Mrs. O Hearts Tom Binns

Mrs. O, the blog details even the littlest details of the First Lady's fashion. Perusing the site it's clear, Tom Binns has a fan in the White House. Over 2009, Mrs. O has been caught wearing several of Tom Binns bold, statement necklaces. Style File calls him "First Jeweler." 

Looking at his collections online, I feel better about winter. LA Times refers to his pieces as "irreverent, odd," but I am enjoying the whimsical, gem/crystal/diamond concoctions, like what I wish icicles would be, like how I romanticize snow. Tom Binns takes a mish mash of "faux gems," warps, bends and twists until they spawn a fantasy winter wonderland.

Above, selections from Tom Binns Faux Real Gems & Dumont Collections.

pictures via instyle.com & mrs-o.org.

Best of 2009: Red Carpet Stacked Bracelets

Bold, stacked bracelets decked the red carpet this year - especially at the Golden Globes. The best stacked layers weren't just big - combos were adorned with exotic detailing. Sandra Bullock's Bochic snake charming pieces (picture 2) with turquoise and garnet stones were enough to make my eyes spin.

Other stars who stacked high: Debra Messing wore a Cartier cuff and Fred Leighton 1950s diamond and gold buckle bracelet among her stacked cuffs; Kate Beckinsale wore three opulent diamond links by Neil Lane ; and Demi Moore wore more than $600,000 on her wrist, morphing a Cartier Tradition platinum and diamond sautoir into three bracelets.

How do you pull off perfectly stacked layers like the stars? Have one constant - like style (Sandra Bullock), metal (Debra Messing) or jewel (Kate Beckinsale). Then pile them high, ladies!

pictures: getty images

Best of 2009: Red Carpet Statement Necklaces

My favorite red carpet trend for 2009? The opulent statement necklaces. As described in the Daily Mail,  these pieces are "about as far away from a discreet string of pearls as a necklace can be." And on the red carpet, this difference is exponential. On some stars, I wonder which came first, the dress or the necklace? So many of these pieces could just stand on their own. My favorite was the Van Cleef & Arples turquoise and diamond necklace worn by Eva Mendes at the Golden Globes, which complemented her tanned skin and Dior structured dress gorgeously.

Not surprisingly, two of my top four picks are by Lorriane Schwartz, the jewelry designer for the stars that, as mentioned in a npr.org article, wholeheartedly embraces the nickname "The Queen of Bling." In that same article, Hal Rubenstein, fashion director for InStyle describes Schwartz's designs: "All clothes are about seduction - whether you are seducing other people or you are seducing yourself. And I think that's what you do when you put on Lorraine's jewelry. You get seduced when you put it on." What do you think of the above? Tempted?

from left to right

• Lorriane Schwartz floral necklace worn by Christina Applegate, Golden Globes
  
• Lorriane Schwartz 200-carat platinum and diamond necklace worn by Beyonce, Golden Globes
  
• Van Cleef & Arples turquoise and diamond necklace worn by Eva Mendes, Golden Globes
  
• Fred Leighton multi-collared necklace worn by Amy Adams, Academy Awards
  

pictures: getty images

Oh Mr. Postman

You tweet, you follow, you fan and you update those status pages. But when was the last time you wrote a handwritten letter? Yes, those scratches and swoops on paper. The feel of linen thank you notes and embossed detailing on heavy card stock "thank yous" - don't your fingertips miss it? And let's not forget the tiny, sparkly embellishments on those extra special "how are you" messages. You know you should do more of it - birthday cards, love notes, and wish you were hear postcards. To get you inspired - take a peek at the above; messages don't always have to be in a bottle, sometimes they look better on your wrist:

• Bangle Bracelet by Waxing Poetic - Sterling Silver, $45
  
• Miniature Crest Ring by Waxing Poetic - Sterling Silver, $38
  
• Square Monogram Silver Necklace by West Avenue Jewelry - $110 at Max & Chloe
  
• Cross Envelope Bracelet (engrave personal messages on the silver steel plates; worn by Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Love Hewitt) - $45 at Headcovers
  
• Envelope Necklace by Waxing Poetic - Sterling Silver, $70