Who Doesn't Need A New Necklace?

(image courtesy of thebudgetfashionista.com)

Color me excited. August 31st. Pencil, circle or highlight your day planners and save your pennies. Anna Sheffield’s line for Target debuts. In this recession, who can afford whole new outfits (without racking up your Amex bill)? Tis the year for accessorizing on a budget. Sheffield’s sterling silver and rose gold-plated chains, bracelets and necklaces are perfect centerpieces for any blazer, sweater or tunic. Pieces range from $20-$80. Can't. Hardly. Wait.

-M

Obsession Alert

(image courtesy of polyvore.com)

Ahhh. It's the best time of the month. New magazine week. While flipping through the August issue of Harper's Bazaar, I find larger than life images of beautiful, gorgeous, opulent Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co bracelets. Silver. Gold. Black. Obsessed.

-M

do you have the time?

(image courtesy of luckymag.com)

Following up on P's post on the love that is for statement necklaces, there is a need to take note of another neckline exclamation point. Pendant necklaces. Displayed in the current issue of Lucky, pendant necklaces are the trendy counterpoint to the traditional (yet always bulky) wristwatch.

I haven't been a watch person since my Casio Baby G obsession in middle school. I dislike the tan lines that watches leave and the never-ending dilemma of matching an outfit to such a minor accessory. Pendant watches are the ultimate answer that can accessorize, remain trendy and timely all at once. My personal favorites are by Kenneth Jay Lane and Tiffany & Co.

-M

Statement necklaces are still all the rage

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor

Fashion designer Rachel Roy

The City's Whitney Port

(All images from Getty, AP or Reuters via daylife.com)

Carrying on from last year, eye-catching statement necklaces seem to be here to stay. And oh what fun they are. From Bollywood starlets to "reality" stars and everyone in between sporting them, the trend is still red-hot.

Not in on yet?

Worry not, we at Pop Culture Paradox have a few hints and tips on how to rock statement necklaces...

• Although they dress up a little black dress with little effort, they are best paired with a completely relaxed ensemble...I'm thinking a worn-in tee or ribbed tank top paired with a pair of skinny jeans. Efforlessly chic!
  
• Because your statement necklace will be doing all the talking...pair it with neutral, non-fussy attire with simple necklines (Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor is all about the asymmetrical neckline)
  
• Whatever you do, please don't pile on any other jewelry...no earrings (if you must, make sure they are simple studs), steer clear of bangles or cuffs...if you can't resist...add a sparkly cocktail ring or classy watch (like Whitney)
• Keep big, chunky wooden beads and the likes restricted to daytime and pile on the bling in the evening.

D is for Design

The only thing that links the following few things together is design...fun, fantastic and innovative design. Enjoy!

tea= time by erez bar am

(photo by sasha filt, image courtesy shenkar academy of engineering and design via http://www.designboom.com)

Students at Tel Aviv's Shenkar Academy of Engineering and Design studied everyday coffee and tea drinking rituals and developed pieces based on their observations. The image above is entitled tea = time and is designed to encourage the tea drinker to slow down and savor the experience...the cup is low and broad and comes with sugar capsules that dissolve slowly.

Check out the other excellent designs here.

comet coffee table by skate study house

(Image courtesy http://skatestudyhouse.com/html/store.html)

Now you can have all the sk8erboi moments you want (yes M, I mean you). Skate Study House, a collaboration between designers Pierre Andre Senizergues and Gil Le Bon De LaPointe, basically takes the waste products from skateboard manufacturing and turns them into furniture and other functional things. Skate Study House combines skateboard culture, California lifestyle in an eco-friendly manner as they use recycled/2nd hand products.

You've got to check out their website to see more of their designs.

klocka clock by bvd for askul

(Image courtesy bvd.se)

Talk about the MOST appropriate clock for 9-to-5ers. Hehe. Swedish firm BVD's new Klocka clock for Askul has the 3 most important times highlighted for office-goers...9 am arrival, noon for a leisurely lunch and 5 to rush out the door. Don't you just want to buy it and hang it inside your office/somewhere in your cubicle?

glue cinderella by kartell by .normaluisa

(Images courtesy coolhunting.com)

If you ever grew up wanting to be a Disney princess (and let's face it, who didn't) then it's pretty much guaranteed that you will lust after these fantastic plastic flats. Whimsically titled "Glue Cinderella," this collection from Italian design pioneer Kartell is produced using "injection-moulding technology that allows the creation of two-tone shoes combining transparent and opaque effects." Err, right. Whatever. They're fun to look at, are waterproof and could kick Croc's ass any day of the week.

bubble necklace by marina and susanna sent

(Image courtesy momastore.org)

Ahh...bubbles! Soapy suds in the bath or blowing bubbles in the park, bubbles always make me happy, so I was thrilled to come across this piece. Designed by Italian sisters Marina and Susanna Sent and made from Murano glass beads, this piece is designed to resemble a cluster of bubbles. Gorgeous.