BillyKnowsBest

Skagen Watches and Sunglasses on RueLaLa

Thick or thin? Sometimes I like a big bulky watch on my wrist, but sometimes, I want something thin and stylish.  And no one does thin better than Skagen, the Danish design company. I love their classic Scandinavian minimalism in stainless steel, titanium and leather, and I love them even more when they show up on RueLaLa, where they're available now for less than half price.  At $49-59 each, they're an easy and affordable way to wear some understated class on your wrist this fall.  The women's collection also includes jewelry and accessories. You'll need an invitation to shop at RueLaLa.com if you're not already a member. Hurry, this sale closes on August 20 at 11am est.

Puma Watches on sale at Rue La La

I came back from Brazil a couple years ago with a super-cool Puma watch.  It was  super cheap, which makes me think that it was probably not genuine Puma, but it's still one of my all-time favorites.  My mom loved it too -- so much so she "borrowed" it this summer, and got all sulky when I asked for it back.  I'd like to think I'm immune to JMG (Jewish Mother Guilt), but it's still on her wrist!  Today, genuine Puma watches went on sale at Rue La La.  I picked up these two, including an extra one for mom.  Hurry, the Rue La La boutiques are only open for 3 days. The watches are ticking!

Prada-Like Sunglasses for $12.99

These "Pearlized Shield" are my cheap fashion sunglasses for Summer 2009.  They've been getting lots of complements.  I wore them at the pool opening day at the W Ft. Lauderdale, and was asked if they were Prada.  They're not.  They're Avon, and they're $12.99!  Choose "Direct Delivery" and use coupon code "MFSWR" for free shipping. 

Reese Witherspoon's Women's Empowerment Bracelet and Necklace

I attended Avon's annual Shareholder's meeting this morning. Representatives are really at the heart of everything Avon does, and my sister and I (the only representatives present) were singled out for recognition at the beginning of the meeting, right after the board of directors.  Avon's commitment to the front-line sales force that is responsible for its success is one of the reasons I'm so proud to be associated with Avon.  Another is the company's deeply ingrained commitment to corporate responsibility.  Most big companies discovered corporate responsibility in the '80s or '90s, but not the 1880s!  Avon's founder David McConnell laid it out in 1886, charging the company "To meet fully the obligations of corporate citizenship by contributing to the well-being of society and the environment in which it functions."  Avon and the Avon Foundation meet this obligation in many ways, none more powerful than our support of the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.  Representatives all over world sell this bracelet ($3) and necklace ($5) to fund a $1 million dollar grant to the trust fund, and to support UNIFEM projects in 13 countries. In addition, more than 30 Avon countries around the world launched partnerships with local domestic violence agencies during 2008, and Avon global grant-making for the cause exceeded $7.4 million. (The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has raised and granted more than $585 million in 50 countries world wide to support treatment access, education, screening, detection and research.) 

The Women's Empowerment Bracelet (I use it as a wallet band around my credit cards and cash!) is $3 -- and 100% of the net proceeds ($2.25) are donated to the Avon Empowerment Fund to end violence against women.  Use coupon code "FIRSTREP" for free shipping when you order it from my Avon website.

Emily Kuvin Jewelry Design

One of my favorite things about Facebook is reconnecting with friends from long ago and far away... like High School.  It's always fun to see what they're doing now, and the occasional class photo from grade school that they occasionally post.  (Those clothes! That hair!) Emily Kuvin (neé Mathes) is one such friend who found me recently.  I was pleased to discover that time seems to have treated her kindly, and that she's started her own jewelry business.  Her designs, using semi-precious stones, venetian glass, coral and freshwater pearls bridge the divide between classic and modern with a casual elegance that could dress up a bridal gown or a t-shirt.   Prices range from $32-2400, with most pieces in the $300-700 range, and custom commissions welcome.  Check out her work at EmilyKuvin.com

Dior, Marc Jacobs, D&G, Proenza Schouler and 3.1 Derek Lim Sunglasses 30% Discount

Eluxury.com has sunglasses and accessories for women and men on sale for two days at 30% off, plus free shipping on any order over $30. Sale ends Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 11:59pm (PST).

Bluetooth Retro Cell Phone Handset

The Bluetooth cell phone headset has become so ubiquitous, that I no longer think "schizoprenic" when i see someone walking down the street talking to themselves. But this one would give me pause.  Even funnier than the retro cell phone headset I wrote about earlier, this one is wireless.  Imagine walking down the street, or pulling this out of your briefcase at a meeting.  $39.99 at ThinkGeek.com.

MobileWear Abacus Caller ID Watch

Caller ID and custom ringtones have really changed the way we answer the phone.  Not in the mood to talk to mom?  Need to come up with a quick alibi for the boss? Dodging the guy who's a lousy kisser hoping he'll get the hint and stop calling? But what if you're on your Bluetooth headset, or you're in a meeting and your phone is vibrating in your pocket?  Or buried in your purse while you're doing something with both hands... like having sex,  hanging a picture or getting a manicure?  If you had the MobileWear Caller ID Watch, you could discretely look at your wrist and know whether the caller is worth coitus interruptus or not.  How handy would that be? Too bad it's only compatible with certain Sony Ericsson phones or I'd be wearing it right now.  $149.99 at Amazon.com.

Cool Square-off Ring from mark.

A couple years ago, Avon launched a new brand called mark. to appeal to a future generation of customers and representatives: young women from their late teens to early thirties.  It's hip, trendy and cool, and every now and then really, well,  hits the mark for current fashion.  I gave this ring to Stella, my very stylish sales consultant at Barney's New York.  She loved it, and her colleagues and customers alike have been asking where they can get one.  She's not telling, but I am. You can order it online at Avon.com for $12!

New York's Best Unusual Jewelry: Ten Thousand Things

Midtown New York is full of legendary jewelers, but my favorite jewelry store is a small storefront on 14th street called Ten Thousand Things.  My ex Bruce discovered it a couple years ago after reading a tiny piece in W about their "chicklet" necklaces: small semi-precious stones the size of a piece of Chicklet gum, strung on a delicate gold or silver chain. Like most everything in the store by designers David Rees and Ron Anderson, it's a brilliant design executed in a minute scale for an understated, sophisticated look. (They also carry a selection of curated works by other designers who share their modern aesthetic.)

If you're in NYC, you can find them at 423 W. 14th or place a phone order with them at 212/352-1333.  You can purchase a small selection of their products through a few select online retailers, including Ylang23 through amazon.com.