It never ceases to amaze me how many great designs the legendary 42-year-old jewelry company Carolee comes up with each year. They always have 30 to 35 jewelry designers on hand and not only have their own line that you can see in the center of the costume jewelry departments of Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s and other popular department stores, but they also design jewelry for Ralph Lauren’s regular line, Ralph Lauren Chaps, French Connection and ABS.
They have a tremendous amount of bridal jewelry in their own line, mixing faux pearls and white crystals for an outstandingly classy look. Many of their bridal designs look very “Great Gatsby” and they even make chokers that alternate as hair or veil ornaments.
I love that their collections are usually named after NYC streets and districts, but occasionally these New Yorkers name collections for out of state or even out of the country locations. Right now at Bloomingdale’s, you can check out the Santorini Sands Collection that they did as part of the 100% Bloomingdale’s spring promotion where designers do a line just for them. The Santorini Collection features tumbled stones with a lot of subtle gray matrix attached to delicate gold and silver chains. It is a truly unique look and will work with any casual or cocktail ensemble you might put together. By the way, with any $100 purchase of a Santorini Sands piece at any Bloomingdale’s location, you get a fabulous pair of Carolee sunglasses.
The piece that I madly fell in love with the minute I laid eyes on it at the Carolee Spring Press Preview is the Hamptons Statement Necklace (which you can see front and center in one of the Carolee cases in Bloomingdale’s first floor at Lex & 59th Street). It was almost like a spiritual experience seeing this extravagant multi-stone bold piece because all the pretty jewel and pastel tones just put me in the best mood. It is also so unique that when you wear, strangers come up to you all day and say, “Who made that necklace” or “Where can I buy that?” The Hamptons Collections has a couple of different pairs of earrings and a bracelet that match. There is also a more subtle version of the necklace for those who prefer a more low-key look. Anyway, I am the very proud owner of the Hamptons Statement necklace.
If you want to learn more about Carolee or order any of their pieces online, go to http://www.caroleejewelry.com. I love that there are at least a dozen pieces in each collection and they all can work together, whether you want to pile on necklaces or pin a brooch onto a necklace or bracelet! June is coming up quickly and it would be the ideal time to check out Carolee Jewelry you want for your wedding or your attendants…or just to wear to a wedding yourself. All the bridal pieces are neatly displayed together at Belk’s, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, so you do not have to go any farther than your local mall.
