Angela's Favorite Picks

I've already done a post on the chalcedony stones that I love so much. This post I'm focusing on the same stones, but a different style of jewelry featuring them. The chalcedony stone is great because it can be styled in many different ways and is always very beautiful. 

These pieces are from a Turkish designer and I found them at the New York show in May. The quality of this jewelry is amazing and they are extremely unique. The stone is set in sterling silver in an oval, pear or round shape depending on the piece. These are all hand crafted pieces of jewelry and fabulous looking. There are many different styles but they all go well together too.

The rings are very unique looking. There are two that feature several stones, which are really fun and can be casual. One is all chalcedony stones and the other is a mix of the calcedony and citrine stones. The ring with the large chalcedony focal stone is definitely one of my favorite pieces in this series. It is sterling silver with white topaz embellishments. The detailing on this ring is gorgeous.

 In the boutique I also have quite a few earrings from this designer in the same type of style. These range in size and style as well. There are pairs with the white topaz embellishments and some that are just plain. All of the earrings are sterling silver so they are okay for sensitive ears. There is even a pair that match my favorite ring!

These stones also make great pendant pieces for necklaces. I have a few of these in the boutique. These also vary in style and size.

These pieces are so rare and unique. I like jewelry that you can't find everywhere and these are exactly that. The stones look so striking the way they are used in these pieces that the pictures can't even do it justice, you have to come in and see them for yourself!

Angela's Favorite Picks

I find a lot of my favorite things at the New York accessory show. That's where I found these bracelets, which were hand made in Italy, and they are fabulous! They were exclusively sold at that show and are hard to find. I love them because they can be casual or extremely dressy and are easy to wear with everything. At the boutique we have both stretchy bracelets and chain bracelets for a little more elegant feel. 

The stretchy version is really great when you want to wear several bracelets together. It is meant to be stacked with many styles. The band is made of 18K triple dipped brass beads. The center focal bead is 18K yellow, white or rose gold with Swarovski crystals. 

The chain bracelet is a little fancier than the stretchy band, but still very understated and simple looking. It looks beautiful on and can also be stacked with other bracelets if you choose. The chain is sterling silver and the center bead is also 18K yellow, white or rose gold with the Swarovski crystal embellishments. 

I appreciate these bracelets so much because they are great quality at a reasonable price point. They are extremely elegant without being too gaudi. They make a great gift and make a nice complement to another bracelet or watch for everyday wear. 

Angela's Favorite Designs

All of my designs have a story behind them; something that inspired me to make that particular piece. Many of these stories involve my travels. This week I wanted to put the spotlight on one of my favorite designs I've created recently. These necklaces are a part of my every day wardrobe because I love them so much, and are one of my #1 most recommended pieces to trendy and fabulous women. 

These necklaces are made with 48 inch leather strands and rare large hole fresh water pearls. The pearls come in silver, white and peacock and the leather comes in every color, but I particularly like it in tan or black. These necklaces are worn like a scarf, they can be wrapped any way that you wish and can even be worn as a bracelet. You can wear them together; I usually wear two to three at a time. 

These necklaces were inspired by a trip I took to California a few months ago. I was fortunate enough to get to go to lunch at the famous Ivy Cafe (a hot spot in Beverly Hills for celebrities). I didn't have an celeb sightings while I was there but I did notice the woman sitting next to me and her fabulous necklace. I was with my daughter, who often gets embarrassed when I ask strangers about their jewelry, but I told her she'd have to deal with it this time because I had to know about that necklace. The woman was wearing a necklace made of leather and pearls, just like the ones in my boutique. Her pearls were true Tahitian pearls, very rare, expensive and beautiful pearl, and it retailed for about $1600 for 15 pearls. When I returned from my California trip I knew I had to make something similar for myself and my customers. I found some rare fresh water pearls that were very beautiful and suitable for these necklaces and began creating. Since I brought them to the boutique these have been some of my best selling necklaces because the leather look is so in right now. They retail from $78-$88 depending on the pearl used.

Celebrity Jewelry: Bethenny Frankel

We all know Bethenny Frankel from her reality TV shows on Bravo. She is on The Real Housewives of NYC, Bethenny Getting Married, Bethenny Ever After. Witty, fun, smart, and fashionable Bethenny is a lovable TV star who's style is always on point. 


Recently I had a customer ask me about a necklace she had seen Bethenny wearing in an interview. As soon as she showed me the picture I noticed that looks just like a necklace I had over the holidays! 

This original necklace that Bethenny is wearing, by Park Lane Jewelry, was seen on housewifestyle.com valued at over $400!! It is virtually the same as the one I had in the boutique, at a big price difference! I couldn't believe my eyes! I brought this necklace back to the boutique recently and it is almost identical, but at a fraction of the cost!

This is the version from Park Lane Jewelry.

This is the version I have in my boutique.

This version of the necklace is a blackened silver bib necklace with large crystal embellishments. It has the same cascading feel that Bethenny's necklace does and lays in a similar way.

I have always adored Bethenny Frankel and a few years ago I had the opportunity to meet her. She was at a book signing in Oak Brook, Illinois and I went to see her. I was able to briefly chat with her, and she was very nice and welcoming. 

I have always enjoyed watching her shows and I do even more now. I love her style; I think she is very trendy and fashionably elegant. I was thrilled to learn I had a necklace that emulated something she wore. All of the "real housewives" in the area should come to the boutique to get it!