I’m keeping it classy with My End-of-July Finds. Everything that is appealing to me today has a vintage-chic, rose-colored feel to it (or has rhinestones on it, duh). I must be getting into the Fall vibe. . . And cocktail coasters are cracking me up! Peep these hot picks and see my other July Finds here. What do you think?

July Finds (L-R): Oh My God Coaster, Lula Hoop Scarf Kit, Bear Shits Coaster, Fossil “Candy” Frame Cents Coin Purse, Cocktail Now Coaster, Rose Bouquet Earrings, Bling Bottle Opener, Tree Owl Lamp, Wildfox Malibu Girl Sweatshirt.

Don’t forget to vote on today’s poll

What Do We Think of Halle’s Potato Sack Look?

That top is a bad move, girl!!
OR
I love potato sacks, especially ones with Halle Berry in them!

American Idol has brought Paula Abdul renewed fame from her days as a pop singer in the early 90’s. She has, as of late, debuted a new jewelry line, called Forever Your Girl, Jewelry, Handbags, and Accessories.

Shown (clockwise, from left): Shimmer & Shine Versitile - Coin 40″ Lariat Necklace, Signature Pave Pendant 28″ Necklace with Signed Photo, and Finale Flower Explosion Ring.

I have learned that this is not Ms. Abdul’s first line of jewelry, as she released one in 2006, as well. The 2009 collection, however, features more modern, glamorous earrings, rings, bracelets, handbags, and more. One of the necklaces in my guide also includes a free autographed photograph of Paula.

Serena Williams also has a jewelry line out on HSN, called Signature Statement, which seems, in many ways, very much like Paula’s. I don’t know whose I prefer! See both jewelry lines back-to-back before you vote:
Click here for Serena’s jewelry.
Click here for Paula’s line.

Click here to vote on whose line YOU’RE  more likely to wear jewelry from, Serena’s or Paula’s.

Whoever came up with split expanders is a genius. I’m so glad that I am able to wear some of the most beautiful, hand-crafted, organic earrings I’ve ever seen without spending months to irreversibly stretch out my ear lobes to an unnaturally large size. Check some of my fave picks out on my Handmade Split Expander Earrings guide. I own a pair and there’s no way anyone can tell it’s not the real thing.

Quiz: Can you tell which are real expander earrings and which are split? (Answers below)

Split expander earrings create the illusion that you’re wearing one big fatty tapered (bone, wood, coconut, whatever) earring through an expanded lobe piercing but, in fact, you’re wearing two separate front and back pieces that connect together in your ear with a regular-sized steel earring post. If you want the look without the commitment, this is definitely the way to go. I’ve found some other very Pretty Stick Earrings (pictured below with split expanders) that also require no stretching of earlobes. Perf.

Aren’t they pretty?

[answers: a.stretch, b.split, c.split, d.stretch, e.stretch]

I can’t believe I sat through an entire award show the other night. The 81^st Annual Academy Awards were on and I watched it from start to finish. Wow. I’m not really sure what kept me watching, because I haven’t seen half the movies that were nominated to receive awards, but I watched it nonetheless. And today, I chose three random Oscar looks to see if I couldn’t find more casual versions or adaptations of the stars’ styles for regular ol’ non-celeb chicks, like myself! I chose Angelina, Natalie, and Kate. This one was a challenge! Check it: 2009 Oscar-Inspired Style.

I’ve had 9+ holes punched into my ears over the past seventeen years. Why? Because I. Love. Jewelry. The more piercings I have, the more earrings I can wear. I feel absolutely naked without my earrings. And what’s the point of having cute jewelry if you hardly get to wear it? Though I wear studs on my upper seven ear-piercings, I’m all about unique, eye-catching studs, hooks, and hoops for my lobes.

It’s important to remember that earrings, like any other accessory, can make or break an outfit. Apart from a few exceptions, if you’re going for gigantic, neon, unusual, sparkly, or all of the above, everything else about your look (including makeup and hair!) MUST be minimal and neutral-colored, especially if you want the earrings to really be the focal point. If a pair of particularly striking or outlandish one-of-a-kind earrings catches my eye in the store, I’ll probably purchase it, knowing they can always be paired with a black tee and jeans. Keep your eyes peeled for the many pairs of stunning earrings out there and if you want ‘em, get ‘em! They also make really cute gifts if an impulsive earring purchase doesn’t quite work out for you, for some unfortunate reason. Check out a few attention-grabbing pairs that I added to my Kazowie guide list at: Eye-Catching Earrings.

Clockwise from top left: Betsey Johnson Mouse Gypsy Hoop Earrings, Triple Teardrop earrings, Barbie by Tarina Tarantino,  Diamond Dust Disc Earrings, Cherry Earrings