GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

. . . astonishingly, very nearly at the month of march, two months of the new year passed already, and already, windows have been open to the late-winter air that is now, nearly imperceptibly, tinged with the promise of blossoming magnolia trees and longer, sun-drenched days ahead, and so, for today, it's away with wintry things, soft flushed cheeks, and a dash of perfect pink across the lips . . .



[images: tayane leão by j.r. duran for vogue brazil january 2012 / stylist: giovanni frasson / hair & makeup: max weber via studded hearts /// photography by a girl, a style via my girly side]

. . . palest pink mother-of-pearl and little bits of gold, glittering crystal and gilded lace -- a study of contrast & excess -- the mixed metal pieces in the spring\11 collection by gemma redux are as perfect with the last light summer dresses of the weekend, as with belted camel coats and socks & heels on a mid-september day . . .











{images & necklaces by rachel dooley of gemma redux, discovered via seesaw design}

Often, accessories are added afterward, to accentuate outfits, adding glimmering touches here and there. In the case of LA-based CC Skye, however, the accessories she designs do not merely accent outfits, but rather, create them.



Unlike most fashion lines that are influenced by big cities like New York or Paris, CC Skye was born out of a six-month study abroad program that the designer did in Nepal. Traveling only with a backpack containing the bare essentials, CC, a true LA Girl at heart, missed the fashions she would find in the pages of Vogue while living in Kathmandu.



After some time, she decided to trade in her hiking boots and ended up in the silk stalls of Kathmandu, buying silk used for Tibetan Temples to make dresses with the help of local seamstresses, and started to work with gems and metals . . .



According to the designer, "...living in Nepal made me stop and learn how to to create my vision with my hands and use my resources rather than just go out and buy something, which is what we are all so used to doing in a consumer-based culture. It [Nepal] was a self-sustained culture in which you grew your own food, made your own utensils out of bamboo or wood, and ultimately, you made your own spring wardrobe".



CC Skye, who has been called "consistently ahead of the trends" by Women's Wear Daily, merges uptown sophistication with downtown glamour in her jewelry and handbag collection. A favourite of the most fashionable celebrities, including Eva Mendes and Nicole Richie, CC Skye's line was nominated for Best New Accessory Designer by GEN ART.



This week, we ask the designer:

. . . one of those impossibly busy weeks were the lists are a million miles long and inboxes are over over-flowing, but also, a feeling of excitement uncontained for new adventures to come -- so much so, that one must stop to catch a breath, and with recent talk of oceanview cottages and afternoons at the beach, in all this golden summer sunshine, one can not help but let thoughts drift, if only for a moment, to blue summer skies and open waters . . .


striped boatneck, chance | elsa peretti charm bracelet, tiffany & co. | nautical cup & saucer, we love karou | personalised stationery, french navy | hotel il pellicano, rizzoli {via behind the line} | 3.1 phillip lim gathered halter one-piece, la garçonne | victoria beckham square-frame metal sunglasses, net-a-porter | nars illuminator in laguna, sephora | yves saint laurent volupté sheer candy, sephora | nautical rope tote, barney's new york

ruffle-wrapped halter suit, anthropologie | scarf, polo ralph lauren


rope bracelet, gorjana




striped bow with vintage anchor button, lanita




samma trim on trim necklace, la garçonne | twisted natural rope bracelet with sterling silver toggle, junghwa | i love knots natural rope knot bracelet with silver, junghwa



{p.s.} more nautical inspiration:
* a navy & gold manicure
* seaside daydreams & saltwater kisses
* midnight breezes & ocean views
* stripes & crested blazers

Jewelry is made by creating bonds: melding precious metal and stringing luxurious pearls, jewels and gems, melting pieces of glittering gold; but the most important bonds are not made with jewelry, but through it -- the bonds between people that a piece of jewelry can create are eternal.



M.Flynn creates the kind of jewelry that memories are made of, whether the bracelet that glistens in the summer moonlight on a stroll after a first date, the sparkling crystal earrings that glitter in photographs from a best friend’s wedding, the necklace that marks a first anniversary, or the the ring that is passed down to a granddaughter.

Elizabeth Taylor, who owned one of the most admired jewelry collections in history, once said, “My pieces of jewelry are my most cherished stories about a lifetime of fun and love and laughter.” Memories can be made of the details--after all, it is all in the details . . .



The savvy duo that makes up M.Flynn is comprised of Megan and Moira Flynn, two sisters with a passion for jewelry who got their starts studying business and marketing. Turning their passion into a business, Megan and Moira recently opened a boutique {second from top} in Boston's South End neighborhood to showcase their enchanting designs.

From their chandelier tiered drop necklaces to their antique Swarovski flower earrings, each charming and elegant piece is made with the utmost attention to detail. Their special occasion accessories line, faire la fête, (French for "to party") features the perfect accessories for weddings, galas, balls and soirées.

Along with their own designs, Megan and Moria re-create timeless pieces from their grandmother's expansive costume collection and also re-work antique heirloom jewelry.



This week, in a special two-part Favourite Five feature, Moria and Megan each share with us:

. . . always adore a perfect juxtaposition -- vintage & modern, old & new, simple & ornate -- and what could be better than rough-hewn, natural elements paired with delicate chains and glamorous gold?

nallik, a word borrowed from the inuit language, cannot be translated directly, but means protection and nurturing in a loving way; according to designer jean balke, the "Inuit people appreciate that we are all connected to each other and our surroundings. They respect the environment and know it contains everything we need to live."

balke, who grew up in germany, lived in helsinki, london and san diego, currently resides in nyc; before she began designing jewelry, she worked as a photographer and art director, and has travelled to over 45 countries, drawing inspiration from the people and landscapes she has experienced along the way; the result is this utterly perfect mix of rock & refined . . .





















{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* florence & florence, uk
* lady grey, new york
* ralph lauren, paris
* neology by mina, brooklyn
* mrs. press, australia


{all images from nallik}

. . . one of my very favourite things is to catch pretty glimpses of personal affects -- perfume collections and sequined clutches, bouquets and bangles, and most of all, glittery necklaces artfully displayed . . .

{images: s.r. grambrel via simply smitten; flybutter on flickr via sacramento street}

. . . whether a perfect mix of white mattes and black frames intermingled with ever-elegant gold for a stunning display, or a glittering pavé bow ensconced between whispers of champagne-coloured silk, the artful arrangement of beautiful things never fail to inspire . . .


{images: skinny mommy; the vamoose}

. . . still and always a fascination with minerals, and most taken with the asymmetric bronze necklaces and angular bangles from brooklyn-based lady grey's beautiful sacred geometry collection, and most of all, with their stunning sprinkling of crushed jet & pyrite . . .