mercoledì 31 dicembre 2008

The Final Countdown

Today, more than any other day in the whole year, I wish I could be in New York. Despite the weather (I'm fine only when it's 20-25 °C...) and the fact that I don't like traditional New Year's Eve big parties, Times Square is really an exception and the only place I would spend this night.
Maybe is the Ball, maybe is the atmosphere, but all that really makes me in the right mood (also read: quite optimistic) to meet this new year.

I didn't think any resolution for 2009, but I surely have some dreams and I was searching for some new silly way to celebrate this feeling when I heard about Times Square New Year's Eve Wishing Wall.


A place where people share personal goals, dreams and wishes on a piece of confetti that will be added to the confetti that will flutter down onto the streets of Times Square at the 12 o’clock hour on New Year’s Eve. That's perfect! ...And if you're not on your way to NYC, you can even submit your wish online.

I did it, of course. Hoping my dream will come true. Thinking at that small piece of confetti - and of me - that will floats in the sky tonight, so far from me...

Hope you all have a perfect new year. Hope all of your dreams will soon come true.

Hope you all will have a great night!



Pictures from Velvet and Elle Extra.

venerdì 26 dicembre 2008

The Christmas Outfit

Wow, it's been a while since I posted an outfit picture!
So, it's time for showing my new (vintage, of course!) holiday wiggle dress found as usual on Ebay. Wearing it I felt a bit - yes, I know, I know, a little little bit - like a Mad Men character, so a truly red lipstick was a statement...




On Mad Men, finally season 2 is coming to Italy and I can't wait! I'm skipping all the spoilers but I can't help to look at all the pictures and ABC videos about wardrobe and make up...



mercoledì 24 dicembre 2008

Santa's Little Helper

Every year when Christmas Eve arrives I search for a smart and original idea for wrapping gifts for the loved ones. Could be a teeny tiny present but a good appearance will surely make the difference and will show how much you care about that person...

Last year (or a couple years ago...? I can't remember, sorry!) Elle Decor Italy published a great editorial in wich they asked their interns to share some ideas for Christmas packets. The results are, in my opinion, amazing; I jealously kept the pages and used the images below as inspiration several times. I really hope you will find them useful too!

So hurry, hurry: scissors, glue, ribbons ready...it's almost time.
Have a great evening :-)




- Click the pictures to enlarge -

giovedì 11 dicembre 2008

You Know What I Did Last Tuesday...

Yes, I did!


Better photos soon :-)

lunedì 8 dicembre 2008

DIY Wool Bangles

Time for another DIY project!
I love bangles, I think they're perfect during the summer but you can easily make a winter version too.
This is what you'll need:


If you're a good knitter you can surely make wonderful bangles, otherwise fear not! Even if you can't knit (like me...) you can make a nice wool bangle! If you can crochet (hence the hook in the photo above) you'll have no problems at all, but if you're neither a knitter nor a crocheter, you can use a piece of pre-made knitted fabric (old sweaters too!)...the possibilities are pretty endless!

Take an old/cheap plastic bangle and measure it all around. Remember: the larger the better. You'll cover it with wool all around and the finished bangle will be smaller.
Make a paper pattern of the bangle, doubling the height. This point is not a must, but it will be useful when you'll have to knit/crochet/cut your piece


Knitted fabrics can be pretty stretchy, so make your piece a bit smaller than the paper pattern. Check it on the bangle: it has to be tight but not too much!


Using the needle and the same wool (or a similar yarn) of the knitting piece, start sewing it on the inside, all around


Then sew the edges together...

...and you're done :-)

mercoledì 3 dicembre 2008

Dear Santa, I Heart Modcloth...

...so if you're lacking inspiration this year pay a little visit to the site.

They have the cutest vintage inspired dresses and accessories, the nicest books and decor section, they often organize fab contests and they do ship internationally too...perfect!

Aren't these the best party dresses for the upcoming holiday season?






1; 2; 3; 4; 5

Note to Santa: trust me, the yellow dress would be perfect under my Christmas tree ;-)

venerdì 28 novembre 2008

The Way We Where, The Way We'll Be.

Damn you, Facebook! I joined it only recently cause, I have to say it, it scares me and I was not sure I wanted to re-meet ALL of the people I have known in my whole life since now. But I dit it of course, I joined.
I'm pretty shy on Facebook, I don't add anyone and I actually have less than 30 friends (and just a few are real friends). I don't add people I was at school with twenty years ago just because "the more the merrier" and I even spent an hour before adding a close friend I didn't hear in a while cause I thought maybe he didn't remember me!! Ok, I'm stupid, I know!

By the way, I'm virtually meeting a lot of people I've known and lost and every day there's a new trip down memory lane. This morning I first found (well, she found me) one of my primary school friends. I remember birthdays and afternoons spent playing and chatting. Now she's a surgeon... Then, later today I looked for a friend I met when we both were at Uni. I remember the theater and anthropology classes, those happy days... She married, last May and I didn't even know she had a boyfriend. Well, a bit too much for today!

I feel strange, a bit sad, a bit anxious about my life and my projects...
I need something new, definitely. And just because this still is the silly blog it used to be and not a "dear diary" one and I don't want this post sounds like a crying "oh poor me" thing, I decided I really need to do something new...on the silly side!

I need a change of perspectives: I have to cut my hair. Hoping in a way different mood...

I decided for a long bob, Nicole Richie style. Next week that will be done.



Do you like it?

Crossing fingers, I will not look awful. That would be a bad change of perspective!

mercoledì 26 novembre 2008

New Listings- Part 1

Just a quick note to announce the first part of my new jewelry collection is up for sale in my store. Check it!



More items soon ;-)

martedì 25 novembre 2008

Matthew Williamson Is In The (H&M) Air

I'm pretty excited about this...

H&M is proud to announce that the next guest designer will be Matthew Williamson, the British designer whose colour-drenched collections always carry the promise of the sun. Starting with an exclusive women’s fashion range at selected stores April 23, then continuing with the perfect men’s and women’s pieces for Summer available from mid-May in all H&M stores world wide. In an exclusive for H&M, Williamson will debut his first ever menswear pieces.



Photos: Style.com

lunedì 24 novembre 2008

Igor + André = Love

Considering half of the books in my Amazon - huge - wish list are books of fashion illustration (this one my new favorite), I can say I'm totally addicted. No doubt.

I'm pretty sure all of you know who Danny Roberts is, but if not check his gorgeous work on Igor + André.

His illustrations are mesmerizing...




And how great are the ones from Blogger Portrait Series?

It's Her Factory


Style Rookie


Bunny Bisous


Kenza


Zanita


I really hope to see Danny's work on each and every amazing magazine really really soon. He deserves this!

venerdì 21 novembre 2008

All New and Zipped Up

Still obsessed with miniature food, lately I worked on a new collection of jewelry using my new favorite materials: zips and glass gems. This is a small preview of some of the pieces I'm working on this week...big collar necklaces all the way!




Like them...?
More to come soon...there will be new necklaces, bracelets and shoe clips and they will all be in the store next week.

martedì 18 novembre 2008

Seven Pieces Of Me

I was tagged by the lovely Mothersvea and even though you probably don't need to know seven unimportant things about me, I'm happy to play!

This is how it works:
- You have to link to the person who tagged you
- You have to write 7 things about yourself (both wierd and normal stuff)
- You have to tag 7 people and link to them in the end of the post and you have to leave a comment on their blog.

1. I went to dance classes for years when I was a child. Funnily enough, now I hate to dance!


2. One of my essays was selected for a film critic prize. It was about The Virgin Suicides and the title was "I Want To Be A Goddess".


3. I have a really powerful memory for past things...I can easily remember adresses and old phone numbers even after years.


4. I can't drive and public transportation are my anchor. Public transportation and my feet, of course.


5. I write using the right hand but I'm left handed for cutting and a lot of other things.


6. Though I've actually forgotten a lot, when I was 17 I started learning Japanese...


7. I think Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields) has the sexiest voice ever...



Probably a lot of you have already been tagged so I decided to not pass this along, but you'd like to play considered yourself tagged by me :-)

PS: Wow, thank you for all the comments on the lace earrings tutorial below! More DIY things coming soon ;-)

sabato 15 novembre 2008

DIY Lace Earrings

So I finally managed to have some DIY projects ready to post in time for Christmas. I hope you will enjoy them and maybe you could even take some hints for your little handmade presents ;-)

This first project is a really easy and quick one for making lace earrings.

You will need:


You can use every sort of lace/lace like/embroidered trimmings but be sure to choose one with a well defined pattern and easy to cut. Also, a thick trimming will work best so maybe you would iron it using a spray starch to add extra crispness.

Cut the lace shape following the outlines


A bit of transparent nail polish (or glue) will fix everything


Insert the jump ring and the eye pin, then add the beads


After shortening the eye pin, make a small loop at the top, add the earwires and...


...done!