SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Converse x Marimekko Spring 2012 Collection -- Poppies, Waves, and More

 

Five vibrant, joyful, colorful prints will adorn a new batch of classic Converse sneaker silhouettes thanks to the American footwear brand's ongoing partnership with Finnish textile giant Marimekko. The Converse x Marimekko Spring 2012 collection celebrates four iconic prints designed by the late Maija Isola as well as a geometric print masterminded by Annika Rimala, who worked as Marimekko's chief designer from 1960 to 1982.

First, there's the Unikko print, which Isola introduced in 1964, a whimsical design consisting of large, cartoonish poppy florals with exaggerated, rounded petals that has become synonymous with the Marimekko brand. Though the Unikko print has appeared on previous Converse editions (including a white Chuck Taylor Lo with purple and magenta florals from the Fall/Winter 2011 collection), this season it emerges in a brand new colorway, so that periwinkle, cornflower, and sky blue blossoms adorn the white canvas uppers of a Chuck Taylor Hi sneaker (as shown second from top).

The other standout is the Lokki print, a psychedelic design consisting of undulating lines recalling seismic wave diagrams. First introduced by Isola  in 1961, the Lokki print appears in three different footwear styles, popping up in a tangerine and honeysuckle pink colorway on a Chuck Taylor Hi (pictured at top), in black and white scheme on a Chuck Taylor Low (shown after the jump), and in a cerulean blue and white colorway on a Jack Purcell Helen sneaker (pictured third from top). 

Other Isola prints include: the Appelssoni, introduced in 1950, a tie-dye flavored pattern with a blood orange backdrop and pops of deep aubergine, which was inspired by the designer's love of citrus fruits (shown on a Jack Purcell Helen after the jump, last); and the Muija, an eyelet-like pattern dating back to 1968, with clusters of four white dots positioned in diamond formation all throughout the pale yellow canvas uppers of a Jack Purcell Helen sneaker style (pictured second after the jump).

Annika Rimala's Kameka pattern completes the collection. Originally designed in 1964, the design was inspired by the hand-tooled carvings Rimala saw in Mexico's Mayan temples. Featuring jagged, EKG-worthy lines, the pattern surfaces on the Chuck Taylor All Star PJs (shown third after the jump).

The Converse x Marimekko Spring 2012 collection hits premium retail outlets, selected Marimekko stores, Converse.com and Marimekko.com in February.

 

 

It's A Small World After All With The New Balance 581 Global Sneaker Retail Collaboration

 

For Spring 2012, New Balance went all around the world more times than Lisa Stanfield and found not one, but four sole mates. As part of a global design initiative, New Balance selected four sneaker retailers, each located in a different regions of the world, and offered them the chance to reinvent the New Balance 581 sneaker in a manner that would capture both the qualities associated with their boutiques and the cultural and style norms of their geographical location. Using the 581's streamlined, city slick silhouette and infusing their own aesthetic sensibilities via the choice of materials and colorways, these sneaker boutiques all went half on their sneaker babies, producing a new generation of fashion-forward and culturally diverse 581 kicks (just don't call them Jrs., okay?).

The four sneaker boutiques selected for the global collaboration were: Mita Sneakers in Tokyo, Japan; Kasina in Seoul, Korea; 24 Kilates in Barcelona, Spain; and Bodega in Boston, MA. According to Luis Navarro, Product Manager of New Balance's Lifestyle division, the choice of boutiques was ultimately one made by the global marketing team, the members of which identified key retailers in four distinct regions that they thought would "best use influences from their own cultures to bring the 581 to life."

And, sure enough, the four boutiques selected envisioned some rather disparate interpretations of the 581 style. The New Balance x Bodega sneaker (pictured second above), for example, was inspired by the ski jackets of the 1990s with their bold juxtapositions of color. The sneaker, then, includes pops of teal, orchid pink, navy, heather gray, and sky blue that recall the ensembles in B- and C-grade movies like 1991's Ski School and 1995's Aspen Extreme. Touches of fleece around the ankle collar and atop the tongue reference the lining of these jackets, adding a textural element to the ski motif which, of course, is more than fitting for the United States' Northeast region, with its chilly winters.

Though the New Balance x Bodega 581 sneaker is my absolute favorite, the other three editions are also worth noting. The New Balance x Mita 581 sneaker, for instance, features creamy ivory uppers in homage to the abundance of white symbols and visuals in Japanese culture — from the white backdrop of the nation's flag to the plumage of the crane, which is known as the "bird of happiness," the pristine uniforms used for karate practice, and the panels lining dojos.

In keeping with the demure and understated vein of Mita's 581 interpretation, the folks at Kasina in Seoul created a similarly classic design, employing buttery cream shades of suede and mesh and an unexpected bit of tweed atop the toe to infuse the style with a timeless elegance.

Last, the New Balance x 24 Kilates 581 sneaker boasts an outdoorsy vibe thanks to the earthy colorway, which was itself inspired by the Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrim routes that stretch across Europe, all ending at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The sneaker, then, fuses together forest green suede, mahogany brown leather, and dark wenge wood-colored mesh to mirror the colors of the foliage, trails, trees, and mountains encountered along these routes. The choice of bright orange for the stitching rimming the logo at the side of the sneaker, the trim at the outsole, and the laces could all perhaps be attributed to this shade being commonly used to outline pilgrimage routes on maps. A scallop shell on the tongue, meanwhile, makes a direct reference to the Camino de Santiago journey, as it's a souvenir commonly gifted to those who complete the travel.

Most of the sneakers in the New Balance 581 Global Collaboration landed in stores on January 7th, and they all retail for $110-$120. The limited-edition kicks can be purchased at select retailers, as well as at Bloomingdales.

Those of you eager to nab some kicks online will appreciate this tidbit: the New Balance x Mita sneaker and the New Balance x 24 Kilates sneakers are currently available for $120 each at Barneys.com

 

Best Hair & Makeup Looks At The 2012 Golden Globe Awards

We've picked out the best-dressed ladies of the 2012 Golden Globes but, gowns aside, who was giving face on the red carpet? Below, you'll find the most sickening (and we mean that in the best way, of course) hair and makeup looks of the evening!

 

1. Nicole Richie's Retro Ponytail

Reality TV star and fashion designer Nicole Richie managed to outshine all the nominees in the hair department, stealing the show with a retro-flavored ponytail styled by Andy LeCompte. Her bangs were perfectly trimmed so that they seemed to open and curve to the sides like curtains, extending past her brows along the outer edges of the face. The high ponytail itself, meanwhile, included a bit of a Bardot-esque bump at the crown, but it was for from your standard pony, with strands of hair along the sides curving seductively, tucked underneath the base of the long, bust-grazing ponytail, and no visible elastics or pins.  

 

 

2. Emma Stone's Gunmetal Smokey Eyes And Pink Lips

 

Revlon spokesperson Emma Stone looked smoldering last night at the 2012 Golden Globes, complementing her luxurious Lanvin gown with rosy cheeks, petal pink lips, and smoldering smokey eyes. Celebrity makeup artist Rachel Goodwin created Stone's look for the show, using a mix of Revlon and Chanel products.

To give Stone a youthful, radiant complexion, Goodwin applied the Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer and then smoothed the Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse Makeup in Nude to her visage. To give her cheeks a light flush, Goodwin swept the Chanel Powder Blush in Orchid Rose, a soft peachy pink hue, along the apples of the cheeks.

On Stone's eyes, meanwhile, Goodwin used the gunmetal and rich plum shades in the Revlon ColorStay Precocious Eyeshadow Quad, diffusing these darker shades with the light silver hue in the quad. She then lined the upper and lower lash lines with the Chanel Intense Eye Pencil in Noir and coated lashes with the Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara in Noir. 

To balance the look and soften the strong eye look, Goodwin opted for a soft pink creamy lip color, applying the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter, a hydrating balm with a touch of sheer color, in the Lollipop shade to Stone's pout.

 

3. Sofia Vergara's Hot Pink Lips

Sofia Vergara was a vision from head to toe, her brown strands straightened to balance the heaviness and the voluptuousness of her mermaid tale Vera Wang dress, and her makeup kept simple and modern, with an emphasis on playing up her bronzed skin and her killer smile.

Makeup artist Kayleen McAdams created Vergara's look for the awards show, using a number of CoverGirl products.

On Vergara's face, McAdams applied the CoverGirl TRUconceal Concealer in No. 4 under the eyes and around the nose, camouflaging dark circles and contouring the features. Next, she applied the CoverGirl NatureLuxe Silk Foundation in Nutmeg using a sponge, setting it with the CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder in the Soft Honey shade. To give Vergara's cheeks a hint of color, she applied the CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in Plumberry Glow along the cheekbones and the apples of cheeks. 

For the eyes, McAdams relied on the CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 3-kit Shadows in Golden Sunset, applying the light bronze shade along the lids and working it into the crease. And, for bodacious lashes, she brushed three coats of CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara to the top lashes and a single coat to bottom lashes.

Last, she applied CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipcolor in Everlasting, a creamy fig-like brown, to Vergara's pout, followed by CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipliner in Beloved, a deep purple-tinged pink, to mattify lips and keep color from feathering or bleeding. The result was an azalea pink lip that made the Colombian bombshell all the more alluring. 

 

 

4. Reese Witherspoon's Sexy Loose Waves

Frederik Fekkai hairstylist Adir Abergel created the beachy, tousled waves Reese Withespoon donned on the red carpet, greatly increasing her look's sexpot factor. To give the hair a slightly mussy texture, Adir starte by applying Fekkai Coiff Océanique Tousled Wave Spray to Witherspoon's dry tresses. Next, he smoothed a small amount of the Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream to the ends in order to lock in moisture.

Using a medium round brush, he blow-dried the hair and, once finished, wrapped curled each section of hair using a 1"-barrel curling iron, applying only a small amount of pressure so that the curls would appear softer rather than tight and coiled. After brushing the curls softly to give them a more understated, haphazard, Bohemian quality, Adir pulled the hair at the crown back and gave it a bit of a Bardot-style bump, adding volume along the back. Last, he spritzed Fekkai Coiff Sheer Hold Hairspray to give the look longevity, along with Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Sheer Shine Mist for a lustrous finish.

 

 

 

 

 

Who Made Our Golden Globes 2012 Best Dressed List? Find Out!

Color abounded on the red carpet at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards, with many actresses leaving behind the standard black, white, nude, pink, and metallic fare and instead opting for joyful gowns in shades of forest green, sapphire blue, plum purple, scarlet red, sunflower yellow, emerald green, deep magenta, and aquatic teal.

Mermaid tail dresses were plentiful, plunging necklines abounded, waists were often cinched with belts and ribbons, and quite a few headbands were propped atop these Hollywood starlets' manes, but as we explored the sea of organza, tulle, lace, satin, sequins, velvet, feathers, studs, and ruffles, we easily selected ten looks that swept us away into the dreamy fashion fairy tale staged at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Below, our picks for the top ten looks of the evening!

 

1. ANGELINA JOLIE

 

Pulling off a body-hugging satin dress in an ivory color with a pearly, almost metallic finish is quite the feat — and yet Angelina Jolie, who was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category for her directorial debut Land of Blood and Honey, did so gloriously with this Atelier Versace gown. The show stopper hugged Jolie's body in all the right places, sloping down her bust line, accentuating her hips with delicate pintucks, and revealing her slender legs with a sky-high slit. A foldover accent in a deep red along the neckline adds the right amount of vamp to the ensemble, while its geometric cut harmonizes with the angles and curves of the seams, pin tucks, and slits that form the gown's silhouette. Most remarkably, Jolie paired the dress with a luscious red pout and a satin red clutch without the look winding up being so matchy-matchy that it became a fashion faux-pas. 

Her hair swept into a sleek updo, and her earlobes adorned by simple but glamorous 0.25 carat Lorraine Schwartz platinum diamond earrings, Jolie channeled a true ice queen — think the Evil Queen in Snow White — and yet she melted out hearts. 

 

2. EVAN RACHEL WOOD

Nominated for her work in Mildred Pierce, Evan Rachel Wood looked like a cross between Ariel (aka The Little Mermaid) and an Indian peacock in a glistening Gucci dress featuring a semi-sheer, black tulle bodice with a plunging V-neckline and a halter construction, covered with forest green, emerald, and chartreuse sequins and paillettes that led to a gorgeous skirt with layers and layers of iridescent green feathers.

 

3. EMMA STONE

 

Fresh-faced Emma Stone looked divine in a custom-made, purple tulle Lanvin gown with fuchsia tulle panels along the sides, dainty cap sleeves featuring embroidered hemlines, a plunging neckline, and a black leather belt with a silver eagle motif. The Grecian-inspired gown made the Easy A star more than easy on the eyes.

 

4. SOFIA VERGARA

The Modern Family star had viewers roaring with laughter when she declared that she loved Vera Wang's gowns because they "zipped all the way up and closed." But this sapphire blue confection did more than accommodate the Colombian actress's curvaceous figure — it hugged every inch of her Mrs. Buttersworth-esque body, with a corset-like bodice featuring criss-crossing seams that streamlined her silhouette and accentuated her waistline and bosom, a slim fit along the thighs, and a voluminous mermaid-style skirt at the bottom, replete with layers of fabric that seemed to ripple like the waves of an ocean.

 

5. CHARLIZE THERON

 

Though the glistening headband adorning her head felt like overkill (we were reminded of Coco Chanel's famous quote about taking off the last thing you put on before leaving the house), the rest of Charlize Theron's look was glorious. Her blush pink Dior gown proved to be one of the most distinctive dresses of the evening, standing out among a plethora of mermaid-style gowns and simple column-style dresses. Though she showed quite a bit of skin in this piece, she managed to do so tastefully, revealing her sun-kissed stems with a dramatic thigh-high split and showing off her decolletage with a plunging neckline that extended down to her waist, which was adorned with a baned sash featuring a jeweled brooch above an oversize bow at the hip. The flowing train magnified the fluidity of the design, making Theron look all the more ethereal and goddess-like.

 

6. MORENA BACCARIN

 

Brazilian actress Morena Baccarin, who plays Damian Lewis' wife on Showtime's Homeland, channeled Sophia Loren in a black George Chakras gown with a rounded neckline, a banded vertical strip along the center of the bodice, and two triangular cut-outs on either side of the center strip revealing just a tad of cleavage. The column-like skirt, meanwhile, was adorned by shimmering black sequined panels along the sides for an understated but glamorous effect.

 

7. ROONEY MARA

 

The star of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo perfected the art of minimalism on the red carpet, wearing her raven strands in a simple ponytail with a severe side part, donning no earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, and opting for a simple Nina Ricci gown with a plunging neckline and tiny cut-outs demarcated by twisted fabric bits. A simple tulle overlay along the bodice softened the otherwise stark, almost gothic look, without sacrificing its edgy quality.

 

8. ZOOEY DESCHANEL

 

 

The New Girl star's custom Prada gown was a divisive point among viewers, but we think the retro-flavored sleeveless gown perfectly captured her quirky, nostalgia-driven aesthetic, with its slinky, fluid, figure-hugging black skirt, modest train, and intricately embellished bodice, adorned with emerald and lime green glass beads along the center and black glass beads along the sides for a slimming effect and an upscale, Mod-influenced, geometric flavor. 

 

9. NICOLE KIDMAN 

 Presenter Nicole Kidman flaunted her great figure in an off-white, near taupe, Versace dress embellished with gold studs throughout its entirety, with a diamond-like pattern created inside a horizontal strip at the center of the skirt and diagonal bands and stripes along the hips and down the sides of the skirt, streamlining the silhouette of the body-conscious gown.  

 

10. NICOLE RICHIE

 

 

Richie's high ponytail was among the most modern, chic 'dos of the evening, but the look worked particularly well given her choice of apparel: a silver Julien McDonald dress with a prismatic-like quality that looked like rays of light being reflected and refracted paired with Jimmy Choo heels and a vintage-looking House of Harlow minaudiere.

 

 

 

The Manolo Blahnik for TOUS Mary Jane Pendants Are No Urban Shoe Myth

 

 

The Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane Pump has risen to legendary status — in no small part due to its role in a Sex and the City Season 4 episode in which Carrie Bradshaw stumbles into Vogue's fashion closet, eyes as wide as Augustus Gloop at the chocolate factory, and, upon seeing Blahnik's Campari black patent Mary Janes, squeals in delight, confessing she had dismissed these then-hard-to-find beauties as an "urban shoe myth." 

Now, you can put your best foot forward in more ways than one, thanks to the Manolo Blahnik for TOUS jewelry collection, a collaborative effort that features sterling silver, gold vermeil, and 18K gold pendants all shaped to resemble this iconic pointy-toe Mary Jane design, with its slim strap and dainty button closure. 

Prices range from $155 to $1,500 depending on the precious metal and the length of the chain selected. If, for example, you're looking for the most extravagant piece in the collection, opt for the Manolo Blahnik for TOUS 18K yellow gold and diamonds pendant ($1,499 at Shop.Tous.com), pictured here at top, which features gleaming yellow gold and an 0.008 ct. diamond stone at the button closure of the Mary Jane pendant's strap detail.

Those looking for more affordable options can select between the Manolo Blahnik for TOUS 18K gold-plated pendant with 31 1/2" chain ($499 at Shop.TOUS.com), which feaures a gold vermeil finish over sterling silver, or the Manolo Blahnik for TOUS 18K gold-plated pendant with 17 11/16" chain ($279 at Shop.TOUS.com), which is slightly cheaper thanks to its shorter chain length.

Sterling silver options, meanwhile, include the Sterling Silver Manolo Blahnik for TOUS with 31 1/2" chain ($279 at Shop.TOUS.com), pictured second from top, and the Sterling Silver Manolo Blahnik for TOUS with 17 11/16" chain ($155 at Shop.TOUS.com), which is nearly identical to the latter but features a shorter chain that hugs the neck a bit more closely.  

How's that for a myth-busting jewelry collection?

United Nude Offers A Caged Shoe That Sings For Spring 2012

 

 Forward-thinking, design-driven footwear brand United Nude wants to cage up your feet this spring — and, while captivity is typically anything but alluring, the new Web Hi wedges will have you begging for the entrapment of your pedicured paws. 

Available in graphic black or white, the United Nude Web Hi ($650 at UnitedNude.com) draws inspiration from spiderwebs and hence the ankle-high, bootie-style wedge integrates intricate, diamond- and triangle-shaped cut-outs all over the laser-cut nappa leather uppers, as well as on the tonal metal chromed heel. Featuring a 5.5" heel and 1.2" platform, these streamlined wedges feature a zippered tab running vertically along the vamp and a cheeky peep toe.

Plus, in keeping with the designers' architectural focus, the heel features asymmetrical ridges along the back for a forbidden but alluring feel. The metal heel, meanwhile, is so slim that it mirrors a triangle-shaped slice, much like a slanted book end. 

Metal Mesh Masters Whiting & Davis Launch Jewelry Line

You probably associate Whiting & Davis with glamorous, sparkling mesh hobos, clutches, and wristlets in styles ranging from Victorian to disco-influenced, but your understanding of the 136-year-old brand is bound to change as it forays into new territory: fashion jewelry. This season, Whiting & Davis is unveiling its debut jewelry collection, consisting of simple silver and gold pieces that play with the brand's signature woven mesh techniques.

Take, for example, the Whiting & Davis Silver Collar Necklace with Signature Cut Stone ($625 at WhitingAndDavisCollection.com), pictured at top, an 18"-long, collar-style, sterling silver mesh necklace with a V-shaped accent at its center and a faceted, teardrop-shaped stone dangling from this widow's peak. The ring mesh used to create the necklace recalls the chain mail armor sported by medieval era knights, while the gemstone accent infuses a precious, dainty feel to the otherwise hefty piece.

Pictured second from top, the Whiting & Davis 18K Mesh Drop Earrings ($750 a WhitingAndDavisCollection.com) demonstrate how many aesthetics can be referenced even when using the same material. These 1.75"-long, 18k gold mesh drop earrings feature bulbous shapes that resemble tiny eggplants and are so lightweight that they sway freely, conjuring up an airy, free-spirited, whimsical feel.

One of the most versatile pieces in the collection is the Whiting & Davis Sunset Necklace ($375 at WhitingAndDavisCollection.com), shown third from top, which features four mesh strands in gold, silver, brass and copper vermeil, all twisted together and secured by silver metal rings at the ends. Measuring 18" in length, this piece was inspired by the ray's suns as it sets on the horizons.

Another standout: the Whiting & Davis Silver Lace Earrings ($125 at WhitingAndDavisCollection.com), which feature two slim, slanted, sterling silver bars along each side to create the triangular frame and, dangling from the base of the triangle, flaunt intricately crocheted ring mesh that fan outs along the bottom of the earrings, creating a beautiful arch of tiny metal rings.

Can you mesh with it?

 

10 Boots Channeling the Goth-Meets-Punk Vibe of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Though her petite, boyish frame hardly make her a physically imposing persona, Lisbeth Salander, the psychologically and physically scarred computer genius who enacts her own brutal brand of poetic justice (one involving some much-deserved revenge) in Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo instantly makes an impression on those who encounter her thanks to her gothic punk style. Sporting a raven cropped 'do with side-swept bangs covering one side of her face enigmatically, her eyes rimmed with black liner, her nose and earlobes pierced in multiple places, the motorcycle-riding renegade is mostly seen wearing all-black ensembles: black tees and hoodies paired with black skinny pants and studded black leather biker jackets, then accessorized with spiked metal necklaces that look like they double as instruments of torture, black skull caps, black fingerless gloves and, of course, gothic leather boots with chunky platforms and buckles galore.

Whether you're faithful to the 2009 Swedish film adaptation of the best-selling novel or you're raving about the recently-released US movie version starring Rooney Mara, chances are you've caught The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo fever. 

Here, we pay tribute to Lisbeth Salander and to the punk looks of the season with 10 boot styles that perfectly capture this subversive spirit.

 

 

Demonia by Pleaser Transformer-800 Boots, $150. Available at Endless.com

You've got to be as hardcore a goth as Lisbeth Salander to pull off these gargantuan, Edward Scissorhands-meets-Frankenstein-style patent leather boots, which feature a chunky 5 1/4" platform with metal rivet accents and 13"-tall shaft accentuated with wide straps and silver-tone buckles.   

Dr. Martens Massai Lace-Up Boots, $150. Available at Dillards.com

If, rather than jumping into the punk rock fashion pool, you want to tentatively dip a few toes in the water, do so in these lace-up combat boots, which feature stone black massai leather uppers with a waxed, wet cement-like finish, stark black accent stitching, black satin ribbon laces, and a Victorian-style floral print lining.

When you only lace the boots half way and then fold the top of the shaft over, you can reveal the vintage-looking blossoms and invite onlookers to acknowledge your feminine side. If you'd rather play with a more hard-edged look, simply lace the boots all the way to the top and let that ladylike lining be your private little secret.  

 

Opening Ceremony Leather Lace-Up Ankle Platform Boots, $272. Available at Saks.com

They may look like ordinary ankle boots, but these lace-up Opening Ceremony shoes play with proportions and angles to create an ultra-modern effect. The sides of the shaft are cut at an angle to yield an asymmetrical line, sloping downwards from the front and center to the back of the ankle. The tapered top edges of the shaft are then juxtaposed against a 5" stacked heel with a block-like shape and an exaggerated, bulbous 2" platform along the front of the boot, positioned directly beneath a slightly rounded toe. The cartoonish, over-the-top elements of this footwear style stand in stark contrast to the rows of eyelets through which the lace-up cords are threaded — which, unlike most booties, aren't boxed in by rows of intricate stitching. 

 

Jeffrey Campbell Lita Spike Ankle Boot, $195. Available at JildorShoes.com

Biker jackets with zipper accents and stud details, slim silver hoops tracing the outer curves of the ears, jet black hair, and leather collar necklaces with lethal-looking spikes abound in Salander's closet, so the Jeffrey Campbell Lita Spike Ankle Boots would fit perfectly into this fashion paradigm. One of the most popular Jeffrey Campbell styles to date, the Lita first charmed shoe hounds with its '70s-inspired silhouette — from its hefty heel and pronounced platform to its square toe and lace-up vamp construction. Its latest incarnation, however, fast-forwards a decade to the golden era of punk rock thanks to the Sex Pistols-worthy spikes and studs covering the back of the 5" heel, along with the heel counter.

 

 

Kelsi Dagger Hettie Lace-Up Wedge Boots, $198. Available at RevolveClothing.com

The Hettie boots marry the adventurous, danger-loving spirit of popular biker styles with the urban functionality and versatility of comfortable wedge heel boot offerings.In addition to a 5" wedge heel and 1" platform, the fearless Hettie features a single slim leather strip that zig zags its way along the front of the shaft, weaving through rows of corset-style, brass-toned D-rings. A single belt buckle at the base of the shaft and an identical one at the top secure the two ends of the strip.

 

Be A Whistleblower And An Ambassador For Peace With Falling Whistles' Necklaces

 

Rather than months or even years of market analysis by suit-wearing entrepreneurs, civic-minded jewelry brand Falling Whistles wasn't born of one single idealist's vision, his hope of shedding light on the harrowing and oftentimes forceful enlistment of child soldiers in the war still ravaging the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When he first traveled to the Congo region, Falling Whistles founder Sean Carasso wasn't fulfilling the role of war correspondent, down-in-the-trenches philanthropist, budding diplomat, NGO coordinator, or medical care expert. He was simply there to support the labors of his friend, who had just founded TOMS Shoes, a company built on a "One for One" model whereby, for every pair of shoes sold, another pair of shoes is donated to a child in a Third World country. A show of support for his buddy, however, turned into an eye-opening experience, a life-changing moment that would force him to redefine his goals in life.

It all started when Carasso met five young boys, all under the age of 15, who had escaped two of the rebel armies only to wind up imprisoned in a military encampment, treated as enemies of the regime, knowing their future would probably involve even more fighting — but, this time, for the National Army. As Carasso spoke to the young boys, he learned that most of them had been kidnapped from their homes, separate from their families, beaten, tortured, forced to handle weapons, and thrust into the ranks of rebel armies. They recounted stories of countless other child soldiers, many of whom were placed on the front lines (quite literally), armed with nothing but whistles, which they were asked to blow if they spotted enemy combatants in order to warn the soldiers trailing behind them. These children essentially served as human shields, their unarmed bodies completely vulnerable to oncoming barrages of bullets, their lives at constant risk.

Horrified by what he'd seen and heard, Carasso made it his mission to involve the United Nations and Unicef and, with their help, free the five boys locked up in a cell for circumstances beyond their control. He discovered tons of bureaucratic are tape but, eventually, the boys were released. 

But there was so much more that could be done to help all the other children like them, particularly those whistle-blowing boys forced into the front lines. The image of these child soldiers haunted Carasso well past his return to the US.

Then, something unexpected happened: a friend gifted him with a whistle. Every time Carasso wore the whistle around his neck, he was asked about its meaning, its symbolism. A light bulb went on inside his mind: What if he created his own whistle necklaces and use them to raise awareness about the war in Congo? Shortly thereafter, Falling Whistles was born.

Each Falling Whistles necklace educates people by simply jump-starting conversations. The premise behind these pieces, then, is that open and honest dialogue is the first step toward a peaceful Congo, toward finding plausible resolutions to the existing conflicts in the region and to brainstorming about ways to advocate for those affected by war.

Fashion stylist and creative consultant Jennifer Margolin is currently curating the Whistles for Peace in the Congo sale event at AHAlife.com, during which customers can buy five different types of necklaces, with each etched whistle pendant measuring 3 5/8" in height and hanging from a nickle-plated ball chain or a suede strip  ($44 each at AHAlife.com). Shoppers can choose between: a gunmetal whistle on a nickel-plated ball chain, a black whistle on a nickel-plated ball chain, a bronze whistle on a black suede strand, a copper whistle on a black suede necklace, or a limited-edition brass whistle on a brown suede strand. All of the necklaces were manufactured in London using conflict-free materials sourced from Germany.

 Join the movement and become a whistleblower for peace.

Win a Lauren Merkin Silver Patent Calfskin Clutch & a John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer

Over the holidays, John Frieda and Lauren Merkin teamed up to release two limited-edition clutches, both of which perfectly fit one vital John Frieda styling product. 

Since we swear by the John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer, a tube with a mascara-style wand that allows you to brush a frizz-controlling serum to any unruly strands and stray hairs while on the go, we're swooning over the Lauren Merkin for John Frieda Full Repair clutch. 

Not only will you be receiving a full-sized tube of this John Frieda beauty essential, but you'll get your hands on an authentic clutch by New York-based designer Lauren Merkin. This taupe-ish silver calfskin clutch features a glossy patent leather finish, a slim rectangular shape, an envelope-like top flap with a darker-colored accent strip along the curved bottom of the flap, and red suede lining along the interior. Made in NYC, the clutch measures 9.5" in width and 5.5" in height.

The John Frieda for Lauren Merkin clutch retails for $275 at LaurenMerkin.com and it could be yours for free, so enter now!

To enter, visit our official giveaway page on Facebook (you can find it under the "Promos" tab on the left-hand side of the Sicka Than Average fan page) and make sure to take the steps indicated:

1. Like Sicka Than Average on Facebook (Facebook.com/SickaThanAvg)
2. Like John Frieda US on Facebook (Facebook.com/JohnFriedaUS)
3. Like Lauren Merkin Handbags on Facebook (Facebook.com/LaurenMerkinHandbags)
4. Follow @SickaThanAvg on Twitter
5. Follow @JohnFriedaUS on Twitter
6. Follow @LaurenMerkin on Twitter
7. For en extra chance to win, tweet the following: "I just entered to win an @LaurenMerkin and @JohnFriedaUS clutch from @sickathanavg!"

For extra chances to win, leave a comment below or tweet about the giveaway on Twitter!

That's it! The contest ends on January 20th, so best of luck!