All In The Family

Jewelry has always been a fetish of mine and the reason for that may boil down to genes! My mother worked in the fine jewelry industry before retiring (to spend more time with moi :)!) for 30 years.

Like my mom, I'm a gold girl, although I don't discriminate! Right now I'm loving rose gold, it is more feminine than yellow gold but equally classic. Even though I love all jewelry (who doesn't!) rings are my favorite, with bracelets in a close second. While my collection is vast, I'll share with you a few pieces that I'm wearing now.

(L to R) The metal ring is actually two pieces connected by a chain to be worn on the middle finger and the pinky finger that I got from LF in the city (New York City, that is). The stack (faux) diamond ring behind that was purchased from a street vendor outside of Intermix in the city as well. I absolutely love the amethyst (my birthstone) and diamond ring, which was given to me by my boyfriend for my birthday in the most romantic way (I was still in school in upstate New York at the time and he came and surprised me)! The one piece stacked ring is one of my favorites, stolen of course from mommy dearest, as are the diamond bands in front of it. The gold rose ring was given to me by my aunt, it was her mother in laws and she had it sized for me as a gift, a true antique. The rings beside it are from Nicole Richie's new jewelry line, House of Harlow. The thick ring is the Rose Gold Thick Stacking Ring and the thin one (which I can't find online anymore) is the Diamond Gold Thin Stacking Ring. Last but not least are, (more) stack rings that were also purchased at LF, the amber stone goes with everything and you can wear one by itself for an understated look or all together to make a statement. As I'm sure you can see, stack rings are my favorite (at least right now!) because you can mix and match them to your outfit or mood.

A few rings I'm looking to add to my collection are from the designer Made Her Think. What I love about Meredith Kahn's line is her eclectic designs; she taps into her imagination to create unique pieces that can't be found elsewhere. My favorite piece is one that my friend Lindsi purchased a few weeks ago at the Kiki De Montparnasse store (where my friend Dara is a buyer) in SoHo, called the Antique Rose Gold Double Band Chain Ring, which retails for around $1,200. For the more economical option, you could purchase the silver version, for $132.

Made Her Think takes risk like producing pieces in metals other than your typical gold and silver, such as rhodium, oxidated silver, and brass.

I also love the Knuckle Buster Ring with Pyramid Totem, Talon Knuckle Buster Ring, and the Siren Ring in rose gold or cooper. What are your thoughts on this line that I'm lovin'?

Eye Care

Even though I'm only 22, I'd like to get a head start on the anti-aging process. The first signs of aging are seen on the forehead, frown lines and around the eye area where crows feet can develop as early as the mid-twenties! In addition to taking the general precautions like wearing sunscreen, practicing a healthy lifestyle (e.g. not smoking cigarettes, drinking only in moderation, getting enough sleep every night, exercising and maintaining a wholesome diet), us ladies have to take advantage of the beauty products out there that help us keep our age under wraps!

The first anti-aging product that I purchased was Bliss All-Around Eye Cream, I used it routinely for months until I foolishly left it behind at my boyfriend's apartment, who decided that he needed it more than I did. Being the generous person I am, I let him keep it... after all he is four years older and looks his age, while I still get mistaken for a pre-teen (weird, I know).

Nonetheless, I am ready to try a new cream, preferably one that prevents fine lines, eliminates dark circles and has a de-puffing agent. Ideally I'd like for the cream to be specifically for youthful skin, skin that still sees a blemish every once in a while and thus a cream that is not too heavy. I'm not looking for anything that will break the bank (we are in a recession, aren't we?), but definitely something that is highly recommended.

Here are the contenders:

1. Philosophy Eye Hope, $48

Line lines - CHECK

Dark Circles - CHECK

Puffiness - CHECK

This seems to be an all around good eye-cream. Received 4 stars out of 5 from 78 reviews on Sephora. I have to say though , I have not had the best luck with philosophy products... perhaps this one could be the exception?

2. Perricone MD Advanced Eye Area Treatment, $95

This product, likewise got rave reviews and relieves all of the symptoms of aging I've discussed, however this seems to address more mature skin than my own. The the price is also little bit steep but if it lasts a while, it could be worth it... hmm.

3. Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Cream, $65

The name almost won me over instantly - "Age Delay," exactly what I'm looking for! To my dismay, there are only 7 reviews on Sephora and even less on other websites. Even though the reviews are positive (4 out of 5 stars, 5 out of 5 stars), I'm not sure if I am comfortable relying on so few opinions, especially if I'm going to be shelling out $65 for .5 ounces!

4. Skyn Icelandic Relief Eye Cream, $45

Another 4 out of 5 cream eye cream that addresses all of my eye area concerns, but this time with 301 reviews! This cream is formulated without potentially harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and dyes and it dubs as a make-up primer, not too shabby.

With so many options, how can a gal choose? Although many rely on reviews, how sure can you be without trying it out yourself? You rarely know whose behind the review, which is why I'm reluctant to trust them. Is this person older or younger? What is their skin like? Are their concerns and needs the same as mine? What is their nationality and race? And even worse, is this a real consumer or someone from the company that is posing as a consumer? All of these factors affect why certain products may work for one person while disappointing another.

I'll keep you posted on my decision and give you my own personal review. Till then, what would you choose?

Welcome Back!

To me, of course :). I had an early-blog crisis and decided to take a little hiatus from it, back in time for fall fashion! However, I can't delve into that without mentioning a little something on the beauty end.Every hair product company out there promises to give you long, luscious, locks of love, but lets face it - few do. Well heres one that doesn't make promises it can't keep. I discovered Ojon products about a year and a half ago while skimming the isles of the one and only, Sephora. I wasn't in need of a hair makeover, but my mom on the other hand, was. Years of coloring and treatments had run it's course on her once satiny, voluminous hair, leaving it lackluster, frizzy, and dead. When I stumbled upon this line of hair care, which targets specific hair problems (i.e. thickening, shine and protect, ultra-hydrating, hydrate and thicken), I had to have it. I brought home the "shine and protect" starter kit for my mom and encouraged her to give yet another product a shot. I kid you not, results were visible after ONE use. Naturally, I went back to get my own Ojon kit, the hydrate and thicken. I'm not a good with pre-planned intensive beauty regiments, so I tossed everything but the shampoo and conditioner, but luckily thats all I needed. I saw results just as quickly as my mother and I've been hooked ever since.

Ojon gets its name from the oil, (called Ojon) that it is produced with, which is found in the forests of Central America. The Tawira indians, native to the Miskito regions are responsible for this discovery. Called "the people of beautiful hair," they are introduced to Ojon palm nut oil at birth as both a shampoo and moisturizer. When a relative of Denis Simioni, the brain behind the brand, came to visit years earlier, she left a baby food jar of this oil behind. After being untouched for two years, Simioni's wife decided to give it a try, post a swim in a pool which left her hair, much like my mother's - frizzy and dull. One use was all Simioni and his wife needed in order to get on a plane, meet the Tawira and learn all they could about this hair elixir. In no time, Ojon products hit the shelves of Sephora, Nordstrom, QVC, and the shopping channel(to name a few), with rave reviews supporting the brand's promise. My mane is my most prized (bodily) possession, I wouldn't trust it to anything but the best.

This is a picture of my boyfriend and I. Thanks to Ojon, my hair is long, healthy, and shiny!