Fabulous Women’s Clutch Bags at the Oscars!

Fabulous Women’s Clutch Bags at the Oscars!

Jewellery wasn’t  the only fashion accessory in full display on the Oscars red carpet – after the gowns, necklaces and earrings one’s eye naturally turns to the cute clutch bags our stars carry in to the ceremony. Can you guess whose hands are holding these yummy clutch purses?

        

Jennifer Lawrence paired her by-now famous fluffy pink Christian Dior gown with this sparkling clutch bag by Roger Vivier. And presenter Jennifer Aniston paired her fiery red Valentino dress with a complementary red clutch purse by Ferragamo. Finally, Queen Latifah wowed everyone in her white Badgley Mischka gown, which looked even sweeter with this silver-accented petite clutch.

Get the Look

MizEllie has a wide range of slim, sleek and feminine clutch bags to accent those special evenings – and even some for casual wear. Not every occasion calls for a huge tote bag or businesslike shoulder purse. Why not carry something smaller and fresher for spring? Here are just a few of our fashion handbags for you to savor. (There are lots of colours to pick from, too – though these neutrals have the benefit of working perfectly with most any colour outfit!)

 Let us know in the comments section your favourite accessory from the 2013 Oscars!

Cheers,

Your MizEllie Team

Hollywood’s Biggest Night: Fashion Jewellery at the Oscars!

The stars came out last night from the Oscars on Sunday night, and of course all eyes were on the fashions strutted along the red carpet (until the actual awards show, that is!) Our L.A. correspondent Johanna V twittered live from the ceremony night and we’re thrilled to have gotten a ringside peek at some of the jewellery, bags and gorgeous gowns that swept into the Dolby Theatre in every colour imaginable. 
                                                                                               
Some of the most unique and expensive jewellery in the world was worn by the celebrities in attendance, borrowed from famous jewelers like Harry Winston, Fred Leighton, Neil Lane and Lorraine Schwartz. We also saw pieces by lesser-known designers like Cindy Chao, Sutra and Brumani of Brazil. The shine of these pieces looked lovely set against the metallic and rhinestone-accented dresses – and the sparkle in our stars’ eyes!

We loved Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence’s diamond earrings by Chopard, and especially her long diamond necklace worn down the back. And Jennifer Garner turned heads in this 200-carat diamond statement necklace by Neil Lane. The platinum setting was darkened, making the bling stand out even more. Jennifer Hudson wore blue opal earrings by Sutra to match her deep blue Roberto Cavalli gown.


Nicole Kidman wore golden chandelier earrings with black stones, and Zoe Saldana's long pendant earrings by Neil Lane featured diamond and pear-shaped pearls. Naomi Watts also wore Neil Lane, with platinum drop diamond earrings that weighed in at ten carats apiece!


Get the Look

As lovers of all things bling and larger-than-life statement jewellery, MizEllie encourages everyone to indulge in their adventurous side and shine! Browse our collection of women’s fashion jewellery and earrings for women to find that one piece that makes you look as special on the outside as you feel on the inside!



Tell us in the comments section who your pick is for the best-dressed celeb at the Oscars, and which was your favorite jewellery! We’re curious to know if your favourites are the same as ours. 


Cheers,
Your MizEllie Team

Photos by Getty Images.

How To Clean Gold Silver And Diamond Jewellery

How to Clean Gold, Silver and Diamond Jewellery

For your best jewellery, you really need to provide the best care possible.  For optimum jewellery preservation, you can take it to a jeweller’s shop for professional cleaning and polishing once or twice a year, depending on how often it’s used or how dirty it gets. This is also a good opportunity to get adjustments made, or even improvements made on your jewellery. But for between times, there are some easy ways to keep your better jewellery clean and sparkling without having to call in the experts. Here are a few tips for cleaning your gold, silver and pearl jewellery.

How to Clean Silver Jewellery

To clean silver jewellery, first rinse in warm water and dab dry with a soft cloth. If your silver looks dark, it is probably slightly tarnished; use a silver-polishing cloth or commercial silver-cleaning fluid to remove tarnish and bring back the shine. Silver cleaner won’t hurt gold and platinum, but it doesn’t work on them, either.  If your jewellery has a lot of small crevices, use a silver-cleaning paste. Don’t use toothpaste or other abrasive cleaners as you would on fashion jewellery, as it may scratch surfaces. Rub dry with a soft towel.

How to Clean Gold Jewellery

To clean gold jewellery, soak it for 10 minutes in a solution of two cups warm water and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Scrub gently with a soft toothbrush. Rinse with warm water, and dry with a clean towel. If your jewellery is 24k gold, you can clean it with many solutions, since gold is sturdy and can withstand many chemicals. But dishwashing liquid, as simple as it sounds, works great!

How to Clean Diamond Jewellery

To clean diamond jewellery, soak it for 15 minutes in a solution of one cup of warm water with 1/8 cup ammonia. Then scrub lightly with a soft toothbrush, making sure to reach into the small areas around the setting. Rinse with warm water, and set it on a sheet of facial or bathroom tissue to dry. If your diamond jewellery has a platinum setting, this method also cleans the metal.

If you read our post last week on cleaning costume jewellery, note that some of the solutions we suggested there are not appropriate for fine jewellery, and vice versa! Be very careful when using ammonia, toothpaste and other solutions to make sure they are the right cleaner for the right material.

Do you have a jewellery cleaning tip? Feel free to share it here!

Next week: All About Pearl and Turquoise Jewellery

Trending : New Bracelets In Unexpected Materials

For thousands of years, bangle bracelets have been worn by women in all cultures, across all continents. Once made mostly from metals and gemstones, bangles are now crafted from all kinds of materials, like cotton, silk, hemp, rubber, wood, wool, feathers, recycled items and even fossils. The fabric, thread and bead-wrapped bangle bracelets of today allow for a softer, more colorful expression of style, and each piece is unique. Fashion jewellery is really going through a resurgence of discovery, and bangle bracelets in particular are setting the pace, exploring different ways to use materials both traditional and brand new.

Hot designers riding the fabric bracelet trend include the Cuyo line by Tamika Rivera, using recycled cotton, silk, linen, and fabric ($190).

Designer Elizabeth Yarborough’s Yarbies also wrap bangles with fabrics, like cashmere, wool, tweed, alpaca, cotton and silk ($95), and Christy Curcuru’s "flag" bangles are handmade from unusual materials like aluminum, plastic and hemp ($70).  

We also love Carolina Bucci’s Twister bangles, which are made from bright silk threads and hundreds of tiny gold beads ($250).  And Duepunti bangles combine space-age silicone rubber with tiny 0.02 karat diamond chips ($98).

Get the Look for Less

The new materials we’re seeing these days fit right into the MizEllie esthetic:  We’ve recently sourced some really interesting necklaces and bracelets that use a wide range of exotic fabrics, beads and plastics, exploding with colour (and affordable for us to own more than one!)

A stroll through our fashion jewellery catalog shows our eclectic stripes: We take pride in presenting items that reflect the multi-cultural, multiple-materials attitude towards jewellery that modern women have embraced. From super funky necklace chains plaited with fabric, encrusted with shells, pearls, wooden beads and natural gemstones, to ultra-modern silicone and resin bangles glittering with crystals - and everything in between – we hope to make Mizellie even more eclectic as we go along. We’re all about finding unique pieces that bring out the unique in you.

Do you like the new jewellery materials, the more traditional, or a mix of both? Let us know what you think!

Cheers,

Your MizEllie team

Animals, Florals and Skulls: Trendy or Classic?

When does a trend finally die down and become accepted as a fashion classic? We’ve been wondering this for some time now, as certain fashion trends seem to keep coming back to the runways. As seasons come and seasons go, designs that once seemed edgy or punk, or so-1990s, once again reappear on the fashion radar. Witness the popularity of skull designs, animal prints and florals: Every time you think you’ve seen a skull done in every conceivable material, or animal prints applied to every accessory, you see it done again a little differently. Does this mean designers are just recycling ideas, or have these motifs actually become – dare we say it – fashion classics?

The designs of Philippe Plein, just to pick a major example, return again and again to these themes – in fact in his latest line, he splashes all three looks in the same photo on his home page.
Far be it from us to second-guess one of the hottest, most successful designers about his fashion instincts – in fact, we think he is doing everything right. How? By doing them a little differently, like we said, and by doing them exceptionally well.

Plein takes a simple skull design to a new level by appliqueing hundreds of multi-shaped studs to the back of a conservative tailored jacket, giving it a hip, modern twist - and appealing to women who love vintage silver jewellery at the same time. Same thing with his florals: That ‘90s-looking jersey shift with the racer back becomes new again, because Plein adds a super-graphic of a black panther peeking through the flowers! And animal prints easily go from edgy to sophisticated, depending on how they’re used. A subdued, darker leopard print with a smaller pattern looks chic against this long, sleek handbag; push up the contrast and pattern, place it prominently against a large tote bag or scarf, and it suddenly looks younger and makes a more exciting statement. How and where to use these designs are part of the challenge of choosing your accessories. And it’s definitely a big part of the fun!

We think one of the other reasons skulls, animal prints and florals are so popular with designers is their inherent flexibility: You can add just a touch of one of these themes to your look, and instantly change the flavor of everything else you’re wearing – sort of like adding a final twist of lemon juice or a sprinkling of parsley to a dish to make it alive, aromatic and inviting! A bracelet is just a bracelet until you notice that one detail that makes it pop – a cool skull medallion or shark’s tooth; a scarf is just a swirl of colour until you see that it has contrasting shades of tiger and cheetah print in the pattern.

Say it subtly or say it big, skulls, florals and animal prints are here to stay! It’s up to you to make them look trendy – or classic.

Get the Look

You’ve probably noticed by now we are mad for all things animal at MizEllie, and we don’t shy away from flowers and skulls, either! We carry lots of bags and scarves in animal prints, in every colour combination you can think of, and we do skulls and flowers throughout our fashion jewellery collection. Here are just a few of our favourites:

  
We hope you’ll let us know with your comments what you like and hope to see more of – your fashion tips help us look for  new things that you and your friends will enjoy wearing. Thanks for visiting!

Cheers,
Your MizEllie Team

Popular Types Of Handbags

Fashion handbags are an accessory of fashion and function. They make statements about who we are and what we like while also allowing us to store our precious cargo on the go. There are so many options to choose from, but there are some handbags that seem to be more popular than others in today’s fashion scene. 

            Evening bags are one of the styles that appear to be quite popular today. Why? Perhaps it has to do with the fact that more people are going out and enjoying life in the evening. Or perhaps more people have adopted a more formal and sophisticated look that requires a more dressy bag. Whatever the case, evening bags are a wonderful option in handbag fashion. They come in all different sizes and patterns and can function for a girl’s night or a date night.

            Clutch bags are another style that has grown in popularity. It seems that every woman is attracted to the cute and compact bags. Though they are smaller in size than traditional handbags, they can still pack a lot of punch in the fashion department. Metallics and glitter seem to be dominating amongst this group of bags, though these are just two of many designs to choose from.

            Across-the-shoulder bags are also high on the list of favorites. They hint at the past while still falling in line with the trends of today. They give those who carry them the benefit of being hands free and add an element of safety since they are directly across the body of the person using it.

            There are so many styles of handbags available to meet everyone’s needs. Whether it is a day or night look you are going for, or something to serve as an advertisement of your personality; with a little time and patience you are sure to find a handbag that suits you. 

How To Take Care Of Costume Jewellery

A fashion ensemble would not be complete without the finishing touch – the jewellery that either complements your outfit or forms the centerpiece of your look. Jewellery, whether considered “fine” or fashion jewellery, is treasured for its value and for sentimental reasons - but are you taking any steps to ensure that your jewellery’s splendor is maintained? Proper wear, storage and cleaning of jewellery will help preserve its beauty and make it last for a long time. Here are some tips for proper jewellery care:

Tip 1: Jewellery Wear and Storage

If you’re the type of person who always wears the same jewellery every day, it won’t last as long - and over time, its shine will dull. Jewellery needs proper care, and you should do your part to preserve it. Even fashion jewellery can be expensive, especially if you’re replacing it every year or so due to poor maintenance. You’ll want to get the most out of your investment, so think about saving your jewellery for the appropriate occasion, and not every day. Switch your jewellery out from day to day, and get the best use out of it. But proper care doesn’t stop after you take it off.

After wearing, keep your jewellery away from air and moisture by storing it in a jewellery box. Even silver plate and base metals will last a lot longer if air pollutants and water don’t come in contact with the metal surface constantly. So, keeping jewellery in the bathroom is obviously a bad idea. Ideally your jewellery box has different compartments for sorting, and small velvet bags are also great for helping keep costume jewellery items away from the air. They also keep them from tangling, scratching and tarnishing. Avoid wearing jewellery in the shower, or leaving it in a pocket where it can get damp and pick up microscopic scratches from loose grains of dirt. The chemicals in your bath water can build up a destructive film that eats away at the plating, and some soaps can be just as harmful.

As carefully as you select and wear your jewellery, the jewellery itself receive should get just as much attention!

Next week: 5 Ways to Clean Your Jewellery.

What to look for when buying Vintage Jewellery

Whether you want a new piece of Vintage Jewellery to go with that new dress you just bought or you’re looking to add to your vintage jewellery collection, there are things that you should consider before you buy. Taking the time to carefully select the vintage costume jewellery pieces that you want will ensure that you get a high quality product that you can boast about to all of your friends.

            One aspect that is of great importance to consider is the quality of the piece you are considering. Just because something is “vintage” does not mean that it has to be in poor condition. Though some wear and tear is to be expected, the jewellery piece you want to buy should not be falling apart. There are many pieces of vintage jewellery that you can find that will be in great condition; so much so that it may appear to be virtually brand new. Checking for things such as missing stones, scratched or chipped enamel, worn plates, or missing pieces is important. You do not have to settle for something of poor quality simply because the term vintage implies that it is not new.

            Another essential measure to take is being knowledgeable about the person or company you are deciding to purchase the vintage jewellery from. Not all vintage costume jewellery is the same and though you would like to believe everyone is true to their word, not everyone is truly selling vintage pieces though they claim to be. It is important to take the time to know their background, history, and reputation to ensure you are dealing with a good provider. It is also good to be knowledgeable about the types of vintage pieces they offer. Some providers specialize in certain styles or eras, while others offer a more broad selection. You need to be sure that the provider you choose is selling pieces that fall into the category of the style you are looking for.

            A final element to consider is price. Some pieces of vintage jewellery can be quite reasonably priced, while others can be very pricey. Establish very early on what your budget is and select providers and pieces that fall within those constraints. What pleasure do you get from having a nice vintage piece of jewellery if you spent an arm and a leg to purchase it? You want to make sure that you can feel good about your purchase and look good wearing it too.

            When all is said and done, vintage costume jewellery is a great investment. It can add unique flair to your wardrobe or unique pieces to your collection. Just be sure to take preventative measures to ensure that you get a high quality piece that fall within your budget. Otherwise you will have wasted valuable time and money that you probably will not be able to get back. 

Costume Jewellery Or Not?

            So you have expensive taste, but a modest budget? You want to get a high quality look without paying a high price? Well welcome to club reasonable. The average woman cannot afford to shell out the money it costs to obtain fine jewellery, and the woman who can afford to do so may not want to make such a large investment in a piece that she may wear only a few times. The average woman wants something that looks great with several garments and does not break the bank in the process. And guess what? That option does indeed exist. Without further adieu I present to you your financial and fashionable savior; costume jewellery uk

           costume jewellery  was created with the sensible woman in mind. It boasts the qualities of being fashionable and inexpensive. Thus, it provides women with the opportunity to look good and feel good because they do not have to spend their life savings in order to obtain their desired look. If you can look great and save money, would you or would you not want to do so? Costume jewellery is used primarily in the fashion world to act as a complement to garments and other accessories. Trends in fashion tend to dictate the styles, patterns, and colors of the costume jewellery that is on the market. Therefore, as the fashion changes so do the options available on the costume jewellery market.  The market is quite diverse which means that there are many different styles and pieces to meet the fashion needs of virtually all people. Yes, that means everyone from the flowered broach enthusiasts to the floral ring lovers can find a piece that meets their needs.

            Some tend to look down on costume jewellery as an option because they consider it to be fake and sub-standard. However, the fact that it is essentially cheap costume jewellery does not make it an option that should not be considered by women everywhere. Costume jewellery is in fact made from less expensive materials than fine jewellery is comprised of, however the materials are still of good quality. No, you will not be walking around wearing rubberband bracelets or shoe stringed necklaces. So a consumer can still count on getting a good quality product at the end of the day.

            Costume jewellery is great value for the price. It can easily meet the style needs of a chic woman while saving precious funds at the same time. Though fine jewellery is nice, there is nothing wrong with adding a little or a lot of costume jewellery to your fashion artillery

Handbags...representation of style ?

           Accessories are the key to pulling together any ensemble, and a major part of a woman’s accessory arsenal is definitely 

fashion handbags. Not only do handbags serve a practical purpose of housing the items a woman may need throughout the day and night, but they also serve as a representation of her style and a complement to her outfit of choice.

            There is a wide array of options to choose from when it comes to fashion handbags. The designs are plentiful, the sizes are many, and the styles are diverse. From plaid to floral, from large to small, or from clutch bags to evening bags- there truly is an option that works well for any and everyone.

            Careful thought and preparation must be put into the handbag chosen. An outfit can be gorgeous, the shoes could be fabulous, and the jewellery could be on point; but if the handbag is the wrong design or style the entire outfit can be a failure. And there is no woman who wants to be a fashion failure simply because she selected the wrong handbag. At least no woman who cares about the way she looks and the way she presents herself to others.

The goal of the handbag should not be to blend in with the outfit nor should it be to outshine the outfit. Instead, you want the handbag you choose to make a positive statement about who you are. It should display confidence and perhaps give those whom you may come into contact with a glimpse of your personality. So you like shiny objects? Try a clutch bag with sequins or glitter paired with a solid color dress. This adds pop to your wardrobe without competing with it. Or maybe you want to show others how sophisticated you can be. Well, a handbag with structure to go with your business suit can convey just that to all who see you.  And do not think that because you need your purse to be practical for storing all of your much needed lip gloss, tissues, and breath mints that you cannot find something stylish. That is absolutely false. This is not a one or the other type of fashion product we are talking about here.  There are far too many options for you not to find one that can hold your precious cargo and make you look and feel good simultaneously.

What does the word 'Vintage' really mean?

            When people hear the term vintage, they tend to think one of two things. The first, being that the item being referenced is old-fashioned and obsolete. The second, being that the item being referenced is of high quality and among the best if not the best in its class. 

More often than not, the second thought tends to be the one that is more commonly had amongst most individuals. Think about it. Vintage wine and vintage cars are the best of the best in their respective categories. People love to have them and pay a hefty price in order to do so. Owning them is a symbol of status and people feel proud to say that they own a vintage piece in these fields. The same can hold true for vintage costume jewellery  While people may not be paying such a high price to own it, owning it is still something that people can be proud of.

Vintage jewelleryis among some of the most beautiful available today. Though it is made from less expensive materials than fine jewellery, it is still a high quality option for women everywhere. The old school quality makes it appealing for people of all ages. Older women can revel about the pieces which are reminiscent of those from their younger years, while younger women can get in on the vintage fashion trend by getting unique pieces with an old-fashioned look.

            You can find a vintage piece of jewellery in virtually any category you desire. Whether it is vintage bracelets, vintage necklaces, or vintage earrings- you can get the vintage piece that best suits you for a very reasonable price. Such pieces will accent your fashion well and make a bold statement at the same time. Why settle for the same mass produced jewellery that the big name companies produce and that thousands of women buy and wear daily? Instead go for something that is going to be unique to you and a much smaller group of people. There is something to be said about a woman who is bold enough to stand out from the crowd and do something different, and that something is that she is a bold force to be reckoned with. She has style, she has grace, and she has confidence, and quite frankly what can be any better than that? 

How important is 'The Neck '

            The neck is an interesting part of the body. No really, it is. We do not give it enough credit for all that it does. If it was not for the neck we would not have a platform to hold up our heads. How grateful we should all be for our necks. In fact, for all of its hard work don’t you think the neck is deserving of something special? A small token of our appreciation perhaps. A beautiful adornment to show it how thankful we are. Well, necklaces for women  can do just that.

         Fashion Jewellery offers so many options to women everywhere, but the necklace is among the most common pieces of jewellery purchased and worn. Women seem to enjoy the pop of fun and color that a necklace can add to an outfit in an instant. The choices are seemingly endless in this category. You have the beaded necklace, the pearl necklace, the chained necklace, and the locket just to name a few. All of which have unique features and all of which make different statements when they are worn. Take for instance the pearl necklace which is a statement of elegance and grace. It is generally worn with more sophisticated and dressy clothing. Meanwhile, the beaded necklace may be worn with more casual pieces such as pants or a simple tee shirt.

The fact of the matter is that necklaces are simple to find and simple to wear. And price can never be used as an excuse for failing to incorporate necklaces into your accessories because fashion jewellery makes necklaces for women on any budget. Even clothes seem to be pushing for women to add some flair with the addition of a necklace. Shirts, sweaters, and dresses made for women these days have modified necklines so that the necklace will not have to compete with the pattern on the clothing in order to be seen. Necklines such as the V-neck or the swooped neck are the perfect opportunity to proudly display your newly purchased and beautifully styled piece. 

Vintage Jewellery : The Latest Trend is Truly Timeless

Vintage Jewellery: The Latest Trend is Truly Timeless

Who doesn’t love vintage jewellery?

Whether we’re talking about vintage-look fashion jewellery, or the “real thing,” vintage jewellery adds a note of interest and personal taste to whatever ensemble you put together. And it’s a trend that is showing no signs of slowing down – vintage is everywhere you look.

Generally speaking, vintage refers to jewellery made between the 1930s and 1980s, which accounts for a lot of different styles. Some of the most popular vintage looks these days reference the 1960s and 1970s, and anything that consciously copies designs from the second half of the last century is often just called “retro.”