Engagement Rings
Engagement Rings
Engagement Rings
Engagement Rings
Engagement Rings
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Pump It - De-IY Shoes
16 year old American blogger Blair Fowler aka otherjuicystar07 from Charlotte, NC, caused an internet shoe frenzy on Monday by posting this video on her YouTube channel about an Australian site, ShoesofPrey. The shoe boutique, which allows users to create their own shoes from a range of customisable templates, including heels, ballet flats, wedges and gladiator sandals, had sent Blair a free pair of their shoes as part of a PR campaign to promote the brand via select blogs. Blair then posted the short video which encouraged other YouTubers to design their own shoes and post videos of the results. As a result, Blair's video got in excess of 450,000 views with ShoesofPrey, a relative newcomer to the eCommerce market having been set up in October 2009, receiving over 200,000 visits in one day alone. Not many of these hits translated into sales as Blair's teen market is probably still waiting for their parents' permission to spend up to £180 on a pair of shoes, however, it did generate a massive amount of awareness for the company, once again demonstrating the power of social media in brand marketing. I was tempted to have a go myself and it really is a fun little site, kind of like a grown up Fashion Wheel for shoes. The prices are pretty reasonable (£115 for ballet flats, £150 for 1.5-3.5 inch heels and £180 for heels up to 4.5 inches) and there's a great selection of styles, heel heights and widths, colourways and fabrics to choose from- including calfskin, python, fishskin, silk and patent leather with vegan leather to follow later this year. The site can cater for special width requirements and you can even send in a photo of your feet to help make sure your shoes fit perfectly, however, if they don't, as long as you send them back within 30 days in an unworn condition, then you can get a full refund, including the postage (£15 for worldwide on all orders) - you just have to pay to send them back again. These would make a great present for the girl who has everything and, handily enough, gift certificates are available.
If you like the idea of designing your own footwear but are looking for something a bit more urban, in addition to the NikeID studio and MiAdidas where you can book in or go online to design your own trainers, try comparatively new kids on the shoe block, the Kings of Neon. These guys will produce anything from one off's to short runs (great for new bands, sports teams and clubs, promo events and stag do's) onto plimsolls (plain or with a rubber toe cap), Vans Authentics or Chukkas or Converse Oxs or High Tops. Prices run from around £29.99 to £64.99 for adult one offs and gift vouchers are also available. The site was ranked as one of FHM's top 100 places to shop online and you can get designing for kids, mens and women's shoes at their new site http://www.solecreator.com/.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Emma Watson style Collections and pics
Emma Watson
Emma Watson
Emma Watson style
Emma Watson style
Emma WatsonIntroducing the Hat Collection of Jeannette Brewer
Last week, I was lucky enough to purchase a large collection of hats that belonged to New York socialite, Jeannette Brewer. Jeannette was born in 1892 in Brooklyn. She married in the 1920s and moved to Manhattan where she was quite the social butterfly. She was a fashion maven, and shopped at the best stores. Many of her hats bear labels from Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's Little Shops, and on and on. I have Jeannette's 1920s wedding coronet, a couple of her flapper cloches, and loads of stylish toppers from the 1930s and 40s. I am very excited to bring this collection to you at Couture Allure, as these are some of the best hats I've had in years! Be sure to watch the site for Jeannette's hats over the next several weeks.
Cotton On - Designers for Environmental Justice Pop Up Store
At the far end of London's Carnaby Street, where it meets Beak Street, there is an intriguing little pop up store filled with gorgeous t-shirts by top fashion names including Alice Temperley, Richard Nicoll, Giles Deacon, Luella, Betty Jackson, Christian Lacroix and Katharine Hamnett ('Save The Sea' T pictured above, £40), all for around £30-£40 each. Obviously, I couldn't resist popping in. The shop, which is there for another six weeks, is a 'Cotton Campaign' charity endeavour in aid of the Environmental Justice Foundation who work to protect the natural environment and defend human rights; areas where the fashion industry tends to trail woefully behind. The designs are based on the theme of childhood, lost innocence and hope and represent the million plus children forced to work in cotton fields around the world, where they are frequently exposed to harmful pesticides for little or no pay. The cotton used for these runs is also organic and child-labour-free, promoting a positive alternative for consumers and aiming to raise both awareness and funds for this worthwhile, but little known, charity. The staff are extremely helpful, knowledgable about the situation and the work the charity does whilst not being pushy - unusual and refreshing for a charity store. They are planning a run of other fundraising events including film nights while they're in this temporary base so, if you're interested, pop in and stick your email down on the mailing list. If you can't get down to the store, you can also buy from a slightly more limited selection (no kidswear) on their website here and help buy Picking Your Cotton Carefully. See http://www.ejfoundation.org/ for more information.
From Top Left: Jenny Packham hand-print butterfly design ( just seen, far right), £30; kids tops; red print on white Ciel London, black Giles Deacon and black print on white Richard Nicoll designs, all £30 each; campaign logo.
Monday, March 29, 2010
A few of my favourite things.....
‘Tis the season and I’m so enjoying it!
White Holly Wreath, paper-source.com
I must say that making this list was actually quite tricky as I already have so much that makes me happy…my family, friends, good health, and exciting day-to-day adventures all make me a very thankful person.
But…if I had to, had to, had to create a wish list…these are the things that I’m currently coveting…
Clothes
1. A fabulous white coat.
Alexa wool coat, clubmonaco.com
2. A great red dress.
Lola silk tee dress, clubmonaco.com
3. A gorgeous evening gown.
BCBG strapless pleated gown, $348, bcbg.com
4. Or maybe two…and special occasions to wear them.
One shoulder crinkle chiffon gown, bcbg.com
Shoes
5. Basic black boots.
Toradeo boot, $169, ninewest.com
6. Pretty black flats.
Simply You, $79, ninewest.com
7. An organized and beautiful shoe closet.
Shoe storage, via {this is glamourous} at citified.blogspot.com
Jewelry
8. One of my all-time favourite cuffs.
Elsa Peretti bone cuff sterling silver, $725, tiffany.com
Beauty
9. Joe Fresh liquid eye liner. My new favourite beauty product.
Liquid eye liner, $6, joe.ca
At the Office
10. Notebooks. And many of them.
at Moleskines.com
at jordilabanda.com
11. Books, books, and more books!
Drive by Daniel Pink, danpink.com
Hey Day by Jordi Labanda, jordilabanda.com
100 Years of Fashion Illustration by Cally Blackman, amazon.com
Not a Star by Nick Hornby, amazon.com
Kitchen Treats
12. Tea from Hediard. Visiting Hediard in Paris is an amazing shopping experience. I love to be spoiled with goodies and specialty teas from this shop.
Hediard tea, hediard.com
Techy
13. A record player. I’m not picky. Just one that works and looks good.
Jakob Jensen record player, moma.org
Travel
14. Well – of course I’d love plenty of airplane tickets for travel! {France, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, India, Morocco…}
Galerie Lafayette, Paris, France
Tokyo, Japan
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Taj Mahal, India
Morocco
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