Here’s the thing, who doesn’t want a Cartier watch? I mean the name alone makes most people drool, yours truly included, but some of their watches are pretty darn ugly. Just because they are famous doesn’t mean they are perfect and yes I know not everyone has the same taste in accessories as me, but still. Even if you can’t afford one there is no reason you can spend some time ogling them. Like window shopping but on the Internet.

This is a designer brand that both Jackie O and Michelle Obama were/are huge fans of. They have both been photographed wearing their Cartier watches.

These are all top name brand watches, in fact Cartier watches have been around probably since before you were born. They are popular in all circles and a highly prized watch. When you are wearing one you are obviously a person of class and sophistication, at least you will look like one. LOL!

There are a ton of different styles as well. Some are all metal, some have leather straps, others have gold accents and even diamonds. Cartier wrist watches have a pretty wide price range as well, though none of them come cheap exactly.

Watches should be a staple in your jewelry wardrobe whether you are a man or a woman and a Cartier watch is a great start.

Whether you want it to or not, life revolves around time and keeping track can be real hard, all the help you can get is good and a nice watch does all that while showing people how cool and stylish you happen to be.

Technorati Tags: Cartier watches

Bookmark This Blog

Give someone a shopping spree with an Online Gift Certificate from Swarovski!

These are all eye catching and look like they would cost AT LEAST 5 times more than they actually do. If I could, I swear I’d buy everything Swarovski ever made, they come up with such elegant and stylish designs for everything from crystal keychains to dazzling and imaginative pieces of jewelry like in this Alice in Wonderland collection to carvings and even Christmas ornaments.

I have to remember to breathe every time I start looking at their site. I’m not even kidding!

The new Alice jewelry is some of the best Swarovski has ever designed. Each piece is thoughtful and clearly inspired and each of them is going to get tongues wagging. They are quirky, fresh and cool, I want all of them!

Whether you get a necklace, ring, pendant or earrings, they are going to last you a lifetime. If you want to have an item that’s a real conversation piece withou then this Swarovski Alice in Wonderland line is just what you need.

Bookmark This Blog

The thing is that this planet is getting destroyed, dare I say raped (?) from all sides. We are smothering it in pavement, burning the trees that grow from it and soaking the soil with blood on virtually every continent. This is a terrible and tragic thing, that is why now more than ever, we need to start thinking about getting our connection back with Mother Earth. She missing the old ways just as I’m sure deep down many of us do.

We can honor her and life in general in many ways. We can grow our gardens to be healthy and productive, we can go out and volunteer to plant seedlings, we can volunteer at food kitchens and at risk centers for women and children and we can choose to buy ethical jewelry. Jewelry that has a conscience and I can tell you with great certainty that Love and Pride is the top of the heap in terms of ethicals.

They donate a significant amount of each purchase we make to worthy charities and their Love, Peace and Earth collection is outstanding. It’s got more texture and each piece symbolizes the love and peace we should all work on radiating each day of our lives. You can tell by looking at all their rings, watches and necklaces that they are not like other collections of fine jewelry. These are special, they capture the essence of the planet in a way that totally engaging not to mention charming.

Everything that comes from the earth has it’s own energy and life and by wearing these pieces of the earth we get a little piece of that for ourselves. We get to express our love and devotion to Mother Earth as well, what is better than that. Besides they pieces of gay and lesbian jewelry are amazing and are sure to get you lots of complements.

Bookmark This Blog

OTTAWA — Gay and lesbian activists say Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s refusal to refer to gay rights and same-sex marriage in the Canadian Citizenship Guide was an effort to rewrite Canadian history.

Openly gay NDP MP Bill Siksay called it “an unbelievable insult for gay and lesbian Canadians” and said Kenney should apologize.

Helen Kennedy, executive director of the gay-rights group Egale, said the minister assured her in December the omission was “an oversight” and would be fixed.

“I want an explanation. The community is entitled to an explanation. This is not OK,” Kennedy said. “This is a significant part of Canadian history, whether they like it or not, it happened. You can’t change history.”

Kenney said he rejected proposals to discuss gay rights and gay marriage because marriage was not discussed in the previous guide.

“Frankly, if we had accepted every suggestion, the document would have been well over a hundred pages. We had to keep the content fairly brief because it is a study guide for newcomers. We did decide to recognize, for instance Mark Tewksbury — he is a great Canadian and a prominent gay rights activist,” Kenney said on CTV’s Power Play Tuesday.

Joe Varnell, who with his partner were the first same-sex Canadians to be wed, said Kenney’s actions were consistent with the Conservatives’ effort “to push their ideological agenda on the public” and “not surprising.”

“It doesn’t take very long to indicate that gays and lesbians and bisexual and transgendered individuals enjoy equal status and equal rights in this country,” Varnell said.

Charles McVety, the president of Canada Christian College and an opponent of same-sex marriage, supports Kenney’s action.

“The gay and lesbian community is trying to force themselves on all new Canadians. I don’t see that as positive, I see that as negative. I don’t see how that is constructive to building a country that respects everyone,” he said.

Kenney’s action came to light after documents were obtained by the Canadian Press through an access-to-information request.

Bookmark This Blog

I love Love and Pride gay and lesbian jewelry but I wish they could have more pieces like this transgender necklace. Even a site as dedicated to equality almost no jewelry for those who choose to wear their trans pride just like any other member of the LGBT community. At least this online jewelry store has at least one necklace.

It would be amazing for them to design a whole line of transgender jewelry, it would rock! You know it would because everything else from Love and Pride rocks.

Bookmark This Blog

2 sides file pile of paperwork in Prop 8 court case

Opposing sides in the legal battle over same-sex marriage in California have laid out their cases in writing to a federal judge, disputing the status of gays and lesbians in society, the nature of marriage, and the motives behind the ballot measure that defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

Their opponents, representing two same-sex couples and the city of San Francisco, said those purported goals of Prop. 8 were contradicted by overwhelming evidence at a 12-day trial in January that allowing same-sex couples to wed would benefit their children and the institution of marriage. Regardless of the intentions of individual voters, they argued, the Prop. 8 campaign was designed to appeal to fear and deep-seated prejudice.

“The evidence demonstrates that Proposition 8’s actual motivation was moral disapproval of gay and lesbian individuals,” said the measure’s opponents, plaintiffs in the federal court case. They said the ballot measure “sends a message to gay and lesbian individuals that they are not welcome in California.”

The two sides filed hundreds of pages shortly before a midnight deadline, containing sharply contrasting summaries of the evidence presented at last month’s trial, the first ever held in federal court on same-sex marriage.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, presiding over the nonjury trial, plans to review the material before hearing lawyers’ final arguments, which have not yet been scheduled. Walker has indicated that his ruling will include detailed findings on the purposes and effects of Prop. 8, assessments that could hold the key to the measure’s fate in appeals likely to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Prop. 8, approved by 52 percent of the voters in November 2008, amended the California Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage, overturning a May 2008 state Supreme Court ruling that extended marital rights to gays and lesbians. The state court upheld the initiative last May while also upholding 18,000 same-sex marriages performed in the state before Prop. 8 passed.

Because Prop. 8 eliminated rights that the California court had granted, plaintiffs in the federal suit want Walker to put it in the same category as a 1992 Colorado initiative that overturned local gay-rights laws and prohibited future anti-discrimination measures. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Colorado initiative in 1996 and said its sole purpose was to harm a disfavored minority.

Prop. 8’s “express and stated purpose … was to strip gay and lesbian individuals of constitutional rights” they had won in the state court, plaintiffs’ lawyers said. They said Yes on 8 campaign messages “echoed fears that children must be ‘protected’ from gay and lesbian people.”

Imbalance of evidence

The measure’s sponsors, a conservative religious coalition called Protect Marriage, argued that subjective purposes were irrelevant and that Prop. 8 should be judged by its text: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” They also invoked President Obama – who said he opposes same-sex marriage for religious reasons, while also opposing Prop. 8 – as evidence that support for traditional marriage is not based in bigotry.

Friday’s filings reflected, to some degree, the imbalance of evidence at the trial. Opponents of Prop. 8 presented 16 witnesses, including the individual plaintiffs – two gay men from Burbank and two lesbians from Berkeley – and a procession of university researchers to make the case that marriage is a historically evolving institution, that anti-gay discrimination is persistent and same-sex marriage would not affect heterosexuals.

Extending marital rights to gays and lesbians “strengthens the institution of marriage for both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples,” plaintiffs’ lawyers declared, citing their witnesses’ testimony. Despite some recent progress, they said, gays and lesbians “lack political power to defend their basic rights,” are not protected from discrimination by federal laws or the laws of most states, and are the disproportionate targets of hate crimes and of ballot initiatives like Prop. 8.

Witnesses withdrawn

Protect Marriage withdrew four of its six scheduled witnesses at the start of the trial – saying they feared television coverage, which the Supreme Court had blocked – and presented two witnesses, political science Professor Kenneth Miller and the president of the Institute for American Values, David Blankenhorn.

The Prop. 8 sponsors cited research works, but no witness testimony, for one of their central assertions Friday: that “extending marriage to same-sex couples would result in a profound change to the definition, structure, and public meaning of marriage.” Their opponents urged Walker to disregard such assertions, saying they contradict most academic studies and were never tested in court.

Citing Miller’s testimony, Prop. 8’s backers said gays and lesbians have strong political allies, particularly in California, and “have achieved the power they need to effectively pursue their goals through democratic institutions” without judicial intervention.

They cited Blankenhorn and the writings of conservative scholars for the conclusion that marriage is universally defined by “maleness and femaleness” and that one of its central purposes is “the encouragement of procreation under specific conditions” – a purpose best served, they argued, by limiting marriage to a man and a woman.

Read more at SFgate.com

Bookmark This Blog

ICE.com Best Sellers!

Pierced ears have been seen for tens of thousands of years. In fact piercings are one of the first known types of body modification. You can still see Persian carved images showing soldiers wearing earrings. In just about any culture you will find earrings worn by royalty, it’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it?

ICE.com – WEEKLY SPECIAL

Today we have a wide array of choices when we want to buy earrings. Studs have been and always will be a good choice. They are one of the most versatile styles of earrings and while one might think all studs look the same, nothing could be further from the truth.

You can get stud earrings that are solid gold, twisted silver, carved birthstones, brilliant diamonds, I could go on and on, the possibilities are endless. They are great affordable gift ideas too!

Bookmark This Blog

I am not a big fan of bugs in general, but like most people I think butterflies are plenty pretty, especially when they are either fake or at a safe distance. I was reading recently about how Mariah Carey is big on butterflies and I thought I would see if I could put together a post that even she could drool over. I’ve found some great rings and other jewelry that I feel are really amazing and worth sharing. I’ve chosen butterfly rings that showcase a wide range of prices too.

Here is an affordable butterfly ring that’s pretty spectacular. This diamond ring is made with sterling silver, platinum and diamond chips. It’s fun, lively and while it looks expensive it’s actually wonderfully cheap.

This is another gold butterfly ring that is sure to garner plenty of attention. The open gold bands have two exquisitely carved butterflies resting on them with flecks of amethyst and citrine chasing them like bright fireflies. The carved butterflies are made of amethyst and citrine and are the perfect addition to any sundress or bikini.

This is definitely the kind of diamond butterfly jewelry ring that would get Mariah Carey in a tizzy. I love the design, it is just so unique! And the fact that it has diamonds and sapphires, well that says it all in my book and I adore two toned jewelry pieces like this gold butterfly ring.

This too is a hot piece of diamond butterfly jewelry. I love the simplicity of it, the purity. I like the diamonds in the center of the body and the way that the wings of this butterfly ring jewelry are hollow, simply outlines rimmed with yellow gold. All of these glorious stones are set in white gold so that they have maximum sparkle and shine. It is almost, almost as hot as any Mariah Carey butterfly ring.

Technorati Tags: gold butterfly ring, diamond butterfly jewelry

Bookmark This Blog

Drew Barrymore To Be Honored By Gay And Lesbian Alliance
From: Look To The Stars

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced that Golden Globe Award-winning actress and producer Drew Barrymore will receive the Vanguard Award, and Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian Wanda Sykes will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 17 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

The GLAAD Media Awards elevate and promote fair, accurate and inclusive stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, people and allies that have increased awareness, understanding and respect for the lives of LGBT people. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD’s work to bring stories of LGBT people and issues to Americans.

Actress Drew Barrymore will receive the Vanguard Award which is presented to media professionals who have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. In 2009, Barrymore took on the role of the lesbian daughter of a widower played by Robert De Niro in Everybody’s Fine, nominated for Outstanding Film – Wide Release at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, and in 1995 starred in Boys on the Side which won the Outstanding Film award at the 7th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. She also joined thousands of marriage equality advocates in the streets of West Hollywood when the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, which eliminated marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Past recipients of The Vanguard Award include Charlize Theron, Antonio Banderas, Sharon Stone, Eric McCormack, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Kathy Griffin and Whoopi Goldberg.

“I was born, bred and raised among diversity, it has defined me and made me the person I am today,” Barrymore said. “I’m honored and humbled to be receiving this award.”

Comedian Wanda Sykes will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award which is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community. In November 2008, Sykes decided to come out at a Stand Out for Equality rally of over 1,000 people in Las Vegas and announced that she legally married her wife in California. She has spoken out about LGBT issues by appearing in LGBT PSAs, performing at LGBT fundraisers and as a Board Member for the Equality California Institute. The Emmy Award-winner became the first openly gay and first African American woman to be the featured entertainer for the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in 2009 and last year debuted her own late night talk show on FOX. Previous recipients of the Stephen F. Kolzak Award include Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, Bill Condon, Alan Ball, Ellen DeGeneres, and Sir Ian McKellen.

“I am truly honored to receive the Stephen F. Kolzak award,” said Wanda Sykes. “I greatly appreciate the work that GLAAD continues to do, promoting equality, fair representation and tolerance for our LGBT community. I just pray that I don’t ruin what GLAAD has achieved with all of my shenanigans.”

Bookmark This Blog

Name of Gemstone: Chalcedony, Calcedony.

Colors of Calcedony: The beauty of this unusual gemstone is that you can find it in a wide array of colors ranging from yellow to red to blue chalcedony and green, even orange and purple are popular.

They are generally pale in color with a somewhat cloudy tint to them. This gives them a luminous glow that other gemstones can’t match in terms of uniqueness. They are almost always presented as cabochon stones in pendants, rings and even bracelets and earrings.

Description: Chalcedony is a fine fibrous quartz that forms fantastically rounded crusts, rinds, or stalactites in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.

This unique gemstone is a precious stone that occurs in many forms. Turns out that this is an umbrella range of stones that go by many different names such as:

Caring for Calcedony: Protect chalcedony from scratches the best you can and do not clean the stones with harsh chemicals. Try plain water and a soft cloth that will not scratch the finely polished finish. This probably goes without saying but you might want to avoid hitting your blue chalcedony jewelry (or other color) with a hammer because guess what? That can damage the stone.

History of Chalecedony:

In many different cultures it has been used in carvings, it still is today. In Florence in the last 16th century they were used in in commesso, or a florentine mosaic. They use this technique of creating pictures with thin cut to shape pieces of various colored gemstones. This art form is still practiced today. It can be used as tabletops or wall panels.

Collectibility: More and more people are getting familiar with this unique gemstone. There are many collectors of chalcedony in it’s entire rainbow of colors. You can find it in virtually any type of jewelry and it is a well wearing stone.

Healing Powers: This glowing stone is long believed to banish fear, hysteria, depression, mental illness and sadness. Some claim that it will even reduce fever in the ill.
Mystical power: Chalcedony prevents from touchiness and melancholy. Worn by many to promote calm and peace. Chalcedony also stimulates creativity.

Where Chalcedony is Found: The most sought after chalcedony is found in:

If you are looking for a piece of jewelry that is like no other on the market then you want to take a good long look at chalcedony jewelry, whether you choose blue chalcedony, red, green, yellow or brown, they are all unique and bold.

Bookmark This Blog