The Succulent Wife's Favorite Things

Dove's Onslaught Campaign - Just Launched and Just in Time

I have a 10 year old daughter. I understand. And living in Las Vegas, where the "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" mentality is now pushing behavior and all visuals beyond the limit of what is acceptable, I get the importance of this campaign.

I do talk to my daughter on a regular basis, telling her that she should not think, for a single second, that she ever needs to look like those undressed-surgery-enhanced women that adorn billboards and the back of taxicabs here in Las Vegas.

Please talk to your daughters and pass this on to anyone who has a daughter. Oh, and feel free to use this space to discuss...

Oilily Clothing for Women and Children - For the Young and the Young at Heart

I have been wearing Oilily Clothing for almost ten years now. It wasn’t a new discovery even then as I remember my mom buying an ultra colorful winter coat for my younger sister years and years ago. But the store was new in

Costa Mesa, CA when I rediscovered the brand. And I remember being immediately attracted to the playfulness of the colors, the patterns, the details in the design. Like the petticoat under the skirt, laced with ribbons and other tactile details and which main function - since this part of the garment is not visible - is simply to delight the wearer. Of course, upon closer inspection, you discover even more enchantments, like the tiny patterns in the buttons, the interesting pockets, the layering of ribbons and findings at the collar or at the sleeve or at the hem.

There was a store here in Las Vegas until about 18 months ago. It was in a beautiful but ill-fated location and did not surmount the landlord’s fickleness....

Cinch that gorgeous waist with Chelsey Loren's One-of-a-Kind Belts

BELTS ARE BACK! Thank goodness! The Succulent Wife is quite excited to see that belts are back in style. And, she is especially thrilled to introduce this exclusive line of belts by Chelsey Loren. Whether you are curvy or straight as a pole, a belt is a feminine and beautiful way to accent your figure AND your outfit. Wear it with your favorites jeans or wrap it around a sweater or a jacket. Just gorgeous dahhhlin'!

Each belt is a ONE-OF-A-KIND, made, signed and dated by Chelsey. Her unique belts are handcrafted from antique, Victorian and vintage findings on authentic vintage buckles.

Visit this page to find out more about Chelsey herself and this page to view her entire collection.

... AND exclusively for The Succulent's Wife VIP readers:  20% off any Chelsey Loren Belt. Use Coupon Code “Chelsey” to receive your discount! Only valid until Oct 15/07!

TheBeautyBrains.com – Real (Fun) Answers to Serious Beauty Questions

TheBeautyBrains.com. This is one of the few blogs that I subscribe too and read faithfully. It always contains useful, well researched and trustworthy information, presented in a readable way and infused with humor.

I like that The Beauty Brains (the people who write this blog) have real clinical experience. They are a group of cosmetic scientists who understand what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising means. Their expertise covers the latest development in science and technology as it pertains to the beauty industry, human interest and advertising claim stories and aesthetic considerations of the beauty industry.

Their purpose in their own words?

We’re here to help you cut through the confusing, misleading and sometimes false information that the beauty companies bombard you with. Our goal is to explain cosmetic science to you in a way that’s entertaining and easy to understand. We believe the more information you have, the better you’ll be able to find products that you like at a price you can afford. So, you can listen to the advertising. Or advice from a friend. Or what your stylist tells you. But if you want to really understand cosmetic products in an unbiased, scientific way, Ask The Beauty Brains. You’ll get answers from a team of scientists who have no sales pitch and nothing for you to buy.

And you can ask your questions here: http://thebeautybrains.com/ask/

 Here are some examples of great posts:

1. Do antiperspirants cause cancer? An old myth demystified.
2. The Angel dusting practice. Consumer beware.
3. Why it’s OK to use baby wipes for removing makeup: 5.5 cents each baby wipe vs. 33 cents each for the “official” makeup remover wipes, with no added benefit. I'm in! 

There is also a Beauty Brains Forum if forums are your thing.

 I’m sure you’ll be learning something new in your first minute on this blog.  Enjoy!!

Terra Plana Shoes: Eco-Friendly AND Stylish

Terra Plana was founded by the sons of the Clarks footwear chain.  They make footwear from recycled car tires, old army blankets, car seats and other recycled materials.

Inspired by ecological survival, Terra Plana believes in a variety of non-generic products and sustainable strategies.  Their shoes are designed so that they can be kept for life. “Reparability, lightness, anatomic design, and durability are all staples of sustainable shoe making”. All that AND  style too!

Our society of consumerism has lead us into purchasing almost exclusively disposable goods. Doesn’t work? Throw it!  Buy another one!  Huh? I remember my parents bringing all their appliances to that local repair shop around the corner. What happened?

It is now almost expected that all things fashion should be "renewed" every six months, but our bad consumer habits have pushed us to create all categories of disposable goods, electronics and furniture included. There is scarcely any heirloom potential for our purchased goods anymore. The Terra Plana Shoe company has me  excited at the possibility that we could be purchasing an item to be cherishing and to grow old and comfortable with. An old concept that is new again.

Terra Plana combines  an understanding of classic shoe making with passion for modern techniques and materials. Take a look at these great designs:

And for those who wish they could go barefoot all the time, there is the Dopie.  I'll wear these over Crocs any day...
 

 

The "Story" Jewelry Collection - Vintage beads and paper charms

Betsy Carr of Foundling has done it again! First she brought us her Charmed series petite pendant necklaces. Now, she introduces another achingly adorable “Story” collection with her signature vintage pager charms as the focal point.

For the “Pink of the Evening” Story collection, Betsy has designed jewelry pieces with romantic summer sunset themed charms. The delicate charms feature snippets of vintage fabrics and words pulled straight out of a mid-century dictionary. This necklace and earring set will have you conjure images of pink sunsets, a sweet breeze in the air and other summer delights. Ahhhhhh….

The "Open Road" Story collection features vintage based travel themed charms. These little charms feature old map snippets and more words from mid-century dictionaries. Wearing this little number will having will have you fantasizing about driving down Route 66 in your 1955 Bel Air Convertible.

An exclusive with The Succulent Wife.

Succulence from Italy! Paola Frusteri, Fabulous Glass Jeweler

The Succulent Wife is proud to introduce this exclusive and breathtaking jewelry collection by Paola Frusteri. Inspired by nature, history and Paola’s own poetic sensibilities, her pieces are purposely imperfect, evocative of objects found in nature or treasures brought back from the sea.

With fused glass as the focal point, Paola also uses brass, copper, silver or steel to fashion her miniature wearable sculptures. Highly unusual, bold and modern, these one-of-a-kind pieces are actually easy to wear and the only accent you will need to complete and complement your latest outfit.

Made in the artist’s studio in Genova, Italy.

See all of Paola’s Collection HERE.

Retro Electro Aprons -- Functional Succulence at Work

You need to see these absolutely adorable aprons by Retro Electro. Made from a clever mix of new, vintage and salvaged material, they are too cute for words.

The girls at Retro E managed to design aprons that are not only unique and adorable, but playful AND sexy at the same time. The Succulent Wife and staff had a great time unpacking this shipment. Indeed, a young male colleague (who, for his own safety shall remain unnamed) exclaimed “Wow, what do you wear underneath?” Well, that would totally be up to you and to how you prefer to entertain!

Take a look at the fun bistro aprons that would make a perfect gift for the man who has everything.  Actually, any of these aprons would make great housewarming or hostess gifts.  Hurry, hurry, these are flying off the shelves!!!  Oh, and read the instructions below to get your coupon code.

Very "Joli Jewelry"

I fell in love the second I saw this line. Colorful, eclectic,old-fashioned-in-a-modern-way, a little bit bohemian, it has everything to have me hooked...  I had to have them in my store!

Jody Lyons is the designer for Joli Jewelry and she creates limited edition pieces by mixing vintage findings and new materials. Joli Jewelry’s materials of choice are semi-precious stones, deco glass, enamel work, metal stampings or findings, mother of pearl, 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s, 50’s or 60’s vintage plastics and Bakelite Celluloid. These materials are masterfully combined into sculptural and textured compositions, each becoming a little piece of art in its own right, to wear as a pin or necklace. We love the quirky juxtaposition of the vintage materials and bright colors.

The part I like best is the versatility of the pieces. Thanks to a clever “slider” that attaches to the pin, the Joli Jewelry brooches easily convert into necklaces. I sell them with a black satin cord necklace. Very elegant. You can also attach the pins/brooches to the black bead cuff bracelet.  See how a Joli Jewelry brooch perfectly adorns an otherwise ordinary piece?  See the collection on The Succulent Wife's website right here.

This is versatility in jewelry at its very best!

Love, love, love it.

I said that already.

Little Reminder Necklaces By Lucky Accessories

These cute mini pendant necklaces are the best little gift for any of the important women in your life. You know, mom, best friend, sister, aunt, daughter... But these Little Reminder necklaces are especially perfect for Mother's Day. They have a little reminder inscribed inside, simple but important words (aka attitudes and thoughts) to remember and to help keep to keep-top-of-mind throughout the day. The choice of 13 Reminders are Love (bien sur), Laugh, Live, Dance, Faith, Sing, Balance, Listen, Read, Inspire, Play, Speak, Trust. The pendants are two-sided and have vintage wallpaper inside, a different image on each side for reversibility.

I think this is such a cute and thoughtful gift for the budget minded. Like for a young daughter to give to mom, or for a young woman (or young man) to give to another young person. Adorable and meaningful. Love that combo!!!  Find them here on www.TheSucculentWife.

The Hip New Look of an Old Craft

Sunny Leather Rising by Allison Sattinger

Allison Sattinger is re-inventing the old craft that is hand tooled leather. She makes unexpected leather accessories that fuse the classic technique of carving and tooling leather with the airy chic of the California girls who wear her collection of belts, necklaces and cuffs.

The rarity of tooled leather in fashion has made for some really fun conversations with strangers asking, "Where DID you get that necklace/belt?" and more than one on-the-spot purchase. The word has spread from friends of friends to clients and teachers, precipitating the need to create a full line of readily available pieces available at The Succulent Wife’s online store.

Tooth and Tusk Jewelry Collection

Lacey Wilkins is the creator behind the almost eponymous NeckLacey Jewelry line. Her education and training in the field of fashion merchandising allowed her to launch this first collection like a pro. It is cohesive with a palpable fashion forward edge. Lacey is obsessed with the study of trends - existing and upcoming - and loved the idea of creating a "rock & roll" look that moves beyond the now pervasive "skull-with-something-froufrou" product.

The shark tooth selected by her son in a tourist gift shop while the family was vacationing in Florida is what spawned the whole collection. Based on marine elements, the Tooth and Tusk Collection displays a hard edge with shark teeth and sharp shapes which juxtapose beautifully with the vulnerability of the coral. Lacey's unique wire wrapping technique also imparts a sense of irreverence and of "imperfection as the new cool".

No animals were harmed in the making of these great pieces*

* Horns and Tusks are approved but the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources and the Bureau of Animal Industries and Customs. The shark teeth are fossils from the US East Coast. Sharks shed their teeth naturally many times a year. The coral is from a commercial coral fishery with a license to cultivate from a unique Coral Collection Area with sustainable management guidelines.