J. CREW DOWN THE AISLE!

SILK TRICOTINE "AVERY" DRESS -CLICK IMAGE TO SHOPThe company that built it's reputation on college campuses across the U.S. as a preppy staple has come a long way baby!  J. Crew became a campus must-have by direct mailing enough catalogs to stack from the Earth to the Moon back in the late 80's & early 90's.   J. Crew was part of the unofficial uniform on my campus -think "ochre" barn jackets and "loden" green corduroys.  J.Crew was the g-rated precursor to the sexed up A&F catalog that was yet to come.  That was then.. this is now.   Under the leadership of Chairmen and C.E.O. Mickey Drexler, and creative direction of President Jenna Lyons, the collection and the company profile sky-rocketed into a stratosphere your barn jacket never saw coming!   By upgrading the raw materials (think cashmere and virgin wool) and modernizing design ( think fitted and cropped), J. Crew carved out a new space among fashion brands that skate just below designer wear, but stay head and shoulders above the fast fashion crowds.DESIGNER - TOM MORA

One brilliant brainstorm and commercial success was the addition of the bridal division known as J. Crew Wedding.  Under the creative leadership of designer Tom Mora, the division created a place for the modern bride looking for style and design without requiring a mortgage to pay for her wedding.   Including all the needs for the bride and bridal party, J. Crew Wedding is a one stop shopping experience.   The company chose a very uptown location for it's first stand alone bridal boutique on New York's Madison Avenue at 66th Stree.  The store opened to much fan fare and J. CREW "LUDLOW" 2-BUTTON TUXEDO - CLICK IMAGE TO SHOPimmediately brides-to-be sought out the brand they grew up wearing, to dress them on this most important fashion day of most young women's lives.  There are now 11 J. Crew Wedding boutiques across the country and the e-commerce site within  J.Crew.com is brilliant.  

Start planning the big day today by visiting J. Crew Wedding.   You can also find just what your Mr. Right should be wearing on his big day.. not many collections can dress both of you!  While you're clicking around, pick up some great cashmere items for your Fall wardrobe.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER...

MARILYN GOES GAGA FOR DIAMONDS!Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe, and countless legends of stage and screen have been singing about DIAMONDS since music went with lyrics!   Thought to have first been seen in India between 3,000 and 6,000 years ago, diamonds have captivated the world like no other gem.  

Of course, few celebrities can match the ultimate collection of diamonds and gems amassed by the late Elizabeth Taylor.   SHIRLEY BASSEY BELTS OUT HER HIT BOND THEME SONG - DIAMONDS ARE FOREVERTaylor has a weak spot for anything that sparkled and the budget (and the husbands) to make those dreamy stones her own.   The legendary actress would create a fragrance empire built around the mystique of, and her love of Diamonds.   White Diamonds remains one of the best selling fragrances in the world more than 20 years after it launched.   After her death this year at the age of 79, it was announced that Christies will auction off 300 of Taylor's gems in December.   The auction house and jewelry world are buzzing as it is sure to be one of the biggest sales of it's kind- EVER!   

With all the glamour and celebrity surrounding diamonds, it is no wonder that the mere idea of buying a diamond ring can LIZ TAYLORS INFAMOUS PERFUMEmake a guy break out into a cold sweat.   The fact is, the majority of diamond buyers are men, buying engagement rings for the love of their lives.   We all know - if the ring is bad - she might not say yes!    The fear factor is partly due to the huge margin of error that can occur when buying a diamond.   Add to that all the factors that make the stones valuable and you have a recipe for rip-offs and regrets.  

That's where The Diamond Pro  comes to the rescue!   This super informative (and free) website breaks down all the mystery and confusion surrounding this oh-so-important purchase.   From Color to Clarity, the site has all the information you could possibly need when choosing a diamond.    The site shows you what you can expect to pay for certain pieces, and also what you can buy with a certain budget.  

The Diamond Pro is a "MUST VISIT" for anyone thinking of buying a diamond.   Any friends thinking of popping the question would love for you to steer them in the direction of this website.  Even if you are not in the market for a new sparkler, it is a fascinating subject matter.   Click around the site and learn something about diamonds today.  www.diamonds.pro

Also, while we are on the topic - take a moment and listen to the legends sing about diamonds!

Click - Shirley or Marilyn to hear a classic little gem now! Oh, let's not forget Nicole in Moulin Rouge - click below.

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Moulin Rouge! — MOVIECLIPS.com

SUMMER WHITES BLOOM AT OVANDO

ORCHIDS, CALLAS, & ROSES from OVANDONothing says Summer like the bursting blooms of whiteWHITE ROSES, CALLAS, ORCHIDS, & EUCALYPTUS from OVANDO bouquets.  White flowers can add sophisticated dimension to the soft delicate colors of the season.  The creative design team at Ovando is known for their skill in combining colors and textures that make a statement but somehow remain subtle.   Here are just two examples of the magic they do.   Just one look at the Ovando website and you see this is not your average florist.  With locations in two of New York's hottest zip codes, it is no surprise the biggest names from fashion to finance have all their events designed here.  Click OVANDO to visit this most creative place.