Magpies Rejoice!

Why wear pearls when you can wear pearls + skulls + neon thread + charms?
Magpies rejoice!  Venessa Arizaga has created exactly what you've always been wishing for.  Previously designing for Tuleh, Carolina Herrera, and Zac Posen, she started creating hand-made jewelry while traveling and as these things go - everyone she knew wanted one too. 
A Venessa Arizaga piece may be one of your most unique pieces and also one of your most favorite.
These two are on my wish list for sure!

Viva La Vida 

Tijuana Hangover

Snow in Color

I love color.  FACT.  This is why my office is painted purple.  This is also what makes me love Jessica Snow.  The San Francisco based artist uses color to "expresses a new possibility, an opening into a new direction where meaning is continually at play and in flux".  Bright, bold, and modern a Jessica Snow creation is sure to make any space instantly happier and more optimistic.

Get your own prints at 20x200.
Here are my favorites:

252 (+1) Dots 2011 

Bloom VI 

In a Manner of Speaking II

Hello, my name is Simone

Designed in Paris.  Cute and charming.  What else do you need to know to say, "Oui!"?
How about organic materials and your favorite rock stars as dolls?  Thought so.

My Name is Simone are the designer dolls you want - no matter your age.  As this brand is moving into the world of coveted items, new co-labs have launched too including with Smallable and The Galeris Lafayette. 

Dolls, whose human likeness you could easily run into on the street:

Jean-Louis

 

Josephine

In addition to her own creation of characters, My Name is Simone, has also done two additional collections - a Parisan Collection for the stars of couture and a Rock'n Dolls collection for the stars of pop music. Genius. 

Mister K

 

Miss C

 

 Major B

  Mister Pop

Find where to get your own My Name is Simone here.

 

I Love my Golden Gorilla

Best friends are the ones able to give you gifts that other people see as ridiculous and you instantly adore. 
Such is case on how I was introduced to titiMadam and my golden gorilla necklace - which has become my icon piece and almost part of my identity.  It is the one piece of jewelry that I am most asked about.  And I LOVE that, since I am most asked "why a gorilla", I get to simply answer "why not?". 

All of titiMadam's pieces make you smile, have a touch of whimsy, and have you instantly thinking you absolutely know someone who needs that.  What also makes their product fabulous is that you can choose your animal (each shape is named after a friend of theirs) in an assortment of colors, materials, and across product collections - necklace, rings, brooches, etc.
I recommend the gold and silver perspex as they have a mirror finish for fun pieces to wear out at night, and  the steel, brass or walnut finishes for a timeless & cheeky day-wear.  The fun colors are great for a pop.  I have the orange gold fish. 

Spread happiness.  Find you spirit animal guide. Share some titiMadam. :)

Happiness is all things unicorn.  Yes, they do have a unicorn wall mirror.  

I told you they were awesome.

 

Yaseed Wall Mirror 

Aleksi Ostridge Pendant 

Bozan Penguin Stainless Steel 

Juha Rhino Brooch 

And of course here is the infamous gold mirror gorilla for a night out on the town.

Buy him & his brothers here

Devine, Devine your heart is mine

Fact: I love brands that stem from people turning what they love into art, products, fabulous things to share and buy.  Even more so, I love those brands that appear to be reading my mind and creating things that make my heart go weak. 
One of the latter is Tatty Devine.  You've always wanted a lobster necklace?  How about a t-rex skeleton necklace? Me too.  And you wanted to buy these products from girls that have costume boxes for fancy dress?  Me too!

Started by two friends in 1999 - Rosie Wolfenden and Harriet Vine, who met at Chelsea School Of Art's - almost all of their products are hand made at two workshops in Kent and London.  Tatty Devine's first retail location was one of the first on Brick Lane back in 2001 which was adored by the press and customers since it's opening.  (brick and mortar locations here)

I firmly believe living and behaving to make your 8-10 year old self proud is fabulously good advice.  Now you can accessorize for that inner child too!  Thank you Tatty Devine!

Aarrghhhh Necklace 

Dinosaur Necklace 

Ghost Cufflinks 

Lobster Necklace 

Moustache Headband

Siblings Unite

Throughout history and mythology when siblings unite, their powers become greater and usually for good.
The same is true for Giles and Brother a sister and brother team based in NYC creating seasonal jewelry collections for Men & Women.  Their inspiration stems from their array of interests and each piece reflects a clean, straightforward toughness that creates pieces you could see worn by Romans, Vikings, or today's global travelers.  Utilitarian and antiquities combined for modern cool.
Here are a few of my favorites:

Tiny Pyrite Cluster Necklace 

Braided Hex Necklace 

 Fish Hook Necklace 

Antler Necklace

  

Nut & Bolt Cufflinks 

Railroad Spike Cuff

Jacqueline Monroe

In the spirit of making my dad proud and participating in local culture, a few friends and I went to Comic-Con Long Beach.  There I met a few artists that you'll see popping up on this blog.  The first being Jacqueline Monroe. 
Jacqueline in her words is "inclined to create adorable wacky characters (some innocent, others mischievous) and imaginatively illustrates their stories."  It's true.  She makes vampire Snow White cool and voodoo dolls look adorable.  As I'm running out of wall space at my house, some of Jacqueline's characters will be appearing in neatly wrapped packages at the homes of some of my nearest and dearest.
She has an Etsy Shop, but I'd recommend emailing her for art inquires. 

How to make me a super fan?  Adorable Halloween art.

 Trick or Treat

The Vampire trend is much cooler when it's taking over previous Disney turf.

Snow White 

These are voodoo dolls cute enough for the kid's room.

Voodoo #4