Spice up that little black dress! With an assortment of cuffs, necklaces and hoops at your disposal, there is no reason to feel plain ever again. Play up your favorite LBD with bright colors and bold jewelry choices. Whether you prefer elegant touches or funky finds, we’ve got just what you’ve been looking for. Check out the LBD style guide below for some great accessory ideas.

Elegant
Give your little black dress a polished look with Alex and Ani Gold Euphrates Beaded Expandable Wire Bangles. Also, try a simpler variation: Alex and Ani Yellow Gold Expandable Wire Bangles.

Fun and Fresh
Add a touch of fun to your little black dress with funky earrings like Deborah Grivas Designs Green Mother of Pearl and Brown Crystal Gold Loop Earrings. Catch everyone’s eye with the Jami Rodriguez Elephant Amethyst Bracelet. This bracelet will speak for itself and act as a great contrast to a LBD.

Casual
For a casual look, pair your little black dress with a simple but bright bracelet, such as the Ettika Peace in Love Wrap Rosary Bracelet. For a strapless dress, try the Ettika Medium Horseshoe Silk Necklace in a brilliant color. Give your LBD a laid-back, beachy feel with the Deborah Grivas Designs Aqua Crystal 5 Stone Gold Necklace.

Feminine
Dress up your favorite LBD with girly finds. Match Jessica Elliot Gold Iron Blossom Earrings with the Jessica Elliot Gold Iron Blossom Lariat for a feminine look. For a soft, silvery addition to your LBD, put on the Arena CPH Malene Silver Bracelet. This cuff is bubbly yet delicate, and will look great with any little black dress.

Glamorous
Make that little black dress sparkle with glamorous jewels. Try the Deborah Grivas Designs Aqua Crystal Donut Pendant Gold Necklace for a stunning entrance. Pair Deborah Grivas Designs Crystal Donut Ring Earrings with a halter dress for a spectacular effect.

Hayden Panettiere image courtesy of AP / Celebrity Photo.

Tags: Alex and Ani | Arena CPH | Deborah Grivas Designs | Ettika | Hayden Panettiere | Jami Rodriguez | Jessica Elliot

Arena CPH is a collaboration of classy, sophisticated designers. The magic of Arena CPH can be found in the harmony of the collections; although the jewelry is created by a group of designers, the collaboration is seamless while still allowing for the individuality of each designer. We interviewed one of the most talented jewelry designers, Sophie Bille Brahe for an inside scoop of Arena CPH. Her style is simple and beautiful. From bow ties to tiny Cinderella shoes, Ms. Brahe brings out the princess in all of us with her delicate, girly designs. According to Ms. Brahe, she has always wanted to design things. With the experience of travel (she grew up in Copenhagen and now lives in London) and jewelry education, Ms. Brahe shows that knowledge and talent can truly make an impact on success.

Max & Chloe: How did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
Sophie Bille Brahe: Becoming a jewelry designer has always been the only right thing for me, even though none of my family members are in this business. I always knew that this is where I belong – as long as I can remember anyway.

M&C: How did you get started?
SBB: I have always collected things and made them into jewelry as long as I can remember. And then I decided to take a goldsmith education.

M&C: Have you ever expressed yourself through another path apart from jewelry design?
SBB: I have made films, and I always drew a lot.

M&C: What is your favorite creation?
SBB:10 k bracelets from Arena Copenhagen

M&C: How would you describe your jewelry?
SBB: Simple and elegant

M&C: What is your favorite trend?
SBB: Delicate and simple jewelry

M&C: What inspires you in everyday life?
SBB: I love London, and think it is very inspiring living there.

M&C: Where do you travel to?
SBB:I love Paris and go there a lot. New York is one of my favorite places as well. I go to islands around Sicily for sun and relaxing.

Tags: Arena CPH | designer interview

Do you have a fun printed summer dress? Though the summer’s winding down, that’s no reason to resist one last wear. If we had a chance to style Lauren Conrad on the “blue” carpet in her gorgeous turquoise and orange sequined number above, we’d pile on gold jewelry for a statement that’s both trendy and playful, which is what summer is all about.

We’re huge fans of Arena Copenhagen’s stunning gold earrings, like the Arena CPH Naima Gold Ring Earrings and the Arena CPH Barbie Gold Earrings. The Barbie drop earrings would looks smashing with the fun cocktail dress Lauren’s wearing, while the Naima small hoop earrings are understated and add a quiet elegant touch. Layering your necklaces is a fun way to create a one of a kind look for no two necklace combinations will ever look the same. We love the way the Calico Juno Figure Eight Necklace and the Gorjana Gold Cupid Necklace look together, and both of the necklace chains are the perfect lengths for the sweetest combination.

A chic fashionista like Lauren would of course indulge in the latest trends in one or two areas at most - the key to being a trendsetter is knowing which trends you want to embrace, and which ones you want to create. Lauren has been in on the handmade bracelet trend since last year, and we’d give her the Ettika Peace Coin Bracelet in either orange or gold, to match her dress. The turquoise and orange dress looks stunning against her sunkissed skin, so we’d play that up with a sunny colored Ettika bracelets. With over 100 Ettika styles to choose from in almost every color under the sun, there are a handful of perfect ones for you. The Jennifer Zeuner Hamsa White Wood Beaded Bracelet would be another amazing bracelet to go with. We love the way the soft white wood beads and the gold charm go together like they were meant to be, and the hearts and moons inside of the Hamsa charm are to die for - how many can you find?

No look is complete this season without a ring, or two, or four! Stackable rings are still in, and we love the texture and shape of the Gorjana Gold Square Stackable Rings. We’d add the Melinda Maria Hammered Ring to Lauren’s look for the cherry on top of the sundae; this elegant ring has gorgeous CZ accents that would make Lauren the darling of her next party.

Photo Courtesy of Instyle.com

Tags: Arena CPH | Calico Juno | celebrity | Ettika | Gorjana | Jennifer Zeuner | Lauren Conrad | look of the day | Melinda Maria

Ooh La la! Feel inspired by the French with chic jewelry and confidence to match. Take sophistication to the next level with subtle layering, sleek charms and polished pieces. Experiment with different textures and colors for a look that is your own. Compliment every outfit with a bit of elegant flair.

Have a bit of fun without compensating refinement with the Ettika Feather Coin Silk Necklace. Simple and elegant, this gold and brown silk necklace is a beautiful find. Love layered necklaces? Try the Arena CPH Nakita Gold and Black Onyx Layered Necklace for a cool spin on the chic layered look. Worn with a simple dress, this necklace completes a knock-out look. For strong elegance and sophistication, adorn your neckline with the Lata K Yellow Gold Teardrop Charm Necklace. You will look so chic and polished that you might as well be on the next flight to Paris!

Show your boldness with chic earrings by Deborah Grivas Designs. Simple and polished, Deborah Grivas Designs Matte Black Marquis Long Earrings are very flattering. Draw attention to your ears by wearing these with a strapless dress. Accessorize with a more traditional and refined style: Tracy Matthews Double Kasmir Earrings. These earrings are tres chic and very mature! Already the proud owner of a beautiful pair of chic hoops? Add flair with Zasha Fleur De Lis Earring Charms. As if the Fleur de Lis design isn’t French enough, these charms will give you the sophistication of a true Parisienne!

Take the Fleur de Lis trend to the next level with the Alex and Ani Fleur De Lis Expandable Wire Bangle. In sterling silver or 18k vermeil, this braclet is simple and beautiful. Who can resist the comfort of an expandable bracelet? For a more modern approach to Parisian charm, try the Jessica Kagan Cushman “Que serait le monde sans les filles?” Bangle. With a French message inscribed, this bangle is anything but boring. Are you a fan of rings? Try the Zasha Signature Pave Diamond Quilted Band. The level of sophistication is beyond measure. With 82 diamonds, this ring will make you the center of attention as you sip your coffee house beverage of choice and gossip ferociously like a true Parisian chic!

Eiffel Tower image credited to SZBressler.

Tags: Alex and Ani | Arena CPH | Deborah Grivas Designs | Ettika | Jessica Kagan Cushman | Lata K | Tracy Matthews | travel | Zasha

“1, 2, 3, ACTION!” Ever admired the outfit an actress sported in a movie you were watching? You can borrow style ideas from the stars somewhere other than the candids of them shopping in Soho, on the red carpet, or at a fashion show.

Movies have become more sophisticated in recent years, and it’s understandable that how a character dresses for a scene has become just as revealing about who they are and what they’re likely to do as their lines. We’re seeing a burst of exciting jewelry trends and looks on young Hollywood on the sets of their hit shows and movies. Let’s take a look at what Hilary Duff, Alexis Bledel, and Blake Lively wore behind the scenes and see if the jewelry they’re wearing reflects the role they’re playing. We’ll leave which role you want to play up to you.

Hilary Duff was seen in a vibrant blue tiered cocktail dress and chunky black accessories on the set of Stay Cool, which is scheduled for release in 2009. She plays a high school senior, Shasta O’Neil, who has a crush on a fictional author who is town to deliver her class’ commencement address. Does Hilary look the part? She definitely does! The dress she’s wearing is flirty and youthful, and her trendy black jewelry hits the mark nicely. We love how her outfit reflects her self-confidence and the outgoing personality she has to portray while she’s in character as it does take guts to wear your heart on your sleeve.

Try the silver Blu Grecian Braided Cuff, the black Presh Silver Studded Leather Bracelets, and the Deborah Grivas Designs Black Oval Swarovski Crystal Loop Earrings. Hilary’s layered necklace takes this outfit from “Great” to “Wow!” Pile on the Arena CPH Leisa Ring Necklace, the black Ettika Peace Coin Silk Necklace, and the Blu Black Star Necklace for a look that’ll earn you an A. Add your Lorelei Black Patent Clutch to your look, and you’ll be as dressed to impress as Hilary.

Alexis Bledel was spotted last week on the set of The Good Guy, due out in 2009 as well, looking charming and youthful. She’s playing Beth who’s a shoe in for the girlfriend of good guy Tommy, played by Scott Porter, but a new coworker only complicates everything and turns this good guy’s world inside out. Alexis Bledel looks put together and classic in this flattering shift dress and her understated gold jewelry, proving that sometimes it’s all about finding the “perfect fit” to flatter you every moment of every day.

An 18″-22″ necklace looks great over a higher neckline like Alexis is wearing because of where it lies just below the collar. It’s a great trick to pull your friends’ eyes to your necklace and then back to your smile. Try the the 18″ Pade Vavra Shell With Pearls Necklace, 20″ Arena CPH Kamille Gold Flower Pendant Necklace, or the 22″ Jami Rodriguez Jaguar Crystal Necklace to top off a great day dress like this one. Type “18″ or “22″ in the search box in the top right corner of any page on the Max and Chloe site to see a variety of necklaces with these chain lengths.

Blake Lively was spotted in NYC looking stunning in her role as trendy knockout Serena on the CW’s Gossip Girl. While the show has gotten mixed remarks on the designer labels the elite private school cast wears without a second thought, don’t take notes from the show because of the labels; focus on the way you can mix highs and lows. If you like something that’s trendy or a little bit different, you should save where you can and splurge when you can.

Want a great example of mixing a high and a bunch of lows? Find a great big carryall handbag that you can rely on to hold your shopping purchases, your lip gloss, and your iPod (for when you’re in between stores). The Goldenbleu Black Patent Gemma Bag is a perfect example of a roomy bag that can hold everything you need. If you’ve just splurged on your handbag, wouldn’t you love to find a few jewelry “steals”? The Tracy Matthews Small Hammered Cuff has a great budget friendly price, and the cuff bracelet is one of the coolest jewelry trends of the season. The aqua Deborah Grivas Designs Swarovski Crystal Criss Cross Earrings would look gorgeous with the cuff bracelet and the handbag. If we had a chance to style Serena, we’d add one of Alex and Ani’s expandable wire bangle sets, the Kenneth Jay Lane Petite White Flower Ring and a cute short 16″ necklace like the Gorjana Silver Super Star Necklace.

So are you the beautiful, confident bombshell who always gets what she wants like Hilary? Then fill your jewelry box with chunky eye-catching earrings, necklaces and bracelets that look great on you. Are you the laidback, gorgeous girl next door like Alexis who pretty much has one guy wrapped around your finger? Find a signature piece and stick to a classic look to close the deal if you want to get your guy to focus on who you are. And if you’re as uptown trendy as Blake’s character Serena, mix highs and lows, and invest in gorgeous trendy jewelry for a great look. Take a cue from shots of your favorite stars filming their upcoming movies and TV episodes in People’s Star Style section to get yourself camera ready.

 So that’s a wrap!

Photos courtesy of People.

Tags: Alex and Ani | Alexis Bledel | Arena CPH | Blake Lively | Blu | celebrity | cuffs | Deborah Grivas | Ettika | Goldenbleu | Gorjana | handbags | Hilary Duff | Jami Rodriguez | Kenneth Jay Lane | Lorelei | Pade Vavra | Presh | Tracy Matthews