While I’m always on the lookout for new additions to my ever growing arm party, I still have yet to pull the trigger on a David Yurman piece. Though with the new collection out, I am currently yearning some Yurman in my life. All the while during my college days at SMU, the Albion ring in every shape, stone, and form was synonymous with being a Daddy’s Girl or some Frat Daddy’s girl, sometimes both if you were lucky. It symbolized the maturation from the high school Tiffany heart and bean pieces to the stacks of signature cable bracelets that were perfect for accenting any sorority outfit. Now out in the working world and paving my way career-wise, Yurman’s designs are still aptly adorned amongst the most stylish set.

Artistic inspiration forms the foundation for David Yurman, one of America’s foremost luxury jewelry designers. Founded in 1980 by David Yurman and his wife Sybil with the signature cable bracelet, the brand’s rich heritage and excellence in craftsmanship stems from David’s twenty year background in sculpture and Sybil’s natural understanding of art.

A First Look and Top 5 Picks from the latest collection, perfect for any age and occasion:

1. David Yurman Pave Diamond Cable Buckle Bracelet
2. David Yurman Sculpted Cable Cuff with Diamonds
3. David Yurman Cordelia Necklace, Pave Diamond
4. David Yurman Albion Ring, Amethyst
5. David Yurman Spiritual Bead Bracelet, Black Onyx

At times I wonder where does the next step of life and luxury jewelry take us ladies to – Van Cleef and Arpels? But until then, all David Yurman pieces are available at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

You’re invited to a front row view online to the watch the master of beautiful lace, lines, and draping LIVE! Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2012 Live from NYFW. Join the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #ODLRLIVE on Twitter.

Image Credit: Jamie Beck

This past Tuesday afternoon, the big reveal heard round the world started with eighty Mystery Boxes around the nation and specifically at six Neiman Marcus locations, including the NorthPark and Fort Worth stores.  The news spread like wildfire virally due to word of mouth, news outlets, and the omnipresent help of social media as TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie unveiled the next chapter of the philanthropic brand.

Onlookers patiently waited with refreshments and DJ melodies in-store while huge cylindrical tubes under lock and key mysteriously tempted consumers of what new surprise Mycoskie had in store.  Huge applause, smiles, and congratulations were abound as the new concept for TOMS Shoes is that they are no longer just a shoe company, but a one-for-one company.  The SMU alum and Arlington native boasted of the quite literal visionary venture that TOMS is undertaking by branching out into an eyewear line.

For every pair of sunglasses sold, TOMS will help give sight to a person in need through medical treatment, prescription glasses, or sight-saving surgery through a partnership with the Seva Foundation. While the end goal is to help give sight to people in need all around the world, the TOMS team will begin in Nepal, Cambodia, and Tibet.

Blake was quoted, “ TOMS could be more than a shoe company – it should be a one for one™ company. With so many different needs around the world, I felt TOMS had an obligation to try to improve as many lives as possible.”

The TOMS new collection of sunglasses is priced from $135 to $145 a pair, available both in men and women’s styles.  The motto is that every stripe tells a story. The design of each pair ties in the charitable story and background of yourself, the person you’re helping, and toms the brand that binds it all together.  Head to your nearest Neiman’s to scoop up a pair or two and someone overseas will thank you for your shady behavior.

Neiman Marcus is located at 400 NorthPark Center, in Dallas, or you can find more information and purchase the new TOMS collection online at http://www.toms.com/eyewear/our-movement/.

[postImageGallery]

To get the most pop out of your glitter nail polishes:

1. Remember a sticky base coat is always your best friend. I use Nailtek II for strengthening reasons.
2. Dab on the polish instead of swiping; this makes all the difference.
3. Forget less is more… multiple coats make an impact. 3 coats produced the opaque look I was after.
4. For a sleek & shimmery shine, glide on the top coat over the glitter to avoid the gritty feeling.
5. When the party is over and you want the glitz gone, soak nails in acetone. If they’re really stubborn, cover nails with acetone soaked cotton balls then wrap with aluminum foil for 5 minutes.

So bust out those beads and show me some finger bling! OPI for sent over some new amazing new shades, and I can’t wait to share them all with you, so be on the look out for my new faves and craves.  Thanks Karissa!

After: Long, lush, and perfectly curled lashes. I now love waking up bright eyed and bushy lashed in the morning.  Remember you’re not able to get them wet or steam for 24-48 hours immediately after to let the adhesive glue set.  Occasionally they need a good brushing with the little mascara spoolie they give you to detangle and keep your lashes in line.

I could never run out the door previously without curling my lashes and applying mascara, but now it’s a different story.  I’ve become a low maintenance girl where I can get away with just wearing concealer (damn those pesky dark under eye circles!) and lip balm.  Lash Studio is expanding up north to Allen very soon, and you can stay updated on their Facebook and Twitter.  So thank you to Shannon, the lash master at Lash Studio and the ladies at NovaLash for now creating a new beauty addiction!

In a nutshell, I spent New Year’s Eve at dinner with my brothers at DISH, then some time with my best friend, and danced the night away with Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at the Granada. Contemplating sleeping in or going out, all the way until the very last minute thus made me way overdue for dinner. I dragged my tired butt out to ring in the New Year by throwing on a not quite vintage but not quite new, sequined See by Chloe dress and ran out the door. In quick change queen form, I was putting the finishing touches on via rear view mirror. If these past few days are a sign of what’s to come, then I’m thrilled and welcoming 2011 with open arms. I’m glad I skipped a few more hours of sleep to spend it with my loved ones. Hope yours was just as warm and fuzzy! Happy New Year!

2011 New Year’s Resolutions:

To travel the world - The more I see, I find the more I learn.

To get back in shape - I’ll never be my lithe model self again, but it would be nice to live a more balanced life with maybe not so many carb binges.

To save – While it will be awesome to pass down a wicked vintage collection and a plethora of Chanel bags to my future daughters; it’s more important to provide a financial security for my future generations.

Pay it forward – Great things have come into my life and I want to share the wealth with others. To be able to pass on the positivity and make good changes and keep the cycle going.

Every once in a while, you just feel the need to break out of the box and spice it up.  Let your fingers walk on the wild side with a fun and inexpensive alternative to Minx.  For the days I tire of my classic red nails, I bust out some bright colors and partake in some DIY nail art.  You can watch this uber kawaii and kind of creepy YouTube tutorial or follow my instructions below.

Things you’ll need:

• Base Coat
• Two different colors of nail polish
• Top coat
• Nail Art Stamping Kit – with pattern plate, stamper, and scraper. (I use Konad, which I found on Amazon and in Asian marts, but there is also others like Essence available at Ulta),
• Printer paper/newspaper (it can get a little messy with the scraping)
• Nail polish remover and cotton balls for mistakes

1. Paint your nails as you normally would with the combo of base + color + top coats.  Once dry, then decide on what pattern suits your fancy; I love the leopard prints and tiger stripes on Konad’s m57 plate.
2. Take the accent nail polish color and liberally apply onto the chosen pattern on the plate.  Then with a swift motion, use the scraper to scrape off excess polish onto your paper workplace.  Told you it would come in handy!
3. Roll the stamper onto the plate to lift off the pattern.  Practice makes perfect, so keep working at it to pick up the print.
4. Now this is the hard step, line up the pattern with your fingernail and roll your finger with the stamper to transfer the pattern.  If you mess up, you can scratch off the pattern and try, try, try again.
5. Do as many or as little fingers you’d like, and finish off with the top coat.  Let them dry and marvel at your new beauties.

Let me know what color combos and prints you come up with!

Shoe fanatics and fetishers unite with this over-the-top grand gesture of The Ultimate Shoe Subscription from NET-A-PORTER.

Each month, you’ll be chasing down the mailman and welcoming him with open arms as you tear open the classic NET-A-PORTER packaging to see what surprises await.  This gift of grandeur will cost you a pretty penny of $10,000, and is only available to order by calling one of their fashion advisors at +1 800 471 9303 from 9am to 5:30pm EST, 7 days a week or e-mailing at shoesubscription.usa@net-a-porter.com. You’ll soon be on a first name basis with Jimmy, Christian, Stella, Alexander, Brian and many more designers.

In addition to a new pair of heels to prance around in, there are added perks of:

• One-on-one styling advice
• Sneak peeks of the newest looks before the masses
• Pre-reservations so you’ll never have to hear the words “wait list” again
• Express shipping for the impatient ones

Alternatives for more frugal, yet just as fabulous finds try:

The newly launched JustFab, from the founding ladies behind Who What Wear, will hand pick stylist-approved selections to help amp up any outfit.  For those seeking some serious star power picks, Kim Kardashian’s ShoeDazzle service is more up your Hollywood alley.  Both shoe subscription services are only  a mere $39.95 per month.

So tell your Santa baby that you’ve really been a good girl all year.

Image Credit: Net-A-Porter

Chanel has an uncanny ability to produce the most unique and eye-catching colors that not only make men fawn, but also spur nail polish lovers into a fingernail frenzy. This past Cruise Collection 2010/2011 season in St. Tropez, Karl Lagerfeld sent Bardot-esque babes with down the runway with Riva, the palest of pastels which looks literally like a breath of fresh air. The newest nail craze will set to begin when Riva drops into CHANEL stores for a limited time on December 1st, 2010 for $25.

The pure and natural baby aqua blue shade with micro-shimmer is a welcomed change from all the sheer pinks. Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, wanted to create a playful collection that flirts with the sun: “a sprinkle of sand clinging to golden skin, a little pout under a straw hat, ready to break into a childish laugh”. The Côte d’azur Collection takes inspiration from summertime on the Riviera back in the 70s where “luxury indulges in nonchalance under the saint tropez sun.”

Carefree elegance with effortless free spirit beauty is what the Chanel Riva Vernis evokes. If you fell in love with Nouvelle Vague earlier in the year, don’t worry this shade is a delicate, oceanic hue with a world of difference.

Image Credit: Chanel