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

Saint Balmain

There have have always been and will always be two factors in all things stylish and cool:
Rock & Roll and Paris.
They are the most significant factors in my own style and fashion preferences.  They have also had an affair and created a love child - Balmain.  Technically this love child was born back in 1945, however under the reigns of Christophe Decarnin from 2006 - 2011 Balmain was reborn as a Parisian rebel.  Jem et les Hologrammes all grown up.

Starting April 2011 Olivier Rousteing has been it's new head designer.  Previously the head of Women's design he's continuing the chic rebel look.  Deiu Merci!  Here is his Spring 2013:

Anya brings the sparkle

As the 5 weeks to Christmas countdown begins, even the biggest Grinches among us can't but get excited about sparkle, shimmer, and baubles.
And that is why I'd like you to meet Anya Hindmarch.  An accessories designer from London, brought to infamy for her "I'm not a Plastic Bag" tote she is among the designer goddesses of the UK. Anya is the example of the modern lady.  Her husband is her business partner.  She's a mum to five children.  Where work ends and home begins is a blur.  And everything she makes is totally desirable. 


Another example of how doing what you love is the best advice for both happiness and success.
Once you get your fancy holiday Anya Hindmarch bag - be sure to toast your bubbles this season to her and the happiness the sparkle she adds to your life brings.

Her new AW12 collection is sure to make your inner magpie blissfully happy.  

Amazing purple glitter number, yes please!

Balthasar Nevis

Perhaps the most magical of them all........

Valorie Bells in Glitter Fabric

To be tough and a lady

Trying to be tough and a lady can be challenging.  Luckily, there are other women who feel this way. 
One such lady is Jennifer Fisher creator and designer behind Jennifer Fisher Jewelry.  You've probably seen her designs on worn by your favorite celebrity moms or worn on your favorite t.v. shows.  Tough, timeless, and pretty, her pieces are perfect for the lady with an edge and who like to express themselves with unique pieces.  All items are customizable and if it fits, she'll print the message of your choice.  
Here are a few of my favorites....

Mini Gothic Letter

 

Key to My Heart

Large Tag

Oui, Oui, Fifi!

Style, children's book illustrations, and mystery are three things I like and REALLY like when they're combined.  Thank you Fifi Lapin! The stylish, illustrated, hare-ss to a bunny fortune, Fifi Lapin, is irresistibly cute in her of the moment fashion outfits.  Adding to her allure, the artist behind Fifi Lapin is Bansky-like and only does interviews as Fifi Lapin, the bunny.  An excellent example that you can maintain your inner child while completely loving catwalk couture.  If only my paper dolls were as stylish as Fifi Lapin.

Check the blog regularly for art, new product launches, and of course Fifi's pulse on the fashion world.

 "Fifty Days" big print Sold Out ;(

Hot Scarves, Hot CEO

It's rare that beautiful things are created by beautiful people.  And then there's Bay & Fyfe. 

The first limited edition collection from this Sydney, Australia based design label knocks it out of the park.  There are lots of luxury silk scarves out there, but none of them get as modern or desirable as these, with  fierce prints of animals set against cheeky pops of color from the art of Damion Downey.  Fresh, fabulous, and I need all four.

 

Pastel Zoo 

Fresh and fabulous also describes CEO and Founder, Frith Hucks.  Master traveler and global phenomenon, Frith has been taking the world by storm since leaving her native New Zealand 12 years ago building a stellar track record working around the globe for brands who do it best.  Now based in Sydney, a chance encounter combined with her innate moxie lead to the launch of her own enterprise.  Charming, hilarious, and with a twinkle in her eye, you instantly love Frith as much as Bay & Fyfe. 

To ensure the love fest continues, Bay & Fyfe will be launching a new collection every 3-4 months and always offer free shipping anywhere in the world.  They also offer free returns, but once you get your hands of one of these - you're keeping it forever.   

Les Triplettes

Les Triplettes are handmade pillows, quilts, and garlands crafted in Quebec, Canada using always fabulous Liberty of London prints.

At Mini Bulles they're being sold as accessories for children, but grown ups deserve fabulousness too!
This is the one on it's way to my house now:

INALUXE - more amazing australian art

Australia continues to foster fabulously modern and completely addictive art & design.  The latest that I've come across is the lovely shop INALUXE.  Having recently moved into a new home, I'm completely aware that I certainly don't need any more art - but when it's as fabulous as this, I'm sure I can find some more wall space!
My two current favorites:

Bird Talk Twilight

Treetop Shenanigans Laughing Kookoobura

Mibo, please!

Love animals and art?  Now you can have both without having to house train thanks to Mibostudio.
A division of Mibo, the lighting and homeware company based in the UK, Mibostudio helps you turn a "flat sheet of paper into a wonderful 3-D object."  Buy, download, print and fold you way to your new favorite pet.
My personal favorite is Jet Set Pets.

Made by Joel

I love crafts, I love toys, and I love things that keep you young at heart.  This is why I really love the website Made by Joel.  It's a website full of easy to make crafts that are great for reusing and upcycling items around the house, all while teaching kids of all ages different cool skills without anyone realizing it's a learning experience.
There are so many amazing ideas here.

Also be sure to check out his book Made to Play available now.
Whooray for Joel!

Sooo Charming

Animals, paint, and attitude make for a fun and moody collection from London based artist Charming Baker.  It's hard to choose a favorite.  Here are a few I would welcome on my walls:

 

 I've Surprised Myself with Coming to Terms with the End of the World

 

Oh What will Become of the Mess we have Made 

 

The Throbbing Realization that the Future Looks Like an Impossible Place to Be