Belk Engagement Expos

Throughout 2011, Monet will be one of the of co-sponsors of the famous and successful Belk engagement parties and expos. 

The expos are intended to educate brides throughout the entire engagement process.  Belk provides tips for the bride and groom such as wedding time lines, registry ideas, and classic, affordable jewelry for the bride, bridesmaids and mothers.  Belk has it all.  And boy is there a lot of traffic at these events!

Monet's most popular bridal pieces at these events are usually the crystal items.  Are you more of a pearl or crystal gal? 

Our big crystal stretch bracelet and vintage style chandelier earrings always take the cake!

Don't miss the expos coming up in your area!!!

1/16 Southern Bridal Show Birmingham, AL
1/22 WZYP Huntsville, AL
1/23 Bridal Showcase, Charlotte, NC

1/29 Carolina Weddings Winston Salem, NC

2/5 Wedding Festivals, Greenville SC
2/5 Carolina Wedding Show, Greensboro, NC

2/27 Georgia Bridal Show, Savanna GA

If you go, send your photos to: weddings@monet.com

And, congratulations!!!

¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

We asked you, dear readers, to send pictures of your New Years Eve outfits to us, especially if you wore Monet jewelry to ring in 2011.

Well, we got a few great photos, but none as surprising as this blog post from Spanish actress Paula Echevarria.

Paula is married to famous pop singer David Bustamante, with whom she has one daughter.

But, it sure doesn't look like she sat at home New Year's Eve... Paula and David got all dressed up for a gala dinner with friends and family.
She posted these pictures on her blog, and says about the evening:

"I hope all you had a memorable year-end, in my case has been so. In a beautiful place, a delicious dinner, with the best company (my husband, my daughter and our friends Jose and Olga with their kids), what more could you want?"

Sounds wonderful. 

As you can see, Paula looked beautiful and classic in a long, crimson dress by Spanish designer Kina Fernandez.  Paula says "the vivid red dress was sober, closed front, with low back, a little tail and puffed sleeves."

She also carried a Swarovski studded clutch.

But, by far, the best piece of her outfit, was her Monet brooch she wore pinned to the nape of her low backed dress.   

The pin is part of our vintage pin collection and similar styles can be found here.

Paula, thanks for wearing Monet, you looked stunning!  Here is to a happy, healthy and fun 2011!!!

Modern Mom and Monet Sweepstakes

Modern Mom ROCKS!

GRAND PRIZE INCLUDES:

• Round trip airline tickets for you and a friend to New York City
• 1 night hotel stay
• $500 Monet E-gift certificate for http://www.monet.com/
• Style Consultation and Lunch with Director of Design, Tiffany Bausch

Enter here.

Favorite Fridays

Today's edition of Favorite Friday's is a shout out to one of the most organized bloggers I know, Kimmie Smith of Kitten Lounge. 

Kimmie is connected.  I know that's a silly thing to say about a BLOGGER, but she is truly tapped into other bloggers, fashion houses and html code...

We also hosted a giveaway with Kimmie in November and asked her the following questions about life, living in the big apple, and fashion!

When did you start blogging?
I started blogging in 2004 with a personal blog, then moved on to writing an Accessories only blog which was named Best Accessories Blog 2006 and then created Kitten Lounge in 2007.

What’s the best thing about being a blogger?
As a blogger, it has allowed me to have a distinctive voice and to showcase items that work for my audience. It has also allowed me to be an Accessories Expert which is my focus and to create design collaborations with large brands that will come out in Fall 11 and Spring 12. Ultimately, it allows me to combine all of my fashion knowledge to present how one can live a fashionable lifestyle as a whole.

Why do accessories interest you?
As an Accessories Expert, I love showing how people can create a simple look, a tee and a pair of jeans and yet that it can be enhanced with a number of accessories! It's an easy way to present your personality and to also differentiate yourself from others. I love that accessories are also a great way to invest as you can wear it multiple times without looking like you're wearing the same thing.

What’s your jewelry philosophy?
I believe that you have to have a signature focus and it doesn't have to be just one. I love wearing cuffs and large bracelets and large rings. My necklaces sometimes are small or can be layered and I almost never wear earrings. I love showcasing my neck, hands and wrists. Others may really love to highlight their ears and de-emphasize their wrists. It's all about what is comfortable for you!

What makes an accessory fabulous?A fab accessory is one that becomes your go to piece! You know it always works, you get a lot of compliments on it and it's something you always gravitate towards. At this point it becomes more than a piece bu apart of your signature look and it carries a story with it which adds to your heritage.

Funniest NYC moment?
I don't know if I have an NYC moment that is funny but I do have many that are inspirational. I am always inspired by meeting new designers, watching them make their art and being able to understand their process as a creative person! I have had the honor of talking with Carlos Falchi in his studio while watching them hand sew their bags or to see jewelry designers such as Siman Tu creating pieces in front of me.

Silver or Gold: Silver
Pearls or Gems? Gems
Hoops or Chandeliers? Chandeliers

Trend Thursdays- feathers

Feathers are a trend that never dies. And the F/W 2010 designers showed that fine feathers make fine frocks. Using marabou plumes, ostrich feathers, the creations were versatile. Being dressed in full feathers stands for a certain glamourous allure.

I would definitely rock the feather top, like the Gucci, Givenchy and Rebecca Taylor.  It would be a perfect day to night ensemble. 

Taking the trend a step further Marchesa, Giambattista and Tory Burch show a little leg with feather skirts. 

If youre a bolder type, try the feather jacket.  Pucci, Azzaro and Lanvin offer an array of styles that are stunning for the girl who can pull these off.  Is it you?

In case you do not like to ruffle your feathers, try a feather print or just a little detail like the ostrich-trimmed satin bag by Lanvin.

And good news is, the feather trend is here to stay. So those pieces are definitely great investments.  Here is to flying high in 2011!

LCI Multi Brand Installation

Last year (wow, that is funny to say) one of Liz's Creative Director's, Herta Silva, created, designed and built a LCI brand instillation.   In the past, this instillation has been represented by displaying multiple advertisements from the brands, but this year it is better than ever.

As you get off of the elevator, the entire lobby has been taken over by kate spade.  From the wallpaper, to the decorations to the elevator doors, it is a very branded lobby.  

Elevator bank 1

Elevator bank 2

 

Lobby



Upon entering the instillation you can tell this is NOT like anything we have seen before. Juicy Couture, kate spade, DKNY Jeans, Lucky Brand Jeans and Monet were given one or two 3D representations that are specific to their style, their customer and their identity, as you can see below. Each box represents a brand and its values.

Herta modeled our Monet box after a picture from our winter photo shoot.  It came out great, don't you think?

Notice how she re created the wintery branch look in both the 3D display AND the box.  Genius!  We are really happy with it and proud to be a part of LCI Brands!

What did you wear for New Year's Eve?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


With the deals and sales to be had last week, did you go out and purchase a new outfit for the last day of 2010?  


Did you follow the latest trend and wear sequins?  Did you dance the night away carrying a gold clutch?  Were you cozy in your home wearing the new slippers you got for Christmas?  And most importantly, did you wear Monet jewelry?  


Post a picture to our facebook wall of your outfit!!!


Cheers to a happy and healthy 2011!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.  ~Benjamin Franklin