Tela Bags: eco-savvy - and very stylish

Combining contemporary art and eco-friendly materials in a bag? Yep, that's the line of Tela Bags, made from recycled magazine covers, advertising banners and even linoleum floor coverings! How damn cool - and eco-savvy - is that?

Tela Bags, the eco-luxury accessories label devoted to preserving the planet, has just launched their new 2011 Spring Summer collection. Since the label’s launch in 2006, each one of Tela's individually cut and crafted bags has combined eco-friendly materials with clever design.

This season, Tela takes inspiration from the international runways to create a collection of eccentric and versatile accessories: hyper colour and poppy citrus hues, and bold prints and geometric shapes feature in the chic new range of handbags, clutches, notebooks and wallets.

“This summer we have introduced leftover kite sails to our raw materials, celebrating neon colour and playful prints,” said Tela Bags creative director Helena Ferreira Pinto.

Wherever you are in the world, you can add a dash of London street style: each one of these babies are available online from: http://www.telabags.net/

Like A Prayer: Madonna-inspired Diva collection

Everything about this new collection from Diva taps into my nostalgic psyche:

I was beyond obsessed with Madonna's Like A Prayer (remixes? I had all of 'em, and played them incessantly).

Was more than fixated on crucifixes (being Italian Catholic, it was only natural).

And I sought out any photo shoot featuring Madonna (the top photo, shot by Herb Ritts, and featuring in Australian Rolling Stone was taped inside my wardrobe).

So, these new Diva pieces are all highly covetable for me - my faves are the turquoise rosary beads and the silvery/crystal cluster of bracelets.

On-sale now at Diva stores nationally.

See: http://www.diva.net.au/

Mila Kunis wears Chrissy L: Cosmo Ecuador and Cosmo South Africa

Girl of the moment, actress Mila Kunis is on the cover of Cosmopolitan Ecuador wearing a piece from the Australian jewellery designer Chrissy L.

The bangle - I want one! - is called the 'gold digger bracelet' and the piece is available online now at:

http://www.chrissyl.com.au/cart/index.php/bangles/gold-digger-gold-bangle.html

And the brand has been shown double the love from the internationally-loved mag - Mila is also seen here wearing the 'high roller cuff' on the cover of Cosmopolitan South Africa March 2011 issue.

Well done, Chrissy L!

For more shopping, see: http://www.chrissyl.com.au/cart/

Jade Warne: Shop Til You Drop new features editor

The most comprehensive round-up I have seen so far of what's on offer this autumn/winter is this fantastically put -together feature in the March 2011 edition Shop Til You Drop.

Going into great detail on which body shape should wear which new season pants, for example, is the brilliant new features editor for Shop, Jade Warne.

Jade wrote many of the features in this month's issue - and does a stellar job at it. Jade was the mobile editor at marie claire Australia, where she rounded up the very best in trends before anyone else did. And before that, Jade was a writer at the Federal Publishing Company group of magazines, including NineToFive.

We worked together then, when she was just starting out at NineToFive (their last issue is to be published next week). Jade's writing has evolved to the witty, polished prose it is today. And, she's a serious stylista. We saw each other at a function a while ago and I was bowled over by her fierce sense of style.

Jade Warne knows her fashion, people. Bring on the next slew of articles in SHOP!

Zooey Deschanel: Lucky magazine, April 2011

Zooey Deschanel is covergirl for Lucky magazine, April 2011 issue.

Here is a selection of some of her fave things for the upcoming US spring fashion season.

For more, see:

http://www.luckymag.com/magazine/2011/04/zooey-deschanels-wishlist#slide=1

Five Key Accessories - What You Need Now

Accessories are the lynchpin of every outfit.

They can transform a look from so-so to sensational, from blah to breathtaking, from 'meh' to memorable.

I am firm believer that every outfit is incomplete without a least one shiny bauble to complement it. Sometimes three, if placed strategically and all working in harmony.

Here, five key accessories - all Samantha Wills. The Australian jewellery designer scours the globe for inspiration and creates the trends. All can be adapted to an existing wardrobe. Or do what I often do: plan an outfit around that piece.

The five pieces, in myriad versions, every woman should own are:

A ring

A brooch

A necklace

A bracelet, bangle, or cuff

A set of earrings

Of course, I haven't added belts (I am ob-sessed with them: cinched in, low-slung, studded, whatever) and hats to the mix. And shoes. Whoa, that's a whole other blog post.

But I am very partial to jewelled accessories - my home is full of them. In the fruit bowl on the dining table (I am not kidding), in pristine plastic storage compartments, stored in the distinct Samantha Wills Balinese boxes (for SW pieces only - otherwise, it is deemed sacrilege for SW purists like me).

The only quandary is quantity. How much is too much?

The answer is simple.

Never enough.

For more, see: http://www.samanthawills.com.au/

Joy Jewellery Charity Bracelet

The Joy Jewellery brand has launched a new charity bracelet in support of cervical and ovarian cancer.

Many women in Indonesia are faced with poverty, illness and hardship. A foundation has been established to support women who can not afford basic medical treatments, such as pap tests.

This foundation sets up clinics throughout remote villages and offer local women the opportunity to be checked and provided with adequate medical care if they present with dangerous cells.

Joy Jewellery has created this gorgeous wooden bead, pearl and sterling silver charm bracelet in support.

Profits of all sales of this bracelet go directly to this worthy cause - a stylish piece and you're aiding something seriously important. Love shopping with conscience...

For stockists, go to http://www.joyjewellery.com.au/

StyleTread: your new - too easy - online shopping destination

There's a new online shoe shopping presence called StyleTread and it's about to make it super easy to shoe shop 24/7.

With over 5,000 shoes and numerous major shoe brands online, StyleTread delivers the most sought after styles from a large range of Australian and select international designers with fast and free delivery and a 100-day free return policy.

And how's this: StyleTread has a 100% record delivering shoes within three working days to every state and territory in Australia whether it’s a metro or regional delivery. Your lusted-after shoes will be on your feet before you know it! Scarily easy...

Here's what you do: find your fave pair, use the secure credit card or PayPal payment option and have them delivered fast and free of charge to try on with different outfits in the comfort of your own home. If they aren’t quite what you had in mind, StyleTread will pick them up from your home or office for free, quickly and with a full refund. Um, what...? That's just too good...!

StyleTread also has shoes for the boys and a range of children's shoes. But who are we kidding? They'd simply be filler, alleviating-the-guilt purchases... it's all about shoes for us...

Now, excuse me while I go shopping - from my couch...

See www.styletread.com.au

Alina Van - New Shoe Obsession

Shoes, shoes, shoes... accessories, bags, bangles, shoes.

Okay then... now that I have your attention...

Introducing Alina Van, the new shoe store on the block with a difference.

Launched in October 2010 - and named after the gorgeous designer herself (she even models in some of these shots - stunning!), Alina Van offers a range of stylish heels, flats, bags and jewellery which reflect Alina's Chinese-Russian cultural background, while incorporating the latest trends, always adding an extra, quirky finish.

All the shoes are designed by Alina together with a team of footwear pros.

I have the tan slingback pair, as modelled here by Alina, and the second I put them on I was in love. Something about the structure of this sturdy, utterly stylish, cut-away platform makes them unexpectedly comfy and completely sexy. The shoe also comes in an electric blue, though I was easily sold on the tan colour - it's my fave wardrobe hue right now.

Prices range from $149.95 - $249.95 and just this week the Alina Van site has launched online shopping!

To buy online, or for more info and inspiration, see: http://www.alinavan.com/ or visit the stylish Sydney store at 400 Oxford Street, Paddington.

Valentine's Day - last minute gifts, part two

Selling for the past few weeks - and especially released for Valentine's Day - is this little number.

Australian jewellery designer Chrissy L has released three limited edition "Valentine Desire Collection" pieces.

Each 'Desire Set' comes with the gorgeous pearl selection as well as the (I want one!) jewel-encrusted bow which can be worn on the necklace or separate as a lapel clip-on (I'd wear it attached to a gorgeous pair of black heels).

The set comes packaged in a blingy Glomesh clutch - I have one of these and I love using it as a mini clutch.

For $89, one of these (including the bag) is yours.

The Desire Valentine Special is sold exclusively online at www.chrissyl.com.au and will be available until stock is sold out. You won't get it by V Day if you order today... but you will get reserve brownie points when it does arrive...

Kate Middleton's engagement ring... for under 15 bucks

Kate Middleton's engagement ring - originally Princess Diana's engagement ring - is set to be the most copied ring for romantics the world over.

Valued at 85,000 pounds, Diva have come up with a very cute replica... at a snip of the price tag.

Their version will set you back a paltry $12.99.

Instore now at all Diva stores.

White watches: an enduring timepiece trend

There is something so very cool about a white watch. The trend - still so-now after several seasons - is producing some gorgeous interpretations from some of the very best timepiece brands.

Here is my pick of the most fashion forward, stylish examples.

My fave amongst the group? It's a tie between the Fossil number and the Marc by Marc Jacobs stunner.

Armani Exchange: $179

DKNY: Ceramic $349

Fossil$ 169 (available from http://www.fossilaustralia.com.au/)

Marc by Marc Jacobs: $249

Diesel: $139

All stockist enquiries, call: 1800 818 853