Get 'Em Girl of the Week : Allyson Leak

Swarovski Crystals, Freshwater Pearls and Rare Imported Stones Make the Debut Line of Ally Marie Couture Jewelry

Combine mother of pearl with brass accents and a touch of crystal quartz and you get one of the unique pieces featured in the debut line of Ally Marie Couture Jewelry. Funky yet classy, vibrant but stylishly elegant, Ally Marie is for the woman who views jewelry as more than just diamonds and pearls; but rather as a creative reflection of their beauty, thoughts and ideals.

How often can you say you are wearing your favorite piece of art? According to Ally Marie designer Allyson Leak, it can be every day. The Ally Marie line defines itself as wearable art, reflecting the vintage goodies that clutter your grandmother’s jewelry box and inspired by the many color hues in nature, the architectural design of city buildings, and even basic everyday items. The Ally Marie line features the Bamboo Necklace – bamboo with mother of pearl shells and wood; and the Spork Necklace - a chain of Swarovski black and teal crystal beads and a Swarovski crystal accented natural horn pendant. Instead of following trends, Ally Marie creates them.

Other key features of the Ally Marie line include the 1805 Pocket Book Necklace – a 14k gold filled purse with a string of brass chains; the Pearl Necklace – a mix of antique sterling silver beads, freshwater pearls and a sterling chain along the back; and the Harmony Earrings – a mix of jade stone, sterling silver, and a natural horn heart pendant.
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Leak founded Ally Marie upon the idea that women should embrace their unique style by wearing jewelry that best reflects their personality. While designers spend their time telling people what they should wear and determining the best pieces for the season, Ally Marie says wear what works for you. Forget the trends; wear jewelry that makes you feel your best. Allyson reflects, “I remember how glamorous I felt playing in my grandmother’s jewelry as a little girl. Every piece was different; yet fit perfectly with who my grandmother was and her ideals. And they were so beautiful! The glitz and glam are what women really love. My goal was to create a luxurious and timeless line that can be passed down from generation to generation.”

Further, Leak created the Ally Marie Couture Jewelry Line because “people are tired of buying cheap jewelry that breaks two months after they buy it. I also knew that diamonds were not in everyone’s price bracket; so I wanted to create a line that fell in between the two.” Leak also wanted to go against the norm. “It is very easy to play it safe and create jewelry that is aligned with what’s already out there or what seems to ‘work’. In the end, everyone ends up looking the same.” The Ally Marie client is the woman who dares to be unique. Someone who is a trendsetter, loves exclusive jewelry, and isn’t worried about the price because they feel that quality and rarity are more important. She is someone who wants couture jewelry while everyone else looks the same in the usual designers.

Ally Marie can count Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Alicia Keys as one of its many fans. In November 2007 Keys wore the Ally Marie Bamboo Couture Necklace when she hosted MTV Hits “Alicia Keys Takeover Week”.
Retail prices range from $58 to $360. To find out more about the Ally Marie Couture Jewelry collection visit www.allymarie.com

Get 'Em Girl of the Week: Bettina Lee

Be Seen at the Top!

With hard work and perseverance, Bettina Lee strives to get there

Bettina Lee has continually cultivated her success in agency, corporate and entrepreneurial pursuits. She now shares her professional talents between Event Management and Public Relations as the lead of Tinalee Media & Events (TME), an independent full-service Public Relations and Special Events boutique Agency.

As Chief Executive of Tinalee Media & Events, Inc., Bettina ensures that success is acquired through clever media relations and pristine event execution. This mantra has secured TME with high profile clients such as noted author, inspirational speaker and P.R. maven, Terrie Williams and highly celebrated and esteemed magazine editor and author Amy DuBois Barnett. Further clients also include the marketing and branding company Recycling Inspiration, rising apparel brand Beeing and recording artist Amos Winbush.

In 2004, Ms. Lee recognized a need among women to network and have a support group. She soon found other women who shared the same objective, thus prompting her to found Girlfriends Get-Together (GGT). GGT provides an opportunity for young, upwardly mobile women of all ethnicities and demographics to step outside of their box and meet new ‘girlfriends’ through upliftment, networking, laughter and bonding in a social setting. Bettina further developed the progressive social networking concept to include men and has concurrently organized a monthly professional mixing affair which is recognized as The Collective.

Bettina has garnered her experience as the Public Relations and Special Events Coordinator of the Phipps House Group; the largest non-profit developer of affordable housing in New York City. There she oversaw all the media needs and assisted with fundraising opportunities for the company. She also developed the Henry’s Friends Young Professional Committee, which was designed to bring a younger donor base to the organization. Bettina’s professional dexterity progressed as the high-level executive’s Travel and Conference Coordinator during her prior appointment at the financial services software developer, i-Deal LLC. She also performed as an Intern for the very competitive and highly visible Lizzie Grubman Public Relations Agency in New York City.

Bettina Lee acquired her Bachelor’s of Science in Spanish from the University of Pittsburgh in 2001 and subsequently earned a Professional Certificate in Public Relations from New York University in 2006. Moreover, she is the First Vice President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s New York Alumnae Chapter.

Check out Ms. Lee at her website www.girlfriendsgettogether.net and tell her The Get 'Em Girls sent you!

Simon & Schuster

We have been slipping on our bloggin duties... however
Happy belated New Year! Did you miss us (smile)? Well we're back and we have exciting news. As you all know we self published, The Get 'Em Girl's Guide to Unlocking the Power of Cuisine, in April of 2007. Due to our hard work, your support and a couple of answered prayers; we have signed a two book deal with Simon and Schuster! 2008 will be an exciting year for the Get 'Em Girl's, please stay tuned for updates on the launch of our new website and our signature lifestyle event "The Get 'Em Girl's Bite Out."

Get 'Em Girls' of the Year!

From left to right: (top row) Doreen Motten, Tia Dantzler, Karen Taylor Bass, Nicole Hill,
Janine Davis, Elle Denise, Bevy Smith, Crystal Senter-Brown, Iris Hoskins
Adrienne Nixon, Shante Bacon, Ronda Yates, Chanelle Washington Dina C.
Tate, Lucinda Cross, Sabrina Thompson, Isha Edwards, Nquavah James,
Rashana Hooks, Shyvonne Sanganoo

Thank you ladies for blessing the Delicious Life Newsletter! See you in 2008!