Regardless of your addiction of choice ~ be it Caffeine, Chocolate, MDMA, Nicotine, THC, or DMT ~ Aroha Silhouettes latest collection Molecular Addictions has you covered. Each of the necklaces are made of strong lightweight stainless steel that has been finished in a smooth matte black powder coating with gunmetal chain and findings. Take a peek at Tania’s new collection with photography by Kelly Jill on the next page!

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Tags: fashion - gifts - jewelry - science - shopping

Another highlight from Superdesign was David Roux-Fouillet’s Diamond Shot, a fun and unique way to set a diamond. That’s right, specially made bullets are quite literally shot into jewellery to create the setting. Roux-Fouillet’s bullets are composed of 24ct gold, diamond, tool steel, and ivory, turtle shell, bull horn or silk (depending on the model). Bullets can be fired into rings, earrings or pendant structures made of platinum or 9ct gold. More photos of the setup and a video of the setting in action on the next page!

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Tags: art - diamonds - gifts - jewelry - shopping

Scissor goodness from our friend David Gensler! Gorgeous new series of hand crafted, antique tailoring shear pendants by David Gensler of the KDU and Serum Versus Venum and Osamu Koyama from Complete techniques. The new shears collection reflect David Gensler’s extensive collection of tailoring shears, over 800 pairs that span 450 years! The new series includes three styles which are T. Wilkinson & Sons (English), R. Heinisch (American) and an unmarked Parisian pair, which come in Black Mirror finished over pure silver, silver with 24k Gold bolt, pure 18k gold, rough finished brass, hammered antiqued silver and other combinations to replicated actual traditional shears. They’ll be available next week on the svsv online store! In the meantime, check out more pics of the svsv page for the project here. Ready to see more pics of the final products as well as the making of? To the next page!

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Tags: fashion - gifts - jewelry - scissors - shopping

I have always loved this idea of a mini wearable vase necklace ~ remember the Rockettoro Blossom Pendants from way back in 2006, with the glass vial, perfect for one flower? Well flipping through Lucky, i just saw this Tiffany & Co ad for the new Elsa Peretti Bottle Pendants that play on the same concept! “Once i was in Portofino and i met all those beautiful women that were wearing Pucci’s dresses and had a gardenia in their hand. That was the flash that made me think to realize something to keep the flower fresh and alive, therefore the little bottle came to the light…” says Elsa Peretti. So pretty and delicate, it really is a shame they don’t have more images of the pendants with flowers on their site! And i could never see wearing an orchid with praying mantis as i go about my day… but there are so many pretty options! And for those averse to cutting flowers, imaging putting some of that magical hydrogel stuff inside and nursing a seedling around your neck until ready for planting, etc? Take a peek at the other designs and more images on the next page!

p.s. I know, Tiffany & Co and Kiel Mead situation is terrible, but these bottle pendants are just interesting objects!

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Tags: fashion - flowers - gifts - jewelry - luxury - shopping

I first wrote about Manymals by Marcus Diebel and the incredible packaging just over a year ago when i procured the amazing Bat that is still one of my favorite necklaces. The weight feels incredible, and they are so sleek and beautiful! Well mid last year he also introduced a Koala to join the bat, sloth, bulldog, and gorilla… and now there is a Manymals Boa! Sleek, slithering boa coiled do elegantly on a chain… take a peek at more pics on the next page!

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Tags: animals - gifts - jewelry - shopping - silver

On silly trends that seem to be popping up… have you noticed the Magnetic Clothing trend? Sure, a lot of people switch their jewelry clasps to magnets to make things easier, and its definitely helpful for arthritic hands and such… but magnetic babies clothes are available from Magnificent Baby and magnetic lingerie from french Lingerie Dement… and if you’re ambitious enough, you could even wear, what one could barely call a bathing suit, a swim suit of magnets from Klik Klik Jewelry. Perhaps it’s just me, but i can just imagine being THAT magnetic ~ as if the horror of toilet paper sticking to your shoe isn’t bad enough, what if a fork leaps up from the table and stuck to your cleavage… or sticks to your CHILD? This could get dangerous! Are these rare earth magnets? How strong is this stuff? Then again, if its TOO weak, that could also pose a lot of problems! So i’m curious ~ would you go magnetic? On the upside, maybe the magnetic wallet could be an attachment that just snaps on to your… clothes? Could it be set up so this is even more effective than those magnetic therapy bracelets? Or could it be detrimental? I totally understand the appeal of not dealing with all those buttons on your baby’s clothes ~ and wanting to preserve your gorgeously lacy lingerie while still letting him literally rip them right off of you in no time at all… but would you wear it? And how does it react when you go through airport security! Clearly i have a million and one questions running through my head on this theme tonight ~ i blame Cool Hunting for kicking off this train of thought, and finding the adorable illustrations over at My Little Paris… now go see all the pics on the next page!

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Tags: baby - fashion - gifts - jewelry - lingerie - magnet - shopping

While in London last week, popped by the Highland Park 50 year old launch event at Harrods ~ and the bottle is stunning! There’s just something so unmistakeably beautiful about the way the sterling silver “squeezes” the glass, making it bulge ever so slightly. Apparently it is also holding the oldest ever island single malt ~ and hand-crafted ornate bottle is designed by Scottish Jewelry designer, Maeve Gillies, who was inspired by the elemental forces of Orkney ~ from the seas, island life, wild elements, and natural light. Perhaps the loveliest little secret hidden within this bottle ~ “In recognition of the famous St Magnus Cathedral and its medieval beauty, the front of each bottle features a single piece of circular Orkney sandstone into which is hand-carved the Highland Park amulette. Inside the bottle, behind this sandstone, lies a Sterling silver replica of the St Magnus rose window which is revealed over time as the whisky is enjoyed.” It really was such a tease at the event, when they would show you the bottle, and hint at the replica of the rose window you can’t quite see behind… And as lovely as the bottle, is the hand carved Scottish oak box as well ~ love the porthole you can peer through to see the bottle… Take a peek at closeups on the next page ~ the 275 bottles are a Harrods exclusive till the end of Oct.

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Tags: jewelry - luxury - packaging - scotch - scotland - silver

Dominic Jones Jewellery always pushes the boundaries between the natural, the elegantly fashionable… and that crazy edgy look that will scare off a few folks. The latest collection has beautiful rhinoceros beetle rings i’m lusting after… an incredible shark’s jaw envelope clutch… and some intense gator jaw cuffs… see some of the most intriguing designs on the next page!

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Tags: accessories - fashion - gifts - gold - jewelry - shopping - silver

Much talk on twitter this morning about clones… especially of the mentally networked type… so i could be in multiple places around the globe at once! One of the recent moments i wish i could be in NY and LA at the same time (or actually, i suppose teleporting would be ok too) ~ when the email came in with subject line: “CHANEL J12 Marine invites you to Montauk for Fireside Cocktails - Aug 21st”

As if i wasn’t bummed enough not to go see it in person, the pictures came in this morning ~ and it was just too picturesque not to share! Something fun about the way they were shot, it looks like the matte black and white Chanel logo’d surf boards were the stars of the party… in addition to their new brand ambassador, and the new J12 Marine watches of course! “Like CHANEL’s newest brand ambassador, Laird Hamilton, CHANEL has allowed themselves to be swept away by the beauty of the waves, and has incorporated these elements into the design of the J12 Marine, the newest addition to CHANEL’s fine timepiece collection.” I have a fascination with watching brands and experiences you don’t expect merging beautifully to create a whole new experience… Chanel + Surfing? Definitely quite the contrast to the socal surf scene and the art/design i usually imagine coupled with it… But lovely in its own way! Take a peek on the next page of the dinner Chanel’s J12 Marine and Laird Hamilton hosted in honor of “The Wave” by Susan Casey to benefit the Surfrider Foundation…

p.s. the email with pictures said “…dined on fresh seafood at wooden tables and then gathered around the fire pit for cocktails and smores.” How lovely does that sound right now?

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Tags: chanel - events - gifts - jewelry - luxury - new york - outdoor - shopping - sport - surf - surfboard - travel - watch

While at A+R Store today, i couldn’t resist these lovely Manymals silver necklaces. Sleek simple shapes ~ Bat, Sloth, Gorilla, Bulldog ~ designed by Markus Diebel. And as if i didn’t love them enough then… they teased me with the packaging, which is so AWESOME! I nearly didn’t want to open it, but i was dying to wear my new bat tonight! Sleek black packaging molded out of 100% recycled paper. Playful typography on the back panel describing each creature… and 5% of sales go to WildAid! Ok but beyond how pretty the pieces look, you have to see how cool the packaging is on the next page!

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Tags: animals - gifts - jewelry - shopping - silver

Oh how i <3 Rocket World. But most NOTCOT readers should know that by now. Patrick Ma is definitely one of the guys to look up to when it comes to putting your passions first and finding a way to grow an amazing company pulling in all of them as diverse as they may be… from a military background to a love of toys and eye for fashion… add a great design sense, some business savvy, and an impeccable attention for detail… surround with a bunch of great people. And poof Rocket World and TAD Gear! SO i’m thrilled to show off this special photoshoot they’ve done for us to showcase their new jewelry pieces! As modeled by my favorite plushie bear, Titus. (I couldn’t resist, so snuck in a few picks of my Titus at the end of the post to share with you too!) Oh, and they too love you guys enough to want to giveaway some of their gorgeous new pieces…

The giveaway: Sterling Silver Mean T-Skull bead and Pineapple Grenade necklace. Details on the next page!

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Tags: accessories - fashion - gifts - giveaway - holiday - jewelry - shopping - silver

Happy Cyber Monday! I’m so excited to share this holiday feature with you! Our friends at Bittersweets NY have sent us an incredible look inside their studio, sharing not only a peek at their space, but also the making of their latest diamond rings inspired by nature - resembling twigs holding the diamond! From sketches to final product, it’s fascinating to see how it comes to be. AND, on top of that, they have been generous enough to offer one of their 14K Gold Diamond Twig Bands for a giveaway as well! See the story on the next page as well as details on the giveaway!

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Tags: accessories - fashion - gifts - giveaway - gold - holiday - jewelry - shopping

Mixko! Love them so much! So delicately beautiful yet just enough edge to make you look twice and think a little harder.... So, i'm not sure why, but lately whenever i am about to leave home and hop a flight, i feel like i need to set a giveaway in motion (and pick a winner when i land) ~ interpret it as you will, maybe its the guilt of being away from the sites? But none the less, Nahoko was nice enough to send one Mixko Here Comes The Sun rainbow over for me, and one for you (you = future winner who follows @NOTCOT and sends me a tweet reply sharing what you think should be at the end of a rainbow... it doesn't have to be a pot of gold! What would make your day? i'll pick a winner when i get in to NY off the redeye on Weds the 21st of Oct.) ~ so we can match! I adore this necklace, there's something radiantly happy about it ~ who can't smile when they see a dove pulling a rainbow across your chest ~ especially when you walk away and they notice the final drop of rain hanging from the clasp? Check out the unboxing on the next page ~

And for those who want it spelled out more clearly - for a chance to win: follow @NOTCOT and sends me a tweet reply sharing what you think should be at the end of a rainbow... it doesn't have to be a pot of gold! What would make your day? i'll pick a winner randomly from the tweets when i get in to NY on Weds the 21st of Oct.

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Tags: fashion - giveaway - jewelry

UPDATE: Winner had been notified via email! Waiting to hear back now...

Ok, kids. So here's the deal. I'm in Reims for the weekend with Veuve Clicquot for their harvest (SO excited)... but that also means they have me on a crazy schedule, and the wifi is less than optimal, and luckily Robin and Caroline over at Bittersweets are far too generous and life savers on the timing, so while i go possibly a little extra quiet this weekend/monday/etc... lets do a giveaway of one of my favorite necklaces from the last few years. I love iconic little symbols that remind me of phases/eras of my life ~ and the Silver Cocktail Sword from Bittersweets to me represents everything from the first year of NOTCOT to the launch of Liqurious to just a love of swords (in plastic form! turned silver!) and more... as you can see, some of my other favorites i wore on the flight over (i literally snapped this pic in the bathroom before hopping in the car to get to the airport!), i also have my Alex & Chloe Chill Pill (reminding me not to ever work myself quite as hard as that season again) and Bittersweets Rocketship (just like those i used to doodle in AP Physics as a 15 year old!). But i digress - To win a Bittersweets NY Silver Cocktail Sword Necklace - leave a comment with your favorite symbol/icon/etc and what it means to you ~ and i'll pick a winner when i reach London on Tues! More pics of it on the next page...

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Tags: fashion - giveaway - jewelry

What could be more perfect for a gorgeous saturday post? Mixko first gave us the rain cloudy English Summer Necklace... and freshly launched is the Here Comes The Sun Necklace (are you hearing the beatles in your head already? Or is that just me?)... "7 layers of ribbon rainbow and the last drop of rain on your back. Silver plated findings and chain, czech crystal bead, polyester ribbons, plastic dove object." SO pretty, so simple, and i don't think you can help but smile when you see it... their concepts are always so elegant as well... AND, they even have an etsy store for easier shopping for the americans... see more pics of it on the next page!

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Tags: fashion - gifts - jewelry - shopping

While waiting for a friend for dinner last night i found myself hanging out in A+R ~ which is always dangerous and oh so fun. Well, i started having WAY too much fun playing with the Nervous System bracelets and rings... the there is something so visually and tactilely fascinating about their pieces... in particular i gave in and purchased the Wave Bracelet in white (after trying on everything they had in various sizes, and the rings too!)... honestly the rings weren't nearly as fun as the bracelets, but now i AM intrigued by the rings in the silver...

The whole Cell Cycle Collection is quite mesmerizing! Take a peek at close ups of my bracelet as well as a look at the full collection and the story behind it on the next page!

p.s.
i can't even tell you how badly i want a rapid prototyping machine right about now...

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Tags: fashion - gifts - jewelry - shopping

Rose thorns... i never realized how much they can resemble fangs/sharks teeth... until staring at this gorgeous jewelry collection by Dominic Jones - Who is he? Well the NYT's The Moment sums it up nicely - "Dominic Jones, the 24-year-old London jewelry designer and club kid about town, is a daily must-see with his bright shock of hair, which on any given hour is blue, purple or red. He's also getting attention for his high fashion Goth jewelry line, which is backed by his friend Alice Dellal, the model and "It" girl." Take a peek at my favorites on the next page...

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Tags: fashion - gifts - gold - jewelry - shopping

On NOTCOT favorites, SDCC highlights always including visiting the Rocketworld booth to see what Patrick/Otter X and his crew have been up to. Just as it was really fun to see how many unexpected product offerings were popping up at Dumbrella's booth ~ Rocketworld is also expanding and evolving through collaboration in some great new directions... incredibly cozy floppy plush toys (with velcro hands and skull - and a little belly button!)... super limited edition silver jewelry pieces (only 5 of some of them! i couldn't help myself)... stickers!... 2 series of new toys... mini exact replica T.A.D. Gear backpacks for the IWG... letterpressed cards... and even a peek at a *possible* animated IWG to be! In a time where many companies (esp some of the toy guys it seems) are hurting a bit, and it certainly felt like less new launches this year... the Rocketworld booth was almost all brand new products, and really expanding the line by bringing in friends who are masters at plushes and jewelry. See lots of pics on the next page!

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Tags: gifts - jewelry - kids - letterpress - nature - rocket world - SDCC09 - shopping - toys

Mmmmmm carbon fiber. But have you ever seen it COMPRESSED? into a block... and them formed into a watch body? Sure the Monocle products were fun, but when introduced to Robert of Bell & Ross, and this beautiful BR 01-92 Carbon Fiber watch (available Nov 2009) ~ i was mesmerized. And ironically he claimed that there isn't enough interest from the female demo for carbon fiber (so, no smaller sized carbon fiber beauties for us)!!! Yet Julie of LAist and i couldn't take our eyes (and fingers) off this watch! The details are gorgeous, perhaps even more so in person than in these pictures... but i blame the flowing champagne and my attempt to shoot pictures while carrying on a conversation... It was also cute that amongst the impromptu pitches he gave me, he started showing me pictures of watched and displays on his iphone too... see more images on the next page!

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Tags: accessories - fashion - gifts - jewelry - shopping - watch

Ooooh, pity these weren't available for Valentine's Day ~ they would have been the perfect gift for SO many Artecnica/Tord Boontje lovers! Freshly launching from Artecnica is this beautiful line of charms, aptly named, Charming, designed by Studio Tord Boontje. They are available in 24K gold plated and silver plated finishes, and they are mini wearable versions of those iconic Boontje flora and fauna woodsy motifs ~ my favorites are package 1... and 2... and 3??? So hard to choose! See all the packages on the next page ~ the birds, bunnies, deers, flowers and more are too cute!

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Tags: accessories - fashion - gifts - jewelry - shopping

On unusual jewelry gift "packaging" ~ how beautifully intriguing is new Abandoned Comb Amulet by Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons? There are only a limited edition of 30 pieces made!

From their description: "The Abandoned Comb Amulet consists of a hexagonal sugar-glass pyramid filled with Brooklyn rooftop honey. Free floating in the candied bubble is a solid 18k gold honeycomb necklace sculpted by bees. It is protected by a glass dome with a rubber stopper. The usefulness of the Abandoned Comb Amulet is defined by the resulting choice of a Solomonic dilemma. One must either forcefully exhume the honey drenched gold by violently shattering and eating the casing, or find value in the object's current form and care for it as it deteriorates on its own.

Regarding the process: "First, abandoned honeycomb from Brooklyn rooftop hives is gathered. Next, in the ancient 'lost wax' tradition, the honeycomb is burned away and replaced by molten gold. Resulting is a perfect hold replica of the wax comb."

It's a fascinating story/process/concept for what may finally result as simply an 18k honeycomb necklace, but the delicious "unboxing" process really adds a new dimension even more delectable and beautiful to display than most. See more images on the next page!

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Tags: food - gifts - glass - jewelry - shopping

Wow. So i'm sitting here completely mesmerized, conflicted, fascinated, and DYING to pop out ALL the rings. NOW! So far my self control has kicked in and i only popped out the first one for the sake of showing you and photographing it... and sandpapering... and ok ~ so here's the deal ~ basically i'm totally obsessed with By:Amt's latest: Stainless Steel Ring A Day.

It comes with 7 rings and a piece of sandpaper ~ the rings are in these adorable polished stainless steel cards... that you can pop out, or not. That you can disconnect, or not. That you can wear all at once, or not... See? It's overwhelmingly awesome and conflicting and exciting all at once. It really doesn't help that once you pop the first one out and slip it on your finger more ideas start racing, and you can't stop wearing/playing with it. I think this just jumped up onto the perfect gift list... as long as you pick the right size. Think about it ~ for $99 to get 7 rings, or 7 necklaces, or 7 rings AND 7 necklaces.... it could be one amazing gift, or you can even split them up into 7 precious stainless steel rings for your bffs.... or the coolest gift tags on presents? Or if you're a planner, i guess you could really do one ring each day of the week, but who has that much self control? They could even be rings + awesome shiny iconic chrismukkah tree ornaments!

Anyhow, you get the point, Ring A Day = awesome gift with way too many possibilities. Also looks great on as a ring. So check out more pics on the next page, and i think i need to go pop out all the rings now! Will update with a pic in a few...

Oh! And don't forget, if you order this you also get to choose a free diamond ring! See the coupon on the next page...

UPDATE! As promised, i went and popped them all out and sanded and took a few more pics ~ jump to the new pics...

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Tags: fashion - gifts - jewelry - reviews - shopping - steel

Alex & Chloe ~ here's a close up look at their packaging and some of their products... basically, i kid you not when i told you we love the people/stores/brands we're supporting with the coupon book and giveaways! I FINALLY gave in and got the Solitaire Inverted Diamond Ring! And i'm totally smitten with it ~ Alyssa, Linhchi, and I couldn't resist giving in to a few other pieces too! Including my other favorite, Alex's Chill Pill necklace, which is my new reminder of how overworked 2008 has been, and to cut back and focusing more on fun crazy projects (2009 will be awesome!).

So beyond close ups of the items, i also wanted to share their packaging with you!!! We are definitely kindred spirits in our aesthetic choices ~ i swooned when i saw their black on black cards and boxes ~ i love gloss black on matte black... wrapped in black tissue... sealed with a logo sticker... So take a peek at it all on the next page, as well as a look at their freshly launched t-shirt collection!

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Tags: fashion - gifts - jewelry - packaging - review - shopping

Ready for more shopping ideas? Well Best Buy is sponsoring our roundups for the next few weeks ~ you know the drill, our picks, they're just supporting us to make it happen! So here's a roundup of potential gifts we'd love to give or receive as found over at NotCouture! Click the images to find out more!

Tags: accessories - fashion - gifts - jewelry - roundup - shopping

While in Paris i stumbled across a new store (new, as in there are 6 currently open around paris, and quite a few others in the process of opening around france), The Kooples. I suppose what struck me first was the black and white interiors, bright white lighting (apparently the designers were adamant about making sure the lighting didn't interfere with the perception of the clothing colors), and the slightly american apparel feel with the candid photography - but with a far more... London rocker meets Saville Row with a Parisian twist? It's hard to describe, you have to go see it ~ but the tailoring of every detail is impeccable, yet these perfect jackets and shirts had fun subtle yet hardcore skulls on metal buttons... and when unfortunately a jacket i loved didn't have my size in the color i wanted, i couldn't help myself and got a really fun necklace (pics on the next page). As for the branding, beyond the black, white, and photography ~ the packaging is nice too, see the bag on the next page! And like Acne, they even have a magazine/newspaper that is just starting off as well...

Their site describes it as: "The Kooples, c'est le retour du chic de rue, un état d'esprit Paris-Londres, une inclinaison musicale, la mode comme manifeste, et un vestiaire pour deux. Depuis cinq minutes ou depuis quinze ans, pour une nuit, pour un certain temps, c'est un mode de vie, un jeu." The Kooples is the return of street chic, a Paris-London mindset, a musical inclination, fashion as a manifest, and a cloakroom for two. For five minutes or the last fifteen years, for one night, for some time, it is a way of life, a game.

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Tags: fashion - gifts - jewelry - paris - shopping - travel