“Ooooh,” you find yourself saying. “I really like this one, if the stone was only a princess cut…” Abazias Diamonds, a reputable online destination for building custom engagement rings, is an easy and convenient way for you — and yours truly — to research, build, and purchase your wedding and engagement rings without ever leaving your couch. As an expert in diamonds and fine jewelry, they provide the ultimate online diamond shopping experience.

Bezel Set Round Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

They have an exhaustive amount of loose diamonds to choose from (over 100,000!) and a huge selection of diamond cuts, ring settings, bands, and precious metals. You can browse through existing designs or build your own.

Sapphire Wedding Band With Diamond Accents

The site offers a personal shopper tool, listing of commonly asked questions about diamonds and purchasing online, gemological and appraiser information, guidelines for selecting the perfect setting and stone, and even contests. Seriously, you can’t go wrong. The site is just plain fun.

Titanium Tension Wedding Band

If I was so lucky to do it all over again, and could select a different wedding band, I’d choose a Titanium Tension band or for something a little more untraditional, sapphires with diamond accents. Now, I love my engagement ring, but the Bezel Set Round Cut Diamond and the Pave-Set Marquise Cut Diamond engagement rings are glorious.

Pave-Set Marquise Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

Want more rocks for the big day? Not getting hitched but still love sparkly, shiny diamonds? Not to fret. Abazias also offers a brilliant selection of cocktail and fashion rings, earrings, diamond studs, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, watches – plenty to make you sparkle on or off the aisle.

Because diamonds really are a girl’s best friend.

If you’re anything like me, you’re always in the market for unique jewelry. So, I’m pleased to report that my persistence has paid off yet again. This time, I’ve fallen in love with the resplendent, delicate collection created by San Francisco-based jewelry designer Peggy Li.

Ruby Earrings with Rose Gold | $95

For more than five years, Peggy’s feminine, handmade jewelry has been featured on shows like “What About Brian” and “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer,” and noted in both Oprah magazine and Lucky.

Triple Moon Earrings | $49

Peggy’s inspiration lies in nature. Her latest muse? The organic shapes and finishes of soft metals. (And my personal favorite – rubies with rose gold.)

Brass Locket | $62

Bracelets and necklaces start at 7” and 15”, but she will custom-fit most of her designs to fit that delicate neckline or wrist. Special orders are also welcome – Peggy will help you design the perfect piece for any occasion.

Rose Quartz Dream Necklace | $59

Oh, and from one petite lass to another, Peggy stands an elegant 5’2”…

serafina readers receive a 15% off coupon good from July 10 to July 25. Use “serafina” at checkout.

stone pendant | polished silver and leather cord| $220

ruffled leaf cuff bracelet | matte silver | $650

Simple, clean, and fantastically tailored, the Branch jewelry line remains serene and dramatic.

thin leaf earrings | matte gold | $875

Isn’t nature sweet?

branches ring | silver with polished finish| $95

Branch jewelry can be purchased from the company web site, or you can search for additional retailers through their store locator. Customers outside of the U.S. can place orders with Michelle via e-mail.

Los Angeles locations:

Kristin Londgren
8308 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 653-9200
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Moondance
1530 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(877) 378-1989
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Looking to direct your BFF, special someone, or crazy Aunt Tilda to some fantastic gift ideas for your holiday season? Below are a handful of great options for every petite lass.

If you land on grimel during your dreidel spin, hope that the pot holds Tiffany’s Silver Mesh ring. Tiffany’s ring sizing begins as small as size 4.
$125

Tiffany stores are located in the following domestic and international destinations.

Holiday Clutch
Gold looks good on everyone and Besty Johnson’s gold Cleopatra Clutch is magnificent – no matter how you celebrate.
$125

Find your Betsy Johnson store locator here.

iPod Shuffle
Deck the halls with iPod shuffles. Fa-la-la-la-la. I want the new iPod shuffle not only because it is the latest and greatest iPod, but because it is tiny and I can wear it anywhere, everywhere, anyhow! This little accessory saves 240 songs and is the world’s smallest music player. Best of all: One size fits all.
$79

Don’t know where to buy Apple in your area? Check out their store locator.

Fancy Shoes
A great gift you’ll want to wear to your Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, or Kwanzaa dinners is the Bettye Muller Ballroom t-strap. Made in Italy with a 3-1/4 inch civilized heel; it’s guaranteed to give you the height you need over the in-laws.
$389

You can find the Bettye Muller Ballroom t-strap online at Piperlime (size 5.5) and Simplysoles (size 5.5).

The Lucky Shopping Manual
Looking for little presents to wrap? The Lucky Shopping Manual is the gift that keeps on giving. This little book has helped me on numerous occasions and is joyous bedside reading.
$24

Find your local store locator for Barnes and Noble here.

Lastly, check out the Sweet Savings site for all of your holiday coupon and discount information online and in stores now.

If you yearn for modern, fine-crafted leather accessories and bags, look no further than dean. This Los Angeles-based company sells the good stuff — pre-eminent-quality leather in purses, watchbands, belts, bracelet cuffs, and more.

Dean accessories fit. I especially like the Women’s Studded Cuff and the wide leather watch bands. They are comfortable and look great with just about everything in my closet. In fact, both the cuffs and watchbands grace my six-inch wrist without the requisite extra hole in the band.

With your wrists appropriately accessorized, dean. goes a step further with equal accommodation for your waist. They carry two belts that they can fit to your waist size on the spot. The Spine and Link belts can be adjusted by removing links upon purchase. They’ll do this for you in minutes at the Sunset shop. Both come in a large variety of multicolored leather.

There is a smattering of stores around LA that sell dean. — Ethel and Fred Segal to name a few. However, the best place to purchase dean. is at their flagship store on Sunset in Silverlake:

dean. Store
3918 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 665-2766
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