Recently, eBay removed the sellers' ability to give negative or neutral feedback to buyers. That sucks.

While this encourages buyers to be "honest", this also makes it possible for more to leave unfair feedback for sellers. True, they're probably not deliberately blackmailing you, but what's a seller to do when a rude, unthinking buyer decides to "buy it now" and then ask questions later? Or worse, what to do when she expects a fuss-free refund, otherwise she'll call you a "liar" or describe your merchandise as "smelly"?

I have sold only a handful of items on eBay (so those of you who want to know which buyer I referred to can check her out--she's being sued by another seller for exactly the same behavior). Now I am even more discouraged from selling.

Why only allow positive feedback for buyers? Is our only defense now the ability to withhold any feedback? Hold the hugs and kisses. That should teach her a lesson.

And please, don't suggest that I report abusive behavior to eBay. The only answer I got was an automated-response email.

And yes, I'm sure Power Sellers have some sort of recourse. But what about those that are just starting out? Clearly, because we're not providing massive business, we smaller merchants mean little to eBay.

Nice going, eBay. You've lost whatever sense of community or democracy you had left.

Perhaps more than any other piece of jewelry, I love my watches. I collect wristwatches the way I collect shoes, which is just shy of Imeldific. But being a geek chick, I lean towards the classic men's brands--Omega, Seiko, Hamilton, Sinn, Oris, Zodiac, to name a few.

But lately, my ears are pricked at the tick-tock of Philip Stein TESLAR. Not just because it's one of Oprah's favorite things, but because it is, in equal doses, a fabulous piece of wrist candy and a cutting-edge electromagnetic buffer.

It emits a signal that strengthens the body's electromagnetic field (EMF), making it resistant to the effects of low-grade EMF from cellphones, MP3 players, computers and all those other electronic devices.

The result: the Philip Stein TESLAR watch wearer is calmer, more relaxed and more focused.

Talk about looking good and feeling good. If that's not justification, I don't know what is.

Hello, my name is Cynthia. I am an accessories addict.

During the last several days, my place of work has been overrun by Yours by Yvette bags. There are hundreds of purses--some, feathered; some, swathed in raw silk; others, covered in beads. All, exquisite.

When my employer's friends come over to peruse, they are beside themselves. How can they possibly choose just one? Or two? Or four?

I know exactly how they feel.

So I chose five.

This one is called "Monarch." It's a summer's dream of handwoven cane, leatherette, bugle beads and colored stones.






This is "Paradise," a floral tapestry of gold-tone pewter, glass beads, stones and raw-edged silk."









Coconut Grove" is an oasis of beads, with ornaments of jade and mother-of-pearl.








These other two have no names--at least, none that I can find on the Internet. But to paraphrase the Bard, what's a purse by any other name, if it looks just as sweet?

After the success of Rafe Totengco, Bea Valdes and Tina Maristela-Ocampo in the US, yet another Filipino designer of purses and evening bags is about to break through.

Yvette Floro's intricately beaded and jeweled babies are finding their way onto the arms of Paris Hilton and her fellow celebrities--and if you're very quick, one or more of her bags may swing off yours, too.

Some eBayers may recognize the designs as being very similar to an  American designer of collectible bags. Truth is, Yvette was this person's ghost designer and manufacturer for more than a decade. Now, she's on her own and marketing her creations--under her own label--to department stores in Hong Kong, Japan, Europe and South America.

Yvette is having an informal sale, right out of a residence in the posh Dasmariñas Village of Makati City. Most of the inventory are evening bags, but a few are versatile enough to mix well with day dresses and jeans.And the discounts!

Paris Hilton may have spent anywhere from $110 to $290 on her purse; a similar model is going for $90. A few lucky bargain hunters may even snatch the ones selling for $50.

If you want to know more about Yvette, visit her at Yours by Yvette.

I myself could not resist and bought this little blue beauty.

Vintage and period costume jewelry are back in vogue, although I doubt if the college kids realize that the brooches and cocktail rings they like so much are, in fact,  "old lady". (Seventies-style bags have returned, too, but that's another post entirely.)

When you troll the flea markets and consignment stores for these pieces, keep in mind that "antique" jewelry is over a hundred years old, while "vintage" is anything over 50 years. Pieces that are more recent are simply pre-collectible.

Anyway, for those who want to tell Victorian from Edwardian and Art Nouveau from New Age, here are my crib notes.

Art Nouveau(1895-1910)The artists of this era had an obsession with Mother Nature. So curved lines, natural motifs, intertwined floral patterns, butterflies and dragonflies flitted on ladies' hands, ears and necks. The earthy luster of opals, pearls and moonstones were the jewelers' stones of choice.






Edwardian(1901-1915)Unlike the languid opulence of Art Nouveau, Edwardian pieces were light, feminine and ethereal. The white-on-white look of diamonds, pearls and platinum ruled the day.










Art Deco(1915-1930)Like the Bauhaus style of architecture and design, the jewelry of Jay Gatsby's day incorporated geometric lines and bold colors. The favored metals were platinum, white gold and silver, while emerald, ruby, sapphire, onyx, diamond and rock crystal gave ladies (and men) more options.













Retro(1935-1950)Think Jackie O. and you get the picture--oversized, feminine and like many of today's designs, inspired by previous periods. Rubies and other stones became popular.