The Necklace Quest Endeth at...Versani

I was in dire need of a multi-layered sterling silver chain necklace of above-average quality.  I scoured the web, I looked in every jewelry case I walked by.  And in the end I went back to a place that has delivered for me in the past: Versani (the one on Mercer St.).  I am glad I went to inspect it in person, because when I spied it on the Versani website, I was not an automatic convert.

They did have to remove the top, inside chain, as it was literally choking the life out of me, but once that was quickly and effectively completed, I became the necklace's proud new owner (see photos taken on a mousepad).  In fact I am wearing it now.

And no I didn't buy it for myself.  It is Xmas present #5 of seven.  I love presents, and especially seven of them.

Dec. 11, 2008: SoHo Holiday Stroll To Benefit the Homeless

Shopping for a Cause: SoHo Holiday Stroll To Benefit the Homeless on Dec. 11
100 Stores, Restaurants and Galleries Expected to Participate

The Association for Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (A.C.E.) and the SoHo Partnership are hosting a shopping event to raise money for homeless men and women.

The SoHo Holiday Stroll will take place throughout SoHo on Thursday, December 11, 6:00 - 11:00 pm. Participating businesses will stay open late and shoppers will have exclusive access to discounts and promotions in each store, gallery or restaurant. Promotions will range from shopping and dining discounts to free samples to complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The businesses participating in the SoHo Stroll will raise money to support homeless men and women.

At this time, participating venues include: AK Anne Klein, the Apple store, Alex Beard Studio, Balthazar, Barolo, Cardboard Design, Design Within Reach, Design Within Reach: Tools For Living, Esprit, Fragments, Guess, Housing Works Bookstore & Café, Hugo Boss, the Hugo store, ILORI, Kiteya, Lacoste, L'Orange Bleue, Lure, Marciano, Mimi Fertz Gallery, Molton Brown, Nine West, the PUMA store, Solstice Sunglass Boutique, Spring Lounge, Theory, Tretorn Shop and Versani (two locations).

Shoppers can check in to http://www.sohoholidaystroll.com/ closer to the event for a more complete list of stores.

To attend the SoHo Stroll, shoppers will purchase a $20 silicone bracelet, which will qualify them for discounts and promotions. A $150 V.I.P. ticket will also be available; it will grant access to the same discounts and admission to a V.I.P. after-party. Bracelets will be for sale at participating stores. For more information, call (212) 274-0550 x17.

Metal Pointus Jewelry: From Paris to Soho

I took the day off of work yesterday...got my hair done at Mario Diab salon, ate upstairs at La Esquina the cool little Mexican take-out joint on Kenmare (where a nice lady shared her food with me!) and then found my way to Anna by way of a new jewelry store on Elizabeth St: Metal Pointus. The jewelry in this store reminds me of my fave, Versani, but by way of Paris. This jewelry is not for the faint of heart - each piece makes a significant statement. And I want all of it! Talk about heavy metal.

Versani - HFM Jewelry

I am not the world's biggest jewelry fan, but I am learning. For a few years I have been visiting Versani downtown on Mercer St. I love the pictured ring that I bought for myself for around $75, because the red raised stones set in solid metal remind me of Darth Maul, which proves that I really am a dorky 12-year old boy. I also have a pair of blue some-kind-of-stone stud earrings that I love.

Darth Maul? Yes, he's a fabulous villian from Star Wars and there's no doubt that if he were to get married, this would have been his wedding ring.

But I digress. Well not really. Anyway, check this place out because they have all kinds of jewelry and what strikes me the most is the boldness of the metal and the stones. It's very clean, and yet fairly individualistic and in-your-face. They have almost as much for men as for women. Then men's selection is pretty rock and roll, but in a relatively defined and refined manner. Chains, rings...the kinds of things that every aspiring rocker needs to complete his (or her) look.

If you asked "what does 'HFM' mean?," you will have to write to me personally to get an answer for this is a family blog and most of my readers hail from the great state of Michigan for goodness sake!

p.s. Go Blue!