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.

Arrested developments...(Part 11)

Salut Cuffies,

Need a little cafe au lait to start your day??? This snazzy cuff bracelet may be just the ticket! A city skyline silhouette is created in 14K gold plated metal. The "skies" are a sensual wet sand color, and are made of authentic stingray skin. This piece by New York based designer, Kara Ross, exemplifies both her love of nature and her passion for the "exotic". Her extensive world travel experience is reflected in her one-of-a-kind design aesthetic. Perfect for beach combers and city slickers alike this cuff sparkles like a diamond in the sand.

Bisous,
Lee

Work Chic by dianelynn-catchinguponfavesagain featuring Lanvin bags

Items in this set:
Marni Dot print dress with drawstring waist, 730 GBP
Blade Runner wool-blend jacket, $425
Wanted Shoes, Heels, CRISH - PINK MULTI, 170 AUD
Amalia MM Bag - Sand, $2,790
Cinetico Earrings, 3,200 GBP

Cuffed and Clusted...(Part 8)

Salut Cuffies,

Talk about the "Midas touch"! I fell head over heels for this golden goose egg of a piece. Made of eco-leather, this big bow bracelet by Houston based Etsy shop, EPIPHANY6 & CO., has an edgy cartoonish glam about it (think Snow White at an Aerosmith concert...no???) that makes it stand out from the crowd. One size fits all thanks to its clever toggle and chain closure. Deliciously decadent and over-the-top, this piece is only for the brave at heart.

Bisous,

Lee

Enjoy this cluster inspired by today's featured cuff!

"Midas Touch" curated by Lee Dorsey

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

Arrested developments...(Part 7)

Salut Cuffies,

I have a feeling Snow White would have loved wearing this little number. Irish designer J.W. Anderson, uses this cuff to reflect his penchant for stage costume design. Intensely dramatic, it still manges to come off sweet! Though relatively new to the fashion world, (his first collection debuted in the Fall of 2007 during London's fashion week), Anderson's designs are destined to become classics. Indigo leather, gold plated bows and double buckle fastener look great together in this modern fairytale of a piece.

Bisous,
Lee


Navy Horizons by colormeconscious featuring Tom Ford sunglasses

Items in this set:
TIBI NY 10520016 NAVY MULTI SILK E3199, 340 GBP
T-Strap Flat Sandal, $200
Gold Crystal Jeweled Heart Clutch - Forzieri, $630
Talisman Hammered Gold Love Knot Earrings, $1,700
Blue Bracelet With Gold Plated Bows, J. W. Anderson, 140 GBP

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.)

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.