I can’t believe that tomorrow will be 2009.

This year has just flown by! It seems like only yesterday that we posted our very first blog. We’ve come so far since we began, and it’s been a wonderful journey.

I think it’s fitting for us to close out 2008 by looking back at it and remembering our (well, my) favorite blog posts of the year.

Crickette Brown Glad, jewelry designer.

10. Interview with Crickette Brown Glad

You never forget your first.

Jewelry designer Crickette Brown Glad of Between the Cleavage was my very first interviewee here at WooMeOver. It was a real pleasure to meet Crickette and her bright, joyful jewelry designs!

Ten Thousand Things Pinned Black Opal Buttercup Bracelet, $7,745 at ylang23.com.

9. Opal

I just can’t get over how beautiful my birthstone is! After so many years coveting the sapphire, it’s such a relief to finally fall in love with my own birthstone: the opal!

Robbins Brothers Vivant Palladium Engagement Ring, $595 (without center stone) at robbinsbros.com.

8. Palladium

This precious metal gets my vote for the best value in precious metals today! I can’t believe it’s as strong as it is, but still so affordable! And palladium is as beautiful as platinum!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Apple Pendant Watch, $150 at dillards.com.

7. Pendant Watches

This was probably my favorite jewelry trend of 2008. So adorable, but so functional! I love it when practical meets pretty!

Rita Chung, jewelry designer extraordinaire!

6. Interview with Rita Chung

Rita Chung of Asian2Woman was the first jewelry designer that I was able to meet and interview face-to-face. Her personality is even more vibrant than her beautiful jewelry designs! I had so much fun interviewing her!

Shopping for an engagement ring isn't easy.

5. How to Find a Great Engagement Ring

Since so much of our website is geared towards women, it’s great to throw something in there for the guys to read every once in a while – while helping out the ladies at the same time!

Alice In Wonderland Altered Art Photo Charm Bracelet by Summerpoet Studios, $65.99 at poetsummer.etsy.com.

4. Alice (on Acid) in Wonderland

One of the best things to happen to WooMeOver this year was the addition of blogger Jewelz to our staff. My personal favorite post of Jewelz’s was this one about Summerpoet Studios’ jewelry inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

Markéta Hrabetová, fellow Woobie!

3. Markéta Hrabetová

What would WooMeOver be without our Woobies? Since we haven’t launched anything but our blog at this point, I haven’t gotten to meet very many of our fans. But this jewelry enthusiast from the Czech Republic was more than happy to show off the inside of her jewelry box.

Victoria's Secret 2008 Fantasy Bra, modeled by Adriana Lima.

2. Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bras

The number one post on our entire website is Jewelz’ post about Victoria’s Secret’s Fantasy Bras. It’s got bling, babes, bras – what’s not to like?

The piece that started my obsession: Frank Gehry for Tiffany & Co. 2-Fish Pendant.

1. Frank Gehry

I know that I keep coming back to this one, but I can’t help it. I’m head-over-heels in love with Frank Gehry’s provocative jewelry designs!

It’s been a great year. And we here at WooMeOver just want to thank all of our faithful Woobie readers for frequenting our Bling Blog and supporting us!

Thanks for a wonderful 2008. Here’s to an even better 2009!!

Celebrating Good Times (Come On!),
Olivia

Alexis Bittar Amaryllis Flower Pin, $275 at saks.com.

We recently did a feature in our Trend Watch on candy-colored jewels. Well, the only things that girls enjoy as much as sweets are flowers!

A recent trend is combining all of our favorite things: bejeweled flowers in an assortment of candy-colors! These days, there’s no such thing as too big, too bright, or too bold.

MCL by Matthew Campbell Laurenza Enameled Ring in Blue, $410 at neimanmarcus.com.

Unlike the pastel posies of old, these blooms are anything but sickly-sweet. This trend isn’t for the prim, old maids of yesteryear, but for the floral fashionistas of today!

Personally, I’ve got awful sinus allergies, so the jeweled flowers are the ones I enjoy the most. I get all of the beauty with none of the runny noses. And with the New Year and its resolutions just around the corner, candy will soon be scarce in Olivia’s cupboards. So this trend comes right in time!

Tiffany & Co. Floral Plique a Jour Pearl Necklace, $42,000 at tiffany.com.

What a great way for a girl to get flowers, candy and jewelry without sneezes, weight gain – or even a boyfriend!

Stopping to Smell the (Fake, But Gorgeous) Roses,
Olivia

When I was a little girl, I thought that “costume jewelry” was the jewelry that you use to play dress-up.

Burberry Faceted Necklace in Blue, $495 at neimanmarcus.com.

I wasn’t that far off. But instead of dressing up like a princess, the idea is more to dress up like a fashionista.

Dictionary.com defines costume jewelry as “jewelry made of nonprecious metals, sometimes gold-plated or silver-plated, often set with imitation or semiprecious stones.” This is what separates it from fine jewelry, which uses precious metals and precious stones.

There used to be a bigger distinction between precious and semiprecious stones back in the day, but the line between the two have gotten fuzzier in recent days.

Jose & Maria Triple Drop Earrings, $315 at neimanmarcus.com.

Since the materials used to make costume jewelry are less expensive, costume jewelry is a great way to keep up with a trend without breaking the bank.

Much of the jewelry we’ve featured in our Trend Watch has been costume jewelry. It’s the best way to get the trends on the cheap!

One of my favorite places to go for good costume jewelry is Neiman Marcus. They’ve got an excellent selection by a variety of top designers.

I love this Kenneth Jay Lane pavé crystal cuff! It’s the look of pavé diamonds (a trend that we recently covered) at a fraction of the cost!

Kenneth Jay Lane Leaf Hinge Cuff, $500 at neimanmarcus.com

I used to have a chemistry teacher whose motto was: “Work smarter, not harder.” And when it comes to finding great jewelry, I think what Mrs. O’Donnell said totally applies.

Smartly,
Olivia

Habari Gani (the traditional Swahili greeting on Kwanzaa – Swahili for “What’s the news?”)! Joyous Kwanzaa, everyone!

Kwanzaa was created to help African-Americans reconnect to their African heritage, but has evolved into a holiday celebrated by people of all races that believe in the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba).

We’ve found some jewelry this Kwanzaa that embodies each of the Seven Principles so that you can show your solidarity through jewelry!

Ippolita 18K Gold Two-Diamond Ring, $2,500 at saks.com.

1. Unity (Umoja)

This Ippolita ring looks like a bunch of stackable rings, but is actually one ring. What a beautiful symbol of many people coming together as one on Kwanzaa, a holiday that celebrates unity!!

Jeanine Payer Meriwether Earrings, $190 at barneys.com.

2. Self-Determination (Kujichagulia)

This principle stresses the importance of knowing thyself. And we’ve found these beautiful earrings by jewelry designer Jeanine Payer with a poignant quote by Henry David Thoreau: “Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me.” Feel the dawn in you through jewelry this Kwanzaa.

Frank Gehry for Tiffany & Co. Flux Cuff, $925 at tiffany.com.

3. Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima)

When two people work together, the collaboration can often be a beautiful marriage of two different styles. This is certainly the case for my favorite collaboration in jewelry history – that of Tiffany & Co. and architect/jewelry designer Frank Gehry. I think that Gehry’s Flux Cuff illustrates my point. What an appropriate Kwanzaa jewelry gift!

John S. Brana Pacific Heights Amethyst Pendant (Brilliant Cut), $665 at artpeople.net.

4. Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa)

It’s not only important for people within a community to work together, but also for them to build and maintain businesses together. The business collaboration between San Francisco’s Art People Gallery and jewelry designer John S. Brana is a symbiotic relationship. They help each other, and the consumer gets great jewelry, like this amethyst pendant. Jewelry lovers always win on Kwanzaa!

Dogeared Boxed Sentimental Pendant Necklace — Karma, $78 at nordstrom.com.

5. Purpose (Nia)

If we want to do anything positive with our lives, we need to remember that we have a purpose on this earth. And the Karma necklace by Dogeared is a great jewelry reminder that “what goes around, comes around.” So maybe we should do our best this Kwanzaa to give as good as we want to get.

Bentwood by Contexture Design Coffee Cuff, $68 CAD at contexture.ca.

6. Creativity (Kuumba)

This Kwanzaa, leave our world a more beautiful place than when you came into it. One of the best ways to do this is to go green! These Coffee Cuffs by Bentwood for Contexture Design are made from reclaimed architectural veneer offcuts, so you know that no trees were cut down to make them. And since they’re formed around real coffee cups, they’ll slip easily from your wrist to your morning latte, so that you can save a few trees from being turned into coffee cup sleeves. What a creative way to combine jewelry and eco-awareness!

ALF Jewelry and Metals Hope Necklace, $80 at cakejewelry.com.

7. Faith (Imani)

Regardless of your political affiliation, you have to admit that the election of our country’s first African-American president is a monumental event. And if you believe that our nation can become a better place, then you have to have hope. ALF Jewelry and Metals has created an exclusive Hope pendant based on Barack Obama’s campaign logo (the entire Obama family sported them on Election Day). Show your faith in our great nation! This Kwanzaa, that you have hope for a bright future!

Even if you aren’t African-American, you can still celebrate Kwanzaa. And, better yet, you can celebrate Kwanzaa with jewelry!

Joyously,
Olivia

Happy Holidays, everybody!

We’ve talked all year about bling for you, but how about a little bling for your Christmas tree?

Tiffany & Co. Blue Box Ornament, $75 at tiffany.com

Tiffany & Co. makes a beautiful ornament based on their famous “blue box.” What a great way to bling out your Christmas tree – and drop a fatty hint, too.

You’ve been good all year and wished and written to Santa. Now the holidays are finally here and you can just celebrate! May you find something shiny with your name on it under your Christmas tree!

Happy Holidays to Woobies everywhere!

Merrily,
Olivia

When I hear the word “locket,” the word that comes to mind is “antique.” It conjures up a picture in my head of a heart-shaped family heirloom that opens up to reveal faded photographs of your grandma or your great-grandfather or some other ancestor.

But a digital locket is the exact opposite of “antique.”

The Kodak "1881" by Lindsey Picket.

Industrial designer Lindsey Picket recently designed a locket for Kodak. But instead of being heart-shaped, it’s round, and instead of housing yellowed, old photographs, it contains a tiny digital camera and an LCD display. The locket just shot to the cutting edge of fashion and technology.

The future of wearable technology is here.

Since the “1881” is not yet available to consumers (and won’t be before Christmas), here’s the next best thing: a digital photo heart pendant from the Discovery Channel store. It holds up to 40 photographs which display on a 1.1” screen.

Discovery Memory Keeper Digital Photo Pendant, $19.99 at shopping.discovery.com.

So give the gift of technology this holiday season! Make it easier for the one you love to keep you in their heart – literally and figuratively.

Heartily,
Olivia

Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the victory of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire, who forbade them from practicing their religion.

The holiday is celebrated for eight days. When the Maccabees prevailed over the Seleucids, they reinstated the Jewish temple. The menorah was supposed to burn night and day, but there was only enough oil for one day. According to Jewish tradition, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days, long enough for the Jews to procure more olive oil.

The Star of David has long been the symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity. And this Hanukkah, you can show off your Jewish Pride in style!

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Star of David Necklace, $185 at tiffany.com.

Elsa Peretti has designed a beautiful Star of David necklace for Tiffany & Co. Made of sterling silver, this Star of David pendant is a sleek and stylish way to show your pride in your heritage.

Who knew that faith and fashion could come together so beautifully?

Reverently,
Olivia

P.S. And, not so reverently, here are some funny Hanukkah-related video clips:

Serotonin Necklace, $85 at madewithmolecules.com.

Do you ever think about the science behind jewelry design? Do you ever think about the molecular properties of the elements that allow them to be molded and shaped into jewelry?

Well, Raven Hanna has thought about all of these things. She’s married her love of science (she has a PhD from Yale University) and her love of jewelry design to create Made with Molecules.

Theobromine Earrings, $40 at madewithmolecules.com.

Made with Molecules is jewelry design inspired by science – specifically, by molecules that represent anything from serotonin (a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate feelings of happiness in the brain) to chocolate (‘nuff said).

Made with Molecules features designs in the shape of various molecules (so modern, and très chic!) made out of different molecules – silver or gold, to be specific. Science has never been so soigné.

Too Cool for School,
Olivia

‘Tis the season to be sparkly!

One of the best things about the holiday season is that it’s also the holiday party season. But each cocktail party comes with a dilemma: what to wear? The answer is simple, my friends!

If you’re going to a cocktail party, then the simple answer is a cocktail dress! I’m partial to the classic Little Black Dress (LBD), myself. I really like this Tahari LBD; simple, but cute, and not overdone.

The LBD: Tahari by Arthur S. Levine Belted Faux Two Piece Dress, $128 at nordstrom.com.

And versatile! I love that you can make this LBD say whatever you want it to say with the right jewelry.

Sweetly Chic

Betsey Johnson Cupcake Pendant Necklace, $55 at nordstrom.com

This playful Betsey Johnson cupcake pendant shows the sweet side of your LBD. It even opens up to show a tiny mouse enjoying it. This adorable accessory shows everyone at the party that you’re a yummier treat than the cocktail in your hand!

Classic Beauty

Konstantino Medium Flora Blossom Earrings, $483 at saks.com

These Grecian-influenced earrings by Konstantino remind us that the LBD is a classic look. They show that you are a classic beauty, with the power and strength of the goddess that you are.

Dangerous Seductress

Kara Ross Women’s Large Shirt Cuff Bracelet, $465 at bloomingdales.com

The anaconda pattern on this Kara Ross cuff warns your admirers that you’re as dangerous as you are sexy. It shows that your LBD may not be the darkest thing about you.

Serious Party Girl

Tiffany Legacy Collection Aquamarine Cocktail Ring, $6,650 at tiffany.com

What could be more apropos than to wear a Tiffany cocktail ring to a cocktail party? Our regular readers already know how much Olivia loves cocktail rings. And I particularly love wearing them to a cocktail party. It’s a great way to show your fellow revelers that you are ready to shine and make everybody’s day a little brighter. And a cute LBD makes a great backdrop for a sparkly bauble!

So you see, fellow partygoers, there are plenty of options for you this holiday season. Just make sure that, whether or not you choose a LBD, you wear it like you mean it, and that you get all the fun out of it that you possibly can!

Ready to (Cocktail) Party,
Olivia

Remember how I said that I love candy-inspired jewelry? Well, here’s my favorite way to wear it.
There are few things in life I love more than a good cocktail ring, and there are few people that can do it better than Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. Legacy Collection cocktail rings in: (L to R) Sapphire, Spessartite, Tanzanite, Aquamarine, and Green Tourmaline; from $6,650 to $31,800 at tiffany.com.

I absolutely love Tiffany & Co.’s Legacy Collection. Each ring features a legacy cut gemstone surrounded by round brilliant diamonds.

One look at these brilliant gems and I’m immediately transported to a swanky club, wearing a slinky LBD, with a cocktail in my hand. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a cosmopolitan right now.

So sparkly!! Who could resist such a shiny bauble? Certainly not I.

Like a Moth to a Rainbow Flame,
Olivia