Birthday Week: Day 2 Super Ogle, Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra

In Day 2, the daydreaming continues....with Van Cleef and Arpels.  While I'd love to have everything and anything that is Van Cleef and Arpels, the Alhambra is what I truly covet.

Amazing Rose Gold Bracelet from the Sweet Collection

Diamond Pendant from the Magic Collection (ahhhh it IS SO MAGICAL)

Classic Alhambra necklace from the Vintage Collection

I hate to choose something so cliché, but I've loved this collection from Van Cleef and Arpels for a while...a very long while.  You've seen it- it's the clover wrapped in gold.

Last year, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum featured an exhibit that put years of Van Cleef and Arpels jewels on display.  They were incredibly lavish, uber-decadent and some, even gaudy (it pains me to say that, but it's true).  The bling in that exhibit was SO serious.  They displayed jewels that had been donned by the infamous Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace Kelly.  

While the exhibit faced some harsh reviews, I think that I got out of it what was intended- a feeling of amazement and joy seeing all these glittery gems all around me.  It was like I was five again, dreaming of all the beautiful things that princesses had (literally!).  Millions and millions of dollars worth of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and the like surrounding me- I mean, I don't think there will be another time in my life when I can lay my eyes on such extravagant jewelry.

I think that the Van Cleef and Arpels brand is so beautiful and classy.  So many luxury brands out there have given away their prestige to make an extra buck (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi..you get the idea), but I feel like Van Cleef and Arpels has been able to keep themselves elevated and maintain a level of luxury that so many brands have sacrificed.  God, that sounded so snobby, but if something is expensive, it should BE expensive.  It should be reserved for those that can afford it not priced at $600 for a fabric bag that can be easily knocked off.  I'm just saying.

Anyways, I'm really starting to like this business of blogging just about crazy things that I can't have.  It doesn't make me want them less, but at least I can get it off my chest.

Ogle: Venessa Arizaga

Usually, I remember where I see things.  In this case, I can't remember, but that doesn't make what I'm about to show you any less awesome.

BLING.

Designer Vanessa Arizaga totally takes bling bling and statement jewelry to the next level.  I love how whimsical her jewelry is with all the little dangly charms and stones.  Because of all the color and the stars, it reminds me a little of Rainbow Brite

Anyway, here are my favorites:

The Crazy Heart 

The Salty Lime!

These fancy baubles would be great worn with a plunging white T or with a fitted black tank for a night out on the town.  As fancy as they are, they come with a matching fancy price tag.  Ogle away.

For more lovely bling, check out her site!  Enjoy.

OGLE: Really Pretty Roarke

Confession: I love scarves.  If it was possible to not sweat in the summer while in a scarf, I would rock a scarf year round.  Wait, what's that you say, Internets?!  It IS possible?!  Where??  How??!  Show me the way!

While browsing one of my favorite blogs, vanessajackman.blogspot.com, I saw this lovely pic:

There are a lot of lovely things about this picture...the girl, the hair, the blazer...but her scarf- JUST LOOK AT IT.  It's awesome.  It's really pretty.  I know- such a simple adjective to describe something so blingtastic, but it is- it's just really pretty!

I took a look at the scarf in the picture again. I had seen this scarf before...in an email!  I took to my inbox and scoured far and wide.  It was an email from Popsugar!  It remembered clicking on a fantastic rainbow scarf that kind of resembled this teal one:

Thank goodness for Popsugar...I didn't have to spend sleepless nights trying to figure out where this girl got this necklace...the sad part is that due to the high price tag, I'll have to only Ogle.  I do think that the craftsmanship and uniqueness of the scarf make it close to worth it (maybe?), but the day I have $400+ hanging out, there are a lot of things on my list that I'll have to pick up before this one.

Who knows...maybe this is the start to a fun DIY project for me??

Inspiration does wild things to people (read: I am not good at arts and crafts).