Monthly Archives: November 2013

Who Shined on the Red Carpet for the 2013 CMA’s?

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Amidst all of the sparkle and shine and  flowing floor-length gowns, here is my best of the best list for the 2013 Country Music Awards, this past week.

153_1849_350       KELLIE PICKLER

Kellie looks glamfab in this black, asymmetrical and angular strapless gown, by Georges Chakra. The dress is floor-length couture. The detailed touches make the dress, such as the sparkling fitted bodice.

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MIRANDA LAMBERT & BLAKE SHELTON

The couple looks like perfection in their shades of blue ensembles. Miranda chose a daring and shimmering floor-length gown in cobalt blue with a plunging neckline that is by Roberto Cavalli.

153_1841_350                   THE BAND PERRY                                     kimberley-perry-290

This dominating country band always looks great together. Kimberly looks effortlessly gorgeous as always in this champagne, cap-sleeved beaded gown from designer Johanna Johnson. I love the floral embroidery that is beaded across the dress.

153_1843_350                                                     CHALEY ROSE

I’m not sure who designed this floor-length, capped-sleeve gown, but all of its shine and sparkle still caught my eye. Chaley looks amazing, the color is so rich in tone and it has such an amazing fit.

153_1853_350       JANA KRAMER

Jana stood out to be with this bold and unique gown selection by Theia. The billowing green, purple and blue floral skirt is just so artistic and fresh. You don’t always need the sparkle to shine!

153_1852_350     HUNTER HAYES

Hunter looks quite dashing in shades of black. There were some standout couples and groups on the red carpet this year, but Hunter was a solo standout man for me.

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CAROLINE BOYER & LUKE BRYAN

We have another stunning pair, also in shades of blue, but nonetheless, the two still look great. I love Caroline’s floor length gown that has a fitted bodice, but also peplum is added to the mix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Brilliant Earth: Inspired Jewelry to Help Commemorate Special Moments

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7ed111ee610c0b68c4f84261dca94c7feafad1d7       THE BRAND                               RB BE Logo. JPG

brilliant earth solitaire on leaf                                       brilliant earth wet stonesBrilliant Earth creates timeless jewelry for multiples types of occasions, but certainly has a strong mission — to serve the socially conscious consumer, support communities harmed by the diamond trade, and lead our industry towards the greater good. If you like what you see in this post, please take time to read additional information about this brand, from their elaborated mission to their non-profit fund, and also their personal brand story. But here is some prominent brand information and background. Click here to sign in and start customizing or shopping if your heart so desires!

brilliant_earth_3140                                         brilliant_earth_2978Brilliant Earth is co-founded by Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg, who met at Stanford University. There search for their own engagement ring, which was conflict free, led to the development of the brand. Brilliant Earth has strong commitments to ethical sourcing, which means they are dedicated to socially and environmentally responsible sourcing. They carefully select suppliers that adhere to strict labor and environmental standards, and can demonstrate a complete chain of custody for their gemstones. Brilliant Earth also stands behind their high quality and high levels of customer care. For customer care there is free FedEx shipping both ways, eco-friendly packaging, financing/layaway options, free lifetime manufacturing warranties, and much more. Summing up a truly passionate and inspired mission, Brilliant Earth believes that high quality, fine jewelry need not come at a great human or environmental cost.

So now to a main reason for my post today. Brilliant Earth is launching a new line, The Wisteria Collection. Check it out below for pictures and more details!

Wisteria-Leaf-Earring-cropped                                       Wisteria-Group-Shot-v3-croppedThe Wisteria Collection is inspired by Autumn Love. Inspiration is more specifically derived from the beauty of falling leaves to the graceful curves of bare Autumn branches, which combine to create a fluid design. Just as all of the other Brilliant Earth pieces, this line still offers no compromise between quality and conscience.

Wisteria Diamond Ring           Wisteria Diamond Earrings         Luxe Nature earrings sketch           Plumeria-Collection-cropped

This line is an exclusive new design collection. It’s all about the natural beauty of Autumn — sinuous curves of vines, rippling of leaves in the breeze, dappled patterns of the sun on dewy petals, really capturing the light & movement of each piece. The branches & vines curve and overlap to represent 2 lives intertwining.

Amore Diamond Ring                                   Allisons-Ring-Rose-croppedJust a bit more information you might want about Brilliant Earth. Outside of the sparkling and spectacular Wisteria collection, there are a host of other pieces to find online.

There are a variety of engagement rings to choose from — antique to custom to sapphire to unique colored gemstones.

Maidenfair_top_t_w200_h200              BE171850-SB6RD_white_top_t_w200_h200                   unique-clr-214x95

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You can search and work with a variety of diamonds and sapphires.

You can commemorate more than just your engagement, but also find bands or rings for the wedding! There are custom options available, diamond, sapphire and even bands for men.  For rings you can have your settings without accents, with diamonds, with sapphires or w/ other gemstones.

BE2PD15R15_white_top_lg_t_w200_h200                    BE250BDSE_white_top_2_t_w200_h200                      BE2135MH_white_top_lg_t_w300_h300There is also an assortment of fine jewelry — sapphire, diamond, and silver. There is more than just rings as you can see — pendants, necklaces, and earrings. Pieces here and in other shopping options offer choices of silver, platinum, or 18K yellow, white or rose gold.

BE406_PE_white_t_w200_h200           BE3PD15S5R15_white_1_t_w200_h200                          BE3TR1S_white_t_w200_h200

BE4BRD1_t_w200_h200              BE404S5_white_t_w200_h200                     capricorn_top_lg__t_w200_h200Brilliant Earth has certainly been featured in the media — Glamour, USA Today, The Huffington Post and more. You can also see what other customers have said with the Customer Letters section, shared Unforgettable Memories, and Reviews.

If you love what you see, Contact Brilliant Earth today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PRAS3 Judges are Drinking the Elena Kool-Aid, & Bug Juice??

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Two weeks in to PRAS and I have to wonder, are we in for the season of Elena?? Last week, it was all about her not winning a challenge, and then she won. This week, it was lost sketches and workroom tears, but she still had a t op 3 garment. I’m not head over heels yet. I’m not sure if she can keep this up to week because this is just a really talented bunch! And with the challenge this week they all took delight in serving the judges bug, oh wait no, insect juice delight!

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So this week the judges met Alyssa at the American Museum of Natural History to receive their challenge. Each designer was to create an avant garde loook inspired by an insect or arachnid. Alyssa further challenged the designers to make sure their looks were experimental and innovative. Since Elena won last week she got to select her inspiration first. Then the designers set off racing to quickly choose what they wanted.

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After some sketch time with the living inspirations, the designers were off to Mood with a budget of $250. This is where we saw Elena bugging out (no pun intended!) because she lost her sketch. It was then back to the workroom to quickly create this masterpiece look in a whopping 10 hours! I’m sure the designers were just as excited! Not!

Christopher was quick to point out the extreme lack of time and he was right. We saw lots of hustle and bustle from the designers this week, many freakouts, and even some shed tears, i.e. Elena (duh!) and Melissa. Zanna to the rescue!

Well that could be up to interpretation! Zanna certainly laid down the law – don’t be too literal; the look needs to be avant garde; where is the wow!; what makes this standout? With advice in hand many felt even more pressure and some started over!

Tears, changes, and speedy hands aside, it was now time for the runway. The judges welcomed PR alum and winner of season 9, Anya Ayoung-Chee and jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer to the panel. I was impressed, especially in light of the fact the designers had 10 hours to make these pieces. I had a hard time picking out a top and bottom so I will critique the judges’ decisions.

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Alyssa delved out some wonky order of results this go round! I guess we all need to be thrown off guard every once in awhile. But we finally learned who comprised the top and bottom.

Safe Look Faves

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left to right-Korto’s Tiger Centipede-inspired look; Christopher’s Elater Beetle-inspired look; Seth Aaron

Again, I thought many designers could have been in the top. For the most part I was in agreement, but I didn’t get Elena’s lubber grasshopper look as a standout. I felt it was a bit too literal, but other than that I was pleased. I felt Irina’s black structured and futuristic dress, inspired by the bumblebee millipede, was a shoe-in for the win. But oh well, I’m glad she was on top. I felt the judges went more with wearable avant garde versus some of the more daring safe looks, but I’m glad Mychael was in the top and the winner. He kept his hornworm-inspired look so chic, sexy and I guess Mychael-style. But the detailed sleeves gave it that avant garde pop. The bottom was not surprising at all

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Melissa was probably feeling so lucky as she was in the bottom last week. Her Sri Lankan-inspired LBD wasn’t horrible, kind of like last week’s look. But again, it didn’t really fit the challenge. She’s got to work on time management and focus. Jeffrey just went Gaga crazy with his hairy scorpion-inspired look. I think this might have been a bit too crazy, but really, I think Gaga would wear his look. And then there is Daniel, poor, sweet Daniel. I didn’t care for his vinegaroon-inspired look at all. So sad to see him go, but I didn’t see avant garde at all and it kind of looked cheap to me. Better luck in the future!

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Great episode! I can’t wait to see more. Thanks for checking out Fashion Nexus and to stay updated Like on Facebook or Follow on Twitter! If you like on Facebook, you are automatically entered into my current GIVEAWAY below. It’s a must for PR fans, haha! Also, I have a lot of PR posts forthcoming – information about Kenley Collin’s recent Marilyn Monroe line; what are Gordana Gelhausen & Dmitry Sholokhov up to; what is next for Kate Pankoke for Elaya Vaughn. So stay tuned and keep in touch!

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