Art Deco Beaded Clutch- Front

One of the first things I saw was this stunning Bougainvillea clutch.  I love the intricate beading and unique shape!  I’m not sure if this is a particular style, but I’m calling it an “art deco” clutch.  Also the basic colors make this bag suitable for almost any ensemble. 

Art Deco Beaded Clutch- Inside Pocket

Art Deco Beaded Clutch- Close Up Details

 The next items I went on the hunt for were cocktails rings.  I walked away with three very beautiful and very different styles. 

Stunning Rings

 I’m not sure what the purple stone is, but I really liked the simple shape.  It’s the color that makes it a stand out piece.  It’s very feminine and fun.  I find this stone to be almost…calming. 

Gold Ring with Pink Stone- Top View

 What I loved about this ring was that it was ultra-feminine.  Small and dainty, this style shines because of the pop of color!  It’s a beautiful pale pink that would look great against any skin tone.  I wouldn’t really call it a cocktail ring due to its small size, but I would certainly want to wear this ring out and about (and I will!). 

Smoky Quartz Cocktail Ring- Side Heart Detail

Now here’s my show stopper!  This is a ginormous, spectacular statement piece.  It is the epitome of a glamorous, cocktail ring.  The gold body has a “twisted rope” and heart design on the sides, which cradles the substantial smoky quartz, measuring almost a full inch across.  

What I really loved about this ring was its regal quality.  It’s not for the faint of heart, or those with subtle tastes.  And I almost lost it when I set it down for one second and another fashionista scooped it up!  She decided it wasn’t for her, and it was then that I decided it was going home with moi.  Because the stone is brown, it will also enhance many different ensembles. 

So that’s it for me! I may have only brought home four items, but it’s quality over quantity. These were definitely quality pieces that I’m going to be able to wear for a long, long time. If you were at FIG Finale, please do share your fabulous finds in the comments section. If you have questions, you can contact me via the comments section or at Nik@threadconscious.com. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to Thread Conscious so you can stay up-to-date on all the fabulous boutiques and sales in Dallas/Fort Worth!

Fashionably Yours,
Nik

Eddie & Co. Cocktail Rings

Eddie & Co. Sale

Eddie & Co. Chandelier Earrings

Butterfly Necklace

Large Wooden Cuff with Stone

Adorable Multi-color Clutches

Fashion Industry Gallery Front Entrance

Hello!

I just wanted to briefly show you some of the gorgeousness I encountered at the FIG Finale.  There’s more to come, including the items I walked away with and one I wish I hadn’t!  As always, if you scored some amazing deals at the FIG Finale, please share with us in the comments section.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Eddie & Co. Sale

Panacea Statement Jewelry

Multi-color Cocktail Dress

Very Cool Jacket

Lolo Bangles

FIG Finale is back!  The Fashion Industry Gallery in Dallas is opening its doors to the public on Fri. Aug. 27th and Sat. Aug. 28th!  You know what they say- “Opportunity plus preparation equals success.”  This rare occasion (FIG is open to the public only twice a year) presents an opportunity to shop the best boutiques in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including Epic Apparel, Sarah Briggs and V.O.D. Boutique.  I went in January and found some of the most unique accessories, at bargain prices.

Fashion Industry Gallery Front Entrance

Access to this shopping extravaganza is a mere $10 (purchased online) or $15 (purchased at the door).  But if you like being 1-S-T then buy the V-I-P package for $50 and attend the exclusive shopping party on Thursday, Aug. 26th, complete with DJ, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. 

Please let us know about your fashionable finds by leaving a note in the comments section- Happy Shopping! 

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Lucy, owner of Accents, always has the most fashion-forward, feminine dresses and jewelry!  You may remember the post I did about her a while back and I can’t say enough great things about her and her store- her happy hours are not to be missed!

Kinetic Exhibit is a company owned by a friend of mine that hosts bi-monthly art parties in the coolest spaces in Dallas.  KE best explains the concept on its website: “As social entrepreneurs we seek out raw, unoccupied spaces in creating our pop up galleries to transform the community through art.” This social experiment/experience is another event that is not to be missed! 

byrd & bleecker, Fort Worth’s premier paperie, is having a spectacular clearance sale starting today through September 4th!  Wonder if they still have those fabulous Noshii brooches?!

See below for details.

1. Accents- Fri. Aug. 20th; 4:30-8pm
TAX FREE HAPPY HOUR. FRI 8/20. BUY 2-GET 1 FREE STOREWIDE‏
Accents in West Village
Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/accents.wvillage
3699 McKinney Avenue #502 | Dallas, TX 75204 |214.252.3870
Located across the Avalon salon, next to the Gap

Accents in Arlington Highlands
3900 Arlington Highlands Blvd. #173 | Arlington, TX 76018 | 817.472.5566

2. Kinetic Exhibit: Patterns, Dreams & Withdrawal- Aug. 20-Sept. 20, 2010
Opening Reception:
Friday, August 20, 2010
8:00pm-12:00am
Da Space Dallas, 4217 Bryan Street Dallas, TX 75204
Tickets are only $7 and may be purchased online or at the door.

3. byrd & bleecker- Back to School Clearance Sale- Aug. 20-Sept. 4th

2962 Park Hill Dr. at University (By TCU) Fort Worth, TX 76109; 817-924-2973

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

In the spirit of food and fashion, I am excited that KRLD Restaurant Week is upon us again.  Presented by Central Market, guests can order gourmet, 3-course prix-fixe dinners for only $35 at participating restaurants in Dallas/Fort Worth (tax, tips and drinks not included).  Proceeds go to benefit North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope Home.

In Fort Worth, I personally enjoy Cast Iron at the Omni hotel and Ferre Ristorante e Bar but I’d also like to try out Top Chef Casey Thompson’s Brownstone, located in Fort Worth’s quaint but posh West 7th development.  In Dallas, you can’t go wrong with Dakota’s Restaurant, Samar by Stephan Pyles(get the black rice with fried squid or the potatoes and chorizo!) and Nobu.

So once again, here’s an opportunity to look good, eat good and do good for others.  Bon appetit!

For reservations, call the restaurant directly or book online through Open Table.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

I quite enjoyed your post from May 22, 2010 regarding Warren Buffet’s principles of investing as applied to fashion, but I could not leave a message in the comments section for some reason even though this is a WordPress blog.  Please consider adding an “anonymous” option so folks can leave comments.  Or an email address.  Below is the comment I wanted to leave- I think your concept is interesting and if you decide to continue blogging, I wish you the best.

“I agree with you…I don’t think “moon boots” would ever be a classic choice- it doesn’t matter which designer’s name is on them.  Fashion need not be fleeting or frivolous, and it’s unfortunate that luxury is often synonymous with impulsive and wasteful shopping habits.  Smart, thoughtful investments avoid buyer’s remorse, and ultimately the buyer becoming broke.
I applaud you for not following the “herd” and really like your blog concept of using words of wisdom from successful business people to inform shoppers.  Good luck and I look forward to reading future posts.
(P.S. Tod’s loafers?  I die!  So gorgeous, always chic.)
Fashionably Yours,
Nik
www.threadconscious.com/blog”

Darlings, I love fashion,  but some trends really should retire to the big closet in the sky.  Seriously, if you are wearing these trends, I implore you to please stop.  They lack any indicia of taste and just a cursory glance reveals inherent flaws so idiotic you wonder how some made it out of the sketch book.  So in the spirit of good style and good taste, please stop the madness!  Pretty please?  With Swarovski crystals on top?  

• Harem Pants 

(photo: Thefashionpolice.net)

 Looking like you shat your pants is never fashionable.  I think most civilized folks would agree.   

• Rainbow-inspired Nail Polish 

(photo: Picspeople.blogspot.com)

Don’t get me wrong, I love wearing color, including on nails, but I cringe when I see grown women wearing yellow nail polish!  It’s worse when the colors are mixed.  If your nails look like a bag of Skittles, trust me, it’s not cute.  You don’t look edgy, you look crazy.  Stop it.  

• Crocs

(photo: Crocs.com)

I don’t even need to explain this one.  

• Ugg Sandals

(photo: Ugg.com)

Just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s quality or sensible.  Not that fashion always makes sense and that’s ok.  But sandals with fur?  Sandals.  With.  Fur.  Nasty!  And I’ve seen ‘em in Texas!  If it’s hot enough to wear sandals, forget the fur.  Your feet, and anyone with a nose, will thank you.  

• Impossibly Tall Heels

(photo: Trendhunter.com)

Ever wonder why we mostly see photographs of these towering shoes as opposed to video?  Because no human being can walk in them!  Stilettos look stunning when they’re static, but try actually walking in 4, 5, 6-inch heels and see how the word ”stunning” takes on a new meaning when your ass meets the asphalt.  Now darling, deep down inside you knew you couldn’t shop, dine or dance in those death traps, let alone make it across the parking lot in the first place.  Say it with me: “Kitten heels are cute.”  Now stop the madness and save yourself the trip to the emergency room.  I’m sure you can think of better ways to spend your money.     

(P.S. Don’t even get me started on the high “heels” without the heel!)  

High Hell: Nina Ricci & Kronier (photo: Thefrisky.com)

Dinner with a View

Hello friends,

I know I’ve been gone for a while but the hiatus was much needed.  After graduation I had so much to do and I just got back from vacation in Cabo!  So with all that behind me, I felt I needed to get back to shopping writing, which I love.  Thanks to everyone who’s stopped by and please keep visiting!  I have some fun things to share with you all.  And as always, if I hear of a great sale on designer duds, I’ll tell you all about it right here!

It’s good to be back.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Lobster and Steak

Heaven- The Spa

Spa Ceiling- Sky Light

Marina

What’s better than Sex?  Apparently, more of it.  I personally thought that there shouldn’t be a Sex & the City 2…the first movie definitely delivered the goods and I felt they should quit while they’re ahead…

I was wrong.

SATC 2 is, well, decadent, sensuous and sumptuous and whatever else you can think of that is anti-recession.  It is a sensory overload of fashion, sisterhood and unabashed indulgence, you know, just like the latest nightclub craze but without the pesky hang over or regrettable one-nighter.  No, SATC 2 and its lush scenery linger on your mind and invite you to get lost in the imagery and adventure.

With that said, I won’t spoil it for my SATC Sisters (and Brothers, you know who you are) who have yet to view this jewel of a film, but I’ll just give you a quick synopsis:

The movie picks up 2 years later and we get to see how everyone’s relationships have progressed- or regressed- as it were.  There’s an overall sense of dissatisfaction by the girls that drives the story line: dissatisfaction with work, children, aging and the monotony of marriage.  To alleviate the frustration, the girls jet away to luscious and sizzling Abu Dhabi for an all-expenses-paid vacation secured by PR genius Samantha Jones.  The ladies always travel in style- from the suites on the plane to four white Maybachs to personal attendants, there was no shortage of ultra-luxury.  All I gotta say is if my lottery ticket hits, I’m heading east.

While I love the stars of the movie, I think my favorite character this time was all the luxury services rather than, gasp, the fashion.  Don’t get me wrong, I was mesmerized from the first scene, with Carrie’s neck sporting a $200,000 bejeweled stunner by none other than my jewelry crush, Solange Azagury-Partridge, but once they stepped on that plane, that mansion on wings, I was blown away by the unbelievable spoiling, I mean customer service.  Lastly, I’m excited about the book SATC 2: The Stories.  The Fashion.  The Adventure.  It’s a break down of all the clothes Carry wore in the movie- I can’t WAIT to get my hands on it!  See below for an example of the contents.

For those of you who haven’t seen it, I hope you make it out to the theaters this weekend- you won’t be disappointed- Carrie On!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

The Graduate Cap & Gown

I’m so glad to be done with final exams!  Graduation weekend was excellent!  It was great seeing family members and friends.  The 3-day celebration was all about food, of course.  I counted no less than 7 restaurants we visited, including Mi Cocina, Truluck’s and Spiral Diner- yum!

I hope you will continue to be patient- the job search is on full blast, and it’s a priority because trust me, I have student loans to repay!

I will try to periodically post some interesting tidbits until I can get back into the full swing of things.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik