Preview of the Fall 2009 Accessory Review

Accessories, Accessories, Accesories!!!! They can be the maker or breaker of any outift and can literally mean the difference between being a fashionista or a fashion DON'T!!!! The Fall 2009 accessory review will be posting tommorow but until then, here is a little accessory PORN to tide you over :)

1. This OTT (over the top) work of art is by designer Tom Binns and his Get Real Collection
   
   
   
   

These cuties are from none other than Christian Dior
Leave it to John Galliano to mix brocades with a goth wedge!!





















Classic Vicktor & Rolf!!!

Ridculous sandals by Bruno Frisoni!!

Why is Casa Casuarina soooooooo fabulous??????

Casa Casuarina, Gianni Versace's private villa home turned exclusive hotel is sooooo over the top, ostentatious, and glamourous that it almost doesn't belong in the the US. It seems like an European hedonistic fantasy palace and appropriately so given its flamboyant previous owner.
Here is a little history on it fromt he hotel website....."Casa Casuarina was built in 1930 by architect, philanthropist, author and political reformer Alden Freeman as an homage to the oldest existing house in the western hemisphere, the "Alcazar de Colon" in Santo Domingo. The Alcazar was home to Christopher Columbus' son Diego in 1510. Freeman chose to use it as inspiration because of his life-long veneration of Christopher Columbus. Indeed, one of the Casa's cornerstones contains original brick from the "Alcazar de Colon". A three story structure with a Spanish style inner courtyard, the Casa contained 22 apartments."
Without further ado.....

For the princess in your life......

This beautiful coach is a must have for your little (or big) princess!!! The "La Belle Au Bois Dormant Coach" is a once in a lifetime gift with a hefty 75k price tag, and while that might seem like a lot to pay for a toy afterall, there are few toys that share this level of craftsmanship or will be assured to bring your little one this much joy.

Here is the actual description from Posh Tots, where you can find this one of a kind item...

Your little sleeping beauty will dream of her prince as she sleeps away her enchantment in this exquisite coach! This hand-crafted piece is the most ornate and incredible creation we have found. The wheels of this carriage are solid cherry with white oak inserts that are spring loaded into their seats to form a heart shape. Each wheel features one hundred individual pieces of wood, contributing to the intricate design! The solid cherry quarter panels that define the contours of the pumpkin’s shape are fashioned from ¼” x ¾” rippings. Each piece has been hand tapered, beveled, and bent to create the desired shape and fit tightly together. The finished product has the natural beauty of varnished solid cherry but the delicately thin contoured panels have the durability of a boat hull. The carriage is draped with a petal-like canopy made in the likeness of a flower. All interior upholstery and drapery are made of 100% silk. Pricing for the coach starts at $75,000 (subject to change); shipping charges are based on delivery location, as artisan will deliver and assemble it himself. Please contact a design consultant for further details. A PoshTots exclusive!

Cakes or Art????

I just wanted to mention this delightful bakery that I had the pleasure of sampling not long ago.
Truli Confectionary Arts is an awesome cake design company that offers not only fabulous concept cakes but more importantly ONES THAT TASTE GREAT AND TASTE LIKE CAKE, NOT THE STUFF!!
Here are a few of their cakes:

How cute!!!

Dont have a cow man!!!

This would be a great housewarming gift!!!

What a great idea for a baby shower

Spa & Leisure Suggestion

The Mandarin Oriental hotel offers, by far, the best spa treatment for a weary wealthy body :) I highly recommend their Thai Yoga experience spa treatment. I had the fortunate pleasure to visit their Manhattan Hotel / Spa and words cannot express how this treatment changed my inner being. I think my chakra realigned or something but this was a well deserved and appreciated trip to heaven on earth. Its truly a steal at the price (just under $1200 once you factor in tip and hotel stay (if you get a basic room) but even for us struggling persons of leisure this is within reach and worth experiencing first hand. Just reading the description is a pleasure, wait until you are in their talented hands.
Here is the breakdown from their website http://www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork/spa/

"2 hour 50 minutes - USD 675 Weekday, USD 695 Weekend
The Thai Yoga Experience is the ultimate treatment experience in the new Thai Yoga Room.
This three-hour retreat begins with a luxurious foot ritual consultation using authentic Thai herbal poultices. Following the foot ritual, your therapist will perform our distinctive Thai Yoga Massage which uses stretching and compression massage techniques in a series of assisted yoga postures to encourage a free flow of energy and a more balanced meditative state.
The rejuvenating experience continues with a 20-minute herbal bath in our deep Japanese-style soaking tub, giving the body time to integrate the full effects of the massage.
Finally, your therapist will perform a cool down session with a cold compress for the forehead, scalp and face as well as a cool foot massage to bring the experience full circle.
Enjoy a refreshing Lemongrass Cooler at the conclusion of this dynamic physical experience."

La Belle Femme Beauty

Here is a another marvelous little company I came accross in my travels. Too Faced Cosmetics carries tons of cool, hip make up products designed for the diva in us all :)

Branded J Collections makes some of the best make up brushes available...they also are a cruelty free GREEN cosmetic company...

Furniture rules the world....

Furniture is my life....LMAO, no but it just seems like it!
This is truly a subject that I could spend an eternity on. I love furniture and houses immensely and could wax on or look at photos, sketches etc for weeks at a time. Something about the lines, the function and the design are just pure art to me. Some people love painting, some sculpture I prefer furnishings and if you have not been able to deduce, the more ornate, intricate, interesting, detailed, and rich the better.
Seriously this is an addiction, one day my hubby sent me to get lunch as he was famished and I returned elated and pleased as punch with some Kuba cloth from Zaire and an cute maitland smith magazine rack..lol
Anyway here are a few pieces of furniture porn to tide you over until I have time to really break out some of the beauties in my wish list collection archives...lol

CEILINGS, CELINGS, CELINGS...LEAVE NO DETAIL UNDONE.........

I love this old world detailing. These are the type of priceless details that new construction sometimes fails to include rendering old estates and homes increasingly valuable. Reserved previously for the ceilings de les maisons des rois, today places like B&B and custom painting companies can readily satisfy your desire for these types of ceiling murals, medallions and tilings. This first one I found on http://www.luxuryrealestate.com/:

More Jewels To Make Your Jealous

Jacob the Jeweler or Jacob Arabo used to be a name synomous with large ostentatious and often times downright gaudy pieces, but I am seriously in LOVE with some of his new pieces. The air of over the top is still there but it seems somehow more understated and thus more tolerable, in fact these beautiful gems are screaming to run and pick them up by any means necessary

Looking for a little fashion inspiration

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies, or those who love embellished girly type jeans at least. Feast your eyes on this fashion porn these jeans are by designer Amanda Adams. I don't recall where I stumbled upon these lovelies but they are gorgeous and are CHEAP!!! They retail for around $150 per pair and fashion experts and fans alike will agree that that price is paltry to pay for a great pair of jeans, especially like these, with such beautiful ornate detail and workmanship. Amanda Adams gets an A+ for high quality product at an unbelievable price making this an awesomely appropriate FASHION FIND!!!
Btw, check out her website for tons more designs http://www.aacouture.com/

Haute Couture Heroes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clothing, fashion and jewelry are my second favorite addictions preceded only the love of furniture. In the spirit of my recent Chanel Fall 2009 and Judith Leiber reviews, I want to highlight a few more pieces from two of my favorite designers: Juidth Leiber and Karl Lagerfeld.



Judith Leiber has always been one of my absolute favorite handbag designers. Her work is truly worth the costly prices attached to her pieces. Katherine Baumman does these type of bags (miniauderie) too but Judith Leiber holds the crown hands down. Take a look for yourself.

HOT FURNITURE FIND!!!! Model Home Furniture Tag Sale

Oops in all the fashion frenzy, I forgot to apprise you of this nifty little website I came across. The owner is an interior designer / home stager who is selling furnishings used only in model homes. She has a lot of high end stuff like Horchow, OHT, Bernhardt, etc., Check out her stuff here... http://www.janicebuck.com/Janice_Buck/TAG_SALE_ITEMS.html . She is local to the Philadelphia PA suburbs but perhaps you can contact her about shipping (as long as you are legit..and not some overseas scammer!!) items as well. http://www.janicebuck.com/Janice_Buck/TAG_SALE_ITEMS.html

Karl Lagerfeld is a F-N Genius!!!

This Fall collection inspired by the whole Russian theme was to die for, this is what Haute Couture is made of......reminiscent of 1980's YSL this is what separates the boys of the fashion world from the men......

Looking for a gift to knock someone off their feet, or a treasure to be long remembered?? Allow me to present the best of Judith Leiber.....

Hey luxe living enthusiasts....I promised more fashion fabulosity and without further ado here are a few AWESOME, STUNNING, JAW DROPPING Judith Leiber pieces..... These clearly demonstrate her talent and what she brings to the accesory industry...rivaled by none, copied by many, these miniature lovelies are TOTALLY worth their tag and a treasure you will value for generations to come....

Relapse...just a little more jewelry fabulosity!!! I promise, not too much....

I know I have been on a jewelry / fashion mission, but I couldnt resist showing these next few JAW DROPPING pieces...I wont waste anytime...strap yourself in...some of these are just INSANE!!!! (In order of their fab appearance we have a ( Lotus Arts de Vivre bracelet/Vintage Van Cleef Brooch from the Sotheby's collection / A stunning Temple St. Clair Green Tourmaline treasure/ Cute Carolyn Rodney bracelet/ a lovely Steven Webster Cuff )

OK.....I COULD GO ON ALLLLL NIGHT..but will stop here for now...later this week I will be reviewing a few stunning pieces from the Judith Leiber jewelry collection...stay tuned...