Going on 4 days of LDR on Repeat

It's amazing to me how mesmerizing Lana Del Ray is and how she oozes sexiness out of every pore in her body. Her voice sounds as sultry as her dark eyes, full lips, and Jessica Rabbit hair. I believe it's her quietness, somewhat awkward, almost strange personality that intrigues me so much. Maybe because it seems to conflict with her assured, undaunted exterior that comes through especially in her music. Here are some of my favorites from the singer who so refreshingly is not just another beautiful face in the music industry, but a truly beautiful talent as well.

Secret Girls Club - No Boys Allowed!

     One of New York's charming attributes that make it all the more intriguing are its many secret hot-spots, whether it be an unmarked underground club or the speakeasy that can only be accessed through a secret hallway. Of course, leave it to New Yorkers to make certain enthralling destinations more difficult to get into so that only an elite few can enjoy it. But perhaps this is their form of initiation into the city, meant only for those of us who live here to enjoy. What with our city being one of the largest tourist attractions, it makes sense to keep secret one of the few places left that have not been ransacked by millions only to have nothing left for the rest of us. It reminds me of my best friend and I who found the most wonderful boutique in SOHO years ago that had trendy, expensive looking apparel but was really dirt cheap. We had just made our rounds at the usual H&M, Topshop, and Zara but were disheartened as everything we requested our size in was already sold out. This is my weekly routine at H&M. I walk by the window display, see a fantastic jacket, ask the sales clerk where I can get it and they reply with, "Oh that's been sold out. We got it last week so its been on the floor for a while." Since when was one week on the floor a while? Well in New York, its an eternity. So at the time, as selfish and childish as it seemed, my best friend and I pinkie swore to keep this newly found boutique our little secret, convinced that if we let the word out everyone would flock to our magical haven and buy out everything we wanted.
     So I thought I had heard it all when it came to New York's secret hot-spots. I mean, what about those secret pools made out of recycled dumpsters that were popping up around Brooklyn a few years ago that you could only access if you ran in a certain crowd? But of course this city has its way of never ceasing to amaze me. I met someone at an event that I attended a couple weeks ago and as we were discussing vintage shopping she began to let me in on a little secret called Shareen's Vintage, which is a shop set up on the 2nd floor of an apartment on W. 17th Street. The funny thing is, the store's entrance (a big black door to an apartment building) is pretty much unmarked and unadvertised. It has strange hours so you would only know it's open because the store owner, Shareen Mitchell, leaves a beautiful red tulle dress hanging from the fire escape. Then it dawned on me that I have in fact seen that dress before! I was on my way to meet some friends for dinner and saw this enchanting red dress hanging outside. I thought it was so cute that I snapped a photo of it, only to realize much later that it was much more than just a dress being hung out to dry. The shop is set up as though you are walking into a friends apartment. Except that friend happens to have racks and racks of fantastic clothes set up in each of her rooms and the friend also happens to be very generous, offering you wine and snacks while you browse her closet. Major plus: the vintage goods are reasonably priced (items range from $20-100). To create an even more intimate experience, boys are not allowed so that girls can feel free to try on garments wherever they like. 


So there ya go...cats outta the bag. I guess I was never that good at keeping secrets...

Happy Friday!

KISMET Spring/Summer 2012

I know that KISMET's Spring/Summer collection is long past due and that you all are probably tired of staring at the Fall/Winter collection, but I promise you that the new collection is on the way. It has been such a great experience creating this next season. With the past collection, I purchased supplies and findings from my suppliers to piece my jewelry together. However with this new collection, I have designed each finding and pendant myself and have actually created the models so that they are truly one of a kind KISMET pieces that no other designer will have access to! I wish I could share a sneak peak with you but I would rather it all be showcased at once. The rest of the styles are at the platers as we speak but I had an extra sample of earrings from the Spring/Summer 2012 collection that I decided to wear to an event last night. I was so excited because the first person I met actually noticed the small earrings I was wearing and as soon as we started talking told me how much she loved them! This made me even more excited to share the new collection with you! However, being that the findings and pendants are being produced rather than purchased from a supplier, the production is taking a lot longer than anticipated. Especially since this is my first go round creating models myself. But don't worry, my goal is to have the new samples photographed, produce inventory, and post on my website by end of April. Thank you all for being so patient! Because I don't have a sneak peak photo to show you of the new line, here are some beautiful images instead to feast your eyes on. The theme is Spring to celebrate the first day of the new solstice!

Ombre Tights

I love these ombre stockings by designer Tiffany Ju from Atlanta, Georgia. Here are some of the beautiful color options she makes. Check out her Etsy shop at BZRBZR.

If I had endless amounts of money to blow on stuff that I don't need but only want (simply because it makes me happy to look at), well, I would buy this BVLGARI Serpenti. What a great new take on the basic watch. This look fuses together your typical wristwatch, stacked bangles, and coiled armband to create one amazing statement piece! 

Zombie Boy

It has taken artist/model Rick Genest, who has coined the nickname "Zombie Boy," six years to be tattooed into what he claims to be a living corpse. You may recognize him from Lady Gaga's video "Born this way" or from French fashion designer Thierry Mugler's Fall 2011/2012 ad campaign/runway show. Genest has even been a front row seat regular at many shows this past Fashion Week. 


Montreal tattoo artist, Frank Lewis, is the designer behind the artists' collaboration and first tattooed Genest when he was only 16. Genest's first rise to fame started when someone created a fan page for him on Facebook in which the number of members grew rapidly, leading to him being discovered by Lady Gaga's stylist Nicola Formichetti. Genest's rise to fame has not showed any signs of slowing down either. He went on to model for Vogue Hommes Japan, is the face behind Dermablend makeup's "Go Beyond the Cover" campaign," and has made appearances in other music videos as well. With Genest making appearances in runway shows, videos and magazines, we wonder where we'll see him next! 

KISMET SALE!

Vintage items on sale for 10% off and over 50% off! Check it out at www.itsyourkismet.com

WildFox + Jeffrey Campbell Collaboration

How adorable are these new ballet inspired shoes collaborated by Jeffrey Campbell and Wildfox Couture's designers Emily Faulstich and Kimberly Gordon? The two Wildfox designers stated that the collaboration just made sense after years of pairing Jeffrey Campbell shoes with their own designs for photoshoots. "...our brands really mesh well together," Wildfox says. Well it seems they are absolutely right! I'm not sure if some of my KISMET fans are aware already but I have started my own fashion blog called Just Madge. I started it right before the new year as my resolution to create a creative side project. You can view it at www.justmadge.tumblr.com. I have posted images below from an earlier entry in which I am wearing my favorite Wildfox Couture dress and which shoes do you think I chose to pair them with? Well, I also thought it was only natural to go with my Jeffrey Campbells as well. But then again, I almost always go to my Jeffrey Campbells for every outfit. I also paired this ensemble with one of my favorite KISMET headpieces called the Antique Chain Headpiece (which also happens to currently be on sale for over 40% off!). Hmmm....now a KISMET + Wildfox + Jeffrey Campbell collaboration. Wouldn't that be a dream.....

Celebrity Photographer: Andrew Macpherson

One of my favorite celebrity photographers is Andrew Macpherson. I find he is able to create such unique images that portray our favorite celebrities in a completely different light than what we are accustomed to seeing. Macpherson allows us to get as close as possible, both physically and emotionally, to the icons our society worships. Here are some favorite photographs taken by Macpherson.