Gadgets used to be something to help us in our everyday lives – and they were anything but stylish back then, as anyone who’s had one of the first mobile phones can tell you. Nowadays though, with technology having evolved to the point where we can easily cram a huge deal of computing power in a small space, gadget developers have started to explore the aesthetic possibilities in their designs.

Apple are easily the most iconic brand in this regard, as all of their designs are considered nothing short of genius when it comes to pleasing the eye – and this is a trend that’s easily noticeable in their upcoming iPhone 5. Even though we don’t have any official shots of the device yet, there have been a few leaks already which are a pretty good indication of what it’s going to offer – and it’s shaping up to be a lovely complement to any stylish person’s accessory list.

Featuring a slimmed down design and improved glass on the screen with a shiny, glossy appearance, the iPhone 5 is what pretty much anyone would expect from a new release by Apple – something worth buying for its sheer appearance alone. And with the iPhone plans Vodafone are going to offer when it comes out, it’s also going to be a very convenient solution for those who don’t like having to spend a great deal of cash on their data plans. There are even rumors that the software has received some additions to minimize and optimize its data usage, which should make things even smoother – we don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to show off a shiny new iPhone 5 to our friends!

Planning a trip to Vienna can be very tricky – with so many things to see, you can’t count on getting through all of them, so sometimes you just need to make your arrangements in a way that you’ll get to see what interests you most. If you’re going on a jewelry shopping trip, Vienna definitely has a lot to offer you – the city is very well-known for the large number of different jewelry stores and large chains of shops it features, so whatever type of jewelry you’re into exactly, you’ll likely find something for yourself here.

The Jared Galleria of Jewelry is a very popular store, so when you’ve arrived, make sure this is at the top of your list of priorities for visiting. The store has quite a lot to offer and all of their products are unique and exquisite – and like we said above, any taste can be satisfied in Vienna, and this is really well represented in this particular store.

Also, there’s a Swarovski flagship store in Vienna – if you’re a fan of luxurious jewelry, you really can’t say no to paying a visit here. However, if you do, make sure you load up your wallet quite well, as you’ll likely find more than one opportunities to spend your money in this store – after all, we all know of the quality of Swarovski’s jewels and related products, but also the price tag commonly attached to them. Plan well and know what you’ll be buying!

They say that even the simplest of dresses can look fabulous if you have the right accessories. I don’t know about you, but I believe that this is absolutely true! With the right accessories, you can change your look at will. Take a look at these essential accessories that every woman must have in her arsenal.

A proper bag. I am talking about a structured bag – like a leather one that does not get its shape all messed up. I am talking about a bag of medium size that will hold all that you need without being overlarge. Of course, it’s got to be stylish.

Shoes! A woman can’t have enough shoes. My suggestion is that you should have a good collection of pumps, heels, and flats. This way, you can always choose a pair that will suit your mood and your activities. There’s nothing worse than wearing incompatible footwear.

Diamonds and pearls. Jewelry is always a good thing. You need not have a treasure trove of the expensive stuff – fancy jewelry will always work. However, you still need to have several pieces in diamonds and pearls – these are timeless classics that will never fail to uplift your mood and your look. Never mind if you are wearing jeans and a simple top – these accessories will give you that extra shine!

A watch. Metal watches are best. Choose a good piece that will last forever and you will never really want for anything else. Of course, a few cheap pieces that look good won’t hurt either.

Are these in your arsenal?

Good things about The Dress:

1. You just throw it on – no need to worry about matching/coordinating as with separates.

2. There’s just something about wearing a dress that makes a woman feel instantly feminine and good all around (provided it fits well).

3. Dresses are easy to find and surprisingly cheap these days.

4. For even more penny pinching, use an old “Little Black Dress” and  simply glam it up by adding on some statement jewelry like some chunky jewelled cuffs or an interisting necklace. If you still don’t have that LBD wardrobe staple (shame on you!), do yourself a favour and buy one today. Try Top Shop for some cool LBD’s that will last years. H & M also has finds that will keep your Christmas budget lean and healthy.

5. Lastly, don’t forget good undies.  A good dress will look even more fabulous on you when you make the effort to wear the “streamlining” kind like shapewear. Its not cheap, but unless you are a pilates fanatic with  buns of steel, it is so worth the expense.

The whole wedding concept these days is so enormously expensive that it is easy to see why many couples decide to remain single. Couples are saving for years to pay £20000 or more for a fashionable, stylish wedding. It’s easy to see why when the designer bridal gown, shoes and accessories can total £2000 or more. Then there are cars, photos, videos, groom, best man, and not forgetting bridesmaids. Not least, the Banqueting Hall for grand reception.

Yet, the most symbolic memory of the wedding is of course, the wedding ring. Gold is the ultimate choice; it is beautiful, everlasting and has the power to evoke deep emotions. Platinum is also a popular choice, pure white and eternal. Designer wedding bands can cost over £2000, but a perfect choice as this is one element of a couple’s love that is worn every day and can’t be skimped on. The groom also may choose a wedding band and £500 or more can easily be spent on this item. Bridal earrings are also expensive but can be ‘borrowed’; otherwise diamonds can cost £100 or more. Many brides choose diamante headbands and as these are only worn once, costume jewellery can be chosen, which is much less expensive. About £50 can be spent on this item.

The bridegroom may choose to give the bridesmaids a token to wear on the ‘Big day’, like little heart-shaped gold pendants costing upwards of £100 each which look sweet and delicate on young children.

Ultimately, bridal jewellery, particularly wedding bands, is symbolic of a couple’s love and it is worthwhile spending whatever can be afforded.

How much would I spend on bridal jewellery? That’s easy for me to answer as before my wife and I got married, I bought her a stunning diamond pendant. It was a sort of satire cluster of diamonds encrusted into pretty gold back and on a slender gold chain.

It cost me a small fortune, but I believe that good jewellery should last you a lifetime. I remember buying it and it was just about as expensive as the engagement ring that I had purchased for her some time earlier. I’m not quite talking a month’s salary is traditional, but it wasn’t far short of the mark.

I presented it to her on the day of the wedding. Well, actually, I had it presented to her as I didn’t see her until we got to the church. She replaced her original necklace with the diamond pendant and it was sparking furiously in the halogen lighting of the reception hall. Everybody commented on how beautiful it was that day and she wears it at every given opportunity since we got married. Now that’s a good investment!

Bridal Jewellery should not be scrimped on. It is the most important day of your life and you should look a million dollars, even if that’s what it costs you.

OK I’m lying; I can’t see any reason why you should spend a fortune on bridal jewellery. You’ve already got an engagement ring and you will be adding to the collection with a wedding ring, so why the need for even more new jewellery?

Competition is the only reason. If your friend or sister or colleague had a tonne of jewellery, then you have to go one better, right? Everything has to be new, right? Nope, beg or borrow wedding jewellery from your mother, grandmother, mother-in-law to be! It’s not cheap; it’s just adding a way to make them feel involved in the wedding that also benefits you. Everyone’s a winner! Plus, it leaves you with that little bit (or big bit) extra cash to splash out on some designer shoes!

I spent absolutely nothing on wedding jeweller. As a pre-wedding gift my fiancé bought me a radiant pair of diamond stud earrings and a matching diamond pendant. Having gotten my engagement ring I didn’t have to buy anything at all. It was an absolutely fabulous gift and although he had hinted that he was buying my wedding jewellery, it was a complete surprise on the day.

He had it given to me in a polished wooden case and he has wonderful taste in jewellery, so I knew that I would like them before I even opened the box. I felt a million dollars walking down the aisle and everybody admired them at our reception. I didn’t feel the need to wear anything else like a tiara or anything like that, although I do admit to getting one that I didn’t actually use after receiving the gifts from hubbie.

One of the things I noticed immediately during the Oscars were Angelina Jolie‘s supersize-me emerald earrings. Even the hubby, who rarely notices these things, was like “Whoh! Those can’t be real!”

Apparently, Angelina took a lot of time hunting for the perfect pair to wear for Oscar night, wanting it to be a real show stopper. Well, she obviously did the job (with $2.5 mil beauties by jeweler-to-the-stars Lorraine Schwartz) and along with Kate Winslet, who also donned large chandelier earrings, now started a fashion trend because statement earrings are now officially HOT for 2009.

Why? Well, the economic downturn is to blame (again), because look-at-me earrings can revamp a look instantly, so you can recycle an outfit and freshen it up with bold accessories – the eighties also have a big influence here. Think bright, glam and bold…okay, not flawless gargantuan emeralds, but you get the idea.

Other statement earrings seen on the catwalk were Chanel‘s Mademoiselle offerings and Louis Vuitton‘s colorful beads.

As I was flipping through my latest issue of O magazine, one thing that really caught my eye were the Kate Spade earrings on The O list page (what great finds!):

Razzle Dazzle ‘Em! Don’t let the fact that the economy is in recession keep your earlobes from looking like a million bucks. The jewels may be faux, but the sparkle is real.

Yes, the sparkle was definitely real! Fantastically bright colored in hues of pink, coral, red, green and blues, I could see them giving sunshine to any outfit – and the best thing about it was the price – a very credit-crunch friendly $45 a pair!! For our anniversary last year, my husband sweetly gave me a pair of gorgeous pink saphirres, which look pretty identical to the Kate Spade versions. Let me tell you, they make anything I’m wearing just that bit more elegant. Now I’ll be coveting the KS versions in all colors!!