BrandHabit

Love Heals Jewelry

We all know about Soul Food, right? You know, food that touches the soul, comfort food… food that just makes you melt? Well, Love Heals Jewelry does that to me.

The first time I saw a Love Heals necklace, I nearly tackled the gal who was wearing it. Then, when I went to see Love Heals Jewelry at one of the trade shows, the booth was full of women having the same primitive response I had. Buyers were frantically digging through the designers prolific collection, each piece unique unto itself!

The designer, Adriana is an exquisite woman who exudes the same spirit as her collection. Her pieces are collectibles, talismans and treasures to covet.

And, her Adonis, Greek-god like, drop dead gorgeous son, Gunnar? Well, let's just say that I wish I were .. umm. 20 something again!

No Paid Advertising in my Blogs!

Someone asked me whether or not I was blogging about designers or retailers that PAID to be blogged about.

I want to be very clear: NO ONE is paying me to blog about them. I only blog about stuff I want to blog about.

Another Goldenbleu Handbag

Okay, that’s it: Commit me now, I am a complete Goldenbleu Handbag JUNKIE!
It’s becoming unhealthy!

Two years ago I was carrying a fake Prada handbag (only because a friend gave me one) and now, I am buying handbags like they are going out of style! Wait, the term “going out of style” doesn’t make sense at all! Why would anyone say that? Especially if they are “into” style? Okay, how is this: “I am buying handbags like my life depends upon it.”? Better.

Okay so anyway.. It was before Christmas, and I spied this Blood Red Patent Leather Goldenbleu handbag…I was experiencing the proverbial sense of being broke pre-Christmas. But, when I heard that this color was not going to be cut anymore, I CAVED!

So, this bag, pictured here is coming out in Audrey Hepburn-esque white with black trim (I’ll find out where it is being shipped) and in stunning colors for spring!

It’s a bit more conservative and “put together” than I like to think of myself but I just love it. I wore it to dinner the other night and the waitress said she got “chills” looking at it. It’s one of those bags that makes you feel like you are worth a million bucks. Even if you aren’t.

More On St. Thomas

After living in New York City for 4 1/2 years, I now remember why in 1990 I left the concrete jungle for the Caribbean paradise. There is something to be said about stripping yourself of materialistic need and just sinking into a therapeutic island breeze and crystal clear blue waters. When I first landed in St. Thomas I picked up windsurfing and also got involved in racing Hobie Cats at the St Thomas Yacht Club. I had completely forgotten what it was like to be so connected to nature and it was an amazing time in my life.

I lived on St. Thomas for 3 1/2 years. During that time, I had the opportunity to start an off-shoot of my costume jewelry business called Carla Caribbean Designs. Between sailing and traveling for business, I had the opportunity to visit many islands in the area, including St. John, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, St. Martin, St. Kitts, Antigua, Anguilla, St. Barts, Nevis, The Dominican Republic, Bonaire and Curacao…

St. Thomas is not necessarily the best, most beautiful place to live in the Caribbean but it provides more of the “stateside” conveniences that the other islands lack. If I were to pick a place to visit for an island experience, I would not suggest St. Thomas, but it is a great jumping off point for sailing around the US and British Virgin Islands, which I have to say are some of the most beautiful places in the world to sail. The reason this group of islands is so beautiful for sailing is that they are very close together. The aqua blue water that you see in photos is REAL and occurs because of the shallow sandy shores near the islands. So, while St. Barts, for example, is chic and French (and has better style and shopping) the beaches and sailing just don’t compare to St. John or Tortola, as there are no islands close by.

Nothing is more glamorous than sailing on a boat in the Caribbean. As I mentioned in my earlier blog, the islands do not provide a fashion experience. However, a celebrity sighting or two is not unheard of. We sailed by Eric Clapton having breakfast on his classic motor yacht “Blue Guitar.” Brad and Angie were on one of the islands (but I won’t disclose where for their privacy). I was at a party with one of Ralph Lauren’s new, young, and gorgeous models, and I spent time with a dear friend, Peter Holmberg, helmsman for the Alinghi Syndicate, the current owner of the America’s Cup.

I have to say, it’s nice being able to call St. Thomas a second home!

Island Fashion

Before I left for my in-law’s family reunion in the Virgin Islands this holiday, several BrandHabit-ers said that they would be waiting for my blog about Island Fashion.

Here is the scoop: There is no island fashion…At least there isn’t in the US Virgin or British Virgin Islands.

Bottom line: If you are doing what you should be doing in the islands which is either lying on a beach or sailing in a sailboat, you won’t need anything other than a few bathing suits, a sarong, a pair of basic khaki shorts, and flip flops. Anything more than that and you’ll look out of place, like you’re trying too hard. Even if you go out for dinner the look is very, very casual. Keep in mind that everything you wear should be salt-water-worthy, because it all ends up drenched or sweaty or both.

Leave behind your designer clothes, handbags, and shoes…because it just doesn’t matter there. There is no need for make-up because it just washes off in the salt water, and the natural flush you get from the sunshine is so much prettier anyway. Also, don’t worry about highlighting your hair because the sun will give you those naturally perfect, face-framing highlights that some people pay $300 for. Jewelry can even feel extraneous.

Fashion shopping on St. Thomas is fairly limited. The island is known for duty free shops where one can buy liquor, cosmetics, jewelry and watches without paying taxes. The rest of the stores are ticky-tacky tourist t-shirt shops. Don’t come to St. Thomas expecting a Beverly Hills shopping experience. Although I avoid downtown St. Thomas as much as possible, I did notice a store in town called Larianna Boutique that carries Red Engine Jeans, Custo Barcelona and Language Los Angeles… so I had to stop by. It’s a cute store with a fashionable selection… but nothing to write home about (so to speak). Go there if you want to buy these items tax free.

Here is the one thing I need to say in this blog that must be announced to ANYONE with ANY sense of self-respect: If you come to St. Thomas, or ANY OTHER TROPICAL PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT GET BRAIDS!!!!!!!

A few braids, one braid in the beard, or a full head of braids a la Bo Derick--any braids at all with bright plastic beads on the end are tacky and hideous. Tourists think they look totally cool, like they’ve been in “De-islands, Mon.” But they don’t… they look foolish and tacky. Please, please take my advice and don’t do braids. If your kids beg you for them, JUST SAY “NO”! They’ll thank you someday, I promise.

Ahhh, I’ve said my peace.