When I was little, I always wanted a mood ring. A few years later, after too many Disney movies, I wanted a moon ring. Now, as a shiny-faced young professional, I want a ring with the 3-d details of Paris, France, San Fransisco or from the City of Brotherly Love.

While attempting to figure out who the people of The Posh Review are (and more importantly, who is helping them throw this), I stumbled across this awesome article about Philippe Tournaire’s (warning: entirely in French!) incredible architectural rings.

“Tournaire is brilliant, he has linked his passion for gems, diamonds, and precious metals to his passion for history and the sciences.  All of his pieces entail constructive abstraction, symbolic form, and color connections.  All rings are handmade in France, where Tournaire’s workshops are situated. The first shop was settled 25 years ago in Montbrison near Lyon. There, Philippe Tournaire combines both antique craftsmanship and the most up-dated techniques…” (The Posh Review)

It would appear that the rings are being marketed toward putting your own home (or “dream home”) on your finger (clearly for people that have the money to own homes that are jewel-worthy), but my fascination really is in the idea of having a small city on my fingertips. Buzz across the internet implies that the inspiration for the rings came from the Merovingian age.. which I believe is a fancy way of saying it was inspired by the middle ages in western Europe. Awesome.

And if you’re talking about skulls, you gotta start with the obvious: Ring, Alexander McQueen, $250.

For the menz: Muerte oxfords, Esquivel, $898.80.

Skull rings, Dior.

Diamond earrings, Jude Frances, $4,800.

Scarf, Topshop, £10.00

Skeletal… cuff? Man, we don’t even know, but it’s kind of fantastic, Delfina Delettrez Fendi.

Sugar skull coin purses, mexicansugarskull.com, 12 for $66.

DJ Skullhead ring from Japanese line Hysteric Glamour.

OK, that’s all for today, gotta finish my costume and get the keg! Yay!

In honor the death of Plan C last week, which would have closed the libraries (and the courts, and the parks, and a bunch of fire departments, and laid off a bunch of policemen, and gotten rid of trash pickup, and… wait, these things seem awfully well-chosen to piss Philly residents off), here’s a beautiful statement necklace for your favorite librarian. Each one is made of eleven antique-leather-and-Strathmore-paper minibooks, in which you can actually write very small words! By Philly etsy maker Margeaux Kent of Black Spot Books.

And speaking of libraries, remember: Marjane Satrapi, author of 2010’s One Book, Persepolis, is appearing for free at the Central branch of the Free Library at 7:30 tonight.

For that special bike lady in your life. I kind of dig the simplicity of the lock necklace above and the bike cutout; both are from Philly etsy maker Maggie Wood.

Taylor Jacobson

I really like most of the posts that The Frisky sent in it’s newsletter yesterday, except for this one. It’s about dorm room cooking, and being able to ultilize your coffee pot to cook chicken? Gross. At Least whoever wrote about this nastiness agrees with me.

The posts that I heart from The Frisky are as follows…How to dress like Brad Goreski from The Rachel Zoe Project. I just wish they did a post on Taylor Jacobson and how she dresses. I guess it’s pretty easy to figure out – skinny jeans, flannel shirts lots of hair bleach, black nail polish and ray bans, but I’d like a post anyway.

Another post from The Frisky spreads the word that Jessica Simpson is planning on releasing a line of bras that cater to large breasted women.  I’m all for cute bras in big sizes, but it’s just funny that Jessica ultimately designs for herself. Most of her shoes have major heels on them, because she’s a shawty.

Yet another post from The Frisky clues you in as far as postage stamps in France.  They smell like chocolate! Mmm. There’s also another post on Shower Curtains. One even includes Horror Movie Bloody hands. Charming.

Every season, J. Crew’s creative director Jenna always picks out her faves that J. Crew carries. I tend to agree with Jenna - she picks out nice things. First there are these cute  t-strap heels as well as this gorgeous ring.

Lastly, I have developed a recent love for Bloomingdales. I’ve always been smitten with the high end anchor store, but recently they’ve got me head over heels. Their customer service is excellent.  They called my mom the other day to make sure that she liked the makeup that she purchased. This is after she recieved a hand written thank you from a manager, and I returned shoes that were all kinds of messed up. I might not be able to pick up this season’s Chanel bag, but I’m definatey stopping by for my more practical needs.

Courtesy of the New York Times

Sunday’s New York Times had an article about running shoes called FiveFingers from a company called Vibram. These shoes are part of somewhat of a movement in the running shoe world. These shoes more closely resemble socks than thick soled running shoes. Quite the departure from New Balances. The thought is that it’s better to run as close to barefoot as possible. I’m not so sure I agree.  I’ve tried to run on the treadmill barefoot and it hasn’t ever felt right.  These socky looking shoes are pretty cool looking though.

The New York Times also has a video up from Bill Cunningham, who has a voice that I love.  In this video, Cunningham talks about the women he’s observed walking around NYC in what seem to be evening dresses. I think they’re just longer sundresses, but I love Bill’s take on things.

At the Daytime Emmys there was an Oscar on the carpet. There was also an Elmo and a Big Bird! Sure, there were some talkshow hosts and actresses as well, but the fact that Sesame Street was there and on the red carpet is something that I find highly entertaining.

Somehow I wasn’t aware of Lilliana Vazquez and the fact that she’s everywhere and doesn’t sleep until now. Not only does she run a blog called CheapChicas.com – which helps you wear cute clothes and accessories without breaking the bank,  but she also wrote every single style article on NBC10.com that perked my interest. Her write ups include pieces on Ankle boots, and gorgeous jewelery including great baubles and even necklaces that will help you remember important dates.

“This pearl necklace is made with stunning color-treated black saltwater Akoya pearls that exhibit pink and green overtones,” Jacqui Pini, co-owner of MuseumWayPearls.com said. “Whether it becomes a gift or kept by the winner to enjoy, it is a beautiful piece of pearl jewelry that will make someone very happy.”

 

So, we in PWstyle-land get the occasional cool email from boutique owners etc, but I thought this one from Museum Way Pearls was worth a mention; on Saturday you can win a black Akoya saltwater pearl necklace (valued at $1500)… by hanging out on twitter.

You heard right. Here’s a link to the official contest info, but I’m going to list the steps below. 

1. Follow Museum Way Pearls on Twitter (@MuseumWayPearls)

 

2. Watch Tweets by @MuseumWayPearls on August 22, 2009, when they’ll post 10 pearl-related trivia questions throughout the day. The contest starts at 10am EST.

 

3. Record the answers as you go.

 

4. When you find the answer to the tenth question, head to Museum Way Pearls’ giveaway page at here. Fill out the giveaway form and type all your answers in the comments section. The company will accept all entries for one half-hour after the final question is posted, and then will randomly draw a winner (from the participants with all correct answers) for the necklace.

 

5. The winner will be posted that day at Museum Way Pearls’ blog.

 

Glamour also looks to celebs, featuring slideshow of do’s and don’ts.

InStyle has up a 360 degree view of the Bass/van der Woodsen apartment fom Gossip Girl which is pretty cool. The only thing is that when you look at the ceiling and it’s all televisions style lighting. I wish it were a real apartment, even though it’s next to impossible that I’d live somewhere like that.

InStyle also has a section of their site devoted to shopping. All the details on anything from bands, purses, jewelery, sunglasses and cardigans. I don’t know how I didn’t know about this page, but now its one of my new faves.

Lastly, Express has the cutest new line of ballet flats. Perfect for those times when flip flops won’t cut it. I love to wear my Havaianas, Sanuks, or Reefs everywhere, but sometimes, you have to cover up those toes and be serious. These flats are perfect for those times.

Glamour has a slideshow featuring gorgeous cocktail rings.

In addition to revealing Self’s confession, Jezebel also has a conversation between a mother and I’m assuming a daughter. It’s funny.  It reminds me of my mom, but I like when she does the little smiley faces. I feel like they are under used past a certain point, except from creepy guys. It’s nice to know someone with no ill intentions like momma dukes just wants to emoticon it up.

Lastly, e-mails from crazy people might become the new fmylife.com or texts from last night.  Check it out.

Luckily for her, there’s been a ton of owl stuff made lately, so here’s a selection. And good luck to all the Philly teachers, who are enjoying their last few weeks of vacation:

(EDIT: word on the street is that there’s also a fairly large University in Philadelphia with an owl for a mascot. Temple kids, this one also goes out to you.)

So starting locally, there’s Birdqueen Designs, which has any number of colorful, oddly sarcastic-looking owls in earring and necklace format. Generally very good prices, too.

Pink Owl earrings, $15.

For striking fear into the hearts of mice and ninth graders: Vesper Jewelry’s big old statement necklace. Copper Owl Necklace, $125.

Owl Parliament earrings, Modcloth, $25.

Cutout owl necklace, Amy Bengston, $125.

Owl’s evening ring, Anthropologie, $198.

Owl Parliament scarf, Anthropologie, $88.

God, Betsey Johnson, you are just too cute. Owl drop earrings, $48.

Night owl, blue star necklace by Besty and Iya, $55.

Enamel owl, Shari Wacks, $99.

For the readers with a little extra spending money. Sapphire and diamond owl brooch by Tiffany & co., $49,000.