Perfect Summer Bags For Every Budget!

Handbags are one of my favorite accessories that can really spice up your look. Totes and Hobo handbags are really hot right now and with their convenient features and versatility, they are a must have! Below are some of my favorite, simple bags that are out right now, which can accommodate different budgets:

Dolce and Gabbana: Estelle

This is a nice, flat, slim bag that fits close to your body. This D&G bag is large enough to throw in your water bottle, wallet and personal accessories while you are out and about! This is a gorgeous color that can really add pop to your outfit, turning a descent outfit into a FANTASTIC outfit! I really like the D&G emblem because it is just the perfect size – not too big and not too small! I personally do NOT like bags that have their brand’s logo ALL over it.

Kooba: Tied Convertible Hobo Bag

I just fell in love with the simple design of this agile, slouchy hobo bag! Its quaint, yet elegant, knotted tie, which rests on one side, helps to give it that clean, classy feel, which is missing from so many of today’s hottest hobo handbags. With its adjustable strap, you can extend it so it wears higher or lower – which ever you prefer! This is definitely one of those handbags that you can wear with many different outfits! I love Kooba bags - they are simple and chique!

Jessica Simpson: Boulevard Tote – in Luggage

This adorable, versatile bag, which is priced at around $100, is the perfect addition to your wardrobe! I particularly love the brown “luggage” color, which would go marvelously with an earth-toned outfit. It has a wonderful warmth and a subtle shine to it. This Jessica Simpson bag comes in different colors and has many different compartments, which is perfect for all of your favorite toys, such as your blackberry, ipod and makeup!

Xhilaration®: Value Hobo – Purple

I adore this lavender hobo handbag from Target! You can’t beat its price of just $15.99, either. Regardless of your budget, it’s a great splash of color to jazz up a simple outfit. It’s truly the perfect size for an everyday bag and it fits snugly to your body - which I love!

Don't be afraid to buy a colorful purse. A vibrant color can dramatically change the look you are going for. It can literally change a drab outfit to a fabulous one! ; ) Happy Shopping!!!

Cute Shoes for 2009!

I absolutely just love a nice pair of shoes! I have noticed that some of this season’s popular footwear trends include: cutout booties, the highly criticized gladiator shoe, and flats.

Frankie Flat – By: BP





Gladiator Sandals – By: Valentino





Cut-Out Bootie: Dolce and Gabbana

Try shopping at places, such as: Nordstrom Rack, DSW, the outlet malls and the internet find to some of your favorite shoes. Why pay full-price when you can get some of your favorite pairs of shoes and sandals for a fraction of the cost?


Here are some of my favorite shoes that I want to add to my closet soon ; )

Cutout Sling-back – By: Prada

Lady Patent Wedge Pump – By: Christian Louboutin

Black Patent Leather Mary Janes – By: Manolo Blahnik

Diamonds... A Girl's Best Friend?

Diamonds have unique places in our society. They act as a societal symbol in addition to holding a significant industrial and scientific value.

So what's the big deal anyway? Let's look at the stand point from both ends...

Diamonds are composed of strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms, which form an isometric-hexoctahedral crystal lattice. Diamonds have extreme properties. They are the hardest known material that are virtually incompressible and they are excellent thermal conductors. With these properties, diamonds are excellent for drilling, cutting and polishing, which explains why roughly 80% of mined diamonds are used industrially. Diamonds are transparent, lustrous and have a high refractive index. These properties help to explain why diamonds appear so sparkly and able to disperse so many colors so beautifully.

In addition to a status of royalty, diamonds have long been romanticized as a token of everlasting love. I think that diamonds are so popular amongst many women because it represents happiness and a feeling of "making it" in society because diamonds are considered to be rare and priceless. Most girls want to feel loved and like a princess. So, when a man opens up that tiny, black, velvet box and gets down on one knee, it can make a woman feel like she is the most priceless person. To commit your life to just one person is such an incredible thing and it can say a lot about one's devotion to the other person. I think that to begin life's long journey together with that expensive token of "forever" can represent a man's dedication to the most important person in his life. With all of the symbolism that diamonds represent in a person's life, it saddens me to know that some of these "priceless" gems are conflict diamonds.

So what is the fuss about conflict diamonds? To me, conflict diamonds are a horrendous side effect of supply and demand over a natural material. It is estimated that about only 4 percent of mined diamonds are conflict diamonds. Even though this is a relatively low percentage, that 4 percent represents human lives of both adults and children that are treated horrendously. I encourage you to go and pick up Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Kimberley Process has helped to prevent conflict diamonds to be intermixed with commercially sold diamonds. This in theory would prevent rebel groups from being financed and would prevent them from abusing humans' rights. Unfortunately, this is a "soft law" and is not legally binding. It is rather "supported" or "encouraged" by participating countries. Is it all worth it? No. Absolutely not.

Kanye West - New Music - More Music Videos

Here are some resources to help you ensure that you are not purchasing a conflict diamond:

http://www.stopblooddiamonds.org/a-blood-diamond.asp
http://www.dejoria.com/

Take a look at some other alternatives to diamonds...

Carat*
Diamond Nexus Lab
Lab made diamonds