Bee Still My Heart

 

We first found these looks in Vogue’s guide to Spring 2013 fashion.  Whether you’re the fashionable bee keeper, the garden party honeybee, or the queen bee herself, Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2013 is buzzing with looks for the entire hive.  This line includes magical dresses that exude the sweetness as well as tailored looks that incorporate the perfect geometry of the honeycomb.  Our favorite are the looks that include both, such as the little yellow dress (lower left, above) that  wraps a full, pale yellow, dress over a honeycomb print bodice.  This piece is the fusion of the sweetness of the bee with a hint of the sting.

If you can’t go full-on apiarist with your look, how about pollinating your wardrobe or your décor with a few bee-themed pieces instead. 

The Honeycomb Modern Wall Clock by Pilot Design (top) has the sheer beauty of the Alexander McQueen skirt, but instead of showing off your legs it will show off your wall color.  The individual honeycomb pieces are cut out (just a few remain in a neutral color), letting the background show through.

Or, for a more wearable honeycomb, DesignERica has both a Hive Cuff (above lower left) and a Honeycomb Ring (above lower right).  These modern bee-inspired accessories remind us of Alexander McQueen’s yellow dress – let the bracelet peek out from beneath your flower shirt, showing you’re sweet as honey but with a little bit of a sting. For the apiarist, we say go for both the ring and the bracelet!

Then for the queen bee, there’s nothing better suited than Lisa Hopkins’ Honey Bee Necklace.  This hand-cut sterling silver necklace has a beautiful bee cut out of an oval shape and hung on a 16'” sterling chain.

So, with the hive fashion in place, we’re ready for spring!

Cheers,

Caitlin

Gift to Self: Mad Men Mod Style

You don't have to be addicted to the AMC drama Mad Men to love the mod style from the sixties. (For those familiar with the show, we're specifically talking about Roger Sterling's white-on-white office complete with Op Art, new wife Megan Draper's simple-sexy wardrobe, and the Drapers' 1966 Upper East Side apartment.)

Here's a selection of mod-style accessories and home accents to pop a piece of sixties-era Madison Avenue into your personal style.

 

Cornell Modern Wall Clock

Trick out your mid-century modern home office, den, or man-cave, with this clean, but clever wall clock by Pilot Designs. We're sure Don Draper would approve of the silver-on-walnut version on his grass-cloth wallpapered walls.

 

Champagne Bubbles Necklace

You can inject a mod style into your everyday wardrobe with the right accessory. Try pairing this laser-cut aluminum, acrylic, and sterling silver necklace by DesignERica with simple neutral dress for a sixties-inspired look.

 

Charcoal Cufflinks

If you agree the real trendsetter on Mad Men is Roger Sterling, then you'll love the smoldering effect  these Christine Bossler sterling silver cufflinks inlaid with sealed charcoal will have on your French cuffs. Hmm.



Moonlight Modern Table Lamp
 
The striking design of this table lamp by Pilot Designs would look right at home in a partner office at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. It comes in a variety of colors, but Roger would choose black and white.

Organic Hoop Earrings

On the Beatnik edge of Mod Mad Men style, these handmade hoops by My Sunset Road are what the fashion-forward Megan Draper would wear to the coffeehouse.

Leap Year Tradition: Are you the Ultimate Sadie Hawkins?

In the folk traditions of the British Isles, women may propose marriage only on leap year. This means, ladies, you can ask your guy to marry you this leap year AND be both traditional and unconventional at the same time!

So, a clever girl decides to be the ultimate Sadie Hawkins and pop the question. What does she give the boy-betrothed instead of an engagement ring? Here are a few suggestions.

Flat Disk Cufflinks

 An appropriate engagement gift for men, cufflinks can be worn by the groom on wedding day. We like these sterling disk 'links by Christine Bossler because they are modern, functional, and solid—a lot like your relationship, yes?

 

Stag Pendant

This buck's for you. An ancient symbol of fertility, the majestic stag is associated with Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Snag your beau with this Spruce Design Co. stag pendant silhouetted in walnut wood, and celebrate: your hunt for love is over.

Rising Sun Buckle

A fine way to seal the deal is this bold steel buckle by Fosterweld. Presented on bended knee in a handsome box, it may not be a diamond, but this manly buckle will shine like one for him.

Nice Flask

For courage, you may want to share this "heart-wood" leather flask (filled with good whiskey) before you ask him to marry you. This fine Moxie and Oliver design makes it easy to toast your future together.

Dimitri Wall Clock

A not-so-subtle hint that you don't want a long engagement. Set the gears in motion this industrial design clock by Pilot Designs and start the countdown til your wedding day.