Spandau Ballet performing "Gold"

Today we celebrate an early start to the weekend with an uplifting song by the British new wave band Spandau Ballet. "Gold" was released in 1983 as a single from the group's third album "True." Powered by the lead vocals of Tony Hadley, "Gold" rose to #2 on the U.K. Singles Chart and #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S.

Featuring a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop, Spandau Ballet was one of the most successful bands of the 1980s. The band split in 1990 but re-emerged 19 years later with a sold-out world tour and sounding better than ever. In this video, Spandau Ballet performs "Gold" live in front of 60,000 delirious fans at The Isle of Wight Festival in 2010.

"Gold"

Written by John C. Stewart. Performed by Spandau Ballet.

Thank you for coming home
I'm sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Luck has left me standing so tall

[Chorus:]
Gold (gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, that you are
Gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believe in...

After the rush has gone
I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And love is like a high prison wall
But you could leave me standing so tall

[Chorus]

And love is like a high prison wall
But you could leave me standing so tall

Gold (gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, 'cause you are
Gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believe in...
(Gold)

Biel/Timberlake Engagement Ring Finally Revealed

Biel/Timberlake Engagement Ring Finally Revealed
The much-talked-about, but rarely seen, engagement ring that Justin Timberlake bestowed upon Jessica Biel over the holidays finally surfaced last Thursday when a sharp-eyed People magazine photographer scored a shot of the beautiful ring.

Biel’s engagement ring – featuring a large, slightly rounded square-cut diamond framed with smaller diamonds – has a vintage motif and is likely designed in platinum. This unique shape, formally called a "cushion cut" or "pillow cut," has been popular for more than a century. These diamonds have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance.

The newly engaged couple was all smiles when they were spied after enjoying a late lunch at a Brentwood, CA, eatery on Thursday.

According to CinemaBlend.com, the Biel/Timberlake engagement had been under the radar until Timberlake’s grandmother finally spilled the beans. Biel reportedly showed the ring off to friends at a "Saturday Night Live" party last month, but no photos could be captured at that time. This is the first time the public has gotten a peek at the bauble. 

As long-time connoisseurs of fine engagement rings, we must say that we are very impressed.

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Crystal-Covered Eyebrows Wow the Fashion Press at Chanel Fashion Show

Paris Fashion Week was abuzz Tuesday when luxury fashion house Chanel's models descended on the catwalk wearing bejeweled strips to define their eyebrows. "Browdazzling" is the way HollywoodLife.com described the imaginative spectacle conceived by legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld and crafted by Chanel's creative director, Peter Philips.

The intricate detailing of the eyebrow bling drew even more attention as the models' hair was scraped back from their faces in tight buns and high ponytails.

When Lagerfeld tackled the crystal theme for the Fall/Winter 2012 Collection his followers knew it would be done in a big way. Paris' Grand Palais was magically transformed into a jewelry-lover's fantasy, with enormous purple and grey crystal stalagmites protruding from every surface.

Models.com reported that the runway models were draped in layers of vibrant hues, with razor sharp cuts meant to mimic the shape of all those gorgeous stones. Tiny gems and moonstones even adorned some of those signature Chanel tweeds. The gem inspiration was apparent throughout the collection as hems, cuffs, epaulets and heels were adorned with crystal accents. Chunky jewelry, including necklaces and stacked gemstone bangles, completed the looks.

The Chanel show earned rave reviews from the fashion press.

Look magazine said, "All in all, the Chanel fashion show was everything we've come to expect from Lagerfeld – new, fresh, and in a league of its own!"

"Far out and extraordinary" is the way fashion website HonestlyWTF.com described the show.

HollywoodLife.com reports that bold eyebrows are definitely a trend for fall, so those wanting to incorporate Chanel's look into their beauty routine may want to add gems or crystals into their makeup – on a slightly smaller scale. "Pop one on the inner corners of your eyes or on the outer corner of your brows," recommends the website. "Just make sure you are using cosmetic grade glue and gems!"

Submit the Story of Your 'Ultimate Proposal' to Win a Dream Vacation, Platinum & Diamond Necklace

Certainly every engaged couple has a memorable story to tell about their proposal, but if you were lucky enough to have experienced the "ultimate proposal" you could be in the running to win a prize package worth more than $5,500.

The Jewelry Information Center's "Ultimate Proposal Contest" is a nationwide search for the story behind the most amazing, heartwarming, romantic, unusual or mind-bending proposal.

If your story captures the hearts of the public when voting starts on April 10, the grand-prize-winning couple will earn a five-day, four-night luxury stay at any Sandals Resorts location. The winners will also take home a platinum necklace featuring a 1/3-carat diamond.

Twenty runners-up will earn a $100 prize package that includes a leather jewelry case, $25 Macy's gift card and The Knot's "Ultimate Wedding Lookbook."

It's simple to enter the contest. Visit the sponsor's website at JIC.org and click the "Enter Now" button on the "Ultimate Proposal Contest" graphic. You will be asked to submit your proposal story (500-word limit). You also must submit a photo or video in which your engagement ring is visible.

Entries will be accepted until April 10, 2012, at 12 Noon EDT. Voting will start one minute later and end on May 8. The 20 entries that receive the most votes will move onto the final judging round, which ends May 22.

The ultimate proposal submissions can be seen in a gallery at this link. Have fun viewing these stories and good luck if you submit one of your own!

Today Is February 29th, Ladies; It's Your Day to Pop the Question!

Ladies, for hundreds of years there's been a tiny window of matrimonial opportunity when all engagement traditions were turned upside down. For on February 29th, Leap Day, it's been perfectly acceptable for a woman to pop the question to her significant other. And here's the good part: He was obligated to say, "yes," lest he be required to pay severe restitution – a silk gown or a dozen pairs of silk gloves.

Of course, this is not the United Kingdom at the turn of the 20th century, and proposing on Leap Day is no longer a gasp-inducing notion. Women today are free to express their marital intentions any day of the year. In Hollywood, you could look to Monica proposing to Chandler in "Friends" or Miranda proposing to Steve in "Sex in the City." In real life, Britney Spears and Halle Berry famously proposed to their beaus.

With that said, wouldn't it be neat, ladies, to go retro on February 29th – as Amy Adams did in her 2010 movie, "Leap Year" – and revisit this tradition of yesteryear? You can even take it to the next level by actually getting down on one knee and presenting your guy with a man-gagement ring. (A new survey conducted by TheKnot.com and Men’s Health magazine reported a new trend: That at least 17% of U.S. men would wear one). We have some great styles from which to choose.

Adele Is Having a Fantasy Month of Music Awards, Platinum Sales and Engagement Buzz

Hot on the heels of her six Grammy awards and two Brit Awards, the 23-year-old Adele made music history yesterday by being the first artist ever to go double platinum (2 million downloads) on Apple's iTunes Store in the U.S., according to The Loop.

What's more, the soulful singing phenomenon has been the focus of engagement rumors, as she was recently photographed wearing what seemed to be a large yellow diamond on her ring finger. Adele put the rumors to rest yesterday, telling The Mirror that the ring was simply a fashion accessory and joking that she wanted boyfriend Simon Konecki to buy her an engagement ring so big “you can see it from space.”

Colombia Records also announced this week that Adele's album, 21, has been No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart for 21 weeks, making it the longest running No. 1 album by a woman in Billboard history. The record had been held since 1992 by the late Whitney Houston's soundtrack album, The Bodyguard.

In honor of Adele's sweep of six major Grammy categories, including "Record of the Year," "Album of the Year" and "Best Performance," we present her rousing rendition of the 2012 Grammy "Song of the Year."

Performing live on the Late Show With David Letterman from this past Tuesday, here's Adele singing "Rolling in the Deep."

Two of Four Remaining Pairs of Iconic Ruby Slippers Are in the News

Who could have predicted that two of the four remaining pairs of iconic ruby slippers from the 1939 film, "The Wizard of Oz," would be making headlines in the same week 73 years later. One pair will be heading west to the future site of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, and the other has been removed from its long-running display at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, for a well-deserved five-week makeover before returning in early April. 

Fans of Hollywood trivia may remember that one pair of ruby slippers – said to be the most valuable of the four because the pair was used for close-up shots – went on the auction block in December but remained unsold because the starting bid of $2 million was not achieved.

Now we've learned that actor Leonardo DiCaprio has led a group of "angel donors" to purchase the very same pair for the future Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Last November, DeCaprio co-chaired an inaugural fundraiser for the future movie museum, raising about $3 million from attendees such as Clint Eastwood, Kate Hudson, Ron Howard, Olivia Wilde, Jane Fonda and Harvey Weinstein.

It was not revealed how much they paid for what has been called "The Holy Grail" of Hollywood memorabilia.

On the East Coast, another pair of official ruby slippers that had been a favorite attraction at the Smithsonian since 1979 were removed last week from their display to be conserved. They will be returned to public view on April 5 in a new exhibit called "American Stories" at the National Museum of American History.

Dorothy’s ruby slippers are said to be one of the most asked-about artifacts in the whole Smithsonian. The Smithsonian received its pair of slippers, worn by Garland in dance scenes, from an anonymous donor in 1979.

While the shoes are gone, the yellow brick road of "Oz" exhibit will be represented by the hat and boots from the Scarecrow costume worn by Ray Bolger.

In the classic film, Dorothy earned the shoes when her house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. (They’re believed to be the same pair seen on the witch’s feet sticking out from under Dorothy’s house.)

In L. Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy wore silver shoes. In the movie version, the filmmakers changed them to ruby because the film was to be shot in Technicolor.

The shoes proved to be a big challenge for costume designers because the red bugle beads used to simulate rubies were heavy. They decided to replace the beads with sequins – 2,300 for each shoe. The Art Deco-inspired bows on the front of each shoe were comprised of large rectangular red glass jewels and dark-red bugle beads, outlined in red glass rhinestones in silver settings.