Sick. Again. Damnit.

Sorry about my blogging absence, but my perfect, loving boyfriend generously shared his cold with me so I spent most of yesterday in bed and/or watching Deadliest Catch and feeling vaguely thankful that I wasn't on a freezing Alaskan crab boat.
I'll try to get a post up later today, but if it's packed with nonsensical references to greenhorns and the Bering Sea, you'll know why.
Lots of love and Dayquil,
Winona

p.s. Is this not the saddest, funniest photo you've ever seen? I might choose a stint on a crab boat over a job that had me fake smiling while painting the bottoms of Martha Stewart's $1000 shoes. How about you?

Betsey Johnson's Little Black Dress

Looks like Betsey Johnson has given the little black dress a makeover.

Yes the LBD is a classic, but classic can be boring without a twist. Particularly during the summer the solid black dress can be dull and morbid. That is why I recommend Betsey Johnson’s version of the little black fabulousness.

The sweet heart neckline, fold over and big black buttons are both modern and stylish. Shoes to spice up the outfit would be these J. Reneé Sienna Croc embossed pumps. To compliment the metallic shoe choice you will want to add some color in your purse and a scarf around your neck. This Pucci scarf tied like so is super chic and fun.

For jewelry, keep it simple with these silver danglers and these bamboo silver bracelets from Nordstrom. Gorgeous!

Zooey Got Her Wish

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey is allergic to dogs and cats.

Zooey played a hip young music teacher in the 2007 film Bridge to Terabithia,. She was very involved in choosing the songs that she did with the school children. Zooey wanted to select music that had a timeless feel to it, so that it was not obvious what year the movie was filmed in.

Zooey doesn't watch her own movies without an audience.

Zooey once indicated that she would love to work with Will Ferrell, which she did when she portrayed his love interest in the 2004 holiday comedy Elf.

Zooey would love to star in a musical.

Zooey is a big fan of Jerry Lewis.

Rating: 2

Zooey, you are not promoting the movie Prom Night. Wrong movie, wrong shoe, wrong dress. Let's just say it's so dated. ;

[Source]

John Hardy Jewelry

John Hardy traveled to Bali from his native Canada in 1975, and fell in love with the exotic locale. He learned ancient jewelry-making skills from traditional Balinese silversmiths and incorporated these techniques into designs featuring complex patterns and shapes representing a philosophical harmony inspired by the culture's stories, myths, and legends. John Hardy jewelry is handmade and involves the craftsmanship of over 600 skilled Balinese artisans.





Batu Kawung Pendant Necklace

A faceted square of cognac quartz hangs from a delicate silver chain.

Gold and silver floret accent on pendant.

Made in Bali.

16" long.



Balinese kings once maintained villages of metalsmiths to make everything from ceremonial offering bowls and dance ornaments to jewelry. Most of the artisans Hardy works with are descendants of those royal metalsmiths, whose extraordinary skill and genetic memory of ancient traditions are lavished upon each item, imparting a strength, texture and integrity that machines simply cannot emulate.





Kali Nuansa Overlap Cuff

The fold-over design of this wide sterling silver bracelet is accented with carved pebbles and openwork details.

7?" long

Made in Bali



In 1989, John Hardy fell in love again, this time with someone who also recognized the rich culture and creative power in Bali. This was Cynthia, who would become his wife and muse. Working together - with John's ideas and Cynthia's gift for logistics - the business grew very quickly.





Silver Palu Narrow Cuff

Sterling silver bracelet has carved chain and hammered design.



Today, John Hardy Jewelry is found in the best stores in America, like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The company's showroom and offices in New York are on the top floor of the landmark Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea, overlooking the Hudson River. In July 2007, Hardy sold his stake in the firm, but remains the company's visionary.



Artist Statement

I fell in love with the gorgeousness of everything about the island - the natural landscape, the spectacular Hindu rituals of the people, and the opulence of their classical arts. I wanted to use totally traditional Balinese crafts and re-invent them in a way that's useful, timeless and at the same time, modern.



People can't believe my designs aren't made by machines because they are so perfectly rendered. But because there are always certain tiny imperfections in handwork, each piece is infused with a human energy that you can't get from a machine-produced product. It's like the difference between a beautiful hand-woven garment and a machine-woven cloth.



I think you can feel the hand of the artisan in our pieces. There's a warmth of spirit that remains in the silver, in the gold.

The Hardys believe in the notion of sustainable luxury, that the value of an object depends not only on the quality of its materials and the expertise of its craftsmanship, but also on the feeling of well-being of the artisan who makes it. They believe that the things we wear every day should look and feel beautiful, that they are an integral part of the way we live, and should not be reserved for special occasions.



John and Cynthia, who now have two young daughters, remain committed to the life lessons they learned from the Balinese, and they continue to make Bali their home. The design studio - where some six hundred artisans handcraft the jewelry - is also an organic farm. Livestock, rice and vegetable gardens thrive between the studio buildings. Every day, the entire studio takes lunch there under a spreading banyan tree; every year, the John Hardy staff pays homage at the local village temple.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Beautiful Bali Jewelry - 14 March 2006

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Couture Jewelry Awards - 04 March 2007

Jewelry Designer for Princesses - 08 March 2007

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Marvel-ous!

Eco is the new "it", and companies touting their bags as eco-friendly, vegan, earth friendly, etc fill my e-mail box. But really, I'm all for leaving a better earth for my kids, but I'm also about the shallow stuff, like carrying a cute bag, (and fun shoes, if you must know), so when the 2 meet....eco or vegan-friendly AND cute...you know I'm interested!
Jane Marvel is that company. And while the bags are not something I would give up my Koobas, and Marc Jacobs for, they are great bags for those times you need something sturdy but still good looking.
Made from laminated canvas, the bags are strong and lightweight. They are also available in any of 12 fabric choices...all lovely, and none garish or ick.


The Jitney is one of my favorites. A great tote on a shoulder strap with a wide opening, this is a perfect travel bag. The covered corners add extra durability, and will prevent additional wear. It's $96, a great price for a bag that will last for many day trips.


The wide shopping bag is similar to the Jitney, but has that dainty tote look popularized by Goyard (a coated canvas bag that sells for more than 10 times the Jane Marvel) and subsequently borrowed by Vuitton. There are 2 side slot pockets for change or keys...perfect for a bottle for any moms looking for an un-diaper bag. At $57, this bag could not be any more perfect! (take a look at the Computer Messenger, it has real diaper bag potential!)


The Duffel Weekender in the larger size is the perfect weekend bag. While it might not collapse as easily as say a LeSportsac, it is a bit sturdier and more substantial. Like most other Jane Marvel bags it's virtually waterproof and stain resistant perfect for those unexpected toiletry spills! At $118, the price is extremely reasonable.
To complete all your travel needs, there are zip pouches, as well as a hanging cosmetic bag.
All Jane Marvel bags come with a little surprise gift inside. These range from coordinated compacts, to CD cases, mouse pads, or even a sleep mask all in an FAA approved see through bag. To find out which gift each bag comes with visit the Jane Marvel Shop and click on the bag you like...for those who like surprises (not me, I'm a "need to know now") you don't have to peek.

Dana Kellin Jewelry

Dana Kellin is one of New York's hottest Jewelry Designers for 2008. This distinctive jewelry features enchanting gemstones in unique handcrafted designs - a beautiful and feminine jewelry collection, perfect for Spring / Summer 2008, and a great addition to any stylish woman's jewelry collection. Their client list reads like a who's who of stylish American women.





Wire Wrapped Drops Necklace

Triple pear shaped wrapped drops with Crystal Quartz.

16" Gold filled five strand chain necklace.

$690



Since their premiere collection in 1994, jewelry designers and sisters Elizabeth and Dana Kellin have tempted Hollywood with their captivating designs. Over the past eight years, Dana Kellin Jewelry has been featured on both the big and small screens.



Artisans in the Dana Kellin Los Angeles studio make the jewelry in a tedious process of wrapping fine gauge wire into various sculptural forms. For instance, a delicate briolette gemstone is encased in wire on an intricate beaded choker. Dana Kellin's design influence comes from various themes including Byzantine, Victorian, and Elizabethan, yet there is always a modern undertone.





Wire Wrapped Drop Necklace

14k gold filled chain with three shell-like wired drops.

Length: 17"

$400



The Dana Kellin gemstone jewelry collection combines luminous freshwater pearls and a variety of gems, such as Blue Topaz, Golden Tourmaline, lemon yellow Citrine, and lime green Peridot.





Teardrop Gemstone Earrings

14k Gold wrapped 1.5" hoop earrings

Lemon Quartz, Olive CZ, and Green Amethyst

$220



Dana Kellin's career began as a fashion editor at Women's Wear Daily and W magazine. Over the years, she has pursued her interest in jewelry making, and the demand for her designs escalated among friends and followers. In 1994, her hobby turned into a business when Dana Kellin and her sister Elizabeth Kellin established their company.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Native American Inlay Jewelry - 14 January 2008

Dana David Jewelry Collection - 14 May 2008

Caroline Ballou Jewelry - 26 May 2008

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.

All of the above?

I'm starting to think some labels could do with releasing video trailers before their collection is fully revealed as a way of enticing customers. Take All of the Above, a four-person collective based in Melbourne, Australia who operate a retail, gallery and studio space. For their SS08 collection (that's the collection that would go in place of our AW08-9 Northern Hemisphere collection...) of their in-house label Above, they have done a cute ickle video snippet. I see zips. I see zips that aren't just placed haphazardly and actually have a function to them. I see garments transforming into different things.

Oh, and I also see from their current AW08 collection that the prices are not at all exorbitant. In fact, in a flash, I bought this sheer mesh t-shirt for AUD65 for useful layering purposes.

I was also tempted by the matching sheer dress too but seeing as I have something similar, I'll limit my sheer intake for now...

So, when the SS08 collection hits the store at the end of August, I'll be there, waiting for some multiple zip action...