Konstantina Mahlia’s eponymous jewelry collection brings the boldness of Mediterranean history straight to your fingers, neck and ears with Cabochon rubies, diamonds, onyx and black intaglios handmade by Latvian artisans (how’s that for exotic?) nestled in 18K gold or sterling alloy.

I love how they’re embedded with a lexicon of ancient cross cultural iconography. It’s like wearing a bit of history (even if you didn’t pay attention in your ancient history class).

Here are a few of our favorites:

Ahani Earrings

Celine Necklace

Demetra Ring

Dante Ring

Pamela Cross

If you like what you see, Devon Shops is having a trunk show with Konstantina herself on June 10th from 12 to 8pm at 111 E. 27th St.

Cutoff shorts are ubiquitous in the warmer months and there’s a pair for almost all body types and tastes, from super short to baggy boyfriend to bleached.

Here are a few of our favorites!

Raw edges and distressing give these cutoffs from Forever 21 a true vintage feel.

Vintage Cutoff Shorts

These bleached jeans from Goldsign at Shopbop feature bleaching, a longer length and a color that will show off a tan!

Sweet Cutoff Shorts

These rolled up cutoffs from the Gap are great, slouchy and casual with trouser pockets.

Trouser Jean Cutoffs

If you still can’t let go of your NYC black, the check out these black Insight cutoffs from 80s Purple with a frayed hem and dangerously short short length.

Abigails's Swing Shorts

Aaahh, if only the average person were so glam at jury duty. Marc Jacobs wore a kilt and carried a Birkin to jury duty earlier this week. Word on the street is that he served only two days before being let go.

[via Gawker]

Check out this breathtaking photo of Judith Bedard shot by Takuya Uchiyama for the Beauty supplement in Vogue Nippon’s April 2010 issue.

Keywords: Sharp, jagged, charcoal, mesh, restrained, jeweled.

Romanian designer Mihai Albu has trumped Alexander McQueen’s 10-inch “Alien” shoes to create 12-inch (dare I say, monstrosities) for women to torture themselves with. A former architect, Albu is deemed the “shoe architect” by rich Romanians who pay an incredible $1525 to wobble around in shoes that add an entire foot to one’s height.

Check out some of his creations.

Albu’s architectural background comes in handy when stacking platforms, layering soles and strategically placing one heel to support the other in Cirque du Soleil-type arrangements.

Renowned Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field teamed up with Skyy Vodka to produce a limited-edition bottle to coincide with the opening of the Sex and the City 2 movie. Aiming to marry the glamour of the movie with the sophistication of Skyy cocktails, the new chic bottle is sure to become an instant collector’s item! (My bottles will be, ehem, empty, but still.)

Ralph Lauren opened up his first flagship store (and restaurant!) in Paris’s historic Saint Germain district. At 23,000 square feet, it features the full men’s and women’s collections, as well as accessories.

‘I wanted to create a unique environment that captures the glamour, culture and the artistic spirit of the Paris that I have fallen in love with. Now, with this store opening, in the most romantic part of the city, I finally feel I have been able to tell my whole story in Paris.’ said Ralph Lauren.

Even if you’re not a fan of the clothes, go to check out the amazing 16th century architecture— the facade features classical French architecture in lime stone with carvings and ornaments. The interior is Rococo style, with ‘Versaille’ style flooring, plaster moulding and carvings.

[via Think Silly]

Whether you love the flora and fauna or your idea of being outdoorsy is wearing a floral print, this dress from Forever 21 will suit either sensibility.With a sophisticated floral print and feminine ruffled straps, it stands out in the sea of smocked top maxi dresses.

Spring Garden Maxi Dress

At $22.80, it’s a fabulous deal! Now excuse me while I roll around in the grass and collect dandelions while the breeze softly blows through my hair.

Check out behind-the-scenes of the making of Chanel’s Chance commercial featuring Sigrid Agren and directed by Jean-Paul Goude. With philosophical undertones and a reminder to take chances when life presents us with them, this commercial reminds me of what I love about the French–the joie de vivre that’s often missing from American life.

Amazing shot of Nika Lauraitis in the Sweet Reverie editorial for the May issue of Flare magazine.

Keywords: Dreamy, languorous, hazy, soft.

I don’t know whether to be glad or horrified that cropped tops are back. I guess it depends on how many French fries I ate the night before, har. Anywhoo, I think they’re sexy and glad they’re mostly oversized (some enough to be worn off the shoulder).

I like this tie-dyed version from Elizabeth and James. Not only can it be worn with skinny jeans and heels, but you can pair it with a high-waisted skirt to cover any errant skin.

Photo: Bloomingdales.com