Doctor Prescribed Footwear?

These shoes by designer Gwendolyn Huskens are so creepy, yet somehow fabulous. I am strangely drawn to them...





Gwendolyn Huskens is a designer studying at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, in the department of man and identity. At the recent graduation show, she presented a set of six shoes called 'medic esthetic'. Aiming to reveal the taboos associated with physical deformities, her collection of cream and skin-toned footwear for women is made from medical materials and supplies such as plaster bandages, steel and band-aids. The result is a line of functional and oddly stylish shoes.

Day-Lab: My Unattainable Dream

Is it possible to have a favorite shopping site, but to have never purchased anything from it? Well, in my case, yes. I love Day-lab, and I look at and lust over the amazing finds on this site almost weekly. Unfortunately, Amy Shutt, the owner and operator, only takes Paypal...I don't have Paypal (bad past experience). I hate Paypal. I don't blame her...I know it is a small business and all, but I would be happy, oh so happy, if she ever decides to expand her purchase options, so I could buy instead of only dream...

Day-lab specializes in fun and affordable vintage dead stock jewelry and accessories produced from the 1930s through the 1980s, as well as independently designed and handmade jewelry, accessories, housewares, and gift items. Many of these items are unique in that they are inherently limited in availability or one-of-a-kind.

Amy has such an amazing eye...here are a few of my favorites:

Midcentury Boomerang Earring, $6.00

Headbanger Ball necklace, $16


Modernist Headband, $10


Fluid Tortoise Drop, $18.


Ivory Cluster Earrings, $8.00


Nouveau Vintage Feather Necklace, $24.


Sea Foam Flower, $10.


Carciofo Necklace, $16


Real Feather Broach, $12

Female Performers of the Harlem Renaissance

I've been reading so much wonderful Harlem Renaissance literature for my exams over the past few weeks. I'm fascinated by the descriptions of Harlem in the 20's -- the nightclubs, dancers, singers, dandies, and darlings of the stage...
Here are some inspiring photos of beautiful Harlem stage performers from Discover Black Heritage's photostream on Flickr:

Come,

Let us roam the night together,

singing.

I love you.

Across

the Harlem roof tops

Moon is shining.

Night sky is blue.
Stars are great drops
of golden dew.

In the cabaret

The jazz band's playing.

I love you.

Come,

Let us roam the night together

Singing.

["Harlem Night Song" by Langston Hughes]

Back from the Polls...

UPDATE: YES WE CAN!!!!!!! Congrats Obama!! We look forward to a better, kinder, smarter, more compassionate, more forward-thinking America!

Fur Cap: Need It, Want It, Have to Have It!

Again, Garance Dore's photos leave me speechless, and this girl is just too cute for words. I'm totally in love with this Russian fur hat...

Luckily, Urban Outfitters has a similar version on their website (it also comes in brown):

Faux Fur Pillbox Hat, $28.00

Is It Just Me?

Cinderella

Rainbow Bright



Charlie Chaplin



Cruella DeVille



Mary Poppins



Little Red Riding Hood

[All photos from Facehunter.com]

New Haircut: I Finally Did It!!

You may recall that just a short time ago I was pining for a messy 80's bob haircut ala Sherilyn Fenn of "Twin Peaks" fame. I thought about it for several months and just couldn't get up the nerve to do it...but, my damaged, unruly, dry locks really needed a change, so I got it all chopped off this weekend. It feels so much softer and healthier!! I did cry a little at first, and I really don't like the shortness of my bangs [ but they will grow quickly, right??]. I went to Forever 21 yesterday and bought 4 new flower/feather headbands, a black cloche, and a black, knit stocking cap (all for under $45, mind you) to further encourage acceptance of my new cut...I think it's working!?!

New goodies for my hair...

With a face like Sherilyn's, you can pull off any haircut...

Tesoros Trading Company: Little Gifts on the Cheap

I love giving gifts, but as I've grown older and accumulated more acquaintences, co-workers, and social networks, it has become harder and harder to always come up with something creative and thoughful for the various occasions that arise. I've come to appreciate the act of giving "little" gifts -- gifts under $10. I'm not talking about an anniversary or Christmas with the family, but rather, events like housewarmings, birthdays, dinner parties, etc. I try to consider the personality of the recipient [unless I don't know them well, and then I always just give wine], and I try to give something slightly off-kilter or unique...so when the person looks at or uses the gift [albeit small], they will remember me!

I discovered Tesoros Trading Co. while living in Austin, and their website is chock full of great little imported oddities under $10. I often order 10 or more items, so I have cool stuff stocked away when I need to grab a gift and go...

Mermaid purse mirror, Peru. $5.00.


Lucha Karate Toy, Peru. $8.50.


Heart Milagro cards, Nepal. $2.00

Floral Oven Mitt, Vietnam. $8.00.

Floral coin purse, Guatemala. $8.00.

Copper Heart, Peru. $6.00.

Sequined multi-color orn, Bangladesh. $5.00.

Floral Wrapping paper, Vietnam. $8.00


I love the oilcloth-print floral paper with a little black ribbon:

Happy Halloween To Everyone!!