I've been known for being a magpie among other things - due to the fact that I adore all things sparkily, glittery or jewel encrusted (among spikes, pearls and gold jewellery). So I'm happy to show you some of my favourite jewels - and for those who know me, know that I have many jewels. I tend to invest in good quality, unique gold jewellery whenever possible because a great necklace or rings can really make or break an outfit. This beautiful crystal spike necklace purchased from the All Saints Soho flagship store earlier in the year has been waiting for its debut on Little Black Book for some time now, its just such a beautiful statement piece - one of my best buys from NYC! Also I've been meaning to show you guys my new Miu Miu glitter wedge booties - I managed to snag them at 50% off retail! Practically a steal! I can't believe next week is New Zealand Fashion Week - time flies, but now I'm getting nervous about what to pack and what to wear! Better start planning!
Gaga and alter ego Jo Calderone. Romance. Love. Passion.
Nothing about this video that disappoints. Where 'The Edge of Glory' was a heartfelt no dance, no insane video but held more meaning then spectacle, 'Yoü And I' is both - heartfelt and spectacle. Lovers will be united.
I first laid eyes on these elaborate cat eye sunglasses surprisingly in a music video clip (Bass Down Low) by Dev who is a LA based singer/songwriter and have been searching for them ever since. I have finally tracked them down and just a few moments ago paid for a pair to be delivered to yours truly. Created and designed by New York based label A-Morir by Kerin Rose, the Kitt sunglasses are described as "one bad ass motha.... listen to eartha kitt sing one note and you're hers until she stop singing. watch her slither on screen as catwoman, and you're hers until she's off camera. given her first break by orson wells she became known to the world as a captivating, cavalier, and a gangster cabaret queen".
This badass cateye piece, hand tarred with gold flake accents, are as classic as they are seductive and embody everything eartha
Received these bad boys yesterday afternoon. Pretty amazing ♥ ♥
Sorry for the semi long hiatus, with so much happening (travelling for a nearly a week to Port Douglas, swimming in the Great Barrier Reef and walking through the Daintree Rainforest then going straight back into work and with so many emails piling up from my little trip. But I am back!)
Today I was sent the latest lookbook by Australian label Gala Curios and (no joke) my heart skipped a beat -perhaps it was the beautiful selection of bronze, gold or silver elaborate pieces, or the ethereal styling of the lookbook. The collection named Mono No Aware reflects the acceptance of a transicent, imperfect notion of beauty - it is this Japanese concept which Gala Curios' fourth collection captures. Mono No Aware is an exploration of transient beauty, contrasting the permanence of jewellery with the temporal beauty of natural flora & fauna. I love how the collection has many contrasting pieces, from the delicate flower headbands or a more fiercer thorny rose stem version, bold band rings and cuffs with minature hands (very Mexican no?) or stunning flower statement necklaces and earrings.
What makes Jasmine Nior label Gala Curios' 4th collection even more striking is the fact that solid pewter castings have been taken from real rose thorns and native animal bones sourced in the Australian bush, where lost-wax castings of flowers in bloom reflect the delicacy of nature's own design, while solid brass hands embrace each other in remembrance of a momentary human touch. Mono No Aware describes the Japanese concept of the "ah-ness" of things, or the heightened sense of beauty we perceive of an object or being which will ultimately shrivel, fade, or die. This tender appreciation of the transience of beauty is intrinsically connected to nature's life cycles.
My favourite piece would definitely be the Vanitas gold ring, oh how my fingers would love to have one of these babies on them (and how my ring collection would love to have a new sister ring!).
You know when you stumble upon a new designer and are immediately encapsuled by their designs? The moment I found Darios, an accessories label by Itai Mintz who is based in Israel an involuntary little squeal escaped my throat! Itai uses wood, brass, perspex, ribbon and screws to create his current collection of geometric statement necklaces, earrings and bangles.
The official Darios website didn't work for me, however you can purchase Darios here on Sense of Fashion (which is where I found the label from). I love the intricate detailing found in his pieces and can't wait to see what he has in store for his next collection!!
Don't you love it when you just happen to stumble upon an amazing new designer? When you're trawling through web pages, or just happen to click on a link and poof. You are shown designs of a designer which you've never come across before. Well this happened to me and led me to the manor of Violet Darkling.
A luxurious, yet intriguingly edgy addition to the world of jewellery, Violet Darkling is a clever combination of wit, imagination and sophistication: welcome to the alter ego of New Zealand born designer Louisa Richwhite (she now designs and is based in London). Inspired by the 'darkness' and all things nocturnal, her outdoor roots and quirky humor, along with a desire to make life a little more magical, have created a cutting-edge first collection.
These are the jewels of Darkling Wood:
This is my favourite ring (above). I'll put it on my wishlist.
Animal skull rings which come in silver, gold and rose gold will satisfy everyone's craving for dark and mysterious rings. I particularly love her gold wolfling necklace and the rose gold owl skull necklace (image below). What makes them different from other animal skull necklaces/rings out there (think Pamela Love, which has a more grundgier feel to it) Violet Darkling adds an edge of sophistication in her execution and polished finish of her jewellery range. Fierce, dark yet delicately feminine, her designs create something truly magical. Definitely on my covet list xx
We all lusted and drooled over the MANIAMANIA debut collection Real life awaits us which featured handmade treasures, sterling silver and oxidized brass with Harlequin Quartz and calcite crystals across a range of rings, cuffs, earrings and necklaces (see above to jog your memory). Now Melanie Kamsler and Tamila Purvis, the girls behind MANIAMANIA reveal their next installment: Dust.
Bronze and silver metals enshrine crystal stones of Black Tourmaline, Turquoise and Aquamarine across a range of rings, cuffs, earrings, charms and neckpieces. The collection revisits the iconography of Ancient Egypt and the evolving aesthetic, mood and music of pop deity David Bowie.The occult symbolism of eye motifs, hieroglyphics, pyramids and crystal balls transcend and expectantly combine with the candid nature of pop. Following on from their debut collection, MANIAMANIA manages to meld the humble gemstone (in the past associated with new age stores and personalities) with metals to create a rough yet well crafted unique jewellery range into the mainstream. My particular favourites from Dust is the Afterlife ring, Parallel Universe bangle, Astral Plane choker and if you're particularly bold Labyrinth tri-ring. Definitely the one to watch, as these guys are picking up speed here in Australia!
ps- And yes the model's Bambi Northwood-Blyth. Just a bit of trivia my fellow blogger friends have conducted an study that Bambi is in fact in 13 campaigns for this season! So Australians will be seeing her face everywhere this season! Haha
pps- Tomorrow I'll be on location shooting my Unpredictable Revolution. The one where a bunch of Aussie bloggers have been given a Mimco piece from their latest collection and we get to make ourselves pretty and shoot :) So excited it will be mind blowing-ly RAD. Stay tuned xx
Unicorns, mermaids, owls, jewel encrusted pieces, pearls and all things sparkly the latest Matina Amanita collection aptly named Magical night under the starlight, where undoubtedly inspiration is taken from the heavens. Matina Amanita embraces the stars and moons in all their glory and this is conveyed throughout the collection. Jewel encrusted pendants on fine chains and dramatic drop earrings, Matina Amanita manages to stay true to her signature style yet brings her fans into a world of mystery and fantasy. Decoration is taken to new heights with chunky statement Lariat's and fine detail bracelets featuring quotes spelt out in an intricate mix of stars and jewels, easily taking any ensemble to the heavens and back. On a side note, many of you might have noticed a little change to Little Black Book where you can now see images in better detail and I knew that to fully appreciate the deliciousness of these Matina Amanita images they had to become larger. Definitely another season of drool worthy delicious sparkly jewellery that makes the magpie in me sing! Yum xx
I've always had a fascination with death. No I'm not suicidal or into wish to die myself anytime soon (though if god forbid I were to go from this world to the next then so be it) that is I acknowledge momento mori, what I mean is that I have always taken a liking to skulls in particular; within art, as decorative pieces (though I don't condone the killing of animals for this purpose, in fact I am strictly against the practice of poaching as a sport and support Peta) and in this case within jewellery. Deadly Creatures by ZM925 showcases hand carved water buffalo bone and horn to create miniture skulls of birds, boars, buffalo and giraffe. This unique range takes a modern look skulliology and the difference between the skulls in our beautiful animal kingdom. This ZM925 skull range wants to showcase the beautiful creatures and serve as an educational experience, with hopes of a greater appreciation of the natural world.
I definitely need to get my hands on a few of these, in particularly I'm looking at the owl and the giraffe :) Now I just need to decide whether or not I prefer getting it in the natural looking bone finish or the black enamel w/gold finishing....
From left to right hand: gold rabbit head ring, Disney Couture treasure chest ring, sass&bide little black cloud bunch of rings (gold plated), heirloom gemstone ring, vintage gold ring, Something Else gold bow ring
A fashion & style blog run by self confessed lilac maned unicorn blogger named Emily based in Sydney, Australia. She loves pearls, floral and all things glitter. Besides blogging, Emily works as a freelance stylist, dabbles in web design and is obsessed with tea.
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emily@littleblackbook.net.au
From left to right hand: 
Current location - SYDNEY
