long necklace will draw the focus away from your neck and face if that's your goal. Avoid wearing earrings that bring all the attention to your ears; they should complete your outfit but not overpower it. A fancy or detailed handbag should be used with a simple, single colored outfit.

Be Trendy and Fashionable

Be sure to wear a variety of accessories; don't wear the same necklace with every outfit or the same scarf with every suit. Mix and match your accessories so your outfits will always be appealing and interesting.

Women's accessories can be fun to pick out and wear once you know how to shop. If you want a new look or need help getting started, pick up some women's magazines to discover what looks good with what and find the styles that you like. Then go through your closet and put together a new wardrobe with dazzling women's accessories to match. Use these accessory ideas to look your best every day!

Accessorize with earrings from SweetPz.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Birthstones And Their Meanings

By: Susan Banks Sr

There are a lot of legends and lore surrounding the practice of wearing birthstones. Many people believe that the idea of wearing birthstones started out as a marketing ploy by companies selling jewelry, but the reason behind the practice is much, much deeper than that. The practice of wearing birthstones has deep roots in religion and astrology.

The Myths Behind the Practice

One of the earliest stories connected to the practice of wearing birthstones comes from the Christian Bible. In the book of Exodus, the Breastplate of Aaron is described to have been mounted with twelve precious stones: ruby, topaz, beryl, turquoise, sapphire, emerald, jacinth, agate, amethyst, chrysolite, onyx and jasper. These twelve stones represented each of the twelve tribes of the Hebrews.

Other ancient cultures, the Hellenics and the Babylonians in particular, have associated certain precious stones with their gods and goddesses, and later on with the planets and the stars represented in astrological signs. These stones were given attributes pertaining to the astrological signs they are linked with, as well as supernatural, protective powers. To wear the particular gemstone associated with a particular month on that given month is to invoke the protection offered by the power of the stone.

Over time and as Christianity came to rise, the Church tried to downplay astrology in the lives of the flock, and so wearing gemstones came to represent guardian angels and the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ instead. The idea that gemstones have the power to protect its wearer was nonetheless retained. However, since only wealthy people can afford owning a different gemstone for each month, most people have adopted the practice of wearing just the gemstone that represents the month of their birth. Since then, these gemstones were referred to as birthstones.

The Meaning behind the Stones

Here are the different birthstones for each month of the Gregorian calendar and the meaning behind these stones.

1. January. The garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. The bright red color of the garnet is associated with blood and thus, was thought to bestow good health upon its wearer. The garnet is also said to provide protection against nightmares and against the dangers posed by being alone in the dark. A person who favors the garnet is said to possess great patience and the capacity to endure hardships. This person whose birthstone is the garnet is consistent with his or her deeds and is blessed with a creative mind.

2. February. A person born on the month of February has the amethyst for his or her birthstone. Amethyst is said to bestow, among other things, peace and clarity of the mind to its wearer. This gem also brings him or her a heightened sense of self-awareness and intuition.

3. March. For the person born in March, aquamarine is his or her birthstone. This stone is said to nurture friendliness in its wearer’s personality, making him or her a fierce and loyal comrade and companion. Because of its sea-blue color, the aquamarine is said to grant its wearer protection when he or she goes swimming traveling by water.

4. April. The diamond, the stone of strength, longevity and innocence, is the birthstone of people born in April. Because the diamond is the hardest gemstone, it symbolizes success and excellence, and is believed to bring forth good fortune. The diamond is also said to bring forth the purity of its wearer and encourages him or her to be truthful always.

5. May. The birthstone of people born in May is the gemstone of peace and healing – the emerald. It is believed that wearers of emeralds are granted good health and protection against illness. Wearers of emeralds are also said to have a higher level of foresight and possess the ability to communicate well with others.

6. June. Pearls, produced by oysters and therefore the only gemstones that came from a living creature, is the birthstone of people born in June. June is the month of weddings in the Western world, and so the pearl has come to be associated with successful marriages, as well as with faith, loyalty and tranquility in life.

7. July. The sanguine ruby is the birthstone for July. Because of its blood-red color, the ruby is considered to be the gemstone for courage, strength and vitality. It is also said to nurture in its wearer integrity and contentment in his- or herself. The ruby is also said to inspire people to seek harmony with others.

8. August. People born in August have the peridot as their birthstone. The peridot is said to bestow a heightened sense of dignity upon its wearer, and to bring upon him or her good fortune. It is also believed to provide its wearer protection against evil intentions and against the terrors of the night.

9. September. Sapphire is the birthstone of September. It is a gemstone that is thought to build wisdom and clarity of thought in its wearer, as well as allow him or her the discernment to see truth no matter how deeply it is buried. The sapphire also inspires its wearer to develop serenity and tranquility in his or her soul.

10. October. The birthstone for October is the opal. The opal, with its varying colors, is associated with depth in emotions. A person who wears the opal is granted the ability to feel deeply for his or her fellow person, to look at life with hope and to burn subtly with an inner fire.

11. November. Topaz, the birthstone for the month of November, is a gemstone that represents health in body as well as health in mind. Wearing the topaz is said to hasten a person’s ability to heal his or her own body in times of illness or injury. It is also thought to nurture practicality and creativity in its wearer.

12. December. Wearing the turquoise, the birthstone of December, is believed to bring luck and prosperity to its wearer in time for the coming New Year. The turquoise is also said to banish negative vibrations that can hinder the wearer’s happiness and good fortune.

The practice of wearing birthstones goes deeper beyond any marketing ploy. It is a practice that has ancient origins, with deep roots in religion and astrology. Birthstones are versatile gifts to give on any season or occasion. Giving birthstones to loved ones shows caring and deep regard.

Get the latest in custom designed fashion accessories at SweetPz.com

Monday, March 3, 2008

Designer Earrings Blended With Uniqueness

Submitted by vivacejewelry

The eternal beauty of women is always a subject of praise where designer earrings just complement by adding some extra grace to it. Gone are the days when style statements concentrated only on the precious stones and metals. Now such a style statement has taken a backseat providing space for the imitations coupled with fashionably designed unique metal jewelries that include earrings of course. Light, danglers with fine works can provide a scope for the fashion designers to develop. Similarly, the ideas stored in the mind of creators can get the best outlet in the form of designer earrings.

Maximum experimentation is possible with the earrings. They can be small but creativity can be expressed through them minutely. The style that was prevalent in the 60’s or 70’s has no space in the heart of the present generation-women that looks forward to something unique and fashionable. These designer danglers curved on wood, bamboo or ceramic has got the feminine accent, which balances comfort with style. The Italian and Indian designers are always preferred when the designing of the fashion earrings or any other jewelry is concerned.

Hanging earrings, danglers, and studded earrings are the all time favorites of the working women heading towards an official meeting or formal party. Handmade fashion earrings can tell the story of the craftsmanship that is hidden in the remote areas of the various countries. The style pattern, design and the trend can also be maintained through the accessories that you put on. The fashion earrings are just one of them which make up every little flaw that is there in the facial structure. Generally, it is the earrings that catch the glimpse of the viewers prior to the rest of the jewelries that you have put on. The master craftsmen, acquainted with the present trends in jewelry making, can only curve some extraordinary designer earrings, the very sight of which can bring down the jaws of the young women.

Find custom designed earrings at SweetPz.com