Pearl and CZ cluster ring

$69 Bex Pearl cluster ring

This ring features different colors of freshwater pearls and some cubic zirconia accents on a silver band. I wish they hadn't done the CZ since I think it cheapens the whole deal, but I like the look and the mix of pearls.

Here's another view:

Great Online Store: 7 Hopes United

7 Hopes United is a fun online store where you can pick up fair trade gifts and wearables that help communities develop.

I featured their versatile sandals here before, and I got to exploring and found a lot more fun stuff on the site.

Here are my picks:

$85 Vintage sari throw blanket
Cotton saris that are no longer worn and sewn together to be upcycled into this cute blanket.

$12.95 Bicycle printed coasters (set of 6)
These sustainable and recycled cork coasters are printed with old-timey bikes. Would be a great addition to a classy living room.

$17 Earring stand
A two-tiered wooden jewelry stand made by a developing community of artisans in India.

$34 Silk batik scarf
The batik designs on this scarf are so intricate and pretty. Can you imagine carving blocks with those little patterns to stamp and dye this?

$25 Leaf and twig bowl
This decorative bowl is made from recycled metal. I like how it doesn't seem to be connected in many places and the pattern is so open, but it is still a bowl that can hold things (fruit, etc)

$26 Weekender shoulder bag
Cloth bags that hold a ton and are made from local Ugandan fabrics

Mark your calendars for this jewelry auction April 22

There's a fun auction coming up and many of the lots are affordable(ish) and sparkly.
I think that this auction house doesn't have reserves, so that means you can bid super low and if no one notices the thing you want, you can have it for cheap!

Of course, I am totally going to blow that strategy now by showing you all the things I like.
Don't outbid me, bitches.

Amethyst, gold, diamond Tiffany watch      
estimate $600-800

Look at the great color of those amethysts! I like the crown effect that the diamond bands have above and below the watch face.

Four large diamond and pearl gold rings
estimate $500-700

These are all in big sizes, so if you have large hands, go for it. I think even one of these awesome rings (especially the bee with an opal for its body) would be worth the estimated price.

Akoya pearl necklace and 8 gold rings
estimate $800-1200

I love the bypass ring with the diamond clusters and the thin band at the top of this picture (click the links to go see it bigger on the auction site.  
Akoya pearls are cultured pearls that are started with a bead and then coated by an akoya oyster with a few layers of nacre.

Platinum ring set, one with diamonds
estimate $500-700

I like how thin these are. They are small but not simple. The one on the right reminds me of a great silver ring with a floral design that my sister got me a million years ago.

Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring
estimate $500-700

This elongated diamond shape that is popular in Art Deco stuff is called a navette.
Isn't it cool that you can get such a big sparkly real ring for under $1000? It's the size of the individual diamonds that matters more in price than the total carat weight.

Art deco diamond and sapphire bracelet
estimate $600-800

And here's a navette bracelet to go with that ring above.
Wearing a set like that would make you invincible.

Gold and platinum ring and brooch lot
estimate $300-500

This comes with 3 diamond rings, a ruby and sapphire ring, and this shell cameo brooch.
That is pretty damn good for this estimated price!

Parisian leather bags
estimate $300-500

I love the clean boxy shape of these bags and the minimal hardware. So many bags for the price of one really nice bag!

Etsy Find of the Day: Feather pocket mirror

$5 Pocket mirror with feather drawings

This would be a great little pick-me-up gift for a friend who has been down in the dumps.
It's small and useful and nice to look at and doesn't cost very much.

Spin Art Kit

$4.99 Spin Art Kit

Do you remember these?
I had one when I was younger and it was the best. My cousins made me a spin art tee shirt that was my favorite shirt for a long time (until it was stolen with the rest of our luggage in NYC when I was 8).

This kit is limited because it only takes the circle things it comes with and you can't put in big pieces of paper.
But for $5, who can complain?

Get it for a niece or nephew and be the hit of the party.

Tennis bracelet for Mother's Day?

$49.99 1/2 Carat Diamond and Sterling Tennis bracelet

Mother's Day is coming up and if your mom doesn't have a tennis bracelet yet, maybe she should.
(That's how a Jewish daughter does Jewish mother guilt trips.)

Anyway, this is a pretty bracelet and even though the diamonds are tiny weeny little specks, they are still diamonds.
And the thought (of diamonds) is what counts, right?

I think this would look elegant with a 3/4 sleeve cardigan in a bright color.

No more NY sales tax under $110!

Yay!
Now when you buys clothes or shoes under $110 you won't have to pay state or city sales tax, so that is like an 8.5% discount on everything!

The fun times started Sunday April 1.