- filed December 13th, 2001

Rings and Things!

If you are looking for a place to go for that perfect gift (for a friend, a loved one, or just for yourself), and you'd like to find an accessory that is not commercial or ubiquitous, but don't want to break the bank - look no further than Liliblue, 955 Madison Avenue at 75th Street; open Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM and Sunday 12PM-6PM. Tel: 212 249-5356.

This French import, which was born in Cannes about four years ago, quickly added two outposts in Florida (West Palm Beach and Miami), and opened their small New York boutique last May. They pride themselves on their playful accessories at affordable prices and on being a neighborhood store that is equally attractive to tourists. In fact, they even claim to know the names of their customers' dogs and children. And the manager, Juliette Panache, told me that when George Stephanopoulos married Alexandra Wentworth in what was a very high profile, celebrity studded wedding, the bride-to-be purchased chokers for her bridesmaids from the shop.

Liliblue sells bags and scarves from Italy and France, and jewelry from Paris. The handbags range from straightforward, classic wearable styles, to those that are slightly more adventurous. Their most popular style is a suede shoulder bag for $129, and a small tote for $196, which is leather lined and available in a range of colors. There is also a fabric and 'pony skin' style that sells for $440, and a group of 'Fendi-esque' studded baguettes done in patchwork fur ($840). Oh, and by the way, a selection of their bags and scarves are on sale now from 25% to 50% off - another good reason to stop by.

The jewelry, the real focus of the shop, from two very well known French names, Satellite and Poggi, divides into two parts, costume jewelry and sterling silver. The silver rings with semiprecious stones are the most popular of their silver collection according to Ms. Panache, and their famous 9-stone ring ($249) is available in garnet, peridot, blue topaz, amethyst, citrine and combinations of the above.

Their costume jewelry, changed every 2 1/2 months, comprises combinations of Swarovski crystals and glass-de- Boehm. Their latest costume collection from Poggi boasts a very popular blue/green group, as well as a group comprised of combinations of corals and reds, and an amethyst group from Satellite.

There is a large selection of bracelets; earrings ($70-$190), in both clip-on and pierced versions; chokers ($120-$400); and rings ($70-$190), including some wonderfully oversized cocktail rings. I am especially crazy about important rings at the moment. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that Karl Lagerfeld recently gave oversized rings a huge endorsement when he put them on every finger (and some toes) of the models that walked his runway for Chanel Couture fall/winter 2001.

Ms. Panache told me they hope to keep their store a "charming" place with a quintessentially French ambiance, and like to think of it as 'stepping into Paris in the heart of Manhattan'. Viva la France!