Friday Favorites: Going Gray

Have you noticed all the interest in gray hair this month? First, Vogue taps quirky model fave Kristen McMenamy to appear in a huge fashion spread shot by David Sims, and then Lady Gaga shows up on the Nick Knight-shot cover of the September issue of Vanity Fair also sporting long, gray tresses. Kelly Osbourne has even been seen around town in a light gray/lavender ‘do, adding to the notion that the color isn’t just for high-end magazine shoots.

While I absolutely loved the McMenamy shoot and really like the Gaga cover, it’s not necessarily easy to pull off this look in real life. So why not just invest in a gorgeous gray bag and call it a day? Here are my Friday favorites for this week:

Chanel Gray Distressed Lambskin Quilted Large Classic Reissue Double Flap Bag. Just a perfect, classic bag in a very chic shade of gray. Want. This. Bag.

Alexander McQueen Flapper Shoulder Bag. The perfect boho chic summer tote. The strap is adjustable for easy cross-body carrying.

Zac Posen Grey Leather Daisy Shoulder Bag. The chunky gold chain and leather detailing make this bag totally unique.

Totally Two-tone

Leighton Meester looks like the all-American girl while filming Gossip Girl in NYC yesterday. While I really like her cute red, white and blue outfit (oh those shoes!), I’m particularly taken with her navy and white oversized handbag. I love the stark two-tone color scheme and the structured shape.

There’s something pleasingly preppy about this look, and I have a few similar favorites that I’d love to carry around this summer:

First and foremost, this Hermes toile and barenia leather Birkin is at the top of my list. Impossibly chic and absolutely perfect for the warmer months. While it’s not as stark, I also like the similar lines of this Louis Vuitton canvas and leather Sac de Nuit. Want a pop of color? Try this generously sized Lambertson Truex toile and red leather single flap tote.

Check out more images of Leighton and her tote right here.

Image via JustJared

Green with Envy

I’ve always been a fan of emeralds. It could partially be because it’s my birthstone (May), but I think I’ve always been attracted to the mysterious and delicate nature of emeralds. They are somewhat soft and prone to inclusions (cracks and imperfections) which means that finding a good stone is all the more rare.

It’s nice to see celebrities wearing more emeralds, like Miranda Kerr (left), in a stunning emerald and pearl necklace and Angelina Jolie (right) in emerald drops. Angelina, in particular, is often seen wearing emeralds–I have a feeling she has an affinity for the green stones that goes beyond the aesthetic.

Want to learn more about emeralds? Check out the website for Gemfields, a Zambian emerald mining company. You can learn a lot here about the lore and the history of emeralds, and why they are so precious. You can also shop our selection of emeralds–hopefully you’ll find your own treasure!

Le Fabuleux

It’s another Louis Vuitton for Jessica Simpson! Earlier this week we took a look at her collection of logo luggage, and now she’s rocking a gold Le Fabuleux in Los Angeles. This relatively understated bag is a good look for her–it doesn’t need to scream LV at the world.

I’m a big fan of the Le Fabuleux, and I particularly like our version in white suhali leather. This is a great little summer bag; I like the structured silhouette paired with the gold studs. It’s a little bit business and a little bit rock’n’roll.

City-chic Chanel

Rachel Bilson always mixes high and low in clever, understated ways. Her outfit consists of a simple white t-shirt, cutoff jean shorts, a black cardigan and black Ray Bans. It’s easy to put together the same ensemble on the cheap; but it’s of course the addition of the black lambskin Chanel bag that elevates her look to celebrity-worthy.

This just proves that a perfect accessory splurge can make an entire outfit look like it cost a million bucks. Some things are just worth saving up for, and a classic black Chanel bag will absolutely never go out of style. If you’re looking for something similar to Rachel’s, try this Chanel Ritz jumbo patent quilted flap bag.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow’s First Finds at noon…it’s a collection of new-to-the-site Chanel bags that will have you drooling!

Pack it up

I’m all for traveling in style, but do you think Jessica Simpson has taken it too far with not one, not two, but three pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage at LAX? Obviously she is brand loyal, but the multi-pattern logo bags make a statement that might be a little too aggressive for my tastes.

In my opinion, a better way to go would be with a classic LV roller bag paired with this Hermes Victoria Toile Clemence leather overnight bag. This combo is understated but still says luxury in a big way.

Or, mix it up and go with a logo bag and a solid carry-on. The Louis Vuitton white multicolore Keepall 45 is tons of fun, and goes perfectly with this decadent Salvatore Ferragamo rare off-white ostrich rolling carry-on bag. Even better, score an EXTRA 50% off the Ferragamo bag right now with code HOT at checkout.

Win This ROLEX!

We are so excited to announce our just-launched sweepstakes, and it’s our biggest ever! If you thought the Hermes Birkin we gave away this past January was incredible, take a look at our newest obsession: a 42mm pre-owned 18-karat gold Rolex President!

To buy this watch new, you’d have to fork over around $24,000. Want to try to win it for free? All you have to do is head over to Portero and sign up on the pop-up and you’re entered for your chance to bring home the gold. You’ll also get a special promotional code that will save you 10% off your next purchase on Portero. Good luck!

It’s Complicated

Our new homepage today is filled with some fantastic watches that do more than just tell time. The term “complicated” when referring to timepieces means any other function on a watch outside of the standard hours, minutes and seconds. Some of the most common complications are day/date, chronograph (for measuring short periods of time), moon phases, sunrise/sunset and a perpetual calendar.

The most complicated wristwatch on record is made by Franck Muller. The Aeternitas Mega 4 has 36 complications, 25 of them visible, 1483 components and 1000-year calendar. The Hybris Mechanica Grande Sonnerie comes in second and is powered by the Jaeger LeCoultre Calibre 182 movement, with 26 complications and over 1300 parts.

The great thing about complicated watches is that they don’t necessarily need to be expensive. While certain models retail in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, we have a fantastic selection around $1,000 (and some even lower). Check out our favorites right now.

Heavy Metal

Take a look at today’s homepage to learn more about this week’s best bag trend: Metallics. You can really never go wrong with a bag in silver, gold or bronze–these colors become neutrals that work with any outfit. I love a little glitz or glitter for summer, and metallics are showing up all over fashion–not just in bags and jewelry.  Here are a coupe of my recent favorite looks:

Dakota Fanning in Marie Claire magazine. She’s all grown up and looking gorgeous! You can’t go wrong with a sequined metallic top–it adds a rock and roll edge to a pair of jeans or shorts.

Blake Lively on the Paris set of Gossip Girl. Gold sequins + structured shoulders = totally on trend. Want to see our curated selection of great metallic bags? Click right here to shop.

Now or Never: JUDITH RIPKA

Summer is the perfect time to show off your favorite gemstones–you’re showing a lot of skin, and the bright colors of semiprecious stones just works in the heat. That’s why we are doing a great Judith Ripka Now or Never sale through noon ET tomorrow; these jewels are bold, bright and just in time for the season.

Our current favorites are this fabulous green peridot cocktail ring, this menswear-inspired diamond ID bracelet, and this sapphire and diamond hinge bracelet (similar to a Ripka piece worn by America Ferrara, above).

Other fans of the brand include Cindy Crawford, Debra Messing and Tina Fey (in Ripka, below). Take an EXTRA 15% OFF for 24 hours only by using code NNJR.