GeekSugar

Tiffany & Co.'s Gold and Diamond Camera Charm Bracelet

GeekSugar — Sat, 31 May 2008 09:00:20 -0700

I'm not typically the kind of girl who is drawn to Tiffany & Co., but when they make such a geeky item, it's an obvious play for my affections!

This Camera Charm Bracelet is 18-carat gold with a little diamond for the lens - that actually rotates. Way too rich for my blood though - $1,500 for the charm alone, and another $1,500 for the chain. Yikes! I guess if you're the kind of girl who drops two grand on an YSL laptop bag, then you're the audience for this.

Still, it's worth a great big sigh, isn't it?

How to Buy an Engagement Ring Online

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:02:31 -0700

Online shopping can be daunting, especially if the item in question is something you want to ensure the authenticity of, like a Wii, a designer handbag, and yes. . . an engagement ring.

I know some of you are groaning about who or why someone would shop online for something so important, but the practice is rising in popularity as shops are becoming more trustworthy and offering better deals, not to mention the fact that the Internet promises something more rare than the cheesy jewelry store at your local mall.

Buying and browsing online for rings is great whether you're the proposer or the proposee - say you're waiting for a proposal but don't want to march in to your local jewelry stores - it's totally ok (and incognito) to check out rings and styles to find what you like. For the tips, read more

My personal favorite kinds of engagement rings are antiques, which can be hard to come by at brick-and-mortar stores, depending on where you live. A good friend of mine proposed last year with a gorgeous and one of a kind antique ring he'd found online, and then had it resized for his fiancee.

Or maybe there's a large, specific retailer (Tiffany's comes to mind, and goosebumps come to arms) that you want a ring from but can't make it to a location.

Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Like any ring shopping, do your research first on the four C's: Cut, clarity, carats, and color. Blue Nile has a great, comprehensive guide for you to bone up on your ring knowledge.
The website Pricescope reviews and compares diamond prices of Internet stores and physical stores - a great second stop after you've gotten your four C's class.
Look for GIA certification for any diamond - it's a gemologist's grade of the quality of the diamond.

Tiffany & Co.: It's Tiffany, so prices and standards are going to be higher, but like I said, if you can't get to an actual store, online is a great source, especially because you don't have to worry about the quality.
Antique Rings: Swoon! I love the idea of an engagement ring with history, and it's also a socially conscious choice. Some sites are: the Antique Jewelry Mall, Art Deco Diamonds (my fave for the photography), and don't count out eBay - just be smart about the seller.
Brilliant Earth: This awesome site specializes in conflict-free diamonds and if you don't necessarily want one of their rings, you can buy the loose conflict-free diamond and shop for a setting elsewhere. If you don't use Brilliant Earth, at least read the buying guide so you can learn to avoid "blood diamonds." Green Karat is another conscious online retailer - they use recycled gold.
Blue Nile: A reputable seller that boasts personal proposal stories from buyers (awww) and uses PayPal!
James Allen: Here, you can design your own ring (including a 3-D video of what you design) and use a virtual loupe (the thingie you use to inspect diamonds closely). Bonus: download diamond screen savers (for Windows only)!
Diamond Ideals: features a no-questions-asked return policy and a lifetime upgrade policy.
White Flash: offers free verification and free shipping.

And of course, do a lot of research on the piece and any retailer you might use prior to clicking "add to cart"! Oh, and, congratulations!

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Super Mario Galaxy Keychain and Charm Bracelet

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:00:39 -0700

So maybe after seeing Tiffany & Co.'s Gold and Diamond Camera Charm Bracelet, this Super Mario Galaxy keychain isn't looking all that glamorous - but hey, it's still geek chic and is a MUCH cheaper option than the Tiffany bracelet.

For only $12 you can choose from the Super Mario Galaxy keychain or the matching handmade bracelet which both feature signature Wii and Galaxy items like a wiimote, nunchuck, life mushrooms and star bits. . . and colorful beads of course (just in case the geek goods aren't enough!). Each trinket is made from polymer clay, which means there's still hope of me getting a necklace full of star bits!

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iPhone Lust + Tiffany Jewelry = iGems?

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:00:04 -0700

I like to think of myself as an expert when it comes to geek jewelry, mostly because I feel like I've seen it all. From Computer Key Rings, to Mike and Maaike's "Stolen Jewels," the market seems endless, but often lacking that truly chic luxury item mystique. The release of the iPhone makes all the iPod jewelry look like last season's rejects, so we decided to create a couple faux iPhone jewelry pieces for you to drool, joke and daydream about. I mean, people are willing to throw down $600 for a tiny wifi-enabled iPod/phone combo. Toss in some gems, platinum, gold and Tiffany & Co. and Apple-branding and these babies would sell like, well iPhones, am I right? I mean, it may be silly, but if it came in a little blue box...

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Jewels from Tiffany & Co., icons from the iPhone and ridiculous idea courtesy of yours truly.

Geek Out: What Do You Wear When You Wii?

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:30:22 -0800

I have just learned that if you want to be really chic while playing the Wii, you have to suit up in proper sporty, but totally cute clothes. City magazine has put together a fun mix of outfits for Wii tennis, baseball, golf, boxing and bowling and while I usually play my Wii in PJs or work clothes, I'm up for the fashion challenge.

I sent the photos to FabSugar, who challenged me to find the ultimate Wii sports outfit. While I am as fashionable as the next girl, I need your help. Just search the web for your favorite geeky Wii sports-inspired clothes, bookmark them on TeamSugar under the tag "Wii sports outfit" and if we like your picks FabSugar and I will feature our favorite ensembles on our sites. For tips on bookmarking, what I'm looking for and a detailed description of the items above, just read more

Criteria: Search the web for cute, comfy clothes that would be functional and chic for playing the Wii. If you are a Wii bowler, try and find some great bowling shoes. If you are a Wii boxing fan, try and find some chic shorts.

To start bookmarking, just add this link to your browser's favorites: Save to TeamSugar
For a more detailed explanation of bookmarks click here.

Don't forget to come back and tell me that your Geek Gear is up, or just tag your finds with "Wii sports outfit."

Shown above:
Tennis wear: 01 Cabled cricket vest, price on request, and classic-fit polo, $75, both by Polo Ralph Lauren 02 Etoile diamond bangle, $14,000, by Tiffany & Co. 03 P’8419 sunglasses, $375, by Porsche Design 04 Map dress, price upon request, by Lacoste. Baseball wear: 05 Baseball cap, price on request, by Chanel 06 Cushion signet ring in 18K gold, $1,500, by Tiffany & Co. 07 Chuck Taylor Painted White sneakers, $110, by Converse by John Varvatos 08 Black sequined T-shirt, $295, by DKNY.

Tips For Creating an Online Wedding Registry

GeekSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:40:39 -0700

I'm not married, or engaged, but the idea of creating a wedding registry totally excites me - dancing around a store (ahem, 27 dresses) with a barcode scanner, scanning to your hearts desire?! Good times indeed (yes, I'm delusional!). Scratch that thought for just a sec, and let's get back to basics and practicality - online wedding registries.

What's great about having an online registry is the fact that friends and family from all over can take part in the gift giving and the whole process is much easier than searching for gifts in stores. If you happened to miss CasaSugar's helpful guide to getting an online registry started, I'm going to give you a few more tips and suggestions.

First thing's first, deciding what stores meet your needs and which ones you want to be registered at. Thanks to sites like MyRegistry, the universal gift registry, you have the freedom to mix and match items from any of your favorite sites and stores to create the ultimate gift registry.

For more tips to setting up your online registry, read more.

Signing Up For Traditional Registries Online in One Place
The most traditional registry spots are Tiffany & Co., Bloomingdales, Macy's, Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Neiman Marcus, Restoration Hardware, Fortunoff, Gump's, REI, Target, JCPenney, Barneys New York, and Dean & DeLuca. You can actually create a registry at all these stores via the Wedding Channel website.

Register Based on Your Lifestyle
Macy’s Wedding and Gift Registry has created an “instant” registry bank for different types of couples and it's surprisingly preceptive and vast. You can just click on personality types like "Jet-Setters," "True Romantics," "Happy Hipsters," etc and get a look at kitchenware and gadgetry that will likely fit your interests. You can check it out at TheKnot.

Don't Forget Practical Gifts
Stores like Target and Amazon seems to one of the best spots for gifts of all kinds. You can register for the regular housewares and high-end electronics in the same place. You can also ask for gift cards from stores like Apple and Best Buy.

The Best Gift You Can Give
If you really don't need gifts consider passing your guests' generosity to someone in need. JustGive is a great nonprofit organization that offers an online Charity Wedding Registry. Couples can choose from any of the 850,000 charities in the US, add personal information about themselves and their wedding, send an email to friends and family notifying them of their registry, and access password-protected reports that detail who has donated to what charity on their registry so they can send out timely Thank You cards.

And don't forget to include your registry info on your wedding website!

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.

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GeekSugar's Online Wedding Registry Guide

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 09:07:08 -0700

One of the most exciting and aggravating things about planning your wedding is putting together a great registry that suits your wants and needs with the needs of your guests, who are often scattered around different parts of the globe.

I've read it's considered poor etiquette to include details of your chosen gift registries with your invitations, but as a sensible, smart woman I refuse to listen to that advice. Shopping for a wedding gift shouldn't be hard for guests - it should be a gesture of love for the couple.

So go ahead and make it easier for your guests by speaking up and letting them know what you need and where they can get it. That way, you can present them with options in different price ranges and locations. Most guests will get you a gift, so helping them get the right gift - even if that means sending out an extra note - is worth it. Also, my advice is to embrace the fact that you are getting hitched in the age of the internet and register for everything online. For my guide to setting up your online registry, read more

Even grandma and grandma would prefer to go online and have a gift sent directly to you over going to the store, sifting through their in-store registry and having to lug a heavy gift around. If you make the move and register online your guests will have the option of getting the registry at the store as well, but they won't be limited to in-store shopping. This means better gifts for you, less time and energy spent for all.

Sign Up For Traditional Registries Online In One Place
The most traditional registry spots are Tiffany & Co., Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Crate and Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Neiman Marcus, Restoration Hardware Fortunoff, Gump's, REI, Target, JCPenney, Barneys New York and Dean & DeLuca. You can actually create a registry at all these stores via the Wedding Channel.com website.

Register Based On Your Lifestyle
Macy’s Wedding & Gift Registry has created an “instant” registry bank for different types of couples and it's surprisingly perceptive and vast. You can just click on personality types like "Jet-Setters," "True Romantics," "Happy Hipsters" etc and get a look at kitchenware and gadgetry that will likely fit your interests. You can check it out at TheKnot.com.

Looking For a More Unique Registry?
You can go online to GreatHoneymoon.com and to sign up for a program where your guests contribute towards part of your honeymoon. There are other options out there, just search "Honeymoon registry" on Google.

Don't Forget Practical Gifts
Stores like Target and Bed Bath and Beyond are becoming increasingly popular registry spots for modern couples that often have most of the furniture and kitchenware they need by the time they get married, but could use a few sprucing up the house items. The stores are great for smaller gifts like DVDs, towels, electronics and even camping gear for outdoorsy couples.

For All You Geeky Couples Out There
Don't even think I forgot about you, you big geek. Amazon.com seems to one of the best spots for gifts of all kinds. You can register for the regular housewares and high-end electronics in the same place. You can also ask for gift cards from stores like Apple and Best Buy.

The Best Gift You Can Give
If you really don't need gifts consider passing your guests' generosity to someone in need. JustGive.org is a great nonprofit organization that offers an online Charity Wedding Registry. Couples can choose from any of the 850,000 charities in the U.S., add personal information about themselves and their wedding, send an email to friends and family notifying them of their registry, and access password-protected reports that detail who has donated to what charity on their registry so they can send out timely "Thank You" cards.

Still need help? Check out Fabsugar's look at WeddingChannel.com.

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