It’s Music Video Monday!

I’m SO excited about the upcoming return of one of my favorite shows: “So You Think You Can Dance” (it premieres on Thursday, May 21st). Last season was so entertaining, and I can’t wait for the fun to start again!

Katee and Joshua’s Bollywood routine was one of my favorites, and not just because of the bouncy music or the genius choreography or the flawless execution.

No, I just loved the costumes. Specifically, I loved Katee’s jewelry.

Joshua Allen and Katee Shean.

Choreographer and guest judge Mia Michaels went so far as to tell Katee that she needs to dress like this every day of her life!

However, we can’t all walk around in bikini tops and ankle bells on a daily basis.

That’s what I love about Hari Jewels, Inc.

The company is based in New York, but produced in India — and it shows. These show-stopping pieces are absolutely gorgeous — antique styling with an Indian flavor.

Assorted bangles by Hari Jewels, Inc.

I mean, wouldn’t any of the above bangles be so cute with a sparkly halter top? What a great way to take Katee’s stunning Bollywood look and translate it to real life!

I’ve gotta go. I just found a beginner’s version of this dance on YouTube. This might come in handy if my dream of attending an Indian wedding ever comes true.

Jai Ho,
Olivia

We recently told you that “old” is the new “new.”

Well, if that’s true, then Loree Rodkin’s designs are about as trendy as they come.

Medieval-inspired rings with a modern twist: that’s Loree Rodkin.

The Los Angeles-based designer likes to say that she “blurs the line between modern and medieval.” And she’s done it with an artist’s touch, that’s for sure!

Her line gives a modern edge to medieval-inspired motifs in order to create unique pieces that are both classic and contemporary — if there’s one thing the jewelry world loves, surely it’s paradox!

A recent Loree Rodkin advertisement.

But paradox is often difficult to pull off: black and white has become blasé; thick, but light is so last season; and those “cute skulls” that we’ve been seeing everywhere — simply pedestrian, darling.

That’s what makes Ms. Rodkin’s achievement so monumental: she’s successfully combined ancient designs with the “now” — and many people are recognizing her talent.

Loree Rodkin Earrings, $17,000.

In fact, First Lady Michelle Obama has been seen sporting lots of Loree Rodkin in recent days. She wore these earrings to the “We are One” concert in January, and she’s been adding more pieces to her collection.

Sometimes, even the First Lady goes medieval.

Gravely,
Olivia

Remember those t-shirts they used to have back in the day? They had a big, yellow smiley face on the front, and read “Have a Nice Day,” often with several exclamation points to emphasize the enthusiasm. I used to love those; they were so delightfully cheesy! They always made me smile.

Well, I didn’t know it, then, but Smiley is a registered trademark of The Smiley Company. And it’s not your middle school teacher’s brand anymore. Thanks to a recent artistic overhaul, the brand has crossed the line from “campy” to “vintage.” Suddenly, it’s hip to be happy!

And Smiley also funds a charity called Smiley World Association. This charity benefits victims of social isolation worldwide.

They’ve found partners all over the world to help with their charity work — including London-based jewelry designer Disaya Sorakraikitikul, founder of her eponymous ready-to-wear line Disaya.

This collaboration — Disaya + Smiley — donates 10% of all proceeds to Smiley World Association. And the icing on the cake is that the line truly captures the whimsy and joy of the Smiley brand!

How delightful — you can have joy and spread joy at the same time!

Here are a few selections from the line. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be sporting your own “smiley” before you even get halfway through.

Disaya + Smiley Yippy Hippy necklaces and bracelets, Melting Face necklaces, Green Peace bangle, Sunlight cell phone charm, Rainbow cell phone charm.

Disaya + Smiley Candy Watch bangle and locket necklace, Mozart bangle.

Disaya + Smiley Splash brooch.

Disaya + Smiley Owl necklaces.

Disaya + Smiley Happy Me bangles.

Smilingly,
Olivia

It’s Music Video Monday!

This was the song that immediately came to mind when I saw this stunning hair clip by Judy Geib Plus Alpha.

Judy Geib Plus Alpha Ribbony Hair Clip, price available upon request from info@judygeibplusalpha.com.

From her January 2009 Collection (”Ribbony”), its stunning emeralds remind me of a snake, wriggling its way into your hair — and from there, into your thoughts and, eventually, into your heart.

Way back in September, I covered the trend of hair jewelry, but it wasn’t until I saw this piece that I remembered why I love hair jewelry so much.

I can just picture this piece nestled in a messy updo, with all the seductive power of Paula Abdul’s 90s dance moves — but without the outdated 90s wardrobe (sorry, Paula).

Cold-Heartedly,
Olivia

I’ve been having kind of a crazy week.

There are various personal issues arising in my life that I can’t discuss here, but I feel so frazzled and out of control because of them.

And when I feel frazzled and out of control, I often wish that there was a way to express my inner emotions and still look smokin’ hot while doing it.

And that’s when I discovered Ariane Zurcher.

Ms. Zurcher has a background in the arts both deep and wide. She’s worked for fashion houses and magazines; she’s experienced arts and cultures from all over the world.

Her vision for her jewelry is for it to “be an extension of the body.” She thinks it’s essential for “the jewelry and the wearer to reflect each other… like a second skin.” Sounds too good to be true, right? But what if the wearer is feeling kinda unbalanced at the moment?

She even accounts for that. I took one look and knew that these earrings and I were a match made in heaven.

Ariane Zurcher E112 Earrings, price available upon request.

These earrings perfectly express the hot mess that I feel like today. They’re wild and asymmetrical, but still gloriously beautiful.

And Ms. Zurcher takes into account the fact that I’m not the same girl from day to day. Some days, I’m feeling sophisticated and chic:

Ariane Zurcher E159 Earrings, price available upon request.

Other days, I’m feeling carefree and whimsical:

Ariane Zurcher E124 Earrings, price available upon request.

And, occasionally, I even feel sultry and mysterious:

Ariane Zurcher E60 Earrings, price available upon request.

It’s such a relief to know that, no matter which girl I am on any given day, I can still be me.

Uniquely,
Olivia

So, Easter’s just around the corner.

I know that, for a lot of you, this conjures up images of bunnies and Easter eggs and chocolates, but for me, it conjures up memories of getting dressed in my very best clothes to go to church.

Well, Olivia still attends church regularly, and still enjoys dolling herself up to look better than her Sunday best on Easter Sunday.

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Infinity Cross Pendant, $225 at tiffany.com.

So how beautiful and appropriate a piece is this Infinity Cross by Elsa Peretti? Crafted from a single piece of metal, it’s a great way to show the world what I believe, and to show the world that I’ll believe it forever.

But I love that the shape is subtle; it’s not shoving my beliefs in your face. It would be just as appropriate at a cocktail party as it would be in the front row at church on Sunday.

So when Easter comes, I know I’ll be ready for church. And for Easter brunch. And for dinner with the family. And for hanging out with friends…

Faithfully,
Olivia

Sundown yesterday marked the start of this year’s Passover festivities.

Passover is a Jewish holiday; a holy remembrance of how Jehovah God liberated the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt.

In the Torah, God commands the nation of Israel to keep this festival as a memorial of what He had done for them forever.

Well, these days, you can show your faith by keeping the traditions of this holiday and by wearing your faith — not on your sleeve, but around your neck.

David Yurman Star of David Necklace, $295 at neimanmarcus.com.

David Yurman gives new meaning to the Star of “David” with his design featuring this universally recognized symbol of Jewish identity and faith.

Made from sterling silver with an 18K yellow gold finding, this beautiful piece would make a wonderful heirloom to pass down from generation to generation.

Shalom to all of you on this Passover day!

Peacefully,
Olivia

It’s Music Video Monday!

When I was but a wee lass, my parents bought me a violin. This was back when every Korean parent wanted his or her kid to be the next Sarah Chang. They promised me that, if I practiced every day, I would become a famous violinist and travel the world and make lots of money and, more importantly, make them proud.

Well, I didn’t practice every day, and I didn’t get famous. The only thing left from that era of my life is an abiding love for classical music.

One of my favorite symphonic suites is Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherezade. Inspired by the tale of Scheherezade in the Arabian Nights, it features a beautiful violin solo that never fails to make me wish that I’d stuck with it and practiced every day.

Well, I can’t change the past, but I still love Scheherezade. And so does Boucheron.

Boucheron Sheherazade Pendant, $27,000 at boucheron.com.

The prestigious French jewelry house has designed a beautiful pendant inspired by the story of Scheherezade.

Scheherezade was the daughter of a Persian Grand Vizier, who served a cruel sultan named Shahryar. Every day, Shahryar would marry a different woman and have her executed the following morning. The kingdom soon started to run out of girls for him to marry, and Shahryar told the Grand Vizier that, once that happened, the Vizier’s head would be next on the chopping block.

In order to save her father, Scheherezade agreed to marry Shahryar herself and, on their wedding night, told him a marvelous story with a cliffhanger ending.

Wanting to hear the ending, he decided to keep her alive for one more day. Scheherezade told a new tale every night for 1,001 nights. After her story was done, Shahryar realized that he had actually fallen in love with Scheherazade, and so they lived happily ever after.

This mysterious pendant of white gold set with sapphires, diamonds, pink tourmalines, and amethysts conjures up images of flying carpets, bazaars, and sultans living in sumptuous palaces.

And, like its namesake, it keeps me coming back for more.

Addicted,
Olivia

It’s Music Video Monday!

When I was little, I thought this song was about rain. You know, the tears of a cloud. The idea of a sad cloud’s tears raining down on the earth appealed to Little Olivia.

I was so disappointed when I finally figured out that Smokey was talking about the tears of a clown, but seeing this necklace brought back fond memories of listening to oldies with my dad.

Linda Lee Johnson Tears of the Cloud Necklace, $2,300 at barneys.com.

Some may say, “What’s that name supposed to be? This necklace isn’t even blue!”

But let me tell you something: Linda Lee Johnson knew exactly what she was doing when she named this beautiful citrine necklace “Tears of the Cloud.” Doesn’t it remind you of the sun’s hazy rays shining through the last drops of a spring storm?

This necklace looks like Linda Lee Johnson was able to preserve some of those lemon drops of rain and string them on necklace to remind us of spring days.

A necklace of sun-tinted raindrops: the sort of necklace that Little Olivia would have worn in her dreams.

Nostalgically,
Big Olivia

Spring has sprung!

It’s sunny, but I’m freezing because the wind is blowing like it’s never blown before. My nose is running 24/7 (many thanks, seasonal allergies and high pollen count!). My car is constantly dirty from the intermittent rain and aforementioned high pollen count. Worst of all, I have to get up one hour earlier than I’m used to.

And, yet, somehow, I love spring!!

I love the deceptively cold sunshine! I love the pitter-patter of raindrops on my filthy windshield! I… don’t love the loss of an hour of sleep (once a year, I grant you, but still!), but I love how late it stays light out!

But, most of all, I love seeing flower buds poking out of trees and bushes and previously barren garden rows.

And the earth isn’t the only thing sprouting blooms!

Tiziana Vigano Rosebud Earrings, $1,400 at barneys.com.

These pink gold earrings are rosy enough to invoke thoughts of sun-kissed gardens, but their construction is super-modern! Spring has never been so hip!

With a Spring in Her Step,
Olivia