Recently in Fashion | Design Category

With such a diverse collection of beautifully hand-crafted glass jewelry made by the most skilled glass artisans of Italy, Yummi Glass is yummy indeed!

I would love nothing more than to do this entire post in pictures to show you some of my favorite rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and cuff links.

I would describe many of these pieces as exquisite, classic, sophisticated and fun. And, oh yeah, extraordinique!

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A world-renowned asian art glass studio has opened its first gallery store in the United States, Liuligongfang in San Francisco, right off Union Square. Artist, Loretta Hui-Shan Yang is internationally recognized for perfecting and reviving the ancient Chinese art glass technique called Liuli (literally "beautiful glass").  She has devoted the last 20 years of her life to Liuli and seeks harmony between art and life with every art glass piece she creates. Yang compiles each Liuli collection to reflect the beauty of life and nature, "revealing both authentic and modern expressions of Chinese culture."

Yang has expressed her artistic talents in Liuli and in acting. Yang, was a critically acclaimed and award-winning Taiwanese film star in the 1970s, but left the movie industry in 1987, at the height of her career, to pursue "enlightenment." While studying the French glass-making process pate-de verre, which translates to paste of glass, Yang learned that the art form had actually originated in China and could be traced back 3,000 years to the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Yang and former film director, and now husband, Yi Chang became determined to resurrect the ancient art of Liuli and return it to the forefront of the art world.

Art for Yang, is "an evocative manifestation of love, life and spirituality." Her work, for example, includes these beautiful glass bowls she created as a set called, Tranquility of Heaven and Earth. Her collections also include jewelry and other collectibles for the home.

Liuligongfang is a 3,100 square-foot gallery store that showcases the amazing beauty of their creations and invites you to sip tea at their glass bar. While at the bar, you can enjoy tea served from Liuli teapots in Liuli cups and learn about pate-de-verre casting techniques and the Liuli story.

Extraordinque!

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If you are looking for something fun to kick it around in over coffee and Saturday morning errands, I have found reknown Belgian fashion designer Dirk Bikkemberg's 2008 collection of "Bikkembergs" to be sporty, fashionable and fun. Ranging in different styles and a wide array of bright colors Bikkembergs are a must have this Spring.

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I don't know what it is about cuff links, but I think they are the epitome of style for a man. Putting on cuff links to me indicates a man of detail and someone who looks for that extra detail to finish off their look. I came across Tracy Matthews, jewelry designer, from the Ladies Who Launch Facebook Page and while I was window shopping her site (for myself), I found her men's line, which includes very unique cuff links.

Since my family is from Malta, I was thrilled to see Tracy Matthews designed cuff links with the Maltese Cross. These are extraordinique!

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If you are looking for a stunning way to dress the table for a dinner party, holiday gathering, or formal reception, Lumigram provides "Light for Style" with a shimmering fiber optics tablecloth.

Lumigram's Luminex® patented material emits a colored light along the full length of the fibers, producing a stunning luminous effect. Unlike other light sources like Neon, LEDs or Electroluminescence, the light coming from the fiber optics fabric is subtle and stylish, producing a beautiful luminous effect and awe-inspiring decor.

Lumigram's tablecloths come in four different standard sizes. If other dimensions are needed, you can contact Lumigram for those specifications.

The tablecloth is powered by a mains adaptor 110/220Vac. The tablecloths are shipped with either a European power plug (Europlug, usable in all European countries except the UK, Ireland and Malta), a UK power plug or a US power plug.

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I actually "had" (they are now in the recycle bin) two Starbucks cup sleeves on my desk with the idea to create exactly what Cup Couture has already done -- create a re-usable, fashionable sleeve for your favorite on-the-go paper coffee cups. Cup Couture created The Cup Coat, a high fashion thermal sleeve for most 12, 16 and 20 oz. paper cups.

Cupcoats are an eco-chic alternative to cardboard sleeves or 'double-cupping' typically used to  insulate your hands from your hot beverage.

Cupcoats are thermally-insulating, durable and designed for re-use over and over again. Cupcoats are thin and designed for a proper fit over most conventional paper cups for coffee and tea. Most of all Cupcoats are stylish for men and women, including six different collections. For those who know and follow Extraordinique the Diva line for the "DDK" is my favorite. (Lianne and Marilyn -- You know what I am talking about!)

What I love most about Cup Couture's product line, is that they also offer an accessory to this fashion accessory -- Cup Coat Carrying Cases! This is such great thinking. Not only can you get more than one CupCoat, but now with the accessory case, you can carry all of them (holds three) in your purse, car, laptop bag, etc. That's great thinking. It's also a great gift idea, since the CupCoat Carry Case also has a flap for holding your pre-paid coffee card or a gift card.

Brilliant! Extraordinique!

 

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Looking to make a definitive style statement with new wine drinkers, Patrick de Montpeyroux of Montpeyroux Estates in southern France, had a vision to make wine cool again with the young social elite. Knowing he neeeded to catch the attention and appeal to all the senses of the club-going, non-wine-drinking-yet consumer, Montpeyroux & Co knew joining forces with Christian Audigier, mastermind and head designer of the Ed Hardy and Christian Audigier brands, could get them the "rock star" status Montpeyroux & Co. were looking for.

The next time you are at your favorite night spot, look to see if Le Vin Cool is on the wine menu. The bottles alone are adorned with wild, daring, colorful tattoo imagery that has made Christian Audigier a household name.

Check out The Cool Wine on MySpace to get a better sense of these limited-edition, special reserve wines...with a rockin' attitude.

Extraordinique!

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