Blondes, Baubles and Bad Taste at the CMT Awards

Jewelry hounds, I'm not trying to be disagreeable. Red carpet jewelry and fashion gawking is certainly not saving any oil-soaked pelicans or curing cancer anytime soon. But when Jersey Shore's Snooki looks better than half the divas doing the rounds at the Country Music Television (CMT) Awards, you know you're in for a long night.

And what is Snooki doing at the CMT Awards?

Let's start with the good. Taylor Swift. Always a fashion winner. Love the straight hair. Hoops. Galliano. Louboutin. What's not to like?


What's not to like? How about this unfortunate statement necklace choice by Kellie Pickler?


Or this bizarre lace mini green monster thing on Hayden Panitierre?


Or the weird day-glo dress meets sparkly gold teardrop earring look on Leann Rimes?


Or Laura Bell Bundy's gold stripper, I mean, red carpet get-up?


Or Miranda Lambert's Snooki impression?

Or this ho-hum look an the usually stunning Faith Hill (love the trendy big hoops, though)?


Clearly this battle of the blonde bombshells left me battered and bruised. Am I going off the rails here? Or is Country Music in desperate need of a Rachel Zoe makeover?

Summer Jewelry Trend Alert: Get Cuffed

Forget 'raindrops and roses' and 'whiskers on kittens', 'summer' and 'jewelry' are a few of my favorite things - and one of the hottest bauble trends of the season is both affordable and creative:

Cuffs!

Sarah Jessica Parker can't get enough of them and designers like Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui and Diane von Furstenburg are using them on their runways like nobody's business.

So how do you wear them?

You can go for just one big look like this cool agate cuff from Nordies for only $68!


Or better yet, layer them up using a variety of cuff categories - like this Betsey Johnson floral look with this metal stretch piece.




And there's no rule against using a cuff/bangle combo. How cool would this trendy faux turquoise style look with a series of gold clinks to go with?

Jewelry.com has a great assortment of statement cuff cuties from the hottest (and most trusted) jewelry retailers. Or you can cruise vintage stores, garage sales and grandma's jewelry box for styles screaming for summertime fun.

Getting cuffed never looked this glam. Unless you saw this 'bachelorette party' gift on The New York Housewives last week (ahem).

Red Carpet Jewelry at the CFDAs

Jewelry and fashion design were honored last night in New York at the hottest ticket in town - The CFDA awards (aka The Fashion Oscars). While fashionistas like Jessica Biel, The Olsen Twins and Anna Wintour came out in couture classics, it was Gwenyth Paltrow who stole the show in my book.




Appearing arm and arm with Michael Kors, who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, Gwynnie channeled Grace Kelly glam in a long, black paillette one shoulder Kors gown and simple diamond Fred Leighton drops. Now THIS is the way to wear black (see my earlier boring black rant for more)!




Coming in a close second was Sarah Jessica Parker, who was there to pay tribute to the late Alexander McQueen (one of my all-time favorite designers). McQueen, who committed suicide earlier this year, had one last line in the works, including this dress SJP wore to the event. And her Stephen Russell jewelry was pitch perfect - stunning diamond cluster earrings and a series of statement bangles (one of her favorite looks of late).



Check out Jewelry.com today for a roundup of the night's big winners, including the fab Alexis Bittar who took home the Accessories Designer of the Year award.