SHOW ME THE TWINS! Mary Kate and Ashley Pasties

Check out my and Anne's newest business venture into the world of pasties!!! After designing some awesome costumes for NYC's finest Burlesque performers i studied the quintessential Burlesque accessory: the pasty.

It turns out they are quite fun to make and Anne and I came up with a ton of super fun ideas- our newest capsule "Show me the twins" check out our store at :


Etsy

my love (of shoes) is a REVOLVER

For those of you who know me personally you probs know about my love hate relationship with my gun heeled pumps.
On the upside, they are super sexy and definitely an attention grabber. They also comfort me when I have fleeting thoughts of zombie attacks (as pictured). On the otherhand they are not for a frequent flying femme! I learned this when I was rudely pulled out of a security line at O' Hare, taken to an american airlines security room, photographed (and told that it was 'ok because my eyes would be blacked out' Helllooo i at least want the free publicity...sheesh), and then had my fav shoes confiscated and checked!

I still love them for homefield events of course.

Today, when I was googling the brand to refer to a friend of mine I learned that Shiekh Shoes now sells them online in gold and silver!!!!!!! I'm ordering one of each naturally!!!

Grab your weapons today at:Shiekh shoes

Winkin' and Drinkin'

And I thought Ms Diva! was the most sophisticated kitty in town! Hello Kitty/Sanrio just partnered with Torti, an italian wine distributor, to bring us the most adorable line of wine and champagne around!

There are four varieties including:

Hello Kitty Sparkling Brut Rosé - A deep reddish pink sparkling rose made from 100% Pinot Noir that has a frothy mousse as well as a pretty nose of rose petal and red currant scents.

Hello Kitty Sparkling "Sweet Pink" (Half Size) - This semi-sweet sparkler has floral notes with almond reminiscience

2008 Hello Kitty Angel White - a fresh, very "blanc" white wine made entirely from Pinot Noir free run juice.

2006 Hello Kitty Devil Red - Garnet red with brickish highlights, this is a classically rendered Pinot Noir that presents a seductive bouquet of wild flowers and forest aromas.

IN NYC you can purchase The Sparkling Brut Rose and Sweet Pink today at :

Elizabeth & Vine
269 Broadway@Houston
(212)-941-7943



**I havent tasted them yet as the bottles were a gift from Anne and just too pretty to open! bu tI recommend the Sweet Pink-
Miss Kitty is Winkin' and Drinkin' on the label- a pose I intend to work in to my repertoire

Haberdasher-ific

I am OBSESSED with hats this fall...maybe its because Madonna looks so damn good in them...maybe its because I just watched the Shirley MacLaine/Coco Chanel Lifetime Movie...maybe its because I bought the cutest sparkly beret EVER last week...

In any case... I was in New York City to visit my girlfriend last weekend and we stumbled into the cutest hat shop in Chelsea. Elle Christine Millinery on 18th St between 7th and 8th Ave has an awesome selection of women's sculpted fedoras, bowlers and other unique handcrafted pieces. Also- They are doing a "Mad Hatter Scavenger Hunt" this month with online clues that can lead you to win a free cocktail hat.

If your lady loves fabulous headwear as much as I do I highly recommend a trip to Elle Christine's Millinery followed by a romantic night in with Ms. MacLaine and a good bottle of Cabernet.

Elle Christines Millinery
255 West 18th Street
NY, NY
212-242-2457

HOURS:
Tue-Sat 11:00am - 7:00pm
except Thurs 11:00am - 6:00pm
Sun 1:00pm- 6:00pm

Coco Chanel
Available on itunes for 3.99

Cool one-of-a kind Clothes, Accessories and Zombie Plates

So my hipster-ific friend went to this in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in June and said it was AMAZING. Though I'm not much of a hipster I am excited to check out the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. Over 300 vendors will be selling everything from silkscreened tees, handbags and jewelry to handdrawn comic books. My friend snagged a killed set of ceramic plates that said "I heart you more than zombies heart brains!"

Check it out this weekend 9/12- 9/13 from 11am to 7pm
Wicker Park on Division Street between Damen and Paulina

The Perfect Passport

I accidentally stumbled upon this site while doing research for our upcoming SS2011 lingerie styleguide and fell in love with its kitchy layout and adorably packaged panties. Passport Panties is a lingerie company started by some sassy Texan ladies who have a passion for panties and being prepared (two of my great loves as well!)

Each pair of underwear is packaged in an adorable colour coordinating passport carrycase. The sets range from their signature "Predicament Panty" (10.00: boyshort, panty liner, deodorant, cleansing towelette and piece of chocolate candy) , to their "Playful Panty" (10.00: boyshort, maincure set, deodorant, cleansing towelette) and their "Primping Panty" (10.00: thong, hairspray, breathmints,body lotion, deodorant, cleansing towelette).

So whether you want to send it to your sweetie to celebrate an upcoming trip, or you just want to provide a chocolate filled passport to say "sorry its that time of the month" Passport Panties make a cute and affordable gift!

My New Favourite Toy!!

You thought I was gonna post something from BABELAND didn't you?
Actually this months pick is totes G rated. This awesome little gadget was sent to me and two of my co-workers this week as a gift and we can't stop playing with them!!

They were designed as a tool for peeps with ADD and/or who just need an outlet in never ending meetings. The fidget is a cute little toy that could be discreetly used at work/school etc. (So much chicer and less annoying than pen tapping- besides don't accessories make everything better?) It's an awesome gift for an ADD hottie or for yoursef;)

Check it out at FIDGETMAN.COM

I recommend the Chainy. It's pretty badass and can double as brass knuckles in an emergency! My co-workers are also in love with the Noah

SPA WEEK is back! (and so am I)

Hey guys I didn't realize how long I'd been slacking until one of my loving readers emailed me (Thanks Mal!) August was a little hectic as I had been celebrating the birth of all my main ladies: My girlfriend, my mom, my sis and of course her Madge-sty!

But I am back just in time for lots of fall tips!!!!

SPA WEEK'S s bi-annual celebration is back: Sept 14-20 in Chicago and California, October 12-18 in NYC. As a result: a ton of spas have great gift packages and most have signature treatments for $50.00 or less. (Chicago's Spa @ the Wit is offering it's feature Mimosa Body Polish for $50 and Saks Fifth Ave is doing its Peppermint Patty Pedicure for the same discounted price!)

check out the discounts available at your fav spa here

Just Do It

I love romantic surprises...planning them, giving them, recieving them...I live for it.
That's why I find it so sad when friends of mine complain about how rarely their boyfriends, husbands etc take the time to put together thoughtful little gifts.

The thing is...while lavish amounts of money are unnecessary...it is more than just the thought that counts. It's the execution. It's super easy (and annoyingly lazy) to tell your lady about what you had "thought" about doing/planning/buying... it takes a true romantic to follow through and DO it.

My girlfriend and I have both been intensely busy with our respective careers in addition to a summer full of travelling. I'm meeting her family at their summer home in Hilton head this weekend so she made me a power point brochure of all the fun things she has planned for us when I arrive. She sent it to me with a very 'effortless-oh-here-go' nonchalantness, but I was blown away by how thoughtful and creative this was! Naturally I made all my co-workers rush over to look at it/brag :)

Similarly when she was having a bad day on Monday I overnighted her childhood favourite book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to her office...with some hand written revisions I had added in especially for her. She loved this more than any designer garment I've ever gotten her.

So get creative guys...you might be surprised at how much fun you have doing it!

NECK-ing

Necklaces are always a super sweet gift for someone special because: 1) who doesn't love jewelry? 2) they'll subconsciously think of you each time they wear it. As always, I feel the more creative the piece, the better. My girlfriend wrote a blog back in March and said of our hollywood-style romance: "Wow, tie me up and call me Nelly, I think I’m about to be a one-saddle pony." I got her a sterling silver saddle shortly after;) .

She's also a bit of a closet nerd so I recently found the above scrabble tile necklaces here and sent one for good luck for her latest weekend scrabble tournament with her fam.

If you need want something that already has the sentiment spelled out for you Dogeared Jewelry, made in California, creates adorable gold and silver charm necklaces with creative descriptions such as their silver boot "Kick Ass" necklace for "believing in your strengths, smarts and ability to kick some ass!".

SEX-y champagne

Sex, Champagne and pink all in one bottle....SHUT UP! My girlfriend came for her first Chicago visit (above :) ) and we found THE most delicious sparkling wine right in my neighbourhood. It's a bubbly rose blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Quite a steal at 15.00, SEX is the perfect gift for a rowdy birthday or dinner party. You can order it online from L.Mawbry or if you're in Chicago at Kafka Wine where they have a great assortment and super cute and helpful wine enthusiasts!

"Can I SEND you a drink?"

New virtual gifting website, GIVE REAL, allows customers to purchase a "drink" and email it to a friend. You can select the drink and amount (from $1.00-$99.00). Once received, the amount is added to the recipient's credit card of choice and can be used at any establishment that accepts their card.

Being the instant gratification fiend that I am, I'd rather just take my friends out for drinks of a more instant variety rather than pay-paling them a theoretical one...but I do think its a cute/flirty idea for someone you'd like to get to know better or perhaps who lives in another city (start sending them to Chicago peeps- I'm gonna need a few martinis!) ;)

Fab Flowers for Spring

I accidentally stumbled onto Scott's Flower Shop on the way to a trend seminar in Koreatown. I was running late but couldn't help but notice the interesting display of small but gorgeous bouquets that were peeking out of vases attached to their front wall. I made a mental note of the location and returned the following day.

The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. They offer an impressive selection, from their 10.00 (tax included) daily bouquets to 355.00 custom gift baskets with Dom Perignon.

Delivery is available online (within Manhattan)

15 W. 37th Street (btw 5th and 6th Ave)
www.scottsflowersnyc.com

You may be my Lucky Star...

I'm still not sure how I feel about this one...a friend of mine told me about this website where you can name a star after someone and get the coordinates and the chosen name engraved on a necklace (that looks suspiciously like the sterling silver Return to Tiffany necklace...)

I guess if your lady is an astronomer, or if you happened to meet during a meteor shower this might be cool...

Otherwise: there ain't nothin' like the real thing.
And Tiffany's will custom engrave anything. I had them add WWMD (ie)What Would Madonna Do?) to mine. Now THAT'S a guiding star ;)

StarRegistry
www.starregistry.com
star certificate: 54.00
necklace: 69.95

Tiffany & Co.
www.tiffany.com
Return to Tiffany necklace: $300.00
engraving: $30.00 and up

Couture Cupcakes

I've known Monique Lopez, a sassy Latina self-proclaimed Glamourologist, for years and have always admired her ability to leave things a little pinker and prettier than she found them. I went to a Valentine's Day party this weekend and was greeted with the most gorgeous cupcakes I've EVER seen...nearly too pretty to eat. I looked at the packaging and attached card so I could recommend these in the future. It turns out my little Mo has started her own cupcake business!!

These are gorgeous and can be custom designed for any occasion. Check it out at:
www.myglamourology.com

Gift Idea #4

You would think I work for Agent Provocateur due to the sheer number of times I plug them per month. Actually, I design for a pseudo-competitor but cannot get enough of their store...

AP recently launched their new fragrance, Diamond Dust, with tiny diamond crystals in the perfume. It also leaves a subtle shimmer effect...and just makes you feel spoiled.

www.agentprovocateur.com
$90.00

Valentines Gift Idea # 3:

If you're a possessive guy or girl and want everyone to know your lady is TAKEN: this might be for you. Worn by Christina Aguilera, Paris Hilton and other hollywood brat-packers, you can get one at:

www.patriciafield.com
Gold 185.00 or Silver 160.00

Surprise packages: super sexy for V-day!

Instead of the standard flowers on V-day, why not have your custom gift hand delivered?

My favourite service in Manhattan is Mobile Parcel. They are very fast and friendly and small gifts ( a shopping bag or smaller) can usually be picked up and delivered anywhere in the city for under 40.00.

Mobile Parcel
www.mobilemessengerservice.com
212-MOBILE1

Countdown to V-day: Gift idea #2

As a lingerie designer, clearly I am a huge fan, consumer and connoisseur of women's underwear. I think gorgeous lingerie is THE sexiest gift to give and recieve...Agent Provocateur kills it this season with the back heart lace satin panties ($80.00). Yes, its a lot for undies but this is THE most luxurious lingerie brand. They'll wrap it in pink and black 1930s style gift boxes along with their current catalog which usually includes beautifully illustrated ladies kissing in their skivies. One of the best places for a Valentines gift...

http://www.agentprovocateur.com

In NYC:
133 Mercer Street in Soho

Hello Kitty + Makeup!! Is it my birthday???

MAC Cosmetics is launching their next "designer" co-branded makeup collection February 12th. Who is this month's featured designer? None other than the ambassador of Japan: Ms Hello Kitty!!! I want one of everything!!! The collection starts at 12.00 (for lipgloss) and goes up to 90.00 (for swarovski crystalled compact pictured). Great gift ideas for Valentines day!

check it out at: https://www.maccosmetics.com/account/messages/index.tmpl?messageId=hksoon09