Project Time: Grosgrain and Chain Necklace

In the spirit of P.S. I Made This, I saw this cute little neckace from Ann Taylor and thought it would be fun to make my own version.  I don't do a lot of jewelry making but I loved the pink ribbon combined with the gold and the crystal drops.

So off I went to Michaels for supplies.  I decided to do two versions, one in silver and one in a gold.  I would say I felt a bit limited in terms of chain and crystal options, not having exactly what I hoped for, but I found some pretty good options.   I didn't take a lot of supplies - 1 package of chain each, the crystals, 1 spool of pink grosgrain ribbon and jump rings and clasps (enough for more projects too)

I ended up using 24 inches of chain each because they get compressed when you thread through the ribbon, losing about 4 - 6 inches.  I wanted the crystals to hang down so this length worked out perfectly.

I used little briolets for the gold version.  I may go back to get more so I can continue them up, more like the inspiraiton piece.

For the silver, there were two sizes of the crystals in the packet so I took advantage of that to creat a more dangly piece.

All in all I spent about $50, including for the clippers, to make two necklaces with material to spare.  As P.S. I Made This says - I saw it, I liked it, I made it!

Imitation = Flattery? Miu Miu and ShoesOne

I know, I know. It's probably getting old with these knock-off/rip-off features. I guess, I just can't get over the sheer audacity of some of these companies. Imagine how draining it must be for the actual designers. They toil over inspiration and to be innovative only to have another company come along a short while later and basically copy every answer off of their test.

Case in point: The Miu Miu crystal-embellished swallow mary janes.

I was crying over these. I literally called multiple stores in the US, the UK, Paris and Italy. NOTHING! They were all sold out. I don't think they even got them here in the US, which just kills me. I mean, these were the shoes of the season for me.

In the end, I got the navy kitty mary janes, which I love and have worn a ton. But when I saw these shoes pictured in the images below, I have to admit, I was tempted for a second. I mean, they are really recreating the design and they are selling them on ebay for $55 (on Filthy Magic for $200, yikes!)

I saw them first on Flithy Magic and thought it was just a blatent rip-off. But then I found the same ones on eBay and on that page they are pairing up their product shots with actual Miu Miu runway images and ads.

I think that is crossing the line.

I know how tempting these are. I'm even struggling with it myself but at the end of the day, can I live with giving my $55 to a rip-off artist? And if I knowingly go into that transaction, what does that say about me? If I "really want them" should I just buy them? And what would I answer, everytime someone asks about them. Does any of that matter?

I'm not going to get them and I actually reported the eBay ones for infringement (mostly because of the ads used in the listing) but it's an interesting discussion worth having.

What would you do and why? How would you answer people everytime they ask you if they are "real Miu Mius" ?

Bubblegum Plastic: English Summer cloud necklace

Bubblegum Plastic is where we talk about all the other fun stuff... where I try to think about more than just shoes!

I love cute little whimsical necklaces, especially from the talented folks on Etsy. When I was browsing around the other day, I saw this sweet cloud and rain necklace from Mixko.

The piece is about 4" from the top of the little felted cloud to the bottom crystal raindrop.

Even though it is a raincloud, it's a happy little cloud with sparkly blue raindrops. So it makes you smile!

English Summer rain and cloud necklace - $30 from Mixko on Etsy. She also has an adorable rainbow necklace and some delicate butterfly rings that I love too. Check her out!

Leave me some Louise

I know the Louise Goldin for TopShop heels are not new news, but I've refrained from talking about them for fear of generating even more excitement and anticipation for when they come out in real life. But I'm trying to overcome my naturally selfish opportunities to talk about them.

And to have an excuse to look at the runway shots again...

Images of the "real" product have come out and while they don't look to be bristling with spikes as much as the runway pieces (sadly), they still look pretty awesome.

Frankly, I'd like them so crammed with spikes that I risk serious blood-loss wearing them but that's just me (Or is it? To be addressed later...).

But why talk about them now? Well, they come out soon soon soon, and I must have them. Yes, all of them. So if you see them in a 35, 35.5 or even a 36 (I'll stuff the toes), tell me! I've been looking at the site everyday for months.

Hurry up, TopShop!