Eco Chic: POKETO

Poketo's Jack Recycled Suit Tote! Jack, named after Jack Tripper in Three's Company, is 100% recycled tote with leather handles (also created from recycled leather couches), and a convenient pocket inside to carry many of your daily essentials. You can rest assured that each tote was given personal TLC by an artist who carefully “tailored” the bags, giving the clothing a second chance at life. This rather eccentric and unconventional bag enriches the range of what can be done with recycled material and creates a bold new look with a glance to the past and a strong vision into the future. Another ingenious creation by Korean non-profit design shop, Eco Party Mearry, these bags will turn heads and help our planet in the process.

Recycled Street Banner Bags! Look closer. These aren't your run-of-the-mill nylon shopping totes. These cool, modern bags are created out of street banners taken from Seoul and made by an eco-friendly non-profit shop in South Korea that specializes in creating one of a kind hand-crafted goods out of generally castoff objects. Instead of going to the dump, the banners are re-purposed into beautiful and durable bags with wonderful typography and splashes of colors. Each bag is one-of-a-kind in the world! No two are alike in color, stitching, or material origin. We can't possibly show all the images of all the bags, but trust us, the bags are wonderfully fresh with cool type and great colors. You'll be thrilled to receive a bag that no one else has in the world.

Crayon Rings! Made from washable crayons, melted down and then poured into a silicon mold. Best of all, you can even draw with it!

Daily Inspiration: Angelina Jolie - Pretty in Ink

Thai inspiration and placement of ink is perfect. I love her choice of placement for each tattoo she gets. The ink is somewhat tomboyish, yet she retains this feminine quality overall. Perhaps it's her body, her famous pout, or just her whole demeanor. All I know, is that I love the art works. Definitely pretty in ink.

NUTCASE Helmets

The most fun a helmet ever had! That is the slogan of NUTCASE helmets, and rightly so. You don't even have to ride any type of vehicle to have fun with this head gear. Streetwear chic right here for all of you who are bikers, skaters, snowboarders, water sport types, or just those who like to go against the grain of fashion and wear a helmet just to wear a helmet.

I'm obviously still on the prowl for my new helmet, so when I came across these, I was so colorfully delighted. But. Yes, there's not always a but, but sometimes there is a but. I'm still looking for the half helmet scooter style ones. BUT, come the day I get an awesome retro bike, I shall purchase myself one of these babies! They are definitely affordable AND customizable. Hooray for custom made!

Which one would you pick for the street?

Make Your Own Havaianas

Despite how cheesy this little flick is, I thought it was still pretty cute. I know some girls who'd think that the guy is cute too. I'll be sure to pass on this little post to them all so that they can swoon over the boy. Smart and creative advertising by the Asians and Havaianas. It's a shame that I'll be missing the Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH) over there, maybe next year or another location, hey?

Miraflor Romero

Introducing Miraflor Romero. My friend from Toronto, Canada. Admittedly, it's been years since I've heard her sing, and we don't really get to talk often. I don't even remember the last time I heard her sing, but I'm grateful that she's graced me once again with her hauntingly divine voice and now I want to share it with you.

Burst Of Color

You're not usually associated with color, are you? When I look at you, all I see is black, black, black and more black. You remind me of that kid that was on an ad back in the what, 90s? You know which kid I'm talking about, the "got any blacker?" kid. How could you not be associated with black, when all you seem to do is wear black, or monochromatic palettes? But I must say, you shocked me when you told me that you are currently obsessing over the following items A. because you seem to shy away from color especially PINK, B. because I see yellow gold and you're all about white gold and platinum and C. because you don't even like wearing fashion or costume jewelry. Go figure! But I guess lately you've been making an effort to include a little color into your wardrobe AND you've been wearing bits of yellow gold here and there, even if it's on your shoes (especially those really cute yellow gold sequined flats), or accessories aside from jewelry. I can safely say, I'm quite proud of you for your ever changing taste. Always about refinement and quality, aren't you? I love your selections. They are to die for. Now share it with the world, show them color!

With Love,
SVdB

From NYC with Love

This is my early birthday present from my friend in New York City of over 10 years, Jimmy N. It's hard to believe how frustrated I was trying to look for this Limited Edition BBU Palette from Bobbi Brown! I called every damn store I could think of and find that stocked Bobbi Brown, scoured every damn website out there, locally and internationally, but no luck.

See, had the girl at the department store told me that the $350 Bobbi Brown palette she was trying to sell me was limited edition, I would have bought it, but she regretfully failed to add that tad bit of information that would have guaranteed her a sale. So, leaving Bobbi Brown with just a stick of foundation, I didn't know I was doomed to never find it myself. Shaking angry fist! Breathe. Who doesn't tell you the most important bit of information there is "limited edition"!!

So, I asked Jimmy if he could check around in NYC if he could find it for me, I didn't really have much hope, but alas, the National Sales Manager at Jurlique NYC used to work for Bobbi Brown and still has connections. Et voila, it's mine for the taking! Thank God for connections, Jimmy, the Jurlique National Sales Manager in NYC and friendship... oh and not to mention 2 day express postage from UPS and a really sweet delivery man!

Happy early 25 years to me, from NYC with love!! I say that hyperventilating and smiling uncontrollably. I may look like a freak right now, but I am one happy looking freak ;)

PAPERSELF Eyelashes

The series of works starts serial inspiration design from the Chinese paper-cutting art. The engrave visual effect of the works recur a slip of the traditional culture. Eyelashes not only has been pass down the culture meaning of paper-cutting, but also enrich the story of totem, to show the new fashion and sexy with the beautiful gesture.


So what do you think of these paper-cut eyelashes designed by Ting Yu Wang from PAPERSELF? Do they make the cut? They actually kind of scare me, or is it just the model that they used in the photos? I think I'll be sticking to my natural lashes, eyelash extensions or even the ones you can buy from Shu Uemura or MAC!

Jelly Bean Bikes

+ JELLY BEAN BIKES

Bikes inspired by popular sweets, your options are unlimited – you'll be like a kid in a candy store.

With bikes becoming an increasingly popular mode of transport, it’s natural that you’d want it to be an extension of your personality. 

Jelly Bean Bikes have taken this idea and introduced a bike range where the customer selects the colour of the frame, rims, chain, seat, handgrips, pedals and even the tyres. 

You can celebrate Italian culture by riding through Lygon St. in Melbourne with a green frame, red tyres and a white bike chain, cruise through Kings Cross in Sydney in a gangster-inspired black frame with white tyres, or take on Saigon in sky blue and orange.

The single-geared bikes can be ordered online and are available in two sizes.

With the ability to customise your own set of wheels, a Jelly Bean Bike will give you that extra sense of style on your way to work or a Sunday afternoon drink, but apart from anything else, it’s a little bit of fun.
Jelly Bean Bikes

Style: Plaid & Breton Stripes

Black is my thing. Breton stripes is love. Bow-ties are ultimate cuteness. So when I combine all of these and throw on some seemingly polarized Ray-Bans, well, that's just chicness. It's French, nautical and sophisticated all in one. I love how combining stripes with a bright red bow-tie and neckline to a satin black jacket and very black (got any blacker?) jeans gives such a 'youthful sophistication'.  Oh, and who could ever forget to include patent black Louboutin pumps? Ultra sleek.

All I can say, is that he just looks great in plaid shirts and denim. Damn your Eurasian-ness for bringing that 'exotic' quality to any outfit. Oh and, he has better hair than me, I've been put to shame!

Sunshine Days

Circa 2004. The lighter side of her. She loves her yellow and her camel/cognac/tan. She's usually only seen  in a monochromatic colour palette. So embrace the warmth of this yellow and caramel. At least it was recorded somehow in her history.

Vintage Crosse

Just something from out of the archives. Sometimes I forget that I know how to design, and that I know how to make beautiful clothing. This was circa 2004. The inspiration behind this design was Frida Kahlo. I love the intricate lace top. I still have it. The model, Ericka Crosse wearing the outfit, is the only person to have worn the original piece. She looks stunning in it. 

For such an ornate looking top, you can pretty much wear it with anything from skirts, to short, jeans, leggings and whatever you want. Personally, I would wear it with some skin tight thin leather pants. I love leather and lace. Oh, and it's hard to believe that this was the first time she had ever modeled too.

What do you think of the outfit? Who wants to buy the original piece? Let me know :)

Stylish Scooter Helmets

For the past 2 weeks I've been looking for a helmet for myself. I just want a scooter half helmet as opposed to the hardcore motorcycle helmets that look quite suffocating. It's so hard to choose one, when you come across so many different and cool designs, and on top of that you can get high-end luxury designer AND custom designed ones? 

The Chanel helmets that are featured are a little over-the-top, but would you expect any less for a runway piece? The Moschino helmets on the other hand, yes well, you look like you would fit my head quite well... plus, you're not too out there for me. In as much as I adore you Chanel and Moschino, I might have to go for Vespa. He's (yes, I've decided that my helmet will be a boy -- name still to be decided) just so shiny, sleek and stylish! The soft shell look really does 'soften' the look of a helmet, and I love the tinted shades. I think I would look extremely stylish riding through the streets of Asia with you protecting my head from any bumps along the way. Maybe I'll even just walk around the streets wearing you even when I'm not riding... ;)

Eco Chic: Maloja Stylish Towels

Maloja has found a stylish way to recycle old towels as beach hoodies. The German bike and lifestyle brand is offering consumers the opportunity to give towels that might be of sentimental value but are no longer pretty enough to use anymore a new lease on life. Old towels may be sent to Maloja directly, and Maloja retailers are also taking part in the recycling program. Customers provides the towel fabrics, and in just four to six weeks, they can pick up a new hoodie for €99 plus a handling fee. Maloja is well known for its creative concepts. Founded in 2004, it achieved quick success on its fresh and innovative designs in bikewear. Today, Maloja offers a complete performance collection for biking, running, skiing, snowboarding and Nordic skiing, as well as a full lifestyle collection. The brand is sold throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico and Nepal.

What a great concept. I love how it is so eco chic! We should all recycle our clothes in a stylish and economical way. They say fashion is a cycle, so we might as well restyle and revamp what we own. Bring out the inner fashion designer in you. What do you all think of this concept?

Check out the Maloja website to find out more about what they do and who they are.