Architectural Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell's Night Walk

In the world of fashion, there has been a movement in footwear. Whether it can be credited to the ever-evolving Lady Gaga or to great minds that have a desire to transform footwear, the movement is incredible. I am oft criticized for my taste in crazy shoes. "How on earth could you even walk in those?" my friends will say. Well I decided to find out. So I took off to find a pair of these babies and tried them on.

     I slid my feet in, one by one, and fastened the straps. I stood up and took a few steps around the boutique. It was almost too easy. I had pondered how walking in the Night Walks would be possible, but if you look at the structure of the shoe, it makes perfect sense. It's a wedge and I could draw a straight line from top to bottom of where it seems to be "missing" part of the shoe. The support is under the heel and at the ground where necessary; it just doesn't translate that way visually. 

You can find this buy at SoleStruck for $169.95! When I have the extra cash, I will welcome it into my wardrobe!

Sources: 
Blogspot
http://www.shoeorgasm.com/2011_07_01_archive.html

Photo shoot with FIT student Sam Tarter

I had an amazing time shooting with some old friends of mine. They are such talented and inspiring individuals.   

Designs/Editing: Sam Tarter

Makeup Artist: Kim Parks

Photographer: Alison Bushor

Diamond in the Rough: Kate Szabone

David Yurman, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., the list goes on... I'm not the only one who has seen the ads for such designer jewelry. Every girl who gets the little box colored in "Tiffany blue" is giddy with excitement.  Designer jewelry is excellent, but recently I've had my sights on a different kind of designer. 

One day I stumbled upon a unique collection of jewelry and had to find out who made it. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Sifting through her Etsy site, I was introduced to a new type of stone called moissanite, which looks like diamond but is more brilliant. Kate Szabone (pictured left), happened to be the designer of this beautiful collection. Although she is "largely self taught," she has acquired knowledge of jewelry making through connections she has made with other jewelers and courses at Haliburton School of Arts. Szabone sells her creations on Etsy.


Her work is largely composed of sterling silver and solid gold. She is not only a jeweler, but a craftsman. 


Pictured below are some of my favourite Kate Szabone pieces. 

Sources: http://www.etsy.com/people/kateszabone
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kateszabone

Birchbox: January

Every month, four or five samples from highly regarded beauty brands will arrive at my door. This service is called Birchbox. For just $10 a month, I can try a few new products. I thought this would be a great way to give product reviews out to my followers and a great way to start the new year!


Here's what came in January's Box:

Zoya Feel Collection ($8)

Zoya's nail lacquer has great coverage! The color is a little more bold on the nail than it appears in the bottle. Still seeing how it wears & how long it lasts! 

Juicy Couture: Viva La Juicy 1.7oz ($69)

Since I'm not an expert on scents, I thought I'd let Birchbox speak on this one: Top notes of wild berries and sweet madarin flirt with lady-like middle notes of honeysuckle, jasmine and gardenia. Warm base notes of carmel, amber, vanilla, sandalwood and praline hover beneath it all. The scent is exquisite and feminine. 

LӒRABAR Mini Bars ($14.95)

Being gluten free, it's hard to find on-the-go snacks. LӒRABAR is the perfect solution. Each bar has a maximum of nine ingredients and all of them are gluten free! They're made with fruits, nuts and spices, not to mention, they're delicious.

JOUR Mini Glisten Collection ($25)

January's box has one of these minis. In the tube, it appears to be hot, hot pink. On the lips, it has a beautiful berry effect.

C.O. Bigelow Lavender & Peppermint Shampoo and Conditioner 
($12 each)

Since my hair is very hard to please, this one's a toughy. The scent is magnificent. When it comes out of the bottle, the lavender scent is more apparent. After washing though, it leaves more of a peppermint scent behind. The next day, the wash left a weird texture on my locks. I'll have to try it a couple more times and update my review!

Photo: courtesy of Birchbox.com

Lauren Scruggs

The media have been following the progress of fashion and lifetstyle blogger Lauren Scruggs (left). On Dec. 3 she walked into a propeller plane, suffering injuries to the left side of her body. These injuries included the loss of her left hand and eye, and lacerations to her shoulder and face. Recently, the 911 call from the incident was released. Around the same time photos were also released of Lauren and her family outside of a rehabilitation facility in Dallas. Lauren's mother, Cheryl Scruggs, religiously posts updates on the CaringBridge site set up for Lauren. Through this hard time as a family, the Scruggs credit their faith in Jesus Christ for getting them through. Cheryl often posts words of spiritual encouragement in addition to updates on Lauren's progress and prayer requests. The primary concern right now seems to be for their spirits to be lifted and for Lauren's pain to subside, as it is excruciating at times. Knowing Lauren personally, it is amazing to see her progress, positive attitude and faith through this hardship. Continue to pray for her and her family! Love you, Lauren!