I Love... Jewelry That Says Something Bold!

Mine! I Adore This Necklace, And People Freak Out
Every Time I Wear It!

  Clothing should be simple... That is the mantra of most of the worlds great designers... The reason we are still bombarded by people who, when asked, reply "Coco Chanel" is their favorite designer, is the fact that she got women of her era out of corset, and gave them clean simple sports wear... So, while Coco Chanel's company has taken a decidedly more ostentatious route, the basis for their ready to wear remains the little Black Dress, but even Coco herself loved a great statement accessory.

Lanvin $2250
at Net-a-porter.com

  I am in love with a huge bauble, for a man or a woman. In "The Devil Wears Prada", Nigel is seen a few times rocking a huge nugget of stone on his fingers, and the best selling necklaces at high fashion companies are the large scale, editorial ready, armor like pieces, ask Alber Elbaz at Lanvin. His H&M collection pieces were among the first items to sell out... I fortunately got my ands on the pearl, and crystal flower one for my best friends Christmas present (she is a very lucky Girl...). Regular Lanvin pieces are fantastic, and can be purchased at Net-A-Porter, but at $2250, can be a little pricey, but without breaking the bank, or waiting for hard to come by collaborations, there are statement pieces out there. I found my favorite piece at a discount/$5.99 store.

Tinley Road Necklace
$18.99 at Piperlime

  If you search "Statement Necklaces" on Google, suggestions for everything from Etsy to Anthropology comes up, but Piperlime.com seemed to be a good bet! with prices starting from $14, they have a great selection. I will say though there were a lot of satin bib selections. Stay away from those... Even the high end ones started looking cheap really quickly!
  From jeans, and a T-shirt, to the classic LBD, a great necklace really can turn a look from Snores to cheers! Have fun!

I Am On A Quest!

Lanvin Spring 2011 Sandals
Photo from Style.com

  So while searching for my summer shoes... Dare I say sandals... I was looking through images from the men's spring shows. It is safe to say, it has been determined that I love, LOVE Lanvin, and think that between Alber Elbaz, and Lucas Ossindrijver the brand can do no wrong. So it should come as no shock to you that I went straight to the Lanvin section of Style.com looking for my 2011 sandal. What I came across shocked me... Again, because I remember being shocked back in June when I first saw the show.
  Athletic Sandals. Nearly orthopedic, hiking sandals that are most often seen on middle aged hippy men, who commune with nature regularly, were mixed in with all the Lanvin staples. The nude chiffon tee's, plum colored silken trousers, and necklaces made from horn, and bits of hardware, were being finished with theses "Teva" wannabes. They even have the lug soles and nylon straps, just like their urban naturalist counterparts. I have been looking for  a new sandal (as if I was going to wear gladiators again...), but could this be the one? I would obviously forgo the cargo shorts, and palm tree printed tee's so often associated with the style, and go for slim forest green chinos, white button up, and big statement necklace. But on Luisaviaroma.com they are selling for $595, so that got me thinking...

  I went to ebay. The first step was to eliminate all of the printed nylon straps, and find a pair with minimal branding. I know I won't find exact, so just a hint will do. I wanted simple, and reminiscent of the Lanvin wonders, but blatantly NOT running, hiking sandals, and NOT $600! But they were nature sandals after all... So I chose the most basic ones available! What say you? Beige, black, or khaki? Or should I avoid going down this slope either way? I mean first the sandals, next thing you know I am staying at a Vedic Ashram, eating cold oatmeal... Slippery slope people...