Michelle Obama's State Dinner Sparkle

While green was the stand-out color at the Golden Globes, Washington DC was rockin in red as Michelle Obama stepped out at the administration's third State Dinner (with Chinese president Hu Jintao) in a dream of a dress from Alexander McQueen.  

Yes. THE Alexander McQueen - the design house known for reptile shoes, garbage can hats and runway shows that have tongues wagging long after the models go home to nurse their champagne hangovers.

I applaud her decision - not only because it was a risky choice (there were many designers of Chinese descent that could have been selected). But because she looked so darn good!

But enough about the dress (read more excellent McQueen/Michelle analysis here on the Daily Beast). I also loved her jewelry choice - a pair of ruby and geode teardrop earrings in 18kt gold from New York designer, Kimberly McDonald according to the Mrs. O blog.

Geode is having a huge moment, with Kelly Osbourne and Michelle Pfeiffer wearing the stone to the Golden Globes (both by McDonald), and the demand for jewelry made from more 'natural' materials still going strong for 2011.

The stone has a science fiction quality to it, I think - which is why it was the perfect compliment to a floor-length red hot Alexander McQueen masterpiece, whose reptile influences we all know and love (especially these shoes from a few seasons ago).

OK. I'll stop gushing. I'm just so pleased we don't have to endure another pants-suit-pearl-strand-laden First Lady fashion snoresville. Am I right? Somewhere, Jackie O is smiling....

Is Kat Von D Engaged to Jesse James?

Update to original post of September3, 2010): Well, it's official. Jesse James and Kat Von D are engaged, according to People. The vintage(?) diamond ring I spotted on her back in September must have been the real deal. Seems a little fast if you ask me. Hmmm...

Call me crazy, but that is, indeed, a diamond on Kat Von D's ring finger, right?

The heavily-inked artist was out in LA celebrating both the opening of her new gallery, Wonderland, and her new relationship with Sandra Bullock's lying, cheating ex - Jesse James - when photogs snapped a few close-up shots of what appears to be a lovely vintage diamond engagement ring.

While it's no surprise the tattooed twosome found some things in common, they only started dating a month ago - and James' heavily covered cheating scandal still smells like a rat.

But - hey. To each their own.

So far, they say they are just dating. But when People asked Von D if James is 'The One", she told the mag, "I believe he is, so yeah."

Hmmmm....

What do you guys think? Is this a fashion ring or the real deal? Wonder what Sandra thinks of her ex's new gal pal?

Christina Hendricks and the Golden Globe Gaff

Losing important or expensive jewelry is every woman's worst nightmare. Not the 'Lindsay Lohan' way of losing jewelry (e.g. conveniently forgetting to return the loaner in your purse) - but the good old fashioned 'I accidently flushed my engagement ring down the toilet' brand of losing.

Enter Mad Men maven, Christina Hendricks, who lived out the horror at the Golden Globes when she lost an $850,000 diamond Chopard loaner bangle during her walk down the red carpet. When the ravishing red head realized her blingy bangle was MIA, she frantically started asking,

“Have you seen a diamond bracelet? I’ve lost one that looks like this,” pointing to the one sparkly bracelet still fastened to her wrist, according to the New York Post.

At that point, Christina did what any reasonable woman would do. She high-tailed it outta there to retrace her steps. Thankfully an event worker recovered it and handed it back to the star.

A representative from Chopard confirmed she wore a total of 200 (only?!) carats of their diamonds for the show. In addition to the lost and found bracelet, the other one was a 49-carat emerald and Marquis-cut diamond bracelet, also set in platinum.

Wish I would have seen that during the red carpet coverage. Note to E! - we are paying attention!!

All's well that ends well in Christina's case. But not all of us are so lucky. Be sure to bone up on all the latest information to help you protect your jewelry collection in the event of a loss or theft. It's like cuting yourself off from that third martini - it's not a lot of fun, but you'll thank yourself in the morning.