- By Jillian Magenheim - 

Oh Proenza Schouler – you know don’t you?  When we splurge we splurge, and when it comes to handbags sometimes we just can’t help ourselves.  Hitting numerous trends in one bag – this envelope shaped flip locked ombre clutch studded with rubber dots (reminding us of our particular love for candy) and lined in matching buttery blue leather makes the price tag on this statement piece barely a hinderance in our attempt to purchase.  We can see it now – matching it with every ensemble in our closet and knowing that no matter what we throw on, this bag works.  Whether you plan on taking a walk through the city in your favorite leather skinny’s, loafers and Melissa Webb blouse or going out to an event in a chic high waisted short suit with fitted blazer and sky high heels – this is the clutch you’ll want with you wherever you go.

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Jillian Magenheim is the Editorial Coordinator for Oliviapalermo.com.  She’s a New York City based editor, writer and blogger with a true love for fashion while remaining a foodie at heart.  Follow her thoughts on Twitter @magenhaz

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- By Jillian Magenheim -

“Part of me wants to be a practical person, and then the other part is the crazy side of me.” – Isa Tapia

Launched in 2010, Isa Tapia‘s shoewear line certainly represents the gemini-like split of her personality.  From a basic ballet flat and sparingly embellished thong sandal to intricately cut, brightly colored tie back suede heels and thigh high blue velvet boots – Tapia fulfills your need for basic staples while pleasing  your inner fashionista all at once.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Isa Tapia was groomed for the role of shoe designer.  Having graduated from the Parson’s School of Design, she then went on to work for legends Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta.  From there she spent time in Italy learning the ins and outs of shoemaking, followed by serving three years as the design director for Ann Taylor’s accessory lines.  These combined experiences have allowed her the ability to create stand-out footwear collections that are now featured in major women’s fashion magazines like Vogue, W and Harper’s Bazaar while taking presence on shelves in Saks, Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodmans.

No matter what you’re searching for, there’s no doubt Isa has something eye-catching to add to your collection.  Seeking compelling prints or textures?  There’s cowshide died in leopard prints along with snakeskin color blocked and topstitched upon leather that’s then jaggedly cut to look like feathers wrapped around your ankle.  Maybe embellishments are more your style.  How about laced up and brightly hand embroidered ankle boots showing rainbow colored birds and florals, while pumps, flats, kitten heels and boots are decked out in everything from pearls and studs to chains and buckles.

As each season comes and goes, we’re happy to report the brand continues to grow – continually providing us consumers with elaborate works of art to be donned on our feet.  In fact, it’s Isa’s ability to seamlessly create these collections that delicately balance the kind of artful detail that is required by haute couture designs while remaining wearable and conventional that makes this line the perfect one-stop-shop for any woman’s shoe addiction.

Jillian Magenheim is the Editorial Coordinator for Oliviapalermo.com.  She’s a New York City based editor, writer and blogger with a true love for fashion while remaining a foodie at heart.  Follow her thoughts on Twitter @magenhaz

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- By Teresa Greenfeld - 

Like any devout chic-ette, your shoe wardrobe was built on the basics – the black “go-with-everything stiletto“, the nude, pointed toe “make-your-legs-look-miles-long” pump. Oh, and a flat here and there for good measure.

But there’s another often overlooked basic many shoe cupboards are missing; the white heel. No longer reserved for little girls and their sunday best, white shoes are an unexpected and fresh touch to spring’s geometric and colorbock trend. Not to mention an obvious (and insanely chic) choice for an all white look.

And for those of you sticking to the old adage, memorial day is only a week away.  Meaning you can order these white hot stunners now - the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

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- By Teresa Greenfeld -

Part classic, part nerd-chic, tortoise has come a long way from just eyewear. For Spring 2013, it’s been studded, embellished, and patent-leathered; been dressed up, rocked out, and made over.

Slow and steady apparently does win the race.

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- By Kat Tanita -

In the basement of Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence, Italy, amongst 17th and 18th century Fiorentine masterpieces, The Museo Salvatore Ferragamo is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death.  As one of their most beloved leading ladies – as well as loyal customers – they’re celebrating her life with an exclusive book simply titled Marilyn, as well as an exhibition sure to garner the attention of Marilyn Monroe lovers the world over – and honestly, who isn’t a fan of the vivacious bombshell?

This multi-media exhibition showcases 50 of the leading lady’s most recognizable ensembles (including the iconic white dress from the “The Seven Year Itch” which just sold for $4.6 million at auction), while compelling and beautiful unseen photographs, letters, movie clips and hand written journals fill up the rooms.  As Salvatore Ferragamo compared Marilyn to the Greek Goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, it’s no wonder she owned an extensive collection of Ferragamo pieces.   In fact, he personally designed 40 pairs of shoes – 30 of which are featured throughout the exhibit – for his favorite blonde starlette.  Unlike his notorious Vara design, he instead created a “sexy, with a high heel” shoe (4 inches to be exact) perfectly reflective of Marilyn’s persona.

Throughout the various displays, curators Stefania Ricci and Sergio Risaliti have artfully given all of us an alternate view of the ultimately short, but compelling life of Marilyn Monroe.  They’ve highlighted her intelligence, passion and drive and created an intimate portrait of her talent, beauty and glamour that has truly captivated the heart and essence of this forever to be remembered Hollywood icon.

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Kat Tanita is the founder and editor of With Love From Kat; a New York based style blog.  She is also a social media consultant for luxury fashion and décor companies while also a contributing Writer for OliviaPalermo.com, @glitterguide, and @madebygirl.  You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @KatTanita.

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-By Sarah Bertness-

It’s time to start stacking up on your summer reading list, and Diane von Furstenberg and the Tale of the Empress’s New Clothes – the latest in London-based Vogue voice Camilla Morton’s grown up fashion memoir series – definitely tops our (and your) reading list.  DVF has defined a real life fairy tale; girl meets prince, falls in love, marries, and moves to New York City to start a fashion empire that would empower, enrapture and wrap-dress women around the world.  From princess to fashion world queen to CFDA fairy godmother, DVF is the happily ever after that inspires us all, and Morton’s penned memoir is utterly enchanting. Sit back, relax, and get ready to start turning the pages.

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Sarah Bertness is a freelance writer covering the arts, music, fashion and culture. She has a love for all things avant-garde, late night rock and roll, wanderlust, and a good dose of fringe and gold sequins. You can follow her musings on Twitter @sarahbertness

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- By Dana Randall -

Everpurse has a special charging pocket into which you place your smartphone. Their patent-pending docking system guides your phone smoothly onto a dock connector at the bottom—so you don’t have to fish for a cord!

To charge Everpurse itself, you can simply place Everpurse on its charging mat. It uses inductive charging to send energy wirelessly from the mat to the purse, so you never have to plug the purse in! You can leave a charging mat plugged in wherever it’s convenient for you—at work, at home, wherever—and drop Everpurse onto it when it needs charging. They suggest leaving Everpurse on its charging mat overnight, and it will have a full charge the next morning.

Now here is where things get interesting…

Retrofit your own bag with Everpurse technology!

Love the Everpurse concept but want to install it into your own handbag? They can custom retrofit it for you!

How it works

The process

1. Fill out the retrofit request form.
2. Once they have established that your bag is eligible for an Everpurse retrofit, they add the retrofit option to your cart.
3. Once you check out, they will send you a prepaid package in which you can ship your bag to them.
4. The retrofit process will take approximately three weeks.
5. They will then ship your retrofitted bag back to you.

Based out of New York City, Dana Randall is the CEO of Built by the Factory. As a woman in technology Dana is an entrepreneur with a love for fashion & beauty. You can follow her on Twitter @BBTF_Dana

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- By Sara Micelotta -

Crafted entirely by hand, Maison Takuya’s ostrich card case adds a little something extra to every working girl’s briefcase—and by briefcase, we mean Birkin. Francois Russo had the modern day working woman in mind when he founded the luxurious leather brand in 2009. Known for its use of superior leathers and fine craftsmanship, the Maison Takuya team even goes so far as to test the product’s weight and portability during the design process, although let’s be honest, if we like how it looks, there is no stopping us from handing over our credit card. So the next time you’re at a business lunch, don’t forget to flaunt your new ostrich card case—it’ll be the talk of the table.

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- By Sarah Bertness -

Picnic weather is back, and this Spring you’ll be the envy of the whole park with Outdoor’s leather cooler.  Fine crafted in luscious brown leather, and oozing French old-world appeal, packing up a selection of cheeses and chilled bottle of Pinot has never looked so chic.  With plenty of interior space for all your goodies, it’s the perfect inspiration piece for planning that romantic day date, a weekend getaway, or a Pimm’s party amongst friends.  So roll up a blanket, add some nibbles and bubbles, and go – we’ll see you out there in the sunshine!

Sarah Bertness is a freelance writer covering the arts, music, fashion and culture. She has a love for all things avant-garde, late night rock and roll, wanderlust, and a good dose of fringe and gold sequins. You can follow her musings on Twitter @sarahbertness

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- By Jillian Magenheim -

Having a handbag that’s perfectly functional for our busy lives while being classic in shape and so fashion forward that you want to bring it with you for every occasion no matter what your ensemble may be, is a fantasy for women everywhere.  Lucky for us, Elena Ghisellini has brought this dream to our reality, giving us the best of both worlds.

“True modernity is knowing how to make fine products, of timeless elegance, that also succeed in facilitating the lives of those who use them.”

Born in Genoa, Italy with a love of design clearly built into her DNA, Elena moved to Rome to study at the world famous design school, IED.  After winning first prize for her designs, the flood gates opened to the world of big name designers as they eagerly ushered for her to join their teams.  Having worked with a multitude of highly respectable brands, Elena was able to perfect her craft and build up quite the pedigree before stepping out to create her own line.

Designer Elena Ghisellini

Sensual and timeless while simultaneously bold and practical – Elena Ghisellini’s handbags are no doubt for the alpha female.  Designed and produced by Elena and a small team in Florence, Italy, her use of sumptuous leathers in staying power colors and on trend shapes give her collections an edgey timeless appeal.  For Spring 2013, her collection takes inspiration to the next level implementing her signature cat-like shape and transferring it to actual masks that can be detached from her handbags and worn like a glamazon superhero of the night.

“Women share with felines an independent attitude mixed with sensuousness and femininity.” – We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

 Check out some of our favorites from the Spring 2013 collection:

Jillian Magenheim is the Editorial Coordinator for Oliviapalermo.com.  A New York City based editor, writer and blogger with a true love for fashion while remaining a foodie at heart.  Follow her thoughts on Twitter @magenhaz

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