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

Jessica Elliot is a designer and a force to behold. Her story is an inspirational one, showing us that anything is possible when you work hard and believe in yourself. Although she has always been creative and loved making things, Ms. Elliot never planned on being a designer. Her first grace with creativity was in acting school. The jewelry “just happened by accident.” As a waitress in Los Angeles, Jessica Elliot drew her first crowd, selling her pieces to customers and the wait staff. After quiting her job to become a full time designer, Ms. Elliot’s career took off. After the first few years, her jewelry was in about 300 stores. Despite her love of acting, Jessica Elliot devoted herself to her newfound profession as a designer; her hard work and dedication is extremely admirable. Although she misses acting and writing (her college majors were English Literature and Creative Writing), she has found her place and satisfied her “creative craving” through jewelry design. Interviewing Jessica Elliot has taught us the strengths of commitment and hard work, and has strengthened our love for everything she does!

Max and Chloe: How did you decide to become a jewelry designer?
Jessica Elliot: I was acting in Los Angeles, which means I was waiting tables…I took one class in “wax carving” for fun at UCLA extension and wearing the pieces I made in class to the restaurant. I immediately began selling pieces right off of my neck to the customers and the wait staff. Soon after that, I began bringing piles of jewelry with me to work every night and making more cash selling the jewels than waiting tables…About 8 months later I quit my waitressing job and did the design full time…

M&C: What is your favorite creation?
JE: That’s a hard one… I think the two things I actually wear the most are the wrought iron cuff bracelet, and the clover rosary… But I love the initials and the zodiacs also. And the new line in production right now is definitely my new favorites.. The enameled “snake skin” pendants and earrings.

M&C: How would you describe your jewelry?
JE: I think my love for vintage glam combined with my city-girl upbringing, has influenced a collection exuding “edgy femininity”. Bold designs are paired with quality hand craftsmanship and my experiences of traveling the world—these are the foundations behind my collections. My attention to detail and use of the finest metals and stones are my basis– While so many designers today take short cuts using cheap materials and throwing over-saturated designs into the market—I take pride in quality and creativity, combining chains and metals in new and interesting ways and constantly trying to re-invent myself.

M&C: Can you describe your favorite piece of jewelry from your childhood?
JE: My mom gave my sister and myself all her heirloom jewelry a couple of years back— we got to look at everything and choose one piece at a time giving each other turns… I immediately zeroed in on a piece that was my grandmother’s— it is a stunning solid gold necklace with faceted rubies lining the entire thing…. It was bought in India in the ‘60’s. I love that style of lush jewels….The Indian influence is super detailed and ornate but with a beautiful simplicity and femininity— and this piece exudes all of that but is also super bold. I got to wear it to my sister’s wedding last year, and I felt like a princess! It was always my favorite piece of jewelry growing up when I saw my mother wearing it, and now I get to wear it myself….

M&C: When did you realize that this dream was something you could pursue wholeheartedly?
JE: I realized I could make a career out of it after about 8 months when I was making more money selling jewelry off my neck than I was waiting tables… When I was able to quit it was really exciting to be able to pour all of myself into the company without any distractions. And the fact that it is my own company, and I don’t have to answer to anyone but myself, is very gratifying…

M&C: Where do you travel to?
JE: Traveling is my favorite thing to do in the whole world… I have been all over, from places like Thailand and Cambodia, to Morocco, to Cuba, to Croatia, to Turkey, to Mexico, to Spain, etc, etc…I have so many more places I want to go!!

M&C: What inspires you in everyday life?
JE: My brand new baby… I look at her and no matter what is going on in my everyday life she makes it all better with her giant toothless grin…

Tags: designer interview | Jessica Elliot

Long necklaces are an understated item. Graceful and delicate or chunky and bold, these necklaces can make an outfit really stand out. We loved Kristen Bell’s ensemble at the Teen Choice Awards this weekend. Not only was her outfit extremely flattering, but the long necklace gave her an extra touch of sophistication. We love the colors too! Whether flashy or demure, long necklaces can work with any ensemble.

For a touch of Old Hollywood glamor, try the Jessica Elliot Gold Long Iron Clover 3-Way Necklace. In lovely 18k gold vermeil, this necklace is breathtaking. Turn heads with the Sogoli Silver XL Chain. The mixed textures will complement any simple outfit. A similar style, the Kenneth Jay Lane White Beaded Chain is casual and gives off a vintage vibe.

Looking for something more delicate? Try the Anna Beck Gold Plated Multi-Disk Necklace. It is simple, chic and sophisticated.

Spice up any outfit with a more daring piece: the Samantha House Jaqueline Necklace. This necklace is very unique and an eye-catching addition to evening apparel.

Longing some color reminiscent of Kristen Bell’s necklace? Try the Wendy Mink Multi Stone Necklace or the Calico Juno Turquoise Necklace.

Image of Kristen Bell, courtesy of Getty Images.

Tags: Anna Beck | Calico Juno | celebrity | celebrity style | Jessica Elliot | Kenneth Jay Lane | Kristen Bell | Necklaces | red carpet | Samantha House | Sogoli | Wendy Mink

Couture. That word alone sparks a fire in every fashionista’s heart. Once the latest couture collections arrive,  you start lusting after the incredibly hip and cutting edge dresses on the Ellie Saab runway and turning your head away from one Chanel skirt and jacket set to focus on the upcoming ones becomes a battle. The appeal of couture fashion is undeniable and we can’t help but fall inexplicably head over heels for these spectacular creations. This summer, designers from revered fashion houses like Alexis Mabille and Christian Dior premiered glimpses of their fall 2008 couture collections. Each of the collections had their own distinct tone and flavor, but we noticed a few trends, and we have assembled a guide to a handful of jewelry that will lessen the ache you have for those candy colored Dior dresses.

We were so inspired by the fashion we saw on the runway during the couture shows that we decided to pull out some of our favorite jewelry designs to show you that couture isn’t really about the dress or the rest of the outfit; it’s about how you dress. Craving elegance at your next big party? Drop earrings are so chic and elegant that they add a dash of glamour to every outfit. The Arena CPH Barbie Silver Earrings, Melinda Maria Etched Triple Leaf Earrings, and Brian Danielle Diamond Long Earrings are perfect examples of earrings that will deliver on that promise. The Wendy Mink Telly Earrings have a truly spectacular design. While these aren’t typical drop earrings, the effect of a double hoops that suspend pastel semi-precious stones has quite simply stolen our breaths away.

Take inspiration from the Givenchy couture model above who paired her outfit with a sometimes forgotten or underplayed accessory, a headband. We forgot how fun it is to wear your jewelry in unexpected places. For a fun twist, pull your hair back into a messy bun and add the Blu Royalty Headband. Since you can choose between navy, black and teal, there’s no reason why you can’t start building your outfit from a headband. 

We found a good deal of cuff bracelets and pearls on the runway during the couture shows, which is great because we’re not ready to let go of these accessory staples. Jessica Elliot Silver Wrought Iron Cuff is so stunning! The innovative clover cutout design is so fabulous, and this cuff bracelet is the perfect width. Pair it with the Anna Beck Sterling Silver Large Basket Weave Drop Necklace to complete your outfit, but if  you’re loyal to gold jewelry or simply need a gold cuff bracelet for your next big occasion, look no further than another one of Jessica Elliot’s designs, the 18k gold vermeil clover cutout cuff.

We’ve been fans of the R.J. Graziano Long Pearl Chain simply because of its unusual eye-catching gold chain link design between the pearls.  The 36″ chain is the perfect length if you love to double your necklace strands. Pair the pearl necklace with the Pade Vavra Large Shell and Pearl Cluster Necklace for a stunning contrasting effect that will be unforgettable. Necklaces with a beautiful flawless pendant is one of today’s biggest fashion trends, and we feel the Brian Danielle Hammered Diamond Necklace is one of the trendiest and most versatile necklaces we carry. It’s one of those pieces that looks stunning under both sunlight and the streetlights. Even if you’ve limited yourself to simply gazing at couture creations from afar, there’s no reason why you can’t indulge yourself a little bit and acquire jewelry that would fit right in on the runway as well as at your next black tie party.

Runway and detail photos courtesy of Style.com

Tags: Anna Beck | Arena CPH | Blu | Brian Danielle | Jessica Elliot | Melinda Maria | Pade Vavra | R.J. Graziano | Runway | Wendy Mink

Special occasions can often be a terrorizing subject for gift givers. Fret no more. Give the gift that keeps on giving: jewelry that can be worn forever. Traditional pieces and personalized items are often a safe bet - they can be worn with anything and everything. Here are some more ideas arranged by occasion.

Birthdays:
Whether the birthday girl is your best friend or your aunt, we’ve got you covered. Give your buddy something she can wear time and time again: Jessica Elliot Gold “Use Your Words” Bracelets. These bracelets are chic and fun; surprise her with a great message! With words such as “peace, spicy, lucky, amor, mama, bella, j’taime” and more, you’re bound to find one she will adore. Treat your sister with the Ettika Circle of Peace & Love Bracelet. With a circular pattern of love and peace, she’ll remember the great bond you two share. Celebrating the birthday of a close relative? Try the Calico Juno Gold Necklace with Rubies. It is a simple and heartfelt gift she is sure to love.

Bridal Shower:
Bridal showers are a fabulous time to give congratulations to the bride-to-be and send her on her merry way to marriage with a few nice new things. Whether the bride is a close relative or a family friend, treat her to something she can treasure for life. For a unique and sophisticated find, try the Jennifer Zeuner Five Charms Gold Necklace. It can be the perfect addition to any ensemble, casual or formal. The Tracy Matthews Short Lalitha Chain is the perfect piece for her to bring on her honeymoon. With a simple design, this necklace is very polished and beautiful. If you want your gift to make an appearance at the wedding, give her Brian Danielle Diamond Open Heart Studs. She’ll reconsider her previous jewelry choices and want to wear your beautiful gift instead!

Sweet Sixteen and other milestones:
Give your congratulations and show your love with a few fabulous gifts for a special someone. Remind her that good times are still to come with the GK Designs Live Love Laugh Dream Charms Necklace. It will serve as a daily reminder to “Live, love, laugh” and greet the day with a smile. If she loves earrings, try the beautiful Arena CPH Nanet White Agate Earrings, which will make her radiate with beauty every day. Another idea is Melinda Maria Doughnut Hammered Earrings. Delicate and original, these earrings will make her the star of her night, as if she isn’t already.

Tags: Arena CPH | Brian Danielle | Calico Juno | Ettika | GK Designs | guide | Jennifer Zeuner | Jessica Elliot | Melinda Maria | Tracy Matthews