Jessica Simpson, Zale to Launch Jewelry Collection

Jessica Simpson will launch a diamond fashion jewelry collection available at Zale Corp. branded stores beginning in October.

The Dallas-based jewelry retailer made the announcement Tuesday. The Jessica Simpson collection will feature rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets, available in a range of affordable price points, the company said. Simpson’s collection will be offered exclusively at

Jessica Simpson, Zale to Launch Jewelry Collection

Jessica Simpson will launch a diamond fashion jewelry collection available at Zale Corp. branded stores beginning in October.

The Dallas-based jewelry retailer made the announcement Tuesday. The Jessica Simpson collection will feature rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets, available in a range of affordable price points, the company said. Simpson’s collection will be offered exclusively at

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Zale Corp Q4 Sales Up 9.4%, Comp Sales Up Nearly 10%; Losses Also Rise

A Zales jewelry store worker in San Bruno, Calif. examines watch inventory.  Photo credit: Paul Sakuma / AP

Jewelry retailer Zale Corp. said Wednesday that fourth quarter sales rose 9.4 percent year-over-year to $377 million. Same store sales for the period, ended July 31, increased 9.8 percent, compared to a decrease of 2.1 percent during the same period last year. At constant exchange

Zale Corp Q4 Sales Up 9.4%, Comp Sales Up Nearly 10%; Losses Also Rise

A Zales jewelry store worker in San Bruno, Calif. examines watch inventory.  Photo credit: Paul Sakuma / AP

Jewelry retailer Zale Corp. said Wednesday that fourth quarter sales rose 9.4 percent year-over-year to $377 million. Same store sales for the period, ended July 31, increased 9.8 percent, compared to a decrease of 2.1 percent during the same period last year. At constant exchange

How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?

As you know, I've just moved to a new neighborhood in Chicago, which means lots of new stores to check out! Lucky for me (and unluck for Mr. EWP), within 2-3 blocks of me there is a Club Monaco, Marc Jacobs, Intermix, Scoop, Cynthia Rowley, and Nanette Lepore, just to name a few stores. I'm in heaven.



I am a ridiculous sucker for Nanette Lepore. Her dresses and, well, everything are just so tailored, chic, and feminine. I want all of them. All the time. And those jerks over at Nanette Lepore must know this about me, because they change the window display ALL. THE. TIME. Every time I walk by with little miss BabyWP in her stroller, there is a new dress, top, something in the window. And they all make me swoon.



But this one I had to share because for the first time since having Miss BabyWP, I wished I was back at work. Why? Because then I would have somewhere to wear this:

Nanette Lepore, $398

Look at those darling pin stripes! And the perfect grey! And the shape flattering ruffled waist! *SWOON*



Well, I know how much that doggy in the window is, and I hope someone can find it a good home, because I just can't bring it home with me right now.

Sorry!!!!

So sorry to have been MIA, bleeps. I was busy packing for the move, then moving, then was without internet, then was unpacking, then injured my back while unpacking and had to lay around in pain for a while. But I have internet now. And my back is on the mend. And since I can't actually finish unpacking due to my fun back restrictions, might as well jump back into blogging.



And we have some fun things coming up! Next week I have an event for Michael Anthony Salon Spa's 20th Anniversary and an event at Saks Fifth Avenue where I will meet the shoe making god Brian Atwood in person!!! SQUEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of fun coming up. Whatever shall I wear???!



I've also decided to make September a dos and don'ts month. A whole month of EWP tips on what to do and not do (e.g. flip flops: don't, dark wash trouser jeans: do).



Sorry to have left y'all for so long. But I'm back now.



xoxo,

EWP

Consumer Confidence ‘Deteriorates’ in August

De Beers Beverly Hills store. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which improved slightly in July, plummeted in August. The Index now stands at 44.5 (1985=100), down from 59.2 in July. It is the lowest reading since April 2009. The Present Situation Index decreased to 33.3 from 35.7. The Expectations Index decreased to 51.9 from 74.9 last month.“

Consumer Confidence ‘Deteriorates’ in August

De Beers Beverly Hills store. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which improved slightly in July, plummeted in August. The Index now stands at 44.5 (1985=100), down from 59.2 in July. It is the lowest reading since April 2009. The Present Situation Index decreased to 33.3 from 35.7. The Expectations Index decreased to 51.9 from 74.9 last month.“

Michelle Armas art

Such gorgeous colors. Enjoy the pretty!

love this...

Ginette NY ring:

Reader Submission - Raiders beer league jersey

A few weeks ago we invited readers of Third String Goalie to submit their own jerseys without any limitations of what kind of hockey jersey we were open to featuring, be it a replica, authentic or game worn jersey from the NHL, a national team, the minors, juniors, college, high school or even a pond hockey jersey.

We're pleased to say a number of readers have taken us up on our offer and we plan to feature their submissions on Sundays as long as they keep coming in. So far the variety and quality of the submissions have been downright amazing and we're looking forward to sharing with them you. We're sure your going to be impressed and hopefully motivated to send in the best from your collection.

Our first reader submission comes from Tris from Milton, Ontario and a 2007-2010 Raiders beer league jersey.

Tris writes:

Beer league is the colloquial name for a competitive adult recreational hockey league. Some are there to live out lost dreams, others are there to lose some weight, but all are there for the beer.

I present my beer league team jersey, which we used from 2007 to 2010. Our team in simply called the Raiders. As an avid hockey jersey collector, I wanted to go all-out with my team's uniform. We previously used very simple screen printed jerseys and I wanted to do better.

Manufactured by Athletic Knit, this pro-weight jersey sports fully embroidered logos, tackle twill letters and numbers and a fight strap.

The jersey's resemblance to Team Germany's uniform (2002-2004) is no coincidence. I liked the style of it, and AK was able to craft a team set from one of the jerseys I own. This style is not in AK's stock catalogue, so it was a custom order.

A small embroidery shop crested and customized the team set. The main logo, which I had been working on for a few months prior, is actually a cross between the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL, and the defunct Ottawa Rebel of the National Lacrosse League. The secondary logo on the shoulders pays tribute to our original logo.

We looked stellar on the ice... just didn’t always play like it.

After a few seasons of use, both during the winter and summer (yes, summer ice hockey), we found that these jerseys proved to be slightly overkill for average-joe use. Although very durable, they added a little too much drag while playing. This was especially felt during the summer months.

The successor is the following fully dye-sublimated Pro-Fit brand jersey, which we began using in the spring of 2010.

I was able to create the entire design for this jersey in Adobe Illustrator. The manufacturer then printed the pattern and artwork directly onto the material.

The primary and secondary marks were revamped to take advantage of the gradients that are possible using the sublimation method. However, I elected not to go with a bizarre design like you usually see with sublimated jerseys. I stuck with a very simple pattern, borrowing from the Anaheim Ducks’ colour scheme.

This jersey proved to be better suited for our use as it is much lighter than its predecessor, not to mention that jersey re-orders are easier as no minimums are required.

We think our readers will agree that those are a great looking pair of jerseys and a great way to kick off our reader submissions. The bar has certainly been set high in the beer league/pond hockey category and we can't thank Tris enough for being the first to send in a submission as well as providing such excellent photos.

If you would like to submit your own jersey, again without limitations, send it in along with a paragraph or two telling us why you like the jersey, how you got it, what makes it special to you or even a full-blown Third String Goalie-style history lesson - whatever you feel like sharing.

When sending in pictures, they must be at least 425 pixels wide at a minimum, which is actually rather small. If you send in larger pictures, don't worry, we will be resize them to fit our format for you.

A photo of the front of the jersey is obviously needed and a picture of the back is certainly preferred, especially if it has been customized with a name and number. You can also include any relevant detail photos if needed to tell your story, especially of any additional patches.

Lay the jersey flat, as shown below, and shoot the photos from as straight overhead as possible with the arms of the jersey folded so they run straight down the sides of the jersey.

If you have a jersey in your collection that comes to mind and you'd like to share it with us and your fellow readers, please submit your pictures and a story to go with it, no matter how brief or detailed, to spyboy1@gmail.com and we look forward to seeing your favorites!

Kim Kardashian’s Wedding Band and Wedding Day Jewelry

The wedding band is shown with Kardashian’s 20.5-carat engagement ring. Photo source: entertainmentwise website

Jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz played what appears to be an exclusive role in Kim Kardashian’s jewelry for her August 20 wedding to Kris Humphries.

“Kim chose a diamond eternity band set in platinum by Lorraine Schwartz, approximately 12 carats, with an estimated price tag

Kim Kardashian’s Wedding Band and Wedding Day Jewelry

The wedding band is shown with Kardashian’s 20.5-carat engagement ring. Photo source: entertainmentwise website

Jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz played what appears to be an exclusive role in Kim Kardashian’s jewelry for her August 20 wedding to Kris Humphries.

“Kim chose a diamond eternity band set in platinum by Lorraine Schwartz, approximately 12 carats, with an estimated price tag

LJ International Revenue Up 26%, Profit Up 59%, Led by China Retail Business

The Enzo retail chain in China is a stellar performer for  LJ International.

Hong Kong-based jewelry manufacturer and retailer, LJ International Inc., reported Thursday that operating revenue in the second quarter increased 26 percent to $41.5 million. Gross profit increased 59 percent to $20.6 million. Operating income increased 13 percent to $3.3 million. Net income for the period ended

LJ International Revenue Up 26%, Profit Up 59%, Led by China Retail Business

The Enzo retail chain in China is a stellar performer for  LJ International.

Hong Kong-based jewelry manufacturer and retailer, LJ International Inc., reported Thursday that operating revenue in the second quarter increased 26 percent to $41.5 million. Gross profit increased 59 percent to $20.6 million. Operating income increased 13 percent to $3.3 million. Net income for the period ended

Tiffany Still Riding High, Reports Strong Growth in all Regions, Raises Earnings Forecast

Tiffany & Co. said Friday that worldwide net sales in the second quarter increased 30 percent year-over-year to $872.7 million due to strong growth in all geographic regions. Excluding the effect of translating foreign-currency-denominated sales into U.S. dollars, worldwide net sales increased 24 percent and comparable store sales rose 22 percent.

The luxury retail jeweler said net earnings

Tiffany Still Riding High, Reports Strong Growth in all Regions, Raises Earnings Forecast

Tiffany & Co. said Friday that worldwide net sales in the second quarter increased 30 percent year-over-year to $872.7 million due to strong growth in all geographic regions. Excluding the effect of translating foreign-currency-denominated sales into U.S. dollars, worldwide net sales increased 24 percent and comparable store sales rose 22 percent.

The luxury retail jeweler said net earnings

Jewelry and Watch Brands Score Low on their Digital IQ

E-tailers and department stores lead the rankings and Jewelry & Watches and Accessory brands lag behind in their digital IQ.  Image source: Digital IQ Index: Specialty Retail, L2

E-tailers have the highest digital IQ, department stores saw the largest gain in their digital IQ during the past year and the digital IQ of home furnishings brands fell from the prior year. However, it is jewelry

Jewelry and Watch Brands Score Low on their Digital IQ

E-tailers and department stores lead the rankings and Jewelry & Watches and Accessory brands lag behind in their digital IQ.  Image source: Digital IQ Index: Specialty Retail, L2

E-tailers have the highest digital IQ, department stores saw the largest gain in their digital IQ during the past year and the digital IQ of home furnishings brands fell from the prior year. However, it is jewelry

Marc by Marc Jacobs iphone covers

Good enough to replace my Kate Spade cover that breaks every day?

Signet Q2 Same Store Sales Up 10%, Total Sales Up 11%

Kay Jewelers brought in $367.5 million in the second quarter for its parent company, Signet Jewelers.

Signet Jewelers Ltd., the world’s largest specialty retail jeweler, reported that year-over-year same store sales increased 9.9 percent and total sales rose 10.8 percent to $797.6 million for the second quarter of 2011. Total income before taxes jumped 82.4 percent to $99.8 million for the

Signet Q2 Same Store Sales Up 10%, Total Sales Up 11%

Kay Jewelers brought in $367.5 million in the second quarter for its parent company, Signet Jewelers.

Signet Jewelers Ltd., the world’s largest specialty retail jeweler, reported that year-over-year same store sales increased 9.9 percent and total sales rose 10.8 percent to $797.6 million for the second quarter of 2011. Total income before taxes jumped 82.4 percent to $99.8 million for the

32-Ct. Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond May Fetch $8M at Christie's Auction

The Vivid Yellow, a rare, highly saturated, fancy vivid yellow diamond of 32.77 carats will be the star lot of Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale on October 18. The golden yellow hue of this large pear-shaped stone is so intense and so deep that the Gemological Institute of America ranks it among the rarest of gemstones in its class. The stone is expected to achieve in excess of $6

32-Ct. Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond May Fetch $8M at Christie's Auction

The Vivid Yellow, a rare, highly saturated, fancy vivid yellow diamond of 32.77 carats will be the star lot of Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels sale on October 18. The golden yellow hue of this large pear-shaped stone is so intense and so deep that the Gemological Institute of America ranks it among the rarest of gemstones in its class. The stone is expected to achieve in excess of $6

Just a picture

Princess Charlene of Monaco Prefers Van Cleef & Arpels

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert unveil the Alambra display at Van Cleef  & Arpels boutique in Monaco.

Earlier this month, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco helped to inaugurate the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in the Principality. The occasion allowed the creator of haute joaillerie to introduce a new interpretation its iconic Alhambra motif in honor of the Princess. The

Princess Charlene of Monaco Prefers Van Cleef & Arpels

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert unveil the Alambra display at Van Cleef  & Arpels boutique in Monaco.

Earlier this month, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco helped to inaugurate the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in the Principality. The occasion allowed the creator of haute joaillerie to introduce a new interpretation its iconic Alhambra motif in honor of the Princess. The

love this...

Marc Jacobs polka-dot cashmere and silk-blend scarf:Yves Saint Laurent chyc leather clutch:Diane Von Furstenberg kallina silk wrap top:Halston Heritage one-shoulder pleated chiffon dress:

Rare Patek Philippe Watches to Star in Antiquorum's September Auction

Patek Philippe Ref. 2499

Two Patek Philippe watches will share the starring role at the upcoming "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces" auction by Antiquorum Auctioneers.

The September 14 event at the watch auctioneer’s New York headquarters will be led by a Patek Philippe ref. 2499 and an extremely rare and probably unique Patek Philippe Split-Second Chronograph Ref. 1436. In addition,

Rare Patek Philippe Watches to Star in Antiquorum's September Auction

Patek Philippe Ref. 2499

Two Patek Philippe watches will share the starring role at the upcoming "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces" auction by Antiquorum Auctioneers.

The September 14 event at the watch auctioneer’s New York headquarters will be led by a Patek Philippe ref. 2499 and an extremely rare and probably unique Patek Philippe Split-Second Chronograph Ref. 1436. In addition,

be an optimist...

The United States Hockey Hall of Fame

Recently we made a pilgrimage to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota and wanted to share with you our visit to the hall and the jerseys on display in particular.

Having arrived on the Iron Range after the 3 1/2 hour drive from Minneapolis/St. Paul, the US Hall of Fame is easy to find, located on a frontage road along highway 53 as you arrive in Eveleth.

Our mite player Nick outside the US Hall of Fame

Upon entering the hall, visitors are greeted by a pair of jerseys in the lobby, one from Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks which he wore while setting the all-time fastest hat trick by an American player when he scored three goals in 2 minutes and 21 seconds on January 8, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Opposite the Bobby Ryan jersey is a Dallas Stars jersey which once belonged to the all-time leading American born player in NHL history, Mike Modano.

After viewing a film on the "Miracle on Ice" in the hall's theater, we made our way into the main gallery on the first floor, where you are greeted by a number of displays, including an early Zamboni, jerseys of notable American players, including Eveleth native and Stanley Cup champions Frank Brimsek, Pat Lafontaine and the legendary 1960 Olympic gold medalist John Mayasich. Additionally there is a display on the history of ice skates and of course the plaques of the inductees of the US Hockey Hall of Fame.

There is one other subject which dominates the main floor gallery, the coach of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" United States Olympic hockey team, Herb Brooks. Aside from his role in the 1980 Olympics, Brooks involvement in the United States National Team dates back to his being the final cut from the eventual gold medal winning 1960 United States Olympic hockey team, his later participation in five World Championship and two Olympic teams for the United States and his coaching the 2002 edition of Team USA at the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City which resulted in a silver medal.

Hanging high above the main gallery are the 2011 championship jerseys, featuring the NHL champion Boston Bruins followed by those of the various NCAA men's and women's champions and the various classes of the Minnesota State High School League as well as a Wayne Gretzky New York Rangers farewell game jersey.

Moving up to the second floor a display case is dedicated to Minnesota's entry in the NHL, the Wild.

Once on the second floor, a gallery of hockey themed art work greets the visitor, with many of the works being themed around the Miracle on Ice, which naturally dominates much of the museum, and rightfully so, as it was named the Top Story of the Century by the International Ice Hockey Federation and the team featured a number of Minnesotans on the roster.

Also located in the art gallery is a reproduction of a 1950's John Mayasich University of Minnesota jersey, the only player to have his number retired by the Golden Gophers.

Once through the art gallery, the main exhibit on the second floor begins with the timeline tunnel, which tells the story of the birth and evolution of ice hockey in the United States, with several displays of vintage memorabilia followed by a small sheet of artificial ice, which kept our mite entertained for quite some time as he shot pucks at the light up target as we slowly studied the various displays and took plenty of photos of not only the origins section, but the area dedicated to the United States Olympic hockey history which lies beyond and includes a broadcast of the Miracle on Ice, which plays continuously throughout the day.

After taking a break to watch some of the Miracle on Ice game, leaving the Olympic area brings you to a variety of jerseys on display.

While our youngster continued on to the puck speed shooting challenge, the video games and his personal favorite, the bubble hockey game, we ventured over to the high school jersey display, which naturally was focused on Minnesota schools, but also included one from North Dakota as well.

The former St. Paul Vulcans junior hockey club was featured, as were a number of United States college hockey programs with several nice jerseys on display.

Two real show stealers were the 1924 and 1927 jerseys from traditional collegiate rivals Wisconsin and Minnesota.

An amazing 1924 University of Wisconsin jersey

A 1927 University of Minnesota sweater and skates worn by the great John Mariucci

American minor league hockey gets it's due, as well as a nod to international hockey outside of the Olympics, which includes the annual World Championships and prestigious World Junior Championships. A highlight for us was the plaques of team photos of the many US National Teams from 1981 to 2003, a great resource for researching the timeline of jersey styles worn by Team USA for over 20 years.

Of course, no trip to Eveleth would be complete without a trip downtown to see The World's Largest Hockey Stick, a 10,000 pound 110 foot long stick built using the identical process as a standard size hockey stick. Just the blade alone is 17 feet long. This stick, built in 2002, is actually the second such stick to reside in Eveleth, replacing the original stick which was on display from 1995 to 2001.

The accompanying puck is 5 feet across and nearly 2 feet thick, weighing 700 pounds, while across the street is a mural of a goaltender guarding a net, poised to stop the giant puck.

The Hockey Plaza is backed by a fence built to look like regulation hockey boards to complete the scene. Hockey Plaza is also located a few blocks from Eveleth's famous rink, the Eveleth Hippodrome, the oldest rink in Minnesota which dates back to 1922.

The mural across from Hockey Plaza

The World's Largest Hockey Stick, measuring 110 feet long

Nick posing for scale next to the World's Largest Hockey Stick

We really enjoyed our visit to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, spending 3 1/2 hours there. While that certainly was longer than the average visitor, much of that was due to our documenting our visit photographically and only made possible by the number of activities on site to keep our mite player entertained for that length of time.

In order to plan your visit to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, visit their website at USHockeyHall.com and then see what the nearby Lake Superior port city of Duluth has to offer.

Here is a video tour of the US Hockey Hall of Fame, hosted by Doug Palazzari, executive director of the hall.

Here is a brief look at Eveleth and it's hockey history, the hall of fame and the World's Largest Hockey Stick.