English Summer cloud and raindrop necklace

Bubblegum Plastic is where we talk about all the other fun stuff... where I try to think about more than just shoes!

I love cute little whimsical necklaces, especially from the talented folks on Etsy. When I was browsing around the other day, I saw this sweet cloud and rain necklace from Mixko.

The piece is about 4" from the top of the little felted cloud to the bottom crystal raindrop.

Even though it is a raincloud, it's a happy little cloud with sparkly blue raindrops. So it makes you smile!

English Summer rain and cloud necklace - $30 from Mixko on Etsy. She also has an adorable rainbow necklace and some delicate butterfly rings that I love too. Check her out!

In Need of a bit of Whimsy

Emotionally it's been more clouds than sunshine around here. So when I was on Etsy the other day and saw this adorable and clever necklace I realalized that a bit of whimsy was just what I needed to brighten my day.



I love the unique and clever idea of making the clouds from rolled jersey and the tiny ceramic blue bird perched there.



I can't wait to pair this with a breezy dress and tees for Summer.

Check out all of the other adorable pieces in the collection - LoveAndDream on Etsy.

Sparkle Sparkle Joy Joy

It cracks me up that as I'm watching old episodes of L.A. Ink with the hubby that almost all of the jewelry the girls wear on the show is Tarina Tarantino.  Cute tattoo-ed girls love the sparkly goodness of her designs.

I only have one tiny tattoo myself but I've been a big fan of her crystal pave heart necklaces and was actually searching them up on her store and eBay just this week.  Luckily they were part of the ideeli sale and I was able to nab my two favorite colors for about half the regular price. Wooo hooo!

Jet:

Fuschia:

Sadly they won't arrive until mid-April but that will be okay because I plan on wearing these a lot!

Spikes and Sparkles: nOir Stack Pyramid Rings

Spike encrusted accessories seem to be my new thing. I'm trying not to go overboard, but I just can't seem to help myself.

When I heard nOir jewelry was on Gilt, I immediately downloaded the iPhone app and snatched this set of mixed metal spike rings. Luckily I was able to get a set because I know a number of other blogging ladies were excited about these too! I think we have a photo planned.



The mixed metal set is glamorous and shiny and sparkly in person. I had bought a size 7 set to wear on my middle finger but I found them to run pretty small. I wasn't the only person to find that to be true. I would say mine fit a size 5.5 or 6 rather than a typical 7.



Because they ran small I was wearing them on my ring finger and I have to say, these would make a kick-ass wedding set. When I stack them I've been wearing the wide silver band topped with the gold band then the rhinestone band.




Not that these are a very expensive set. Their regular price is only $60.

nOir has a ton of other necklaces, bracelets and rings ranging from more studs to crystal encrusted animals. I love the quality of my rings so I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for them on Gilt again.

If you don't have an account on Gilt, or the other shopping sites, click here and check out the latest deals:

Invite to Gilt

Invite to Rue La La

Invite to Ideeli

Invite to Haute Look

Happy Shopping!

Joomi Lim Jewelry - Love Hurts

Don't you just love when you stumble upon something and then, unexpectedly, fall in love?

After the Blogger Meet-up during Fashion Week, I made a point to head over to my favorite Bergdorfs. Even if I don't get something I like to have a quick browse around the shoe salon, take in the windows and just soak in the shopping atmosphere I don't get at home.

While I was taking the escalators from floor to floor, I noticed this lovely lady standing next to her gorgeous jewelry on display.



Joomi Lim was at Bergdorfs doing a small trunk show of her "Love Hurts" series and we were able to chat for a bit. I tried on a number of her pieces which were very layered and textured, featuring pearls, spikes and mixed metals.

I was totally drawn to the spiked necklaces and debated about the long version or the choker.




In the end I went with the long necklace version because not only is it a great length to wear alone or combined with other pieces, it triple wraps perfectly as a bracelet (Thanks for the suggestion, Joomi!).



I've worn it at least 5 times already since I bought it and just love it. It has a great weight, is very comfortable and a fun addition to toughen up a sweet dress or work outfit. I mix metals a lot so I really liked the two tone version.

Joomi has an online store, in addition to being showcased at Bergdorfs, and a tumbler, so make sure to follow her to keep up with her latest happenings, events and new pieces.

Welcome Home, Wendy

One of my favorite people has done a site update, and darn if it doesn't look great!

Wendy B - You are always so stylish and amazing! And your new site looks great.

Congratulations!

Now... to get my site updated.

Pretty Pink - TokyoMade Chapter Pinky Sparkle Ring

I've had my eye out for a Chapter ring from TokyoMade for some time now. With their Spring 2009 collection, I finally got my pink sparkly wish.

Behold!

Oh yes! I know have my very own Bubblegum Plastic-licious Pinky Sparkle ring. I LOVE IT!

This ring is, obviously big. And loud and, oh yeah, kind of heavy. I was wearing it on my right hand but had to switch so I could take a picture for you.

And just to add to the pink fun, I wore my Chinese Laundry Dagger pink glitter slingbacks.

It doesn't get much pinker or Barbie-er than this. This ring is total art. Most people aren't sure what to make of it but they like it. Coming with me to NY for sure.

Product photos by TokyoMade via Flickr

Oh, Wolfie, Oh Wolfie... You're the One!

Wendy Brandes has been one of my favorite bloggers for ages because she is a hilarious and talented writer. Of course, she is better known for her unique and delicious jewelry too.

I wish that I could have about 15 of her pieces but, you know... you have to start somewhere.

Wendy currently is in production with a great new piece - a whistle that opens up to reveal a tiny wolf. Continuing the literary tradition of most of her work, the Virginia Woolf whistle (lol!) is really cool but I actually fell in love with the inside element... the adorable wolfie.



I had to have it! So witty! So cute!

Oh, yeah, that's right, that image is totally swiped from Wend'y's site. I need to take a picture wearing my new piece.

While I love the author connection, the real reason I got it is because I've long had a love affair with wolves ever since high school. Here is an old photo of me. And yes, that is a real live wolf in the photo, Chimo. I still love him!



Thank you, Wendy for making a piece dear to my heart!

If you want more wolfie action, check out these classics:


Swing Shift Cinderella



Red Hot Red Riding Hood

Luck, Love and Laduree

I love Laduree. The colors, the style... the macarons.

Since I can't get their amazing confections shipped to me, I will have to console myself with some of their adorable "lucky" charms. Maybe if I wear them I'll win a trip to Paris so I can indulge myself!

Available from Harrods, 020 3155 0111. or visit www.laduree.com for further information.

Perfectly Paraphernalia

If you haven't purchased one of the amazing pieces Miss Vanda makes on Paraphernalia, you should be ashamed! They are amazing and adorable and unique!

I just bought a few new pieces and highly recommend you get on over there as well!

To celebrate her new site and two (!!!) new collections, Vanda is offering 10% off your order with the promotional code: YAYNEWSHOP.

So go... Shop!

Jonathan Saunders & Swarovski

Just as Jonathan Saunders is doing a collaboration with Target, he also has a new collection with Swarovski.

I wasn't a fan of the Go International line, even though the lines and designs are sleek and sporty, but these pieces strongly appeal to the side of me that wants to go in for modern statement pieces.

The collection has rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces and I have a few favorites that I think stand out.

Of the rings, I really like the Obi rings.



I especially like the black but really, all three are just gorgeous.




The Ecuso necklace sparkles with square crystals and also comes in blue.



But my favorite piece of the whole line is the Tuscan necklace in white. I love the shape and the mix of casual style with the white leather cord paired with sparkly crystals. I think white and gold go so well together.



It comes in a black too, which is a great piece for tonal layering.




These pieces are made using an "exclusive Swarovski pointillage technique in which crystals are embedded into a ceramic-like material" which give them sort of an enameled look. I'd love to see these in person.

Never Forget! Elephants are Awesome.

I'm not sure if I can directly contribute the growing trend of jewelry featuring elephants to the growing interest and awareness of the Indian and Asian markets or if it's because the everyone is as smitten as I am with the new Hermes campaign "Hermes Orange, Indian Pink" (which is gorgeous by the way - check out all the ads), but they are definetly on the rise.



I love the Hermes brand. They are one of the final true luxury brands that care about craftsmanship and are less of a company of sell-outs.

Anyway, I just got this fun little elephant necklace from Target mainly because it had a vintage-y feel to it, but also because it keeps with my accent colors for Summer.



But when I was reading my Lucky magazine this weekend I saw a whole slew of elephant pieces. They featured this ring from Palm Beach Jewelry. They have a bunch of other elephant pieces too.



They had this ring from Moss Mills -





I loved this bracelet from JCrew but I don't think they are carrying it anymore. I'll be you could find a vintage piece like this.



I did a quick search eBay and found this mother-of-pearl necklace. I've seen lots of these in jade too.

What I like about the elephant motif is this it looks vintage but also has a modern Asian feel too. Exotic and safari-chic.

Designer Focus - Shompole Collection

I'm not sure if you read the article about her, but Elizabeth Gilbert was featured in the March issue of Domino magazine. The article wrote a lot about her lifestyle and what she does, but it also featured some of the local hand-crafted products and jewelry she is creating a store for to help support the local Maasai and to help preserve their artistry and way of life.

Her site says it better:

At Shompole, luxury is defined by experience, environmental responsibility and individuality. With this in mind, we work with African artisans, women’s groups, independent traders and craftspeople to produce a collection of high quality, unique house wares, jewelry and tribal arts. Our one-of-a kind beadwork, fig wood furniture, African art and jewelry are all environmentally sound, handmade products created by freelance artists who price and determine the fair value of their own products.

The shop and collection were created as an extension of the Shompole Lodge, once again in tandem with the African people with whom we work. The shop at Shompole is our “flagship” store. It is run like an atelier,with art, design and fashion sitting side by side.

What caught my eye were the amazing jewelry pieces that were featured in the issue. I contacted Liz to learn more. Each piece is unique due to the hand-crafted nature and the variations in the natural product they use. I love the heft of this ring.




Emerald Galaxy Ring - $3,500

And look at the colors in this Lamu Shell Ring ($1,500). Shells always have such a glow about them. I have several shell serving pieces, but very little jewelry. This is so simple and elegant.



But my favorite is the Bone Collection -

Our bespoke 18k gold jewelry is made in Africa, by Africans, using African gold, bone, gem stones and other indigenous materials. Each piece is individually crafted by hand and can be made to order.

This horn, gold and garnet ring is modern looking but you can see the origins of the design.



Horn, Gold and Garnet Ring - $1150

Don't these beads just glow? Mafupa Bracelet - $350



This ring is my absolute favorite. I love the treatment of the round stones and the circles. The Little Ox Ring - $275.



As each of these are hand made, they aren't available on the site in a huge variety of sizes, but you can contact them to order your size, I'm sure. What's great is that to order you email info@shompolecollection.com and you will be working with Liz directly. I'm sure you could ask her about the pieces and learn more about their work and the artists they work with.

This is one of the best things about the Internet. Connections with amazing people around the world. Learning about who they are and what they do and being able to bring a piece of that home to you.

Not Zubbles!

I have a big tendency to, if' I'm really in love with a style of something, to get it in multiple colors. And now JCrew is trying to take advantage of that fact, darn them!

I love this space-agey-yet-vintage-looking "Bubble" necklace that comes in three lovely colors.

Sweet Papaya:



Brilliant Blue:



Turquoise (my favorite!):



They're each $150 and brand new, so get 'em while they last.

P.S. What the heck are Zubbles???

A little weird... A lot wonderful

As you know, I am a total Etsy convert and I placed an order not too long ago. I finally got to order some pieces from Paraphernalia, which I think is the coolest store.



How they describe their work is:

We at Paraphernalia design beauteous and wholesome accoutrements for both Ladies and Gentlemen.

We are much inspired by both vintage illustrations and 19th century magicians. We also enjoy the odd, the unusual, the uncanny and the bizarre, in all the aspects of beauty.

If you haven't seen their work, you have to go check them out.

What I love about them is that you can wear them with so many levels - very seriously or you can wear them very tongue-in-cheek. I have chickens, so this Fauna Chicken Claw Necklace can be just weird or, if you know that we have them, it's kind of funny.





I also got this Anatomica Arm Bracelet. I like that you are wearing this on your arm but you are also wearing an image of the musculature of the arm. Okay, so yeah it's a bit weird.



I also got the Anatomica Red Heart Necklace. And I don't think I need to say anything about it, just look how freakin' cool it is.






Would it be too dorky to say I ♥ them?

Yeah, I guess it would.

But I soooo do!