Cleopatra, Nefertari, and Nefertiti. Three ancient Egyptian Queens who would ordain themselves with only the very finest linens, silks, and jewels that money could buy... even while they were asleep! If any one of these grandiose beauties were alive today, I have no doubt that she would have joined the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, and Marcia Cross, who have all been spotted countless times wearing the many majestic pieces of “wearable art" from Stephanie Wells and Alisa Rottenberg’s Double Happiness Collection.

If I were asked to describe Double Happiness Jewelry in one word, imperial, would be the first thought to come to mind. Each one of their hand crafted object d'art is made with 14kt gold fill, sterling silver, and semi precious stones. Think queens, princesses, and the upper echelon during the time of Alexander the Great… (Or think Angelina Jolie’s viperous character in the 2004 blockbuster, Alexander).

Inspired by her versatile travel abroad to places like; Africa, India, Asia, and the Middle East, Stephanie's designs carry a beautiful ancient like quality to them. From deep rich blue lapis to luminous yellow citrine, these pieces are sure to add a lot of zest to any ensemble.

Stephanie focuses on the essential quality of each stone, thus upon wearing a completed piece, one's mood often transcends. It’s an indescribable positive energy that seems to radiate from each innovative design. Even the earrings appear to illuminate the wearer.

Double Happiness has graced the pages of numerous publications such as; Glamour, In Style, Marie Claire, and Cosmo, as another favorite jewelry line amongst the industry’s leading stylists and editors.

The line is moderately priced from about $80 to the mid $300 range and can be purchased directly on their site, Double Happiness Jewlery, and can be found at over 600 stores worldwide including; Fred Segal Rocks in Santa Monica CA, NY Look in NYC, Bloomingdale's in Dubai, Head Over Heels in Louisiana, and Laura Gambucci in San Diego. The choices vary from store to store and what is available online.

Industry Background:

Double Happiness was founded in August 2001, by Stephanie Wells and her sister, Alisa Rottenberg. “Double Happiness” means "marriage" in the Chinese culture. In the Western Hemisphere, it’s a type of karmic chain reaction. It also represents the two sisters.

What began with a pair of sisters working out of a garage, Double Happiness has grown into a wonderful studio in Southern California with a magnificent team of women as unique and well-crafted as the jewelry itself. All Double Happiness jewelry pieces are designed by Stephanie Wells, and manufactured by hand with her distinct style and technique in the studio.

If you’re anything like me, without question, I despise spending half of my paycheck on a handbag that everyone ends up sporting on their arm. I don’t do monograms, I don’t do ordinary, and I surely wouldn’t invest in a handbag made from anything less than the finest of leathers (Duh). There are, however, a handful of designers who’s arm candy resides in my closest season after season; Alexander McQueen, Michelle Vale, Kara Ross, and Be & D (to name my top four go- to’s).

If I’m looking to throw on a simple understated chill outfit (i.e. Genetic Denim Shane Jeans, Blue Life U- neck, Loeffler Randall oversized blazer paired with my Pour La Vic’s Angelique platts) I’m going to reach for a bag that’s vibrant, chic, playful and classy… I’m going with one of my Be & D bags.

Known for starting their incredible handbag line on a kitchen table in Brooklyn, New York, Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain are the dynamic duo who’s contending artistic individuality allow them to create their lavish, innovative, bold handbag collection; Be & D.

Since purchasing the Turquoise and Cognac Gold Studded Garbo Bag back in '04, I’ve been a loyal contributor to the economics of Be & D. I’m not the only one involved in a fervid love affair with these bags. Charlize Theron, Jessica Biel, Penelope Cruz, Liv Tyler, Blake Lively, Eva Longoria and dare I say it, Katy Perry, have all been spotted numerous times carrying these stunning pieces.

Although studs may be all the rage this season, Steve and Be were the first to set the bar with bold studding almost six years ago. All throughout Be & D’s color pallet, you can find vivacious fuchsias, scintillating greens, jewel-toned blues, radiant metallics, along with your staples- black, taupes and creamy whites. Each bag is handcrafted using ONLY the finest buttery leathers and elaborate, opulent exotics... even the hardware looks and feels swanky.

Their prices range from the high 5’s to about $1500 and worth every cent! These bags are made to withstand years, even decades, of wear. They are the bags that women keep in pristine condition, then subsequently pass down to their daughters. Any one of Be & D’s pieces will look just as incredible “vintage”, as they do brand new.

You’ll see me rocking my Cossette satchel in green python for years to come.

You can view the entire collection at Be & D, where you can purchase them directly on their site or at Shop Bop, Nordstom, and Saks.

Industry Background*:

Designers Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain started Be & D in 2004, at the kitchen table of a Greenpoint, Brooklyn loft. It was here that the duo created their very first design, the Garbo, modeled after a vintage bag found on holiday in a Beirut market. The bag quickly became an international phenomenon, catapulting Be & D onto the scene as a new force in the luxury market. Inthavong and Dumain believe strongly in the hands-on tradition of storied European luxury houses and have re-created this same practice in their Garment District design studio.

They personally train their sewers, teaching them the intricacies that define Be & D and work alongside them to ensure that every piece is created with the strictest attention to detail and quality.

In 2007, Be & D debuted its first shoe collection. The designers acknowledged that Italy was still the best place to make small quantities of expertly crafted shoes, and traveled to Tuscany to work side-by-side with skilled artisans to help realize their vision, continuing the same approach they use in their New York factory. With its signature gold soles and variety of heel heights, the line was created to compliment and merchandise with each main season’s core offerings.

In addition to their seasonal collections, Be & D has collaborated with ready-to-wear designers, including Ruffian and most recently Doo.Ri (A/W 09), in developing accessories for their New York Fashion Week runway presentations. In the pipeline for 2009 are additional strategic partnership opportunities with like-minded luxury companies both within and outside of the fashion industry.

Be & D Co-Founders/Designers:

Be Inthavong is a native of Laos, where his family has owned a silk mill for over 200 years. After immigrating to the United States at age eight, Be began sketching, and the influence of his legacy was apparent from the first drawing. After graduating from Texas Christian University with a degree in Biology, Be was drawn back into the world of fashion. With no formal training, Be spent the next 10 years honing his innate skills in accessories design and production as co-designer and owner of a hair accessories company. Longing to further explore and experiment with textiles, his first love, Be channeled his parents entrepreneurial spirit and set out on his own. A chance meeting with fellow creative force Steve Dumain would ignite the spark that led to the establishment of Be & D.

Steve Dumain was raised on a horse farm in upstate New York. Growing up, his unique sense of style was born out of his obsession with rummaging through local thrift stores, where he also accumulated a collection of antique luggage. After graduating from the University of Vermont, with a degree in International Business, Spanish and Art, Steve lived and traveled in Europe and South America. It was there he explored his fascination with fine art and sculpture - and the idea that an artist’s hands could create infinite possibilities. He returned to New York and became established in the film industry as a gifted writer, producer and talent manager. After meeting Be, he realized his lifelong passions were too great to ignore.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Be&D

-Article by Sam Jones for Scene B Seen

A couple weeks ago, LA's PsychicGirl Justine Kenzer, was visiting NYC and asked if she could do my reading. Apprehensive at first, I checked out her website. What I discovered was a lovely intro written by Ms. Kenzer and a ton of press (including; NY Times, The Daily News, the London Times, VH1, E!, Glamour, and countless other reputable press sources) about her and the numerous celebrities for whom she's done readings. In addition, she had met with my girls at The Luxury Spot, who adore this PsychicGirl.

I met Ms. Kenzer at a small cafe in the East Village. I was struck by her vivacious presence, extremely pleased she was not decked out in crystals, nor did she hint of patchouli (I did live in Venice Beach for several years). We ordered iced tea as she explained to me how it all works.

All readings are recorded for you, phone or in person. The recorded reading is sent you in by email link to an MP3 that you can listen to online, download to your own computer or ipod. Cool.

I felt completely comfortable and was ready for Ms. Kenzer to do her thing. She asked me to say my full name, as she would do an initial reading of what she saw.

What she saw, is so personal, that I cannot even disclose the details to you, my faithful readers. I had to bite my lip so I wouldn't burst into tears. Obviously, she could read on my face that she touched on something. She explained that a large part of what she does involves healing.

I consider myself to be more of a healer who is able to provide spiritual healing which can quickly result in positive change in your physical world. I strongly believe that destiny is not set in stone, that we create our own reality through our thoughts and our actions, yet we can have unconscious limitations due to our past experiences and the memories of them.

That being said, Ms. Kenzer went on to see my professional future... which involved loads of travelling to some amazing places, perhaps even writing about my adventures. Therefore, I was completely willing and open to any sort of healing in order to fulfill that prediction.

Though Ms. Kenzer revealed a few general dates which would bring my professional and love life into fruition, any shrink will tell you that you have to accept, deal and heal your past, in order to move forward.

Honestly, Ms. Kenzer's uncanny intuition regarding the skeletons in my closet, completely freaked me out. Yet, she was spot on and there is, without a doubt, something to be said for that.

Conclusion: Jot down some specific questions, and book an appointment with Justine Kenzer ASAP. Readings are available via instant message, phone or in person in Los Angeles.

Deets: PsychicGirl.com Email: Justine Kenzer

*Photo 1: Justine Kenzer

*Photo 2 courtesy of Wire Image: Justine Kenzer and Eva Longoria