Hot Trend: Tiffany & Co. Zodiac Charms by Paloma Picasso

As we celebrate 2010, Tiffany & Co. introduces a new collection from favorite jewelry designer Paloma Picasso. Inspired by the animals of the Chinese zodiac, she offers 12 beautiful charms, one for each year cycle of the horoscope.

“The Chinese zodiac is a wonderful birthday tradition,” said the designer. “We all have a curiosity about the zodiac and whether it influences our lives.”

Paloma’s Chinese Zodiac captures the vitality of each animal — and the human personality it represents – the inquisitive monkey, restless tiger, self-assured rooster, quick-witted horse, passionate dragon, resolute ox, sensitive rabbit, sensual snake, determined ram, loyal dog, patient pig and tenacious rat.

Beautifully handcrafted and innately charming, these 18K gold pieces would make delightfully personalized gift for each of your bridesmaids. To figure out her zodiac sign by year, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac.

Pictured is the Tiger Charm Pendant, photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

Learn more about these and other Paloma Picasso charms at Tiffany & Co. in the Roseville Galleria, 1151 Galleria Boulevard. 916-872-2129. http://www.tiffany.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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Make Scents

This is one of my favorite gifts for brides-to-be (and a unique give idea for your bridesmaids or your groom!).

Sarah Horowitz Parfums, creator of sensational scents for major retailers like Barneys New York, offers a custom fragrance service she calls “Online Journey.”

Here’s how it works:

You visit their Web site at http://www.sarahhorowitz.com/ and click on “Online Journeys.”

Once there, you will be prompted to fill out a questionnaire, asking you to reveal your favorites, like time of day, color and season. From these answers, one of their professional Perfumers will personally blend a fragrance designed especially for you.

I had one of these done once and it was not only fun but also thrilling to wear a scent designed just for me, as none of the fragrances are pre-blended or duplicated from pre-existing concoctions. They keep your recipe on file so you can later enjoy perfume oil, eau de parfum, shower gel, body lotion or massage oil, or for your groom, aftershave lotion.

Take the “journey” before your wedding and create a signature scent for your special day, or give them to your girls as bridesmaid gifts. If you don’t have time to fill out the questionnaire, Sarah also offers a whole line of products available at Hues Hair & Skin in Rocklin and Scruples in South Lake Tahoe.

For more information, visit http://www.sarahhorowitz.com/.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Fun Gift for Your Bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids have got your back! They've always been there -- through good times and bad, sickness and health, and the entire engagement!

So, you want to treat them to a little something something to show your thanks!

You don't have to spend a fortune to show your appreciation. We recently discovered a fab gift idea from Favors by Lisa (www.favorsbylisa.com): the "Build a Perfect Bridesmaids Necklace & Bracelet" Collection. Necklaces are $14 each and the bracelets are $8 each (frankly at that price, you can get one for yourself too -- hey, it's hard planning a wedding, so a little treat for yourself is in order too!).

Don't stress thinking that this is a DIY project -- we know you already have many things on your "to-do" list. Favors by Lisa (www.favorsbylisa.com) builds the necklaces and bracelets specifically for you (right here in the U.S.) based on custom options that you choose, such as color of the glass pearl and ribbon colors. Pearl colors include beige, creme, pink, pewter, silver and white; and satin ribbon options include black, celadon, creme, mint, navy, pink, royal blue and white. And then each of the necklaces and bracelets arrives ready to give in a lovely organza bag.

So get your creativity going, and treat your girls to something special.

For more gift ideas for your bridesmaids, your groom and the groomsmen (not to mention some ideas for your groom to select for you), pick up the newest issue of Real Weddings Magazine!