Category: Fancy Stuff

Recently, I’ve been noticing how Sarah Jessica Parker (and other fashion forward celebs, models and socialites) has been spotted around New York and London carrying various Fendi baguettes – which is cool considering Sex and the City was so influential in making the bag a household name in the first place. More than 10 years ago, the bag (often considered the first “it” bag) was heavily featured on the legendary show. Apparently Fendi was the first big name design house to loan Patricia Field items for the show. And it was a smart move. Because of the show’s growing popularity, the bag quickly became a must-have item for fashion lovers. And remember the super funny episode when Charlotte’s marriage was falling apart and she blurted out to the girls “My marriage is a fake Fendi!”. 

So, when walking through the purse department recently in Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman in NYC (like any typical fashion loving fruit does), I quickly realized the former “it” bag is totally back and could soon be more popular than ever. It seemed to be the bag many super fashionable shoppers were after. Because of the intricacy and beading of some of the designs, the prices can get right up there and range anywhere from $1200 to over $5000. I found a more reasonably priced option on Barneys.com for $1,190. Also, I bet there are some great finds on second hand ones on numerous sites.

The Fendi Baguette is an iconic bag – it’s chic, a great size, and there are tons of different and creative designs – some wild and some a little more subtle. You can check out all the new designs on Fendi’s new site devoted solely to the baguette here. And get this – now you can even design your own. That’s fun and fancy.

I always insist on checking out Henri Bendel, one of my favourite spots to look at cool jewelry, when I’m in NYC. They often have awesome truck shows with really cool and talented jewelry designers. And during my recent visit a couple of weeks ago I met a lovely jeweler named Sharon Chandally. I was super impressed with her line – the detail, the craftsmanship and originality. It’s interesting and chic, while still being soft and wearable.

Sharon comes from a long line of silversmiths and you can tell – creating jewelry is in her blood. She sculpted as a teenager and then studied both industrial design and musical instrument construction at university and the skills she learned are definitely apparent in her work. It’s organic with an architectural element that makes it especially original. Having been trained in an ancient forms of silversmithing and finding influence from her travels to places like Israel, New Zealand, India, Ghana, Benin and Japan, Sharon creates jewelry pieces that are practically sculptures.

Her materials include 18K vermeil and sterling silver with stones such as black diamonds and sapphires. I’ve posted three of my favourite pieces here but definitely check out her site to see more of her super interesting designs (I’m totally am getting a ring). This is impressive work and I’m looking forward to following Chandally as her line grows and to see her future creations.

All photos from Sharon Chandally – thank you!

Jewellery is a major passion of mine and I can’t not go to NYC without making a trip to Henri Bendel – a lengendary store with an incredible jewellery selection. Featuring lines from both long established jewellery designers and some of the most exciting new ones in the North America. And most of the prices are totally reasonable. Man, I love this store! I can easily spend a couple of hours looking in great detail at the huge selection of super cool pieces. And luckily for my mom and sister, I always pick them up something when I’m there because I’m a saint (actually they always give me $ to shop for them before I go). If you’re not heading to NYC anytime soon, you can also shop at Henri Bendel online. The site doesn’t have nearly as much as they do in the store, but they still have a lot of really cool pieces. Here are some of my faves.

Socialite hoop earrings (How awesome is the name?!?)

Cascade Layered Necklace ($598) – You could totally wear this
with a simple dress or it would look hip with a cool leather
jacket, a t-shirt, skinny jeans with t-strap stilettos.

Diane Bib Necklace ($258) – super different & super cool.

Skyline Deco Chandelier Earrings ($198) – incredible. 

Burst Chandelier Earring ($198) – such a great shape.

Bendel Rocks Narrow Bangle ($168) – I know so many women
that would love this. And wouldn’t it be cool to wear a couple?

Buckle-UP Bay Wide Cuff ($98) – Gwyneth would totally wear this.

Make sure to visit Henri Bendel next time you’re in NYC.
You won’t be disappointed. 

Last night I was out with my friends and I somehow (wisely) managed to bring up the earrings Nicole Kidman wore to the MET Gala in 2003 – the year she co-hosted with Anna Wintour & Tom Ford. The amazing dress was custom Tom Ford for Gucci (such a legendary time for Gucci) and she wore these incredible long diamond chandelier earrings. I remember being so excited when I first saw a photo of her in those earrings – they’re legendary. Nicole was on top of the world back then. And this was totally one of her best looks.

Side note – I sure hope someone wears earrings like this to the Oscars. They’re so awesome. In fact, I think Anne Hathaway’s look at the Golden Globes would have been way better if she wore earrings like these. They’re even better up close.

And here’s an interesting jewelry fact. Do you know where the term chandelier earrings came from? The legendary Elizabeth Taylor of course! She had a pair of long diamond tassel earrings (pictured below) that were originally owned by Baroness di Portanova, who commissioned Costantino Bulgari’s daughter Marina B. to create them based on a chandelier in her Acapulco home (doesn’t get much fancier than that, does it?). When Elizabeth heard the story, she started to refer to that style of earrings as chandeliers. And the rest is jewelry history my friends.