So you thought you could go back to your normal life now that Award Season is over. As if. First you'd have to define "normal." These days, not much qualifies as normal in the traditional sense. While it seems perfectly okay for someone in Hollywood to buy a dog collar that costs as much as a European luxury vacation, the same sight in Topeka may give you pause.

It's not enough to wear a specific label or own a particular brand-it's all about glam and luxury. If it's not gourmet, luxury or otherwise customizable-meaning it has to come in a thousand hot colors, top-quality material or be encrusted with real diamonds and/or 14K gold or platinum-it's simply not cool. The word we're after here is "bling." And yes, it's still well and alive, although the meanings has evolved. At first, bling meant glitzy accessories, but now covers allot of territory. From cell phones to cameras, baby strollers to spa treatments (i.e., martini pedicures); products themselves have become "bling-alicious."

When it comes to luxury many of us look to the starts for bling guidance (though we're loath to admit it). This year's Oscars grab bags topped year's past with a total worth of over $100,000 in luxury and while we hate them for it, we'll still go out and actually pay for some of these items. That's right, while celebrities get things handed to them gratis, the general populous (that's us) snatch up high-end luxury items like designer iPod cases and luxury handbags that cost more than most of us made on our last paycheck. But even those who can't budget for a $75 box of the best chocolate money can buy are still managing to get in on the bling phenomenon. Even department stores like Target and Wal-Mart are trying their hand at luxury "bling" merchandise.

Solitaire Platinum Ring - IGI Certified I guess something's do change.

In the market for a wide screen plasma HDTV? Looking to pimp out your pad? Check out Todd Oldham's collection of designer housewares. We liked the Diamond Flyer Sofa- and no one will guess it's from good ole' Tar-Jay.

On the other hand, some things will always seem over-the-top. Like a $20,000 camera. Each Academy Awards Best Actress nominee received a Kodak Easyshare V570 personalized with her initials in 75 brilliant-cut diamonds provided by Kwait Diamonds.

But $5 for a cup of Marble Mocha Macchiato and $8,000 for a set of custom Dubs is palatable. While we're at it, why not spend $4,500 on a cell phone? I mean, you just have to have the best of everything (you wouldn't want anyone to out-bling you). No doubt you'll be the coolest cat around with the Vertu phone's hi-fidelity audio system speaker that plays original composition ring tones and even has a concierge button, giving you the inside edge on top spas, restaurants and clubs.

When it comes to our kids we're no better. We'll teach them the values of frugality-one day. For now, we're gonna drop $500 on a luxury baby stroller. If Julia Roberts has one, then by-golly I deserve one too.

You might shake your head at the extravagance of it all ... but chances are you're shelling out right along with the rest of us. As far back as 2002, research showed that consumers are willing to pay up to ten times conventional price levels for new luxury items. With our image-conscious society and inclination toward instant gratification, this trend is certain to continue. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get yourself some luxury bling.

So you thought you could go back to your normal life now that Award Season is over. As if. First you'd have to define "normal." These days, not much qualifies as normal in the traditional sense. While it seems perfectly okay for someone in Hollywood to buy a dog collar that costs as much as a European luxury vacation, the same sight in Topeka may give you pause.

It's not enough to wear a specific label or own a particular brand-it's all about glam and luxury. If it's not gourmet, luxury or otherwise customizable-meaning it has to come in a thousand hot colors, top-quality material or be encrusted with real diamonds and/or 14K gold or platinum-it's simply not cool. The word we're after here is "bling." And yes, it's still well and alive, although the meanings has evolved. At first, bling meant glitzy accessories, but now covers allot of territory. From cell phones to cameras, baby strollers to spa treatments (i.e., martini pedicures); products themselves have become "bling-alicious."

When it comes to luxury many of us look to the starts for bling guidance (though we're loath to admit it). This year's Oscars grab bags topped year's past with a total worth of over $100,000 in luxury and while we hate them for it, we'll still go out and actually pay for some of these items. That's right, while celebrities get things handed to them gratis, the general populous (that's us) snatch up high-end luxury items like designer iPod cases and luxury handbags that cost more than most of us made on our last paycheck. But even those who can't budget for a $75 box of the best chocolate money can buy are still managing to get in on the bling phenomenon. Even department stores like Target and Wal-Mart are trying their hand at luxury "bling" merchandise.

Solitaire Platinum Ring - IGI Certified I guess something's do change.

In the market for a wide screen plasma HDTV? Looking to pimp out your pad? Check out Todd Oldham's collection of designer housewares. We liked the Diamond Flyer Sofa- and no one will guess it's from good ole' Tar-Jay.

On the other hand, some things will always seem over-the-top. Like a $20,000 camera. Each Academy Awards Best Actress nominee received a Kodak Easyshare V570 personalized with her initials in 75 brilliant-cut diamonds provided by Kwait Diamonds.

But $5 for a cup of Marble Mocha Macchiato and $8,000 for a set of custom Dubs is palatable. While we're at it, why not spend $4,500 on a cell phone? I mean, you just have to have the best of everything (you wouldn't want anyone to out-bling you). No doubt you'll be the coolest cat around with the Vertu phone's hi-fidelity audio system speaker that plays original composition ring tones and even has a concierge button, giving you the inside edge on top spas, restaurants and clubs.

When it comes to our kids we're no better. We'll teach them the values of frugality-one day. For now, we're gonna drop $500 on a luxury baby stroller. If Julia Roberts has one, then by-golly I deserve one too.

You might shake your head at the extravagance of it all ... but chances are you're shelling out right along with the rest of us. As far back as 2002, research showed that consumers are willing to pay up to ten times conventional price levels for new luxury items. With our image-conscious society and inclination toward instant gratification, this trend is certain to continue. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get yourself some luxury bling.