design guide BIRDCAGES

It's been a fun and busy month - obviously not a lot of blogging going on - but a lot of work on the new INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // fall 09.

Not only does the design guide feature new designers, it has a new design of it's own. With inspiration from glossy magazines, and my own preference for flipping through pages - I designed something to do just that.

Here are a few of my favorites from "La Cage", a feature of this seasons birdcage theme.

To check out birdcages and more, visit the new INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // fall 09

designer SINCEAR JEWELRY

Part mardi gras, part disco diva. These bold beauties are the perfect things to banish winter forever - or until November.

Check out all the many color and design variations at the Sincear Jewelry website.

giveaway : 2 sisters

When I received the earrings for this weeks giveway - they nearly didn't make it to the blog! They are these delicious little faceted drop beads on loosely coiled wire - both delicate and dramatic. The photo just doesn't do it justice.

The giveaway is for the earrings, but just had to show the Norah lariat necklace ($95) - what a set they make!

Check out all their work at: www.twosistersjewelryboutique.com

To enter the giveaway:
1. Leave a comment here with your email (or other way of contacting you).
2. Join the mailing list

giveaway : coquito designs [finished]

Congratulations to Beatriz - these earrings will be on their way to you soon!

I'm very excited about this weeks giveaway! It's for a pair of earrings from Coquito Designs' "alloy and earth" collection. The silver and gold are so delicious together - kind of makes me think there is some warm weather just around the corner!

To enter the giveaway:
1. Leave a comment here with your email (or other way of contacting you).
2. Join the mailing list

hoop dreams

The 80's buzz these days has inspired me to find some super-fabulous hoop earrings. So backcomb your hair and put on a pair of these modern beauties!

FEATURING:
+ circular mahogany earrings, $38, orno
+ double disc earrings, $30 AUD, kitty fisher
+ half looped earrings, $105, lisa levine
+ silver + steel earrings, $100, megan auman
+ multi layer hoops, $28, mary + jane

Want to see a few more hoops? Check out my "hoop dreams" list in StyleHive.

monochrome set

If you haven't noticed, damask and wallpaper motifs are oh so popular right now. I must admit that it has grown on me - obviously taking a while to adjust to the trend. Although, I couldn't truly appreciate the more colorful origins, I just love these pared down graphic retakes.

Once again, the boys got missed out on this post, but I have found a little damask action for them...stay tuned!

CLOCKWISE (from top left):
+ old news wallpaper, $85 / roll, ferm living available through design public
+ embellish bangle clutch, $49, posh by tori
+ damask card, $4, earmark
+ mismatch earrings, £90, hannah louis lamb
+ damask tee, $22, latak

bubblicious

Blowing bubbles and watching them float and pop against a background of blue sky is a simple pleasure. Trying to show your kids how to blow bubbles is not quite so relaxing, but hella fun!

I love all these pieces, but the piece that started me thinking about bubbles was Nina Dinoff's bubble ring (top left). Colorful, fun and modern. Nina Dinoff is part of WHAT designers and you can find some of her work in the store, the ring is available directly from the designer.

CLOCKWISE (from top left):
+ bubbles necklace, $22, junedesigns
+ multi colored buble ring, $40, nina dinoff jewelry
+ bubble necklace, $30, brevity
+ bubbly bubbles earrings, $8.50, jewelera
+ zen bubble ring, $42, the muses jewels