Monday, June 30, 2008

Reviving the Doctor

Dr. Martens are the kind of shoe you either love or you hate. The tough, heavy-duty aesthetic is far from beautiful or glamourous but they can add an unexpectedly cool and sometimes, even sexy attitude to an outfit.


Daisy Lowe for Dr. Martens, 2008
photo courtesy cherryflava.com


The first Doc Martens came out on April 1, 1960 in the U.K and were at first worn mostly by postmen and factory workers. During the late 60s and 70s, they also became the footwear of choice for various rebellious youth subcultures such as punks and skinheads. The boots were also hugely popular with the grunge kids of the 90s.


photo courtesy acs.bg


Unfortunately, as time went on, people began to lose interest in the brand and sales took a turn for the worst with the company eventually being forced to cease all production in the U.K in 2003.

More recently, however, things have been looking up for Dr. Martens as fashionable eyes are once again taking notice of the boots. They have been seen everywhere; on the runway, in magazines, and on the feet of many stylish girls and guys around the world.


photos courtesy media.collegepublisher.com, childhoodflames.blogspot.com
and fashionation.wordpess.com


This year, Dr. Martens is also giving people around the world the chance to showcase their artistic talents by creating a design for their next boots.




You are given the choice of either the 8-hole or the 14-hole boots, as seen above, and the freedom to decorate them as you wish.

You can upload an original design onto the site or there are a bunch of tools at your disposal such as pens and spray paint, so you can create your entries online. There are also really cool effects you can add, such as lighter burns, correction fluid and masking tape to give the design a distressed finish.

At the end of it, two winners are chosen; one of which is decided by the public and the other is chosen by industry professionals. The winning designs will be manufactured by Dr. Martens and sold in shops worldwide.

Below are the designs of the two previous winners: Jeremy Asher Lynch and Aprille Soons Palmer, respectively.





Even if you're not a Dr. Martens enthusiast, you'll still have a lot of fun coming up with ideas and playing around with the tools. You never know, it may be your entry chosen to be made and sold to millions of people everywhere!

Click here to start creating your design or click here to go to the Dr. Martens home page.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Ethereal glory

I have a real weakness for all things soft and pretty and I am totally enamoured with this really lovely editorial called "Where the crickets sing" photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth for Lula Magazine #2.

I love everything about these shots...the soft glow of light, the curly hair, the flowers, the pearls, the little bunny (isn't it just adorable?). These elements combined make these shots so delicate, feminine and beautiful.





photos courtesy foto decadent
Click
here
for more photos


I was so inspired, in fact, that I decided to experiment with my camera and see if I could possibly get anything remotely decent out of it and I was pleasantly surprised.

It was raining yesterday so I took advantage of the beautiful window light in one of the rooms in my house and took some shots there. My sister was my camera slave for the day, and while it took quite some time to get it right, I think the end result is quite interesting.

I wore a pink embroidered top and this amazing, full, tiered skirt I got from a sale for BDS$5.





Also, if you're interested, below are some really pretty, feminine and affordable dresses that I found.






Peplum Chiffon A Line Dress
Price: US$35.00
http://www.yesstyle.com/en/Product.aspx?pid=1011017036










Romantic Dots Lace Trim Chiffon Dress
Price: US$26.95
http://www.trendyoutfitter.com/rodolatrchdr.html




Thursday, June 26, 2008

Cool Vintage Finds - Woven dreams

It's an image I grew up seeing: men and women sitting by the side of the road selling their crafts to anyone who would buy, in order to make enough money to feed their families. These people were obviously not rich but they possessed a great wealth of talent and knowledge when it came to their particular trades.

One of the
trades popular here in Barbados and other developing countries is weaving. This is the process of interlacing two distinct sets of thread, yarn or thin strips of any flexible material, to form a fabric.




There are various types of weave including plain weave, knitting, basket weave, twill, satin weave and jacquard weave which are used to make products such as fabric, baskets, hats and bags.

Below are some vintage woven items that I discovered.


Vtg. 80s Glam Blue Woven Gold Chain Clasp Purse
Starting Bid: US$14.99

Seller Description:

Glam blue and gold handbag. Basketweave plastic body. LONG and heavy gold chain strap. Gold clasp. Shoulder strap tucks inside. By Danieli.

Measurements
Length - 7"
Height (excluding handle) - 6"
Shoulder Strap Drop - 22"

Condition: Great +

AUCTION END: Jun-29-08 19:02:00 PDT (3 days 12 hours)

Get this bag.


60s Mod Vtg. Ivory Woven Leather Stack Heel Oxford Shoes
Starting Bid: US$0.99


Seller Description:


Sweet pair of vintage 1960s - 1970s linen/ivory hue soft supple leather shoes...love all the retro detail...stacked wood heel...super comfy...padded footbed...excellent condition...Designer: Cobbie

Measurements

Ladies Size: 8.5N - 8 1/2 N
Heel to toe: 9.5"

Along inside footbed wide: 3"
Heel Height: 1.75"


AUCTION END: Jul-02-08 17:48:33 PDT (6 days 11 hours)

Get these shoes.

Vintage 1970s Braided Leather Woven Belt
Starting Bid: US$5.99


Seller Description:

Awesome vintage belt. Measures 24.5” when on smallest hole, 28” on largest. Some green oxidation from metal on inside of leather, see photos.

AUCTION END:
Jun-29-08 19:24:11 PDT (3 days 12 hours)

Get this belt.

Vintage 1960 "Le Charme" Black Raffia Straw Cloche Hat
Starting Bid: US$14.99

BUY-IT-NOW Price: US$18.00


Seller Description:

In this listing we are offering a lovely vintage 1960 black raffia straw hat. This hat is an "Individual LE CHARME Creation". The trim is grosgrain ribbon. The condition is wonderful gently used with no holes, stains, repairs or damage. This hat is fresh from a local estate. This hat measures 21 1/2 inches around the inside edge.

This hat measures approximately 5 inches tall. The brim is approximately 2 inch wide at the front


AUCTION END:
Jul-02-08 15:21:14 PDT (6 days 8 hours)

Get this hat.


Vintage Woven Rattan & Lucite Bangle Bracelet
Starting Bid: US$14.99


Seller Description:

Wonderful natural woven rattan or wicker laminated between black and clear Lucite bangle. Open work pattern reminiscent of an old woven cane back chair.

Measures 1" wide with a 2 1/2" (average) diameter and open in the back, excellent condition.


AUCTION END:
Jun-18-08 06:05:24 PDT (2 days 20 hours)

Get this bangle.

Vtg. 70s Peep Cut-out Heels Pumps Woven Boho Shoes
Current Bid: US$14.99


Seller Description:

Lovely pair of sky blue woven leather peep/ cut-out heels from the 70's/80's made by 9 WEST. The angled strips on he shoe are a woven braided leather with the back of the shoe in solid leather. These shoes are so stylish and will be awesome with your summer outfit. These shoes are a must-have!!!!! Overall these shoes are in excellent vintage condition with a small smudge on the heel!!!

Measurements
Size: 6.5 M
Length: 9 1/4 inches (heel to toe where extends in heel)
Width: 3 1/3 inches (widest part of sole)
Heel: 3 1/4 inches

AUCTION END: Jun-29-08 19:43:17 PDT (3 days 13 hours)

Get these shoes.


Vintage 80s Liz Claiborne Beige Wide Brim Woven Hat
Starting Bid: US$14.99


Seller Description:

This SPECTACULAR BEIGE Woven HAT with Round Mother of Pearl TRIM Circles on Hat band -- is SPECTACULAR!!! It's from the 1980s...fine weaving done in the Phillipines with a sexy 5 1/2" brim! It has the most gorgeous hatband woven in beige and mother of pearl circles embellishments for DESIGN INTEREST -- so GLAMOROUS!! It features very fine weaving. It was made in the Phillipines for LIZ CLAIBORNE - a world respected and sought after designer for fine items!!

It is in barely used vintage condition and looks like it was barely worn.


AUCTION END:
Jul-01-08 19:27:14 PDT (5 days 12 hours)

Get this hat.

Vtg. 80s Pink Woven Straw Stripe Boho Clutch Purse
Starting Bid: US$11.99


Seller Description:

What an awesome reddish/salmon pink & tan woven straw vintage purse from the 80s . This woven straw bag is accented with a vertical stripe Design in red/salmon pink and tan at the top. This envelope snap closure bag has a swirl flap. This bag is lined in a solid cream cotton material and has a side zippered pocket. The main compartment of the bag has a zippered entry This Bag is in excellent condition!!!

Measurements: Height: 8.5 inches ( top to bottom) folded Length: 12 1/4 inches (left to right)

AUCTION END:
Jun-29-08 19:31:00 PDT (3 days 11 hours)

Get this purse.


Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Define and Enhance

Want to create or emphasize a sexy womanly silhouette? Then a corset-style garment is definitely the way to go!

Historically, a corset is an article of clothing worn mostly by women who desired to emphasize a slim hourglass figure by physically reducing the waist.


photo courtesy wikipedia.org


The appearance of a corseted body was thought to be visually pleasing but there were also serious health risks as a result of prolonged or incorrect wear, such as difficulty breathing and organ deformation.


photo courtesy aura.zaadz.com


Although some women still practice wearing authentic corsets, most just prefer to wear clothing that mimics the visual effects they create.

Corset-style tops and dresses were recently seen on Charlize Theron at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards on June 1, Victoria Beckham while promoting her dVB line on May 15 and Jada Pinkett Smith at the premiere of Kit Kittredge in New York on June 19.

Sarah Jessica Parker also wore a feathered corset in the Sex and the City Movie, Rihanna wore a dress with a corset-like bodice to the third annual “Cartier Love Day” Lighting Ceremony on June 19 and Heidi Klum wore a leather corset top at the opening of Trump International Hotel in Dubai on June 24.


photos courtesy justjared.com, zimbio.com and latimesblogs.latimes.com


You too can shape up with the corset-style clothing options below.




Floral Print Corset Top
Price: US$30.00
http://www.giannascloset.com/pd_floral_print_corset.cfm












Monday, June 23, 2008

Tagged - Seven Songs for Spring

I was tagged by Sharon Rose and Nay'chelle to list the seven songs I'm really feeling right now.

The rules:
“List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.”

Ok, so here are my song choices for Spring/Summer:


Do It by Nelly Furtado (2008)
I miss the old Nelly from her "I'm like a Bird" days and I'm starting to tire of Timbaland's generic pop beats, but I really like this song. It's a cool, fun song and Nelly's voice sounds really good here .


I Know by Jay-Z ft. Pharrell (2008)
Great hip-hop song, the Neptunes really did an excellent job on the production. I love the song and I also really love the video starring Ms. Zoe Kravitz.


Inside and Out by Feist (2005)
Fantastic remake of the original Bee Gees 1979 hit 'Love you inside and out'. Feist has smooth and beautiful vocals that suits this song perfectly.


Wow by Kylie Minogue (2008)
I've been a fan of Kylie Minogue's music since her album 'Fever' in 2001 and this song is no different. Her songs always make me want to get up and dance (or sit and sing really loudly)!


American Boy by Estelle ft. Kanye West (2008)
Fabulously funky song to sing and dance along to. Estelle is a fantastic singer and Kanye is as cool as ever on this track.


Les Fleurs by 4Hero featuring Carina Andersson (2001)
I first heard this song on a Bailey's commercial called “Zero Gravity Bar” back in 2004 and I just couldn't get it out of my head. It was originally done by Minnie Riperton in 1971 and 4Hero did the cover in 2001. This is a really beautiful and uplifting song, perfect for any season!


Hide Away by Tessanne Chin (?)
This is one of the best reggae/rock fusions I've ever heard and the singer's voice is so beautiful and powerful!


I'm now going to tag Be Stylin', I <333>, The Ongoing Project, The Wandering Alchemist, Searching the Inner Me..., Closet Bug, Meet the Freak.

Obviously there are no obligations to do this tag if you've done it before or you just don't want to :)