The Regent Diamond Sits In the Louvre

Photo: go here  - Note the size of the diamond when holding it and look at the perfectly manicured nails! Both are amazing!

The Regent Diamond is the 7th largest of the D-grade colorless diamonds in the world. It is also one of the purest and most brilliant of the known large diamonds. Gemologists think it was mined in Golconda, India between 1698 and 1701. In 1701 an Indian diamond merchant named Jamchand sold the 410-carat uncut diamond to Thomas Pitt, the Governor of Madras, who sent it to England hidden in the shoe of his son, Robert Pitt, where it was perfectly cut by a diamond cutter called Harris, into an internally flawless 140.64-carat brilliant cushion-shaped diamond.

Eventually, Pitt sold the diamond to Philippe d’Orléans, regent for Louis XV, the 5-year-old grandson of Louis XIV of France, which is how it acquired its name. In 1723 the Regent Diamond was set in the coronation crown of King Louis XV. It was reset in 1775 in a new coronation crown for the ill-fated Louis XVI. His wife Queen Marie Antoinette also wore the diamond attached to a black velvet hat. During the French Revolution, the Regent Diamond was stolen (along with the Crown Jewels) but it was later found in a Paris attic.

In 1812 Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte took possession and had the diamond mounted in his sword. After he was defeated at Waterloo and exiled from France, his 2nd wife, Archduchess Marie Louise smuggled the diamond to her native Austria, but her father, Emperor Francis I, returned it to the French Crown Jewels where the Regent Diamond was set in the crowns of France's Louis XVIII, Charles X, Napoleon III, and a Greek style diadem of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napolean III. After France once again dethroned and expelled its royal family, the Regent Diamond ended up at the Louvre Museum in 1887. During the Nazi occupation, the Regent Diamond was sent (along with the Mona Lisa)  to the Loire Vally where it was hidden in the plaster sealing the marble of a fireplace at the Chateau de Chambord, returning to the Louvre after the liberation of Paris and the unconditional surrender of Germany in 1945. The gem is now owned by the French state. 

Cushion cuts have more fire (i.e., colored light) than other diamond cuts. Today the Regent Diamond, an ideal cut, bluish-tinted stone, is on display at the Louvre for public viewing. What an adventurous journey ... with a happy ending. Home sweet home!

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Evening Bags With Glitter

ASOS Top Shop Fliss Diamante Chain Shoulder Bag

Evening bags don't hold much and don't get used daily so I've never wanted to spend over $50 to buy one, and frankly, I don't think we need to do so. The exception is if you find a multi-purpose bag you can dress up or down to use daily or take to galas. Examples include a small Lady Dior, a small Chanel flap bag, or my Coach Marlie Top Handle here.

Nigikala

But what if we're really in the mood to carry some serious shimmering, shiny, sparkle? Oh, lots of fun! Sooo, let's do a roundup of budget-friendly bags with fancy jewels and blinding glitter. All of the bags highlighted today are $50 or less.

Nigikala - technically no glitter but jeweled

I.N.C. International Concepts from Macy's

I.N.C. International Concepts at Macy's

Club Velvet Evening Bag with jewel closure

La Regale at Macy's

If you pin for an evening bag at Macy's that is over $50 -- I saw a ton of cute ones under $100 -- wait for a promotion (like a Friends and Family sale) to roll around or keep checking the Last Act rack (online) to bring its price down to under $50. You can count on Macy's to lower prices on everything eventually. Macy's carries a huge selection of ever-changing inventory that it keeps moving!

Another excellent place to find gently used evening bags is a good 2nd hand store. People tend to buy a glittery bag for a big event, use it a couple of times then give it away after it lays around unused for years. You can find a steal in like-new condition not at the RealReal or Preloved markets (they buy and resell pricey luxury bags) but at Housing Works, The Salvation Army, or Goodwill (they carry donated items)!

I'll go as far as saying if you apply yourself you'll pay less than $20 for your next good quality evening bag!

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A Blazer Paired With Jeans

Old Navy

Fortunately, I live 3 blocks from Old Navy and therefore can pop into the store if I'm walking by it, so I enter frequently. 

The retailer is already putting autumn apparel on its racks, and while I'm still in a summer mindset, I like what I see for the fall. A classic blazer paired with jeans is always a winning combination, suitable for all seasons short of the hottest and stickiest days of the year.

Nike

Banana Republic Factory  and Ralph Lauren

ZEB and Desert Hearts Boutique

Uniqlo

So casual smart is a pair of jeans with a blazer, it's fitting attire for work or play. I'm partial to a black cotton velvet blazer coupled with very dark blue jeans but as you can see the possibilities of colors and price points are many! I love a red blazer too. It's all good: I can do me and you can do you! 

But let's not rush into autumn too quickly. As much as I love this crisp, chic, relaxed look, I'm willing to accept another 6 weeks of hot, sticky long summer days! How about you?🌞  

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Goelia's Award Winning Style Is Affordable

Goelia Design was founded in 1995 by women. The retailer offers superior fabrics, craftsmanship, and style ''at the best possible price" in addition to customer rewards and reductions. We're talking silk dresses, worsted wool trench coats, and leather skirts. The wools are soft and smooth, and the color palette tends to be neutrals. You'll find reasonably priced dresses made of polyester or cotton also.

The details in the pieces are gorgeous! Classic design that's feminine plus a little edginess too. To boot, the clothing is versatile ... going from day to night! Goelia is gifting some of their garments to YouTube vloggers but unfortunately, the company hasn't stumbled upon THE SAVVY SHOPPER with freebies to review.😟

Oh well, my relationship is with my readers, so I'm featuring a sampling of the clothing anyway. Comfortable, wearable, and timeless fashion at a fair price, making Goelia a worthy retailer to discover. Good news readers, Goelia ships to the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia, so be sure you click and peruse the website corresponding to your location.

Do you see a favorite?

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The Tiered Ruffle Dress

Kathy Glitter Stripe Tiered Ruffle Cocktail Dress The Population Dress

I don't know why but thinking about spring and summer makes me want to wear tiered ruffle dresses. Perhaps I'm just so happy and gitty that our balmy sunny seasons are right around the corner, or maybe it's when outdoor temperatures rise, our coats can come off to show tiers of ruffles! So in anticipation of spring, I'm doing a Roundup of Adorable Tiered Ruffle Dresses. They come in an array of lengths and styles from everyday wear to office-appropriate to party-on dresses. Remove your coat, Sister and imagine how much fun twirling in them are!!

1) Tommy Hilfiger, 2) INC, 3) Endless Rose, 4) Betsy & Adam

1) Vince Camuto, 1) Betsy & Adam, 3) Rachel Parcill, 4) CeCe

1) MSK, 2) MSK 3) Taylor, 4) DKNY

1) Lulus, 2) MSK, 3) Lauren Ralph Lauren, 4) Chio's

1) City Studio, 2) Lauren Ralph Lauren, 3) City Studio

A few of the featured tired ruffle dresses are offered in several colors and sometimes a hue changes the mood of the dress from fun and flirty to night out on the town glamourous!

Farm Rio - Nordstrom - the length, not the color of my skirt.

I have a navy and white floral tiered ruffle mid-length silk skirt I brought on sale at Banana Republic years ago that I pair with a solid navy blue GAP t-shirt. It's easy on and I feel like a million bucks happily jetting around Manhattan wearing it! It's a playful mood-lifter!!

Which tiered ruffle dress strikes your fancy? Do you have the style in your closet?

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Jewelry Lovers Come Play With Us

I bought this pair from Italo last summer.

On today's THE SAVVY SHOPPER Angie Smith, who has made a few appearances on the blog is back! Both of us love jewelry and like the variety of styles, decent quality, and affordable price points of Italo Jewelry. All of the retailer's jewelry is 925 sterling silver and lab-grown white sapphires.

Here's our fantasy: We are playing the game of if Italo Jewelry offered us 6 free pairs of earrings which ones would each of us select. The following are our choices:

Debbie's picks:

In real life, all the earrings I possess are post earrings so I picked styles I don't already own which include loops and dangling earrings. I also think hearts would be fun to wear on Valentine's day and skulls on Halloween as I generally stick to the classic styles and don't have any themed styles of earrings. 

💎💍💎💍💎💌💎💎💍💎💍💎💌💎💍💎💍💎💌💎

Angie's picks:

Angie's picks are so smart with classic studs and pearls, a blingy pair for formal events, and she loves emerald-shaped stones. As it happens, I overlooked the gorgeous clover leaf drop earrings until Ang sent me her choices. Excellent tastes, Ang, my Glitter Twin never disappoints!!!

Here's an extra style Agie likes.

Know that this blog is written for fun and not sponsored. Last year I bought the pair of lab-grown white sapphire studs at the top of the blog. They are 4 carats in size and truly sparkle. I have such fun wearing them. Often people mistake them for diamonds, which would cost a fortune in comparison -- a 5-figure sum so over-the-top and perhaps for an average joe/jill not worth the expense. The alternative of lab-grown white sapphires and sterling silver allows us to buy the effect without breaking the bank. One caution though: If ordering from online jewelers including Italo jewelry, try to get your order right so you don't have the hassles or cost of returns. You get free shipping only, not free returns for your mistakes.

Angie, thanks for playing this fantasy game with me today! Fun, fun, fun!!!♥️

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Uniqlo's: Spring 2023 Collections

Uniqlo is launching more than one Spring/Summer collection and each one is super functional and spectacular. Let's consider 3 of its winning offerings.

1) Premium Linen Shirts - Out of all of Uniqlo's products, the label premium has only been used for one product - premium linen shirts. Made from high-quality European Flax Linen and Hemp, linen was once a pricey fabric to buy, but Uniqlo set out to find ways to make it affordable. The retailer's premium linen shirts are breathable, moisture-wicking, and machine-washable. Available in 10 dazzling colors. According to Uniqlo, "Every wash deepens the character of the linen, creating patterns in the fabric."

2) Cutting Edge Activewear - Includes Uniqlo's signature airism technology cut and stitched into UV protection tops and pocketed soft leggings. The cloth is ultra stretchy and quick drying, as well as, super stylish and machine washable. All-weather parkas protect the wearer from the sun and rain. Comes in neutrals and several colors. Why pay competitors more?

3) Dry Crew Neck Short Sleeve Color T-Shirts - The fabric is 66% cotton and 34% polyester which gives the t-shirts a smooth, silky, and moisture-wicking absorbency. You know the quality, wear, and style are top-notch, not to mention, soft if I like the t-shirts since I have a natural bias for 100% cotton material. These drape stylishly on the body as oversized t-shirts and keep you dry, unlike pure cotton t-shirts. For everyday wear, the dry crew neck t-shirts come in 11 colors.

Uniqlo continues to impress with another season of innovative, affordable LifeWear! The price of fast fashion, only the pieces are better made, classic, and durable!

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