Nick Von K: Jungle of Eden

Has ringing in the new year and celebrations left you feeling sluggish and hung over? Itching to start your resolutions and become a fitter, healthier and more simple version of your current self? To feed and encourage your inner nature admirer, bird watcher or animal lover the perfect solution has arisen- while searching on the Good as Gold online store and choosing what other item to buy alongside my Deadly Ponies Mr Lure I happened upon a fantastic range of necklaces using polished semi-precious stones as well as unusual animal tusks and antlers, bound using precious metals. I was very tempted to buy the panther necklace but then decided to buy a Stolen Girlfriends Club Bow ring for $50 cheaper than another online New Zealand store and could wait around/ choose another piece to buy from Nick Von K. I had been waiting some three or four years to buy the bow ring and since I saw it at the New Zealand airport when I was flat broke, I suppose that was the last straw really.

The acorn shape is true to nature and doesn't turn it into a caricature and is rather a true representation of this little nut. I usually don't the Tiger's Eye stone, but the grain of the stone is a perfect imitation of wood and the clashing colours of light gold and brown is my favourite variation. The great thing about Nick Von K and his mob is that there's room to choose the pieces you want and have a personalised order; these acorn necklaces shown here are in obsidian (black), pounamu (green), rose quartz (pink) and tigers eye (brown). If you have a personal preference or have something else in mind, you also have the choice of citrine, amethyst, adventurine, sodalite, clear quartz, smokey quartz, amazonite, crysoprase, red tigers eye and blue tigers eye, to name a few. 

For me, my Nick Von K journey and fascination began with the carved lines of this panther necklace in black water buffalo horn after having written about the Givenchy Fall/ Winter collection of 2011 which heavily featured the jungle cat in their designs of clothing as well as accessories. The fangs, large strong nose as well as flattened ears mounted on a silver base connected to 75cm of Sterling silver chain almost became mine.

I was delighted after my second day of university to find an enchanting email from the lovely chief of Nick Von K, Nick Klarwill thanking me about my little articles and gave me a run down of the maerials used for the powerful crved necklaces:

"I get everything produced in Bali where I handpick and sit down with the best local carvers I can find to do each specific design - as I see they have an affinity with my style and the idea Im trying to get across.

They carve everything from stone to wood, including the mammoth tusk which is dug up in northern Canada and Siberia - but some carvers are definitely better than others!"

Also, the black eagle head necklace and panther head necklace aren't made of onyx as one may assume.
"I should point out tho that the panther head (and eagle head) pendants are handcarved from black water buffalo horn, not onyx, which makes them actually quite light in weight."

Once in a blue moon I will find myself longing for days in old in which I could play with Doll's houses and run my fingers over there furniture in miniature. It appears however, that I am growing up and spent the last day of 2011 cleaning all the dust and junk from under my bed as well as the dusty walls. In the past two days I have added four garbage bags to the wheelie bin and am now incapacitated to clean anymore till collection day, two days away. I would love to properly decorate my room like an adult and add maybe a vanity or a french upholstered chair. Which leads me to admire the poise of this elegant and elongated cat sitting on a carved chair with detail in filigree accentuated by an oxidised touch. The two chair legs at the front in the shape of cats caught my eye and this is possibly my favourite from the Jungle of Eden collection. Your cat comes in a choice of either pounamu or turquoise, I may opt for turquoise myself.

As well as mammals and birds, there are aquatic creatures such as the octopus involved in a few of Nick Von K's collections and even this sweet little grasshopper ring. I never had a great affinity for bugs and I can't say they ever struck a chord of fear within my heart, (arachnids are not included) but I do like the mount of this sculpted beauty on the ring and the way at clings to the base. The carved detail on it's back as well as legs has a very exotic and Mexican appeal to it. It's a great statement ring for those who like to create gossip about themselves or who just enjoy the unique and unusual.

I love the paralysing stare of the Eagle, it seems so intense and yet it's just a mere carved object. The attention to detail involved for their pieces is fantastic, the carved end of the beak as well as the etched out feathers surrounding the neck of the bird is something else. Some jewellers wouldn't bother and would rather smooth it out but Nick Von K is willing to go that extra mile and use some of
the best black water buffalo horn and organic animal horns and tusks, strings them on Sterling Silver chains and gives you something to be proud to wear.

This carved orb features two polar bears grappling together in an embrace and is another piece I was considering getting myself as a belated Christmas treat but something struck me as odd when I read the description:

Hand carved mammoth ivory on 75cm stg silver chain
(3cm)

It reminds me of my sweet high school chum and best friend, Clare nicknamed the polar bear. I am probably more drawn to the design for her sake but that doesn't mean I don't love the design. I do believe that this is a special person out there, the one, that will make you feel whole like you never have felt before and that they complete you. When you find them, a great bond and unity is created and to me this is what these two hugging polar bears represents.

The last of the three snake head charms pictured above is made of rose quartz but the detail of scales is emphasised with gold inlay for a little extra glamor among such a poisonous and deadly symbol. I'm actually most captivated by the slit like eyes of the middle and smaller snake head in turquoise- it's paralyzing as well as slightly soaked in malice and the shade of turquoise is absolutely stunning in contrast to the silver mount and rectangular linked chain. The quality of the turquoise stone and without being riddled by lines of impurity it really allows the lines and detail of the scales as well as the sculptural snout and temple of the snake shine through- something that's so important when trying to market really gorgeous and unique jeweller. I can imagine it being modelled on an Indian snake charmers family heirloom- were it not for the fact it did originate from the creative mind of Nick Von K designer Nick Klarwill.

Pageant Minute: Best (and Not So Best) Evening Gowns of 2011--The Beauty Pageant Edition!!!

Beauty Pageant Gowns--A 2011 Look Back at some of my Favorite, The Hoochies, and The Oh-Dear What Were You Thinking?

This past year has been a "mixed" year in terms of evening gowns in the beauty pageant world. There have been some really good ones that displayed modernity, directionality, and a nod to the red carpet and what actual stars like Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron would wear for an event such as the Academy Awards or Cannes Film Festival. However, for some reason, there still have been plenty of tacky-licious Hoochie Mammas, with plunging tops that reveal too much of the "sisters" and slits so high that well, one would be quite confused whether or not these ladies were running for Miss Universe or attending the Exxxotica Expo LA Adult Entertainment Show and Convention! Since I love discussing beauty pageants and especially the evening gowns here, I thought it would be fun to give you guys my List of the Top--and the Not-So Top Gowns, from some of the most important international beauty pageants, like Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Venezuela, Miss USA, etc., of 2011. So without further ado...

The Best:

Leila Lopes, Miss Universe 2011, from Angola: Simply perfect! One of my favorites of 2011. Leila wore a gold-colored strapless lace sequined gown with feathered detail. Now, I know that all of those details sound like a lot, and in the wrong hands it might have come out a MESS. But it did not. The gown was elegant and perfect for her skin color. She accessorized it with those gold stacked-heel pumps and kept it very modern with little-to-almost no jewelry. All these style ingredients helped her clinch the Miss Universe crown.

Miss Mexico 2011, Karin Ontiveros, Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: Karin did not make the Semi-Final Round during the Miss Universe Pageant this past year but she did, in my opinion, wear one of the Top Gowns of the Year. This off-the-shoulder lilac metalized satin draped gown was modern and had a nod to the Grecian-Goddess trend. It didn't overwhelm her or take away from her beauty and looked "Red Carpet Hollywood Star" appropriate.

Miss Venezuela 2011-2012 Irene Esser: This gown, by Venezuelan Beauty Pageant Designer KING Gionni Straccia, was fit for a QUEEN. A Venezuelan Queen. The gown looked like something one would see from an Armani Prive Haute Couture Collection--the silk lame, the hand-sewn Swarovski crystals and the perfect fit. I also loved it in that she won with a gown that had (GASP!) NO SLIT! A Beauty pageant Winner wearing a gown with NO SLIT?! Who would have thunk it? I would have.

Miss New York USA 2011, Amber Marie Collins, Miss USA 2011 Pageant: Another one of my Top Beauty Pageant Evening Gowns of 2011 was this gown worn by Miss New York USA at the Miss USA 2011 Pageant. She didn't make it into the Semi-Final Round but with this gown alone, she should have! The gown was designed by the same designer who created Miss Venezuela's--Gionni Straccia. I love it's simplicity, lack of too-high HOOCHIE slit, and delicate and beautiful shoulder, underbust and torso sequin trim. This is "Pageant Gown Lite" and the direction most pageant gowns should be going.

Miss Merida 2011 Yasmeira Gutierrez: Shimmering and simply stunning! This was one of my other favorite gowns from this past year's Miss Venezuela Pageant and well, one of my Top of the Year. It was a strapless silver-and-gold sequined silk organza gown from, yes, Venezuelan designer Gionni Straccia (he's on a roll here in my End-of-The-Year List). This is how I know a gown is good: I can see it on any top actress at the Oscars and see it end up in the "Best Dressed List" the day after.

Miss Hungary 2011, Linda Szunai, Miss World 2011 Pageant: I absolutely loved this simple baby blue and turquoise strapless gathered bust empire-style gown, worn by Miss Hungary 2011 at the Miss World 2011 "Top Model" Presentation. This gown shows how you can do Elegant without any be-dazzler machine. It has CLASS written all over it. It's safe, yes, but still impacting.

Miss Ghana 2011, Erica Nego at the Miss Universe 2011: Erica wore this during the Miss Universe 2011 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition and I touted it then as one of my favorite gowns of the Prelims. She didn't make the Semi-Finalist cut but to me, she still made an elegant impact with this strapless fuchsia and royal blue split-front empire style gathered bust gown. Gorgeous.

Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011 Pageant: Alyssa, who was Miss California USA, wore this emerald green gown--from Pageant-and-Prom Fave Sherri Hill--for the Miss USA 2011 Live Telecast. And she won! As everyone knows, red-heads should wear this color like, ALL THE TIME! It suited her well and the gown, was yes, five minutes away from looking a bit "Pageant Betty Perfect" but somehow it still had enough Runway Couture in its fit and structure to deem it one of my favorites of 2011.

Miss India Earth 2011, Hasleen Kaur, Miss Earth 2011 Pageant: In summing up my Top Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2011, I thought I should add a couple "Ball Gown/Princess" styles, since this almost became a trend of this past year. I really loved this pale blue-and-ivory gown worn by Miss India Earth during the Miss Earth 2011 Evening Gown Presentation. It was very Dior Haute Couture in its silhouette and Hasleen carried it well. I'm sure in the eyes of many pageant observers, it might not have been a favorite. But to me, it stood out as a vision of (semi) Haute Couture Fab-u-locity.

Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela, Miss World 2011 Pageant: Finally, I had to add the Gianni Straccia gown Venezuelan beauty Ivian Sarcos wore when she won the Miss World 2011 title. To be frank, I wasn't a total fan. But...there was something about it that well, I still liked (the top section I think), and yes, the way the almost 6-foot-tall beauty carried it off. When she walked on stage there was no denying she was "in it to win it" and she made all the judges focus on her! If a Hollywood starlet wore this at the Oscars, she would get SLAMMED the next day and be on the Worst Dressed List. But for Miss World and their vision of the "Disney Princess Beauty", it was just right.

The Oooh Girl What Were You Thinking?

And now, I present to you my "Oh Dear" List. These gowns should be banned forever from beauty pageants, red carpet events,..heck even tacky Quinceañera's. A Note to any women wanting to enter a major beauty pageant and thinking about what evening gown style to wear: please don't EVER wear these.

Miss Falcon 2011 Haydee Castillo, Miss Venezuela 2011 Pageant: designed by Luis Perdomo, this ivory satin gown was a mess. The too-high gathered halter-bust sections, the attached petal skirt, then a silver crystal trim waist tie? No, huney. Poor thang, she HAD to know she wasn't even going to be in the Semi-Semi-Semi Finals in this; she must have done something to make Osmel Sousa (Miss Venezuela Pageant Director) mad at her and therefore, she got this gown.

Miss Turkey Earth 2011, Merve Saribas, Miss Earth 2011 Pageant: There is something SO TACKY about this concoction above that makes me want to go have many, many Martinis with her! Seriously. It's BAD! Poor Merve--who is just stunning--she was somehow coaxed into wearing this during the Miss Earth 2011 Evening Gown Presentation. Doesn't she have any fashionista gay friends in her homeland who should have advised her against this? It's so bad that the woman (on the left side, front row) in the photo is actually LAUGHING at what a mess this dress is!

Miss Colombia 2011, Maria Catalina Robayo Vargas, Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: Oh Miss Colombia. You did it this time. You and this gown (if you would call it that) will enter you into the Drag Queen Hall of Fame. Ru Paul should be wearing this. Not Miss Colombia! It's a Halloween Orange strapless fan-pleated gown and...

A gold and bronze stretch sequined jumpsuit. At the same time! It's sooo tacky and bad, it's Drag Queen Good! I need to see this on the female partner of a Figure Skating Ice Dancing Couple from Russia. Like TOMORROW!

Miss Dominican Republic 2011, Dalia Fernandez, Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: Dalia thought she was entering the "Stripper of the Year" contest as opposed to the Miss Universe Pageant in this gown. That slit is SO high that well, I feel like she's about to see her gynecologist. Slits that high--up to the you-know-what--should be banned. Period. But then, if that wasn't enough, throw in the polyester satin fabrication and that too-plunging neckline. No Mija. No.

Miss Mongolia 2011, Buyankhishig Unurbayar, Miss World 2011 Pageant: Speaking of plunging necklines. This is what I said about this dress back in my Miss World 2011 evening gown post: I can't even focus on the rest of the dress when THOSE things are so propped up and on full display; it's like "Here they are! Y'all want them?" How do you say that in Mongolian? Oh, here's a positive: I LOVE that sequined Disco headband!! So Olivia Newton-John "Let's Get Physical"! Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

Finally here are my Top Three Worst:

Miss Austria 2011, Julia Hofer, Miss World 2011: Julia Julia Julia...what bad curtain from your grandma back in Vienna did you use to make this gown? She's such a cute girl, why this awful 1984-looking dress? It was bad in 1984...and it's bad in 2011.

Miss Belize 2011, Kadejah Tunn, Miss World 2011 Pageant: She is a Cha-Cha Queen, a Mambo Dancer and a come-hither stripper, all in one tacky dress. The low-rent fabrication, the side cut-outs, those tiered Carmen Miranda ruffles, then the open-toe gold pumps. Oh huney, I'm sure you're a sweet, sweet woman, but you have just made my "Oh Dear! Pageant Gown List" of 2011.

Miss Belgium 2011, Justine De Jonckheere, Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: The very pretty Justine takes the prize as the WORST of Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2011 in this baby blue and ivory concoction. This is like Scheherazade got attacked by a tacky fabric store in Alabama! The slit, the one blouson sleeve, the connecting midriff trim, those tacky shoes, a CUFF (?), oh and that 1992 French Twist Up-Do? What. Were. You. Thinking? For all that, you get the "Nick V. 'Oh Dear!' Evening Gown" Crown for 2011.

What did you guys think? What were your favorite--and not-so-favorite Beauty Pageant Evening Gowns of 2011? Did I miss any? Let me know! I'd LOVE to know your thoughts!!! And...
Happy 2012!!! I'm looking forward to more Good and BAD Pageant Gowns in 2012!

Prada S/S11

From the year that was so promising, playful but full of work for me came the gorgeous Prada Spring/Summer 2011 collection which caught my eye with its mesmerising stripes, gorgeous baroque sunglasses as well as wild printed patterns full of streaking water colours in vibrant colours. I loved the presentation of the models, their wavy hair slicked with hair spray as well as perfect side parts and neat little buns on the side. The colours were truly a feast for the eyes and the materials luxurious, especially those devilish fake fur stoles and the real ones too. The sunglasses were like small sculptures and the shoes which came in chunky platform brogues as well as swirly leather patterned high heels made me fall in love all over again.

The collection graced many many magazine covers, and was the toast of the town and the fashion world as far as resort collections were concerned. I myself loved walking around Chadestone shopping centre and peaking into the Prada boutique at the chance of pouring my eyes over the sensational clutches I longed to hold in my hands. A pity the collection was released at the start of Autumn in the southern hemisphere and I was busy and in the midst of my study. I had to time to work feverishly towards earning money for a chance to own a small piece of the collection.

 

At first it didn't appeal to me, but looking back upon it I have grown rather fond of the banana print which came as both a shirt or a skirt for the resort collection. At first it seemed odd amidst the stripes and colour blocking pieces but I now realised that the bold design and stark colours are what make it apart of the collection. There were many gorgeous as well as intriguing patterns in what seem to be painted designs which are thickly outlined with a thick black brush.

One fashion blogger was clever enough to make a paper homage to the large canvas totes of the collection using craft paper, blue, scissors and ingenuity. If I can't have something lovely from a collection, maybe I should follow in her footsteps and aspire to make tiny craft replicas of the pieces and keep them away in a hope chest or something similar. While I may hate the idea at first, who knows? The trend may grown on me. I should have joined my mother on a trip to the library when she offered to scope out craft books but I was in no mood and instead made good use of my time by cleaning my room a little. What I like is the clasp and yellow latch of the bag and the tiny fine liner detail which has cleverly etched out both the stitching as well as the engraved mark of Prada to give the final seal of approval.

 

I went gaga over the pink clutches and the use of stripes throughout the collection. This trio of clutches was what made me aspire towards scouring the Internet and online world for a piece of the action. Even if I had managed to scrap the money together, I dare say I wouldn't have found a use for it nor an occasion to use it. No, it's better I save myself for Deadly Ponies bags which are closer to my price range as well as necklaces in Sterling silver from some of New Zealand's finest brands in the business.

 

My heart is alight by seeing the pink, white and black striped fox fur stole held daintily with the striped dark green and canvas clutch. This is what suckered me into lusting after the fox stoles, the colour and the way they caught the light as well as the soft texture of the fur was to die for, but the clutches were more achievable in the way of price. Still, both pieces seem to have directed me towards canvas bags as well as fox tail charms and woolly key chains. Being eighteen years old it would be remarkable as well as foolish to spend my money on high price pieces from the finest of fashion houses. Instead, I should focus on study as well as operating blogs successfully and having them reflect my personal style.

New Year's Resolution: Goodbye McDonald's

It's salty, full of fat and sugar and can raise your cholesterol through the roof but unfortunately it's also very tasty and satisfying. Normally I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions, instead I try to improve upon myself for the month of January to set the tone for the busy year ahead and make time to do the usual tasks. Today was the last day of 2011; I spent the day doing laundry, cleaning under and around my bed and taking out as many as three garbage bags of rubbish from paraphernalia collected under my bed. I had also meant to watch three episodes of Doctor Who in a row while sitting on the exercise bike and pumping the pedals non-stop but after cleaning so much dust I had the keen sense of feeling filthy and had to take a prompt shower.

2011, the year that was held many promising events for me in my final year of high school. As a senior student and at the top of the food chain in the school grounds, there were many privileges my year level was blessed with such as exclusive costume days and the hyped up formal I think I reached my academic potential and was blessed with a SAT/ A Level/ ATAR score that will hopefully allow me into my institute of choice. I studied more than thirty hours a week and on rare occasions in the lead up to exams, forty and even fifty hours a week. Last year was all about hard work and preparation. This coming year, 2012 will be about socialising, becoming the person I want to be and being happy studying Science at Melbourne University.

 

While I have already managed to curb my fetish for fast foods and successfully have declined my mother's offer for artery clogging burgers and fries, my will has not been of iron and even looking at these photographs now makes me want to hurl myself at the fridge. Although, in my defence, my last meal was four hours ago and since then I have only enjoyed drinking water. Tomorrow and in the coming week ahead I hope to become an avid user of the exercise bike as well as lose the weight I have managed to put on since Christmas. I don't exactly feel good since I ate a very large portion of salad today and have managed to put on a kilogram since last night. A banana, two pieces of toast, smoked chicken slices with salad and coleslaw as well as a large serving of curry isn't exactly what I would call unhealthy food but the scales once again seem to disagree with me.

If I have the mindset of treating fast food as an illicit drug, maybe I will have a better job of avoiding it. Considering the awful effects pointed out by Morgan Spurlock's documentary 'Supersize Me', it's not too far to say that when over used and abused, fast food can be as damaging as say, smoking or alcohol.
A promising prospect on the horizon for 2012 along with less days of study is the opportunity to become a better basketball referee and take on at least one more shift, if not two. Maybe that will be able to counter any food I eat as well as earn money to buy pretty things and save up for Canada. The past year was brilliant, and I was blessed to share it with so many friends as well as loved ones and I hope 2012 can only be bigger and better, not just for me but for all of us. Also, if the world didn't end, that would be brilliant.