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You’ll Give Good Love With These Valentine’s Day Gifts

From heart-emblazoned jackets to lingerie sets, scented candles, massage oils, and diamond-studded jewels, we’ve got everything needed to make Valentine’s Day an affair to remember. Check out our latest assortment of covetable gift options:

Ungaro Vintage Silk Jacket, $174. Available at Farfetch.com

Play your cards right with this vintage Ungaro Paris jacket, a piece so grand it would make the Queen of Hearts scream, “Off with her head!” The single-breasted black silk jacket features a gold heart print, strong shoulders, a single button closure, and two front flap pockets at the waistline.

Mawi Heart Locket and Pearl Flower Bracelet, $569. Available at LuisaViaRoma.com

A bulbous, oversize, slightly burnished, sterling silver heart charm dangles confidently from a slim metal chain, accompanied by a dime-sized silver charm with a marigold-like design etched atop it and a vintage-looking, oval-shaped, brooch-like charm with a blue crystal at its center and domed pearls surrounding it to form a flower-like effect. A string of hefty, coral red, glass beads with faceted surfaces is conjoined to the slim metal chain to infuse a bit of Boho flavor to the piece.

Kosta Boda Large Tattoo Crystal Bowl, $150. Available at Nordstrom.com

If only tattoos would remain this vibrant with the passing of time! Three hand-painted red roses adorn the Kosta Boda Large Tattoo Crystal Bowl, making it as rock ‘n’ roll as Guns N’ Roses, particularly thanks to the thick, ink-y black outline and the curvilinear lines undulating inside each petal.

Slatkin & Co. Valentine’s Day Candles, $19.50 each. Available at BathandBodyWorks.com

Whether it’s Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day, the home fragrance experts at Slatkin & Co. always have a suitable array of scents to get you in the right frame of mind, welcome guests, and create a warm and inviting environment. For Valentine’s Day, Slatkin & Co. introduced four new scented candles: Flower Shop, which incorporates purple lilac, rose, freesia and jasmine notes, along with a green stem note, to recreate the magical, enchanted garden feel of a florist’s lair; Pink Tulip, a soft blend of rose petals, soft lilac, and tulip; First Bloom, a fruity-floral aroma with notes of pink watermelon, apple blossom, tangerine, pear, water lotus, peony petals, fresh muguet, and frangipani; and Jungle Kiss, a juicy, succulent, sweet blend of coconut, sandalwood, and sweet peach. Available in the above-pictured 14.5 oz. size, these 3-wick candles are packaged inside glass containers with metal top lids and feature Valentine’s Day-themed labels with floral designs. Our favorite: the Jungle Kiss candle, which will transport you to a tropical location thanks to the coconut and peach note combination.

Paul Smith Kismine Sunglasses in Nude/Pearl with Lover Soul Gradient Lenses, $315. Available at PaulSmithSpectacles.com

Melissa Shoes Anglomania + Melissa Lady Dragon IV. Available at 6PM.com

Give your cherry pie a sweet footwear treat: these whimsical pearly white PVC heels from the Vivienne Westwood x Melissa Shoes collection. These quirky shoes feature a 3 1/2″ heel, a slingback strap with button snaps, and a molded pair of cherries positioned right atop the dainty peep toe.

Coach Spike Heart Ring, $650. Available at Coach.com

Love is a battlefield, so suit up those fingers with this spike heart ring, inspired by one of late jewelry, costume, and interior designer Tony Duquette‘s vintage pieces. Part of Coach’s ongoing collaboration with the Duquette Studios, the ring is made of gold-plated sterling silver and natural rose quartz.

Shea Moisture Organic Red Bush & Sage Body Scrub, $9.99. Available at Target stores.

You’ll never have rough, dull, or ashy skin with the Shea Moisture Organic Red Bush & Sage Body Scrub. This paraben-, phtalate-, gluten-, and mineral oil-free body polish smells like freshly-cut sugar cane with just a touch of herbal spices adding a rustic feel. The scrub features sugar particles to polish off dead layers of skin, while shea butter moisturizes and softens, red bush facilitates the exfoliation and cell renewal process with its high content of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), and sage functions as an anti-bacterial and skin-calming agent. Other natural ingredients include jojoba oil, mango seed butter, castor seed oil, aloe vera, olive oil, rosemary oil, cocoa butter, and honeysuckle flower extract.

In terms of the body scrub’s performance, you’ll initially find the sugar particles rather chunky and rough but, if you gently rub them in between damp palms, you’ll notice that they quickly soften, with the scrub practically melting onto the skin, establishing this balmy layer that protects the skin a you gently exfoliate. When you rinse your skin, you’ll notice some of the natural oils continue to coat the skin. Once you pat yourself dry, skin will appear more radiant and feel softer and smoother.

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Posted at 05:02 PM in Beauty, Fashion, Food and Drink, Home Decor, Jewelry | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 06, 2012

Crazy Stupid Love — More Valentine’s Day Gifts That Will Drive Ladies Mad

With Valentine’s Day inching closer and closer, we know you’re probably fretting about what to get your mom, kids, co-workers, friends, and mates — and, of course, you’re likely dropping not-so-subtle hints about what you’d like to receive from your guy (or girl) on the special day. To help you out even further (and give you some specific treats to casually mention during your hint-dropping sessions), we’ve amassed yet another array of goodies that you’ll love to love. Check them out!

L’Occitane Cherry Princess Pearlescent Shower Cream, $20. Available at USA.Loccitane.com

This month, L’Occitane launched its new limited-edition Cherry Princess collection, which was inspired by princess Hortense de Beauharnais, daughter of Empress Josephine. Legend has it that Hortense was incredibly bashful and that any compliment would result in her blushing, the cheeks of her porcelain visage developing a light pink color. As a tribute to the fair princess, a cherry tree strain was given her name. Commonly found in the Luberon region of Provence, the Reine Hortense bears succulent cherries, the juice of which was extracted and incorporated into all of the products in the L’Occitane Cherry Princess collection. The scent of fresh cherries mingles with the illuminating aroma of grapefruit and lemon, providing the first impression, leading the way to a delicate bouquet of spring flowers at the fragrance’s heart. All of the products in the collection are delicious, but we’re particularly smitten with the shower cream, which has a lightweight consistency and a pearly pink color and which lathers up nicely, delicately cleansing the skin while also leaving behind the faintest floral-fruity aroma.

Nancy Gonzalez Knot Croc-Skin Clutch, $1950. Available at Saks.com

This honeysuckle pink clutch from the Colombian crocodile handbag queen, Nancy Gonzalez, will help you stir a teaspoon of sweetener into your style entrée — whether it’s a knife-pleated silk skirt and blouse ensemble or a slinky dress with a plunging neckline. Though two croc skin-covered nubs resemble a kiss-lock closure, these are purely ornamental, as the piece features a magnetic snap closure. Measuring 10″ in width, 5 1/2″ in height, and 1″ in depth, the clutch features suede lining, soft rounded corners, and a zippered interior pocket.

Vera Wang Set of 2 Duchesse Flutes, $125. Available at Macys.com

Whether you’re celebrating years of blissful marriage, savoring an unexpected rendezvous with a long-lost love, or toasting to the promise of a blossoming relationship, make the occasion all the more memorable with these Vera Wang-designed crystal champagne flutes. These 14″-tall Duchess Encore flutes feature a slim trumpet shape, a pale lilac tint, and a classic laser-cut pattern .

Josie Natori for Target Valentine’s Day Lace Plunge Bra, $19.99, and Valentine’s Day Lace Thong, $9.99. Available at Target.com

Put the granny panties away on the 14th, gals. Tap into your inner Playboy bunny and, after you disrobe, frolic around the room in a punchy pink lingerie set. These inexpensive pieces from designer Josie Natori’s line for Target are just the ticket. Start with the embroidered lace push-up bra, which features an underwire for support and adjustable elastic straps, then complete the look with the matching thong. Unlike the tired florals we see on most lace bras, the embroidery on these pieces features whimsical swirls and rounded fan-like shapes, giving them a unique aesthetic.

Pacifica Island Vanilla Take Me There Set, $18. Available at Pacifica.com

We’ve raved about the new Pacifica Island Vanilla Body Butter, how its creamy vanilla base is accentuated by sweet honey and fresh jasmine notes, then refreshed with a surge of white tea, and how natural moisturizers and skin conditioners like shea butter, mango butter, lavender extract, safflower seed oil, almond oil, and rose hip oil leave skin feeling silky smooth. But that’s just one of the many delights in the Take Me There Island Vanilla set. This travel-sized kit includes a 2.5 fl. oz. of the Island Vanilla Body Butter, along with a 0.33 fl.oz. tube of the Pacifica Island Vanilla Perfume Roll-On (made of essential oils and natural grain alcohol), and a full-sized tube of the brand new Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint. Those of you looking for a lip balm with just the slightest hint of hibiscus pink color will love the fatty acid-enriched Color Quench Moisture Lip Tint, which melts right onto your pout, providing some much-needed relief for chapped, dry, or flaky lips, and depositing a sheer veil of shimmering pink color to make those lips all the more alluring.

Tacori Rose Amethyst Over Pink Mother of Pearl Bracelet, $13,070. Available at Tacori.com

Any Hollywood siren would fall to her knees and beg for the chance to wear this stunning Tacori bracelet while sashaying down the red carpet. The ultra feminine bracelet features three rows of faceted pink amethyst stones layered over mother of pearl pieces that create a translucent, multi-deimensional, luminous peony pink shade when combined. Each layered stone boasts a square-like shape, but with rounder sides to again soften the look. A textured silver trim encircles each stone, all of which are set against an 18k pink gold backdrop.

Love, Chloe Purse Spray, $95. Available at Saks.com

If you favor powdery soft scents, you’ll adore the Love, Chloé scent, which blends a bouquet of light orange blossom, iris, lilac, hyacinth, and wisteria blossom notes with wispy powdery musk, talc, and rice powder notes. This fragrance is now available in purse spray size. Packaged in a sleek, minimalist, flask-like golden metal bottle with the words “Love, Chloé” etched along the bottom of the front panel, the Love, Chloé Purse Spray comes with 3 0.34 fl. oz. fragrance bottles so you can refill as needed.

Rebecca Taylor Ikat Tee, $245. Available at RebeccaTaylor.com

This loose-fitting 100% silk blouse features an indigo-colored, ikat-style heart pattern, as well as a raw-edged scoopneck, a rounded hemline, and shirred shoulders.

Edmundo Castillo Wow Pump 110, $765. Available at Pink Tartan (170 Bedford Road, 3rd Floor, Toronto). Email info@pinktartan.com to order.

Enjoy a “Lady in Red” moment and dance cheek-to-cheek with your main squeeze while wearing these scarlet red pumps from Edmundo Castillo. From their sky-high and rail-thin stiletto heel to their pointed toe and V-shaped, low-cut vamp, which allows you to reveal an extra amount of flesh and toe cleavage, these shoes are hotter than a Ghost chili pepper.

Anna Sheffield Bridal & Commitment Jewelry’s Oval Rosette Ruby Ring with White Diamonds, $9500. Available at Bridal.AnnaSheffield.com

Every kiss does not begin with Kay — particularly if the woman whose hand in marriage is being sought has champagne tastes and cashmere dreams. Pop the question with a ring that really, well, pops, like this oval-shaped engagement ring from New York City-based designer Anna Sheffield. The unique piece features a faceted ruby at its center, with a band of white diamonds encrusted along its periphery.

Pure Romance Bed of Roses Set

Pure Romance Bed of Roses, $17. Available at PureRomance.com

Rose petals are synonymous with seduction — just think of the plethora of scenes in which Lester Burnham, Kevin Spacey‘s American Beauty character, fantasized about finding the Lolita-esque Angela (played by Mena Suvari) covered in red rose petals. On a practical level, however, sprinkling roses all over the bed can be a messy ordeal — first, there’s the cost factor (you’ll need way more than a handful of roses to cover a mattress or leave a trail to the bedroom); second, there’s the hassle of cleaning up once the intimate escapade has concluded (not to mention taking out any stains left by the petals); and third, there are the pangs of guilt over wasting a bouquet that could’ve potentially infused joy into a room for a week-long stretch. Fortunately, Pure Romance masterminded this clever mood-setting kit, which takes the hassle out of your foreplay-conducive plans.

The Pure Romance Bed of Roses kit includes 100 scented silk rose petals, four tea light candles, and two invitation cards which you can fill out depending on the amorous activity you planned with your beloved. The faux petals are a sanguine red color that exudes sensuality and feature all the puckering and veiny lines you’d find on real rose petals — plus, they’re so soft, you can run them against the skin in tender caressing motions.

The best part: these aren’t for one-time use. You can spray them with a rose-scented perfume if their scent ebbs away, hand wash them in a lingerie bag, air dry them, and store them in a pouch for future use.

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Posted at 12:14 AM in Beauty, Fashion, Food and Drink, Home Decor, Jewelry, Liquor, Web/Tech | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 02, 2012

Love Me Tender — Valentine’s Day Gifts Any Woman Will Desire

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be as senseless, befuddling, and tragically disappointing as the star-studded film by that name. If you're coupled up, take the initiative to make the day special — cook a romantic meal and wear those shoes that practically beckon him to carry you into the bedroom and ravish you; light scented candles and practice those masseuse skills while wearing your sultriest lingerie; or buy some champagne and set it next to a nice bubble bath. And, if you're exchanging gifts with your better half, feel free to subtly give him some hints about what you want (bookmark this page on his iPad if need be!).

As for all you single ladies on the prowl, February 14th is not a day for mourning, and you certainly don't need a man to feel loved so focus on pampering yourself: indulge in some truffles, snatch up that purse you've been coveting for months, go out with your friends and flirt your little heart out.

Check out some of our Valentine's Day gift ideas — these are beyond alluring, so get ready for some sparks to fly!

This is only the beginning of our V-Day coverage so stay tuned for more gift picks!

Edmundo Castillo Guia Heels in Scarlet, $995. Available at Match at the Breakers (One South County Road, Palm Beach, FL). Call 561.659.8402 for more details.

Betty Boop would wink her little heart out, work those shoulders, and utter her coquettish "Boop-boop-e-doop!" saying with unbridled glee if she thought she could cleverly manipulate a man to buy her these patent leather and snakeskin sandals. And can you blame her? The polka dot detail at the peep toe opening is enough to make any girl swoon, along with the slim stiletto heel. And those cutouts at the sides? A peep show at its best!

Rachel Roy Cord Stone Friendship Bracelet, $36. Available at RachelRoy.com

Valentine's Day isn't just for lovers — it's also a day to celebrate your friends and loved ones, those who have been pals and confidantes (cue the "Golden Girls" theme song). Show them how much you appreciate them by gifting them with a Rachel Roy Cord Stone Friendship Bracelet like the one pictured here, which features an antiqued gold metal chain wrapped with bright pink thread and embellished with faceted, round, flat-top purple stones positioned atop square gold stations.

Vera Wang Lovestruck EDP Spray, $68 for 1.7 oz. and $78 for 3.4 oz. Available at Sephora.com

The bottle of Vera Wang's Lovestruck fragrance is enough to give a girl butterflies — from the hot pink lettering used to write the word "Lovestruck" and the arrow piercing through the word to the bouquet of plum tulips and the netted tulle and metallic ribbon nestled underneath the floral shapes. But that's just the visual charm of this romantic scent, Vera Wang's ode to being hopelessly, blissfully, rapturously in love. With succulent pink guava and a zesty touch of mandarin leading to a bouquet of bewitching tuberose and soft, dewy lotus blossoms, this scent is more crush-worthy to us than Jordan Catalano was to Angela Chase.

Carelle Rose de France Iolite, Diamond and Rose Gold Pear Cluster Ring, $4050. Available at Carelle.com

Three pear-shaped, lilac-colored iolite stones, with their surface completely covered with diamond-shaped facets, are grouped together to create a near-triangular shape reminiscent of daylilies. A round, darker purple, prong-set faceted stone is positioned at the center, resembling the flower's stigma. Three small diamonds with a total weight of 0.12 cts complete the design, accentuating the triangular form of this design.

Pull-In Libération Corb Dentelle Bra, $59.99, and Libération Tanga Dentelle, $54.99. Available at Store.Pull-In.com

Any woman will feel like the mistress of a Parisian boudoir with these intimates from French brand Pull-In. The Libération collection manages to maintain the perfect balance between seduction and sophistication thanks to the careful craftsmanship, the usage of elegant Calais lace, and the choice of midnight blue lace juxtaposed against an ox blood red satin trim.

Godiva Gems Milk and Dark Chocolate Message Truffles, $20 for 32 pc. bag. Available at Godiva.com

Members of the French royal court may have feasted on bon-bons in the 17th century, but contemporary Queen Bees look to Godiva to satisfy their chocolate cravings. For Valentine's Day, Godiva has packaged its truffles in pink and red foil with messages like "Be Mine," "Kiss Me," and "Hug Me" printed on these wrapping papers and pops of gold along the twistable ends. The truffles are color coded so that the milk chocolate pieces are inside pink wrappers and the dark chocolate ones in red wrappers. As for the truffles, each one is a tiny slice of heaven and, when you bite into the cream chocolate exterior, it's like going through the pearly gates as you taste the creamy interior, otherwise known as true paradise.

Katrina Kelly Vintage Vine Earrings, $11,748. For a full list of retailers, visit KatrinaKellyJewelry.com

These gorgeous earrings feature a sculpted, radiating, pattern along their teardrop-shaped, 18k yellow gold frame, with rounded edges meant to resemble the movement of undulating vines. At the center of each earring, you'll find a teardrop-shaped, faceted ruby stone, accentuated by gold bead detailing along its perimeter. A tiny slither of space is left vacant along the interior of the earrings' frame, so as to make the design a bit airier and more ethereal. Diamond-shaped earrings posts with concentric bead detailing, meanwhile, complete the dramatic effect.

Topshop Flower Twist Front Blouse, $64. Available at Topshop.com

Don't want to wait for that special someone to bring you flowers? Then swathe yourself in gorgeous blooms with this sleeveless blouse from Topshop, which features a zippered back, a demure rounded neckline, a center seam along the front panel, and a mottle twist detail at the waistline creating a slightly draped effect.

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette Délicate, $102. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks.com

When creating the latest iteration of his spectacular For Her fragrance, designer Narciso Roriguez revisited his original source of inspiration: a woman's innate grace and beauty. For this limited-edition version of the scent, Rodriguez sought to explore the more mysterious, elusive elements of femininity, resulting in a wistful, feather light fragrance that, when applied to the skin, almost makes a woman feel like she's radiating sensuality. Like the original For Her, Délicate features a musky heart, but fig notes replace the osmanthus notes in its predecessor's formula, yielding a more ethereal and mysterious composition.

The Macbeth Collection Petite Vase, $35. Available at TheMacbethCollection.com

Before breaking out the bubbly on Valentine's Day, chill it in a bucket-like vase from The Macbeth Collection. The Petite Vase (pictured here) measures 8.5" in height and 5" in width and features two welded handles along the sides for easy toting. You can pick from over 50 designs (ranging from houndstooth and polka dot prints to floral prints, ikat designs, nautical motifs, and more) and even monogram your vase to make it feel all the more personal.

Gas Bijoux for Swarovski Crystallized Love Earrings, $90. Available at Swarovski-Crystallized.com

Double your fun with these gold-plated earring by Gas Bijoux, which feature Swarovski Elements details. The 0.25mm-long earrings are composed of two heart shapes, each featuring etched grooves for added texture and dimension. The top heart shape is slightly smaller and features another heart detail at its center, with a smooth golden surface and a single Swarovski Elements crystal placed slightly off-center. The bottom heart shape, meanwhile, features a cluster of clear stones at its center to create a playful posey-like form, along with five crystals at the bottom tip of the heart shape, in an arrow-like shape. Etched floral motifs adorn the bottom border of the heart's surface for a Renaissance-inspired feel.

Shea Terra Organics Premium Dark Chocolate Sugar-Stone Exfoliating Cream, $22. Available at SheaTerraOrganics.com

If you dream of rolling around in chocolate, like a strawberry being dipped in hot fondue, you'll love the Shea Terra Organics Premium Dark Chocolate Sugar-Stone Exfoliating Cream, which smells like homemade brownie mix (when it's perfectly mixed and smells so delicious you can't help but lick the spoon) thanks to the organic chocolate liquor and vanilla extract used to scent the product. Since it's rich in antioxidants, the dark chocolate in the formula also fortifies your skin, helping to make skin appear more luminous and supple, while organic shea butter softens and conditions. Organic sugar particles and volcanic stone polish off dead skin layers to reveal younger-looking skin without feeling abrasive or harsh (thanks in large part to the shea butter, which melts onto the skin and creates a protective layer of sorts).

Tsumori Chisato Shooting Hearts Dress, $468. Available at LaGarconne.com

Tired of following Katy Perry's advice to be a firework? Then aim to be a shooting star instead with this perky frock by Tsumori Chisato. Made in Japan, the rayon and silk dress features short flutter sleeves, a gathered waistline with drawstrings at the sides, and a rounded neckline with a front keyhole opening. The relaxed fit and light ruching add an easiness and a bit of edge to the adorable heart and stars print.

Banana Republic Enameled Geo Bangle, $35. Available at BananaRepublic.com

Simple yet chic, this silver-plated bangle features slanted sides that create a Mod era-esque effect while the punchy honeysuckle pink enamel filling the bangle nods to the colors of the Swinging Sixties.

Free Endearment Dana Rose Clutch, $375. Available at FreeEndearment.com

Embrace the spirit of Valentine's Day with this blush pink Dana clutch from Free Endearment, which features laser-cut heart details, along with a mosaic-like design of jasmine-like flowers and leaf-like shapes that read like a vine in an enchanted forest. This envelope-shaped clutch features an elongated tab that slips through an upward-facing bracket-like slot. A dainty chain link strap features a leather strip along its center to soften the metallic bits and make wear more comfortable.

LUSH Lots of Love Wrapped Gift, $49.95. Available at LUSHusa.com

What woman can't appreciate a hatbox filled to the brim with sensual bath and body treats? This particular box, however, is covered with a romantic design: a tree with red and pink hearts in lieu of leaves and lovebirds perching atop some of its branches. Though LUSH is offering customers a broad array of Valentine's Day-themed gift options, we're particularly smitten with this set, which includes the following items: Rose Queen Bath Bomb, Sex Bomb Bath Bomb, A French Kiss Bubble Bar, 1000 Kisses Deep Perfume, Ro's Argan Body Conditioner, and Lust Soap.

Shaped like a scoop of strawberry ice cream, the Rose Queen Bath Bomb is ideal for a long and relaxing soak since, not only does it contain fragrant rose absolute, but it's packed with rose petals that unravel as the sphere dissolves in the water. The Sex Bomb Bath Bomb, meanwhile, will bring out any gal's friskier side with a blend of jasmine oil, a known aphrodisiac, and ylang-ylang oil, clary sage, oil and softening soy milk. After a soak, you can pat yourself dry and feed your skin with some of the Ro's Argan Body Conditioner, which features argan oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, cupuacu butter, Brazil nut oil, geranium oil, and rose absolute to hydrate skin, seal moisture within the epidermis, stimulate collagen and elastin production, strengthen the skin's natural barrier, and smooth and soften skin.

These three products alone will make any woman feel pampered, but of course: more treats are included. If you want to share an intimate moment with your beloved, reach for the lavender-scented A French Kiss Bubble Bar, which is shaped like a lemon meringue (or a Hershey's kiss, if you will) and dissolves in the water to yield a frothy, sudsy bath that's big enough for two!

Posted at 04:26 PM in Beauty, Fashion, Food and Drink, Home Decor, Jewelry | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 02, 2012

Hugo Guinness for Coach Collection — A Reverie with Dancing Coffee Cups, Key Rings, and Handcuffs

The inky, minimalist, black-and-white drawings and linoleum-cut prints by Brooklyn-based British artist Hugo Guinness often focus on inanimate objects — from garden chairs to vintage typewriters, oven mitts, architectural columns, double-decker buses, binoculars, faucets, urinals, kitchen ovens, and tractors — thereby transforming mundane miscellany into transcendental, muse status-worthy fodder, an Andy Warholian approach to creating art but minus the pomp and flash that accompanied the latter's productions. Rather than obsessing over perfectly symmetrical forms, realistic proportions and shading subtleties, Guinness seems to sketch with the impatience of an excitable 7-year-old, but it's precisely those imprecisions and imperfections that make his work so endearing, so whimsical.

Now, you can add a hint of this playful spirit into your choice of accessories with the debut of the limite-edition Hugo Guinness for Coach, an array of handbags, wallets, and other leather goods featuring hand-cut linoleum prints designed by Guinness.

Handbag lovers will gravitate toward the Hugo Guinness for Coach Reversible Totes ($398 each at Coach.com), available in three different designs: Coffee Cup, Boxer, and Handcuffs. Each tote is reversible, so that one side features smooth vachetta leather, while the other is made of cotton canvas and features a unique Guinness design. When you're looking for a city chic look, then, you can display the funky canvas exterior while, when you're headed to a business meeting, you can turn the purse inside out to show the prim leather side.

The Hugo Guinness for Coach Coffee Cup Reversible Tote, for instance, features a black cotton canvas exterior with a white illustration of a New York City diner coffee cup and Guinness' HG signature and date (as shown above at top). If you turn the purse inside out, however, the canvas design will then become the lining of an almond-colored vachetta leather purse with the HG limited-edition logo at top. These totes measure 13 1/4" in length, 15 3/4" in height, and 3 3/4" in width, making them roomy enough alternatives for even my fellow bag ladies. Similarly, the Hugo Guinness for Coach Boxer Reversible Tote features a black leather shoulder strap, one side covered in black leather (tucked inside the bag in the photo above), and a white cotton canvas side (shown along the exterior in the above photo) with an original Guinness linoleum print of a shrieking boxer, his hands at his sides, and his gloves practically touching his breathable shorts, the band of his shorts featuring the letters "GRRH" perhaps to signal frustration or pain. Last, there's the Hugo Guinness for Coach Handcuff Reversible Tote, which features a black leather side, a black leather shoulder strap, and a black canvas side with a linoleum print of a set of handcuffs in white.

One of the smartest, cheekiest offerings in the collection is the Hugo Guinness for Coach Sunglass Case ($148 at Coach.com), which features an original, hand-cut linoleum print of a pair of Ray-Bans emblazoned atop a naturally tanned vachetta leather case with tonal stitching, a snap closure, and microfleece lining to ensure your shades' lenses remain smudge-free and unscratched.

If you carry around more keys than a superintendent and train inspector combined, you'll find the Hugo Guinness for Coach Keys Zip Top Keycase ($118 at Coach.com) an ideal choice. The pouch-like vachetta leather case features a zip-top closure and a leather strap with a keyring. Adorned with a linoleum print of a set of keys fanning out from the ring to which they're attached, forming a circular shape, the case will allow you to keep all those lock-turning essentials organized and still leave you room to tuck in some loose bills, an ID, and perhaps a lip gloss tube. The key case measures 3 1/4" in length and 5 " in height.

The simplest piece in the collection is the Hugo Guinness for Coach Coffee Cup Key Ring ($68 at Coach.com), which features Guinness' iconic coffee cup print atop a vachetta leather cut-out. This detail is, of course, attached to a short silver-toned chain with both a lobster claw clasp and a split key ring.

The collection also includes men's wallets, an iPad case, and other knickknacks, so make sure to check them all out!

Posted at 11:03 AM in Art, Fashion | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

January 31, 2012

The Many Dannijo Necklaces Worn by Angela Lindvall on “Project Runway All-Stars”

Lifetime threw us quite a few curve balls while shooting Project Runway All-Stars — first, casting the leggy blond supermodel Angela Lindvall as host in lieu of Heidi Klum, a smart move since the two are practically interchangeable in terms of physical appearance; benching judges Nina García and Michael Kors, with whom many viewers had grown frustrated (particularly after they chose Gretchen to win over Mondo in Season 8 and since Kors stopped doling out his side-splitting zingers during critiques), and swapping them with Marchesa co-founder and designer Georgina Chapman and Isaac Mizrahi (the former an enormous coup); and giving the ever-nurturing Tim Gunn a breather, inviting Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles to function as the designers’ mentor and the workroom mother hen (an unwise move given Coles’ unapproachable, standoffish demeanor, which makes her feel as warm and motherly as an iceberg). Ch-ch-ch-changes indeed. Then again, given that they brought back some of the most talented, comical, and memorable characters of previous seasons, the potential ratings success of All-Stars was never in question.

Thus far, Project Runway All-Stars has managed to reignite our passion for a TV franchise that was quickly losing its luster, reminding us of why we tuned into the show in the first place. And, aside from a Muppets-themed challenge that felt redundant and passé, the feats posed to the contestants have been a healthy mixture of new design tests and of recycled but reinvented prior challenges.

We’ve been tuning in religiously and, of course, scrutinizing every pleat, seam, and drape. But we’ve also been studying what Angela Lindvall has donned on camera. And, since the very first episode, we noticed her appreciation (or her stylist’s appreciation) for Dannijo jewelry.

Since I’ve loved Dannijo assiduously since I first discovered the New York-based brand, I’ve been quick to recognize the pieces gracing Lindvall’s neck, so I’ll break down the main three featured thus far.

In the first episode, when Lindvall introduced herself to the Project Runway alumni, she was wearing the Dannijo Zsa Zsa necklace pictured above at top ($995 at Dannijo.com), a 16″-long necklace with diamond-cut triple links and H-shaped chain links along the collar area and, at the center, three medallion-shaped, oxidized brass plate stations with pink, tangerine, and emerald green Swarovski Elements crystals in rectangular, teardrop, and square shapes at their center. Oxidized brass snake chain strands encircle these crystals, rimming the periphery of each circular plate, completing the rocker-worthy effect.

Minutes later, when Lindvall announced the 99 Cent Store challenge, she again wore a Dannijo piece — this time, a multi-tiered bib necklace like the Soraya necklace ($495 at Dannijo.com) pictured above, second from top. Though Lindvall’s version incorporated some chartreuse green stones, the silhouette was identical to that of the Soraya (which probably means hers was custom made). This statement-making necklace features five rows of oxidized, silver-plated round links with sparkling spherical beads positioned at the center of each link and, dangling from the bottom row, bulbous teardrop-shaped and smooth, horn-shaped beads and stones.

After hitting us with the Dannijo 1-2 punch during the season’s premiere, Lindvall seemed to steer away from the New York-based jewelry brand — and then, in Episode 4, she again turned to Dannijo to spruce up the red dress she donned during the runway show. Before the designers showcased their gelato-inspired frocks, then, Lindvall graced the catwalk wearing the Dannijo Cota Necklace ($795 at Dannijo.com), a tribal-flavored, three-level silver necklace juxtaposes crescent moon, triangle, diamond, trapezoid, cylindrical, and circular shapes and which features faceted fuchsia and orange Swarovski crystals, along with turquoise and white cabochon stones. U-shaped shackles jut out of the top station with its three conjoined cylindrical tubes, along with the crescent moon-shaped center station. The necklace’s pendants yield a total drop of 7″, making this a bold chest piece.

We might not know who’ll be going home this week but, at the very least, we can predict Dannijo will endure until the very end, adding some razzle-dazzle to Lindvall’s ensembles.

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