Bling – Horological Hunting

It’s the new year, and I have my list of resolutions. I plan to be organised this year and will clear out the junk in my home office. I will be timely and on time this year and not turn up 10 minutes late for appointments. I will keep abreast of the news and grow my portfolio of investments. I will pick up running again – maybe competitive – and I will see to my kid’s schoolwork. All these point to needing to tell the time, and with so much on my dainty little plate, I cannot possibly continue to be a one-watch woman can I? So I have been doing some horological hunting….

The blinged best I've seen so far is Harry Winston’s Avenue classic which is supposed to bring out the spirit of Manhattan - the arched motif reflects its Fifth Avenue flagship, it seems. The hardware consists of 50 brilliant cut diamonds on its case and 124 diamonds on black or white mother of pearl and looking stylish and flash. All in all, 4.7 carats of candy at a price I just don’t want to know! Available at The Hour Glass.

I also like Chopard’s The Happy Sport Starry Love, a cute limited edition timepiece made just for The Hour Glass for Valentine’s Day. Hence the campy name and the cute diamond encrusted heart freely mobile in the middle. It’s sporty and feminine and luxurious all at the same time, with a black ceramic, aluminium bezel and titanium case-back, a glittery black dial and a black satin strap with steel buckle. Water resistant up to 30m, and costs $4,550. We like!

Burberry's known for its trenchcoats and scarves, but how about watches? Check out their Autumn/Winter Collection for fun fashion pieces!

Finally, for something you can buy on a whim, Fossil’s just launched its vintage bronze collection with dark brown or black leather straps, or canvas field strap. Cheap and cheerful, but also very stylish and so Indiana Jones. Available from Fossil stores and online from mid January.

- Ee Waun

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Bling - Ladies Just Want The Ball Crusher

Just got dumped? It’s okay, we’ve all been there. But the new age woman no longer potters to the salon for a new hairdo. Nooooo….! Keep your locks, sweetie. Instead, get yourself the Mother of All Statement Jewelry, the ‘Ball Crusher’, the nastiest, wickedest, most vampy ring that every woman secretly lusts after. Pair with your meanest killer heels and make sure he sees you with it sometime.

Where to get this piece of gorgeousness? At the plush new Solange Azagury Patridge boutique at Takashimaya Shopping Centre in Ngee Ann City.

This is the Moroccan-born designer’s first store in Asia, after outlets in London’s Bond Street, New York’s Madison Avenue and most recently, Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive. Offering bold, sassy jewelry with a bit of rock n roll, whimsy and mysticism, she’s most well known for her huge, bold ‘power rings’ that make a statement.

These come-hither lip pieces are signature Solange….

I like this Bleeding Heart necklace though I am no bleeding heart liberal,

…and though you may be the epitome of the girl next door, you can show off your ‘Heart of Gold’ with a sassy edge.

“My clientele are women who buy jewellery for themselves because the pieces speak out to them – whether it’s on an impulse or it’s a planned.....My hope is that these jewels will become part of their lifestyle and represent the type of person they are,” said Solange.

The shop itself is quite a unique experience so make a point to pop in when you’re in the mall. We hear she’s got plans to unveil a special collection early next year just for her Singapore store, so keep your eyes peeled!

391 Orchard Road

#02-12A Takashimaya Shopping Centre

Ngee Ann City

Tel: +65 6838 0335

www.solangeazagurypartridge.com

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Bling - WATCH out for these!

WATCH out of these, fresh out in the stores during the festive season. At work or play, they make great gifts or a nice addition to your festive wardrobe.

I did not know that Marc Jacob (left) and DKNY (below right) made watches but I like what I see. 

Lip smacking cute - these come from the Marc Jacobs Mademoiselle Danger range. 

Totally cute! 

This one is from DKNY. Bling available in pink, blue, gold and black. 


Both brands available at Tangs Orchard and authorised watch retailers in Singapore.


- Elaine

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Bling - Feast Your Eyes On The Perfect Pink

Feast your eyes on The Perfect Pink, a rare 14.23 carat Fancy Intense Pink diamond that will be sold on 29 November at Christie’s auction, Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale. This piece of candy is expected to go for a cool US$14-19 million and it’s named that way for a few reasons. It has no trace of secondary colour, which makes it a very pure pink. It’s colour is so rich that it carries the rare Fancy Intense colour grading from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)and it has a rating of VVS2.

According to Christie’s, only 18 diamonds over 10 carats showing a distinct pure pink colour have ever appeared for sale at auction, and none of them comes close to the intense shade of pink this one has.

If you want to see the real thing before you decide to buy it, the Perfect Pink will be on view in:

New York: 17-19 October Christie’s Rockefeller Center Galleries

Geneva: 14-16 November Four Seasons, Hotel des Bergues

Taipei: 20-21 November Fubon Life Assurance Building

Hong Kong 25-29 November Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre

- Ee Waun

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Bling- Bangkok Watch Fair till 5 October

If you happen to be in Bangkok from now to 5 October, drop by at Central Chidlom in downtown Bangkok for the Bangkok Watch Fair where timepieces Worth US$150 Million are being showcased. About 180 leading brands will be showcased highlighted by two precious Piaget masterpieces valued at over US$2.5 million each. These are the one-of-a-kind Piaget Limelight Paradise, adorned with 46.1 carats of 1,756 garnet spinel and sapphire jewels and the 18 carat white gold Piaget LimeLight Sheika, made of, decorated with 64.7 carats of 550 diamonds, and took 600 hours to craft.

Central World anticipates sales of over US$20 million at the dazzling fair, being hosted for the 12th year running. Lange & Söhne will showcase its classic 1 Daymatic collection, Maitres du Temps unveils its ultra-limited edition ‘Chapter one Round’ – one of only three crafted and Sarcar debuts its golden-diamond masterpiece ‘The Twist’. See them on display or sit in on a watch fashion shows featuring young Thai celebrities and models.

- Elaine

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Buys – Naughty, Boozy Atomizers For A Spritz Of Glitz

You want to bring your bling to the extremes of fabuliciousness? Then you must have Laura Santinni’s alcoholic atomizers which she says, takes “the glamour of the boudoir to the table”. These tantalizing little bottles contain potent potions of alcoholic liquor with edible metals. One pump onto your food or drink and you'll turn from Ho-Hum Hostess to Madame With The Mostest. 

'Devil’s Breath' is a transformational mist of brandy liqueur with chilli and edible 23 carat gold flakes. Sweet yet fiery, a little spray turns steaks, pasta and chocolate mousse into tantalizing temptations, and makes a hot chocolate or coffee devilishly tempting. 'Angel Mist and Broken Halos' is no more angelic, combining heady grappa and edible silver flakes. Mist freshly shucked oysters or a trembling panna cotta with this wisp of wickedness, and dinner will never be the same again. There’s plenty more you can do – spray a cocktail with this breath of lusciousness, zip it onto carpaccio, sashimi or canapés…Sip with Champagne, perfectly matched with red stilletoes and racy teddy under a respectable outfit of perfect prudishness.

Santinni says you can bring the boudoir to the table, and SimplyFab says you can bring them right back into your scarlet chambers once again. With a simple push of a finger, what else can these little elixirs do to spice up the fun and games? Oooh – We can’t wait to find out!

And just in case you think the booze comes from less-than-luscious sources, rest, assured and inspired, that they are in fact produced by Distilleria Bottega, an award-winning Italian distillery that have been producing grappa for three generations, and based in the Prosecco area near Venice.

These culinary naughties are available at Selfridges in London, Birmingham, Manchester Trafford & Manchester Exchange Square or online at www.selfridges.com (tel: 0800 123 400) Each 100ml bottle costs £17.99 and contains a giddy 38% alcohol.

Just say it – “I Want!”

- Ee Waun

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Bling - 1-2-3 Ogle! Chopards 150 Beasts in Bling!

Oooh! Pretty jewels! Chopard, the Swiss watch maker and jeweller celebrates its 150th anniversary with a blinged out exhibition ‘Animal World’ with 150 superluxe trinkets and timepieces!

The travelling exhibition arrives in Singapore 16 – 18th July, as part of its tour around 12 other cities including Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, London. It sounds like absolute fun – the press release promises a show of candy “all dedicated to one single theme and highlighting a stunning array of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects; impressively accentuated by the realism and boisterous persona of each handcrafted jewellery piece”. Take a look at this sneak peek. I like the frog best!..Gorgeous cocktail ring with humour!

Need to get an eyeful, of course, so trundle down to the Chopard boutiques at Takashimaya Shopping Centre (#01-18) and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (B1-107) on those three days. (Be warned though: I paid $16 for 2 hours just to park at MBS' convention centre....and I didn't use the valet!)

Why beasts in bling? ‘Cos Chopard is supporting WWF's work to save tigers, which aims to double the number of tigers in the wild by the next Year of the Tiger in 2022. Ooh! That makes me elegantly 54 then! ("Look grandma. Tiger in your garden!")

Scroll on now and let’s ogle….

I don't mind this bee in my bonnet....

Seahorse earrings? Perfect for those glam out, Venus de Milo, out-of-the-clamshell moments that we all have some time or other....

"Mama! You got monkeys round your throat!"

Isn't this extravagant necklace just IT? Love it for samba parties and limbo-limbo-limbo!! Just add on coconuts! ...Or how about some wicked, chunky, blinged-out bunnies (below) to luxe up your Yang Gui Fei, mooncake moments!

See, it just shows we all need a bit of bling at every moment in our lives!

- Ee Waun

(pics courtesy of Chopard)

 

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Bling - Larry Jewelry's Latest, 'Most Extravagant' Collection Yet!

What? More bling on a single day? Yes, 'cos we have a sneak peek at the new sweets by Larry Jewelry and we’re sharing the spectacle!

Celebrating their 35th Anniversary, they’ll be unleashing a bunch of new bling this July, called “Into the Wild” (no relation to Madagascar the Movie, I am sure!). 

It's their ‘most extravagant collection’ to date, and takes inspiration from nature, plus “hints of ethnic influences”. The bracelet above is called Labyrinth, which I absolutely love! So bling, so strong and tasteful,...so Minotaur! But don't know where the nature part comes in.....  

Look out for their super extravagant, signature piece called Waterfall (pictured above). With little flowers over a ‘cascading waterfall’, the necklace has 36 round diamonds set in 18K white gold, hanging from two strings of 68 South Sea Pearls. Hmmm....where shall we wear this to? ...And below, is the African Sunflower Ring, infinitely wearable, even with jeans on next week's school run, and bling out the moms at the school canteen, ya?   

These lovelies will be presented at the annual Larry Splendour, on 8-9 July, an exclusive event that showcases the year’s blingest best from Larry. Plus, you can get your hands on the candy from July at Larry Jewelry’s boutiques in Paragon (#01-21) and ION Orchard (#03-04). We like!

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Bling – Tiffany's iPhone App For All Your Diamond Emergencies

Haven't we all got experienced those unexpected diamond emergencies at some time in our SimplyFab lives? When you just need that bling info - or that bling - right NOW? But you’re on the move. You're a busy woman, but that diamond just can't wait! Trust Tiffany to come up with an app that every woman needs! - The Tiffany And Co. Engagement Ring Finder, the jeweller’s first iPhone application!

The app arms you with essential tools for selecting the perfect Tiffany diamond engagement ring, from viewing the range of styles to learning about the qualities of Tiffany diamonds. The app includes an accurate Ring Sizer, the first tool of its kind from a jeweler, that lets you figure out your ring size – just place one of your rings directly on the screen and align it with the correct circle in the guide, and voila! You got your size right. You also get to browse the jeweller’s diamond collection according to shape, setting, metal or design, all shown true-to-size. Each style can also be viewed with diamonds of six different carat sizes. What’s more, you can eyeball the rings' details, and save or share your favorites. The latter is absolutely useful 'cos you can just forward it to the husband if he’s out looking for lunch and in the vicinity of a Tiffany outlet. How convenient is that for grocery shopping??

To access the Tiffany Ring Finder: http://itunes.apple.com/app/tiffany-co-engagement-ring/id375427126?mt=8

- by Ee Waun

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Bling - Ice, Champagne and Eden

What a girl wants? Some ice down her decolletage on a hot, hot day, a chilled flute of Moet Chandon in hand and an unihibited-ly naked wander into the Garden of Eden (moving of course, far away from the Tree of Good and Evil and that nasty snake - LOL). Bring all these images together in real terms and you get what Goldheart and Larry Jewelry are launching this year for Mothers Day.

Ice wise - introducing the new and exclusive Arctica Ice™ Diamonds harvested from the subzero Arctic barrens. These pristine diamonds are the most difficult to mine in the world. Fashioned into a registered floret setting named Arctic Bloom, this design is inspired by the Purple Saxifrage – a resilient breed of flower that blooms and flourishes in the Arctic wilderness. Rings, earrings and pendants are priced from S$907 and up at selected Goldheart boutiques.

Champagne toast - the good life is at hand with The Champagne Gold Collection from Larry in this collection of rings and earrings for the sophisticates amongst us.

Eden - Mother Nature has a name and apparently she is called 'Eden', the giver of life and the mother of all living things. Larry's new Eden Collection celebrates the life and wellness that Mother Nature has selflessly provided with two stylish pendants handcrafted using 18K white gold and enhanced with sparkling Marquise and round diamonds.

- Elaine

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Bling - Yellow in a Blue Box

Unconvinced that yellow is IN, take a look at Tiffany on Kate Winslet. Seen wearing a spectacular $2.5 US million-dollar yellow diamond necklace and 10-carat fancy intense yellow diamond drop earrings and yellow diamond bracelets, on 7 March 2010 at the 82nd Academy Awards®, held in LA.

The Art Deco-inspired necklace in platinum is based on jewels in the Tiffany & Co. Archives and features a triple-drop pendant with three extraordinarily rare fancy vivid Tiffany yellow diamonds, which surpass the quality of any other jeweler's yellow diamonds. The rectangular-shaped 13.09-carat yellow diamond and two approximately 6-carat yellow diamonds are among the most sought-after stones in the world. Tiffany jewelers surround these captivating diamonds with a total of 642 round brilliant white diamonds, each exquisitely cut and hand set. Pictures by Steve Granitz/ WireImage and product pics from Tiffany.

- Elaine

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Bling - Yellow Diamonds and Rose Gold this Summer!

Yellow is in! I used to think that when it came to diamonds the whiter the better but apparently these days, yellow also has its wiley charms.

Take a look at Reverie, a yellow and white diamond collection of pendants, earrings and rings that conjure images of champagne, Summer’s dappled light, the sweet escape of sun-kissed days and carefree moments, an ode to the exuberance of the season (or so the press release waxes lyrical). See Sweet Clover, the heart shaped pendant above. 

I certainly would not mind having this sweety called Lemon Drop at S$2200
. 

Also IN this season (actually for some time already) is rose gold set against diamonds. Check out Embrace, an 18K rose gold pendant with diamonds shaped in a dew drop formation, perfect for Mother's Day if you are gift hunting or else wear it loose to strategically enhance an already ample  decolletage. 

And where are these beauties to be found? Surprise, surprise head to your neighbourhood friendly Poh Heng who I must say have pleasantly wowed me with some really nice collections  recently. See: www.pohheng.com.sg

- Elaine

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Gift Ideas This Valentine's Day

There is nothing wrong with being a hopeless romantic or a hopeful one for that matter. We trawled through the many gift ideas that we have received to bring you a few fun ideas that we hope will deliver you happily into Cupid’s cherubic arms:

Smelly Gifts

Set the mood at home with a smell-good gift. Our favourite scent store Flaming Queen Home has moved to the Mandarin Gallery (#02-32). Pick up Candle Queen Dayna Decker’s new Bath and Body range, all natural, eco-friendly or AQA’s scented candles, diffusers, home fragrance sprays and refills. Pronounced “Ah-Kwa” (don’t laugh), this new Italian brand offers home fragrances comparable in quality to personal perfumes. The fragrances are produced in Grasse, the perfume capital of France, but formulated and packaged with the feel for 'La Dolce Vita' as only the Italians know how. There is also the LAFCO House and Home candle collection which has been designed to complement the ambience and décor of each room in your home. The candles are made of clean-burning soy-based wax with a 100% natural cotton wick. Each candle is housed in a hand-blown art glass vessel, with over 90 hours of burn time.

Geek Gifts

Do something soppy and sweet. Print out all your favourite pictures together and make it into a collage. Epson has launched its latest mini photo printer – the Epson PictureMate™ PM310 at S$299 which offers photo playback with its large, seven-inch digital photo frame and excellent photo printing with its compact photo inkjet printer. Digital photos from different cameras can be displayed and printed wirelessly. It has a tiltable screen allows users to preview and edit images before printing and also serves as a desktop digital photo frame that displays photographs with extreme clarity and brilliance. There are a variety of pre-installed Disney photoframes, and it comes with a remote control that allows users to navigate wirelessly to showcase their images in a series of animated photo slideshows. See: http://www.epson.com.sg

Edible Gifts

Well, this one is not edible or sugar coated but the effect is the same, totally delicious. Poh Heng launches a patisserie tray of Praline and Truffle rings from their Chic Indulgence line in 18K yellow, rose and white gold. Like rich and lavish truffles with smooth, silky and creamy ganache fillings, the sensuality of these rings with their smooth polished surfaces make them irresistible. Available in three different styles the Praline rings start at $1000 onwards. The Truffle rings offer a more lustruous and intense flavour in rose and white gold with beautifully grooved details starting at S$1200. See: www.pohheng.com.sg

Thoughtful Gifts

Between the opposite sex, is there ever such a thing as staying “just friends”? Well you can always gift one or several of the Tod’s vibrant “My Colours” bracelets and see what happens next! At HK$1600 each, it definitely says you want to be more than friends!

Me Gifts

What the heck? You are a big girl just get a gift for you! Something pretty for your wrist to firmly reaffirm that “I Love Me”! Just the thing to say it is the Goldheart Lovelle® whitegold bracelet with round brilliant cut diamonds, starting at S$288.

- Elaine

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Bling - Big Ticket Bling!

In the mood to splurge on some bling? Check out these big ticket beauties that will set you back a couple of zeros. I always say .. no harm drooling!  

I fancy some Icy Jade dangling off my decolletage, don't you? Loang and Noi have just the fabulous fancies that pair traditional Jade pieces with diamonds and pearls in intricate and fascinating designs.

This is a Jade, Pearl and Diamond necklace with a detachable pendant brooch suspending an oval cabochon icy jade cosseted by two feline creatures embellished with radiant diamonds, articulated by a fringe of pear shape diamonds of 3.6 carats, supported by a necklace composed of icy jade cabochons of matching shapes and translucency, finale with keshi pearls, mounted in 18K white gold. The description warrants the price tag as this baby is only a staggering S$98,800. 

A less pricey alternative and no less lovely are these Jade and Diamond Earrings at $9500 a pair, each set with a translucent icy jade cabochon, highlighted by a flower composed of brilliant diamonds, mounted in 18K white gold. Love how these shots were taken to story tell the size, quality and workmanship. 

Maybe you want something to gently pin down that Hermes scarve that you just bought? This Jade, Pearl and Diamond Dragonfly brooch at a mere S$31,500 features intricately carved wings embellished by pave-set diamonds, the thorax set with an oval cabochon icy jade of 19 carats, tail set with circular-cut diamonds, with cultured pearls eyes, mounted in 18K white gold. 

Goldheart also goes premium. They have launched a new fashion line called Goldheart MODE with two new collections, TRES BRUNE (Cognac Brown Diamonds)  that feature a sultry hue of cognac-coloured diamonds set in elegantly crafted rose, white and black gold. 

From $5063! 

$3509 for this beauty! 

Their other collection, POSY (Spherical Jewellery) is made out of latticework using white gold, rose gold and adorned with round brilliant diamonds. From S$688 onwards. 

- Elaine

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Bling and Binge - All things "CUTESY"

CUTESY BLING 

If you like cutesy and are a fan of home made jewelry than do check out these pretties made by some of our very own SIMPLYFAB readers.

www.iheartkitty.com is all about Hello Kitty jewelry for both kids and adults. Handmade trinkets, earrings, bracelets and that feature kitty charms sourced from all over the world, some dressed in cosplay costumes and some made from crystal with lovely pearl and gold plated chain links or on silver bracelets. Email contactiheartkitty@gmail.com for prices and details.

If you know a little Diva who loves to dress up then check out www.twinklestars.biz. Made from baked polymer clay these adorable handmade beads have been created into jewelry for kids and adults. Email contacttwinklestars@gmail.com for prices and more details.

SIMPLYFAB READERS – just state that you are a SIMPLYFAB reader in your email and enjoy a 10% discount through December 2009 for both stores above.

CUTESY BINGE 

Feel a sugar rush coming on? I certainly do after checking out Frostie the Cookie. See www.frostiethecookie.com.

This totally cutesy home baked business started in 2005 has been churning out delicious hand-crafted frosted cookies to celebrate special occasions, such as Baby Showers, Weddings, Birthdays and Christmas. See their Frostie The Cookie Christmas cookies and 7 different gift sets. 

All cookies are individually packed in cellophane and are air-sealed to maintain freshness, embellished with a ribbon. S$4 a piece, choose from Mr. Santa, Happy Elf, X'mas Tree, X'mas Sock, Winter Mitten. Sparkling Snowflakes come in a smaller cluster of 3 for S$6. The gift sets come in a ribboned box, with candies and chocolate. Gift tags upon request at additional cost. Prices start from S$13.50 onwards. Email frostiethecookie@yahoo.com.

- Elaine

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