One of my fave trends hands down....all the way down to my grateful feet is the smoking slipper. This fabulous footwear has been making shoe shopping fun again. For years, I was a heels-uber-alles kinda girl, but no longer - and really, there aren't many occasions in life when flats aren't perfectly fine. But not just any flats. Cute isn't optional. Neither is quality. Charles Philip Shanghai makes these by hand, padding the sole and lining the interior for comfort. I also love the gold finish because that means there's not much in the closet they won't go with. Here, I paired them with some breezy wide-leg pants in a cotton stripe - 'cuz stripes and prints just look so cute & cheery with touches of brights, neons & metallics.
GET THE LOOK: trousers - Marni; tee - James Perse; necklace - Emilio Pucci; straw fedora - Maison Michel Virginie; bag - Gucci; shoes - Charles Philip Shanghai (all via Net-a-Porter.com)
Market Cross Jewellers
recently relaunched their site with a new look and since any & all makeovers should be celebrated in style, they're giving one lucky jewelry lover the change to win a £250 credit to spend online. The winner will be chosen on May 31, 2013, so don't lollygag about waiting to enter the giveaway.
Market Cross is one of the largest indie jewelers in the North East of England and they have a good selection of designer watches including Breitling, Cartier, Omega, Rado and second hand Rolex - talk about right on, er, time, given fancy timepieces are back! After perusing the diamond rings from Canadian Ice - which are mined in the country's Northwest Territories by Harry Winston and cut in Chiang Mai - I promptly spotted at least 15 pieces of flair I had to have, like the chic Gucci link bracelet (top), some funky/fun Troll Beads, a Swarovski silver iPhone case, a super-elegant Cross fountain pen & a sweet silver wishbone charm with a clover by Hot Diamonds. And because I personally adore the look of a hefty men's timepiece on my wrist, this $60,000+ "previously loved" platinum Pearlmaster Day-Date studded with enough diamonds to put a disco ball to shame.
- Lesley Scott
[Note: This was written in partnership with Market Cross Jewellers. The words are mine.]
This year, the must-have-don't-leave-your-house-without-it shoe is the pointy white pump. It can be kitteny in height or it can be skyscraper'y; it can be shiny patent leather or soft matte lambskin; it can be cheap or it can be spendy. What it isn't is optional. Here's a fun way to wear it with coordinating icy-cool accessories and a sassy sundress the shade of a sugary sorbet.
GET THE LOOK: sundress - Anna Sui; leather biker - Acne; pumps - Reiss; earrings - Marni; sunnies - Alexander Wang; lip gloss - Dolce & Gabbana
"A 'bisou' means a kiss in French," notes Ariela, whose Bisou Bijoux line of cameo jewelry - carried by one of my fave online resources Boticca.com - does a chic job of updating this grandma-fave for the kidz. "It reflects the love I have for cameos since I was a girl and it also reflects the passion that I put into designing this special jewelry line." Which, for 2013, has Ariela chanelling all things black, bold & blingy, with touches of bronze, palladium & gold.
This silk ikat print Altuzarra tank dress couldn't be more easy/breezy chic. For day: flats & a cardi. For evening: heels & a cardi. Not sure? A wedge-heel and...you guessed it, a cardi. The print will do most of the heavy lifing for you in terms of the style quotient, leaving you hands-free and ready to roll, no muss, no fuss. (Everything in this look is available at KirnaZabete.com.)
Inspired by her travels and affinity for tribal influences, she recently collaborated with Swarovski on a 9-piece collection featuring her birthstone, turquoise, as well as feathers & crystals. Each piece includes a delicate leaf shaped engraved with her signature. Prices range between $100 & $200.
Just as hunters traditionally display their trophies so London-based Gisele Ganne envisions her Skull Bridge double-ring (available at boticca.com) as inviting the wearer to show off the fruits of their pursuits ... and conquests.
"My jewelry is an evocation of death, mourning and divorce," explains the designer - who worked for known names including Cacherel, Tatty Devine & Stephen Webster & whose fans include Lady Gaga, Yasmin & Eve.
"Each piece tells a story which is inspired by Victorian mourning jewellery, old and ethnic customs, urban legends and historical events."
This unassumingly fabulous diamond-ball bracelet with the assuming pricetag ($29,500) is by Native Jewels, the house brand at CHURCH Boutique.
The West Hollywood collective showcases curated art, sculpture, antiquities and designs from emerging and established artists and designers. In other words, a spendy & wonderful place where those with the resources can browse, buy & indulge their great taste. Available at farfetch.com.
From rings in our noses to bling on our toes, we’ve long loved adorning, decorating and embellishing every possible displayable inch. Starting 75,000 years ago, when our prehistoric sisters festooned themselves in feathers, stylish shells, and protected themselves with necklaces made of shark teeth and twine. When the ancient world discovered metalworking, royals and nobles preened in gold, silver and gems and the style mavens of the status-conscious world of the medieval and Renaissance European courts delighted in being better able to pull sartorial rank on each other. And where turquoise, jasper, lapis lazuli and carnelian had been favorites of the Pharaohs, the Tudor and Elizabethan periods were studded in glittery rubies, emeralds, blue sapphires, black pearls, and diamonds.
Today, many of us bling for different reasons; rather than dazzling or trouncing, jewelry is a way to reach out, bond, communicate with your tribe. After all, "there's a battle outside and it is ragin'," sang Dylan. "For the times, they are a -changing."
