Style Crush...Shiona Turini

Who:: Shiona Turini

What:: Accessories Director at Teen Vogue

Where:: Bermuda born/ New York based

Why:: She mixes colors, patterns, and proportions. Is adorned in the best accessories from the runway as well as new designers. Dresses with a feminine touch that is offset with a downtown relatable edge.

Lets not forget...one's ensemble is never complete without a best friend dressed equally as chic.

{jak & jil}

With My Own Two Hands...

Thursday night I headed over to my former roomie's, Becky's, incredible Chelsea studio to catch up on life, talk all things fashion, and create some accessories with my own two hands (an exercise we did frequently when we lived together)! These projects were not difficult by any means, but still enjoyable and the outcome, chic.

Tassel earrings:: I popped into MJ Trim for a quick visit and found these swirly tassels. At $1 a piece I couldn't resist a trial run. On my way out, I stopped next door to pick up some earring posts. After a small dollop of craft glue, ta da!!!!!! I feel pretty good about these and will definitely be making more in different colors and lengths.

Last week I posted a few inspirational images, one of them being a gentlemen with a feather bow tie. I haven't stopped thinking about it, and Becky was suffering from the same accessory envy. Luck for me, Becky has an array of feathers left over from her headband company...

Apparently I'm still channeling the black and white swan! I finally have my very own feather bow tie. Planning on sporting at least one during fashion week, with what I'm not sure yet! And I'm still debating on trimming the ends of the white version, hmmmmm!!!??!?!

DIY Fix...

{vinnie merlot}

Last Tuesday I was invited to the Fenton Fallon store down at Freeman Alley to meet CFDA-nominated jewelry designer Dana Lorenz. I was in the company of some of the most stylish and creative fashion bloggers to learn to DIY our own (one of a kind) necklaces. The jewelry 101 class was so much fun and exactly what I needed to kick start my DIY fashion fix...

We had the most incredible treats to snack on while hard at work. The cookies (so delish) are from Cookies.com.

{vinnie merlot}

Walking into the store was like being a kid in a candy store. When we arrived, there were tables overflowing with all sorts of pearls, chains, pendants, charms, everything... even cocktail glasses filled with Divvies jelly beans!

{vinnie merlot}

After sifting through all the available materials, Dana gave us a rundown of how to secure various components along with other helpful tips and tricks. I set up camp with a pair of pliers, battalion of friends, and a U'Luvka Vodka cocktail. It took me a while to figure out exactly what I wanted my necklace to look like, and even the finished product is different (but better) than the original idea.

{vinnie merlot}

It took a bit longer than I expected to finish my necklace, but I'm so in love with it. I had the best time making it (even when my fingers were throbbing). And just because the front of the necklace has a lot going on, I couldn't neglect the back...so I added the black flower pendent to give it so added charm! I give you the Coco Canal x Fenton Fallon necklace!

I ran into some old friends at the event, and walked away with new ones as well!

{all images vinnie merlot}

As we finished our necklaces and were leaving we had our photo snapped wearing our self designed pieces. {Top L-R} Wendy of Nitrolicious, Julia from Fashion Pulse Daily, Christina for DeSmitten (one of the first people I met when I moved to the city...it's been too long since we've seen each other), and yours truly!

Dana and Karen...Thank you so much for hosting the event and allowing us to make our very own Fenton Fallon inspired jewels!!!!

Wardrobe Diaries:: School's Out Forever...

Last Friday night we celebrated Roxy (and Shao's) graduation!!!! Both have just received a second or third degree and are on their way up in their creative fields. So proud of both of them. In true form, I only have a few pictures from the night...maybe one day I'll be better at documenting!

me and roxy outside foundation...love her dearly!

matty mo and me taking a break from dancing...

I attempted to create an outfit that was totally new and different for myself. Roxy and I named the night the "no pants party" since we both seemed to be lacking them as we left for dinner! Not sure how I feel about my complete outfit but so in love with the shorts. Needs something though, but here it is anyways...

Tee:: H&M 3/4 sleeve black tee

Shorts:: American Apparel white lace tap shorts

Shoes:: Cynthia Vincent for Target ethnic print wedges

Necklace:: Lee Angel brass chain

Accessories:: two American Apparel gold chains connected as a holster/vest

Also, I went to see Sex and the City 2 last night (mainly cause I didn't want anyone to spoil anything for me if I waited). We received swag bags for opening night with tons of goodies. My favorite freebie was a set of metallic gold nails. Not usually one for press ons but couldn't resist. Still getting used to something this bold, but slowly falling in love with them...

What do you think?

Charm the Birds Out of Trees...

I love accessories...especially rings. When my life was simple (if that were ever true) I was a classic by the book ring bearer. A ring or two strategically placed on each hand with an occasional pinkie or thumb ring...depending on the day. As of late I keep adding rings to my finger repertoire, the more the "merrier" right?! Ok ok, not that type of ring. I've been looking for rings with character, something that looks like it has a family tree, loved well, and caliber. I was browsing through some websites for fun and immediately thought of Digby and Iona. A while back I posted about their sample sale with an image of the 14 pt deer ring that is mounted on Becky's hand daily (here). In my harmless search this is what I found...

The Stump Ring...

{all images from digby and iona}

I'm the girl that cringes a little at overt sugary sweet romantic gestures. However, I can't deny this, it's so adorable. Obviously made to resemble a tree stump with an engraved heart on the side. The best part is that you can personalize the ring with that special someone's initials. I know so sweet you want to gag yourself SLASH your heart melts a little at the same time. It has a story to it, character, individuality, and old romantic symbolism. Head over heels for this ring, just so dang cute and charming!

ox.sterling $170; with initials $210

ox. sterling & brass $180; with initials $220

Pamela Pamela...How I LOVE Thee

I'm longing for this ring. I was looking at a couple different stylist websites over the weekend and found this on Mary Alice Stephenson's site. I can't get enough of this ring, all day I've been thinking of how I can recreate it in some way. It bestows equal parts of sophistication and edge. More appropriate than my usual three finger/brass knuckle ring and has more character than a simple band. I have this weird, probably misconstrued idea of my hands and feel as though they look more attractive when covered up.

It is literally wearable art.

I have such respect for designers that have perfected their craft and skills. Designers that go outside of the box and bring beauty to the things the rest of us look past or wouldn't think twice about. There are so many "pretty" things out there it can start to get monotonous. Especially when it comes to jewelry and accessories. I want something that is going to stand out, something robust. I've recently nestled into this nook of wanting to finish my look off with something a bit cryptic...inept...esoteric...unpredictable?! My look can be so pulled together that I need something to offset it and punch it up. I quickly flipped through Pamela Love's look book and found these two necklaces that I'm now drooling over.

human heart necklace

sword rosary

Unconventional Accessories

The last few days I have been on a DIY jewelry/accessory binge. Leave me alone in an apartment with tons of resources and my brain and hands just start formulating stylish goodness out of nowhere! (I hope to post a few more pictures of this weekends creations soon)! I'm desperate for fall weather to arrive so I've started to plan out my fall wardrobe and flip through February's fashion week folder on my computer... A compilation of looks and items that inspire me, that I want replicate, and that I can't stop thinking about.

The necklaces and feather pieces that were shown as part of Lanvin's fall show are incredible! I love the idea of making jewelry out of things you find at the hardware store. Light fixtures, light bulbs, door hinges accentuated with pearls and other precious gems is just stupid cool! I know they won't have the same extreme chicness as the real deal, but I'm challenging myself to DIY my own hardware baubles.

All pictures: Lanvin Fall/Winter 2009 courtesy of Style.com

This weekend I made a necklace/earring piece and people thought I had headphones in and ignoring the conversation around me (not exactly what I was going for)!!! I stumbled upon these headphones that were shown at Lagerfeld's Fall 09 show and I'm totally buggin'!!! I'm usually not a fan of headphones that go around the head and/or behind the ear (I don't want to mess up the hair) but for these I will make many an exception! Faux piercings, pyramid studs, gadgets and gizmos a plenty, I couldn't ask for anything more amazing. I have no idea if these headphones were even produced but now I'm impatient and over zealous to DIY my own!

All pictures: Karl Lagerfeld Fall/Winter 09 courtesy of Style.com