January jewelry...Birdhouse

In what is apparently going to be dubbed jewelry month at StyleShifter, we will round out this last day of January with one more option! Birdhouse Jewelry, available on Etsy and at the Brooklyn Flea market, includes an array of fun casual options.

Our favorites are the state charms, which make fun and unique gifts. For $5, you can get a silver or gold plated charm of any state in the US. Another fun gift is the custom inscription pendant. For $20, you can have front and back inscribed with the message of your choice.

You can shop Birdhouse on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/amyetsy, or check out the brand's website: http://www.birdhousejewelry.com/index.html.

So, to recap January's jewels:
For beautifully crafted intricate adornment handmade in Mexico, read our post about Virgins, Saints & Angels here.
For cute, affordable, customizable Etsy artist Taryn's jewelry, check out the review here.
Or re-read the above about Birdhouse!

See you at NYFW!

Taryn's Treasures

With Valentine's Day coming up, who isn't thinking about jewelry?! In fact, with Fashion Week soon approaching we could all use some flash for the fetes and photogs!

Our favorite cute and affordable choice is Jewlery by Taryn. Taryn is yet another Etsy treasure - an artist hand-crafting all her pieces and available to customize! We just got the necklace pictured below, but got a version that is customized in red - <3 for a fun and easy day to night option! And whether a gift or not, each bauble feels like a present as Taryn packages each one its a customized gift box. 

Best of all, my StyleSetters get a discount on http://www.etsy.com/shop/jewelrybytaryn! Enter code Styleshifter at checkout on Etsy for 10% off your order! 

(Of course, you can always check out Jewelry by Taryn on Facebook or @jewelrybytaryn.)

Stay tuned for Fashion Week coverage over the next few weeks!

Once Upon a Time...by VSA Designs

Once Upon a Time...

Our inner princess reveled as we adorned ourselves with intricately crafted crowns and tiaras.

Last night we were treated to a special viewing of Virgins Saints & Angels new collection. All handmade in Mexico, necklaces, earrings, rings and regal headwear sparkled.

Our favorite was a cocktail ring with a lovely translucent sea-hued face rimmed by its delicately detailed setting. It also slightly made us want to gaze into the stone, stylish fortune teller style, in the hopes of divining the future. Check out part of the the glittering collection below:

In fact, now that we think of it, maybe StyleShifter will start a movement for Tiara Tuesdays!

 

Virgins Saints & Angels: http://www.vsadesigns.com

We Wish You a Merry Sample Sale

Our pre-New Year's Resolution is to start Christmas shopping before Christmas Eve! Luckily, this week is jampacked with sample sale-ing opportunity...here's our shopping schedule:

12/3 - Candela at 584 Broadway (through 12/14)
12/4 - Current/Elliott, Joie, Equipment at 260 Fifth Ave (through 12/8)
       - Splendid/Ella Moss at 260 West 39th St (through 12/5)
12/5 - Olive and Bette at Third Ave between 71st and 72nd (one day only)
       - Shoshanna at 231 West 39th St. (through 12/6)
12/6 - Eberjey at 40 East 34th St (through 12/7)
12/7 - day of rest.

Basically, we should be ready for holiday weekend festivities fully bedecked in new apparel. Perhaps a Friday soiree in adress from Shoshanna and Eberjey lingerie and a Saturday jaunt in Current/Elliott jeans, Candela boots and a basic Splendid top. 

Oh...well, this is embarrassing...back to gifts.

Basically, we should be ready for holiday weekend festivities with the peace of mind that holiday shopping is nearly complete!  

And, because we know there is more to the season than gifts, we won't forget about our friends from the Salvation Army who are out in the cold this Christmas season looking for donations.

And to all a good week of sample sale battle...it's the most wonderful time of the year!

How do you Fall? Autumn trends!

With Paris Fashion Week in full swing as of today, we are excited to see the collections for Spring/Summer 2012. As the temperature drops in NYC, though, our immediate concern is what to wear this fall! During NYFW, we already spotted several palatable trends (here, here and here).

Also deserving honorable mention is the collar necklace. We noticed chunky collars both during NYFW and on our European adventures. The Scandinavians, tackling the cold weather well before we do, were sporting collars galore paired with loose weave sweaters. We are happily pairing collar with loose weave sweater and partial-sheer maxi shirt on this fall day. How will you wear it?

Shantell Martin Continuous Line

Shantell Martin's artwork flows in a Continuous Line at the moment you emerge from the Williamsburg lowlands into Black & White Gallery

 follow it into the whimsical outdoor space 

stylish patrons milling

thoughts flowing from mind to medium

inspiring us to ponder what thoughts would flow from our mind into tangible sartorial creation 

perhaps gold-studded crimson smoking slippers with sheer black maxi skirt

check it out at Black&White Gallery/Project Space 483 Driggs Avenue September 21 to October 28 for indoor exhibition and September 21 to December 23 for outdoor exhibition

Post-NYFW Retail Therapy at Urban Space Meatpacking

Now that NYFW is over...where to go, who to slap (referencing the fashion-related slapping incident just a few days ago)? After brunching at Pastis this Sunday morning, we suggest you walk over to Urban Space Meatpacking, an oasis in the shadow of the Standard Hotel. 

The outdoor market is reminiscent of the Union Square and Bryant Park holiday markets, but in our experience has been far less crowded than either of those bustling venues. With many up and coming designers showcasing their wares, this is a great place to find something bearing that elusive trifecta: stylish, unique and reasonably priced. 

Specifically, Urban Space Meatpacking is a fabulous option for accessories and food...perhaps two of our favorite things. Among the various jewelry vendors, our favorites were the geodes and gems of Rifle + Radford and the colorful chunky necklaces at wink&flip. Foodies can get anything from Sigmund's pretzels (including a sunflower seed version) to gourmet pizza to homemade popsicles. Mmmm, we're off to USM - see you there!