The fashion world is abuzz with talk about the fashions from Sex and the City: the Movie. Since the inception of the television series, Carrie Bradshaw’s name has become synonymous with fashion and good taste. Every self-respecting fashionista worth her salt has been scrutinizing production stills since filming began.

Now, many of us love to keep up with the fashions of the style elite. We daydream about being Carrie Bradshaw, about being flawlessly adorned from head to toe. But we eventually have to face reality.

The reality is that most of us cannot afford to wear a different designer outfit every day, a closet full of Manolo Blahniks, or pajamas that cost more than the laptop that is my livelihood.

I don’t even dare to think about the cost of the jewels. Names like Nicolas Ghesquiére for Balenciaga, Philip Crangi for Vera Wang, and Cartier were scattered all over VOGUE magazine’s feature on the fashions from the film.

Thankfully, Emitations.com has found a solution for this problem. They’ve searched high and low for affordable alternatives to the luxury gems that Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha wear in the movie.

Take, for example, this cuff set that Carrie wears in a staged photo shoot for VOGUE magazine. The actual pieces she’s wearing are worth thousands. Emitations’ finds weigh in at just over $300. That’s a pretty tempting bargain; even Carrie Bradshaw would be hard pressed to disagree.

In a world where fashion sense is such a valuable commodity, the true luxury is not in being able to afford designer jewels. No, it is enough of a luxury to live in a place where one can look like a million bucks – without spending it.

Frugally,
Olivia

When your last name is Picasso, everyone expects you to be creative.

Paloma Picasso comes from a family of the famous: her mother, artist Francoise Gilot; her stepfather, Dr. Jonas Salk, who discovered the polio vaccine; and, of course, her father, renowned artist Pablo Picasso.

It must have been difficult for young Paloma to find her own identity as an artist and designer while growing up in her famous parents’ shadows.

But she has done it, and with style.

She got her start as a costume designer in Paris. Some rhinestone necklaces she crafted out of flea market castoffs caused a stir in critical circles. This led to her designing for Yves Saint Laurent, which garnered more critical acclaim for Paloma.

And that brings us to Tiffany.

Paloma began designing for Tiffany in 1980, and has continued to produce evocative pieces ever since. Reinventing classics has become her hallmark.

Her Loving Hearts collection is vastly popular. I confess that I own a Loving Hearts necklace that has outlasted my relationship with the man who gave it to me. Paloma Picasso can take something as simple as a heart and show just how beautiful it can be.

I’m also a great fan of her Sugar Stacks – a veritable candy shop of colors. The design’s genius is in its simplicity; the gems seem to shine all the more brilliantly because the design doesn’t get in the way. The colors are so vivid that I almost want to taste them!

Paloma Picasso’s collaboration with Tiffany can only be described as a work of art. She has a flair for jewelry design all her own. And I think her father – what’s his name again? – would be proud.

Sweetly,
Olivia