Tiffany 2016 Blue Book Collection: The Art of Transformation

earrings of cushion cut tanzanites with fish of round diamonds and blue caprian elbaite tourmalines ($50,000) / octopus brooch of a baroque pearl with round diamonds and sapphires ($155,000) / cuff of round diamonds ($275,000)

Following up on last year's "Art of the Sea" theme, the Tiffany & Co. Blue Book Collection turns its attention to the wider natural world for 2016. Dubbed "The Art of Transformation," this year's Blue Book once again plumbs the depths of the ocean with watery blue and green jewels, then returns to shore with decadent diamonds in earth tones.

Embroidered Patches & Pins by Macon & Lesquoy

[all photos via @maconetlesquoy]

Setting out to create a line of "fashion objects" that would be both useful and precious, French designers Marie Macon and Anne-Laure Lesquoy settled on artfully embroidered accessories as the bones of their eponymous collection launched in 2009. Designing both cheeky iron-on patches and delicate hand-stitched pins, Macon & Lesquoy lend an air of whimsy to the fine art of embroidery, with accessible prices to boot.

The Well-Appointed Catwalk's Top 5 Posts of 2015

Another year down! Thanks to all of you who have read, commented and otherwise shown some love to The Well-Appointed Catwalk throughout 2015. The posts that have been most popular this year have proven that your tastes are just as varied as mine when it comes to design. From couture to kitchen islands, here are the top 5 most-read from 2015 (excluding giveaways, of course). Catch up in case you missed a few, and let me know what you'd like to see more of in the new year. I do this all for you, after all!

1. Every Final Look from Spring 2015 Couture Week

Spring 2015 Couture Week has come to an end, and what a week it was. Shaking of the confines of commercial viability, designers save their most imaginative (and often outlandish) creations for these biannual couture shows. And the most dramatic look, of course, is usually saved for last.
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One Gift: Marble Watch by Analog Watch Co.

The 'One Gift' series is a different kind of holiday gift guide. Every few days leading up to Christmas, I'll be handpicking just one truly amazing gift to inspire you as you shop this holiday season. The full series (plus guides from years past) will be collected here. Happy gifting!

No logo, no numbers, just a sleek little marble sculpture for your wrist. After years of domination by oversized gold watches, the Mason Watch collection by Analog Watch Co. is a breath of fresh air for minimalists. Completely unisex, the Mason comes with a choice of black or tan strap, black or white marble body and circular or hexagonal shape to please just about anybody.

Following the success of Analog's flexible wood band Carpenter Watch, the company designed the Mason to show off the one-of-a-kind natural beauty of stone. Each genuine marble body is precision cut and combined with Swiss-made movement and a top-grain leather strap hand crafted by Amish leathersmiths in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Retailing for $299.99, the Mason is available to ship from Analog's website before Christmas. Here's to checking some hard-to-shop-for dapper dressers off your list!

Ethical Engagement Rings by Boston's Laura Preshong

SPONSORED POST 

My wedding may have been nearly two years ago, but you don't think that would stop be from obsessing over gorgeous gowns, floral arrangements and engagement rings, do you? I'm awfully particular when it comes to the latter, though, opting for  modern and minimalist or uniquely vintage and absolutely nothing in between. Boston jeweler Laura Preshong has both those camps covered with remarkable style, heirloom craftsmanship and ethical materials all in one pretty little package.

Just take at a look at the Victorian-inspired Ma Jolie ring above. I thought I hated halo-style rings after seeing them on every well-heeled bride-to-be in the 2000 and aughts, but add in an unusual floating design and square shape, and it's a whole new ball game. With .20 carats surrounding the center stone, the Ma Jolie is available in platinum or white, yellow, or rose gold with a matte or high polish finish.

All of Laura Preshong's pieces incorporate vintage- or nature-inspired designs and each is handmade and set in the Boston studio using 100% SCS recycled metals and ethical Canadian diamonds. If you're in the market for an engagement ring or just a little something sparkly, you can check out the studio at 558 Tremont Street in Boston or online.

*This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions expressed here are my own. Read about my policies regarding sponsorship here.

Midweek Covet: Steven Alan Time Traveler Watch

I've never worn a watch. Call me crazy, but the idea of wearing the same accessory on my wrist every single day seems tedious. Sure, I've admired the chunky rose gold timepieces of fashion-conscious friends, but I just never jumped on the bandwagon. Then, this beauty from Steven Alan popped up in my inbox and stopped me cold.

The Time Traveler Watch ($395) is pretty much the antithesis of the heavy metal watches we've been seeing. It's slim, sleek and perfectly simple, with it's gold-plated stainless steel body and smooth leather strap. Then, of course, there's the dual time settings (twin Japanese automatic movement, in case you care about that sort of thing).

I can see it now: No more counting backwards seven hours on my fingers to call friends and family back in Boston. See? It practically a necessity for expats like me!

Eye of the Beholder by AnaKatarina Design

I guess things have been skewing pretty masculine around here lately, what with all the wood sunglasses and superhero clothing. So, how about this little gem from Boston designer Ana-Katarina Vinkler-Petrovic, the inspiring talent behind AnaKatarina Design?

As the first piece in the designer's "Eye of the Beholder" collection, this pendant features a Brazilian agate cameo set in 18k recycled rose gold and surrounded by fair-trade Vietnamese pink rubies. True to form, no detail has been left unturned, from the careful handcrafting of the cameo by a fourth-generation German master carver to a tiny diamond finishing off the clasp.

The version seen here is available through the designer and L.A. showroom Roseark for $6,600, but the custom options are even dreamier.

Tiffany 2015 Blue Book Collection: The Art of the Sea

ring with a 21.66-carat chrysocolla, surrounded by sapphires in platinum / flexible bracelet of Montana sapphires, blue sapphires and diamonds in blackened platinum [all photos courtesy of Tiffany]

After showing off a few pieces at the Oscars on the necks, wrists and lobes of starlets, the folks at Tiffany gave me a preview of its 2015 Blue Book collection, and it's exquisite! The annual Blue Book collection includes some of Tiffany's most over-the-top baubles, and this year's is the first to be curated by Tiffany Design Director F. Amfitheatrof.

With "The Art of the Sea" as its theme, this Blue Book collection is full of fluid designs and watery gems that capture the energy and movement of the sea perfectly.

Get the Look: Marble & Brass

Last week, I posted 14 glamorous interiors in marble and brass, and I promised you a way to get the look without undertaking a major renovation. Well, here you have it: loads of marble and brass products to adorn both your home and your body in just about every price range. Click on the arrows above to scroll through them all.

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts That Give Back Part II

eyeshadow / ornament / sunglasses / water bottle / women's sweatshirt / men's sweatshirt / ring / mug / backpack / hand cream / candle

I know it's awfully late in the game for a holiday gift guide, but let's face it: you probably have some shopping left to do. Besides, I found so many wonderful gifts with a charitable component that I'd be remiss not to share them with you. And no need to shell out for overnight shipping. Many of these can be found at your local mall.

8 Gift Ideas for the 8 Nights of Hanukkah

chocolates / pillow / menorah / earrings / platter & bowl / coasters / cookbook / dreidel

Happy Hanukkah! The Jewish festival of lights begins tonight, and what better way to celebrate than with some seriously updated traditions? Michael Aram's Rock Menorah is a super modern stunner, while this Lucite dreidel by Jonathan Adler puts a new spin (see what I did there?) on an old game. The foil-flavored chocolate coins of my youth get a much-needed upgrade with Veruca Chocolates' Gelt for Grownups in dark chocolate with sea salt, and Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi will come in handy for a holiday meal. (I got no fewer than three of these books for my wedding shower, and it's simply gorgeous—as much coffee table book as cookbook.) This latke plate and dip bowl are simply a necessity for serving fried deliciousness, and an Oy Vey pillow adds just the right amount of kitsch. And, I may be playing fast and loose with the Hanukkah theme here, but these blue and white sparklers from Dannijo and blue and silver Rablabs coasters certainly put me in a festive mood!

Baubles and Bling from JewelryStorm

clockwise from top left: Amalda Necklace ($42) / Marble Spike Cuff ($32) / Curved Double Bar Pendant ($30) / Endless Arrow Midi Ring ($28) / Crystal Aztec Drops ($36) / Fluted Columns Midi Ring ($26) / Looped Nail Bracelet ($32) / Blooming Glam Drops ($28)

I like my costume jewelry to be two things: sparkly and cheap. JewelryStorm, a homegrown company run out of Boston, hits both those marks. Falling right in that sweet spot between BaubleBar's low prices and J.Crew's high quality (with prices to match), Jewelry Storm offers  the same type of glittery, trendy baubles as both retailers.

The team at Jewelry Storm was kind enough to send me a couple of pieces to try out, and I've so far worn the Amalda Necklace ($42) to a Boston Ballet performance of Swan Lake, to dinner and to work, and I was lauded with compliments each time.

Also on my wish list  are the vintage-y Crystal Aztec Drops ($36), the Blooming Glam Drops ($28), the Endless Arrow Midi Ring ($28) and the understated Curved Double Bar Pendant ($30), as well as a couple of bangles.

Worldwide shipping is free, and JewelryStorm is now offering 15% off the entire site when you create an account. Happy shopping!

Creepy Crawly Jewels by Bernard Delettrez

clockwise from top: Bronze Spiders on Silver Web Necklace / Skulls and Snakes Black Ring with Glass-treated Ruby / Electro Skull Ring with Red and Blue Flowers

Sorry for the silence there, but I have a very good excuse: I was celebrating both my first anniversary and 31st birthday on the beach in Mexico. It was exactly the downtime I needed, and now that I'm back, I'm ready to focus fully on the best holiday that ever was.

While I might be past the stage of dressing up as a slutty pumpkin/nurse/cat, it doesn't mean I can't get into the full spirit of Halloween. So, today, I bring you the creepy crawly world of Bernard Delettrez, whose bejeweled spiders, skulls and evil eyes are even more lust worthy than a pillowcase full of candy.

Nordstrom Loves BaubleBar Debuts Today

I take my jewelry chunky and cheap, and if you're a girl after my own heart, you're probably no stranger to BaubleBar. The online purveyor is known for being both perfectly on-trend and perfectly priced, with jewels that look like they've been ripped from a J.Crew catalog (at about half the cost). And, now, BaubleBar is going brick and mortar at 35 Nordstrom locations across the country.

Beginning today, the department store is playing host to the "Nordstrom Loves BaubleBar" Pop-Up, a selection of serious statement jewelry, including 15 exclusive styles for Nordstrom customers. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings all range from $24 to $68 and are available both in stores and online. Click through to see more from the collection...

WTF?! Moment: Inés Figaredo Nose Jewelry

Because sometimes design is so absurd, so out there, that there's nothing to say but WTF?!

Inés Figaredo Fall/Winter 14-15 Lookbook

You already know that I love Inés Figaredo to pieces. Her style is quirky, her imagination incomparable, and her designs pure magic. But even great talents get it wrong every now and then, and pearl boogers are just so, so wrong. Outlandishness is Figaredo's signature, and while I'd die for one of her eye handbags and can even get behind her use of human hair, there's something about her new nose jewelry that just makes my skin crawl.

It's all subjective, though, and those pearl-stuffed noses are just a minor stumble in Figaredo's otherwise stunning FW '14 lookbook. Click through to view more of her latest designs, which are equally unique and just a little less icky.

High Fashion Halloween

Desiree bat-print suede pumps ($875) and Sucker for Pandora Perspex box clutch ($1,565) by Charlotte Olympia

Too cool to play dress up this Halloween? Well, shame on you! But if you must be a grinch on my most favorite of holidays, the least you can do is don a spooky design or two. From Charlotte Olympia's bloodlust to Kenzo's uber creepy eye print, here are my picks for ghoulish garb that falls far short of costume territory.

Tennis, Anyone?

left to right: Color Block Sofia Dress by Rag & Bone ($298) / SmacEnroe Tennis Necklace by Wendy Brandes ($200)

Wimbledon may have wrapped up over the weekend, but that doesn't mean tennis-inspired style goes out the window. This little Rag & Bone number and the over-the-top SmacEnroe Tennis Necklace by Wendy Brandes may not quite blend in with club-approved whites, but who wants to blend in anyway? Best of all, they're both on sale!

BaubleBar & Bonobos in Boston (Say it Three Times Fast)

Wedding season is upon us, and BaubleBar is teaming up with Bonobos just in time. The online jewelry Mecca is moving into the Bonobos Guideshop in Back Bay tonight and staying through Sunday, letting Boston couples shop side by side for bow ties, blazers and baubles. But whether or not the mister wants to join me, I know where I'll be spending my lunch break tomorrow!

Designer Discovery: CUCHARA

image courtesy of CUCHARA

At once edgy and elegant, CUCHARA is the brainchild of Edi Caneda. The young Toronto-based designer names '90s pop, grunge and hip hop among her influences, and all are on display in her colorful collection of jewels.

Pairing both faceted and uncut stones with gunmetal chains and spikes, Caneda's designs call to mind those of Lizzie Fortunato and DANNIJO. Fortunately for us, though, there's a pretty significant difference in price point, with handmade CUCHARA pieces topping out at $250.

The label's recent launch stateside has set my expectations high that we'll be seeing plenty of pieces in stores soon. Until then, you can find the collection at CUCHARA's website and locally at Recess in Winchester.

Tel Aviv Photo Diary

A quiet nook in the Google office overlooking downtown Tel Aviv. Thanks to the soon-to-be Mr., I've seen quite a
few Google offices across the U.S., but none with a space as inviting as this one.

Things have finally started to settle down in Boston, and now that I've managed to peel myself away from CNN, how about those Tel Aviv photos that I promised?