Inauguration Jewels – Be the Belle of the Ball!

Before the excitement of this week’s Inauguration festivities fades into history, I thought it wise to share a way you can capture the feeling forever - in jewels. The celebs came out in droves to the endless Inaugural Balls, wearing gowns, updos and baubles a kimbo. Get their Inaugural looks for less and kickoff your own fashion administration in style.

Yes you can!

We haven’t seen Ashley Judd in a while, but her classic red carpet style is always a winner. Her pearl-drop earrings fit in perfectly with the doyennes of DC , and these white sapphire and pearl drops will impress any economic advisor at only $85 from Zales.










Jennifer Lopez put the pesky marriage rumors to rest, as she and hubby Marc Anthony made a snuggly showing at the Latino Inaugural Ball. Her champagne and black diamond earrings glittered as much as her resurfaced wedding ring. Pop the bubbly for your own pair in 10 karat gold!













Maura Tierney rocked the rotunda with her interlocking circle style. These golden eardrops give you two DC trends in one with cultured pearl drops to bring things full circle.










Earth tones warmed up Gloria Ruben's multi-colored gemstone look at the Creative Coalition Ball - and let’s face it, anything involving heat in a DC winter is a welcome sight. These smoky quartz, garnet, and citrine earrings keep the home fires burning and the ball gowns glowing. And they’re on sale !









Last but certainly not least is a diamond look worn by our First Lady, who danced the night away at what seemed like an endless ball circuit. Luckily, she had a capable partner to give her a hand.

Earrings Shine at Benjamin Button Premiere

As promised yesterday, here is a glittering recap of the red carpet jewelry fashions at the premiere of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I just watched the Golden Globe nominations, and the film got nods in several big categories - including a Best Actor nomination for Brad Pitt!

The stylists-to-the-stars seemed to agree that a classic earring statement was the jewelry choice for the red carpet walk - from Angelina to J-Lo, Eva Longoria to Julia Ormond. Veteran actress, Mimi Rogers, brought the brooch bling out to shine, and Sharon Stone's oversized diamond dragonfly pin was cause for some serious jewelry buzz. Sorry. Pun intended.

While there were some that overdid it (Alfre Woodard - you are such a great actress but the gold chains aren't working), most of the looks - from today's A-listers to the ladies of yesteryear - were just like the movie. Top notch.

Costume Gala's Heroines and Sidekicks

New York's 'gotta attend otherwise I"ll be relegated to reality T.V.' event of the season is the annual Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala. It's a night in which excess is de rigeur, and the fashion powerhouses sweat tears and pounds worrying whether color is truly back and how high is an acceptable hair-do.

Last night was no exception. The bold, beautiful and brave attended the gala, whose theme this year was superheroes.

In brief - as far as mere onlookers could detect - blue is beautiful, bare necklines are bold and the brave had some serious fashion faux-pas.

Going for blue were Kate Moss, Eve Mendes, Jennifer Lopez and Camille Belle. Apparently Katie Holmes had heard the blue rumor but wasn't ready to take the full step - she fell.

Bare necklines were de rigeur with large diamond and gold earrings off-setting any idea that this was a return to basics. Gold chandelier earrings and large diamond drops were the jewelry stars of the evening, along with large cuff bracelets.

Finally, the bold were taking risks - and failing. Strangely fashion's royal priestess, Anna Wintour took the Superhero theme a pad too far and the uber-elegant Mrs Cruise seemed to forgo color co-ordiantion opting to wear a bright red dress with a pair of bright blue shoes. It didn't work.