Cuffed and Clustered...(Part 11)

Salut Cuffies,

Something tells me Zsa Zsa Gabor would go wild over this OOAK (or "one-of-a-kind") hand knitted steely gray cuff by Miami-based Etsy shop, Magical Mystery Tuca. The 8 1/2 inch adjustable piece is embellished with a hand beaded silver lace overlay, vintage rhinestones, bicone crystals, metal findings and shell beads. The result: An indulgent Doctor Zhivago-esque bracelet, seemingly plucked straight from lead actress, Julie Christie's wardrobe. What a decadently delicious way to keep any cuffy's' wrist fashionably toasty!

Bisous,
Lee

Enjoy this cluster inspired by today's featured cuff!
"Grey Skies" curated by Lee Dorsey

Hello again world...

... and oh how I've missed you. (*heavy sigh*) While I was out of sight, you were never out of mind. But I'm back now cuffies! My mood: Beyond excited. In a word, I woke up READY --- ready to get back to blogging about my most beloved accessory, and more importantly, about the people who reinvent, revere or simply "rock" them out each and everyday.

Bisous,
Lee

This shimmering hand-carved 14K rose gold plate over sterling silver cuff was designed by NYC born, L.A. based label Gara Danielle. It was created specifically for Halle Berry to wear in her first fragrance campaign shoot in Ohahu, Hawaii. Berry later auctioned off the $4,000 organic stunner for charity.

Double Trouble...(Part 3)

Salut Cuffies,

Sleek and sophisticated --- these two celestial cuffs are the epitome of contemporary chic. Steely blue juxtaposed with highly polished silver is a glamourous, yet understated combination. On the left, the Italian made "Dare to Love" cuff by Zoppini has 40 gorgeous blue faceted spinel stones set on a polished stainless steel multi-rung band. The cuff on the right, by Just Cavalli (also of Italy) features reptile embossed blueish leather, metal braided detailing and a center logo. Refined to their core, these cuffs just work!

Bisous,

Lee

Steely Blues by colormeconscious featuring Betsey Johnson intimates

Items in this set:
SEE BY CHLO? LV537 WHITE/BIVE COTTON E3173, 210 GBP
Button jacket size 8, 460 GBP
rolled sleeve chambray romper, $435
Distressed denim cut-offs, $110
Begonia Butterfly Print Swimsuit by Bossamare, 130 GBP

Double Trouble (Part 2)

Salut Cuffies,

Spring has definitely sprung in these joyful green cuffs. Like plump caterpillars basking in the sun, their pale green tones set in shimmering golden makes for a delightful combination. Lilly Pulitzer's "Multi Later Gator" Liza Cuff is on the left. It features a multicolored enamel filled band and is 3/4 inches wide. On the right is a 1 1/2 inch chunky gold green stone fashion cuff by Zalina. Celebrate the season of renewal by reinvigorating your wardrobe with one (or both) of these lovelies!

Bisous,

Lee

Glowing Catterpillar by colormeconscious featuring Arden B tops

Items in this set:
Jonathan Saunders Chester graduated print dress, 925 GBP
Chiffon Tuxedo Ruffle Tunic Tank - Women's Clothing and Apparel - Chic..., $39
Old Navy Womens Watercolor-Graphic Racerback Tanks, $13
Margo python pumps, $1,170
Tracey Neuls TNA911-GRN 2 Eye Star 2, 725 CAD

Double Trouble (Part 1)

Salut Cuffies,

Introducing the first of two new series on your favorite "cuff lovin'" blog. "Double Trouble" brings you TWO times the luscious cuffness in one post. Up first, take a gander at these demure lovelies. Evocative of the finest French lingerie, each cuff is strikingly feminine and sensual in its own little way. On the left is a nude and black lucite 2 inch wide Tarina Tarantino cuff that combines Swarovski crystals with glass pearls for an eclectic mix of posh and punk. The nude rope and crystal statement cuff on the right is by German designer Sabrina Dehoff. Its oversized jagged shape juxaposed with a row of glamourous crystals, in my opinion, make it visually stunning. What do you think???

Bisous,

Lee


Nighttime Nudes by colormeconscious featuring Miss Selfridge

Items in this set:
INTERPLANET Satin Dress w/ Lacey Hem, $160
Black and Nude Satin Dress, 45 GBP
Crystal embellished silk-crepe blouse, $2,385
Jacquard Cropped Trouser, $310
Privee chiffon plunge bra, $90

Cuff Love ...(Part 1)

Congratulations Carissa and Moon!

Salut Cuffies,

These cookies and cream inspired cuffs were a delight to design, and turned out so scrumptious, I just had to share...Southern cutie, Carissa Kollman contacted me about 6 weeks ago with a special request for her April 11th Charlotte wedding: Custom Corsage Cuffs for her hostesses! The design: Edgy modern in black and champagne to coordinate with her bridesmaid's dresses. The result: Four lovely cuffs that for some reason remind me of glammed up Oreo cookies.... Yum!

Bisous,
Lee

P.S. To find out more about Corsage Cuffs from Color Me Conscious, e-mail me today at colormeconscious@gmail.com. All cuffs are made to order, and come in any style and color palette imaginable. A memorable keepsake your maids are sure to love, it's a jazzy alternative to the traditional flower corsage, n'est pas???

Cuffed and Clustered...(Part 4)

Salut Cuffies,

At first glance, I couldn't quite figure this cuff out. So I took a second glance --- AND a look-see at the description (hehehe) --- and it all came together. San Fransisco designer/dancer, Liza of CBLadornments, created this expressive and modern looker using a technique she invented herself. Combining different textures of resin with other materials, her work simulates "captured motion". This particular piece reminds me of a bubbly cauldron of cherry flavored lava! Hand forged and encased in tin, recycled glass components add an eco-friendly touch. As grown and cosmopolitan as a "Cape Cod" (aka. Grey Goose and Cranberry juice) and the Manhattan skyline, this cuff deserves every bit of its double-take.

Bisous,
Lee

Enjoy this cluster inspired by today's featured cuff!

"With A Cherry On Top" curated by Lee Dorsey

Shackled in time...(Part 2)

Salut Cuffies,

Miles away from the Nile River lied a civilization in which gold had no monetary value. In fact, possessing gold was no measure of how rich or poor you were...It was there that the cuff bracelet continued its long journey through time. Where was this unique land??? Enter Ancient Peru, home of the Inca. Historians have discovered that the Inca believed gold was the male image of god. Result: The more gold jewelry you wore, the more "blessed" you were thought to be. Cuff bracelets were worn by everyone in Inca society. Though crafted of various materials, such as colorful braided fibers and good luck seeds call huairuro, it was still the gold cuff that was most popular and most admired. Inca women used them both in their everyday wardrobe and for special religious ceremonies --- and putting on their cuffs in the morning was probably as much a part of their daily routine as putting on their sandals. A pure gold cuff bracelet everyday??? Now, that's a civilization I could get used to.

Bisous,
Lee

Above: Princess Amanda "Turtle Love Affair" Cuff Bracelet (This polished goldtone cuff was inspired by the Incas of Peru --- who were renowned for their love of symbolism --- and is representative of the myriad of good luck symbols embodied by the turtle.)

Cuffed and Clustered...(Part 3)

Salut Cuffies,

This sunny cuff lit up my day. Made of recycled fabrics (The outside is from a vintage tablecloth, can you believe???), vintage hand-tatted lace trim, a soft cotton lining, and two white yarn buttons, it adjusts from 7 inches when both buttons are secured to 8.5 inches when only one is buttoned --- perfect for a small wrist gal like me! Besides cuffs, Helsinki designer Tuija, specializes in re-purposed goods such as pillow covers and bags --- and all seem to be inspired by the simplicity and purity of the Scandinavian countryside. Something about the golden yellow and homespun aura of this piece makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Like playing "He Loves Me Not" with a hand full of dandelions, this cuff is a smiley face for your arm.

Bisous,
Lee

Enjoy this cluster inspired by today's featured cuff!
"Sunny Delights" curated by Lee Dorsey

In good company...(Part 3)

What does it feel like to wear 250 carats of contrasting brown, champagne and mint diamonds on your wrist??? Unfortunately, I wouldn't know (*sighs*), but Hollywood fresh face Amanda Seyfried sure would. The 24 year old actress/model added even more sparkle to her fairy tale inspired Giorgio Armani Prive gown by wearing not one, but three, dramatic cognac diamond cuff bangles by tinsel town favorite, Lorraine Schwartz. Schwartz's jewelry has been described by fans as “exquisite” and “ethereal”. Simply put, she manages to create pieces with a perfect melange of striking yet delicate details --- and these cuffs are no exception. Nicknamed, "The Queen of Bling", the Manhattan-based designer's client list includes everyone from Beyonce to JLo to Cate Blanchett and Christina Applegate. Well Mrs. Schwartz, I dare say you can haul me off to jail in these cuffs any day of the week.

Shackled in time...(Part 1)

"There's no such thing as a "new" style."

Salut Cuffies,

The legacy of our favorite type of bijoux is a long and beautiful one. Even in ancient Egypt, women adorned themselves with this unforgettable accessory. (Cleopatra, dare I say???) Cuffs made of pure gold were fashioned for rich Egyptians, while the less wealthy wore copper versions and some made of earthenware decorated with colored glazes to look like gemstones. During the Art Deco age of the 20s, Egyptian motifs experienced a serious revival, mainly because of the discovery King Tut's tomb in 1922. Interestingly, the 70s saw yet another Egyptian craze --- and King Tut was again to blame, since it was in the mid-70s that the treasures of his tomb went on a cross-country tour. Today, Egypt lives in these affordable cuffs. The Bangles would be proud.

Bisous,

Lee

Above: Egyptian Lotus Cuff, Egyptian Chevron Cuff Bracelet, and Egyptian Snake Bracelet now on sale at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store online.

In good company...(Part 2)

"Diamonds are a girl's best friend." --- so sang Marylin Monroe, one of my favorite actresses, in the 1953 classic comedy, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds. But, nowhere did this seem to be more true than at this year's Grammy awards held one month ago today. Per usual, the red carpet had enough bling to light up a small town, but it was the iced-out cuffs that caught my attention (naturally). This stunner was worn by new R&B talent, Melanie Fiona --- and is by far my fave of the night. The "Flash" cuff from Italian jeweler Damiani was crafted with 184 grams of platinum, 188.3 grams of 18k yellow gold, enamel and 88.59 cts. of diamonds. This piece also won the “Diamonds International Award” -- the most prestigious award in diamond jewelry design. The cuff, as well as Fiona's "Torchon" earrings with 18k white gold and 1.84 cts. of diamonds (also from Damiani) have a suggested retail price of...$ 27,590. Sooo...which one of you cuffies out there will take one??? Brrrr...

In good company...(Part 1)

CUFFIE - n. a person in love with cuff bracelets

A self-proclaimed "cuffie", I realized long ago that I was in very good company. Did you know that some of the most glamorous women in the world have rocked this eye-catching accessory??? In fact, you could argue that the cuff is the accessory of choice for strong women with character --- its very structure suggesting a graceful power that cannot be ignored. If you love cuffs as much as I do, raise your arm and strut like Giselle...you're in good company cuffie!

Bisous,
Lee

A few famous cuffies:
-Jackie Kennedy, the epitome of elegance, teamed cuffs with bustier dressses and made Van Cleef & Arpels' hammered gold cuffs famous back in the 60s.
-American Vogue journalist Diana Vreeland loved her ivory cuff so much she wore it over the sleeve of her sweaters.
-Coco Chanel rarely left the house without her cuff bracelet. Her favorite was an enamel cuff decorated with a gold Maltese cross illuminated with cabochons of precious stones.

source: http://www.sofeminine.co.uk/