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 ;)