Indigo Blues

Back in the day, when I was a student at the University of Hawaii, I took a class where we had access to an indigo vat. We learned various techniques, including shibori. So when I came across Job & Boss, an Oakland based design studio, it brought me back to my days in the UH art department. All these pieces are hand dipped in natural indigo dye baths. They are truly original pieces.

 {Job & Boss}

Boats & Chocolate

Boats and chocolate seem to go hand in hand in the world...

When a friend was getting married and trying to save money, I offered to make chocolate boat lollipops to help with the nautical themed affair- a task that proved challenging, to say the least. Somehow after all that work, they were forgotten under a table still in the bags I brought them in. In an attempt to not have them be a complete fail, we started passing them out on the dance floor to the remaining guests. I remember laughing so hard as we asked each guest if they wanted a "chocolate schooner".

Maybe that's why when I came across Dick Taylor chocolate I was already a fan... ex- boat builders turn chocolate makers? I'm down. Luckily, the only place they are sold in San Francisco is in my old neighborhood, so I stopped by immediately and bought a bunch. I passed them out to family and friends when I was home in New York for the holidays, and they were a hit! It is very hard to find chocolate without emulsifiers like soy lecithin, {which I try to avoid} so it is nice to know Dick Taylor uses only the best ingredients. These were my favorites...

{shop Dick Taylor}

Color Strategy

You might think that every nail polish company covers all bases on the color strategy, but you would be surprised at how many miss the mark. That is, with the exception of Julep. A few times in the past {like here, and here} I have posted stories matching nail polish back to certain apparel items. I would say that Julep was the only brand offering such a vibrant array of colors that could easily be matched back to each item... and they are 4 free of chemicals to boot. 

I recently was able to test out one of their holiday trios, and I am happy to report that the colors not only translated to the nail, but they lasted longer than other brands I have used in the past. I am a Julep uber-fan for life! Here are a few soon-to-be released shades...

{shop Julep}

Merry & Bright

{images}

Shiny Happy People

Jen Brill & Olivia Kim's collaboration with Cole Haan is well, brilliant. Just in time for the holiday, I can't think of a better way to make your way {stylishly} through the glittering parties, endless presents, and hors d' oeuvres than with these beauties bedazzling your tootsies. The clincher? They have Nike Air soles... just incase you weren't already sold.

{shop: 1, 2, 3, 4}

Ready, Set, Sparkle

Like many other girls, I am a sucker for a sparkly frock- especially with coordinating nail polishes! Here are a few of my favorite show stopping stunners that I would happily wear this holiday...

{left: dress, nail polish, right: dress, nail polish} 

{left: dress, nail polish, right: dress, nail polish} 

{left: dress, nail polish, right: dress, nail polish} 

{left: dress, nail polish, right: dress, nail polish} 

{left: dress, nail polish, right: dress, nail polish} 

{left: dress, nail polish, right: dress, nail polish}

Playing House

I often find single rooms within a house that I am really inspired by, but rarely am I ever in love with the interior design of the entire house. So when I saw the home of Marianne Brandi and Keld Mikkelsen, the duo behind fashion label Day Birger et Mikkelsen, I was in heaven. In fact, I think when I decorate my future house, it will have a very similar design aesthetic to that of their home in Copenhagen. It's the complete match up of casual glam...

{full story in the December 2012 issue of Lonny}