Let’s give it the run down. From the top; Kate Spades handbags are very functional and as I said before - very colorful for the fall season. Functional - because you can use this delightful handbag at work, or out on the town. Whether for shopping, or to dinner. It is just that great bag, for general use. And at a great price point too. Here are my top choices from the season’s line.

Kate Spade New Canaan Red Flat Serena Bag - $199 Sale price

Bridgehampton Flat Serena - $201 Sale price

Now I love anything that sparkles - especially Swarovski Rings. Look delectable and charming wearing a Swarovski crystal ring of your choice. It just adds that extra glam to any outfit.

Swarovski Ring Chic Taupe Medium Jewelry - $191.95 Sale price

Crystal Pave Domed Ring - $253.00

Get the London look and polish off your evening with a golden clutch from Goldenbleu.

Goldenbleu London Clutch - $118.00

Source: TheFind.com

Article by © Jacqueline H. - Senior Writer 2008

So to win a beautiful sterling silver chain with an array of gemstones and silver medallions by Zavida Gemstones! Valued at $160.00!  Subscribe to Couture in the City! If you already do you are already entered into the pool of picks! The giveaway will run until midnight October 3rd! So good luck to you all my fashionistas!

Source: Zavida Gemstones

Win this on Today’s Couture! A sterling silver chain with an array of gemstones and silver medallions by Zavida Gemstones! Valued at $160.00! Subscribe here if you don’t already and be added to the Couture in the City readers pool of picks.

Zavida Gemstones - offers an array of exotic jewelry from around the world. Including India (above) Indonesia, and Asia.

Couture in the City and Zavida Gemstones is proud to announce our second exclusive giveaway on Today’s Couture! Today we are featuring a beautiful sterling silver and gemstone lariat style necklace. With lime quartz, peridot and green amethyst. It measures 32 Inches in length, and is valued at $160.00! This particular necklace was hand made in Indonesia. As you already know from our last giveaway, the Zavida line specializes in bringing unique and beautiful jewelry from around the world. With a touch of the old world and new world exotic. Most of their jewelry line is made of sterling silver, gold and exceptionally high quality gemstones.

Even though Zavida creates exceptional jewelry, they also have a keen hand in philanthropy. Their mission - to help struggling artisans half -way around the world. Zavida Gemstones makes a point in offering socially-conscious handmade semi-precious gemstone jewelry. In addition to giving back 25% of their profits, Zavida purchases directly from the silversmiths. Helping to further the silversmiths’ financial gain. Zavida then sells the silversmiths’ pieces as part of the many jewelry options offered on its retail website.

But now Couture in the City and Zavida are giving back too! So be one of the lucky readers to win our exceptional gift item. Enter today, and if you already subscribe to Couture in the City, you are automatically added into the pool of picks. This fantastic giveaway will run until October 3rd! So good luck to you all my fashionistas!

Source: Zavida Gemstones

Here a few of my favorite looks..

Blair Does Carrie Donovan

This is my sexy secretary editor girl. I love the mix of blacks, greys and brights. The oversized pearls and tweed sparkly headband make it fun. Dressing up is all about fun.

The Outfit

Miss Davenporte Tie Blouse   $330.00
Ella Moss Audrey Herringbone Skirt   $119.00
Smythe Mariner Jacket   $695.00
Report Signature Lombard Pump   $187.00
Tarina Tarantino Linen and Velvet Headband   $143.00

Playing in Mom’s Closet

This retro dress is very vintage ’60s Sharon Tate. The oversized cardi keeps it young and fresh. I love mixing prints as long as it’s tone-on-tone like black-and-white with pops of color in layers or tights.

The Outfit

Alice & Trixie Jacqueline Dress   $325.00
Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent Herringbone Vest   $275.00
Costume Dept Leggings   $37.00
Moschino Cheap & Chic Peep Toe Pumps   $501.00
Treesje Deacon Bag   $583.00
Kenneth Jay Lane Cabachons Ring   $77.00

A Teen Vogue Chanel Fantasy

Mix bright colors for fall! This look is lots of fun with color. I love this kelly green dress. It reminds me of old Courreges.

The Outfit

Manoush Coquette Dress   $233.00
Smythe Quilted Mini Coat   $680.00
Hansel From Basel Pom Pom Cable Stocking   $36.00
Carolina Amato Big Jewel Mini Glove   $107.00
Velvet Angels Lady Luck Bow Pump   $250.00
Matt and Nat Sade Buckle Clutch   $150.00
Angel Lust Contoured Blair Headband   $132.00

Naughty Schoolgirl Biker Babe

This is a totally different girl. She’s rockin’ out on her way to school in her little leather motorcycle jacket, skinny jeans and the perfect boot. She’s a little mix of Vanessa and Jenny Humphrey from the show.

The Outfit

Barron Duquette Chantal Leather Jacket   $803.00
Degaine Skinny Jean   $176.00
Made U Look Schoolgirl   $39.00
WESC Bongo Headphones   $93.00
Devotte I. Know Boot   $462.00
Hysteric Glamour Studs Necklace   $187.00
Vita Gold Hardware Gio   $110.00
Kimberly Baker Bianca 18″ long   $125.00
Kimberly Baker Carmen 16″   $245.00
Matt and Nat Marias Bag   $260.00
Purchase all of these looks at RevolveClothing.com

Couture in the City and Zavida Gemstones is proud to announce our exclusive giveaway on Today’s Couture! Today we are featuring a review of this exceptional and exotic jewelry line from around the world! This beautiful line of jewelry is a personal favorite of mine. And you can’t go wrong with a jewelry line whose artists are diverse from the most exotic parts of the world. From India, Africa, Asia, Central America and South America. The Zavida line specializes in bringing unique and beautiful jewelry from around the world - with a touch of the exotic. Most of their jewelry line is made of sterling silver, gold and exceptionally high quality gemstones.

Editor’s choice - These exceptionally beautiful 22k gold vermeil and blue topaz with aquamarine are an elegant dangle earring to wear out to dinner.

Angelique - Editor’s choice - “I love these earrings! Blue topaz is one of my favorite stones. On a fashion sense, I would recommend wearing these earrings with hair in a nice sleek ponytail. I wore them to a birthday party last weekend and I received so many complements on how adorable they looked! These make a great gift item too!”

Senior Writer’s choice - gold vermeil and filigree earrings. With circular filigree designed with charm dangles, in a swirl post earring. These are great to wear anytime, anywhere!

Even though Zavida creates exceptional jewelry, they also have a keen hand in philanthropy. Their mission - to help struggling artisans half -way around the world. Zavida Gemstones makes a point in offering socially-conscious handmade semi-precious gemstone jewelry.

So far Zavida has granted $23,000 to support the indigenous silversmiths of India who create some of Zavida’s jewelry offerings. The funds come as part of Zavida’s progressive business model that gives back 25% of its profits to struggling regions where its worldly jewelry and gemstones originate, plus private donations. Now that’s giving back! In addition to giving back 25% of their profits, Zavida purchases directly from the silversmiths. Helping to further the silversmiths’ financial gain. Zavida then sells the silversmiths’ pieces as part of the many jewelry options offered on its retail website.

But now Couture in the City and Zavida are giving back too! And be one of the lucky readers to win our exceptional gift item. Enter today, and if you already subscribe to Couture in the City, you are automatically added into the pool of picks. This fantastic giveaway will run until September 12th! So be sure to check back in. When we will be giving away another beautiful jewelry item from Zavida on Friday September 19th! So good luck to you all my fashionistas!

Source: Zavida Gemstones

Ashley Tisdale (source)

Well color me surprised…it’s not every day that you see such style in a relatively newbie celeb. The High School Musical starlet seems to have her fashion chops well under way with a look that’s not too precious, pretentious or boring and is age appropriate and tasteful. Love it!

Seriously, what’s not to love? Geometric print dresses, fab handbags, tailored pants, sophisticated jewelry…Ash seems to have just the right mixture of fresh and unexpected with classic and timeless.

If you want to steal Ashley Tisdale’s style, here are a few simple rules to follow:

1) Keep it simple: If you are going for a big bold dress, then tone down shoes, jewelry and handbags.

2) Keep it fresh: natural hair and makeup are perfect for any look, but work best with a slightly funky vibe

3) Add a splash of fun: to keep from being to bland, add a pop of color with a pair of yellow shoes, an orange bag or a chunky necklace.

Jewelry is the easiest and most versatile way to add interesting details to your wardrobe, so give your look a dose of Ashley Tisdale style with this necklace from Lilia:

Fruiti de Mare Necklace, $150.00

Paris, May 19, 2008: In Paris to launch “Covet” perfume, Sarah Jessica Parker continued to delight her fans with her fabulous style. Wearing a pink Giambattista Valli dress, she chose very classic antique and estate jewels from Fred Leighton to complement her chic and feminine attire.

Fred Leighton pieces were worn:
7.50 carats (each) old European-cut diamond drop earrings
19th Century diamond necklace worn layered with a graduated Tahitian black pearl necklace
9.0-carat antique cushion-cut diamond ring.

Fred Leighton jewelry pieces and collections are available at the Fred Leighton store in New York City and the Fred Leighton Store in Las Vegas.

Lets take a look at some of this fabulous jewelry.

Double Aspen Leaf

These mini leaf earrings are delicate in gold, with a great transparency to them.

Deep purple amethyst briolette

This gorgeous deep purple amethyst briolette is suspended from a collection of two various sized 14K gold filled circles. Attached to a 18K gold vermeil earwire.

Enter today and you could be the lucky winner for this exclusive giveaway!

Source: Bridget Lynne Designs, KMR Communications

To top Monday’s jewelry article, we thought we would bring our readers some real class. Today, at Couture we are featuring sterling silver with pearls, alongside gold watches. Some extra ’special’ rings to wear on your right hand. And some designer jewerly from John Hardy.

You would think with all this jewerly available that we would be on a treasure hunt off the coast of Florida, excavating from a sunken spanish armarda! Well get on your scuba diving gear and goggles…

were treasure hunting!

Majorica line goes ‘Nuage’ with their Pearl Jewelry

For over a hundred years, Majorica has nurtured nature to perfect the pearl! In a process much like the oyster’s, the Barcelona-based company creates great-looking gems that will last for generations. These beauties are large, classy, and real. Pearls are some of the best and most classic jewerly pieces you can add to your collection. (A personal favorite of mine). This set includes baroque necklaces, braclets, and earrings. Indulge…

Stay fresh with Freshwater Pearls

Get a fresh start with these water pearls and silver toggle bracelet. Fresh water pearls are a great alternative to sea pearls. Plus they look great!

Victoria Wieck Pavé Crystal Link Charm Bracelet Watch

This little treasure is a real charm. If you don’t wish to wear a watch, but prefer to wear jewelry. This number is just perfect. Glamorous and functional, this Victoria Wieck pavé bracelet watch sparkles from end to end. The watch case hangs from an enhancer bail that is pavé-set with round, clear Swarovski crystals.

Sea of Diamonds

You can’t get more appropriate than this 14K tri-color gold diamond ring from Sea of Diamonds.

John Hardy brings us great temptations with these jewelry lines. Try these on for size…

John Hardy Jewelry

Exotic meets clean. In John Hardy’s latest Batu Kali collection two fabulous designs merge to become one.

In Bali, ‘Batu’ means ’stone’ and Kali ‘river’. Inspired by the stones and pebbles of a fluent river, the Batu Kali collection features stunning, radiant gemstones centered within amazing Kali influenced silver. The smooth rocks and bends of Bali’s flowing rivers certainly makes this jewelry soft, with a sensuous organic shape.

Source: TheFind.com

Gwyneth Paltrow - now a London native- looked quite smashing at the London opening of ‘Iron Man’.

Gwyneth Paltrow at Iron Man Premiere

You go girl! Got perfect legs? Well I have to tell you the brit’s love a short skirt. Hence the mini from the sixties?! Looks like some of that short charm rubbed off on Gywneth here. But why not! If you’ve got it flaunt it!

Here is a few great mini’s from british line Top Shop.

Black Silk mini skirt from Top Shop

Distressed pelmet denim mini skirt from Top Shop

You can get another very similar look from Victoria’s Secret. Try this mini skirt in stretch cotton.

Victoria’s Secret mini skirt in stretch cotton

Or this pleated mini number also by Victoria’s Secret.

Pleated miniskirt in stretch cotton

Stuffy pin striped shirts, plaid pants and jackets. Hounds tooth coats? All sounds very british to me. Add some of these essentials to your wardrope.

Cuff shirt with stripes

Two button pin striped jacket

Vivienne Westwood Mangano pencil skirt

Now you can’t get more classic british designing than Vivienne Westwood. Westwood’s Red Label is signature Westwood at every level. This season has beautiful draped skirts, cool wrap-over shirts, and multicolored print dresses.

Here are just a few of my faves from this season!

Satin dress by Vivienne Westwood

Silk blend trench by Vivienne Westwood

Wrap over shirt by Vivienne Westwood

Orb stud earrings by Vivienne Westwood

Well that ends our fun journey across the pond. Just remember to catch Big Ben and The London Eye if you ever go sight seeing. And don’t forget to do some fashion shopping! Cheerio!