Remade in the USA: Liberty United

I don't tend to talk much about politics or social issues for a simple reason - I don't know a lot about politics or social issues. As a former debate team captain (that's right, y'all, don't start an argument with me), it was instilled in me that unless you understand intimately both sides of a controversial issue, you've essentially no right to an opinion - or at least not the public statement of an opinion.

That said, it's hard to ignore the terrifying and devastating rise of gun violence in our country and it's only natural that a bleeding heart liberal like me might wish to do something about it. Enter Liberty United, the new endeavor of serial social entrepreneur Peter Thum, founder of Ethos Water and Fonderie47. Beginning with jewelry, the company aims to reduce illegal gun violence in the United States by granting 25% of the proceeds from each piece sold towards the funding of anti-violence and advocacy programs. 

All of the jewelry in the Liberty United collection incorporates the melted down metal from destroyed illegal guns and bullet shell casings, also featuring the serial number of a destroyed weapon on each piece. Top tier jewelry designers, such as Philip & Courtney Crangi of Giles & Brother (above, the Skinny Spike Bracelet in Gunmetal) and soon (holiday!), Pamela Love, have and will continue to collaborate with Liberty United to create reimagined and exclusive product. 

To do your part (and also, get some sweet arm swag) visit Liberty United online to shop.

Recently Acquired: Shoe Edition

I referenced flagrant Sandy-induced spending in a prior post and here's the proof. Recent additions to my shoe wardrobe, clockwise from top left:

• Maison Martin Margiela x H&M Lucite Wedge Booties, $349 - available at select H&M stores, or on eBay - I may regret, but the plexi glass wedge makes these lean more art than fashion.
• Schutz Snake Flats, available at 655 Madison Avenue - I wish there were a little more toe cleavage, but the chain snake detail is incredible.
• Pamela Love x Nine West Pamela Bootie, $299 - Rough and tumble, I love the Southwestern influence.
• Stuart Weitzman Leopard-Print Calf Hair Ankle Boot, $650 - Stuart Weitzman leans mumsy, but these were hard slash apparently impossible to resist.

What have you recently acquired?

Pamela Love Partners with Nine West, My World Collapses

'A little bit country (Western, that is), a little bit rock and roll' is likely the most succinct imaginable summary of Pamela Love's pending, single-style collaboration with Nine West. The Pamela bootie, seen above, will be available in three colorways - Brick, Black or Red - all with signature, Southwestern-y silvertone metalwork, shipping 10/30. I normally eschew a mass market shoe (let's be real), but even at the ambitious price point of $299, I had to cave.

Pre-order here, and for more on Pamela's inspiration:

Shop This: Pamela Love Sample Sale

Destination Shopping: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

It takes a lot to get me out of bed at 6:30 in the morning on a Saturday, but when I was offered the opportunity to head up to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets one recent Saturday, suffice to say I SET MY ALARM.

Located a quick and easy hour outside of New York, Woodbury Common is easily among the BEST outlet centers in the country. There, you'll find a range of outlets high to low, including a few of my favorites (Barney's New York, J.Crew, DVF and Last Call Neiman Marcus) and a few "onlys" (including an all new Tom Ford outlet opening this weekend - July 7, in fact!)

I easily had the most successful outlet shopping experience of my LIFE at Woodbury this go-around, with my final spend coming in at about $350. Included in my haul was an amazing Pamela Love cuff from the Barney's New York Lady Gaga Holiday Workshop, originally tagged at $390 - now just $18.81. Can you even? I can't!

Here's what you need to know if you're planning a trip up to Woodbury Common:

• Shop early or late to avoid crowds - we arrived at 10am on a Saturday, and shopping was a breeze.
• Know what to expect from your favorite brands in terms of quality, and avoid making exceptions for a great deal. MANY mass retailers manufacture product exclusively for outlets, including J.Crew and all of the Gap brands - Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy - and in some cases, the quality and fit can be widely disparate.
• Buy what you love, but MAKE SURE YOU LOVE IT before leaving - after all, will it be worth another hour drive just to return? 'Nuff said.
• Shop STRATEGICALLY! Whenever I hit Woodbury (at LEAST once yearly), I start in Grapevine Court as that's where most designer brand outlets are clustered. 
• Sign up for the Premium Outlets VIP Shopper Club here for access to a VIP coupon book with pages and pages of exclusive discounts - even if you just use one or two, it's well worth the time invested.

Learn more about Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and find directions and transportation online!

Surprise! Loeffler Randall Pops Up at J.Crew

J.Crew is really presenting us with a smorgasbord of amazing young designers these days. As evidence, my  Pamela Love Jean Jacket arrived today and it's AMAZING (it's already sold out, sorry, but shop the rest of her J.Crew collection here) and lo and behold, what do I spy on site today but a pair of suede and cork Loeffler Randall wedges?

As previously discussed, Loeffler Randall is one of those brands that I live and die for and these beauties, available in three colors, are the perfect marriage of J.Crew and LR's design styles. I'm eyeing the Light Blade most closely, because I love me some color, but for you classicists, there's also navy and pink. The Loeffler Randall Wedge Sandals are available now for $375.

 

I'm Powerless Against a J.Crew/Pamela Love Collaboration

Thus, I just placed a pre-order for the Lorimer jean jacket (it comes complete with PINS; I'm SCREAMING RIGHT NOW, can you hear me?) for $295 via J.Crew personal shopper.

Part of a three-piece capsule collection launching May 17, the Pamela Love pieces (see also a skinny jean and a gorgeous studded belt) will be available exclusively at www.jcrew.com, at the Fifth Avenue store, and via  phone. If you're equally as powerless/desperate, pre-order now (the jacket, $298, is available in sizes XXS-XL) via J.Crew personal shopper at 1.800.562.0258,

Object of My Obsession: Dominic Jones Knuckleduster

When I fall in LOVE with a jewelry designer, I fall HARD and designer Dominic Jones is the latest in a long line (see previous slash current obsessions: Subversive Jewelry, Pamela Love, Alexis Bittar, Made Her Think, Eddie Borgo, etc., etc.)

The edgy, London-based Brit crafts sculpturally sound jewelry with a MAJOR dose of punk rock attitude.

Take, for example, the 22 karat white gold plated Knuckleduster seen above. Look quickly and you might think it was a clever take on the Batman logo, but, oh HEY, look again and it's ACTUALLY the marriage of two sharp, animalistic claws. Obsessed.com accurately describes how I feel about this ring.

If you feel as I feel about Dominic Jones (marry me, Dominic), you're in luck. There's a SWEET assortment of his designs available at The Outnet now, for a staggering 65% off. Sizes are selling out fast though, so buy a ticket and board the train here.

Secret Source: Novica

For obvious reasons, I often feel like I should keep some fashion and beauty secrets to myself. After all, I don't want friends and strangers alike biting my style. That said, I was a word-of-mouth marketer before word-of-mouth marketing EXISTED, so it's hard for me to keep my trap shut about things I love, consequences be damned.

Included in that mix is Novica. This fair trade site works with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world - including jewelry designers -
a place to showcase and sell their wares.

I recently snagged a few sterling silver items from Bali, India and Brazil and they're gorgeously chic  - artisan with a hint of haute hippie.  Next up on my shopping list is undoubtedly this tribal-feeling Sterling Silver Choker from India ($149.95), which channels a bit of Pamela Love (with a much more affordable price tag):

Best of all, Novica is as close to immediate satisfaction as you can get online shopping - jewelry is delivered quickly (despite the fact that it's coming from halfway around the world) and delivered in gorgeous, reusable jewelry boxes.  Learn more and shop jewelry at Novica here.

FTC Disclosure: Novica provided a shopping credit for editorial consideration.

 

Holiday Gift-Terrific: For the True Blood Fan in Your Life

Of all the things that I need MORE of in my life, True Blood, and more specifically Alexander Skarsgard (Eric Northman), are near the very top of the list. Coincidentally, so is Pamela Love's aggressively gorgeous jewelry - which the actor has worn on set. So this collaboration - between the jeweler and HBO - has me salivating.

Snag a special edition Pamela Love claw pendant, available in copper for just $60 or sterling silver for $300, at the HBO Store online. It's the perfect gift for the jewelry addict in your life (um, am I on your list?) or the Truebie.