{Weekly Giveaway}: Pixiepetals

This week's giveaway is from the cute little shop pixiepetals, a shop which stocks embellishments created with & inspired by vintage goods.

The winner will get a $25 voucher to spend in the shop:

go now to check out the full range of choices.

Sorry to bore you with the conditions again, only read if you're new here!

How to Enter? Anyone who leaves a comment on any post during the next 7 days is automatically entered in the draw, starting with this post and ending Saturday the 7th of Nov at 10am GMT. The winner will be revealed later that day.

Rules: only leave one comment per post please, meaningless comments will also be discarded. To pick the winner, I will first use randome.org to generate a number between 1 to 6 say, (i.e. 6 posts a week) and then pick a randome comment within that post. So to maximise your chances you can reply to every post, don't want to miss a post? follow this blog via Blogger, Reader or Bloglovin & these technology will remind you!

Now to last week's winner... Congratulation to Post 4 Comment 20, that's you Trixy!! I will contact you shortly for delivery address :)
xx

Christian Louboutin Dresses Barbie

Shoe designer Christian Louboutin teamed up with Barbie to create a collection for the doll - My Year in Paris. Christian Louboutin gave Barbie doll a complete makeover on her 50th anniversary. He not only designed shoes for her but also revamped her whole wardrobe.

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My Year in Paris with Christian Louboutin will see three different Barbie - the jewel thief-themed Barbie (to be launched in December 2009, safari-themed Barbie (to be launched in February 2010), and Cannes Film Festival Barbie,(in May 2010). Louboutin's Barbie will be available at the price of US$120 for a set. All the three dolls will be packaged in Louboutin shoe boxes, which will be accompanied by four pairs of Barbie-sized Louboutin heels. Thousands of women would die to get a Louboutin pair, but here's our lucky Barbie who's wearing them (and not one but four pairs in each set!!!!).
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As part of the collection an album will be published, for which a whole city was created for Barbie, and not just any city but City of Paris. The images include beautiful pictures of Paris and a gorgeous doll-girl wearing Louboutin shoes and perfect clothing.
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Sure the pictures look good and the idea is interesting, but creating Louboutin clad Barbies for little kids sounds too materialistic. They're just small kids, wanting to play with their dolls, what do they understand about designer mania. And why make them understand at such small age? Hoity-toity women would be happy to but these Barbie for their kids. But honestly, spare the kids of these materialisms.

Instead of roping in Mr. Louboutin, some other publicity stunt, that would have benefitted society too, would have been a better idea.

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Jimmy Choo for H&M to debut on Nov 14th

Early in June H&M announced that Jimmy Choo will be doing a Collection for H&M. The collection will include handbags, shoes (of course), men's line of shoes and accessories and yes there will also be a clothing line to complement the accessories.

We're eagerly waiting for 14th November, as this is when the collection is debuting.
Read on for the collection preview.
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Jimmy Choo for H&M - Collection Preview

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For full collection preview, click here.

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Price Range?

- Footwear will run from $99-$129, with high-end models topping $299.

- Handbags will be priced from $59.95 to $299.

- Clothing line will have $69.95 tank tops and $249 suede one-shoulder dresses.

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Photo Courtsey: Shoe blog, Nitrolicious, Fab Sugar
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Kate Moss for Topshop's Christmas collection

Topshop unveiled its Kate Moss Christmas Collection. And obviously, for the photoshoot of campaign the model was Kate Moss herself. The photoshoot was done with unusual lightling making Kate look really curvy and hot.

Kate Moss has been designing for Topshop for quite some time. This collection is inspired by traditional Japanese and Chinese styles and techniques and fuses the old with the new. It displays prints of bamboo, flying stalks, lotus flowers, fireworks to reflect the richness of orient.

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The 35-year model also included lingerie to Topshop's Christmas Collection that included floral printed silk pyjamas, chiffon jumpsuits and traingle shaped bras.
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To shop the collection, click here

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President Influencing the Fashion World

President and Prime Ministers are now influencing the fashion world or another way of creating attention on runways?

Last year, Jean-Charles De Castelbajac showed off his Spring 2009 collection during Paris Fashion Week with President Barak Obama inspiring his collection. Even Sonia Rykiel's Spring 2009 collection had the Prez Obama effect. Her collection included sweaters that read "I have a dream" and "Obama".

Spring 2009 looks at Sonia Rykiel (left) and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (right)

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Now is it the west effect or really the PM inspiration, Indian designer Rohit Mittal flaunted his model who was wearing a dress with a picture of Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh. The short-length black and white checkered dress, with a kitsch, bearing the image of a smiling Mr. Singh wearing his trademark blue turban – is a part of Mittal’s Spring 2010 collection.

Rohit Mittal Spring 2010 Collection

Its one thing to get attention on the runway, while other thing to wear such pieces.
You like?

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throwing demo at nymphenburg

At Nymphenburg, craftsmen and craftswomen throw all the plates, vases and bowls by hand on a water-powered potter's wheel. I love the foot-trimming machine shown in the last image! Watch the full video here. All pieces are stamped with the Nymphenburg mark and the potter's initials.

Invisible Sparkles

I need more of these delicate white sparkles in my hectic life right now...

(images from oops* at Flickr)

hella jongerius, imperfections and idiosyncrasies

My friend Lauren told me about Hella Jongerius and her Jongeriuslab. Hella creates things that make her (and me) happy, here is what she writes about her B-set, pictured above:

"Somewhere in every home, there is a chipped and broken plate that exudes memories of Granny from the fine lines of its crazing glaze. Ultimately it is the damaged plate with its imperfections and idiosyncrasies that is treasured rather than the dazzling, pristine service. Hence, Hella Jongerius has consciously created irregularities in her porcelain-deformed dinner service that deviate from the ‘ideal’ form."

Above, the B-set is stored in the Royal Tichelaar Makkum factory.
Available on line in their shop.

Keep Calm

Super busy this week, lots of deadlines to meet.. Hence short post today.. I think I need this in my kitchen!

(photos from ivy style33 at Flickr)

jill platner

All images courtesy of jillplatner.com

There is something very raw and primal about Jill Platner's work. I feel a little bit invincible when I wear her necklaces. Good for times of vulnerability.

numbered dinner set for 12, in progress

I am working on a table setting for twelve for a friend, who happens to be a graphic designer. He requested that the plates be numbered. Since I have a beautiful cut of Caslon 540 metal type, I was happy to accomodate his request.

This is a dream commission, combining porcelain with metal type and a painterly brush stroke. Three of my favorite things: ceramics, typography, and painting, all on one plate.

Cuteness Tuesday

What to do on a grey rainy Tuesday morning? Look at cute rabbit photos :)

(photos from mvo168 at Flickr)

Nail Trend Fall and Winter 2009/2010

A woman's nails can really make or break her impression. Clean, tidy well-shaped nails is a must for every woman. Now let's see what are the Nail Trends for the nail-savvy women this season.

Shape and Length
Natural is the word for this season. Keep your nails in natural squoval shape. Square, the French way, has always been popular but natural shape is what you should go for. And keep your length keep them medium-long, the very long ones are a passé. The short ones are not only fashionable, but easy to maintain.

Squoval?
File nails into a square shape with rounded edges, keeping them a little longer.
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Colour
This season’s colors are elegant, bold and suit women who love to take risks. Many celebrities and across the runway were flashing the look of high shine, to metallics (golds, silver, bronze), and glittery finishes. Dark cues were ubiquitous like navy blues, dark plums, bright and deep reds, greys and charcoals, deep purples navy blues, rich chocolate browns, copper, lavender and wines.

If dark is not your thing, go for glittery, sparkly and shiny look in your favourite hues. Classic red is always in vogue.


Chooing the Dark Nail Colour according to your skin colour


For light skin: If you have fair skin, opt for blue-based shades with soft shimmer, which will look crisp, not gothic. Reds or Crimsons with hint of pink or earthy chestnut with mettalic finish will give a pretty edge to your look. If you want something in shades of purple then a feminine berry would suit your complexion.


For medium skin: Opt for gold flecks and warm undertones which make even tricky colors, like purple, flattering if you have olive or tan complexion. Classic ruby red with a sexy metallic finish, deep violet with gold shimmer or copper would suit your skin colour.


For dark skin: You can take the dark nail trend to the extreme by opting for strong hues that border on black. Deep luxe burgundy, inky aubergine with high sheen or dark chocolate would make your nails pop.


Bored of the same shades?
MAC special Fall-Winter Collection 2009 is the answer. MAC, in association with Jin Soon Choi, has lunched six daring and unique shades . You won't be able to find these colours in stores, as they're only available on the MAC website. In case you don't know, Jin Soon Choi is a nail guru and founder of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spas in New York. She has catered to many celebrities, fashion shows, and photography, and is especially known for her beautiful and intricate nail art designs.

Their shades include:
1. Cool Reserve - Dirty Grey Lavender
2. For Fun - Rich Clean Purple
3. Dance All Night - Brick Red
4. Dry Martini - Khaki Olive Green
5. Rich Dark Delicious - Rich BLackened Brown
6. Beyond Jealous - Blackened Blue Green


Tip for wearing Dark Nails:
Black is a severe nail shade and tends to highlight chips or cracks. Use a ridge-filler as a base and apply a top coat daily (from Instyle).



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the digital library of Pierre-Joseph Redouté's illustrations

Pierre-Joseph Redouté, a botanist and painter, was hired by Josephiné de Beauharnais (Napoléon's first wife) to record the flowers growing in her gardens at Château de Malmaison. The books that were publishes as the result of this commission can be seen online, in large digital format. They are gorgeous, click here to view the first book.