"Off the cuff..." (Part 5)

“I love cigarettes. Love them. I think the more positive approach you have to smoking, the less harmful it is.” --- Sienna Miller

Enjoy this week's installment of Cuff Mate's funniest series!

Bisous,

Lee

"What’s up London?” - Brittany Spears, addressing the audience at her show in Manchester, UK

“I learned through talking with my therapist that it is still cheating even if it’s with girls.” - Fergie

“I’m not a hero. A hero is a sandwich and I’m on a low carb diet.” - Shaquille O'Neal

In good company...(Part 6)

Who loves Paris in the springtime??? I sure do. Ms. Hilton's sunny smile matched her springtime digs as she shopped at upscale West Hollywood retailer Fred Segal early last month. Her bright buttercup maxi dress is set off by a "Deco Cuff Bracelet" by Lia Sophia in ... turquoise --- aka. "THE color of 2010" (according to the color industry forecasters at Pantone that is). The turquoise enamel, rhinestones and silver tones in this piece, as well as its belt-like design, make for an interesting combination. Though yellow and turquoise are an unlikely pair, a generous splash of white (in the trim of her dress, oversized shades and slouchy bag) help them blend perfectly. Fantastique mademoiselle!

Copy this look in Dannijo's version of our featured cuff. ("Tasmin Cuff")

"Off the cuff..." (Part 4)

"What's Walmart, do they sell like wall stuff?" --- Paris Hilton

Enjoy this week's installment of Cuff Mate's funniest series!

Bisous,
Lee

"I love California. I grew up in Phoenix." - Dan Quayle

"My mother is Irish, my father is black and Venezuelan, and me? I'm tan, I guess." - Mariah Carey

"I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, but I don't know into what religion yet." - David Beckham

In good company...(Part 5)

Molly Sims, the model turned actress famous for her role in the TV show, "Las Vegas" (playing opposite the delicious Josh Duhamel, I might add...hehehe), has recently turned jewelry designer. Sims has launched a new line of affordable, sophisticated, vintage-inspired designs, called Grayce (available on HSN). Her superb style sensibility is also reflected in her own effortlessly beautiful bijoux choices. At the Domino's 3rd annual Pre-Oscar gala held March 5th in Hollywood, Sims was spotted in this ginormous gemstone bracelet. A double row of what appears to be octagon cut ice blue topaz have been bezel set in gold (top row) and silver (bottom row). With Sims' sultry black dress, this cuff makes a bold and brilliant statement. Jackpot, girl!

Copy this look in Sims' own version of our featured cuff.

Grayce by Molly Sims Large Stone Stretch Bracelet

"Off the cuff..." (Part 3)

“I make Jessica Simpson look like a rock scientist." --- Tara Reid

Enjoy this week's installment of Cuff Mate's funniest series!

Bisous,
Lee

“The cool thing about being famous is traveling. I have always wanted to travel across seas, like to Canada and stuff." - Brittney Spears

“The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation’s history. I mean in this century’s history. But we all lived in this century. I didn’t live in this century." - Dan Quayle

“I think gay marriage is something that should be between a man and a woman.” - Arnold Schwarzenegger

In good company...(Part 4)

1 vintage Fred Leighton cuff on your right arm + 1 vintage Fred Leighton cuff on your left arm = Twice the ice! (And is twice as nice...) Best Supporting Actress nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal proved the truthfulness of this equation at this year's Academy Awards when she donned these two stunning cuffs. The 32 year old actress known for her "interesting" red carpet choices, scored big with a pair of
jewels that matched perfectly with her black and blue Dries Van Noten gown. The platinum cuff on the left incorporates diamonds with a 1920's emerald, sapphire and diamond brooch turned cabochon. On the right is a 1940's 18kt gold and diamond cuff --- both perfect examples of Fred Leighton's unique reborn vintage aesthetic . Kudos MagPie for the whole look...I know a fellow cuffie when I see one!

"Off the cuff..." (Part 2)

"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff." --- Mariah Carey

Enjoy this week's installment of Cuff Mate's funniest series!

Bisous,
Lee

P.S. Word to the wise: When forced to speak "off the cuff"...have a Twix instead.

"My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt."- Chuck Nevitt, North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice.

"The word 'genius' isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." - Joe Theisman, quarterback and sports analyst

"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."- Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, DC

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.

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/