I was given a sneak peak at UGGs SS12 collection and learned a lot about the brand during the process. I was especially pleased that the  SS12 line offered a mix of both fun/ playful designs as well as chic sophisticated offerings.

Did you know that UGG’s signature boot was inspired by Australian surfers? How did I not know this? The story goes, because there’s apparently tons of sheepskin in Australia, surfers in the 60s and 70s often turned to hand-made basic sheepskin “footies” for natural warmth, comfort and to wick away moisture. (They would literally take the sheep skin, flip it fuzzy-side-in to create the “footies”). The “footie’” sure has evolved, as evidenced by UGG’s awesome spring collection featuring 1940s-Cali inspired handbags and shoes. The entire line evokes the Golden state’s spirit of hope, sophistication and sunshine.
The Novelty Beach Collection  was designed with beach-side play in mind. I adore beach bags in general and UGG’s sturdy canvas styles feature multicolored stripes, mesh side pockets and rope embellishments… they totally evoke a vintage yacht party.  Offered in three sizes, these totes can carry towels, sunscreen, magazines and a martini shaker from the deck and back. Be sure to check out the Isla Collection as well, with its bright and strappy espadrille platforms and classic leather sandals (black, above). I also love UGG’s  Lucianna wedge (white above) and adore their classic black hobo bag…

“Our own roots run deep in California,” said Vice President of Product Leah Larson.  “With this collection, we’re celebrating a golden time in history when California was just coming into its own as a center for individual expression, artistic experimentation and stylistic freedom.  What a great time to be alive and what a fun time to mine for our inspiration.”

Enjoy!

Affordable, random, and fun… I heart this pineapple bag from Asos. While I don’t usually feature mainstream brands, I just couldn’t resist. At just under $60 it won’t break the bank… but will most certainly get smiles!

I can honestly say this is the first moment I’ve had to catch my breath, well, since I last posted. I’ve been moving so fast I’ve hardly noticed the cold (a definite benefit!). . .
Can you believe FW is right around the corner?! I have tons of posts/ preparations to make for that… plus I have a STACK of things I have to giveaway.
One step at a time, right?
Lets start with a post. A post about gorgeous the socially-conscious bags at  O MY Bag. These are literally perfect (well, unless you’re morally opposed to leather, in which case, you-do-you I guess). Anyway, I can’t remember the last time I was this impressed with a bag. The Sleazy Jane is my favorite. More about this awesome company:

Sure, an O My Bag is a bag. A beautiful bag, that is. Classic, practical, fashionable. Made of the best leather, but with that authentic vintage feel. Sophisticated, but not boring. Laptop-proof, but not too big. The bag you can wear to work and when you are hitting the town. In other words: the bag you’ve always wanted. That in itself is reason enough to be cheerful, but an O My Bag is not your ordinary bag. An O My Bag is so much more…

It is a bag that helps to protect our precious planet. Made from a unique kind of eco-leather, an O My Bag is a leather bag that you can flaunt without guilt. Revolutionary tanner Patrick Lee developed a new kind of eco-leather, taking into account not only energy management, water control and safety conditions, but also achieved tanning without the usage of harmful chemicals like chromium. This leather isn’t shipped from Africa or South America, but is taken from local Indian cow. All this adds up to a cleaner and safer tanning process, a reduced carbon footprint and leather that is made with respect for the environment. Exactly as it should be.

But it is also a bag that gives people a chance to a better life. In a small town not far from Kolkata in India, every O My Bag is born in a pool of inspiration. The local fair trade producer E.M.A. offers education and jobs to the economically and physically challenged. In the local workshops they can work together in a social environment. For a fair wage, with health insurance and under fair conditions. This way hardworking people get the price they deserve for the bags they make with so much love and dedication. By creating jobs for minorities in India O My Bag contributes to important Millennium Goals, like fighting poverty and the empowerment of women. A job like this offers underprivileged people more than a fair wage; it offers them an education, a safety net and a chance to a brighter future.

A bag that makes the world a little better. Is that possible? I believe it is. With the choices we make as shoppers, we can change the world. With these choices we can create a worldwide demand for products made with respect for the environment and take a stand for a fairer trade. O My Bag brings sustainability and fashion lovers together. And shows them that there is only one thing more precious than a leather bag: a leather bag with a good story behind it. A story with a deeper meaning, but with a cheeky twist. That is O My Bag.
Not your ordinary bag.

Necklace from Ena Macana

Purse by Niels Peeraer

Bracelet by work of mind

7 Deadly Sins Stockings from tattoo Socks

I couldn’t pick just one today, so here’s a roundup of some of my favorite/ “things that make you go hmmmmmm” accessories out there.

Visit: Ena Macana, Niels Peeraer, Work of Mind, Julia Kald , tattoo socks and Not Just a Label for more!

I MUST have one of these bags. Like, now. Thank you Design-Milk for featuring this awesome label, created by designers designers Chay Su and Rika Lin.

Jump From Paper™ is a line of innovative handbags created by up-and-coming Taiwan designers Chay Su and Rika Lin. The bags are produced from two-dimensional illustrations hand-drawn by Chay and Rika, and are based loosely on widely-recognized handbag styles.

Jump From Paper brings a playfulness to handbag design that is oddly missing in today’s consumer market. And Chay and Rika are serious about making sure handbag fashion isn’t always so serious.

I already have an email in to Chay and Rika re: how to get one of these awesome bags here in the US. I will let you know as soon as they get back to me!

Site is here, facebook here.

Despite a nagging summer cold (I blame airports, no sleep, work and stress), I had an awesome weekend… I had a lovely brunch with the legendary D and reminisced about all sorts of sordid events that occurred on Thayre Street, circa 2001ish (whilst sipping mimosas, of course). After that, we took a leisurely stroll on Newbury street and visited to Second Time Around (a cute little consignment shop where, once upon a time, I got a vintage Chanel brooch only to lose it that very same evening) and the sales associates were loving my Rebound book bag, so I had to re-post!

I wrote about Rebound back in 2009. I’ve had this bag for years and still get compliments on this bag wherever I go! The ever fashionable EHS  is most definitley a pillar of style (what would his TV-show sidekick SGT have to say about that?)  and I have him to thank for this perfect present. Designer Caitlin Phillips makes all of these bags by hand and can even customize a book just for you!

Each Book Purse is made from an actual book cover, but bibliophiles should not fret-no first editions were harmed! All of the books are rescued from library discards, yard sales, thrift shops, grandmothers’ attics, and the occasional dumpster. Great care is taken to find books that are unwanted, obsolete, or damaged.

The entire cover becomes the frame for the purse, with the spine as the bottom, so the longer the book, the wider the purse. Every purse is fully lined with a complementary 100% cotton fabric, and the handles are hand beaded to match as well. Each purse also has a small pocket, perfect for a slim cell phone or wallet.