Barbie Bombshells

Jewelry lovers, I've got big news. Forget about health care reform, global warming and White House party crashers - this tidbit is going to blow. your. mind.

In a 'which came first' bombshell, J-Lo's New Year's Eve catsuit controversy has apparently trickled down to the taste-makers that influence every young girl in America - the brains behind Barbie. Not to let a good body image lesson go unlearned, the Barbie folks are bringing us their latest entry into the 'I Am Woman' lexicon: Cat Burglar Barbie.

Not only is her skin-tight black bodysuit the perfect outfit to don when young girls fantasize about stealing Paris Hilton's family jewels, Cat Burglar Barbie (like J-Lo) has a stash of Louboutin shoes to wear while sashaying her way into infamy. Eureka!

Cat Burglar Barbie comes with (count 'em) FOUR pair of Louboutin shoes including gold sandals, Miss ankle boots, Claudia peep toes, and Altameche knee-high boots - perfect for wall scaling, lock picking, and all manner of slinking. Conveniently, they each come with their own shoe bag and box, packaged together with a copy of Barbie's travel journal chronicling her adventures with Christian Louboutin, himself.

Oh the places they will go...
This limited edition Barbie can be yours (drag queens, get out your debit cards) for a mere $150. We've come a long way, ladies.


P.S. Not to be outdone, have you caught wind of this jaw-dropping Barbie entry Perez Hilton uncovered from a young designer in Beijing? It's Lady Gaga Barbie (!!!!) complete with Alexander McQueen reptile pumps and Kermit-wear. Now we're talking....

Tom Binns Gets Real

Jewelry designer, Tom Binns, is having a good run. He's Michelle Obama's go-to guy for big statement pieces and he's been tapped as one of the designers of the upcoming Alice In Wonderland jewelry line to debut when the film opens in the spring.


And while I love to drool over his over-the-top creations (he started his career working for fashion icon, Vivienne Westwood, to give you an idea) there's the small matter of 'price' when it comes to owning a little Binns beauty of your own.

Until now.

I just discovered the Binns 'Get Real' jewelry line set to debut in Paris next month is a response to the troubled economic times that cramp a jewelry hound's style. His solution? Cut out big jewelry from magazines, laminate it, wear it and call 'er good.


Yup. The tongue-in-cheek 'Get Real' collection is made from photographs of rings, necklaces, earrings and watches clipped from glossy magazines that Binns reassembles, laminates and affixes with safety pin closures to add the final touch.

If it seems a little like cheating, think again. I kindof love the idea, and with the Tom Binns name, well, you've got a great conversation piece as well as a collectible statement jewel to throw in the mix.

What do you guys think? Would you buy laminated paper jewelry? Would the Tom Binns name a factor in your decision? Would you make your own? Weigh in!

Jewelry Sparkles at the People's Choice Awards

It wasn't a jewelry blow-out like we diamond-obsessed folks hope for, but The People's Choice Awards did reveal some classy jewels, new color trends and a peak at awards show glamour-to -come.

Winter white, strapless cocktail frocks and one-shoulder gowns were the fashion trends that emerged (kindof a snore, but classic). A-list staples (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) mixed with the up-and-comers (T-Swift, Ginnifer Goodwin, etc.) - and Mariah Carey provided yet another cringe-worthy appearance complete with an unwalkable gown choice, diamond overload and rambling nonsense in the guise of an acceptance speech.

Nick Cannon? Make it stop.

Jewelry style was appealing and uneventful - with Tarji P. Henson providing the night's biggest lower jaw drop moment: a gemstone cocktail ring the size of a hockey puck. Love the color. Love the gown. Love it all.



Who wore your favorite look of the night? Sandra Bullock in a nude Vivienne Westwood number with barely there jewels? Taylor Swift in winter white and Neil Lane? Weigh in!