The jewelry in the email is Wildfox, a company who’s stuff I always like – and although I usually refuse to pay $90 for a tee shirt and $198 for a sweater, I do own one Wildfox sweater, bought I got at an awesome discount of course.  I’m not sure why they decided to get into jewelry but I’m not impressed as none of it features very original design or concept, and the same things can be bought all over the internet.

Why not, if bothering to buy statement jewelry, choose from a larger selection and a company who hand crafts their own higher quality pieces? Not to mention one who charges the same if not less for similar looking pieces?  I’m a Galibardy fan.

Check out these rings:

Support small business and hand crafting!

If you love mobile photography you should check out my favorite app, EyeEm (iPhone and Android apps available), if you havn’t already, and if you have (or once you have checked it out), you can now join the mobile photography movement and learn about Photo Hack Day!

Photo Hack Day is a designer and developer mobile photography convention happening February 25th & 26th in Berlin and New York City!  Some of the sponsors and supporters include companies like Nokia Developer, Foursquare, Lomography, Shutterstock, iStock Photography and Flickr.

Hosting parties in Berlin and New York , Photo Hack Day will “bring the most innovative developers and designers to Berlin/New York to hack the future of photography. The goal of the event is to rapidly prototype and build new projects, powering through the night to present a finished product Sunday afternoon.”

For a developer and photography lover, this is a dream come true, to play with mobile photography’s possibilities and possibly win a prize for it? Awesome!

Although those cities may be out of reach for most of us the idea is still there, and there’s always next year to prepare for!

Signup here: Berlin / New York 

 Other meetups:

EyeEm Meetup Barcelona

The watch itself emulates the classic slap bracelet that we all have no doubt attempted to emblazon upon our wrists at some point or another. The thing with these watches is that they’re far less likely to end up underneath the sofa bed and be lost forever, which may not be entirely down to their distinctive look and range of colours, but also down to the fact that they act as a watch and no one likes to lose their watch – nor their sense of style.

Mix and match an awesome variety of colors – with live examples on their websites with their color combo generator, and because they’re reasonably priced you can buy several bands and cases (watch faces) and your set for any night or day out. The watches are also fairly water Resistance, fit most wrist sizes, and the band can be cleaned up fresh as new with dish soap and water.

 Simpel is also a responsible company and in addition to making wrists your new favorite body part, they also think it’s good to try and make the world a better place.  As part of that, they support the Children’s Mobility Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing innovative physical therapy equipment for kids with mental and physical disabilities. This helps provide greater self-expression through increased mobility.  A portion of all sales go toward donating equipment to CMF and making the future a little brighter for the kids.

Visit their website here and check out the posibilites! - www.getsimpel.com

The Mechanics of Slap

Now, for those of you that do not quite recall the sound of the incessant slapping of brightly coloured metal and fabric straps upon the skin of the (sometimes unsuspecting) wrist, let us hearken back to the late 80s and the early 90s – a time when slap bracelets were rife amongst the youth, virtually spilling out of cupboards and pocket alike.

The slap bracelet itself – or snap bracelet, as it is sometimes referred to – is essentially just that: a bracelet that slaps/snaps. It is commonly defined as being layered, flexible stainless steel spring bands, or a bistable nature. Bistable being a term that refers to structures that have two stable mechanical states, in this case being coiled and uncoiled – both are stable. These springy bands are often sealed within a plastic or fabric cover, both for safety and because the crazy designs that so epitomise the era and the fad itself suited the bracelets so much better than plain metal with dull colours.

The general starting position of the bracelet itself would be stretched or straightened out so that the bracelet can lie flat on a table or be easily picked up to lead onto the next stage. The straightening of the bracelet would create a sort of tension in the layered steel band and one might liken this to the loading of a gun: the slap bracelet was now ready. The aforementioned loaded bracelet would then be slapped – often with gusto – upon the wearer’s wrist, causing the bracelet to resume the second of its two bistable states: that of a coil, thus coiling around the wrist to ideally form a perfect bracelet, tight and secure. In short: you slap the bracelet on yourself and it holds to your wrist with a satisfying sound.

DEMONSTRATION!

A Device for Mischief

Whilst the wrist might have been the primary intended target, especially by the manufacturers, this was often not the case. Children being children, they would find anything that was slap-able and try to affix the slap bracelet to that. Wrists, door handles, upper arms, fingers, faces, rulers; just about anything was a potential slap bracelet target, the unwary would score double points. In part, it might have been due to the satisfying sound and also the fact that the gesture involved and the result itself were as satisfying as they were addictive. To paraphrase a popular snack logo: once you snapped, you could not stop.

A Brief History

The bracelets themselves were invented by a teacher, a Stuart Anders (whom probably regretted unleashing his creation on his own class!), based in Wisconsin. Evidently, this became rather popular amongst kids (although those older probably took more than a passing interest in them) during the late 1980s and early 1990s – a relatively recent thing, which is likely why most of us can remember seeing or using them at some point or another.

Nostalgia aside and resuming the topic from the top of the article; the Simpel Switch Watch nigh on embodies all that the slap bracelet stood for: simple fun and simple style. With their watches, Simpel aim to – like the slap bracelet did many moons ago – make “wrists your new favourite body part”. So there you have it, a modern twist on a timeless classic, brought forth for a new generation to experience (and for those of the slap bracelet generation, to re-experience), the almost-primitive delight of slapping something on your wrist and having it stay there. However, this iteration of the slap bracelet comes with not only wrist slapping-related joy, but the added benefit of that you are now able to tell the time!

It’s been cold and frozen for months here and now half of the country is covered in snow and ice as well. I’ve spent half my winter covering up my clothes and acclimating to the average 20F(7c) temps (around 0 at night) for months now and I’ve started to break out of my puffer jacket, wool socks and long underwear and wear things that would have left me shivering last fall.

As everyone knows, Sweden is a cold place and just like here in the Rockies, locals acclimate, and what you once wore in the 20 degree (7C) cold, you now leave at home on a sunny day.

The first thing I’ve ever owned from a Swedish designer is just the thing I was looking for to balance my new found tolerance of cold with my need to stop covering up my style. The Stylin Melleable, a long black cardigan in a weighty but sheer black rayon fabric.

The Melleable is a flowing, high quality piece, heavy enough to not blow around like mad in the wind yet light enough to fit any scene. Something that always annoys me about sheer fabrics normally is that even walking down the street becomes a chore while the thing flies up and over your head or twists into a mess but the quality rayon knit of the Melleable copes like a rock star. The push snap buttons that run down the front are lightweight so they don’t deform the fabric, leaving it to lay naturally and they’re small enough to blend into the cardigan so they don’t draw attention from the minimalist style.

Things I don’t normally think about when I shop for items, I realized while wearing this cardigan. The difference between owning something quality vs. cheaply made can be huge, and since I don’t usually spend as much money on clothes as some people it’s really nice to have some nice pieces in my wardrobe once in a while that I know are dependable and gorgeous.

The versatility is also a major plus for me, I go hiking and skiing on the weekends, spend a couple weekday mornings sitting in cafes working, evenings in the cabin near the fire and occasionally go to the local theater, and whether indoors of outdoors on a cold day, the cardigan is comfortable and just right.

Check out all of Stylein’s beautiful collection at: Stylin.com

Other Items from Stylein that I love!

The Enchanted Dress

Thrill Jacket

The Shield Scarf

The Blow Dress

And view lots of awesome daily dose of happy at www.cheezburger.com

If you haven’t joined in a Zombie Walk yet, you should!  They are in cities all over the world and are a fun all ages march of a groaning Zombie army.
Here are some of my favorite Zombie Walk pics from the group!

Zombies! – Brazil

By Schimou

Beach of the Dead V

Brighton Zombie Walk 2011

By Ptr Htn

Zombie Walk – Anhangabaú, Brazil

By Diego B. Rodrigues

Urban Zombie, Bologna Italy

By alain729 ♫

Check out Zombie Freakfest (new so bear with them!) and join them on Twitter @zombiefreakfest and Facebook at Facebook.com/zombiefreakfest

Check out some of these cute dresses, most of which you probably wont find yourself, but at the bottom of the post I put a link to my favorite place to buy dresses and with a coupon even!

Enjoy!

Toronto Gothic Lolita Style

taken by www.paulhillier.com | Twitter | Facebook
These are for the final entry on the gothic lolita series Paul is doing for his street fashion blog here :paulhillier.tumblr.com/

Birds or – “Partridges in Pear Trees”

By tinancv

Japanese Tree Ornament Dress (tea dress)

taken by Ophelia K.(link)

Blue Christmas

by Northerncards

Merry Christmas!

by fashionfillers.com(www.fashionfillers.com
Dress by Diana Bobar

If you happen to be visiting either of the 2 biggest cities in the U.S., check out these handy Stylist designed guides to make the most of your time, in a stylish way – and as always, take a look at the Los Angeles and New York city guides here for some indie street fashion shopping!

Los Angeles

Melis Kuris is a celebrity wardrobe stylist who’s worked with Anna Paquin, Peter Facinelli, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Muse and Lily Collins to name a few. She has styled hundreds of shoots for magazines ranging from Vanity Fair to GQ. She’s also a featured stylist on ShoeDazzle.com. You can see her in action here: www.meliskuris.com

Sarah Pollack’s Fashion Guide to LA

Sarah Pollack Boyd is an expert in the world of celebrity styling and fashion PR, having worked hand in hand with the world’s top stylists, editors and fashion bloggers for over 8 years. She has helped dress countless A-list celebrities and has been featured as a style expert in various media outlets such as Fox, E!, Entrepreneur Magazine, KTLA and more. This stylist’s guide is a roadmap of what’s in-style right now– my favorite places!

New York City

Rebecca Resnick’s Style Guide to NYC

Rebecca Resnick, a well respected fashion and accessories editor for ten years at some of the world’s top fashion magazines, embarked on a new career path in 2006. Since then, she has developed a reputation as one of the top celebrity stylists and fashion consultants to high profile personalities, television actors, movie stars, and fashion 500 companies. Rebecca’s guide details the places from which she draws inspiration in New York.

The Stylist’s Guide to NYC

New York, possibly the world’s most vibrant and energizing city, abounds with a wide range of shops, spots, and restaurants—an abundance of riches, but where to start? This fully illustrated guide presents top interior stylist Sibella Court’s personal favorites.
Cleverly arranged into loops of interest such as “Jewelry & Hardware,” “Haberdashery & Handmade,” and “Furniture & Interiors,” The Stylist’s Guide to NYC takes the first-time visitor—or long-time resident—on a number of surprising and beguiling journeys, uncovering traditional merchants and hidden sanctuaries as well as some of the coolest spots in town.

Shop L.A. | Shop NYC

London – Brick Lane

Taken by Fish & Chic in the UK.

uden navn

Taken in Copenhagen, Denmark by Esben Bog

Klee

By madbharat taken in Piccadilly Circus, London, England

Spectre

By Mikael Georgiou in Whales

Grey knit – Spitalfields Market

Taken by xssat in the UK.

Maslinda Designs is an amazing collection of boho inspired jewelry and handbags handmade with amazing attention to detail, quality eco friendly and upcycled materials and of course – smashing style. Maslinda literally means “prettier” and Fani, Maslinda Designer, aims for each piece to make you feel just that. The necklaces are elegant yet approachable, high fashion yet affordable and bound to draw attention from anyone with taste.

My Maslinda bracelet, a Zipper Cuff in bronze, is officially one of my favorite accessories this year. Nearly every time I put my arm up to take a drink of coffee at a local cafe, I catch someone looking, and often get questions or comments on its unique “punky-boho” charm. Compared to other zipper jewelry I’ve tried to pull off, this one actually portrays an air of purpose, rather than a crafters homemade accident. The quality stitching and wrap-around look make it look designer and intentional, which sets it apart greatly from others of its kind.

If you like the bracelet you can get one here: http://www.maslindadesigns.com/, and make sure to check out all the amazing Maslinda items, like leather fringe bracelets, laptop bags, carryall purses, long statement necklaces and much more.

NOW! Down to business.

You know you’re excited, it’s time for our first ever giveaway!
This one’s on Facebook. All you have to do is “Like” our page and Maslindas page – then share this blog or the facebook promotion (here) on your Facebook wall – then comment here or on facebook (or tag us in your wall share) and let us know you did all the steps to enter! All in all it should take you about 30 seconds to enter! What will you win? Well.. look below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share this blog or the Facebook app on your wall!