“Oh my God. Oh my God!” is the first thing that came out of my mouth after seeing the amazingly perfect bags from Travelteq— actually, it was more like, “uhmygahd. UHMYGAHD!”

I’ve yet to get a new bag for the beginning of school, and though I’m still in love with the MICHEAL Michael Kors Hamilton tote, the Trash Cougar in red may have just done one of those wrestling moves where you leap off the corner of the ring onto your opponent leaving him gasping for breath while you put him in a sleeper hold until he taps out. Yup, that’s how major this bag is!

I can just see myself hurriedly stuffing my laptop into this bag at the end of class after spending the entire hour and a half chatting on Facebook with friends (professors don’t, or at least pretend not to, know the difference). Then, as I rush out of class I’ll “accidentally” drop my pen (even though there’s a pen compartment) in front of the cute guy two rows over, inevitably starting a conversation and maybe even scoring a free lunch.

This bag would also pair perfectly with those, yet to be planned fashion week outfits. Imagine teetering out of Lincoln Center in your 5-inch heels, cropped pencil trousers and effortlessly chic top, looking oh-so-gamine, only to be tapped on the shoulder by some mysterious stranger. As you twirl around— in slow motion, of course— you see Scott Schuman behind you asking to snap you for The Sartorialist. You gladly oblige, trying to not to look to posed while smizing like Tyra taught you, and before you leave you pull out a business card from the easily accessible business card pocket on the Trash Cougar and hand it to him making sure to mention you write a blog as well. END SCENE.

You can replace Scott Schuman with any sexy stranger asking to do whatever you wish, but the point is, this bag is what dreams are made of. Oh, please Santa, come early and bring me the Trash Cougar! I promise I’ll stop flirting with guys at the bar for free drinks— ok, I’ll cut back, cold turkey is tough— and I won’t keep questioning why some of my friends insist on being trapped in middle America when they could move to either coast. Please, please!

To buy the Travelteq Trash Cougar, or any of the other Trash bags, visit www.travelteq.com.

There’s no denying, when it comes to jewelry, it’s all about making a statement. Lately, the general rule of thumb for necklaces has been go big or go home. From chunky collars to long layers and even knotted chains, gaudy pieces are up for grabs everywhere. However, many forget, sometimes you make the biggest statement by saying little to nothing at all.

In a transitional month like September when the strappy sandals and micro minis are turning into platform boots and below-the-knee swingy skirts, it more than makes sense that the jewelry should follow suit. It’s also fun to juxtapose the crisp lines of seasons past with soft, simple jewelry.

When looking for the perfectly-simple, standout necklace the key isn’t to find the thinnest chain with the tiniest charms— unless, of course, that’s what you want— the trick is to let the effortless nature of the piece make the statement.

Take the Tom Binns necklace for example. The necklace consists of a long strand of crystal pearls (that means fake) and a fun 24K bottle opener (hello 22nd birthday present!). The key to the entire look is the brilliant paradox of a classy strand of pearls and a frat-boy-badge- of- honor bottle opener. There’s also a less obvious juxtaposition in pairing natural objects with man-made objects as seen in the necklace from Shop The Look.

Other fantastic simply-stated necklaces give the big ‘ol finger to the statement necklace trend. The allure of the Topshop necklace is it’s just a long gold rope, while the simplicity of the Forever21 necklace only adds to the “it’s from Forever21” shock value.

No matter your age, style or price range, with beauties like these, you’ll be noticed without having to be, and look, over the top. So, here’s to all the understated and underestimated necklaces that are just screaming to be showcased.

I’ve spent the last 10 years avoiding a normal backpack. At this point, I couldn’t tell you the appropriate way to walk whilst two straps are latched to your shoulders. I have, however, become an expert on the perfect non-backpack school bags. Kitschy totes are always fun, but as you get older, a more professional bag for lugging around books at school and to carry extra shoes to an internship becomes necessary.

When on the hunt for the perfect school/work bag, I look for the following attributes:

Spaciousness - Bags have to be wide enough to fit my laptop and tall enough to hold folders and notebooks.

Structure - I love hobo bags just as much as the next girl, but a bag with too much slouch becomes bothersome when digging for pens or a cell phone carelessly tossed in the sack.

Universality - I never expect my bag to match perfectly with every outfit, but I do like them to “go.” Choosing neutral colors (dark hues and metallics count) enables me to wear almost any outfit without having to change my bag.

Durability - I plan on throwing lots of books, and the like, in my school bag, so finding a handbag that won’t fall apart at the first sign of stress is a must.

My dream school bag is the MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton bag, but I’ve yet to decide whether I want to spend almost $300 on this bag or on a potential plane ticket to visit friends in other states. I really love the bag, though!

This morning, I plopped myself on a bench at my train station forsaking the God-awful hour I had to wake up. Then, I say a girl giving the strangest sideways glance at me. As she passed, she simply smiles and says, “I like your shoes!”

I couldn’t help but laugh to myself because: A) I could have sworn she was thinking something terrible (talk about giving people the benefit of the doubt) and B) These Michael Kors shoes aren’t even mine, they’re my mom’s.

Maman, as I often call her, happens to be a giant fan of Michael Kors— by fan, I mean she would stalk him if she knew how. She’ll buy anything as long as there is a MK somewhere on it, and these sexy platform sandals, which happen to be too big for both of us, are one such purchase.

However, I’m not complaining. Not only did I choose to wear the unbelievably cute, not to mention tall, sandals, but I was complimented on them within the first 30 minutes of use. Think of all the compliments I’ll get in 12 or more hours of wear!

Michael Kors, I salute you, for adding to my vanity and making amazing clothes and accessories.

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So, when I read about this glistening Swarovski John Paul Gaultier Ring on Chic Report, I had to have it. Then, I realize it was $250, and I might only own this beauty in my mind.

The ring may be pricey, but I can still lust over it’s crystallized meteorite nature. It’s the kind of ring I’d imagine wearing if I was a character on Star Trek and getting married.

Even, with it’s almost SciFi feel, the ring can be worn without throwing up the Spock hand. I’d most likely wear it with a simple outfit— think white tee and jeans or any of it’s basic counterparts— but it can be worn with a flashier outfit without being too much or getting lost.

It’s pretty much the perfect ring. Who wants to be the perfect Trekkie-lover and buy it for me? I promise, I only hoard Swarovski crystals, not Lithium Crystals.

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I first saw the top ring in the April 2010 issue of Marie Claire— it’s the one with Heidi Klum on the cover wearing Anthony’s winning dress from Project Runway Season 7, Episode 5. As soon as I saw the ring I was smitten, and the more than $1,000 price tag made no difference. After a night of dreaming, I quickly went in search of more Kara Ross wood-creations, and found a treasure trove of statement rings.

There is something quite charming about their ode to nature underscored by a glamorous sensibility. If Pocahontas and Cinderella created rings, these ones by Kara Ross would be them. The shapes and primary material are very organic for the wood nymph in us, while the 18K gold and pave diamonds still evoke a fairy princess, anything-can-happen feeling.

What did I tell you about springtime and a hippie sentiment? ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/03/15/current-lust-wood-and-diamond-rings/feed/ 2 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/03/09/loving-the-little-bag/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/03/09/loving-the-little-bag/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:54:42 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1774 Peggy Foldover by Diane von Furstenberg, $395

I need a small bag. The last bag I had that was smaller than eight inches in height and a few inches deep was in seventh or eighth grade— that’s almost seven years ago. The only thing that could convince me to downsize was this gorgeous little clutch by Diane von Furstenberg.

The DVF ‘Peggy Foldover’ is perfectly bohemian. The tan color is wonderful for spring and the gold accents remind me of sunnier days to come.

I, however, am more likely to splurge on shoes than a bag, so I’ve found less expensive bags that remind me of the DVF clutch. Some of the bags have great gold touches while others simply have that boho flair.

Multi Stud Pyramid Clutch Bag from Topshop, $60 • Metal Beaded Clutch by Ecote, $28 • Studded Quilted Clutch by Forever21, $16 • Double Pocket Cross-Body Bag from Urban Outfitters, $88

Though a smaller bag is totally clutch (pun intended), I’m going to have to figure out what I can live without because I won’t be able to fit my entire life in the cool little bags.

Talk Back: When you carry a clutch, what do you put in your bag?

Thanks to Robert Duffy, my favorite new twitter-er, I have been fully inundated with Marc Jacobs fashion week prep, and made aware of the newest Marc by Marc Jacobs collaboration with Maripol, the wonderful woman who started Madonna on the path to becoming a style icon back in the eighties. The first time I heard the name Maripol was during an interview I did in 2008 with Rob Diament of Temposhark fame. This time around, having known her history, I was beyond excited to see the pieces from the line.

According to Mr. Duffy, the Maripol collection retails from $4-$25 for jewelry and $35 dollars for t-shirts. Though I wasn’t invited to last nights launch party— tears will be shed the first, and maybe second, third and fourth, time I receive an invite to a Marc Jacobs event— I do plan on getting my hands on this Maripol Plastic Spike Necklace ($25).

The rest of the line is full of bright, playful colors, geometric shapes and loads of atomic references. You can preview the pieces on the Marc Jacobs website and purchase them at Marc by Marc Jacobs locations— that means those in NYC for fashion week, or just life, should make their way to Bleecker St.

The ex-biology student in me can’t get enough of the atomic creations. They make me want to strap on a apron, don some gogs (i.e. goggles), and titrate something. Where’s my phenolphthalein?

Though, I’m not really the type of girl who spends her free time planning her wedding to Mr. Right, every now and then, I do see something that makes me think, “that would be perfect for my wedding.” I think, this ring, though not diamond and only $130, would be an amazing engagement ring for the girl, like me, who couldn’t see herself wearing a standard solitaire or  a “Past, Present, Future” three-stone diamond ring (my mom likes to refer to them as “Today, Tomorrow, Whenever” rings), not matter the color, cost, clarity, or cut of the diamonds.

Having given such thought to this one ring, I was eager to see what other gems could be found on Desideri Design Jewelry. Uniquely crafted necklaces and earrings can also be seen on the site, but it’s the rings that really get me all hot and bothered.

I love the woven gold-filled wire making up the base of the ring and the gem/bead choices are right up my alley. It all seems very modern meets mythic, one of my favorite paradoxes. ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/27/a-ring-for-today-tomorrow-whenever/feed/ 1 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/26/a-different-kind-of-pop-up/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/26/a-different-kind-of-pop-up/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:49:39 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1651 More and more, I’m starting to see the fashion industry become accepting of social media and networking. Bloggers are all over the fashion show invite lists, stores are releasing crisis management statements on social networking sites, and now, designer Rachel Roy is using Facebook to give the word pop-up a whole new meaning on the Internet.

Rachel has teamed up with soulful and sexy songstress Estelle to create a limited edition jewelry collection for the Rachel | Rachel Roy brand. Though the line, featuring statement necklaces, bracelets and earrings ranging from $34 to $50, will be available in stores, those tech savvy fashionistas can get a sneak preview and partake in a completely different VIP shopping experience on the Rachel Roy Facebook page (fans only) starting February 9th and lasting three days.

What can be more exciting than that?

Well, this gorgeous full-finger petal ring— it reminds me of the irises that grew in my childhood garden— was designed by Rachel and Estelle to give as gifts to their closest friends and family (besties, mothers, aunts, daughters, etc.) and if you’re desperate to be one of the beautiful people or just adore the uniqueness of the ring, you can score this hot commodity exclusively during the three-day digital pop-up shop too.

Now, there’s actually a good excuse to spend your life on Facebook! ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/26/a-different-kind-of-pop-up/feed/ 1 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/26/charmed-im-sure/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/01/26/charmed-im-sure/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:52:29 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1629 Click image to view larger.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Contrived to Charm, a wonderful Etsy Seller who sold hand-tolled leather belts that pretty much made me salivate on my laptop when I saw them? Well, I went ahead and actually purchased one of the belts— the ‘Villainess Belt’ to be exact— and, I’m so excited about getting the chance to wear it and its 3 different matching ribbons— I received the extras because I had to wait a little longer than normal, no biggie!

When there is a choice of whether to wear a belt or not wear a belt, I tend to pick the former. Belts are the one accessory that can completely change the look of your body. If worn high, a belt can elongate your legs and vice versa for the torso. They can add a bit of wow to an outfit, give you curves, and even make you look thinner. They’re little leather wonders.

Since the ‘Villainess Belt’ I ordered from Contrived to Charm is a corset style belt, I can pretty much cinch my waist down to nothing. However, it’s quite painful squeezing your insiders together, thus, a nonexistent waistline is a non-option. I will, however, suffer in the slightest and cinch my waist a bit smaller, so I can feel like the Vargas Girls whose corsets gave them dangerous curves an the tiniest of tiny waists.

What I’m Wearing:
Dress – Twinkle by Wenlan
Cardigan – Threads
Belt – Contrived to Charm

Mermaid Scales Belt, $120  •  Fairytale Sweetheart Belt, $49 • Shoe Spat Belt, $74 • The Villianess Belt, $49

The anticipation of Tim Burton’s latest masterpiece Alice in Wonderland (release date: March 5, 2010), starring the incomparably talented Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, is building in the fans of the notorious director and actor and fashion luminaries alike.

Fashion, an industry that thrives off whimsy and the oddly creative, provides the perfect companion to the buzz already surrounding this fanciful film, and many designers including Tom Binns and most recently Stella McCartney (via Elle UK) are provide consumers of the world with their very own Wonderland inspired pieces. However, simply by heading to Etsy.com, you can find a plethora of undiscovered talent who live for the fabled look. Contrived to Charm is one store filled with such talent.

The hand-tooled leather corset belts not only are evocative of the fanciful dress of fairytales including dark, whimsical ones like Alice in Wonderland, but they also create the beautiful hourglass shape for which women lust.

Having a long torso, belts are a must for me when trying to easily create the illusion of a proportional body or at the very least model-long legs, and with any and all of the belts, the styling possibilities seem endless. They could be worn with almost any fabric, cut, or design. Cinch a simple shirtdress with one of the Contrived to Charm’s carved creations to turn an otherwise basic look into “OMG” outfit, or spice up your favorite bodycon look the awe-inspiring hand-tooled Mermaid Scale Belt. I’d pair these belts with a diaphanous top. The slight masculinity of the leather belts would perfectly juxtapose my current need to be über-femme.

The Contrived to Charm belts retail for about $42-$125, and if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, custom orders are welcome.

Visit Contrived to Charm.

The Babette Epaulette website sat in my saved tabs on my Internet browser for almost the entirety of November, waiting patiently for me to write a post about the very a la mode shoulder jewelry the line features. Sometimes between December 1st and now, the website disappeared, and the email I received telling me about the brand vanished as well. So, this morning when I was desperately trying to figure out the name of “the brand that makes the awesome shoulder jewelry I wanted to write about,” a quick Google search and an interview from Splendicity’s ‘Hot Mama Daily’ blog was all it took to refind Babette Epaulette and be able to share it’s majorness with you.

The brand, started by stylist Seville Michelle Anastos earlier this year, is currently made up of three collections evoking the feel of “the wild streets of Paris at night” and the bohemian revolution of old Montmarte where the “brazen Moulin Rouge” still stands. These collections entitled “Tatoos and Stilettos”, “Cigarettes and Eyeliner”, and “Harlots and Scarlots” feature pieces covered in anything from feathers to chains and studs to fringe, all things that happen to be on my list of obsessions, right now.

I could see myself wearing any one of Anastos creations with an amazing one-shoulder dress for New Year’s Eve. I’d probably shock and maybe frighten all of the old wealthy housewives around in my city, but if I went to NYC, like I’ve planned, I’m sure I’ll fit right in.

Babette Epaulette shoulder jewelry can be purchased on the brand’s webstore for $150 each.

p.s. I also found this really fun behind-the-scenes of the Babette Epaulette lookbook photoshoot.

Loulou de la Falaise is known for being a good friend, collaborator, and muse to the late Yves Saint Laurent. It is also said that she helped inspire YSL’s famous Le Smoking female-tuxedo. None of this would I have known  if not for my mother’s slight obsession with HSN and other home shopping networks.

After Yves’ retirement, Ms. de la Falaise began designing accessories under her own name also has a diffusion line that can be purchased on, none other than, HSN.

I will admit, I’m not a fashion savant who knows all influential fashion figures and moments, but I do know when I find something intriguing. So, when passed my parents illuminated television and, on it, saw a pair of art deco-esque gemstone earrings, I was inspired to hop on the net and learn more about this designer, Loulou de la Falaise.

If you want to know the long and short of her life, there’s a little known website called Wikipedia.

I’d rather talk about how you can not only buy the intriguing ‘Multistone Drop Earrings’ but a matching bracelet and necklace— not to be worn all together, thank you— for less than $200. That’s less than 6% of the average cost of a used Le Smoking jacket.

When I was little, I wanted to be Ariel from The Little Mermaid for Halloween, but, pardon my lack of tact, she was white. I obviously am not. As expansive as my imagination was and still is, I love my skin color and wouldn’t want change it for anything. Now, for Halloween and in life, I’d rather be anything but a Disney Princess, and I know if I want to feel like a mermaid in a magical world under the sea— pardon the pun— all I have to do is look to fashion.

For example, this Roberto di Castro ‘Coral Necklace’ looks like a deep-sea treasure found on a distant volcanic beach. With its tangle of gold, coral-like branches and whimsical hook and ring closure, Poseidon himself couldn’t have dreamed a more perfectly forged necklace.

Every girl may not be Ariel and have a plethora of singing aquatic friends, but for the right price and with a little rectangular, plastic friend you can feel like her.