Stylish with Substance

• Marc Jacobs set his wedding date to Lorenzo Martone for before the Summer solstice in June. The location is to be Provincetown, Massachusetts, which is a gay mecca on Cape Cod, and of course in a state where gay marriage is legal. - reported by Fashionologie.
• Fergie has debuted her eponymous shoe collection. - reported by Pop Sugar.
• Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi's jewelry line debuts today at Bergdorf Goodman. - reported by Yum Sugar.
• Matthew Williamson is returning to H&M on May 14th. - reported by Coutorture.

View Rachel Zoe's bag & jewelry for Judith Leiber

Celebrity Stylist to turn Designer
for the Every Woman

Rachel Zoe

(pronounced 'zo'), the insider-famous stylist to the stars, the woman behind some looks of the likes of Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton---is planning to start her own fashion line. Zoe wants her brand to be budget-friendly and will comprise of a whole range including clothes, handbags, jewelry and fragrance.

“It will be absolutely, 100% accessible fashion for sure ... There’s no reason for me to do a luxury-level design. ... I don’t think it’s what people want from me. I think that I would need to give people that fantasy becoming a reality."
-Zoe (source)

Zoe's first collection, with no brand name yet announced, will debut in 2010. But right now you can bid on her designs (jewelry and a few purses) for Judith Leiber on eBay by non-profit charity house DecadesTwo, albeit in a higher price range.

We're not quite ready to give away our own things at the moment, but in the spirit of this recession we love highlighting some other sites' giveaways for you. It's really all win-win in one way or another. (Unless you're sad to lose, sorry if you do.)

In the Tech Category:

• $50 iTunes Gift Card - deadline: Feb. 19th
• iPod Touch - deadline: TONIGHT Feb. 13th (is it your lucky day?!)

In the Jewelry Category:

• $100 Andzia Gift Certificate - deadline: Feb. 17th
• LeelaBijou Leaf Pendant (pictured) - deadline: Feb. 20th

In the Bag Category:

• Bunch o' Louis Vuitton! - deadline: March 3rd

According to this article on AOL, sparklier diamonds are often actually fakes (especially with a rainbow sparkle). And then I think, "then give me the fake!" What I want especially out of my engagement ring (or any diamond) someday is such a brilliant cut, etc., that it's as sparkley as can be. So why is genuine always better?

Can an inspired BAG be better than the higher priced originals? I once though I liked my Birkin-style bag from Wilson's Leather because it had shoulder straps (like the JPG Shoulder Birkin) but now I think, "eww, long straps!" (To be fair, they weren't, like, down at my hip long or anything!) So maybe the experts always know what's best for us, even if we do not? I mean, higher quality (if it exists in higher price - but that's another entry) usually means longer life. Diamonds may NOT be "forever" but they can cut up a mean amount of things, while remaining in tact. While I want my true love to be gentler than that, I want our feelings toward each other to be just as tough to trials and time. Genuine diamonds DO kind of give that statement.

Of course, they also give the statement, "I don't care who's blood shed for your diamond, honey, I love you so much, I just care about you having your selfish bling!"

What says love like the uncaring of all others, huh? ;-)

I snark, I snark. Seriously, what do you think?

Stay tuned, for in a few days I'll feature some obviously fake, but totally fun, bling. (I promise, for I made such a ring myself, and how can I resist the publicity?)

Do you give your lady high-priced items or more fairly priced yet quality gems?

Well, here are some ruby jewelry options for three budgets:

Budget Blower:

Cushion-Cut Ruby Ring
highest price, but synthetic stone,
plus cubic zirconia accents
by Fantasia by DeSerio
$630

Quality Keeper:

Poinsettia Flower Pendant/Necklace
with 5 ct. center ruby, fine silver
by Lucinda Fox Wood

$299

Passionate Cheap Thrill:

Jewels of My Heart
shaded rubies & sterling silver
by Sky Dreams

$89

Notice the materials get more quality, truer gems or silver, when the price decreases? Take a lesson. Although the fake ruby and the "fine" silver (aka silver plated, etc.) look more expensive, and are more expensive, they're less of the "true" fineries. Hmmmm?

That being said, there's nothing wrong with fine silver, or any of these items. But $630 for faux stones is wrong, imho. Thanks, Needless Markup.

The African Well Fund, a small non-profit raising money to build wells in Africa (you'll never know all the needs around the world, huh?) has an auction going for celebrity-type shwag. They're offering on eBay an audience gift bag from Stacy London's new show, Fashionably Late.

The auction text gives the best rundown of the goodie contents:

Gift bag and assorted items from taping of the first episode of Stacy London's new show - Fashionably Late with Stacy London The show was taped Oct. 15th in NYC and it will air on Nov. 23 on TLC All audience members received the gift bag after the taping. All items with the gift bag are new and unopened. Items: Gal Pal - Garment Deodorant Remover, Hollywood Fashion tape - the stars' secret apparel and body tape, Strap Tamers - bra strap concealers, YogaToes - flexible treat for fabulous feet, Ice Rocks - Spring Water Ice Cubes, Alexis Bittar - 18k Gold-plated moonstone ring (retail value $80), Alexis Bittar - 18k Gold-plated amethyst ring (retail value $80), Shubi 1 piece fully-lined drawstring shoe bag 100% of proceeds benefiting clean water and sanitation projects in Africa!

Again, Fashionably Late, Stacy London's new talk show (which was only previously previewed [oy the alliteration], and not canceled after one episode as was considered by fans, will air (BLACK) Friday November 23rd at 10 p.m. on TLC.

What a great holiday gift idea for a best gal pal or relative; these are great products and your gift will keep on giving to others in her name! Not only are these products some of the best and most necessary for modern woman and fabulistas, but it goes to a charitable cause for those who need so much less than hiding bra straps and removing deodorant marks from tops! The auction ends on Nov. 18th. Oh and you're bidding against moi, so good luck to all!

Well, the authentic diamond ...

The stone on the left is the real diamond. The photo is tricky, but really, one can't tell from a picture on the Internet. In fact, the quality of diamonds is a science and experts need a special magnifier to inspect quality.

One thing any woman can tell though, is cut. An "ideal" cut sparkles with rainbow flecks much more. I like that! To learn about diamonds, and have fun picking out rings, visit www.diamond.com!

A woman really needs to educate herself ... and her man. ;-)