This month's fashion indulgence
Super-sparkly, chandelier-style earrings are no longer simply the preserve of Pat Butcher from EastEnders. Indeed, our purse-strings may often be pulled tightly shut at the moment, but it'll take more than that to stop us from indulging our inner glamourpuss. 'Look at me' jewellery is very much the order of the day - particularly for evenings.
What we're talking about, of course, is bling without the price-tag. We may not feel able to splash out on designer pieces and highly embellished party frocks, but we can still feel like a million dollars by investing in some early spring sparkle at a fraction of the price.
Look out for diamanté, coloured glass and brilliant beads: they're all perfect for putting a smile on your face without leaving a hole in your pocket. And no offence to Pat, but this season's earrings are far more elegant than the ones we've seen her wearing in Albert Square.
Naturally, our favourite stars are still showcasing the real thing. Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Scarlett Johansson are among the many stars who've recently dazzled us with amazingly beautiful jewellery. But we can still copy their look by wearing cheaper pieces - and chances are nobody will ever know the difference!
Top of our shopping list are the decadent delights on offer at The Earring Boutique (www.theearringboutique.com), the UK's first online shop to specialise in collectible costume jewellery. The Crystallized Swarovski Elements collection is jaw-droppingly beautiful, with 'chandelier' designs including snowflakes and feathers providing that must-have film star sparkle and shine.
For even more affordable glamour, check out the new Diamantaire collection at www.idealworld.tv, made from sterling silver and luxurious stones. The S-shaped earrings (£14.99) are fairly understated but still look absolutely divine. And for yet more stunning, celebrity-style pieces, try Accessorize (www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/accessorize), Topshop (www.topshop.com) and www.asos.com.
