Miscellany Discovered

**WARNING @ 12.09PM GMT** The site I'm about to post about is currently down at the moment for reasons unknown to me (I promise I didn't break it) so for now, just enjoy the pretty pics I saved from the This is Naive until it comes back to life...

It might surprise people to know that the blog that I probably frequent most often isn't a fashion one. Well not strictly speaking anyway. This is Naive is probably one of the first blogs that I stumbled upon through my stats when I started Style Bubble as she had kindly linked to me through her old Notes by Naive site (she's been blogging since 2003 so there's a lot to gorge upon..). The tagline 'Miscellany of a girl's life' pretty much sums it up. Tommy is originally from Singapore and she has lived in London for a while. Without trying to sound too voyeuristic and nosey, I gather she works in a creative role that allows her a lot of access to brands like Visvim, Headporter Plus that might be more familiar to South East Asian people.

She also happens to take the most wonderful pictures either via Polaroid, Lomography, digicam, mobile camera or very sleek SLR. The thing that really got me addicted to getting my daily fix of Notes by Naive is the way she photo-documents the deets of her life. The food she eats, the sky that she's seen, the shoes she's wearing, the packages she has received etc etc. I must warn you, flicking through her entries can be time consuming stuff (oh and you start salivating over her food pics...) and it's probably true that her images hold my attention longer than most. There's something very satisfying and happiness-inducing about seeing Tommy live her life to the max, eating out a lot, exploring and unearthing hidden nooks and crannies in London that I never knew existed and in the end This is Naive is a beautifully assembled bit of photo journal-ism (breaking down the word...).

This post probably also touches upon my 'Funny about Money' queries because people commented that by having a blog, there's an element of presenting your lifestyle to the world and in turn, jealousy can ensue. Well if that's the case, then I'll admit that Tommy does sometimes bring out the green eyed monster in me but not in the way that you think. Style wise, we're probably miles apart but I admire the way Tommy picks her clothes and the way she is very selective about what she buys, always going for quality over quantity, yet still relying on her inner whimsical wants...

I was so chuffed she bought these beautiful John Rocha pearl encrusted ballerina flats (pictured here in the beautiful John Rocha store in Mayfair...

...but sad that the pearls kept on falling off so I think she returned them in the end...

Her outfits lean towards the childish but not obnoxiously so...

Her style inspirations (very very hesitant to use the word 'fashion' when talking about Tommy...) are quite eclectic, from granny issues of Japanese lifestyle/food magazines to one-off Birkenstock books...

The one thing that I probably really wish that I could do to enhance Style Bubble is to make it the pretty place I've always wanted it to be, and to take the sort of images that Tommy does and this is really apparent in her Lo-Fi city guides where she helpfully lists out shop/restaurant recommendations in London, Paris, San Francisco, Portland and Singapore (I'm thinking the more she travels, the more of these she will compile...) along with beautiful lomography images of the city. Another reminder that Style Bubble Shops, a project which is floundering in my half-hearted project heap... Here's London...

...and Paris...

At the core of it all this fan girl dedication, and yes I realise I might be contradicting myself, it isn't really about being voyeuristic and having crazy bouts of 'lifestyle jealousy' but rather it's because I admire the way Tommy has presented the tidbits and aesthetic-based matter of her life in such a way that makes it quite a delight to go back into her archives and surf (I don't archive surf that often...). As someone who is interested in the act of 'compulsive clicking' both from a professional viewpoint and a personal one, and as I'm at a bit of a 'Style Bubble rut' at the moment, Notes by Naive is definitely getting the mind cogitating...

Bruxelles Revisited

I'm rather entranced by this floral A1 sized invitation to this year's student show of the La Cambre school in Brussels, Belgium which I attended last year. Except this year, my role will be a little different as I'm going as part of the jury to assess the 4th and 5th year's work, which should be interesting and make me feel awkward in all sorts of ways. If you're anywhere near Brussels on the 6th or 7th, show tickets are now up for sale.

Anyhow, must take note of the flowers and sleek hair.... why will my goddamn barnet not stay sleek like this....? An indepth question that I must keep pondering as well as asking myself exactly what to intelligently say about the students' work in the presence of worldly fashion people...

Jes MaHarry Jewelry Designer

California artist Jes MaHarry is influenced and inspired by her surroundings - her ranch near Ojai, her animals, and the ever-changing beauty of nature. Her jewelry is intensely personal, always inspiring, and often surprising in its unusual juxtaposition of refined and rugged elements. For Jes, what began as a quiet observation of nature, has evolved into a passionate love, not only of nature, but of life itself.





Frog Pond Ring

With the mysterious green beauty and shiny depths of a natural forest pool, a dimensional Prehnite cabochon is framed by a leaf-etched bezel on a textural silver band.



Named after its discoverer Colonel Hendrik von Prehn, Prehnite is an attractive collection mineral that is used for jewelry and occasionally used for ornamental stone purposes. Its color is usually a very beautiful green that appears in a shade that could be considered unique to Prehnite. Found in association with volcanic rocks, it usually forms in aggregates and has a rather thick crust with a rough or crystalline texture. The rough texture makes it difficult for faceting but it can be cut in a cabochon to reveal its unusual color.





Mighty Oak Necklace

Jes MaHarry adorns an assortment of handmade sterling links with charms and philosophy. The center charm is etched with a mighty oak on one side, and the words grow strong on the other. The words enjoy life, dream, and love + joy are inscribed upon individual links. Made in USA with a lobster clasp. Approx. 21-1/2"L.



Jes MaHarry's Sun Horse Ranch is in the Ojai valley, a couple of miles outside town. Room to roam for the herd of animals the artist has been collecting - horses, dogs, cats. The aged parrot. The pair of wild burros, just rescued from starvation in the Nevada desert. Jes and her partner, metalsmith Patrick Henderson, have only been on this land for a short time. They've already built a house filled with light, a hay barn, and an expanded Sun Horse workshop - not to mention corrals, paths and the beginnings of a semi-desert garden.





Pearl of Truth Earrings

Endless rings of 14k rose gold represent the wholeness of life.

Each hovers beneath a cultured white pearl, Jes's symbol for truth.

Handcrafted in USA with 14k gold lever backs.



Jes wanted to make jewelry before she knew how to. She comes from a family of artists in New York State. Her earliest pieces used found objects: earrings made with feathers, creek stones and rusty bottle caps, and old washers pounded into rings. She taught herself the fine art of silversmithing, then worked drudge jobs after college to finance her jewelry-making equipment, purchasing one piece at a time. Now her palette includes authentic African trade beads, Gaspeite, Tibetan Turquoise, Oxblood Coral, Sterling Silver and 14k Gold.



Artist Statement

Family tradition gave me the freedom to experiment, to take risks and create the life and art I wanted. People say my pieces make them feel good; some people wear my jewelry as a personal amulet. If the pieces bring good luck, I think maybe it comes from my absolute love of doing it. Of designing every piece. Maybe the good luck comes from what goes into the work - passion, hope, and some feeling for risk, for adventure, for overcoming any challenge.



I design my jewelry with the hope that it will bring a bit of beauty to our world, and a measure of solace and peace to you. I try to represent the wonder of the natural and spiritual worlds through my work. I hope it resonates in a deeper place within you. Be free and love life.

Our Mission

We believe that through compassion, there is beauty. Through love, there is art. We believe that we are only free through being kind. That there is grace in generosity. We believe that there is dignity in all living things.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Jewelry Designer for Princesses - 08 March 2007

Designer Jewelry by Rhonda Reagan - 16 January 2008

Donna D'Aquino Jewelry Designer - 25 February 2008

Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.

Isn’t Blingier Better?

According to this article on AOL, sparklier diamonds are often actually fakes (especially with a rainbow sparkle). And then I think, “then give me the fake!” What I want especially out of my engagement ring (or any diamond) someday is such a brilliant cut, etc., that it's as sparkley as can be. So why is genuine always better?

Can an inspired BAG be better than the higher priced originals? I once though I liked my Birkin-style bag from Wilson's Leather because it had shoulder straps (like the JPG Shoulder Birkin) but now I think, “eww, long straps!” (To be fair, they weren't, like, down at my hip long or anything!) So maybe the experts always know what's best for us, even if we do not? I mean, higher quality (if it exists in higher price - but that's another entry) usually means longer life. Diamonds may NOT be “forever” but they can cut up a mean amount of things, while remaining in tact. While I want my true love to be gentler than that, I want our feelings toward each other to be just as tough to trials and time. Genuine diamonds DO kind of give that statement.

Of course, they also give the statement, “I don't care who's blood shed for your diamond, honey, I love you so much, I just care about you having your selfish bling!”

What says love like the uncaring of all others, huh?

I snark, I snark. Seriously, what do you think?

Stay tuned, for in a few days I'll feature some obviously fake, but totally fun, bling. (I promise, for I made such a ring myself, and how can I resist the publicity?)

the taj mahal

The Taj Mahal is an extraordinary complex of mausoleum, guest house, mosque and gardens, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. To miss the crowds, I arrived at 6 am by rickshaw as the last two miles surrounding the Taj Mahal is not open to cars. The air pollution here in Agra, as in most congested areas of India, is extreme, but cannot detract for me from the overwhelming and mystic, if also somewhat cryptic beauty of this monument of love for a lost wife.

In the 1630s, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan wanted to build a perfect memorial to his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal after she died giving birth to their 14th child. He employed twenty thousand workers, and a thousand elephants to complete the structure, which still reflects the greatest talents of Persian design.

The main focus is the white marble tomb (photography is prohibited inside) which has a spectacular marble dome. At the corners of the plinth stand four minarets, each more than 40 metres tall, and perfectly symmetrical. Because of the Islamic prohibition on the depiction of human forms, the Taj Mahal is decorated with flower and leaf motifs (inlaid with semi-precious stones), geometric patterns and Arabic calligraphy which depicts passages from the Qur'an.

The garden is meant to symbolize paradise. In contrast to the white marble of the tomb, the mosque, guest house and gatehouse are made of dark, red sandstone.

Only One Day Left!

You're down to 36 hours, dear readers, to "Show Us Your Denim!" That's right, the submissions are flying in fast and furious, but there's always room for more. Look, you don't have to shred a pair of jeans (yes, those were pants at one time) like Martin Margiela did for his Maison Martin Margiela Spring 2008 RTW line, right, you just have to take the denim and make it your own.

All entries must be received by midnight on Friday, May 2nd. The voting will occur during Goodwill Industries Week, May 5th - 8th, and the winner will be announced on Friday, May 9th. And the prizes (yes, that's plural) are really fantastic. I can't say exactly how fantastic they are, but trust me...you're gonna love it.

Oh, and the Levi's denim drive is still going on, too, in select markets around the country. Can't wait to see what we get from that.

Oh, and the Goodwill Good Buys of the Week are up and running on shopgoodwill.com. If you want the direct links, check out the comments section of Tuesday's blog.

Oh, and speaking of Goodwill Industries Week, next week's blogs are going to be jam-packed with fun fashion and historical info about Goodwill that you probably never knew before. I have trivia. I have pictures (Like the one to the right. Remember when we all wanted perms?). I have an exclusive interview. I have special announcements. I have great outfits to post. I have confidence in sunshine. I have confidence in rain. Sound of Music? Anybody? Anybody?

Anyway, uh, yes, where was I? Oh, right. Next week's a big week for us at Goodwill of Greater Washington and I want to share some of that with you, my dear readers, who make this blog so fantastic.

So if you haven't yet, hie it to your local Goodwill, get yourself some denim, impress with with your customization skills, and send pictures to fashion@dcgoodwill.org.

I can't wait to see what you can do!

Goodwill’s fashion blog provides detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to fashion shoppers. The facts and opinions shared present readers with entertaining, exciting and value based information on vintage and contemporary fashion and shopping trends.

i came, i saw, i oystered

...and I'm still in awe.
It's been a busier weekend than I had anticipated, but please check back in the next day or two for NYC.

Update: et voila!

I'm on a rough-edged ruffle high...

(1 and 2)

D'Lovely

I try to look at every bag not as just something I would carry (if I did, then chances are this would be hobos and totes every day) but something I can appreciate, or might notice if I saw someone else carrying it. And once in a while, I come across a bag that I'd love to carry, even though it is so very not my style.

The D'Bour flap bag is one of the loveliest bags I've seen of late. In lipstick red leather which has a croco print (not embossed, it is a raised print) body, and a wrinkled leather overlay, it is a fabulous study in tone on tone. The textures make you want to just reach out and touch. There is minimal hardware, which avoids what could have been a busy look.
The bag is a square shape, which feels very fresh to me, on a handle that is stiff enough to hold it's shape, but long enough to be used as a satchel or in the crook of your arm (the bag is a bit boxy to rest comfortably on the shoulder, it seems).
While I think it would work well with jeans or dressier clothes, the one caveat is neatness...this is the sort of bag that instantly makes any look more polished. I think it a fantastic option for anyone who loves the look of a structured bag, but wants to stand apart from the big brand designer flock.
The Flap Bag from D'Bour looks as expensive as those big designer bags, but is pretty reasonable at $590. It is also available in cream croco, and 3 unprinted colors from D'BOUR.
Note: the online store is not working currently, e-mail them at sales@dbour.com.

eVintage Blog Tag - the 1960s

Today’s theme for the eVintage Blog Tag ...the 60’s. I was tagged by Vintage Joy

Are you a MAD MEN kinda gal (ritzy cocktail dresses, wiggle silhouette, draped and ruched silk chiffon, pointy toe stilettos, a cigarette and martini) or a MOD dolly (sleek lines, go go boots, oversize sunglasses, pilgrim buckle square toe shoes, paper dresses, micro mini skirts, patterened tights, white lipstick and fake lashes)? Do tell.

MOD OR MAD MEN?
Mad Men.

FAVE PIECE IN YOUR INVENTORY FITTING THE BILL?
For a Day at the office - a cute Purple Wool Shift Dress
For night - a simple but sexy Black Strappy Cocktail Dress



ICONIC EARLY 60s STARLET?
Ann-Margret



LATE 60’s?
Pattie Boyd -



SINATRA OR THE SWINGIN’ 60s SCENE?
Swinging 60s Scene

Follow the tag over to Diary of a Mad Vintage Addict

Rene Caovilla for the Monday

Manolo says, it is Monday, and you know what that means, that you are back at the office, slaving away for the Man. Sometimes, your job is fulfilling and meaningful, but other times, such as today, you are filled with ennui.

What is needed in such case is the jolt of fantasy, and so the Manolo would recommend leaning back in your reproduction Aeron chair, closing your eyes, and imagining for 60 seconds who you would seduce Mata Hari-style while wearing these exotic and super sexy sandals from Rene Caovilla.

And begin.....

Want to snag a man? Then shut up.

With the possible exception of impressionable young children, most everyone knows that Disney's The Little Mermaid is pretty messed up (give up your voice for a man, literally! woohoo!). My friend Katelyn and I seem to spend most of our time together alternating between angrily discussing this fact and breaking into passionate renditions of "Part Of Your World" (What can I say? Old habits die hard).

In an attempt to branch out at our coffee date today, we were trying to remember the words to Ursula's classic aria, "Poor, Unfortunate Souls". We failed miserably, so I looked up the lyrics online when I got home, and GOOD GOD if you haven't re-watched the movie as an adult, you've gotta read this:

[Ursula:] I'm not asking much. Just a token, really, a
    trifle. What I want from you is . . . your voice.
[Ariel:]  But without my voice, how can I -
[Ursula:] You'll have your looks! Your pretty face! And don't
    underestimate the importance of body language! Ha!

The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore
Yes, on land it's much preferred
For ladies not to say a word
And after all, dear, what is idle prattle for?

Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
But they dote and swoon and fawn
On a lady who's withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who gets her man

Kind of makes you wonder why the Ariel dress from the Disney Princess bridal collection doesn't come with a jewel-encrusted gag, huh?

page six

If you're lucky enough to be in Australia (instead of being trapped by blizzard #40 in the Northern Hemisphere), check out The Cloth Issue of map magazine for a short q&a with me. It's also available to read online, and on flickr.

A blog about blogs - plus size blogs, that is

One thing I like about being part of the plus community is reading what other people have to say on issues related to size, and particular, to fashion. So I want to link you to some of my favorite plus size places to visit on the web:

Too Fat For Fashion - This blog is the most high style of any of the plus size fashion blogs I've ever read. They cover all the Elana Miro runway shoes, write smart articles on the state of fashion, and they really know how to co-opt straight size trends for our size. A must read.

Pretty Pear - A mix of scoop on sales and fashion advice. Has lots of good links too.

Big Fat Deal - Interesting, funny and thought provoking. Only occasionally about fashion, but the blogs are always about something interesting.

Big Fat Blog - This site gets a little too fat activist-ish for me sometimes, but it covers a lot of interesting news articles related to obesity and how plus size people are portrayed in the media. I may not always agree but I am always intrigued.

Oh, and my fave blog ever, although not remotely related to size or fashion really, is:

Dooce - You have to read the background on this site to really get a feel for it. The writer Heather started blogging about her job as a hobby, then got fired for writing about her job on her blog, then eventually came to write such a popular blog that her blog is now her full time job. She writes about being a former mormon, raising a beautiful but challenging little girl, being married and other funny stuff like bodily functions. The blog is so popular that her dog now has its own calendar. Nuff said.

Bound Earth Jewelry

Wow! Talk about getting back to nature. Andrea Williams at Bound Earth Jewelry definitely has an earthy side, pun intended. She has found a way to create wonderful organic jewelry using Mother Nature's original creations. The best thing is, she leaves the stones in their natural state, and only decorates or enhances them with precious metals.



Beach Stone Jewelry:





Sa Necklace

Sa is a Tibetan word meaning earth.

Sterling Silver and beach stones.





Kyuma Black Stone Ring

Kyuma is a Tibetan word meaning magic.

Sterling Silver and beach stones.



In this design, Andrea has created a perfect likeness of the lotus blossom, in silver and gold.





Kebyar Pendant

Kebyar is a Balinese word meaning the process of flowering.

16" silver cable, 1" round disc.

Sterling Silver and 22k Gold.



Artist Statement

Growing up in Maine, I spent my summers sailing the coast, exploring its forests, rugged islands, and tidal pools. By age six, I could recognize most native plants and animals, and was forever fascinated with the limitless variety nature provides.



My jewelry is an expression of the wonder I sense in the overlooked intricacies in nature. When we see stones in infinite numbers underfoot at the beach, we cannot help but to miss the unique perfection in each. I use precious metals in conjunction with seemingly ordinary organic materials to capture that sense of wonder in each piece. A wearable reminder of the beauty within.



I live on the water. I stack rocks for fun. I collect seed pods. I spend summer days gardening. I find beauty in improbable places.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Dawn Vertrees Jewelry Designer - 14 March 2008

Alexis Bittar Jewelry Designer - 14 April 2008

Lori Bonn Jewelry Designer - 17 April 2008

Asch Grossbardt Jewelry - 29 April 2008

Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.

Ooh! Sneakers!

Are these, or are they not, insufferably adorable? Seriously, these are the cutest things I've seen since my son was two.

And I know, I know, I've sworn undying devotion to the shoes of Jack Purcell, but a girl can LOOK, can't she?

I think it's the extremely low vamp, which I think always looks feminine and dainty. (YES, no matter HOW big your feet are. Seriously.) In fact, this reminds me of a holy-grail pair of shoes: the very-low-vamp saddle shoe. There was a girl in my junior high who had a pair, and damned if I can remember her name, what she looked like, whether she was even in any of my classes ... but I remember the low-cut two-tone saddle shoes she had. In detail. It was a sad, sad day when I finally figured out where she got them (Thom McAn! Back when they had standalone stores!) and got my folks to take me to the mall ... only to find they were sold out of my size.

Anyway, nostalgic digression aside, these are some darn cute sneakers. (Click on the image if your first reaction is OMG MUST HAVE NOW.) And if you were one of the folks who emailed me last summer about what sneakers go well with skirts? Here's the answer. (But, purist that I am ... I'd put laces in 'em.)

The Weitzman Gladiator Sandals

Manolo says, this week the Manolo has been thinking much about the gladiator sandal trend, to the point that tomorrow his column will be dedicated to the topic. However, today he wishes to show you these, the Gladio from Stuart Weitzman, which are undoubtedly the most delicate gladiator sandals ever made.

Style at Silhouettes! Part 1

Silhouttes is a catalog and website catering exclusively to plus size women, and it's a brand that until recently I hadn't paid much attention to. Someone showed me their stuff recently and I was SO impressed. They are working on a more fashion forward look for their brand, bringing in some younger trends, using plus size models now in their photos, and making clothes that young, fashionable plus women would want to wear. I decided to snatch up a few of the pieces and I am thrilled with what I got. Here are a few of my scores:


Leather Jacket

This leather jacket comes in both black and bronze, but I of course snatched it up in the bronze. The bronze makes a real statement - the jacket would be perfect over a dressy outift for a night on the town. The leather is really soft, and the fit is tailored but not tight - more like outerwear than a blazer. It sells for $149 and comes in sizes 12-26.











Velvet Dress With Brooch

I don't this picture can truly do justice to how gorgeous this dress is. First of all, it fis PERFECTLY. The velvet is not clingy, it just slides down your curves fabulously and shows them up. Second, the ruching detail is super flattering, and the brooch is gorgeous. My only comment would be that girls with large chests may want to take the brooch to get re-inforced (sewn on a little more securely) just to make sure it doesn't come off. Oh and the best part - you can even wear the dress with a regular bra!





My Silhouettes scores were more than just these 2 pieces, but I wanted to start you off with a sampler, and will post more later this week. Coming up: a hot belt, and a delicious pair of sexy wide calf boots!

Blog the Blogger: Shoegal

Cheers, dear readers. Hope you're having a jolly good Friday morning. What's with all this Brit talk? Well that's because today's Blog the Blogger comes to us from across the pond. (Oh, if you need to know how to draw the Union Jack, the Cheltenham Borough Council has a guide, at right. Just sayin'.)

Shoegal lives in Yorkshire, UK, and almost daily blogs about what she's wearing, especially her - big surprise here - shoes. She's super-tall like the DC Goodwill Fashionista, so we're kindred spirits in that way. Enjoy her wacky British spelling and terminology (I kid!) as she answers the DCGF's soon-to-be-famous five (plus one) questions...

1. What is the first article of clothing you remember that you loved to wear? Oh this is a tough one. I remember I had a pink dress when I was about 8 or 9. It was made of heavy cotton, kind of like denim, with elastic ribbing on the cuffs, hem and roll neck, like the cuff on a sweatshirt. It was a drop waist style with a button on either side. It was given to me by my older (and therefore far cooler than me) neighbour. She would pass on many of her old clothes over the years and I loved getting a bag of them, it was so exciting to see what was inside. Sadly I don’t think there are any photos of me wearing the dress otherwise of course I’d share.

2. Where is your favorite place to shop for a fashion bargain in the DC area? I’ve never been to DC so I can’t answer this one! Can I tell you about my favourite place to shop in the UK? [Well, okay... -the DCGF] It has to be Long Tall Sally. When they have a sale on. Regular readers of my blog will know I am a big fan of this shop and its website as I am so tall. There’s always something here to fit and the styles are not limited to black trousers and jeans as so many other tall ranges on the British high street seem to be. [I found the cute dress at left on sale for ?40, or about US$80. -the DCGF] Tall ladies of the US, you don’t know how lucky you are – there are so many more retailers over there carrying tall styles than there are in the UK.

3. Where is your favorite place to shop for a fashion bargain outside of DC? I think I covered that in question 2 but for a real bargain, it has to be one of the many, many charity shops that can be found in my home town and local to where I live now. I am a particular fan of the fact that you can buy shoes for ?2.99 (US$6 ish) that would have cost much more than that new. My favourite pair is these black and cream ones worth ?45 (US$90).

4. Who is your current favorite designer? I have to say I tend to watch what is going on on the high street [Translation: the general shopping district in a town in the UK... -the DCGF] more than on the catwalks, but Alberta Ferretti can always come up with a pretty frock or two. [And a great shoe; see left. -the DCGF] And of course, being Shoegal, it’s got to be Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahnik for the high end shoes and boots.

5. If you could own any single item from fashion past or present - money is no object! - what would it be? This is hard. I am totally in love with these NYLA over the knee suede boots. Of course my legs are so long they’d be just up to the knee on me – the perfect length. They come in red too if you’re feeling really daring...

Bonus Question: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop? My typically British answer: What is a Tootsie Pop? Wait, I’ll Google it…. Good old Wikipedia! But I’m still not sure – do they have a hard sugar coating? If they do it’ll take me ages to get to the centre – those boiled sweet lollies always took me ages to eat – I’d get bored and crunch it in the end.

Ahaha - boiled sweet lollies! Delicious! I love it. Isn't it great to get an international perspective? And Shoegal just did this fun thing on her blog where she listed where here readers come from around the world. It's always fun as bloggers to know where our readers our reading the blog.

Well, dear readers, I have a nasty cold and am out of clever things to say. Don't forget to "Show Us Your Denim" (see yesterday's post) and drop off your gently used jeans at a participating Levi's retail store near you, if you live in San Fran, L.A., Chicago, NYC, or the D.C. metro area. Have a great weekend...

Goodwill’s fashion blog provides detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to fashion shoppers. The facts and opinions shared present readers with entertaining, exciting and value based information on vintage and contemporary fashion and shopping trends.