Sunday, June 03, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
World of Good
"Make Beautiful Things Happen"
One of the biggest challenges artisans in developing countries face is gaining access to outside markets. World of Good, Inc. creates opportunities for these artisans from around the world to share their crafts with a larger market. They provide access to fair wages, safe working environments, and long-term economic stability.
I wholeheartedly support this company, and you should, too. On top of making you feel like a more aware and thoughtful human being, you can buy pretty jewelry and crafts!
As shown above, I have a gorgeous jewelry box with eggshell inlay sitting on my dresser:
Handmade using a labor-intensive 13 step process, villagers in Ha Tay (Vietnam) mak the laquerware when they aren't harvesting and planting their crops. Access to outside markets provides employment and preserves traditions for the men and women in this village. My roommate is very jealous of this lovely and unique craft.
I am also the proud owner of this bracelet made from Tagua nuts:
This was handcrafted in Colombia and is all-natural. This bold jewelry piece strikes up many conversations when I wear it out. You can't really see all of the details of the nutshell or feel the reassuring weight of it in the picture. Please kindly refrain from pointing out how badly I need a manicure!
Every piece through World of Good, Inc. is equally beautiful and they make great gifts for loved ones. To learn more, click here to go to their website.
One of the biggest challenges artisans in developing countries face is gaining access to outside markets. World of Good, Inc. creates opportunities for these artisans from around the world to share their crafts with a larger market. They provide access to fair wages, safe working environments, and long-term economic stability.
I wholeheartedly support this company, and you should, too. On top of making you feel like a more aware and thoughtful human being, you can buy pretty jewelry and crafts!
As shown above, I have a gorgeous jewelry box with eggshell inlay sitting on my dresser:
Handmade using a labor-intensive 13 step process, villagers in Ha Tay (Vietnam) mak the laquerware when they aren't harvesting and planting their crops. Access to outside markets provides employment and preserves traditions for the men and women in this village. My roommate is very jealous of this lovely and unique craft.
I am also the proud owner of this bracelet made from Tagua nuts:
This was handcrafted in Colombia and is all-natural. This bold jewelry piece strikes up many conversations when I wear it out. You can't really see all of the details of the nutshell or feel the reassuring weight of it in the picture. Please kindly refrain from pointing out how badly I need a manicure!
Every piece through World of Good, Inc. is equally beautiful and they make great gifts for loved ones. To learn more, click here to go to their website.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Reminiscent of Trends Past
For some reason, these:
Remind me of these shoes. But the new Ingelmo sandals from Neiman Marcus are less chunky, and more everyday chic. I have the exact same misgivings about them, though. Two words: plastic chaise.
Remind me of these shoes. But the new Ingelmo sandals from Neiman Marcus are less chunky, and more everyday chic. I have the exact same misgivings about them, though. Two words: plastic chaise.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The Flying Trapeze
A friend of mine, C., sent me a link to this dress and asked me to help explain why, why on earth, this bland monstrosity would be Sold Out at J. Crew:
I honestly couldn't tell her. While I have seen a (very) few women able to pull off- no, rock- this shape, I can't see how enough J. Crew patronage would be able to wear it at all to merit its unavailability. How to tell if you can work the long trapeze? Are you tall and slight? Aw, you neither? Then I suggest playing it safe and leaving it on the rack.
If I were going to try to pull this off personally, I would definitely opt for something with a little splash of color. I feel as though this poor, pretty model would fit right in picking wildflowers out on a prairie. And that's just never a good look. For summer's sake, let's stay away from oatmeal tones, monochrome, and prairie patterns. (No offense, general J. Crew patronage!)
However, as The Fug Girls have pointed out, maybe a big, splashy print isn't always the answer to owning this shape:
Sorry, Kelly. But thanks for setting the necessary example! (In your defense, I do prefer the V-neck to the square on the above model.)
Also, Lauren Ambrose:
Fugged. I mean, thank you for wearing it at a length where your feet aren't being swallowed, and high heels definitely help. (Although apparently in the 50's when this shape was developed, it was meant to be worn with flats? Strange...) But this is still a no-go. Helpful hint: don't pair flowy, shapeless garments with flowing, shapeless cover-ups! You've got a shape in there somewhere, right? Right? And maybe a concealed bag of Cheetos for later, hm? Mmm, Cheetos... But maybe she can't afford a stylist since Six Feet Under ended. Can't her buddy and castmate Michael C. Hall get her a bit part on Dexter? I can totally see her playing a serial killer, possibly homeless, whose clothes on her back become her sleeping tent at night! The red conceals the blood... oh, go with it. Girl needs a job and some conditioner!
I have seen a few of these that appear to be working the correct length/shape/coloring at Urban Outfitters of all places, but I couldn't find the same garments on their website. Fear not, readers, the trapeze-ish dress watch is on!
Here's a helpful article about this shape. I particularly like the part where Suzanne D'Amato advises: Choose a frock that hits above the knee. Anything longer is not a trapeze dress; it's a muumuu. And then she goes on to call what the above ladies are wearing "body-hugging sheaths." Nice!
I honestly couldn't tell her. While I have seen a (very) few women able to pull off- no, rock- this shape, I can't see how enough J. Crew patronage would be able to wear it at all to merit its unavailability. How to tell if you can work the long trapeze? Are you tall and slight? Aw, you neither? Then I suggest playing it safe and leaving it on the rack.
If I were going to try to pull this off personally, I would definitely opt for something with a little splash of color. I feel as though this poor, pretty model would fit right in picking wildflowers out on a prairie. And that's just never a good look. For summer's sake, let's stay away from oatmeal tones, monochrome, and prairie patterns. (No offense, general J. Crew patronage!)
However, as The Fug Girls have pointed out, maybe a big, splashy print isn't always the answer to owning this shape:
Sorry, Kelly. But thanks for setting the necessary example! (In your defense, I do prefer the V-neck to the square on the above model.)
Also, Lauren Ambrose:
Fugged. I mean, thank you for wearing it at a length where your feet aren't being swallowed, and high heels definitely help. (Although apparently in the 50's when this shape was developed, it was meant to be worn with flats? Strange...) But this is still a no-go. Helpful hint: don't pair flowy, shapeless garments with flowing, shapeless cover-ups! You've got a shape in there somewhere, right? Right? And maybe a concealed bag of Cheetos for later, hm? Mmm, Cheetos... But maybe she can't afford a stylist since Six Feet Under ended. Can't her buddy and castmate Michael C. Hall get her a bit part on Dexter? I can totally see her playing a serial killer, possibly homeless, whose clothes on her back become her sleeping tent at night! The red conceals the blood... oh, go with it. Girl needs a job and some conditioner!
I have seen a few of these that appear to be working the correct length/shape/coloring at Urban Outfitters of all places, but I couldn't find the same garments on their website. Fear not, readers, the trapeze-ish dress watch is on!
Here's a helpful article about this shape. I particularly like the part where Suzanne D'Amato advises: Choose a frock that hits above the knee. Anything longer is not a trapeze dress; it's a muumuu. And then she goes on to call what the above ladies are wearing "body-hugging sheaths." Nice!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
New Shoes
... but while you're waiting for me to get my act together and talk fashion to you, how about checking out 'New Shoes'? Yeah!
I actually heard this for the first time while I was shoe shopping. It was a sign from the Heavens, I'm telling you!
...okay, I'd probably tell you that the sun rising in the morning was a sign to buy some shoes. But you can't prove it's not!
Sing it, Paulo Nutini.
[*cross-posted to Style Bard Shoes]
I actually heard this for the first time while I was shoe shopping. It was a sign from the Heavens, I'm telling you!
...okay, I'd probably tell you that the sun rising in the morning was a sign to buy some shoes. But you can't prove it's not!
Sing it, Paulo Nutini.
[*cross-posted to Style Bard Shoes]
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Happy 100th Post!!!
Hey guys! This is the Blogger-style Anniversary of Style Bard! I have reached the magical one-year mark, and I have also reached the exciting 100th entry!
I'd like to thank everyone who helped me start and perpetuate this blog. I've loved the process of discovery involved in this project and I hope that it continues to build, despite the rough patches.
In honor of these concurring events, I'd like to take the opportunity to point my readers over to my new site: Style Bard Shoes.
I've been working on this project for awhile, and I think it's going to be as much if not even more of a blast than Style Bard has been! I'm sure you've noticed by now that my passion strong-point is Shoes, so I thought that rather than overcrowd Style Bard, I'd give them their own space to breathe. Working with the blossoming deal site Judy's Book has given me great insight to the world of deal-shopping for shoes, and I want to make sure that all of you can benefit from my newfound expertise. So please join me, browse my finds, and enjoy some great bargains, deals, and sales on your favorite shoe designers and stores!
Style Bard will continue to hobble along while I round out the process of expanding my blogging world, but I'll be sure to let everyone know when we're back on some kind of a schedule here.
I'd like to thank everyone who helped me start and perpetuate this blog. I've loved the process of discovery involved in this project and I hope that it continues to build, despite the rough patches.
In honor of these concurring events, I'd like to take the opportunity to point my readers over to my new site: Style Bard Shoes.
I've been working on this project for awhile, and I think it's going to be as much if not even more of a blast than Style Bard has been! I'm sure you've noticed by now that my passion strong-point is Shoes, so I thought that rather than overcrowd Style Bard, I'd give them their own space to breathe. Working with the blossoming deal site Judy's Book has given me great insight to the world of deal-shopping for shoes, and I want to make sure that all of you can benefit from my newfound expertise. So please join me, browse my finds, and enjoy some great bargains, deals, and sales on your favorite shoe designers and stores!
Style Bard will continue to hobble along while I round out the process of expanding my blogging world, but I'll be sure to let everyone know when we're back on some kind of a schedule here.
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