SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Seeing Stars -- New Seah Destiny Series Wrap Bracelets

 
Do you believe the positioning of the planets, sun, moon, and stars at the time of a person's birth can exert such a powerful cosmic force as to predispose them to certain personality traits?  Are you intimately acquainted with the constellations upon which astrological signs are based? If you find yourself clinging to Walter Mercado's  every prophetic word, selecting potential mates based on your zodiac compatibility, or signing up for daily horoscope alerts, then a SEAH Destiny Bracelet should figure into your future. Our prediction: with these new SEAH bracelets, the stars are aligned for fashion triumph.

In keeping with SEAH's seven-year-old line of Swiss-made, limited-edition, astrology-themed timepieces, this array of luxurious, perforated leather bracelets features several two-toned, gold-and-steel, medal-like accents woven looped along their length, each circle bearing the symbol associated with a zodiac sign in its center.

The aptly dubbed Destiny series of bracelets features either double wrap of triple wrap styles in colors ranging from pumpkin orange to scarlet red and sandy beige.The SEAH 2-Wrap Element Bracelet is designed to wrap around the wrist twice and features a grouping of four zodiac signs that represents all four elements (Fire, Earth Air and Water). The bracelet, then, is available in three options: one featuring the symbols for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer (which correspond to the elements Fire, Earth, Air, and Water, in that order); another featuring Leo, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio (again Fire, Earth, Air, and Water signs); and a final piece featuring the Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces symbols.

If you prefer a bulkier piece with a longer strap check out the SEAH 3-Wrap Bracelet, which wraps around the wrist three times and features two-toned medallion accents bearing six zodiac signs corresponding to either the spring/summer or fall/winter seasons.

 You don't need to be a "seer" to determine the genius of this SEAH pieces!

Seah 2-Wrap Element Bracelet, $250, and Seah 3-Wrap Bracelet, $325. Available at SeahWatches.com

Invention Inception -- Problem Solving Gadgets From Quirky At HSN

 

 

 

Wouldn't it be fantastic to have one revolutionary, life-changing, Mark Zuckerberg- or Steve Jobs- worthy "Eureka!" moment that translated into a patentable and highly profitable invention? The closest most of us have come is reenacting that scene from Romy And Michelle's High School Reunion in which Romy claims she invented the ubiquitous, office-ready sticky notes to impress her former classmates. And yet design brand Quirky specializes in offering consumers everyday solutions to little inconveniences and nuisances — many of which you might not have considered prior to encountering these gadgets. HSN is applauding Quirky's forward-thinking ethos by carrying a range of gadgets from the brand, all of which aim to lessen clutter, aid in multi-tasking, and simplify daily tasks.

One of our favorite offerings is the Scratch-N-Scroll (pictured at top), which fuses together the mouse pad structure with the reusable writing slate provided by such groundbreaking toys as the Etch-A-Sketch. This rectangular rubber-and-plastic pad measured 9 1/2" in length, 8 1/2" in width, and 1/4" in height and features a non-slip rubber base, a slim stylus for quick note taking, and a semi-transparent sheet on which you can write tasks, phone numbers, and memos. Using the accompanying stylus (which has its own nook on the side of the mousepad), you simply write down anything you desire, then grasp the parchment-like top sheet at the curved bottom edge and lift it from the base until  you erase those scribbled notes. The invention is rather handy when you need to jot something down and simply can't find a piece of paper or a ballpoint pen — just know that it's not the ideal space for data you'll need to accent on a semi-permanent basis since the weight of a mouse rolling over the sheet is enough to speed up any note's disappearance (hey, this isn't a tattooed reminder for Memento-like protagonists). Also, the sheet does tear so try your best to be gentle with it. Otherwise, you'll likely be pleased with its durability as a mousepad and the convenience it provides as a reminder-packed tablet.

Need another example of a handy gadget? Check out Quirky's Wrapster Earphone Cord Wraps, which come in punchy colors like turquoise and purple, as well as basic black and white. Sold in sets of four, the Wrapsters are designed so that you can slide each ear bud through a slim, vertical plastic tube and then wrap it around a central bar to prevent any tangling and messiness when earphones aren't in use. And, if you have an iPhone, you can even use a Wrapster tube as a stand for your mobile device.

In addition to offering consumers organizational solutions, Quirky is also rolling out the red carpet for would-be inventors: as part of its partnership with Quirky founder and CEO Ben Kaufman, HSN is providing a space through which consumers can submit product ideas and have them evaluated by the Quirky team for possible development. Since the company unveils a new invention on HSN every month, there's a fair chance that some resourceful consumer will see his/her idea come to fruition and enter the marketplace — and, of course, that lucky goose will get bragging rights and the opportunity to cash in on the finished product. Ka-ching!

Quirky Scratch-N-Scroll Rewritable Mouse Pad, $14.95; Headphone & Earbud Wrapsters (Set of 4), $19.95. Available at HSN.com

 

RAOUL Spring 2011 Handbag Collection Launches At Henri Bendel This Week

 

In just three years, Singapore-based fashion label RAOUL has blossomed from a humble men's shirt label to an immensely popular ready-to-wear brand with laid-back garments for both men and women, not to mention sleek timepieces and a full-fledged handbag collection with styles ranging from travel essential to refined purses and clutches. This week, the Spring 2011 RAOUL handbag collection lands at the prestigious Henri Bendel store in NYC and, to toast the brand's debut at Bendel, customers are invited to stop by the Atrium level, view the new '70s-inspired styles and vie for a chance to win a rabble-rousing RAOUL bag of their very own.

A modern interpretation of utilitarianism merges with a carefree, '70s spirit in this collection of tan and black vegetable leather handbags, giving each piece an unexpected versatility. Simple silhouettes are allowed to shine without excessive ornamentation or design tricks. The Janice shoulder bag pictured at top, for example, features a clean, unfettered tan leather flap with a golden closure and accordion-like pleats along its width for a wink-wink type of playfulness. The wheat-colored linen Natalie saddle bag, meanwhile, features a half moon flap covering a bulging front pocket and tan leather accents along the piping, front pocket sides, shoulder strap and teardrop-shaped closure strip.

To view the entire Spring 2011 collection and hear more details on the in-store RAOUL giveaway, stop by the Henri Bendel Atrium from Tuesday, February 1st through February 7th.   

 

LAQA & Co. Nail Polish Pens -- Click And Easy?

On paper, LAQA & Co.'s Nail Polish Pens have all the attributes needed to break through to beauty cult favorite status.

First, there's the convenience factor — a marker-like nail polish dispenser with a clickable push button on one end and a brush tip applicator on the other for on-the-go color changes. Then, there are the perky nail polish colors: from an ink jet-ready black ("Those Meddling Kids") to a creamy grape candy purple ("Blurple")' a grayish taupe brown ("Fancypants"); a perky mid-tone pink ("Pimpin'"); a glossy, magenta-tinged red ("BMX Bandit"); a '50s-esque, teal-infused light blue ("Squid Ink"); a grayish beige shade ("WTF"); and "I Want A Pony," a pale, vintage yellow (think of a retro apron, sunny wallpaper, or even a rotary phone).

Even the polish names are whimsical and tongue-in-cheek — particularly "Blurple," since it perfectly addresses the blueberry undertones of the purple look while adding a comical, tongue-in-cheek element, and "I Want A Pony," an adorable moniker given that the polish shade perfectly captures the color of the Fluttershy My Little Pony character.

The icing on the cake: the unique illustrations adorning each nail polish pen's box. To further amplify its products' allure, LAQA & Co. packages them in collectible boxes featuring works of art by illustrators, graphic designers, collage artists, photographers, painters, and street artists based in cities ranging from London to South Korea, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn. The box for the "My Little Pony" nail polish pen, for example, features a depiction of a salt shaker-shaped female figurine in a flavescent yellow ensemble with the words "It's What Inside That Counts" emblazoned along its white interior in a needlepoint-like font. The figurine is juxtaposed against a vintage-flavored, greenish light blue with a yellow flower print, adding to the design's retro feel. Masterminded by London-based Irish artist Hazel Nicholls, this unique design showcases Nicholls' love of inspirational catch phrases and her affinity for cross stitching and home-y crafts. The "BMX Bandit" box, meanwhile, features an abstract print redacted from a larger snowflake design constructed using fuchsia, white, black, and magenta purple lines and boasting unexpected triangle shapes, overlapping zig-zagging lines, and a star cut-out at the snowflake's interior. Designed by London-based street artist Foe, the packaging speaks to his bold aesthetic and fits imperfectly with the splashy nature of the corresponding nail color.

Are you lusting after one of these beauts? Well, hold on before you go dipping into that wallet. See, as the adage that Hazel Nicholls herself invoked, "It's what's inside that counts" — and, in this case, the nail polish pens are, unfortunately, much better on paper than they are in real life. For one,when you break in a nail polish pen, you'll find yourself clicking the button at the base (which dispenses the color to the brush tip) so many times that you'll fear carpal tunnel might be on the horizon. Which would be no problem if it were worth the wait — but, sadly, even once there's enough color on the brush tip, you'll find the consistency can be overly thick, leading to a gooey, overly viscous mess. I tried applying the I Want A Pony color over five times and each attempt proved as frustrating as the last. Not a single nail had a smooth layer of color; instead, it was a clump fest on each nail plate.

The next problem is gauging the amount of polish needed at the brush tip — too little and it will lead for a gunky application; too much and the color will drip everywhere. Longevity is also a concern: after using a LAQA nail polish pen, the brush tip becomes crunchy and inflexible as any polish residue sticks together, stiffening the bristles (and this is likely to occur even when the brush tip is properly covered with the snap-on cap).

Since the idea is so solid, the color palette so urban and chic, and the packaging art so desirable, I'm keeping my fingers crosses that, with some light tweaking, the LAQA & Co. Nail Polish Pens will reach must-have status on my list, meeting their full potential and transcending the expectations established in their on-paper descriptions.

LAQA & Co. Nail Polish Pen, $14.95. Available at LAQAandCo.com

Milly Launches New Line Of Handbags For Spring 2011

 

 

 

 
In September 2010, when New York-based designer Michelle Smith showcased her Peggy Guggenheim-inspired ready-to-wear collection at the Milly Spring 2011 runway show as part of New York Fashion Week, she complemented many of her preppy chic looks with structured, polished, and prim handbags ranging from coral rose print canvas totes to boxy, black patent leather shoulder bags. Now, fans of the classy but restrained, Upper East Side pretty aesthetic associated with the Milly brand finally have the opportunity to grab for one of these accessories with the official launch of the Milly handbag collection.

The debut handbag collection features pieces like navy and red color-blocked totes, sleek flap bags that can double as cross-body styles, square tweed print numbers, resort-ready nautical totes with rope-like shoulder straps, vermillion-colored rose print purses, and shiny goatskin hobo bags with jaunty button motifs.

Pictured here, you'll find some of the standout styles. The Nautical Nylon Large Tote, shown at top, features navy-colored nylon adorned with a vertical zipper along the front, slim top handles, a luggage tag, and patent leather piping along the sides and top of the bag — all in a punchy red color. Slim white vertical strips frame the red vertical zippered compartment along the front, adding to the color-blocked motif and amplifying the nautical effect. Measuring 13" in height, 16" in width and 8" in depth, the tote features two inside pockets, a top zip closure, and gold-toned hardware details like flattened stud accents along the base of the handles.

The Star Perforated Patent Leather Mini-Flap Bag is ideal for carrying the essentials, with a slim, pouch-like silhouette. The purse measures 6" in height, 8 1/2" in width, and 1 1/2" in depth, and it features a gold-toned turn lock closure and a hefty gold-toned metal chain shoulder strap that measures 20" in length, allowing you to wear the bag as a cross-body style. Tiny perforations along the bag create a sleek, modern look, as do the softened lines and curved edges of the envelope-like front flap.

The Tweed Milly Bag, meanwhile, is quite possibly the most obvious tribute to Milly's socialite-ready look. The boxy purse measures 9" in height, 10" in width, and 4 1/2" in height, and it features: criss-crossing lilac, black, and red lines against a white backdrop; black patent leather piping along the sides and the wide top ridge; a coral patent leather flap with two oversize black button details, themselves featuring four clustered button holes;  and a detachable gold metal "M" charm dangling from one of the oversize golden eyelets attaching the shoulder strap to the base of the purse. The shoulder strap gives the ladies-who-lunch vibe of the bag a younger, cheekier edge, with chunky, rectangular-shaped, glossy black chain links and a black patent leather center strap with white accent stitching.

And that's just a taste of what Milly is serving up for spring — for a glimpse at her beachy Sailboat Tote and roomier pieces like her Shiny Goatskin Tote Bag, a large frame purse with two vertical rows of flattened gold studs, check out the photos after the jump.

 

Pictured above: Milly Large Nylon Colorblock Tote, $325; Star Perforated Patent Leather Mini Flap Bag, $250; and Check Tweed Milly Bag, $350. Available at MillyNy.com

Pictured below: Shiny Goatskin Tote Bag, $525; Large Sailboat Tote, $250; and Shiny Goatskin Hobo Bag, $445. Available at MillyNY.com

Manish Arora For Swarovski Crystallized "Hearts" Jewelry Collection -- Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

 

This month, New Delhi-based fashion designer Manish Arora joins the ranks of couturiers who have collaborated with Swarovski Crystallized on limited-edition jewelry collections (previous participants include Catherine Malandrino, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Jonathan Saunders), releasing a colorful line of heart-shaped pendants and beaded necklaces made using Swarovski Elements.

The Manish Arora for Swarovski Crystallized "Hearts" collection draws on the traditional use of heart shapes to connote love, with each pendant shaped like the palpitating organ, but by manipulating the shapes and colors of the hearts, he connotes different emotions associated with love — from infatuation to passion, commitment, longing, and ruefulness. 

The "Crazy For U" pendant (pictured last, above), for instance, captures the hopeful, ready-to-skip, swelling-in-your-chest enchantment we experience during the initial phase of falling in love thanks to the pendant's golden yellow color, the way the faceted edges make the light radiate outward, giving the piece a sunny radiance, and the usage of golden pearl and butterfly-shaped crystal accents. Similarly, the "Devoted 2 U" pendant (pictured second from top) focuses on the passionate aspect of love through its use of a faceted, fiery red crystal, cut in a more asymmetrical manner so as to give the resulting heart shape the appearance of greater kinetic energy and fluidity. The "Truly in Love" pendant (pictured at top) features an exquisite astral pink and gold palette that's rich and nuanced, like love itself. The amber tones are intense and all-enveloping, while the shape of the heart feels particularly robust and bountiful thanks to the way the crystal is faceted, with angles that seem to work in a near concentric manner with the larger heart shape. The round pink stone at the center of the heart add that extra bit of pizazz, possibly indicating just how precious true love is. Dainty golden chain strands loop the top of the heart-shaped crystal to a string of beads: from a small, golden pearl to a mauve-ish pink, marble-like, round bead and a faceted amber-toned crystal bead.

On the other end of the spectrum there's the "Miss U" pendant (pictured fourth above), which features a faceted crystal with a hollow interior to highlight the notion of absence, silver-plated chains wrapped around the heart's bottom and lower ridges, perhaps to indicate the type of weighted feeling that accompanies heartbreak and the dissolution of a relationship. The teardrop shaped crystal dangling from the heart's bottom peak, meanwhile, amplifies the sorrowful motif.

All pendants measure 70mm in length (except for "Miss U" pendant, which measures 90mm due to the teardrop motif) and can be combined with any necklace from the collection. Check out the images after the jump for a look at some of the beaded necklace options.

Talk about mighty hearts!

 

Packing Unit:

Packing Unit:

Pictured above, before jump: Truly in Love Pendant Necklace, $205; Devoted To U Pendant, $205; Forever 1 Pendant Necklace, $205; Miss U Pendant Necklace, $205; and Crazy for U Pendant Necklace. All available at Swaroski-Crystallized.com

Pictured below: Truly in Love Long Necklace, $180; Crazy 4 U Long Necklace, $180; and Forever 1 Long Necklace, $180. All available at Swarovski-Crystallized.com

Express Limited Edition Studded Leather Jacket By NYLON's Dani Stahl -- Motor-ific

Get on the "express" lane to charitable giving — and speed through with a style EZ-Pass. Throughout the month of February, fashion retailer Express will be donating funds from the sale of selected items to Bright Pink, a national non-profit organization aimed at providing educational resources and peer support networks for women at high risk for breast cancer. To kick-start the new partnership, Express has just unveiled a new limited edition jacket designed by Nylon magazine's Style Director, Dani Stahl, who has previously flexed her design muscle with her collaborative collections for jewelry brand Lia Sophia (including the Art Deco-flavored La Belle Rose collection launched last fall, during New York Fashion Week SS11).

The (Minus The) Leather Limited Edition Studded Jacket boasts a biker-infused, rock-'n'-roll feel that speaks to Stahl's own hip, downtown style. The faux leather fabric looks rich and buttery, but is an eco- and animal-friendly alternative, as it's 100% synthetic.

In terms of the design elements, an asymmetrical zippered front adds a rebellious spirit, as do the slightly punk-y buckles on the cuffs and waistline. Diamond-shaped quilted details, arranged in slanted, triangle-like panels along the shoulders, take the design from rugged to edgy and fashion-forward, while black, pyramid-shaped rivet details trickling beneath the rounded neckline imbue the jacket with a rebellious Syd and Nancy vibe (minus the tragic ending of that particular tale, of course). And, to bring home the jacket's role in the Bright Pink initiative, the piece is lined in a bright, Barbie-worthy hot pink color.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, why not put a little love in your heart and make your shopping habits support a great cause?
 
(Minus The Leather) Limited Edition Studded Jacket by Dani Stahl, $148.00. Available exclusively at Express.com

Nooka x Neff Mindstyle Watch -- Navajo Style Goes Digital

Both New York-based watch brand Nooka and headwear label Neff Headwear built a following on savvy customers with an adventurous sense of style, an appreciation for bold graphic prints and illustrations, and active lifestyles that subject their garb to some serious wear and tear.

Nooka founder/designer Mathew Waldman's futuristic watches seek to create a "universal" language by showing time in a variety of fashions — for example, using bars to display hours and minutes. Their popular Zub Zen-V style, for example, features three strips running vertically along the face of the watch, with the darkened bars on the left-hand and center columns working to display the number of hours and the bars in the strip on the right-hand side showcasing the minutes, with markings at the 15, 30, and 45 minute points. A boxed window display on the right-hand side displays the number of seconds, while a larger box beneath it indicates the date.

Neff Headwear, meanwhile, seeks to provide sturdy skulls, caps, and beanies for skaters, skiers, and urban fashion hounds alike — all featuring modern graphic components.

Now, the two brands have joined forces to create a limited-edition wristwatch based on the Zub Zen-V model, available starting February 7th. The Nooka x Neff Mindstyle watch has a square case measuring 38mm x 38mm; an LCD display denoting the alarm, chronograph, date and time, and featuring the Neff logo and its signature icon (a smiling boy licking his lips); and a heather gray PU band with a width of 20 mm.

The eye-catching strap features a Navajo-inspired print in vivid yellow, turquoise, neon kelly green, and purple colors that's been pixelated for a punchy, '80s retro, arcade-like effect. The stacked, arrow-shaped strips of color running from side to side and the concentric diamond shapes recall traditional Navajo textile patterns, while the neon colors and digitized details recall Dire Straits' 1985 "Money For Nothing" video.

 

Nooka x Neff Mindstyle watch, $150. Pre-order at Nooka.com

Strut Your Stuff With MAC's Peacocky Collection

            

Think humans are the only species of animal that shows off when attempting to attract potential mates? Wrong! It turns out even members of the bird kingdom are prone to bouts of ostentatiousness and gregariousness — all as part of a biological imperative to speed up copulation. As part of their courtship, male peacocks fan out their regal tails, showing off iridescent feathers in green, blue, purple, brown, and gray tones, all of which are spotted with "eye" details in contrasting hues. The peacocks' bravado is more than merited — after all, even we humans find ourselves seduced by their luminous plumage. We seek to recreate the vivaciousness of these feathers' colors when doing our makeup and choosing our garments, hoping to become more beautiful and luminous in the eyes of our own male counterparts. The sexualized, dramatic, ritualized act of a peacock fanning out its feathers, the electricity imbued into its plumage, and the spellbinding nature of the spectacle all inspired MAC's Peacocky collection.

The Peacocky collection features twelve shades of Kissable Lipcolour, creamy colors that comfortably coat lips, infusing them with more sheen than your average lipstick but featuring a non-sticky, velvety texture thanks to a new esatomer technology; as well as fifteen shades of Mega Metal Shadow, highly pigmented powder eye shadows with a light, velvety texture and more of an even glimmer than a new pair of chrome wheels.

Establish your place in the beauty pecking order with this exotic collection!

Keep on reading for more product photos, swatches of selected shades, and a sample look created using some pieces from the collection.

 

G'Day USA Spring 2011 Showcase Part 2 -- More Australian Designers To Love!

On Monday, I offered you gals a partial account of this year's G'Day USA showcase, held last week at the Australian Consulate in the United Nations. Over a dozen up-and-coming designers hailing from Australia were hand-picked to exhibit their wares for potential buyers, stylists, costume designers, editors, bloggers, and fashion insiders in hopes of gaining a toehold in the U.S.

Today, I'm wrapping up that tour (consider the previous day an intermission of sorts), with "guided stops" at the remaining destinations: the booths of fashion line Tato & Memi and sustainable clothing brand Pure Pod, as well as those of jewelry designers like Lisa Carney, Paula Walden, Melissa Berta, and Ghost & Lola.

Trust me when I tell you there are some pieces you won't want to miss — fair dinkum!

 

MELISSA BERTA

You may think of opals as milky white gems, but jewelry designer Melissa Berta will make you reconsider this notion with her high fashion pieces, which range from iridescent butterfly pendants with wings carved out of luminous fire opals to waterfall necklaces featuring rows of teardrop-, oval-, and heart-shaped boulder opal stones. Since the opal was declared Australia's national gemstone in 1994, Berta's line is, in many ways, as patriotic as they come.

One of the most amazing pieces: the faceted opal pendants, with concentric circles of brass ball beads and round white pearls along their perimeter and a cluster of tiny ruby stones and turquoise-colored glass accents at the top of their teardrop shapes. There's an Old World, regal feel to these pendants, which is further emphasized when they're looped through mink necklace strands (as pictured above, at top). The cozy, black mink necklace strand is a quite clever twist, as it allows customers to wear these pieces on even the coldest of days, when the mere thought of cool metal against flesh would've sent shivers down their spines. On warmer days, meanwhile, you can loop the mink strand around your wrist and wear the pendant as a necklace or exchange the mink necklace for a slim leather cord.

If these pendants feel a bit too Age of Innocence-esque, and you consider yourself more of a free spirit, consider the flower-shaped earrings pictured third from top,which feature elongated, gold filigree-style petals and stigmas made of faceted, domed opals set on brass and encircled by a single strand of tiny white pearls.

For more details on Berta's work, visit MelissaBerta.com.au.