So… we’re not saying you have to emulate her, but Madonna is sporting a new trend, tethering. Chains, chains, chains! For the next few months, rest assured, you will see celebrities and fashionistas alike, wearing tons of chains. To look at Madonna in this picture one might say it’s a little over the top, but nobody does “over the top” as brilliantly as Madonna. While it works beautifully on a pop-star, it’s a bit much for the rest of us. However, don’t write the trend off just yet. You can still pull this look off by simply taking it down a notch. While you don’t have to go as far as Madonna, layer it and layer a lot of it. It won’t translate if you only wear one or two necklaces. If you’re not sure how far to go, check out some of the pre-layered necklaces out there. Dirty Librarian has great necklaces that cater beautifully to this trend. And for a reasonably priced way to incorporate the look, Forever21 has some fantastic choices.

chains in this observation:

There is something so sexy about fringe and how it dances with every move you make. It goes to the heart of American style, along with denim and a classic white tee. The fringe of this season has graduated to the next level. High end designers like Gucci, Prada, and Thomas Wylde have used the best materials and design to create “über” fringe fashion. Retail shops like Asos, Topshop, and dELiA’s have fabulous fringe styles at more affordable prices. You don’t have to be completely country, or even a little cowboy to pull of the fringe of Fall 2008. Don’t go overboard; choose one item to showcase. A bag is a great way to pop in some fringe. Throw it over your shoulder and you immediately look current. Or pull on a pair of black boots over your jeans, and you’re look is a bit more modern and urban. To pull it off, you’ve got to love the piece you buy. That way, your love will inevitably enhance your creativity with the item. Enjoy!

observations with fringe:

Left side:

Middle:

Right Side:

He refers to himself as “an outsider artist”, but I think he’s the purest form of an artist that there is. Jordan Betten may not have any formal training, but his absorption of life and all the characters in it helped him find an outlet in his raw talent. It’s his experiences that have given his art existence, and the utter reveal of his core in his work has brought him great success. The free-spirits of the world were among the first to feel the magnetizing nature of his designs. So, it’s no surprise that the Rock & Roll culture loves his stuff. Jordan has created a label that is perfectly suited for some of your favorite bands. Lost Art is sexy, earthy, edgy, and cool. When you look at his work, you become intent on seeing more. It is soon obvious that you’re seeing more than Jordan’s art, and for a moment you’re a voyeur looking into his soul. That is the kind of experience you only get when someone becomes one with their craft. You may be wondering how you can become part of the magic that he creates… grab one of his T-shirts or Tank tops. That way, his art can serve as an inspiration to you daily.

One look at Barbara Bui’s shoe designs and I hear Shania Twain in my head singing ” I feel like a woman”. They are powerful, sexy, and fabulously fierce. She gives us a neutral shoe with an edge, by popping it with unexpected color. Even the black suede heel is punched up with a touch of yellow croc. This added detailing is precisely what has us loving this high end Parisian label. You can wear these pumps with anything from denim to a flowy feminine dress - they can be funky or glamorous. There are plenty of ways to play with this look, so have fun with it.