For those that fear the ink

I am fascinated by tattoo art - you know, the good stuff not the off the shelf tribal bands, chinese symbols and celtic knots.  I confess that watching Miami Ink and developing a tiny crush on the breathtakingly talented Chris Garver may have a little something to do with that. 

However, although I often find myself musing on the design, style and location of my future tattoo, ultimately I've never had an overwhealming urge to put ink to skin.  I'm not sure I can live with the decisions I made yesterday let alone committing to a design that I would have to look at for the rest of my days. 

For those of use keen to dabble in the world of body art but who lack the resolve to commit to the needle there have always been temporary tattoos.  But until now, it has been virtually impossible to find designs without sickly glitter aimed at the under twelves.  Thanks to Tattly Designy Temporary Tattoos, however, I'm rather hoping temporary tattoos might just become acceptable for grown ups.

With nearly 250 colourful designs you can adorn your body with monsters, animals, cup cakes, bunting, rainbows, fruit and veg as well as the traditional style sailor tattoos. Of course they are not a substite for the real thing but, if you have always wondered how you might look with a little bit of ink, temporary tattoos like the Tattly Nautical Set are a good way to dip your toe in the water.

Personally, I love the bold colours and simple lines of the Tattly Rainbow Set.  I can see myself wearing some of these temporary tattoos in place of jewellery for summer holidays and festivals.

If you are feeling flush, for $250 the Everything Set will give you every single one of Tattly's designs in one bumper pack.  According to their website, you need 3 people to display them all at once!

Depending on the design, Tattly Temporary Tattoos last for 3-5 days and can be removed with soap and water or a bit of sellotape.

I can see why people amass a collection of tattoos and use their bodies as a canvas to tell the story of their life.  I've seen some beautiful examples but I can't help thinking that the aspects of my youthful (and present) folly that would have been most likely to produce a hankering for a permanent, bodily memorial are, I think, best left undocumented.  For the time being, I think I'll stick to the temporaries.

Kobi Levi and His Seriously Silly Shoes

Just when you think it isn't possible to reinvent the high heel yet again, along comes a truly original designer who proves you wrong.  Kobi Levi is that guy.

Kobi's wonderful Chewing Gum shoes made me smile so hard the first time I saw them.  The heel looks like the wearer is pulling away from a glob of chewing gum stuck on the floor.  I agree that sounds unpleasant but somehow, Kobi Levi has moulded a pair of high heeled shoes that have such incredible movement that you can't fail to get the joke.

My pick of the collection - could you imagine how much attention you would get wearing a pair of these divine Flamingo shoes with their cute bent leg heels?

And what about the awesome colours and neat design of these Mallard shoes?

Making the high heel the focal point of the design and executing all the other design elements around it is an approach that really appeals to me and I don't think there is a weak link in the entire collection.  All of Kobi Levi's shoes seem to have this perfect and brilliant combination of sharp, chic design and silliness that just makes me giggle like a kid.  I do mean that in a good way.

Based in Israel, Kobi Levi hand makes all these beautiful shoes in limited editions in his studio.  His work is admittedly quite a bit pricer than the usual fare of this blog (Kobi Levi's designs retail at around $1500 -$2000) but it seems he's about to hit the big time.  This week his collection featured in the famous Shoe Galleries at Selfridges so expect to see alot more of Kobi Levi's work in Britain over the coming months.

Is it too much to hope that Kobi Levi shoes might forge a collaboration with a high street retailer one day?  Seriously, TopShop I'm looking at you.

The season of the skull

It's no secret that I am a little bit of a closet goth.  I might have introduced colour into my wardrobe but I think I will always have a penchant for the dark and slightly creepy.  Halloween is of course the best excuse to put my inner goth on display but away with cheap witches hats and green, nylon hair.  Get out of here bin liner capes and plastic fangs.  I'm doing this my way.  This is the season of the skulls.

A few years ago, skulls were all cartoony and only to be found liberally slung around the necks and sprinkled on the ears, hair and belts of angst ridden teenagers with a weakness for Claire's Accessories.  There are more sophisticated and spookier ways to wear them though. 

If, like me, you like realistic prints and anatomical detail then I highly recommend you check out Puerto Rico based SamsaraPrints who create screen printed t-shirts and canvas bags.  Shop owner Jenny has such a great eye for selecting arresting images that work in her distinctive and detailed black screen prints.  The eye catching combination of the soft flowers next to the hard teeth on this Floral Skull Canvas Tote Bag is both edgy and hauntingly beautiful.

On my travels, I also spotted this unusual skull ring from jewellery designer Amoronia. 

I do love a good cameo broach.  This one is like a character from a Tim Burton film.  In fact, she even looks like Helena Bonham-Carter. 



Yeah?

I dare say I'll be revisiting Amoronia at a later date to talk more generally about her literature inspired jewellery range.

These accessories give a great little gothic touch to your outfit.  Handy as this year I am going a little light on fancy dress for Halloween in favour of creating something special for my friend's birthday party the week after.  I'll keep you posted on the results and maybe even do a quick "how to" - assuming that it works that is!  In the meantime, what little gems have you spotted that made your Halloween look complete?  Have you made or are you making anything spectacular for Halloween this year?