“Yes, I love technology
But not as much as you, you see
But I still love technology
Always and forever
Always and forever.”

– Kip Dynamite, Napoleon Dynamite

Just because our first priority is jewelry doesn’t mean that we don’t also love technology. But which do we love more? Oh, we just can’t decide!

If you can’t decide, either, then, BOY, have we got the trend for you!

Click here! To read more about the hottest new trend in fashion and technology

On Edge (the CUTTING edge, that is),
Olivia

I’ve often had to correct friends who’ve mistaken the idiom “passing muster” for “passing mustard.” But looking at the latest trends for fall makes me ask those same friends: “Please pass the mustard!”

Mustard yellow is the hot new color for fall, and it’s surprisingly versatile! We’ve thought of three ways to wear this delicious trend. Let’s look at this chunky knit sweater from Forever 21 as an example.

Forever 21 Shandi Knitted Cardigan, $27.80 at forever21.com.

1. Contemporary Art

Spanish Dancer Red Filigree Hoop Earrings, $13 at shopplasticland.com.

These red earrings really pop against the yellow of this cardigan. It’s a great modern look!

Some people might think it’s a little too “ketchup” for mustard, but I think we’ve seen how hot it can look when the wearer is confident enough to wear it boldly.

Reese Witherspoon at the 2007 Golden Globes. Dress, Nina Ricci. Shoes, Brian Atwood.

2. The Good Earth

SURevolution Wood Bangle with Croc Inlay, $170 at vivre.com.

The wood of this bangle gives this ensemble depth. The crocodile inlay gives it life. And the square shape gives it edge. This earthy look is a great way to dress down the cardigan’s modern shape without going granola.

3. A Touch of Elegance

CC Skye Enamel Deco Ring, $123.95 at zappos.com.

If you want to dress up this chunky knit, add a touch of elegance with a sleek cocktail ring. Throw in a statement bag, some simple flats, and a pair of big sunglasses and this cardigan goes from “snuggled up with a good book” to “shopping in the city.”

We hope we’ve gotten your creative juices flowing. We know that you have what it takes to make this hot new trend your own!

You know, I’ve always preferred mustard to ketchup. And it’s finally paying off.

Passing Mustard,
Olivia

P.S. How would you pass mustard? If you have a piece that you think would complete this outfit, shoot me an e-mail!

Dries Van Noten has bells of brass.

At Paris Fashion Week, Dries Van Noten showed his Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear line.

One of the most striking aspects of this collection was how he accessorized it: lots of big sunglasses and chunky jewelry. My favorite aspect of these great pieces was the bells!

I love how the bells lend substance without overwhelming the outfits! That’s what accessories are meant to do: they accentuate the clothing, make it look better, make it more complete — much like the way a harmony fills out a melody. And the harmony of these bells: it’s music to my ears.

Lyrically,
Olivia

We’ve seen a lot of cool trends so far this fall! So tell us:

Clockwise, from top: coral, New York & Co. City Style Black Rose Pin, Loeffler Randall Layered Sleeve Dress, Banana Republic Ombre 3-Strand Necklace.

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Hair we go again.

Gwen Stefani

Mischa Barton

Lots of celebs have been spotted on the red carpet lately sporting jewelry in unorthodox places: they’ve been pinning brooches in their hair. What an innovative way to put a unique twist on a new trend!

Some celebs have even been using pieces other than brooches! Scarlett Johansson is wearing a necklace as a tiara — what a “crowning” achievement!

Scarlett Johansson

Take this trend and make it your own! Use your favorite necklace. Use an antique brooch. Heck, use a bracelet! There’s no wrong way to do it!

Tressed for Success,
Olivia

Teal is a hot color for fall.

Not only is it cute for late summer, but it’s a jewel tone, which makes it transition well into the fall.

But how to accessorize — that is the question. And, of course, we have options for you!

Let’s start with this teal Loeffler Randall dress.

Loeffler Randall Layered Sleeve Dress, $375 at activeendeavors.com.

What can we do to make this adorable dress even more adorable? Well, let’s see…

1. Go for the Gold

Guess by Marciano Pale Gold Gothic G Bangle Set, $30 at guess.com.

You’re sure to look like a winner when you pair teal with gold. The glint of gold at the wrist gives a touch of complexity to this dress and keeps it from looking too simple, while maintaining a classic feel.

2. Cool It

Marjorie Baer Oval Egg Drop Earrings, $42 at nordstrom.com.

The cool tones of these silver earrings give a cool tone to this outfit — a modern twist on a simple dress.

3. Girl Power

10K White Gold Diamond-Accented Emerald-Cut Pink Topaz Pendant Necklace, $172.54 at target.com.

Pink topaz adds a feminine touch to this dress, while also presenting a pleasant contrast between a jewel tone and a pastel.

4. Clash of the Titans

Bounkit for Vivre Double Strand Coral Necklace, $745 at vivre.com.

These colors may not seem to match at first glance, but since orange and blue are opposites on the color wheel, pairing coral and teal makes a bold statement.

If you’re ready for fall and the bold colors that it brings, then you’re probably as excited about teal as I am! I hope that this guide gives you the courage to wear this beautiful jewel tone in a way that makes you shine like the beautiful jewel that you are.

Feelin’ Teal,
Olivia

Brooches: they’re not just for grandmas and librarians anymore.

The brooch used to be the favorite accessory of the stuffy and hopelessly out-of-touch, but it’s making a comeback. Now, it’s used to give modern outfits a classic vibe, or even to add edge to a casual ensemble.

Here are five different brooches to wear in five different situations:

1. Class is in Session

New York & Company City Style Black Rose Pin, $14.95 at nyandcompany.com.

This classic floral brooch is a great way to liven up an ordinary cardigan twinset. An outfit like this just screams “Jackie Kennedy.”

2. You Gotta Have Faith

Dillard’s The Vatican Library Collection Angel Brooch, $28 at dillards.com.

Wear your faith on your sleeve… or lapel, as the case may be. This beautifully crafted brooch is an elegant way to set off your Sunday best!

3. I’ve Got the Power

Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Sapphire and Diamond Starfish Brooch, $63,000 at tiffany.com.

This dazzling brooch could put the “power” in “power suit.” Its feminine design serves to soften the edges of a menswear-inspired suit, but make no mistake about it: this brooch oozes self-confidence and strength.

4. We Got the Funk

Ann Taylor Purple Cluster Brooch, $48 at anntaylor.com.

This funky brooch can take a cocktail dress from “simple” to “unique” in seconds flat! Even a classic LBD needs help from time to time to keep it from getting stale.

5. We Will, We Will Rock You

Too Faced Avant Guard Beauty Brooch, $28.50 at drugstore.com.

Who says that brooches have to be elegant? This brooch by cosmetic line Too Faced lends a rocker’s edge to a simple casual outfit — black t-shirt and jeans, anyone? Also, the faux cameo hides a pot of lip gloss so that your lips shine as you belt out your favorite rock anthem.

I hope that you can see now that there’s a brooch for everyone. No matter your style, from classic to goth, there’s bound to be a brooch for you.

Universally,
Olivia

Fall is generally a time when people start reaching for sweaters and scarves; where summer brights are put away in favor of fall’s more muted tones.

Well, not this year.

The hot color for fall is purple. One of the benefits of purple is that it really livens up an ensemble in fall’s muted earth tones. Is it possible to be understated and still make a statement? Apparently.

Here are a few of the pieces that I’m loving for fall in fall’s new signature color.

1. Earrings: Give Me a Hint

Anthropologie Bouli Earrings, $28 at anthropologie.com.

Anthropologie dips a toe into the waters of this color trend by taking a classic pair of dangly earrings and adding a hint of purple with ribbon. The results are subtle and classy — a way to wear the trend without trying too hard.

2. Ring: Drop It Like It’s Mod

Target Sterling Silver Chess-Cut Amethyst/Cubic Zirconia Twist Band Ring, $31 at target.com.

Make a modern statement with a new twist on the classic cocktail ring. The twisted band and chess-cut stone make this ring a great conversation starter. The topic of conversation? “Where did you get your fabulous sense of style?”

3. Bracelet: Grapes of Wrath

Bebe 3-Piece Stretch Fireball Bracelet, $44 on bebe.com.

Fall is a time of harvest, and the beads on this luscious bracelet are reminiscent of freshly plucked wine grapes, ready for pressing. How apropos!

4. Necklace: Made in the Shade

Banana Republic Ombre Three-Strand Necklace, $29.99 at bananarepublic.com.

This necklace graduates from shades of calm lavendar to a violent violet. Show your passion this fall with a necklace that can match your own intensity.

Those are just a few suggestions to get you started. But I’m sure that all you Woobies out there will find ways to take the hot color for fall and make it your own!

Passionately,
Olivia

Palladium. It’s a word I’ve been seeing a lot on the internet lately, especially in ads.

After a friend asked me what it was, I decided that I needed to look into it, for the good of Woobies everywhere.

Palladium.

Palladium is a “platinum group metal” (”PRG”), a group of metals that have chemical properties similar to platinum. Palladium has an atomic weight of 46, and is actually 12% harder than platinum. At different times in history, platinum has actually been more plentiful than palladium, driving up the price of this precious metal.

However, due to recent innovations in palladium production, palladium is about a quarter of the price of platinum right now!

People tend to look at the price of palladium and assume that it is of a lesser quality than platinum. However, the only significant downside to palladium vs. platinum is that palladium tends to discolor at high soldering heats, become brittle with repeated heating and cooling, and also reacts to strong acids. But unless you plan to wear your palladium ring in a fire or handle some sulfuric acid without gloves, you’re okay — and, even then, you’re going to have bigger problems than your ring getting ruined.

Palladium is about the same price as white gold, but has the added advantage of being hypoallergenic. Also, it’s far more resistant to tarnishing and fading than white gold. In fact, white gold is often an alloy of gold and palladium, which gives it its white luster.

The Robbins Brothers website has a great comparison chart that you can look at to see exactly how palladium stacks up against more popular metals.

Photo credit robbinsbros.com

I also found some beautiful palladium engagement rings on their website.

Vivant Palladium Engagement Ring with Round Diamonds, $595 (without center stone) at robbinsbros.com.

At a fraction of the cost of a similar ring in platinum (all the platinum designs I saw that even came close cost at least $2,000), think of how much money your fiancé will have leftover to spend on the diamond! Let’s face it: the only reason for the band is to house the diamond!

And now is a great time to buy palladium, too. There’s been a huge advertising push for palladium and, as it grows in popularity, the demand is bound to rise, which means that the cost will rise right along with it (hey, I took high school economics). So get in on the ground floor with this new trend in precious metals!

Preciously,
Olivia

The first image that comes to mind when one hears the word “watch” is usually the current most popular style: the wristwatch. We forget that the first watches were hung on chains or fobs and kept in the pockets of men’s waistcoats.

It’s refreshing to see that designers are remembering that and starting to think outside the band.

A few months ago, I was looking for a necklace that would go with everything, but I also felt that I needed a watch because I was tired of rummaging in my bag for my cell phone whenever I lost track of the time (which is often).

That was when I opened VOGUE magazine to see Marc by Marc Jacobs’ ultra-chic pendant watches. It solved my accessory dilemma in a snap. I got the black resin heart on a silver chain. I’m still constantly late, but at least I look great.

Since then, I’ve seen retailers offering pendant watches, charm bracelet watches, bangle bracelet watches – it’s only a matter of time before they come in ring form. And when they do, I’m going to have to have one of those, too.

The watch is a somewhat paradoxical accessory. Most jewelry serves no purpose other than to enhance its wearer’s style or look. In fact, the more superfluous an item is, the more luxurious it seems.

The watch, however, has a practical primary use: the telling of time; the prevention of tardiness; something to glance when saying, “It’s late; I really must be going.” Judging by the inverse ratio of utility to luxury, the watch ought to be the plainest and stuffiest of accessories.

But I love the paradox of the timepiece as jewelry. Long live sensible sensations, practical luxuries, and timeless timepieces.

Watchin’ Out,

Olivia