Archive for January, 2009

Onyx and Gold Dangle Earrings $135

Last night, I saw the movie “Bride Wars.” In the first few minutes, there’s Anne Hathaway, looking as gorgeous as ever, wearing the chandelier earrings we sell! I was so excited.

And, as I sit here writing, our first-ever YouTube video is now live. Check it out and enjoy!

Golden Fortune Life is a Circle Bag $58

The Life is a Circle Bag was selected as New Age Retailer’s “Best in Show” at the NY International Gift Fair.

Multi Tie Tote $85

In the news are the recycled bags we carry. Congrats to Rebagz for having its Multi Tie Tote named InStyle magazine’s “#1 Eco-bag”.

Sun Rice Cinchy Tote $90

And congrats to the Cinchy Tote being Spa Life magazine’s one of the “9 Must-Haves of 2009.”

Definitely an exciting week for the Passionate Collector team!

Four good-looking young women wearing “Wanna Get Lucky” t-shirts walk into a bar. This sounds like the beginning of a raunchy joke, but no, it’s the beginning of our videotaping for the guysguidetojewelry.com and thepassionatecollector.com.

It takes a bit of arm-twisting to get people to talk on camera. And, there are definitely the looky-loos who watch but don’t want to be taped. But with those brave enough to talk, you never know when you will go down an unforgettable path.

"Wanna Get Lucky" t-shirt

Women have this way of commenting that connotes a tenderness and emotional approval of what is said. It’s an “aahh” that doesn’t sound like a Schweppes commercial, but rather an intonation that signifies an inherent sweetness. We seem to respond to comments that are heartfelt in much the same fashion as we do to a beautiful puppy or baby that does something unexpected, and very, very endearing.

Some of our interviewees were very funny and warm, and almost surprisingly so, but the big, grown men who talked about having every day with their mates be so special to them, elicited that special “aahh” from the five of us (four young women and me!). It was interesting to me that we’d all simultaneously make that same sound–it must have some significance (although certainly it is not statistically valid). We also got some hilarious and truly unbelievable comments from people–you must take a look.

We will be posting the video very soon and look forward to your comments.

Btw, what do you think of these shirts? Want one?????

Ok actually I don’t have a countdown. That would be kind of excessive and creepy. 17 days folks until Valentines day, not a lot of time. Heres the breakdown for a great Valentines day experience:

• Finding the perfect Valentines Day gift: 5 days of non-stop shopping on Guys Guide and Passionate Collector.
• Wrapping the gift: 2 days (it has to be good!).
• Finding a good hiding place for the Valentines Day gift: 1 day.
• Creating the best Valentines Dinner possible: 9 days minimum.

Having the best 2009 Valentines Day ever: Priceless.

A Red Heart Encrusted in Swarovski Crystals $120.00

Time is a precious thing. To all my fellow guys out there trying to make their girl happy this year for Valentines Day; lets not mess this one up boys.

We flew to NYC on Sunday.

A great place to go, only we were supposed to go to Miami for an Internet Retailers’ Conference. My husband said he would go to NY to take care of the flood assessment and I should continue to the conference, but, you know how it is, I needed to see for myself what damage there was. I knew I wouldn’t be able to concentrate until I had done that.

Oh well.

So my suitcase is packed with some cold-weather, mop-up gear and some Miami conference gear, and my workout clothes for good measure.

After we got the news of the flood, I repacked the suitcase, took off my good JennaViv ring (seriously, those 29 carats of caramel tourmaline should probably stay safe at home rather than on some clean-up member’s finger—see pix in previous post) and put the heels back in my closet. I figured if I ever got down to Miami in time, I’d probably 86 the heels anyway.

I travel a lot and I always find it difficult to pack a suitcase, never knowing exactly what to bring. It’s not as easy as people think.

As the owner of a jewelry business, is it incumbent upon me to be wearing my pieces all the time? I used to bring more jewelry with me but I’ve cut down after my carry-on was stolen last year (that’s another story).

What do you think? Got any packing tips on clothing and jewelry? Do you have pieces that you must always travel with? And how do you cut down the number of shoes so your feet survive and you look chic enough?

Art Deco Ring in 18K White Gold - $6,165.00 Would you buy this online?

Btw, while chatting with the guy next to me (a gizmo manufacturer), I told him I sold jewelry on the Internet. He asked me if it was low-end or high-end jewelry and when I explained that we carry a very broad array of jewelry at great prices, he said that (in general) his concern would be that if he spent a few grand for jewelry on the internet, is he getting the real thing? Are the diamonds really real?

Is that your concern, too? How can we best assuage your fears about that? Talk to me. We really want to know.

Oh man, I wish I could have been there!

I felt fortunate to watch the inauguration yesterday with 15 other co-workers. I watched from the middle of the quartet to the swearing in. Barack Obama is a great speaker. Let me just throw that out there right now. I felt like his speech really wrapped everything up when he was talking about where this country started and where we are now.

As is in our own lives (uh oh this is getting serious). But really its cool to be part of a country that has come so far and sacrificed a lot, makes me think what can I do and what am I doing to help the greater good.

Michelle Obama would look great in these! Has that 'Patriotic' feel to 'em

I’ve been blogging for the passionate collector now for a couple months and from my experience of diving into the jewelry world I have to say its a fun thing to be part of. My theory on fashion has altered a little bit on what it is. It’s a statement. An expression. A style. A personality portrayal.

I use to think it was just a bunch of People magazine wannabe glob. I look at things a big different now though which I think helps the greater good. Understand people. Helping others. Nuff’ said.