It’s been a pretty warm winter here in New Orleans, but we recently had a bit of a cold snap, so I had to layer it up for work. Here’s how I did it:

earrings – made by me!
dress – Cage Dress in Tribal
black undershirt – Buffalo Exchange
black wrap shirt – thrifted, with tags still on!
white tights – I’ve had these so long, I don’t remember where I got them
black over the knee socks – Buffalo Exchange (similar to these EG Smith socks)
boots – Miz Mooz

~ Mallory

This fictional king cake baron made an appearance at last weekend’s 4th Annual NOLA Eats King Cake Tasting Party. He brought his “plain king cake” – what we would normally think of as a traditional king cake, but filled with a thin layer of salami and olive salad. (In other words, muffaletta fillings – but don’t say that to Larry – those are fighting words!)

It was supposed to be a spoof, but in the spirit of true king cake tasting, a lot of people actually tried this crazy concoction! Almost 2 whole Ragusa king cakes were devoured by the end of the evening!

Want to see more of the Ragusa king cake story? Here are all of the commercials, from this year and last year:

Ragusa 2011
Ragusa 2012

Also making an appearance at the king cake tasting party were Saints kicker Thomas Morstead, and Tressa of Flambeaux Design Company, who makes these fun king cake jewelry pieces:

~ Mallory

This definitively New York private label is known for their vibrantly colored shoes that feature soft, hand crafted leathers, cushiony footbeds, and roomy toe boxes. I couldn’t find an exact year that Miz Mooz began creating their wonderful shoes, but I can safely guesstimate they’ve been around less than ten years.

The Miz Mooz philosophy (from their website): “We have always remained committed to the principle that fashion and comfort can happily coexist. We also believe that our shoes are a reflection of the people that wear them – playful, eclectic, perhaps a bit quirky (who isn’t!), but most of all, FUN!” The Miz Mooz team surely must be fun; the origin of the unique name is a play on the Hebrew word for foreplay: “Meez Muz.” Cheeky!

Every pair of Miz Mooz is polished and/or distressed by hand, accentuating the natural traits of the leather used and creating slight variations in color and texture. One Miz Mooz employee stated in an interview that “It is a traditional way of making shoes — more hands on and less automated. We feel this process adds so much character to the product.”

Miz Mooz offers a variety of footwear from peep toe pumps to ballet flats to knee-high boots and strappy sandals. Trashy Diva’s Shoe Boutiques (Uptown at 2050 Magazine and in the French Quarter at 839 Chartres) just received some fabulous styles from the 2012 Spring collection. Here they are (from left to right):

Winona in blue $120
Emily in red $120
Dulce in green $99
Sailor in cobalt $120
Panther in red $99
Warby in citron and cobalt $120

Just yesterday a customer from NYC said it perfectly: “The notion that all New York women wear heels all day is a myth. Miz Mooz are the perfect shoes that marry comfort and style.” While we all don’t live in New York, walking miles a day on not-so-colorful streets, I think we can all relate to the qualities that Miz Mooz strives to emulate!

~ Lauren

What do you think? Do you prefer your velvets downtown casual or cocktail chic?

Here are my Top 11 Shoes and Accessories (I just couldn’t pare it down to 10 — sorry!) that I love for Valentine’s Day. You may find all these and more at Trashy Diva’s newest addition: Trashy Diva Shoe Boutique located at 2050 Magazine Street:

(Clockwise from top left)
Re-Mix Veronica in red $203
John Callanan Wool Felt Fedora w/ Silver Studded Bow in purple $55
Re-Mix Anita in ivory $203
La Regale Heart-Shaped Satin Clutch (with hidden long chain) $43
Anna Sui Crochet Tights in purple $20
Carolina Amato Ruffle Cuff Glove in pink $108
Crystal Covered Lips Necklace $20
Rose Stud Earrings in pink (also in red online or in store) $9
AJ Morgan sunglasses $12
Feather Pin/Hair Clip in fuchsia $30
Re-Mix Uptown in purple suede $193

~ Lauren

~ Tiare

If you also have 10,000 faux pearls laying around your house, here are some cool no sew DIY project ideas I found…..

You might also like to try covering: boxes, lamp bases, picture frames, bangle bracelets, bowls, candle holders, the list could go on forever!

More fake pearl inspiration:

- How-to: Lady Gaga Pearl Costume
- How-to: Swarovski Stilettos
- How To Apply Flat Back Swarovski Rhinestones, Embellished Platform High Heels
- How to Make Christmas Ornaments From Old Necklaces

Tools of the trade:
- Martha Stewart Crafts™ Faux Pearl Embellishments Kit
- Bedazzlers

~ Candice

” ‘Creativity’ is the capacity to create a piece of art, which might be artistic or anything else which requires imagination. ‘Creative’ applies to those people who dedicate themselves to creativity and to the things which inspire it. This discourse leads to me to try to explain what happens in my mind when I sit before a blank canvas.

At first, the creative process animates my mind with a sort of whirlwind that splatters stains and images inside my head, and plunges me into a tunnel of particular sensations. It is only when I exude this wave of emotions that I am overtaken by an urgent need to find a moment when I can face the provocative void of the blank canvas or white page: I begin to forge my work, challenging and attempting to catch the unknown. My feverish battle is an effort to impose my delicate authority onto the biggest blank canvas of the unknown, as I construct something which even I don’t recognize. This work represents a defiant act between the amazing-illusory and the definite-theoretical, achieving a result which bestows me with an overwhelming feeling of fatherhood. ”

Find more of Maximo Riera’s work on his website, Facebook or Twitter.

~ Tiare

Here are my top tips:

1. Go, go early, and go often. Some stores have stock that changes daily and others that don’t change much in a month. The more you go – you’ll figure out the schedule. Hit the good ones 1-2x’s a week if you can and the slow changing ones every once in a while.

I also suggest going early on a weekday. If you live in the city where you are shopping, don’t even bother to go on a Saturday & I don’t suggest going on any special days like senior day or a sale day. It is cheap enough already & I’d rather get what I want & not have to fight old ladies! (They are mean.)

2. Big store = big finds in the quickest time. I like the big warehouse size stores like Red, White & Blue and America’s Thrift. They are usually cheaper on things than Goodwill or Salvation Army and the selection usually changes quicker. But, they may be for profit – so ask if you care.

3. Go with your gut and don’t think too much about it. Usually it is REALLY inexpensive, so just get in and get out. If you love it, get it especially if you can give it to a friend or sell it if it doesn’t work for you when you get home.

4. Check the garments over for damage & know what YOU personally can fix. If it is too bad, leave it. If you are crafty – the world is your oyster – paint it, dye it, sew it!

5. Know the store policies. Most large shops don’t have try on rooms, don’t allow returns, and don’t take credit cards. Plan to try on over (or under) your clothes. Know your size and measurements and bring a measuring tape just in case.

6. Finally, have a plan of what you have the best luck with buying second hand and make a mental list of what you’ll be shopping for.

Here is my personal list of what to look for @ the thrift shops:

1. Children’s clothing. If you have kids then you are crazy not to thrift. My son has never had a new pair of jeans! The younger the babes, the more you can usually find:

- Boys & Girl’s jeans are a must. You won’t usually pay more than $5 and the styles are usually current. But, if you live in a city with school uniforms, the selections of jeans (and everything) really narrows after size 4.
- Girl’s fancy holiday dresses. I pass up $3 Christmas dresses every time that are GORGEOUS, brand new looking and cost over $35 each new.
- Baby clothes. Nearly everything is available for babies under 24 months. And you can find it in almost new condition.
- Coats, at least in the South. Coats, jackets, and even sweaters are in abundance, affordable and like new.

For kids, you’ll probably want to pass up the costumes, undergarments, socks & cheaply made sleepwear and shoes. That said, I’ve found lots of ethnic costumes, Converse, and fancy baby girl shoes.

2. Home Decor. I find a lot of vintage prints, candle holders, frames, and mirrors. Weird knick-knacks are a must. The prices can be all over the place, but they are nearly never retail.

3. Books. There are usually wonderful out of print photo books and hobby books. The selections of kids books and modern books are also sometimes worthwhile.

4. Vintage Ladies and Men’s clothing. Hey, that’s why I go. I’ve found beaded 20′s dresses, 30′s lace gowns, 40′s crepe evening dresses, cashmere coats and more all at thrift stores. I’ve found couture, and a new/old stock Schiaparelli swimsuit even!

5. Modern useful items on the cheap – wrapping paper (hey, I like the 80′s stuff, so even better) for less than $1 a roll, glass wear, fabric, lamps, kiddie wooden toys, etc…

6. New shirts and tops (both mens and womens), Ladies dresses, skirts, belts, jewelry and coats/jackets are also well worth checking.

If you have time, give a quick look to handbags & shoes. Modern shoes are a bit weird 2nd hand, so don’t waste too much effort looking. I find most to be too cheap or worn to bother, so know your leather and your brands.

I don’t have good luck and I don’t really recommend even bothering with:

1. Swimsuits & lingerie other than vintage (bit icky?)

2. Jeans for ladies. Let’s face it, styles change so fast and the fit is so specific it doesn’t seem worth the time.

3. Products. I think it is strange to buy drugstore items – so I advise to walk on by – new or not. Things expire or could be used/2nds.

4. Upholstered furniture – bed bugs? Or just too dirty. Unless it is amazing and vintage.

5. Ladies Tshirts – not usually good or interesting.

As a side note, sometime vintage in the thrift stores can be overpriced and found on the internet for less $$. That has been especially true when it comes to fur items.

So, know what you should pay & happy shopping!

~ Candice

Please see the recipe I used and Why yes it is FAT FREE!! HEHEHEHE

Ingredients

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FOR THE ICING: