Harriet Miers -- The fashion police render an unfavorable opinion.

Harriet E. Miers, President Bush's nominee to succeed Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court, wore the best accessory -- a warm smile -- at last Monday's news conference announcing her selection.

But in terms of jewelry, Ms. Miers was terribly overaccessorized. While politicos wonder whether she'll be conservative or moderate, her accessorizing was definitely liberal. It was as if she couldn't decide which piece of jewelry was her favorite, so she wore them all.

On her left lapel was a red, white and blue flag pin, a patriotic nod appropriate for the occasion (This is the proper place to wear a flag pin, over the heart). A gold-toned pin with pearl detailing adorned her right lapel. Between them was an ornate gold-tone button to fasten her purple jacket at the top. And around her neck and disappearing under her jacket were a gold necklace, a pearl necklace and a silver necklace with a large cross. A watch encircled one wrist, a bracelet the other.

The pieces fought for attention, and every one of them lost.

"Layering is a hot trend right now," said Helena Krodel, media manager for the nonprofit Jewelry Information Center in New York City. But she cautioned to "never wear more than three of any one type of jewelry. If you are layering, try three necklaces, three stacking rings, or three bracelets. Don't try to wear all of your favorite items at once."

Recent photos suggest that Miers likes pins. That's fine, because pins and brooches are in style and are a ladylike way to personalize and dress up the typically generic career wear of powerful Washington women.

But moderation and balance are the keys to successful accessorizing whether at work or play.

Easy application

Want a fresh, natural makeup look this fall and winter without spending a half-hour in front of the mirror? Celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert Shalini Vadhera, who has done makeup for "Survivor" and "Dancing With the Stars," offers tips on two-minute, five-minute and 10-minute applications.

For the two-minute job, skip the heavy foundation and use a light-reflecting lotion mixed with a little foundation. Apply lip balm and then lipstick to lips that were exfoliated the night before. Use a lash curler and follow with a swipe of mascara.

If you've got three more minutes, add eye color in cream or sheer shades in a wash, not a thick line, across the eyelids. (Colors are in, but softer hues will give you a more natural look.) Lightly apply cream blush to the apples of your cheeks in silky bright colors with cool undertones.

For a 10-minute session, build on the prior steps with a few more coats of mascara, a soft eye shadow to line the eyes and shimmer powder on the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, forehead and collarbone for a lovely glow.

Ms. Vadhera's secret weapon? ChapStick. She uses it to moisturize exfoliated lips and to lift and keep brushed eyebrows in place.

Architectural accessories

Architect Frank Gehry will be working with much smaller objects than he's used to in a new partnership with Tiffany & Co.

Mr. Gehry becomes the first new designer for the legendary jewelry company in 25 years. His six distinct jewelry collections featuring precious metals, stones and wood will debut in April. Gehry-designed tabletop items also will be available.

"Our association with Frank Gehry represents another milestone in Tiffany's heritage as a leader in the world of jewelry design," says Michael J. Kowalski, Tiffany's chairman and CEO in a statement. "His revolutionary aesthetic has literally redefined architecture, and we fully anticipate that our partnership, combining as it does Mr. Gehry's genius with Tiffany's tradition of innovation and utmost quality, will change the rules of jewelry and fashion to equal and spectacular effect."

Mr. Gehry says he'll work as he always does, sketching and creating models. "Jewelry is an art form," he adds.

Mr. Gehry, who has earned a National Medal of Arts and a gold medal from the American Institute of Architects, counts the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles among his credits.

-- By the Associated Press