SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Curations With Stefani Greenfield Goes Gypsy Rose For Summer 2010

 

 

Don't have any plans this evening? Have a date with your remote control and your comfy couch? Then you may want to tune into HSN to check out the Summer 2010 offerings from Curations with Stefani Greenfield. The collection includes safari-flavored items like an animal print scarf top with breezy batwing sleeves, snake-embossed thong sandals, and a zebra-print espadrille wedge, as well as Bohemian chic jewelry pieces like the Mosaic Butterfly Drop Necklace and the Taj Bib Design Necklace pictured here.

The butterfly pendant pictured at top measures 3" in width and 2 1/4" in length and boasts a mosaic  pattern constructed using pavé-set acrylic stones in emerald green, light turquoise, amethyst purple, and yellow topaz.

The Taj bib necklace, meanwhile, falls in a graceful "V" shape and features two rows of teardrop-shaped, gold-toned open metal workstations with tiny teardrop shaped acrylic stones dangling from their centers. Each golden shape features a textured zig-zag motif along its perimeter. The necklace is available in four color choices: Indigo (as shown here), Fuchsia, Brown or Violet.

Not only are these pieces discounted at the moment, but you can enjoy 10% off your purchase with this coupon (valid through June 22nd). Make sure to click here to get the discount code!

Curations with Stefani Greenfield Mosaic Butterfly Drop Necklace, $89.90, and Taj Bib Design 26" Necklace, $99.90. Available at HSN.com

Radiate Style With Diesel's X-Ray Watch Collection

 

   

 

You're not going to have Superman-worthy X-Ray vision (sorry, no undressing sexy dudes with your eyes!) by slapping on one of these new Diesel watches, but you will have a science-fiction flavored piece of wrist candy. The Diesel X-Ray line consists of several digital and analog timepieces adorned with neon green or blue transparent plastic details along the perimeter of the watches' dials.

If you like a heftier watch, check out the Ana-Digi style (pictured in green with a black leather strap at top and in blue with a brown leather strap at bottom). The watch case measures 56mm by 52 mm and features a digital time display along the slim rectangular space on the left corner, along with an analog display that resembles a dashboard instrument. If you want a sleeker style, opt for the Analog style (pictured second from top), which features a stainless steel band ion-plated in gunmetal gray as well as translucent, Lite-Brite blue plastic along the outer ridges of the square black dial.

Electromagnetism aside, these certainly have that X factor!

 

Diesel X-Ray Ana-Digi watch with black leather strap and neon green transparent details, $225; Diesel X-Ray Analog watch with stainless steel band and neon blue transparent details,  $120; Diesel X-Ray Analog watch with black rubber band strap and neon green transparent details, $100; and Diesel X-Ray Ana-Digi watch with brown leather strap and neon blue transparent details, $225. Available at Store.DieselTimeFrames.com

Let's Hear It For The Boys! Father's Day 2010 Gift Ideas

With Father's Day around the corner, it's time to apply some of our scrutinizing taste to the shopping we do for the fellas in our lives. Whether you're shopping for your dad, husband, boyfriend, brother, or uncle, we've got some fab gift options for those guys who never seem to lose their cool (and we don't mean their temper!).

 
Nike Auto Flight High in Bluegrass, $90. Available at NikeStore.com

If you've got a sneakerhead on your hands, he'll love these new Nike Auto Fight kicks, which feature a summery teal shade and orange accents along the tongue and near the sides of the toe.

 
Sobral Flash Gordon Collection Zen Hypnotic Wristwatch, $190. Available at SobralUSA.com

I've often raved about Brazilian jewelry designer Carlos Sobral's offerings for women, but I figured it was time to spread the wealth and let the boys in on the fun. This Zen Hypnotic Watch features a dial made of recycled computer circuit boards and attached to a brown leather strap. Of course, you can't actually keep time with this watch but, in terms of style, your guy will know what time it is.

 
Lacoste for Barneys Tennis Sweater in Navy, $165. Available at Barneys.com

For Summer 2010, Lacoste produced a limited edition collection of polo knits and sweaters for Barneys, including the above-pictured V-neck sweater, which features country club-ready green-and-white stripes along the cuffs and neckline.

 
Lego Architecture Series Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, $44.99. Available at DiscoveryStore.com

You know that saying about the difference between men and boys being the size of their toys? Well, it's not too far from the truth! When they're in elementary school, they'll build miniature Star Wars spaceships or the Krusty Krab in "Spongebob Squarepants" and, when they hit "adulthood" (a relative term when it comes to males), they'll turn to model cars, flossy remote control cars and helicopters, and more intricate Lego projects. This particular model, developed by architect Adam Reed Tucker, celebrates the genius of the late architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the mastermind behind New York City's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

 
Cole Haan Air Vance Venetian Shoe in Salt Canvas/Oak, $178. Available at ColeHaan.com

These slip-on shoes, which bridge the gap between casual and elegant footwear, feature beige canvas uppers with camel leather trim.Even better, they were constructed with the intent of maximizing comfort through the cushioning, which incorporates  Nike Air Technology in the heel and forepart.The herringbone rubber tread sole, meanwhile, provides a good amount of traction, so you don't have to worry about your fella slipping and falling.

 

 

Kai D. Utility Wyatt Linen Pinstripe Shirt Jacket, $225, and Kai D. Utility Gansevoort Ticking Stripe Shirt, $225. Visit KaiDUtility.com for stores.

With their emphasis on function and military-influenced, slightly rugged aesthetic, Kai D Utility's woven shirts will make dressing up seem like less of a conformist move for those rule-breaking, fight-the-power, work-against-the-system types. Take, for example, the Wyatt Linen Pinstripe Shirt Jacket pictured above, a 100% cotton, long-sleeved shirt with a flap pocket on the right side, a patch pocket on the left, and a smaller patch pocket below the aforementioned pocket.

 
Calvin Klein CK Free For Him 2 Piece Gift Set,$64. Available at CalvinKlein.com

This gift set features a 3.4 oz. CK Free For Him eau de toilette and a 2.6 oz. deodorant stick. Perfect for an outdoorsy guy, the CK Free scent features: top notes of anise, absinthe, and juniper berry;  a heart of tobacco leaves, coffee absolute, and South African buchu; and base notes of patchouli absolute, oakwood, Texan cedarwood, and Costa Rican ironwood.

 
Lanvin High-Top Plaid Sneakers, $835. Available at NeimanMarcus.com

In form, this hi-top sneaker looks much like a Nike Blazer style, but there's an asymmetrical slant along the ankle region and the moody, gray-and-black plaid print is pure Lanvin. The leather trim along the seams, meanwhile, adds a sophisticated edge to the casual sneaker style. If your Big Poppa dreads dress shoes but you need to upgrade him from his low-top Dunk routine, this may be the perfect way to do so.

   

 

 
Sedgwick & Cedar Jamel Shabazz Signature Series "Only In New York" and "Radio Man" tees, $35.73 each. Available at Shop.SC73.com

The New York City-based clothing line Sedgwick & Cedar seeks to celebrate the excitement surrounding the dawn of hip-hop culture via images and prints of pioneering MCs, DJs, b-boys, graffiti writers, and more. The brand's name itself commemorates the famous parties DJ Kool Herc would throw in the rec room of his building on Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx. Pictured above, you'll find two designs from the Jamel Shabazz signature series, which features iconic images from the famed photographer.

 

 
Redken for Men Grooming Essentials, $21. Visit Redken.com to locate a salon near you.

Pauly D. isn't the only guy who spends an extraordinary amount of time on his hair. If you're shopping for a "don't touch the hair" type of dude, he'll appreciate this Redken for Men gift set, which includes a daily care shampoo, ultra hold air gel (for all those spiky 'dos), and even a balancing cleansing bar for his skin.

 
Nixon The Rotolog Belt in Black & Cork, $50. Available in Karmaloop.com

Sure, Nixon watches are the hotness, but did you know the brand has branched out into other milieu, including street-flavored belts? Just peep the Rotolog belt pictured above features four horizontal stripes -- 3 made out of brown cork and 1 made out of black leather.

 
Oliver Peoples Limited Edition KVA Sunglasses, $495. Available at OliverPeoples.com

These sunglasses are part of a limited edition collaboration between Oliver Peoples and Kris Van Assche, the current Creative Director of Dior Homme. The coin-edge mechanism allows wearers to switch the lenses on the frames.

 
 
 

Vilebrequin Coral White Swim Trunks, $200. Available at Barneys.com

With the summer months looming ahead, every guy needs a good pair of swim trunks — these drawstring Vilebrequin trunks feature a whimsical (and seasonally appropriate) beach-inspired print featuring light blue coral reefs, sea turtles, fish, and sand dollars against a white backdrop.

  

Susan Suh "Freedom & Hope" Jewelry Collection

 

    

  

I have six butterfly tattoos, each corresponding to a pivotal moment in my life. For me, each tat represents a period of metamorphosis — whether it was a fortuitous, celebratory time or a trying, character-building stage. These inked designs, then, feel like a map of my life, a colorful journey through my ongoing self-development. By tattooing these butterflies on my skin, then, I basically asserted that these experiences are as much a fabric of my being as my flesh and blood. And, of course, butterflies have fascinated humans since the dawn of civilization. To some, they symbolize freedom and light. To others, they allude to rebirth. In ancient Greece, butterflies were believed to be the souls of our beloved ancestors, fluttering above our heads and watching over us. They hold a special place in the literary canon and in ancient mythology – regardless of the culture in question.

When designing her Freedom & Hope collection, Tribeca-based jewelry designer Susan Suh  tapped into both the symbolic and literal beauty of these winged creatures. For Suh, the predominant themes affiliated with butterflies were freedom and self-empowerment. By utilizing 18k gold, sterling silver and rhodium to create jewelry pieces inspired by the shape of butterfly wings, she was symbolically offering women their own set of wings, encouraging them to follow their own dreams and take flight. According to Suh, in order to live her own dream, she had to shed the fears weighing her down, hence becoming light enough to soar like a magnificent butterfly.

The collection, then, includes numerous earrings shaped like a variety of butterfly wings . Take, for example, the Wings with Stem Earrings (pictured second from top in 18k gold), which feature thin, solid, undulating strips that lead to carefully molded, cut-out forewing and hindwing silhouettes filled with tiny strips mimicking wing scales. The Petal Wing Earrings (pictured at top in sterling silver), meanwhile, feature more of an elongated teardrop shape, mirroring the form of rose petals, and the cut-outs therein are more sparse and hence create an airier feel. They're my personal favorites, with their feminine grace and the dash of color added by the single amethyst crystal adorning each of the earrings.

In addition to the array of wing-inspired earrings, the collection features brooches, necklaces and bracelets, all featuring interesting cut-outs that pay homage to the most beautiful of insects. Talk about a collection that will give you butterflies!

Susan Suh Sterling Silver Petal Wing Earrings, $295; Susan Suh Wings With Stem Earrings in 18k gold; price available upon request; and Susan Suh 8 Wings Bracelet in 18k yellow gold, price available upon request. Visit SusanSuh.com

 

  

Miriam Haskell Leaf Brooch Seen On Olivia Palermo

 

Miriam Haskell's pieces take onlookers through a journey of Central and Eastern Europe that transcends time and space, celebrating Austria's tradition of incorporating colored crystals into baubles, applauding the glass beads in Russian kolts, guiding us through Hungary's pearl-studded history, and relishing Byzantine era artistic traditions. Her "Legacy" collection is infused with the type of Old World romance you'd associate with Catherine the Great's famed jewelry treasure trove. Just look at the above-pictured brooch, which features three leaf filigrees plated in a 24K Russian gold finish and adorned with handwired glass pearls, Swarovski crystals and European glass stones in auburn, russet, and smoky gray hues that recall the transient nature of the autumn season.

Now, I realize brooches tend to be associated with the "over 40" set but, if worn the right way, these pieces can add an elegant flair to an ensemble while allowing it to retain its youthfulness. My main suggestion: avoid pinning them onto blazer lapels (especially if these have boxy cuts or are made of matronly fabrics like tweed). Instead, you should try placing them in unexpected locations, like "The City" star Olivia Palermo did at the June 10th Cinema Society screening of the comedy Cyrus. Palermo donned an ethereal, slightly sheer, bone beige dress with a deep V-neckline and adorned it by pinning this Miriam Haskell brooch right above her left hipbone, hence accentuating her waistline and adding an eye-catching element to the otherwise simple number.

With a piece like this, the style possibilities are endless — and, no matter what ensemble you pair it with, you're bound to look like royalty.

Miriam Haskell Russian gold-plated leaf brooch, $640. Available at MiriamHaskell.com

Laruicci's Caged Bird Earrings Make Rihanna's July ELLE Cover Soar

    

On ELLE's July 2010 cover, pop star and style icon Rihanna seduces onlookers with a snug, long-sleeved, sequined minidress in swirling metallic gold and purple hues, with strong, bold shoulders and scalloped edges along the hemline and sleeves. It takes gumption and confidence to pull off such an elaborate, attention-getting ensemble — most women would wind up looking like cheesy Dancing With The Stars contestants, but Rihanna takes it to rockstar heights. But a va-va-va-voom dress wouldn't have been enough for someone like Rihanna and so stylists completed the ensemble with several oversize cocktail rings, a studded leather belt, and the above-pictured Laruicci Caged Bird Earrings.

Made of silver-plated brass, the Laruicci Caged Bird earrings are rather large pieces (their bottom ridges practically graze Rihanna's collarbones, which should give you an idea of where they'd fall on us shorties). The drop earrings feature a teardrop-like shape, but instead of the sides joining to create a point at the bottom, the curvilinear bars along the sides are adjoined by a shorter, slightly less curved bar. Two thicker bars create a dome-like shape along the front, which allows for the "caged" analogy. Inside this little "cage," you'll find concentric circle shapes that take up half the earring's total length.

This caged bird earrings are singing to me — and the song of choice is Rihanna's "Rockstar 101."

Laruicci Caged Bird Earrings, $180. Available at Laruicci.com

ArcadeBoutique.com Is A Fashion Player's Ball

 

 

 

 

  

 

When I peruse through a boutique's offerings, I can tell with relative ease whether the owners and buyers possess the three principles of panache: fashion knowledge, impeccable taste, and a tastemaker's vision. Oftentimes, I find that buyers possess the first two attributes, but not the third — they'll acquaint themselves with the buzzed-about names in the fashion industry, choose those brands' most polished and accessible designs, and stock their stores so as to ensure an excellent sell-through rate. And, while it's always nice to admire new pieces from the likes Marc Jacobs, Theory, Tracy Reese, and Herve Leger, my fashion curiosity is never satisfied when these "safe" brands are the only ones available. When that happens, I know instantly that the folks behind that boutique have a limited understanding of fashion — or, worse, that their motivation is only to turn a quick buck. It's a massive turnoff. Conversely, when I step into a boutique and stumble across new designers with unique point-of-views, I not only revel in the discoveries, but I applaud the foresight of the staffers. Staying on the cutting-edge of the fashion industry, enlisting designers who deserve an exposure boost and discovering fresh talent (before they can slap some "as seen in Vogue" or "as worn by Rihanna" tagline on it) — these are the feats I expect from boutique buyers. And that's precisely why I'm loving the team behind West Hollywood style haven Arcade Boutique, which just launched its e-commerce site this month.

Sure, at Arcade, you'll find a vast array of pieces from contemporary brands like cheeky lingerie line Hanky Panky and basics line LNA, as well as high-end pieces from well-known designers like Barbara Bui and Yigal Azrouel (such as the cropped leather jacket pictured third below, which features an asymmetrical hemline and quilted strips along the shoulders). But you'll also spot some offerings from hard-to-find cult brands like Doo.Ri (who made the belted dress pictured last below, with its high, slightly draped neckline), milliner Eugenia Kim (who designed the beachy fedora pictured second below) and 5-year old jewelry brand T.Cyia (check out their funky geometric necklace pictured above, second from top).

Best of all, Arcade Boutique (and ArcadeBoutique.com) stocks pieces from new brands that exhibit a great deal of promise. Take, for example, Romygold, an edgy but luxurious handbag line with a biker-meets-rocker vibe launched last year by friends Lisa Goldstein and Romy Jagid. How genius is Romygold? Check out the trapeze-shaped camel leather clutch pictured at top, which features 10 rows of studs, with alternating conical and pyramid-shaped studs. Or marvel at the roomy hobo bag pictured above, pictured fifth from top, which has a smooth black leather facade, with studs all along the side and bottom (it's my dream bag at the moment).

Another amazing designer whose work you'll find at Arcade: rock chic master Elise Overland, whose work would make everyone from Shirley Manson to Chrissy Hynde and Rihanna bow down in praise). The mini dress pictured third from top showcases the more subdued spectrum of Overland's aesthetic with its clever zipper details. Want more fresh talent? Then check out some pieces from 28-year-old Kimberly Ovitz, who worked as an assistant designer at Imitation of Christ Denim, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, and Ya Ya Clothing before branching out on her own with an impressive Spring 2009 collection consisting of strictly black and white pieces. Her expertise with drapery and her effortless design aesthetic is evident in the leather jacket pictured fourth from top.

Now tell me, isn't this the type of "arcade" in which you'd want to play? Precisely!

Pictured above: Romygold 10 Row Studded Clutch, $415; T. Cyia Square Chain Necklace, $585; Elise Overland Mini Tank Dress with Zipper, $525; Kimberly Ovitz Draped Leather Jacket, $895; Jamie Joseph White Drusy Ring with Diamond, $675; and Romygold Studded Hobo, $640. All available at ArcadeBoutique.com

Pictured below: H. Fredrickson Wood Print Tank, $185; Eugenia Kim Fedora with Scarf, $287; Yigal Azrouel Quilted Leather Jacket, $1225; and Doo.Ri Asymmetric Dress, $1035. All available at ArcadeBoutique.com

   

 

 

 

Samantha House Jewelry Is In The House!

 

   

   

   

When I laid eyes on Samantha House's Tidal Necklace in Blue (pictured at top), I remembered a trip I took to The Baths in Virgin Gorda. There were enormous boulders along the island's shore — and, just off the shoreline, stood a maze-like rock formation that people could swim (or trek) through. I recall making my way through the opening, which was fittingly shaped like a triangle, and marveling at the dark, mysterious interior of the cavernous space. One of the most fascinating aspects was the way the water changed colors depending on how much light penetrated through the flatter, jagged rocks constituting the "ceiling." The midnight blue of the smoky quartz stones remind me of those enigmatic waters, and the light bouncing off the faceted edges of each stone mirrors the way the sea reflected any light piercing through the rock maze. The gold metallic strands weaving the stones together create a statement-making cluster that's as powerful a force of nature, while the rope chain adds a jaunty nautical vibe.

And the marvels don't end there. The Ladder Necklace (pictured second from top in Sand and fourth from top in Sea) features an inverse pyramid arrangement made of oval, flattened, polished quartz stones — but, most interestingly, it features ladder-like rungs, with one single stone placed in a horizontal direction in the middle of each "rung." These necklaces are 37 inches long, but their length can be adjusted as desired. They're an easy way to climb up the "style" ladder, right?

Also pictured above is the Yacht Rock Necklace (shown second from top), which features a square block made of three rows of rectangular citrine quartz stones, with a gold rope chain woven throughout and giving the necklace an haute resort-ready feel. In the words of Rick Ross, "Living larger than life, call this the Yacht Club." And you, too, can be a member of this club!

Samantha House Tidal Necklace in Blue, $245; Samantha House Yacht Rock Necklace in Citrine, $235; Samantha House Ladder Necklace in Sand, $165; and Samantha House Ladder Necklace in Sea, $185. All available at ShopSamanthaHouseJewelry.com

Go Beachy Boho Chic With Allison Dayton's Stretch Bracelets

 

   

  

A quick and painless way to add a Bohemian vibe to any ensemble is to simply stack a few stretch bracelets on your wrist — just make sure they're made of raw stones like agate, coral, or turquoise, or feature wooden, paper, or bone beads. Jewelry designer Allison Dayton offers a number of such pieces, most of which are priced under $50.

Just check out some of the pieces pictured above. The Red Coral Bracelet (pictured second from top), for example, features spherical but symmetrical and jagged slices of coral with sponge-y pores that make each nugget look like it was plucked straight from the Great Barrier Reef. Another great choice is the Venus Bracelet (pictured third from top), which features black, white, and caramel-colored agate stones with a smooth surface but serrated, ridged edges.

There's also a Tumbled Turquoise piece, which features four strands of pebble-shaped turquoise stones bounded together by a silver slide clasp, and the Batik Dyed Bone Bead design (my personal favorite), which consists of a single strand of mahogany-and-cream beads with a funky, tribal motif.  For the ultimate Boho-meets-Bahamas vibe, choose a few different styles and mix and match, stacking them up as high as your heart desires.

Allison Dayton Red Coral Bracelet, $18, and Allison Dayton Venus Bracelet in Black & White Agate, $16. Available at AllisonDayton.com

  

  

FancySexyMe -- Jewelry With A Major 'Tude

     

   

 

 

 

The most essential part of being a sexpot: exuding a palpable air of confidence. The newly unveiled jewelry line FancySexyMe features designs that tap into your inner vixen without ever appearing dainty or submissive. These pieces, then, are not for the "cater-to-you" type of woman — they're for those women who know they deserve to be pampered and adored. They're daring and even provocative, but the level of detail and the quality of the workmanship that goes into making these pieces places them in a sophisticated category, saving them from ever appearing stripper-ish or costume-y.

Founded by designers Ronnie Aminov and Cynthia Cate, FancySexyMe features pieces handmade in Brooklyn and Manhattan. I'm particularly fond of the knuckle duster rings — just check out the filigree two-finger ring (pictured at top), which features an elongated hexagonal shape and is available in polished brass, 18k gold over brass, rose gold plating over brass, or rhodium plating over brass. If you want to take the look a step further, you can opt for the Filigree Three-Finer Knuckle Duster (pictured second from top), which is available in polished silver, 18k yellow gold over silver, rose plating over silver, and matte finish silver. The ring's thin upper ridge, meanwhile, features a row of inset crystals, and you can choose between diamond-cut onyx stones, pink crystals, purple amethysts, blue sapphires, ruby red stones, and canary yellow stones. For an irreverent pick, check out the sleek, almost mirrored, silver three-finger ring, which is engraved with the words "Fuck Off." Just imagine how often you could let your fingers do the talking!

The necklaces, meanwhile, take some of the draped aesthetic we affiliate with Fiona Paxton' s designs and infuse that foundation with a bit of a gladiator, Mad Max-ish vibe, an unfettered dominatrix-worthy sexuality, and a rock-n'-roll edge. Among my favorites are the rib cage necklace, which features a strand of interlocking elliptical loops hanging straight down along the center of the chest, with 18k gold over brass chainso draped from each center loop to the corresponding loops aligned in rows along the shoulders. I love how the design incorporates different chain strands — from cable to rope chains, all in various widths.

Another favorite is the shirt necklace (pictured next to last), which features multiple chain dostrands that hang down to the waist — all secured by epaulet-like strips of chain mail at the shoulders. What gal could ever have a chip on her shoulder with a necklace like this one?

FancySexyMe Filigree Two-Finger Ring, $99; FancySexyMe Filigree Three-Finger Knuckle Duster With Crystals, $300; FancySexyMe "Fuck Off" Three-Finger Ring, $130; FancySexyMe Rib Cage Necklace, $109; and FancySexyMe Shirt Necklace With Chain Mail Shoulders, $99. Available at FancySexyMe.com