Since the 1980s, PNC Financial Services has released an annual Christmas Price Index, which tracks current costs of the goods and services that are the gifts given by the “true love” in the song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” I’ve always been amused by the way PNC calculates the costs because — let’s face it…
holiday gift ideas
Jewelry Fo Yo Momma
Thanks to Barbara Palumbo of the blog Adornmentality for once again including me in her highlarious list of Mother’s Day jewelry suggestions. Barbara suggests my FitzRoy the cat lariat necklace (18K yellow gold with oranges sapphire and a black opal) for what she calls the “‘My Kids Are Grown So I Adopted Nine Cats’ Mom.”…
Valentine’s Day/Anti-Valentine’s Day Countdown: #14 of 14
Happy Valentine’s Day! If you don’t have a Valentine, maybe you can be mine. I’m not shy about saying it: I’m your No. 1 fan! The final entry for my Valentine’s Day/anti-Valentine’s Day countdown is my brand-new emoji-inspired earring. I decided to improve upon the standard pointing finger emoji … … and turn it…
Valentine’s Day/Anti-Valentine’s Day Countdown: #13 of 14
I’ve been excited about rubies for my Valentine’s Day/anti-Valentine’s Day countdown, so here are some more rubies with a punk twist. Proving Valentine’s Day red doesn’t have to be all hearts are these ruby-eyed skull earrings. There’s a matching necklace … … and a ring. For those with an unlimited budget, I’d recommend a different…
Valentine’s Day/Anti-Valentine’s Day Countdown: #12 of 14
The Vampire Diana heart ring has been a Jewel of the Month before, but I’ve got to revisit it for this Valentine’s Day/anti-Valentine’s Day countdown. My Vampire Diana designs — hearts with stakes through them — were inspired by my favorite bloodsucker, Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I started out with a silver ring…
Valentine’s Day/Anti-Valentine’s Day Countdown: #10 of 14
For today’s anti-Valentine’s Day choice, I’ve got a classic mismatched earring pair. “Screw U” comes in silver … … and 18K yellow gold. If you’re in one of those “it’s complicated” relationships that has a lot of ups and downs, you can get the single heart earring as well. That way you’re prepared for the…
Valentine’s Day/Anti-Valentine’s Day Countdown: #8 of 14
I’m definitely NOT feeling the love today, which is good, because it’s time for an anti-Valentine’s Day choice for my Valentine’s Day/anti-Valentine’s Day jewelry gift-guide countdown. I’ve got a few suggestions today, starting with my GTFOH necklace. GTFOH is what I thought when someone pointed out this Louis Vuitton hashtag earring to me last night….
Valentine’s Day/Anti-Valentine’s Day Countdown: #7 of 14
How’s THIS for a Super Bowl 50 ring? Today’s Valentine’s Day selection is the redesigned engagement/50th anniversary ring I made for my mother last year, using her original center diamond and baguettes. Obviously you can’t buy this particular ring but I can use this style of platinum setting for any custom engagement ring. If you’re…
Valentine’s Day/Anti-Valentine’s Day Countdown: #6 of 14
Damn, girl! The day before hitting the stage with Coldplay at the Super Bowl, Beyonce released a surprise single and video called “Formation.” She outdid herself with this Hurricane-Katrina-referring tribute to black pride and black power. Here’s a tweet that sums it up nicely. She is the biggest star in the world, standing on a…
Valentine’s Day/Anti-Valentine’s Day Countdown: #5 of 14
It’s National Wear Red Day today — part of the effort to raise awareness about women’s risk for heart attacks and strokes. Did you know that women often experience different symptoms than men do? The illustrations posted here are very helpful, but you should check out the comments too. It’s educational to read about individual…