Boston: Neiman Marcus, Forevermark

I'm always honored to photograph the fashion and beauty events at Neiman Marcus and at this time of the year it's especially nice to capture a little bling, or in this case A LOT of bling. I mean, what's more captivating than diamonds?

Forevermark knows how to do diamonds, and does it well.

This year, the most talked about diamond is a 25-carat rough diamond, which is part of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book fantasty gift. At 1.85 million the fantasy gift includes a trip to De Beers' headquarters in London, a trip off Namibia's coast where the diamond was discovered, and the design of the diamond into a ring by award-winning jewelry designer Maria Canale.

The evening was hosted by Boston's own philanthropist Corinne Grousbeck, who was wearing the incredible L'Wren Scott necklace and whose birthday was celebrated with, what else, "diamond" encrusted cupcakes!

Here's how Neiman Marcus does it, a glittery evening with the lovely Maria Canale and her exquisite diamond creations...

Jeweler Maria Canale is bringing her exclusive collection of pieces to Neiman Marcus in Boston tonight in the hope that the spotlight piece — a necklace of raw and cut diamonds worn by actress Nicole Kidman and worth $1.6 million — will find a local buyer.

The Boston fantasy gift (if sold, $75,000 will be donated to the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown) is an extension of the upscale department store’s famed Christmas Book. In the 2013 edition, shoppers with money to burn can drop $344,500 for a 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante or $1.5 million for an outdoor entertainment system featuring a 201-inch screen and a state-of-the-art speaker system.

Canale plays a part in Neiman’s most expensive fantasy gift — a rare 25-carat Forevermark diamond, which she will design into a ring. The buyer of this $1.85 million gem also gets a trip to De Beers headquarters in London and a boat trip along the Namibian coast where the diamond was found.

“The (fantasy gift) diamond itself is the amount of the gift. It’s going to be pretty awesome,” said the New York-based designer. “We’re taking inquiries now, and we’ll see.”

Whether the diamond experience sells is almost beside the point for Canale, who enjoys its journey on the pop culture conversation circuit. On last week’s “Saturday Night Live,” Seth Meyers cracked a joke about Neiman’s luxury prize.“Give her the gift that says, ‘My wife can never know about us,’ ” he said.

Tonight’s visit to Neiman, hosted by philanthropist Corinne Grousbeck, promised to be glittering — even for women who could never imagine owning something so over-the-top luxe.

“It is a selling event, but it’s also inspiring people,” said Canale. “We take photos of them. We put the jewelry on them. For clothes, you can just try on a dress. But jewelry is a little more intimidating.”

Grousbeck thinks Canale’s necklace can sell tonight.

“It’s so simple,” she said. “I love when important jewelry is dressed down. So wearable and not in your face.”

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/style_fashion/2013/11/maria_canale_brings_her_sparkling_collection_to_boston#sthash.CG5nXwxU.dpuf

Anjolee Diamonds + How To

There's always so much inspiration on the www. Not surprisingly, Pinterest plays a huge roll in giving me my daily dose of inspiration. I came across this image and thought to try it out, myself! And with Anjolee Diamonds sending me beautiful studs, like these diamond stud earrings, I was ready to play a glam roll. Take a gander at Anjolee Jewelry; they make high-end custom jewelry like hoop earrings, and diamond tennis bracelets that add that extra something to any outfit or hairstyle.

Here's my how-to on getting your hair retro chic, and if you have bangs like me, don't worry about them falling out of the clip.

• BaByliss, GT Gold Titanium Straightener
• Tresemme Heat Tamer Protective Spray
• Loreal's Elnett Satin Hairspray
• Goody Spin Pins
• Blingy-brooch-like hair clip from So Good Jewelry

Breakfast At Tiffany's

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