Under my Umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh)

 

A while back I posted about how much I love Q-Pot and that I found about them from an amazing magazine spread, I said that I would share some of the other designers featured, but didn't...UNTIL NOW! 

I personally believe that they key to a beautiful life is making everything around you beautiful and unique, which often means your material possessions. Guy de Jean definitely has figured out how to make ordinary things fantastic with the parasols/umbrellas he designs.  The patterns are intricate, the design is elegant, the combination is sheer and utter loveliness!

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Venessa Arizaga

Usually for a post title I use a song quote or try to think of a semi-creative--not really, actually just usually an alliteration--but right now I can't think of anything better than Venessa Arizaga.

Before being quickly shooed away by my "stay on message"-saying father, I glimpsed her jewelry at Opening Ceremony the other day, but just that glimpse was enough to get me...well, enamored! I am trying extremely hard right now to not to revert back into my 1o year-old self and just write 'her stuff is soooooooo pretty!!!!!' But really, it just is that beautiful; a unique combination of found object-like charms, friendships bracelets, and tribal/folk/voodish art inspired elements.

all images via Opening Ceremony website

Alphabet Soup

I am a magazine enthusiast, I mean I really love magazines...and one of my favourite parts about them is that you stumble upon the most fantastic things. I was flipping through W Magazine when I saw this two page spread of all these up-and-coming designers and I was struck; they were all so unique and cool! Hopefully there will be more to come, but the first designer from the article I wanted to share is Tadaaki Wakamatsu, the man behind the AMAZING Japanese jewelery line Q-Pot. You can see the blurb about him from the article above (sorry for the fingers, my scanner is "on the fritz").

The uniqueness of Q-Pot is definitely shown in their most popular piece, a "build a burger" necklace (shown above) that you buy different charms for in order to create your own little burger man. In addition, though, they also have ice cream charms, cookie necklaces, cupcake rings, and, my personal favourite, the balloon dog necklace, which I was lucky enough to get in Paris at Colette (the home of everything cool)

The Tails of Sardines

Recently (while looking for something completely different) I discovered Les Queues de Sardines (which translates to The Tails of Sardines) and I am so happy that I did because...I am in love with their tights! Every pair is so whimsical and funny like the race car (right corner) or the eye flowers (second in from right)

Sweet suits (another post with a title that is an alliteration and references the New York Times Styles Section)

I didn't blog it at the time, but a little while ago I read an article in the New York Times Style Section (where else :) about these amazing WE ARE HANDSOME swimsuits! Although I mentioned that I am a fan of one-pieces before, I didn't say why...well, it's because it gives you more space for a design, and I really think these suits utilize that space with photographs of James Dean, Los Angeles, African animals, and so much more!

I do feel, though, that I should forewarn you that they are quite a bit more then your average bathing suit.

Nice Nails

I recently heard about the amazing nail polish designer Deborah Lippman and I am in awe! I love every single on of her amazing shades with their amazing names (like "Ruby Red Slippers" (shown second in from bottom right) She has many amazing collaborations with people/brands like Cher, Zac Posen, and Rodarte! Being a huge fan of sparkly nail polish my favourites are "Across the Universe" and "Happy Birthday" (shown at left)

And as if they had read my mind, that pesky New York Times style section recently put out an article on nail polish at fashion week!

"Sock it to Me"

Not too long ago I blogged about happy socks, but what I did not include in that post was that they lead me to a sock obsession! In my sock craze I stumbled upon these amazing Solmate Socks which are amazing for a multitude of reasons including: they are mismatched, they are named after flowers, there is a new one each month....or in summary, THEY ARE ADORABLE IN EVERY WAY!!!

Sweet Smells

I think I have made it pretty clear that I am a big fan of dessert; it's taste, of course, but also, and maybe even more so, the way it looks (given the Wayne Theibud cakes) and maybe best of all the way it smells...which is why I love these shampoos from Philosophy with sweet flavours like cinnamon buns, vanilla birthday cake, strawberry saltwater taffy, and pink frosted layer cake!

True to their Name!

I was getting some pretty nasty blisters from my comme des garcons converse and I thought I had two options: live with the pain or give up the wonderful shoes...BUT I, oh so luckily, stumbled upon these happy socks which a) solve my problems b) MAKE ME HAPPY! and c) because I got these prism ones, I look like a Barry McGee Painting:

Epitomized by the word wonderful

I recently discovered the wonders of Tokyomilk...which include "bon bon" lip balms, solid perfumes, fine soaps, bubble baths, and candles, all with wonderful flavours like: Poe's Tobacco (Tobac, Tea Leaves, Amberwood & Autumn Apple), French Kiss, Opera Mint, Petit Four, Rosewater, Candied Violet, and my personal favourite, "I Made You a Mix Tape"!

My Only Worry Would be Attracting Bees With the Sugary Scent

I saw this ad for the Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish and my eyes literally glazed over; how wonderful does it look?! I imagine it smells amazing (like brown sugar) and it looks wonderful (like crystals) and I am always a fan of semi-exotic skin products.

Fashion and Warhol, what could be better?!

Flipping through yesterday's New York Times "Thursday Styles" I chanced upon an article about these amazing Lisa Perry dresses featuring photographs of art legend Andy Warhol. Wow they are fabulous! The collection will be available at the end of June and less expensive shirts will go on sale later in the summer.

Speaking of Lisa Perry I am also loving some of her other dresses:



















They are super classy with a vintage late 50s early 60s look and I imagine they would look great as a summer dress

"Your Slippers Look Like They are Made of Candy"

I think I have made it pretty clear that I love flats (I have posted about them four times :) but I also bedroom slippers, which makes the French slipper company I Hate my Slippers pretty much my dream. These artist designed slippers will never fail to catch an eye (I know because I proudly own the blue face ones) and are extremely comfortable.

Wipe Away Your Business in Style!

Michel Gondry is not only a fabulous director (he is responsible for Science of Sleep, one of my all-time favourites) but he is also a gifted artist! Well, either wonderfully, or maybe just oddly, he has decided to put his sketches onto rolls of toilet paper!

Dreamy Bath Toxins (or a safer way of having alcohol in the tub)

Relaxation in a bottle...this amazing miso pretty "bath sake" turns the normal tub into a mermaid sea; it's scented with vanilla, orchid petals and soothing persimmon and turns the water cloudy gray/blue