Who you calling fatto?

Fatto a mano, means hand made...I don't know if this tote, named Fatto A Mano, from Carlos Falchi is in fact crafted by hand, but it sure is made with glam!

The exotic python embossing saves this bag from being too 'beach club lady", though as with most metallic shiny things, it's up to the wearer to keep it from sliding into the tacky zone.
Generously sized, with enough inner pockets and features to organize even the busiest jet setter this bag is a workhorse. With it's included mini zip pouch, it goes easily from carry-on, to beach, to overnight, to work.
You can get a Fatto A Mano in silver, gold or pewter for $230, from Calypso.

...

Due to a death in my boyfriend's family, blogging will resume on Monday.
Love love love,
Winona

Caroline Ballou Jewelry

Jewelry Designer

Jewelry is in Caroline Ballou's blood. Since 1886, four generations of the Ballou family have made their company one of Rhode Island's most important manufacturers of fine jewelry. As a young designer, Caroline Ballou took a different course. After receiving her MFA, she opened her own studio, producing art jewelry for galleries, hosting private shows with limited edition pieces.





Ashanti Bracelet

The people of Ghana and the Cote d'Ivoire live close to the earth; their ceremonial body ornamentation evokes organic origins - leaf, vine, water, thatch. After working with Crossroads Africa, I came home and grabbed a hammer. All that's gold does not necessarily glitter.

18K Soft Hammered Finish Bracelet w/ 3.5mm

Amethyst, Blue Topaz, Peridot, and Citrine

8" Long



As the Design Director for the family company, Caroline's career took on a new dimension when she began to design her own line. She combined her contemporary visions with B. A. Ballou's history of high quality standards and infinite technical expertise. She gave life to the fifth generation of design innovation in the well respected jewelry manufacturing company, and has received several design awards.





Malaspina Glacier Pendant

Soft Hammered Finish Pendant with 3.5mm Peridot

Most of the world's fresh water is on ice, stored in glaciers. The largest piedmont glacier on earth is in Alaska. From space, it bears an uncanny resemblance to the swirly spirals I've been drawing since preschool. I can't wait to see if my tears freeze before they hit the ground.



Caroline creates her fine jewelry collection with a cross-cultural edge, the sophisticated product of worldwide influences filtered through the sensibility of a thoroughly contemporary artist. Combining rich colors, textures, rhythms, symbols and patterns, she develops a broad mix of necklaces, cuffs, bracelets, rings and earrings. A bit of history is infused into each piece as it is Caroline's interpretation of decorative traditions brought forth from many different cultures.





Highland Cobblestone Ring

18k Soft Finish w/ Polished Edge Ring with Diamond Accent



Jewelry Interpretation

Working in sterling silver and 18k gold, Caroline adds excitement with semi precious gemstones, some being exclusively designed and cut for fine quality and distinction. Diamonds and pearls add a strong yet feminine elegance. Textures in sterling silver are darkened to illuminate the richly incised forms. Gold becomes an art form, sleek and polished, hammered and matte, each piece with a warm glow. Intriguing surface treatments, combinations of precious metals, and contemporary stones and beads are used in illustrating a casual elegance that is Caroline Ballou.



The collections are for the woman seeking individuality; from modern classics with a twist to the refined adaptations of trends. Touchable and wearable, the entire collection moves easily from day to evening, adding pizzazz to business wear and a touch of exclusive luxury to weekend and dinner fashions. Wearing a Caroline Ballou feels like wearing confidence.



Artist Statement

As an artist, I'm observant by nature. And yet, there's something about setting foot on foreign soil that really sharpens the senses. My footprints vanish in a moment, but the textures and colors and shapes of a place take root in my soul.



See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Crafty Jewelry from Kentucky Crafted - 28 February 2007

Native American Inlay Jewelry - 14 January 2008

Abalone Jewelry - 18 January 2008

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2008 Fabbie Award Winners

Remember last January when I mentioned that Fashion-Incubator was nominated for the Fabbies Fashion Blog Awards organized by luminaries such as Fashiontribes, Bag Snob and Manolo’s Shoeblog? Well, F-I won the award for Indie & Niche fashion blog. Yeah! As this was a reader's choice award, I am gratified to have gotten your vote. Here are the winners of this year's Fabbies. Congratulations to all.

Winners of the Fabbies Awards 2008

• Accessories: Knickersblog
  
  
• Beauty: Afrobella
  
  
• Best Newbie: stylenotes
  
  
• Men’s: Dandyism
  
  
• e-Zine/New Frontier Publishing: NYMag.com
  
  
• Fashion: I Like Her Style
  
  
• Indie/Niche: The Fashion Incubator
  
  
• Lifestyle: Tied between Apartment Therapy & YBF
  
  
• Parents/Pets: Honest Baby
  
  
• Shoes: Grand Mademoiselle Shoe blog
  
  
• Shopping: FabSugar
  
  
• Streetstyle: The Sartorialist

The awards will be presented during New York Fashion Week in September. Speaking of, I wonder if I could justify a jaunt up there. I've never been to an official fashion week event.

Rachel Leigh Jewelry Designer

At the request of fashion editors, buyers, publicists, and fashionistas who were searching for a fashion jewelry line that was both fashion forward, chic, and unique - former Yves Saint Laurent publicist Rachel Bravman launched Rachel Leigh Jewelry in the Fall of 2004.



Spring and Summer 2008 Jewelry Collection

Designed for the girl with confidence, who's always in command, doesn't take herself too seriously and is the life of the party. The Rachel Leigh girl knows who she is and uses her wardrobe and jewelry to play off of her personality.



Heart Statement Reversible Necklace:





Chain necklace with snakeskin heart cutout on one side, and a two-tone medallion pendant on the other. Medallion features etching detail. Lobster-claw clasp. 32"



Rachel Leigh is known for its bold, feminine pieces that are classical with a decadent touch - a favorite of young Hollywood and the editors of Lucky, InStyle, WWD, and Harper's Bazaar. Unparalleled in style and class, Rachel Leigh jewelry is the ultimate in statement-making, trend-setting jewelry.





Audrey Python Knot Bangle in Purple

The Audrey Python Knot Bangle is a fabulous vintage-meets-modern design that has a unique sliding tab closure under the gold bow knot. The gold bangle is trimmed with real snakeskin. The contrast of textures and colors makes this sophisticated bangle stand out.



Rachel Leigh jewelry is inspired by the combination and manipulation of materials, textures and colors. The majority of the pieces in each collection are made of snakeskin, wood, hammered metals, rough cut semi-precious stones, hand-dyed silk ribbons, carved ivory beads, metallic leathers, vintage chains and charms, Lucite, gold wire, lace and bone.



It's made in New York City from custom-designed molds and castings exclusively for Rachel Leigh. All pieces are quadruple plated in 12k gold or silver to ensure the highest quality.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Rachel Leigh Jewelry - 19 November 2006

Spring/Summer 07 Jewelry Colors - 27 January 2007

Jewelry Designer for Princesses - 08 March 2007

Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.

Mags Galore...

It's a pity that even magazine addicts like myself are getting baffled in the face of so much choice in Borders Charing Cross or the Oxford Circus branch where the fashion magazine shelves are especially formidable. A few readers have asked me about which ones I buy because they too get flummoxed when facing miles and miles of glossy pages. The truth is that I don't buy everything under the sun because it's just impossible when new magazines are cropping up all the time and so I have to be selective for the sake of being able to eat in any given month. So, I'll have my staunch monthly buys which I buy without fail and a though little predictable to list through but here goes... Dazed & Confused, i-D, British Vogue, British Elle, Vogue Paris, Jalouse, Nylon, Teen Vogue, Flux, Numero, WAD, Surface and then the biannuals/quarterlies... Pop, Another, 10, Lula, Amelia's Magazine.... and then the ones which I pick and choose from depending on the 20 second flick through I do to see if it's worth buying...

Actually these are staunch buys now but still need a bit of a mention...A Magazine for choosing wonderful designers to curate a whole magazine and by curate, I mean it's really personal stuff... // Let Them Eat Cake for providing young photographers, stylists and writers a platform that has become really polished in recent issues

Above because occasionally the editorials are quite eye catching // Dansk for being consistently beautiful

Indie magazine is a recent discoverybut I'm liking the clean cut style about it // Sam is also a bit of a newcomer and showcases really up and coming labels

Issue One is only in its third issue but there's something about the images which are really laboured over which I love //Oyster is not always regularly delivered here so it's a treat when I do see it

Vs. is a newbie on my shelves and is an expensive buy but it is very hefty in imagery // Mixte does great articles (with an English translation at the back...) and also fantastic images

Muse should become a shelf regular as I loved its latest issue // Preen is still not widely availabe in the UK so when I see it, I have to snap it up (incidentally, the first place I finally found it was a 75p magazine stall near Old Street...)

Even looking at the list, it's by no means definitive which is quite a scary thought in itself.... tot up the prices of those mags PLUS my regular stash and it's a bit of a scary sum...

Trip to LA 2

I guess I should start numbering the entries covering my jaunts to Los Angeles. If you noticed, last week I was in Los Angeles again, the primary reason being for more training on StyleFile; the new software apparel management program being soft launched by Patternworks. I'm working on some documentation for the program but it is ready to go. You can request a demo if you like. Before I get into today's entry, I wanted to mention that tomorrow I'll be posting a tutorial on a zip welt pocket. Strangely, I thought I had. Or rather, it turns out I'd posted my definition of how a zipped welt pocket should be made. One visitor brought to my attention that they meant a pocket like the sample below, with teeth showing.

I don't like these personally but yes, I have to concede these are a nice touch in sportswear. Since my background is in higher end leather goods, these sorts of zippers are frowned upon as being too casual. Oh well, live and learn. I hate to discover my own prejudices but am happy to make amends once unearthed.

New on the scene - Belle Avenue

I've recently been talking to the folks over at Belle Avenue - they are a relatively new plus size website that sells cute, affordable plus size clothes. For a while their inventory was kind of static, but I got word from them recently that they were really blowing up their inventory - they've got a lot more in stock and a lot of it is VERY cute and easy on the wallet. I have to say I find their product names kind of funny - "Beautiful Unique Dress" and "Warm Cute Jacket" but that's neither here nor there. Here are a few of my faves on their site right now:



Left: Trendy Hoody Top, $24.99
Right: Silver Stud Sexy Dress, $38.99



Left: Cute Wonderful Top, $26.99
Right: Ruffled Silky Hot Top, $28.99

Oscar de la Renta Fancy Bloom Chemise

I do believe that spring has finally sprung for most of our readers and this new arrival from Oscar de la Renta is perfect for the season.? For those new dads who are looking at the upcoming Mother's Day as a chance? to show her that you still think she's sexy, this particular piece of lingerie is a fabulous way to do just that.

The Fancy Bloom chemise is composed primarily of ultra-sheer chiffon fabric and is accented by a long ribbon bow at the plunging v neckline.? The bust is covered in small rose buds created from soft tulle fabric.? The? empire waist is fitted with elastic for a great fit on almost any body type.? The thin ribbon straps are adjustable.? It's light.? It's airy.? It's?”oh so springy”.?

So ladies, if you'd just like to treat?yourself to something frilly, this is definately the way to do it.? And guys, if you'd like to send a sexy message to your special someone?this?Mother's day (or just for the heck of it), then this one?is a winner.?

?

Don't Show-cha Your Chocha, Volume XI

During our trip to LA, my friends somehow got to talking about their favorite Daddy Likey features (OK, OK, I require my friends to talk about this at least twice a day). During this discussion I found out that Lindsay doesn't really get Inadvertently Ask Daddy Likey, Rachel and Meg love fashion-blogging animals (Meg was a zoology major, after all), and most surprisingly and/or predictably, Scott is a big fan of Don't Show-cha Your Chocha. "Whenever I see that long line of chocha pictures," he said, smiling and clapping with glee, "Aaaahhhh!!!"

For Scott, and anyone else who is clapping and saying "Aaahhhh!!!" right now, I present the latest installment of DSYC (new around these parts? wow that sounds dirty in this context, but anyway, click here for the intro):

Alexandra was innocently browsing Shopbop when she came across this tragic victim of the Great Pants Shortage of 2008:

In fifty years, this model will surely tell her grandkids about how "Back in the day, we didn't have pants or tights or leggings! We had to hold our hems down with our own hands! In the snow!"

Zoe found this awesome promo shot from Jenni Kayne's collection:

She says: The best bit of the picture I feel is the model not wearing the dress standing next to her, she reminds me of a pissed off big sister: 'god i told her not to wear anything stupid. now everyone at this party will ever associate me with the idiot who forgot her trousers. why does she ALWAYS have to show me up?'

Alana reported this sighting on Perezhilton.com:

Apparently she's 90 days pants-free.

An aptly named skirt from Kirsten:

So how perfect is this? Not only is it a major fan of the fully ventilated chochular region, it's named LOLITA!!! At what angle is the model holding her lower arm so it appears that her fingertips are skimming the hemline? I think this skirt has a pole in its future.

Tessa found a plethora of chochal danger zones:

Michael Kors thinks you should pay 700 bucks to never be able to sit down.

Yet another gem from DSYC regular, Baby Phat. Does anyone else think that "Web Exclusive!" badge could serve a better purpose about an inch to the left?

This girl's not even trying. Good god.

I guess there's one reason to spring for an oversize clutch:

Says Jessica: She's got the strategic placing of her purse down...

Anna spotted this "dress," which may be the most horrifying offender I have ever seen, mostly because (god, forgive me) it looks like the dress is actually tucked into her chocha:

Right?? You were totally thinking it... Anyway, Anna has another observation:

My favorite part is her clearly visible relief when they finally allowed the poor thing to put on some leggings for the larger pics. I had fun going 'before.. after! before...after!' to myself a few times.

Daddy Likey needs YOU! Send your Don't Show-cha Your Chocha sightings to daddylikeyblog@gmail.com

twenty one

...is better than twenty. It's only been a few hours, but I can sense that already. Casanova and Hans Christian Andersen were also born on this date. I wonder if they felt the same way?

Happy birthday to all you Aprilites x

Hen in a handbasket

Or is that hen AS a handbasket?

Yes, this is that perfect gift for the chicken lover who has it all...their very own rubber chicken handbag.
There are no words, so I'll let the bag cluck for itself.
At least it's cheap. $11.95, only at Ginny's.

Whose Shoes Wednesday

Manolo asks, whose shoes?