Weekend Links: New Soul Edition

I can't get the lyrics of the Yael Naim song "New Soul" out of my head these days. This was my last week at the old day job, and I have some exciting news to share...

Starting Monday, I'll be starting at a boutique social media agency working with fashion and lifestyle brands. After years of slaving away in the corporate world, I will finally be able to align my day job with my extracurricular interests, and I couldn't be happier. On Thursday, to mark this milestone in my life, I got a new hair cut. Thank you, Donna of Pipino Salon! Here's a little shot that I shared with my friends on Twitter...



New job = new hair. I only chopped off a few inches, but I already feel like a new soul.

I am excited about the new changes in my life. Despite these new developments, Dream Sequins will continue to cover great independent fashion brands. Over the new few weeks, I plan to introduce a few new contributing editors. We're growing, and I can't wait to introduce the team to you.

Hope you enjoy your weekend... And please take some time to read the blogs of the amazing bloggers who took the time to leave some insightful comments on Dream Sequins this week.

BonBon Rose

The Gore Princess

A Daisy Chain Dream

Brigadeiro

Janetteria

Thank you for helping me make my dreams possible... And I look forward to working with you, both with my work at the agency and through Dream Sequins.

xx Deanne

Accessorize This: Steampunk Style

Steampunk Style
by Denise Grayson

There’s a little subculture called steampunk that’s been growing steadily around us since the eighties, yet it remains largely unseen. This is likely due to the fact that it’s not a product of teen-angst or based on a genre of music, and therefore hasn’t been exploited for commercial gain. Steampunk is about simultaneously embracing the past, present and future by combining science and technology with the sensibilities of the past -particularly the dress and artefacts from the Victorian era - though inspirations vary with the individual.

Like other subcultures, steampunk manifests its unique point of view in aesthetics, such as lush costumery and the invention of unusual hybrid objects, like a computer with an ornate brass frame monitor and vintage typewriter keys, courtesy of revered steampunk ‘maker’ Jake von Slatt.

Recently there’s been a surge of steampunk accessories, handmade by enthusiasts with a flair for proper craftsmanship and a knack for sussing out things like vintage aviator goggles and old pocket watches to harvest for their hardware and tiny mechanical parts. While the full-on steampunk look is reserved for the true die-hard, anyone can infuse their look with a bit of its charm thanks to innovative designers like edmdesigns, who take the antiquated and make it something you’ve never seen before - and most importantly, something you’ve likely never imagined.









All photos credited to edmdesigns

Denise Grayson is our Accessories Editor and also writes about fashion at The Swelle Life.

Showroom New York Fall 2010 Preview

Last week, I had a chance to check out the delicious Fall 2010 collections of the emerging designers/labels who are affiliated with Showroom New York, part of The Garment Industry Development Corporation, a nonprofit promoting apparel manufactured in New York. There was a lot to love at the preview. Here are a few of my favorite looks...

Doucette Duvall

A gorgeous long, plaid dress from Doucette Duvall

Velvet burnout dress from Doucette Duvall (love the hot pink lining!)

MOTHE

A gorgeous orange blouse from MOTHE. The Fall collection was inspired by the palette and mood of Georgia O'Keefe paintings.

Designer May Kosaka of MOTHE. I was excited to hear that her collection was picked up by one of our favorite boutiques, EVA New York!

MOTHE vest (love the scalloped details)

A marvelous light knit by MOTHE

EVA KHURSHID

The design duo of Eva Khurshid

A beautifully textured silk blouse by Eva Khurshid

A luxe wrap coat by Eva Khurshid

SHAUNTELE

The designer of Shauntele wearing a cocoon coat for Fall

Love the details of the hardware on this Shauntele dress

I'm excited to see more work from these talented designers. Which looks are your favorites?

Beauty Beat: tokidoki x Sephora

Last week, I attended a blockbuster blogger event launching the tokidoki makeup line for Sephora at Arena, a nightclub in New York. The Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand created by artist Simone Legno will be rolling out the line at Sephora stores by May but products are available online, which should please fans of the "criminally cute" brand as well as hardcore makeup lovers. The event itself was impressive. Once I entered the venue, my inner child squealed with delight at the skateboarders doing tricks on a giant ramp and the tokidoki mascots posing for pictures with bloggers. It felt a bit like an amusement park for makeup enthusiasts. Over at two stations with samples of the new line, Sephora makeup artists stood by answering our burning questions about the quality of the products. The packaging may be youthful, but the eyeliner, shadows, lipgloss and other products mean pure business.

all images courtesy of tokidoki and Sephora

Many of the shadow products contain rice lipids, which feels smooth to the touch and is a pleasure to apply. I was most impressed by the lipgloss, which uses a silicone applicator, perfect for those like me, who balk at the idea of germs growing on traditional brush or sponge applicators. I had a chance to try out the bronzer and the lipgloss at home (provided in our goody bags at the event) and will be using the products all summer long. The bronzer has a nice consistency and texture, and the gloss, which has a perfect sheer color, will be perfect for hot days in July and August when one can bear only the lightest touch of makeup.

Lipgloss

Bronzer

This collaboration is definitely for the young at heart. Since I'm having more fun with my makeup these days, the bright packaging speaks to me. But dare I wear interesting color combinations and toy with purple mascara or a dab of bright green shadow? What do you think of the tokidoki collaboration? Would you like to give it a try? For more information, check out the tokidoki site on Sephora.

Disclosure: Products mentioned in this post were provided at the event for review purposes.

Project Runway May 7th Open Casting in New York!

Attention, designers! Project Runway Season 8 will be heading to New York on May 7th for the only open casting call in the US. Check out the flyer for further details...

Who: Designers who want a shot at Project Runway Season 8

What: Open casting call

When: May 7th from 10 am to 4 pm

Where: 575 7th Ave, New York, NY (between W 40th St. & W 41st St.)

More Info: Bring five or six of your recently made garments that demonstrate sewing skills and point of view. Please do not bring bridal, costumes or garments designed by you but sewn by someone else. Bring a portfolio if you have one. For more info visit http://www.bunim-murray.com/prcasting or email prcasting@bunim-murray.com.

I've always wanted to say this in a blog post: Designers, make it work! ;)

Weekend Links: Events Galore Edition

Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin (image source)

Hope you are having a fabulous week! The spring-like weather has returned to New York and with it a flurry of events, activities and happenings. I hate to continue teasing you like this, but I have an exciting announcement to make in the coming week. Stay tuned!

Hope you enjoy your weekend and these weekend links- which also happen to come courtesy of my top commenters for the week. Thank you for your visits!

• Kristin from Bon Bon Rose posted a few eco-chic finds in celebration of Earth Day. Loooove that Matt and Nat bag!


• Brigadeiro recently tackled a series of chic maternity wear on her blog. I would wear most of the items listed in her recent post now and I'm not expecting :)


• Daisychain of A Daisy Chain Dream shares a mouthwatering recipe for Rocky Road (drools).


• Paulina from The Gore Princess just ordered a BOYY Slash bag! Can't wait to see it. In the meantime, here are a few things on her wish list, including the BOYY Wally, a new zip-around wallet style from the brand.


• Every Little Counts and I share a girl crush on Parker Posey!


• Leave it to WendyB of Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog to tackle the topic of leather shorts and double denim. What are your thoughts?

P.S. My friend, the lovely street style blogger Polka Dot from Street Style London is conducting an experiment to see how much collective power we have as bloggers. An image from one of her recent shoots is above...

Accessorize This: Marie Antoinette Style

Marie Antoinette Style

by Denise Grayson

There’s something so irresistibly scrumptious about a certain young queen who resided in the French palace at Versailles. It was her opulent, ultra feminine style of dress and her charmed life (for a while at least) that has us so smitten. Sofia Coppola’s visually breathtaking film Marie Antoinette played out these fantasy aspects to full effect with the hot pinks, icy blues and soft pastels of the lavish costume design – hot pink was actually introduced in textiles in the 1950s – and sets sprinkled with gilded plates and cake stands heaping with Ladurée macarons and a rainbow selection of pastries.

It’s no wonder then that many designers have sought to infuse their creations with the sweet magic à la Marie Antoinette.

The Glamourai recently made a second neckpiece of vintage rhinestone and silver mesh chains with dusty pink silk ribbon for Shrimpton Couture, named and styled after France’s last queen (above left). It is now sold but we can always hope for a Marie Antoinette Three!

And this Swarovski crystal fan brooch by Ruby Lane harks back to the days when a fan was more a tool of coy flirtation than relief from the heat. Works best with a batting of the lashes.

How about enjoying your cupcakes while reclining on a chaise longue wearing these fancy satin embellished shoes from 4 My Favourite Things and Oxford is Heaven?

This sweet and sexy knitted lingerie from Cynthia F. takes its sorbet hues from Coppola’s film. You can see more delicious pieces here.

And one cannot go on about royal women-inspired creations without mentioning Wendy Brandes, the reigning queen of precious metal and gem-adorned tributes to history’s most fascinating regal ladies. Her jewelled interpretation of the tragic French monarch is inspired not by her ruffled and powdered accoutrements but rather the unfortunate doom that was to be the unwitting queen’s final destiny, as conveyed by the creeping, thorn-like prongs of her unusual and striking amethyst Marie Antoinette ring.

All photos credited to respective designer

Denise Grayson is our Accessories Editor and also writes about fashion at The Swelle Life.

Borrowed Bling from Rent the Runway

I have a few charity events coming up and while I will probably stick to a few dresses from my closet, I have my eye on borrowed bling from Rent the Runway. The website, which offers an impressive lending "library" of cocktail dresses from designers ranging from Frank Tell to Proenza Schouler, recently introduced a selection of accessories. For a fraction of their retail cost, you can wear a dazzling statement cuff or necklace for a few nights. Here are a few pieces I wouldn't mind borrowing for a few days to jazz up some old cocktail favorites, such as a vintage Yves Saint Laurent LBD...

Ismene Bib Necklace by Dannijo

Sunken Treasure Necklace by Subversive

Art Deco Bling Cuff by Badgley Mischka

Liz Nugget Necklace by Gemma Redux

Starburst Earrings by Janis Savitt

Have you tried Rent the Runway yet? What do you think of the website? Would you ever borrow jewelry or accessories for a special occasion?

Beauty Beat: Tatcha Aburatorigami

Tatcha blotting papers are based on the Japanese art of aburatorigami, paper made from abaca leaf and gold flakes, used for over 300 years by geishas in Japan, who are renowned for their porcelain complexions. When I read about this product by the niche Bay-Area based company, I knew I had to give it a try. I am constantly on the hunt for blotting papers that will leave my complexion looking fresh throughout the day. Since I have combination dry/oily skin, I do get a little shiny in my T-Zone by the middle of the day-- and like to carry a packet of blotting papers or powder with me. It's been about two weeks since I started using Tatcha papers on a regular basis, and I am head over heels in love!



There is a lot to love about this product, so here are some of my thoughts in list form:

• The Packaging: Comes in a square packet containing 30 sheets with a lovely illustration of a Japanese lady in traditional dress. The sheets are easy to remove from the packet, but the tab closure is a bit hard to work at times.
• The Size: I loved that the sheets come in ample 3.74 inch by 3.74 inch squares. And since you can use both sides, there is no need to use more than one sheet at a time.
• The Material: I have used paper based blotting sheets in the past, and have had little luck with them. For my needs, I always felt that plastic based sheets do more efficient work. This might sound icky, but I love looking at the sheet after patting down my face and looking at the translucence of the sheet (which means it has done its work of lifting excess oil and moisture from my face). The one thing that always made me feel guilty about plastic blotting sheets is their effect on the environment. Tatcha papers do turn translucent when you lift oils from your face so that you can see the blotting papers at work, but they are also paper-based and biodegradable.
• The Craftsmanship: The product is handmade in Japan, which lends the papers an artisanal, luxurious touch. The square shape of these papers reminds me of my fascination with origami paper in my childhood.
• The Results: Tatcha claims that the papers are safe for use on all complexion types, and when used over makeup, will only lift oils from your face and leave makeup undisturbed. I used these papers in a few instances: during the day and going out at night. In both cases, I was satisfied with their blotting qualities.

For more information on Tatcha blotting papers, check out http://tatcha.com/.

Disclosure: Samples of the product from this post were provided for review purposes.

Weekend Links: Newton's First Law of Motion Edition

Newton's First Law of Motion:

An object at rest tends to stay at rest, or if it is in motion tends to stay in motion...

That just about summarizes the momentum of my week. The latter half has been all about motion-- events, meeting people, getting out there, making it happen. I'm happy to stay at home with the Mr. and hibernate, but when it starts getting warm out, I start to feel social again.

Here are a few pictures from Thursday night...

The Anthropologie store opening at Chelsea Market

Me holding my soulmate clutch bag at Anthropologie. Sadly, the bag is $598. Why why??

Amazing Salvor Projects installation at Oak

Special shout out to my top commenters for the week. Thank you for your lovely thoughts!

The Style Revolution

Paulina

Kristin

daisychain

Sheena

Brigadeiro

janettaylor

I'm looking forward to catching up on blog reading, drinks with friends and plenty of sleep this weekend... What are your plans?

Accessorize This: Camera Bags with Flash

Camera Bags with Flash

by Denise Grayson

I recently upgraded my camera from a compact digital to a DSLR. As the guy who was helping me began showing me bags, I came to the disappointing realization that the convenience of throwing my little Canon into my handbag without a thought for space, protection, or lenses was gone along with most of my bank balance. I was buying a proper piece of equipment that required tender loving care in the form of a foam compartmented carrier. How sexy does that sound?

The selection of bags consisted of about a dozen black (lack of) styles and there were two that had a flower print in both pink and grey. Those bags – the ones designated for the ladies – resembled oversize lunch coolers. “No thanks, I think I’ll shop around” was my response to the offerings. And then I ran out of the store screaming (in my mind at least).

Once home I did a bit of googling and funny enough, when I entered ‘camera bags’ the list of prompts that came up included ‘camera bags for women’. There is indeed demand for a bag with an exterior which belies the fact that there’s a Nikon D-90 inside with one or two lenses, a fat wallet bursting with store receipts, a mangled hairbrush, phone, makeup case and hard candies that have fallen out of the wrapper and stuck to the lining. We need something that accommodates all of our essentials and sundries and looks good enough that it may even prompt an unwitting friend to utter “Ooh! Like your bag.”

Lucky for us there are some, in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. That’s great news (or trouble) for the accessories junkie – you can have a whole wardrobe of camera bags!


Jo Totes bags have six re-adjustable pads, removable cross-body strap and are lined with printed fabrics such as houndstooth.


This messenger from Janine King Designs has triple padded corners and bottom and adjustable flap, and comes in a wide range of bold, printed fabrics.


This medium-size leather bag from Jill-e can accommodate a camera with attached lens, a second lens, with extra space inside for sundries plus six external pockets.


Emera’s ‘The Quilted’ is a classic and chic style with modular Velcro dividers and a large compartment for magazines, notebooks or iPads.

Photos credited to the respective websites/designer.

Denise Grayson is our Accessories Editor and also writes about fashion at The Swelle Life.

Wishlist Wednesday: Enchanted Spring 2010 by Neurotica

I'm enchanted by these printed jersey pieces for Spring by UK label Neurotica. The weather in New York has been cooler, but that hasn't stopped me from yearning for their easy-to-wear, sweet floral, vine and bee printed dresses and separates. Here are a few of my favorites from their new e-boutique... Click on the pictures to shop.

Caution Dress

Giselle Skirt

Bees Hareem Pants

Coralberry Bonanza Dress

Coralberry Wings Jumpsuit

Now through April 19th, the whimsical womenswear label is offering 25% off purchases via their e-boutique if you use the coupon code: GIMMIEGIMMEYEAH! For more information, check out http://www.thisisneurotica.co.uk.

What's on your wishlist today?