Knock-off Jewelry - Does Duplicity Have a Discount Price Tag? Swarovski Tennis Bracelet Outshines Real Diamonds!

Tired of traveling with jewelry I looked at some "imitation" items that just maybe I could pass-off as the real thing while on the road. My Google search led me (inevitably) to Amazon.

The selections were numerous and wide. Base metals included silver plate, gold plate and platinum plate. Stones are available in broad quality levels, seeming to reach a high end with Swarovski stones.

My favorite was the platinum-plate with Swarovski stones, Platinum Plated Sterling Silver Swarovski Zirconia Princess (5mm) Tennis Bracelet, 7.25".
With over 26 carats this bracelet rivals a 10-11 carat Diamond version.
retail price, $83.68

 Alternately the classic round stone style here, Swarovski Zirconia Round Cut (4mm) Tennis Bracelet, 7.25". With 17.50 Carat weight this bracelet looks like an eight carat Diamond version.
retail price, $52.69

Spring Shopping 2015 - Poshmark, Outnet, Blue & Cream, Forward

Shopping is something I thought I knew everything about. It's my sport, my hobby, my past time and my dream. It goes without saying, in todays' world that I do it almost exclusively online.

So, being a shopping guru meant that I thought that I had seen it all. Until recently. This summer I bounced around a few new sites and struck GOLD with a few. Let me share, with a warning that this information is not for the weak. The sites below offer some serious hardware for true soldiers of fashion and could potentially break your bank.


Forward by Elise Walker: This is a no joke, high end retailer for both women and men. Shop online here and enjoy free 2-day shipping and returns. They take you away from the tedium of shopping on foot and into the comfort of your laptop by setting the traditional brick-and-mortar boutique into a singular online shopping experience. FWRD transcends traditional e-commerce with its combination of first-class customer service and elusive roster of designers and the latest emerging talents, all of style's leading names are here, shot in ever-evolving and striking editorial imagery.

I found the site easy to navigate with a wide selection of quality names. I bought a brand I otherwise would never have known, Cushnie Et Ochs. A fabulous white dress with corset detail, hot.


Blue and Cream: a Hamptons based multi-label Mens & Womens retail clothing store. Since opening it's first retail door in Spring 2004, B&C has built a devoted customer base and garnered massive media attention for it's unique product mix, shopping experience, and celebrity clientele.

B&C is the brainchild of entertainment marketer Jeffrey Goldstein who defined the B&C lifestyle by appealing to the Hamptonite's Jet-set existence. Jeffrey has captured a niche in the highly competitive retail market, and expanded to transcend the online market. They also offer to both women and men.
 
Although there was much to wish for at Blue and Cream, I selected a super-special pair of Pierre Balmain Moto Jeans.
I couldn't be happier!




The Outnet : This was a SCORE by fashion standards. After buying the pricey Balmain jeans (above) I tried a web search for "balmain" and "outlet store" trying to find a cheaper source for similar items. That search led me straight to the Outnet. What luck. Shopping here would be fun!

Described as the most fashionable fashion outlet Since its launch in April 2009 by The NET-A-PORTER Group Ltd, The Outnet.com has established itself as the go-to destination for
the global style-conscious shopper. With new arrivals every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, shopping at The Outnet is guaranteed to take your style to the next level! 

At the Outnet I found one of my favorite designers, Issa London (known as one of Princess Kate's faves). I narrowed down my choice to a flirty fit-and-flare dress which retailed for $695 for a mere $278. wow.

Poshmark: I stumbled onto Poshmark as the result of a web search for a photo of a shoe that I already owned. The classic, red patent leather, Gucci Sophia with an original sticker of $650. I just needed a photo, really. When I clicked to it I was brought to a new pair of the same for the sale price of $385, offers accepted...hmmm

So let me get this straight. 
It was like eBay, but not. These were high end items in someones closet, just looking for a new home. I browsed my seller's other items and found a pair of new, black Dior mules, also listed at $385. I registered as instructed, and made a fair offer of $300 for each pair.


At this point Poshmark holds your offer until accepted. My bids were taken and I scored with over $1300 worth of new shoes for only $600. The items are shipped to you for your approval. Once you give it Poshmark sends the payment to the seller, offering you total protection.

Poshmark works around a theory that you have shopping mates, others who share your particular styles and tastes in fashion. They describe it this way,

Ever wish you had a style-mate and could shop her closet? Now you can. Poshmark connects you to people whose style you adore, allowing you to shop their closets, anytime you’d like.

Have items in your closet that you love, but just don’t wear anymore? List it for sale on Poshmark in less than 60 seconds. Sell what you have in your closet so you can shop for what you really love today.

With Poshmark, you’ll fall in love with your closet…again.

The 2.0 Technology, QR Codes Pave the Way, Single Serve or Carafe? How Smart is Your Coffee Maker? Time for a New Coffee Maker?

I get attached to things. I don't like change. So when an item which I use with regularity needs replacing I tend to freak out a little bit, especially when I find out that it is no longer available. That is what happened with my coffee machine this week. I had an old Breville, with all the bells and whistles.  I started searching and, long story short, there will be no new Breville; they do not make them anymore.








Moving on, I am also a little bit picky. I like a short, 4oz brew which I brew into my mug of steamed and frothed fat-free milk. So I am looking for a machine which allows me to select the ounces for my brew.I found that Keurig had my best options and was surprised to find more... first of all the Keurig K450 Brewing System, Black 2.0 brewing system is the first Keurig system that allows you to brew a piping hot 4-cup carafe with the same ease and convenience of brewing a single-serve cup  — all at the touch of a button.

The Keurig K450 Brewing System, Black brewer also features revolutionary Keurig 2.0 Brewing Technology, designed to read the lid of each K-Cup or K-Carafe pod to brew the perfect beverage every time. STOP. RIGHT. THERE. Read that one more time? It reads the top of the K-Cup's label for the QR code, and then what? It knows what you are making and how to proceed, automatically.

The brewer also features a large 70 ounce Water Reservoir, 2.4 inch color Touch Display, programmable clock, an auto brew option, and a strength control setting for brewing bolder coffee. There’s even a separate setting for hot cocoa and other specialty beverages like chais and mochas. So many choices. Just look for the Keurig logo on your favorite K-Cup pod and K-Carafe pod varieties. The Keurig 2.0 K400 brewing system also includes a Keurig Carafe and K-Cup and K-Carafe pods to get you started.

Anything else? oh yeah, I wasted a lot of time shopping at Bloomingdales, Williams-Sonoma and BBB only to fing that the best retailer for both price and availability was Amazon! Sure...Keurig K450 Brewing System, Black

Roy's Restaurant - A Recent Visit Delights Warwick, RI Fans

I am a huge fan of Roy's Restaurant. My family and friends all indulge me when we are anywhere that happens to play host to a Roy's. Trips out-of-town are immediately better when I am able to settle down after a long day of travel with a few of their unique Patron Skinny Margaritas.

Not too long ago we found ourselves in the Orlando, FL Roy's location. Having been there several times a year we know the staff on a first name basis.

When they found that we were celebrating they took this quick snap of us sharing their Roy's Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle.
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Refreshing Mojitos De Uvas - Rum, Champagne, Green Grapes, Mint Autumn Stalk at Capital Grille Orlando, Linda Maintanis

We took off at Halloween. We said the warm climate would do us both good. Orlando.
Our home away from home. We know the neighborhood well.

We met at the original Capital Grille, Providence and twenty-three years later are still avid fans of their menu.
It goes without saying that with a location in Orlando we would go there at least once.

I've been on a Mojito jag lately. It began in the spring with the acre of fresh mint growing right under my kitchen window. By early summer the introduction of Truvia as my sugar substitute made my Mojitos practically guilt-free. The Skinny-Girl Cocktail blog on Food for Thought was a springboard for many more successful tries. I thought that I had tried every possible variation. Until this trip.

The Capital Grille. Here in Orlando. I checked online
and it looks like it's at every one of their locations.
The Mojitos De Uvas. A classic Mojito, muddled with the addition of green grapes. Then, instead of spritz of soda they top it off with champagne. Wow. It was great.
As you can see.

Narragansett Bay Playground to Luxury Yachts of Rich and Famous Satisfaction Brings Stanley Gruber to Warwick,RI

As sure as the tides rise and fall you can bet your money that certain things will happen every summer on Narragansett Bay. The startling beauty of Rhode Island's waterfront playground always attracts many diverse travelers to the Ocean State. Rumor had it that one in particular, Ron Howard (director and actor),
has spent several summers here enjoying the scenery aboard his yacht.

This summer there's a new luxury yacht cruising the local waters. Shown here as she passes Warwick Country Club, heading north into Greenwich Bay, this Azimut design is a stunner.

Owned by real estate investor Stanley Gruber,
Delray Beach, Florida, this 70 footer has attracted
it's fair share of curiosity seekers. Gruber named
the boat Satisfaction, akin to it's parent corporation,
My Satisfaction LLC, also of Delray Beach.






by Linda Maintanis