Why Does it Cost So Much?...

While I was in China, working on some new shoes, I was flipping through some old magazines and I came across this article that I HAD to share with you guys! I'm not much of an article reader when it comes to fashion magazines. I usually just tear through them lusting after shoes on my 'get' list and clothes on my 'when I'm a millionaire I still won't be able to afford this' list. The headline caught my eye, especially since I'm working on making my shoe line affordable to the masses. "Why Does It Cost So Much?"

Good question....

(click images to enlarge)

(2008 Harpers Bazaar)

I love the idea of finding a uniform and building your closet around your own personal look. My problem is that I don't like to have only one look... I love to go from super girly to sort of goth to preppy to whatever!
What do you think about the concept of having a uniform? Do you have one?

Things of beauty...giveaway day two!

I have always had an affliction - I love to shop. I like to get new things. My Dad was an airline pilot and when I was a child, he used to return from his route with party dresses from America; with puffed sleeves and frills = big impact in my little world.

I was that child who pined for brand new, red, patent Mary Janes. To this day that feeling of excitement of taking a package or bag of newly purchased items home persists. It is an affliction. I wish I could get over it. But sometimes you just have to accept who you are. It is shallow. Clothes and shoes are not everything in life, for sure. But they are nice aren't they?!

I do maintain a life-long search for the perfect pair of red shoes, the perfect LBD, the perfect antiqued brown leather belt. Obsessed? Yep, pretty much. Over the years I have had some partners in this crime; they know who they are but they are - the friends who I still email with links to online shops where I am considering a purchase! For me, it's all about the little details; those things that make your heart beat just that little bit faster.

So this week's things of beauty starts with the incredible face of Natalie Portman; I want to see 'Black Swan' when it comes but I am also scared to; horror is so not my cup of tea! I am taking Boo to the ballet this weekend to see 'The Nutcracker'. It's an annual tradition. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the giveaways! Keep scrolling down...

...breath-taking Natalie Portman...

...love the short retro veil...photograph by Elizabeth Messina

...the delectable Blake Liveley...

 

 

...so simple, the winged eye, the pale lips..

 

...detailing by Emerson Made...

...'today, she thought as she looked at the map, we shall go here!'

...a feast of bow ties!

...such a cutie!

...the original: Brigitte Bardot...

simple monochrome dressing...via Dust Jacket Attic

Emma Gordon clutches...gorgeous detailing!

So the next giveaway of my blog birthday week is a little bit of that shopping happiness...

A HANDMADE 'GEORGIA' CLUTCH BAG BY EMMA GORDON, LONDON IN THE COLOUR OF YOUR CHOICE...

To be in with a chance of winning one of these, you simply need to be a follower of my blog and leave me a comment saying which colour you would pick! 
Closes midnight Sunday 9th January.

see the choices here...ivory, silver, lemon, berry, blue, peach, navy, lime, fuchsia, turquoise, taupe, purple, gunmetal, leopard, champagne, black...

I have had such sweet comments as part of this giveaway week, so thank you so much; without you...well, without you I am just someone who posts their thoughts on the web for no apparent reason!  

Do come back for more in a day or two...

What's On Your Xmas List?

Christmas shopping is in full swing and I don't know about you but I have a really hard time finding good stuff for my friends and family. I usually get my best ideas from someone else! So here are some ideas from me that you can steal and hopefully, one of you will make a list I can steal from. ;)

For the confection connoisseur in your life...

The world's biggest Gummy Bear. Seriously.

Leave it to the guys at Toddland to come up with this! 

Twinkie Chan's cupcake scarf. Deliciously adorable.

Agent Lover's cake hats!! I have a pink one :)

I love these mini donut trays! Baked, not fried. Great gift for your masterbaker ;) 

My new favorite treat. Seriously delish. Fran's Famous Salted Caramels (I like the dark)

Or what about surprising your gift-ee with a cooking class? Fun and thoughtful! 

Your local Williams Sonoma offers courses here.

The girly girl...

The Yokoo Minnie bow! I have it in pink and cranberry :)

PJs are a traditional Christmas gift, but Betsey Johnson PJs are my kind of cozy!

I imagine these would feel like warm marshmallows on your feet. But, you know... not sticky.

Cute accessories for your iPhone! You can even take it to the next level and get an amazing 

bedazzled one ;) This one is amazing!

Such a cute pen! And only $5

For your favorite nerd...

I don't have to tell you that 9 1/2 out of 10 people would love to get an iPad under their tree. I am one of those people.

I love anything Star Wars. In fact, Ben and I are taking full advantage of our last name and naming our child "Something" Han Soto. Yes I'm serious. And my best friend's last name is Walker but she refuses to name her son Luke Sky. Go figure.
ANYWAY- these suits are amaze and I got the Threepio one.
Use code SPLISHSPLASH for 10% off

Also see Skymall's Star Wars Shop.

I will never stop loving Napoleon Dynamite. You can sleep like him every night.

My sister used to play Ninja Turtles. Now she can have a TMNT Snuggie!
My lovely friend Jolie got me a leopard print one and I'm using it to lure my puppies into snuggle submission as I type!

Hey Book Worm...

Coffee table books are always great gifts. Here are some goodies!

All books from modcloth.com

Sparkle Sparkle...

Everybody needs a little glint and glimmer in their lives. 

From Tarina Tarantino's Acid Alice collection. 

Show your love with an initials necklace! I love this double initials one cause you can have you and your boo's initials or a first and last... whatever you want! Maybe you're a two timer? None of my buisness...

Get a cute necklace, support a good cause!

I've Been a Very Bad Girl

Every year this happens. The best stuff goes on sale right around the holidays. Coincidence? Or a really smart ploy to get us shopaholics going?
I feel like a really selfish bitch because though I bought myself no less than 7 pairs of shoes... seriously... I have yet to buy any Christmas presents.
Selfish.

But I know I'm not alone! Every girl friend I complain to tells me the same thing. "Me too girl. Me too."

Listen. It's too damn cold and I'm too damn busy working shoe making miracles to stand outside posing for photos but here is a little sneak peek of the shoes...

ok, NOT on sale but look at them!!! Amaze.

ACNE wedge booties on sale at Net-a-Porter

YSL shoes on sale (I couldn't believe they were on sale in my size!!)

Both from Jessica Simpson, both on sale on Cyber Monday :)

Last but not least... these Givenchy booties on sale at Nordstrom!