Heather Hyde Jewelry is inspired by old world royalty, Hollywood glamour, family heirlooms, and nature, is made from a wide variety of different mediums.

The collection is a favorite among such trendsetting celebrities as Mischa Barton, Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Rihanna, Christina Ricci and Gabrielle Union.

All these jewels are handmade, instead of cast or machine-made. Every piece is uniquely different. She also creates one-of-a-kind pieces using vintage materials.

Here are two of the highlites from the collection:
Sea Notes - check out this charming brass enamel fish on a mid-length gold fill chain necklace.

Bauble-icious with textured glass pearls on a lightweight Gold or Silver chain. The best is that it comes in a crazy amount of colors to pick from!  Blueberry, Pink Grapefruit, Coconut, Toasted Almond, Licorice, Cotton Candy, Red Cherry, Icy Mint, Grape, Sweet Lavender  

Hayley Schwartz is the Hay behind HayLuv. With a background in fashion photography she’s now moved in front of the camera - not modeling but rather designing jewels.

Hayley, is originally from Canada and moved to the US a few years ago where she was walking down the street in a piece she made for herself and received so many inquiries that she decided to begin making them for everyone.

Right in style with long draping chains are Sassy Ice with a large hammered ring & faceted crystal (featured in Zink Magazine); and Midnight Glam Shortcake a hammered oval chain necklace with faceted onyx & crystal details. This super glam style has been spotted on Hayden Panetierre.  

Chocolate now comes in pearls and diamonds. Oh my. Stunning.

Le Vian Chocolatier designs up the best non-fattening chocolate. My fascination with “Chocolate Diamonds” is not only related to their rarity, but also to how well the color range fits into today’s popular earth tone colors.

The “Le Vian® Chocolatiers” have taken this passion to an art, creating “Sweet Chocolate Diamonds”, “Chocolate Diamond Truffle”, “Chunky Chocolate Diamonds” and “Chocolate Diamond Timepieces”.

I’ll take a whole box of diamonds please!

I have to give credit to my husband for my fav christmas gift - and a uber find to share with you. Arielle de Pinto does these crazy hand hand crocheted necklaces from sterling silver and vermeil metal.

Every piece conforms to style design and dimension, yet each is individual with an uninhibited rawness.
 
My Simple 3x is a 53” that’s bang on trend as a long chain, or wraps around up to three times. Not only that - it easily settles the age old dilemma on whether or not to mix’n match silver and gold!!

One half of mine is all silver, and the bottom half is all gold. It has a bit of overlapping twisted and tangled in both of the joining points - and literally threads of single chains dripping here and there for edgy fashion.

Love Love it. My boy has great taste. ;)

Maya Brenner’s necklaces put a whole new spin on the charm concept. Her latest addition is the combo of astrology symbols with a matching birthstone ring hung together on a really pretty gold chain. Even the chain is unique.

If Maya Brenner’s zodiacs don’t have you seeing stars - then check out one of my other picks. The Garnet Laybrinth or The Watch Over You necklace with both a 14k gold Buddha and an angel. For when you have to cover your religious bases! 

BabaKul’s new Hippie Goddess collection is all about the cocktail rings. BabaKul (meaning hippie in French) is the love child of two former True Religion designers. These baubles combine precious metals with oversized healing stones - and include their signature symbols of a flower, start, moon and peace sign.

I also like my fall accessories dark, like this triple decker of jet sparkle. Liz Claiborne has a one size fits all elasticized Downtown Diva Flex Crystal Ring.   Or check out this spiral ring from ex-Cartier designer, Hannah Martin, from the It’s Only Rock’n Roll collection.
 

The It Lists got a sneak peak at some of Virgins, Saints, & Angels new line.

From Spain to Mexico to Hollywood, stylists and celebrities are flocking to Virgins Saints and Angels for jewelry adorned with powerful images like The Virgin of Guadalupe, Eve, Mary Magdalene, Frida Kahlo and more…

Goddess inspired pieces offered in chains, buckles and pendants and are thought to bring peace to the wearer and give protection from evil spirits; and encourage enlightenment, expression, and creativity by incorporating imagery and symbolism borrowed from life in Mexico.

While more traditional rings, earrings and necklaces are available, but the belt buckles are my fashion picks. The gorgeous mosaic belt buckles are stunning art pieces. Ornate yet feminine they lend a rock ‘n’ roll edge to jeans and tee or all dressed up.

VSA is a staple at boutiques like Lisa Rinna’s belle gray, and spotted on John Galliano, Madonna, Jessica and Ashley Simpson, David Navarro, Robbie Williams, Alanis Morissette, Tim McGraw, and Usher.

My favorite accessory is a watch. But I have to admit I’m notorious for not having it set to the right time (or time zone), but that’s another story. I think three fun brands - that don’t fall apart and are also affordable enough to own many -  would be Fossil, Timex and Marc Jacobs (darling of the season). Here are my pics…

Gold-tone watch with leather strap, Timex (saw this in Dec InStyle Mag). Patent leather watch (also comes in white but I’d destroy that - I’ll stick to blue) Marc by Marc Jacobs. Fossil’s Retro Rectangle and disc chain - but also worth checking is the Frank Gehry and Fossil Motion that has an animated dial in retro patterns.

Update: Dec 22  I finally had to call Timex for details on the gold and rawhide watch. I tried the Canadian customer service and let’s just say that was a painful experience. I do have to give kudos to the lovely, helpful woman with the southern drawl on the USA side. Turns out they’re sold out until after Xmas (more soon they promise). In the meantime there is still some stock of a  similiar black one.

Or if you’re on www.timex.com the stock numbers to search:

• brown  T2M251* (make sure to put in the *)
• black T2M281

Just spent the last few days in Seattle with my husband and dog; we set up camp at the W Hotel. It’s ridiculous how dog friendly that hotel is - I think Theo was treated better than we were. His stay included a W dog bed, matching ‘woof’ placemat and bowls, stick, ball, cookie, and a special poo bag.

I managed to squish in some Christmas shopping. You know the theory - one for you, two for me. Including a little stop by Tiffany.

I drool over the entire Frank Gehry collection (of Bilboa fame), but in my budget I pointed out to my husband my wishlist that included a bit of the classic, Paloma Picasso X Pendant (in gold, or the silver with the solo diamond) and new Tiffany 1837™ lock ring (love that on the tiny locket it says 925; the stamp that it’s real sterling).

The only problem is that if I get the X pendant then there’s always the need to compliment it with the Love & Kisses ring!

Faint Jewelry is always fun, fashionable, fresh - and always original! Kristin Balter collects Swarovski crystal from Austria, firepolished glass from Czech Republic, and murano glass from Italy and then hand makes jewel creations in Vancouver, BC.

Last spring I tripped upon Faint looking for a bit of fun sparkle. I’m the proud owner of this chocolate and baby blue combo. The "shimmering gem blue droplet" on the bottom is plastic, but as Erika’s grandma used to say "a man on horseback couldn’t tell," or if he was sitting next to you. Maybe if they were laying bedside. ;) Bottom line is that you get enough sparkle for your buck. 

The latest fall line looks to be the best yet - even better quality & better style. From jet black jewels (I’m addicted to and can’t stop buying) to this great Francesca Fiore blue larimar and rubellite drop necklace (middle below) that comes in a 30" length - which is perfect for doubling up and getting the trendy multi-chain look.

You can buy Faint online at Snazzy Girl (which is all Canadian pricing!) and if you’re actually in Faint’s hometown try Rain Salon.