Making Gold

The 2009 Grammy Awards aired last Sunday, February 8th and many of today's top recording artists took home a golden Grammy of their own. (For the full list of nominees and winners, click here) The stars shined on stage, but some of the red carpet fashions left viewers wanting more (or less) with few celebs dazzling the crowd.

Star Magazine featured their picks of the red carpet in their latest issue, including the golden Zuhair Muhad gown worn by Carrie Underwood and the pale pink Basil Soda gown worn by Katy Perry featured below. Both form-fitted gowns are classic and elegant, flattering the wearers' slender silhouettes.

As seen from the Grammy's, metallics in both silver and gold are still hot for fashion and decor, but I think we'll see gold taking the lead as the months continue. For the holidays, check out our matte gold filigree collection.

More Gifts to Love

CVS pharmacy is running a special for 2-days only! Buy $9.99 or more worth of Dove chococlates and get one of our silvertone heart pendants with a Swarovski crystal for FREE. If you miss the sale, the regular retail is only $2.99 which is still an amazing value for this beautiful necklace. Pair the necklace with some of the other great gifts below from People magazine's Valentine's gift guide. A book of romantic love letters and a set of cupcake bathbombs is sure to impress you're sweetie. For even more ideas, check out our website for Valentine pins, keyrings and more! http://www.gloriaduchin.com/

That Special Something

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Cupid is the latest casualty in the pullback economy. Valentine's shoppers are expected to spend 16.7% less this year compared to last year and look for less expensive ways to say "I love you."

If you're one of those still looking for that special something, look no further. Below are some of my favorite gifts for the season, many of which were featured in the Sunday edition of the New York times and most of them can be yours for under $20.00.


1. Small Stump's Forever Cupcake is baked from plaster to last a lifetime. $14.00 at roseandradish.com
2. USB mix tape by Suck UK for $20.00 at Henri Bendel in NY
3. Marc Jacob's Love Story clutch $795 at Barneys NY stores
4. Handmade DEBO superheroes by Kamibashi bestow special "powers" like making sure your new honey is a good kisser. $10.00 at kamibashi.com
5. Gloria Duchin silvertone heart necklace with pink Swarovski crystal accent available at CVS stores for $2.99
6. Gloria Duchin pink swirl "kiss" lips keyring with Swarovski accent at Walmart.com for $8.88.

Pearls of Wisdom

Glamour is more restrained as fashion takes a cue from the recent economic woes and pares down with more muted hues and subtle jewerly. Pearls are making a comeback in Hollywood because of their modest elegance seen on Salma Hayek, Katherine Heigl and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (right). Pearl drop earrings and vintage style pendants with pearl centers are also making a comeback. Carolee crystal flower ring, carolee.com and white akoya pearl earrings, pearlparadise.com I've also seen a continuing trend of star-shaped jewelry. If you recall, back in July, we first noticed star jewelry in the entry, A Star Spangled Affair. To the right is one of our pearl accented ornaments. This goldtone bulb is hand silk-screened in metallic purple and teal with Swarovski and pearl accents.

Inauguration Day 2009

Tomorrow is the 56th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC. To celebrate, I've listed some Inaugural fun facts below.

• The retail network QVC has already sold more than 100,000 items related to Barack Obama's election. - Associated Press



• Between 1.5 million and 3 million people are expected to attend inauguration ceremonies in Washington, D.C. - The Washington Post



• The Obamas will attend 10 official Inaugural Balls, one more than President George W. Bush and Laura Bush attended in 2005. - Presidential Inaugural Committee



• The most popular Inaugural Ball will be the Illinois State Society Ball. Tickets for that party were sold for $1,150 to $6,500. - The Washington Post



• There will be 5,000 Porta-Potties available on the National Mall and along the Inauguration Parade route on Inauguration Day. That's one for every 300 people. - National Park Service



• Between 15,000 and 18,000 volunteers will be used to help coordinate and work at the various Inaugural events. - Presidential Inaugural Committee



• Barack Obama will take the oath of office using the same Bible upon which President Lincoln was sworn in at his first inauguration. - Library of Congress



• George Washington delivered the shortest Inaugural Address. It was 135 words. - Library of Congress



• President Herbert Hoover's 1929 Inaugural ceremony was the first recorded by talking newsreel. - Presidential Inaugural Committee



• President Harry S. Truman's inaugural speech in 1949 was the first to be televised. - Presidential Inaugural Committee



• The first Inauguration ceremony broadcast on the Internet was President Clinton's second inauguration in 1997. - Clinton Presidential Library

If this has you feeling patriotic, view our collection of Americana themed product on our website, all made right here in the USA. One of our most popular items is this genuine pewter flag photo frame featuring glitter stripes and a Swarovski crystal accent.

Brides turns 75

For three-quarters of a century, Brides magazine has been printing tips and wedding fashion for eager brides ready to set foot down the aisle. In their 75th anniversary edition, there is a feature on wedding gowns and how the styles have changed over the years. One of my favorite dresses is this one from 2006 with cascading tulle tiers by Lazaro.

2009 also marks our company's 30th anniversary and we have produced an ever-changing line of wedding keepsakes and Our First Christmas ornaments over the years. One of our timeless gifts is our 3-tiered silvertone wedding cake which can be customized with engraving on the base to be used as a personalized placeholder or an Our First keepsake.

Birds of a feather

We're back from our holiday vacation and looking forward to what fashion and style may bring for 2009. So far, I see a continuation in the trends of '08, bright colors and a variety of metallics from steel to bronze. I've also noticed that designers and decorators alike are incorporating feathers into their designs, creating an aura of old Hollywood style. Below is a photo of the latest from the Ralph Lauren collection with glittering gold gowns and feather topped hats.

We've introduced new designer keyrings for this year available at walmart.com in the same glamour style. Add some bling to your keys with our high heel pink peep-toe keyring and our pewter martini keyring with Swarovski crystal!