FABULUSH

Off my NYC high, I rolled right into another fantastic project proposal with Nokia. While being a firm iPhone sheep for almost every iteration of the iPhone (minus the 4S) it thus made me almost a connoisseur of smart phones. I always had my roots being a PC/Windows gal growing up and had my fair share of Nokia and HTC phone before Apple fever hit the market. It only seemed natural to give the Nokia Lumia 900 a test drive and give a hand at sparking some inspiration for one of the five awe-inspiring Leivankash jewelry collections: Flora, Damocles, Persepolis, Skulls, and Totem. My femininity gravitated immediately to the Flora collection – as all things girly gushed from within. The Skulls and Damocles allowed for more edgier, darker and regal looks; while Persepolis was a play on Persian prints and textures of the days of yore and relics. The Totem collection embodied a breathe of nature and a walk on the animalistic side. Flights of fancy came to mind and images of horses made me want to run wild along side them.

The Lumia 900 is one sleek looking phone with it’s slight curves and streamlined build quality that makes it feel more substantial than its iPhone 5 competitor. I must say while size does matter and I do love to follow the adage, “Bigger is Better”, the Lumia 900 is definitely bigger than its other smartphone brethren. Smaller fumbling fingers may not enjoy the larger difference, but I must say I do like the fact it doesn’t feel like it will shatter instantaneously upon a leery glance like the iPhone. No seriously, who else has joined the Bloody fingers/Shatter Gorilla Glass Club? Anyhow, the battery life outlasts like the Energizer Bunny with rapid functionality of the Windows OS; however, I may believe the lack of native apps and developer support added to the fact my Lumia 900 lasted so long. As a social media junkie and simply the fact that my work integrates new media, the Windows Marketplace is missing many vital apps that are normally supported on the iPhone. 3rd party apps are available; however, with frustrating restrictions and learning curve usability. If Apple iOS and Android didn’t rule the Apps Universe and developers provided more support, then I firmly believe Windows Phones and their Apps Marketplace would be a huge contender and be widely adopted. The little music snob in me loved the sound quality and options of Zune music and video, along side the native AT&T Radio app, which is comparable to Pandora and Spotify, if not better. The best part of the phone for me was the high quality camera, alongside it’s different built-in Camera settings and extras that performed well beyond any other smartphone and had me forgetting to use my actual Canon point-and-shoot cam.

The Lumia 900 helped me capture, create and curate quite impressive images to integrate into StyleSaint for the Leivankash Mood Boards. It was such a pleasure to explore Dallas, searching for inspiration through my eyes and with the help of the gorgeous community and various kind strangers. Over the next few days, I’ll be unveiling each Leivankash mood board inspired by each of her beautiful jewelry collections. Today, we’ll start with my personal FABULUSH Street Style.

While I’m always on the lookout for new additions to my ever growing arm party, I still have yet to pull the trigger on a David Yurman piece. Though with the new collection out, I am currently yearning some Yurman in my life. All the while during my college days at SMU, the Albion ring in every shape, stone, and form was synonymous with being a Daddy’s Girl or some Frat Daddy’s girl, sometimes both if you were lucky. It symbolized the maturation from the high school Tiffany heart and bean pieces to the stacks of signature cable bracelets that were perfect for accenting any sorority outfit. Now out in the working world and paving my way career-wise, Yurman’s designs are still aptly adorned amongst the most stylish set.

Artistic inspiration forms the foundation for David Yurman, one of America’s foremost luxury jewelry designers. Founded in 1980 by David Yurman and his wife Sybil with the signature cable bracelet, the brand’s rich heritage and excellence in craftsmanship stems from David’s twenty year background in sculpture and Sybil’s natural understanding of art.

A First Look and Top 5 Picks from the latest collection, perfect for any age and occasion:

1. David Yurman Pave Diamond Cable Buckle Bracelet
2. David Yurman Sculpted Cable Cuff with Diamonds
3. David Yurman Cordelia Necklace, Pave Diamond
4. David Yurman Albion Ring, Amethyst
5. David Yurman Spiritual Bead Bracelet, Black Onyx

At times I wonder where does the next step of life and luxury jewelry take us ladies to – Van Cleef and Arpels? But until then, all David Yurman pieces are available at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

 

You’re invited to a front row view online to the watch the master of beautiful lace, lines, and draping LIVE! Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2012 Live from NYFW. Join the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #ODLRLIVE on Twitter.

Image Credit: Jamie Beck

 

This past Tuesday afternoon, the big reveal heard round the world started with eighty Mystery Boxes around the nation and specifically at six Neiman Marcus locations, including the NorthPark and Fort Worth stores.  The news spread like wildfire virally due to word of mouth, news outlets, and the omnipresent help of social media as TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie unveiled the next chapter of the philanthropic brand.

Onlookers patiently waited with refreshments and DJ melodies in-store while huge cylindrical tubes under lock and key mysteriously tempted consumers of what new surprise Mycoskie had in store.  Huge applause, smiles, and congratulations were abound as the new concept for TOMS Shoes is that they are no longer just a shoe company, but a one-for-one company.  The SMU alum and Arlington native boasted of the quite literal visionary venture that TOMS is undertaking by branching out into an eyewear line.

For every pair of sunglasses sold, TOMS will help give sight to a person in need through medical treatment, prescription glasses, or sight-saving surgery through a partnership with the Seva Foundation. While the end goal is to help give sight to people in need all around the world, the TOMS team will begin in Nepal, Cambodia, and Tibet.

Blake was quoted, “ TOMS could be more than a shoe company – it should be a one for one™ company. With so many different needs around the world, I felt TOMS had an obligation to try to improve as many lives as possible.”

The TOMS new collection of sunglasses is priced from $135 to $145 a pair, available both in men and women’s styles.  The motto is that every stripe tells a story. The design of each pair ties in the charitable story and background of yourself, the person you’re helping, and toms the brand that binds it all together.  Head to your nearest Neiman’s to scoop up a pair or two and someone overseas will thank you for your shady behavior.

Neiman Marcus is located at 400 NorthPark Center, in Dallas, or you can find more information and purchase the new TOMS collection online at http://www.toms.com/eyewear/our-movement/.

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In honor of it being Fat Tuesday, I decked out my digits in some festive gilded glitter polish from Nicole by OPI in Brilliant Idea. After a dreary and bed-ridden Monday, this shiny yellow-golden nail polish perked up my spirits just in time to celebrate Mardi Gras (and perhaps get those last minute sins in!)  Filled with glistening microglitter and larger hexagonal chunks, Brilliant Idea, at only $7 a bottle, is a great alternative to pricier polishes like Deborah Lippman’s Glitters.

To get the most pop out of your glitter nail polishes:

1. Remember a sticky base coat is always your best friend. I use Nailtek II for strengthening reasons.
2. Dab on the polish instead of swiping; this makes all the difference.
3. Forget less is more… multiple coats make an impact. 3 coats produced the opaque look I was after.
4. For a sleek & shimmery shine, glide on the top coat over the glitter to avoid the gritty feeling.
5. When the party is over and you want the glitz gone, soak nails in acetone. If they’re really stubborn, cover nails with acetone soaked cotton balls then wrap with aluminum foil for 5 minutes.

So bust out those beads and show me some finger bling! OPI for sent over some new amazing new shades, and I can’t wait to share them all with you, so be on the look out for my new faves and craves.  Thanks Karissa!