Come And Get Your Love!

What's better than a heart-shaped box of chocolates? A rectangle-shaped $250 gift card! One lucky Trend de la Creme reader is going to receive a gift card from chickdowntown.com, a great place for women's designer clothing, accessories, shoes, and bags. And with top designers like Marc Jacobs, Nanette Lepore, Theory, Vera Wang, and Ella Moss (just to name a few) you are sure to find something amazing to spend it on ;)


To be included in the drawing for the $250 gift card, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what you would like to see more of on Trend de la Creme. Or, send an email to jill [at] trenddelacreme [dot] com with the same. The winner will be selected in a random drawing and will be announced on Valentines Day (February 14, 2009).

Want to stay up-to-date on what's new at chickdowntown.com? Follow them on Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, and Chick Downtown TV.

Sunny Side Crochet Dress by Catherine Malandrino
Kiss Kiss Necklace by Jules Smith ~ Snake Ring by Elizabeth and James
Black Patent Cork Heel Pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti

The Panty Christ Says: 'Bite Me'

When designer Andrew Christian (a.k.a. The Panty Christ) speaks, most people listen. It's hard not to when this self-described perfectionist gets his own panties in a bunch. "Don't be caught off guard by my cute smile," says Andrew. "I'm a bitch." (Which might explain his latest line of Valentines Day-inspired undies -- a perfect example of his "cute meets saucy" persona.) He is also currently up for a spot on a new television show and could use your votes! Click here to help him get his star on the walk of fame. And don't forget to blow him a kiss (or a bite!) when you see him ;)

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Women's Lifeguard Brief by Andrew Christian
(Reg. $27 ~ ON SALE FOR $6!)

Women's Fidelis Brief by Andrew Christian
(Reg. $27 ~ ON SALE FOR $6!)

Women's California Brief by Andrew Christian
(Reg. $23 ~ ON SALE FOR $5!)

Show Me Some Shiny Love

If I play my cards right, I just might snag on of these love-inspired pieces for Valentines Day!

Heart Drop Ring by Boucheron ~ Love Ring by Repossi

Crushed Heart Ring by Pamela Froman ~ Asymetrical Heart Ring by Flutter & Wow

Forever Necklace by Andrew Hamilton ~ Love Birds Necklace by Jessica Elliot

Two-Tone Heart Ring by D.I. ~ Amythest Heart Ring @ Spiegel
Caged Heart Ring by Fred Meyer ~ Wrap Around Heart Ring by Pianegonda

Silver Cleves Ring & Gold Cleves Ring by Wendy Brandes

Inner Love Charm, Love Notes Charm,
and Caged Heart Charm by Hot Diamonds

Stick a Pin In It

These voodoo doll dresses from Imane Ayissi's Summer 2009 collection have me wishing I had just a few more enemies. (Although, the thought of sticking pins into my outfit isn't exactly what I would call a good time. So maybe I'll just stick with talking about my enemies behind their backs.)

Some Serious Wedge Love

Just in time for Valentines Day, heart wedges for towering over your significant other (until you break your ankle, that is!) Rest assured, you'll be laying on your back in no time ;)

7.5" Heart Wedge

6" Heart Wedge

7.5" Heart Wedge

Dear Teen Vogue . . . Don't Forget Imelda!

Dear Teen Vogue,

Loved your recent "top fashion bloggers" piece, but it felt a little light in the testosterone department. For future consideration, I present to you Imelda, the despotic queen of shoes. (That is, if you're not already on the Imelda bandwagon). And not to worry -- 'she' is actually a 'he' who turns into a 'she,' but only when 'he' is writing.

Matt Jordan (the hunky, shoe-obsessed Aussie behind the scenes) isn't exactly a teenager, but he Photoshops rather nicely into pics of Hollywood's teen elite (like the one above). And who knows? Maybe we could get Miley to pose with him wearing nothing but a white sheet and a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps. (On second thought, maybe Matt would agree to a photo shoot with Jessica Simpson in which he bludgeons her in the eye with a pair of her own defunct creations. Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?)

Hugs and kisses,

Trend de la Creme

Rings That Rock

If Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath can be credited for introducing the corna (or 'sign of the horns') to the world of heavy metal, jewelry designer Jeffrey Appling will likely be credited for doing the same. Only, instead of headbangers and hair bands, his 'Bad Ass' ring is on track to win over fashionistas looking for the right combination of tongue-in-cheek attitude and modern detailing.

'Bad Ass' Ring

Finding a following for these rock-and-roll originals may sound like a lofty feat for somebody who spent most of his career designing luxury pieces for the fashion elite. But if you look at each piece, it becomes obvious that Appling has a knack for blending master craftsmanship with modern design elements. (Of course, there are also 'peace sign' and 'surfer' versions for the conscientious objector who is turned off by the bullet casing.) That being said, these rings are ready to rock. And I have just the candle to go with them ;)

'Red Rocker' Ring

Bridal Peace Sign Ring

'Hands to Water' Surfer Ring

Just Say Whoa: Umbrella Hats

Rusli Tjohnardi, Spring 2009

Unless you ride a bicycle to work/school every day in the rain, the "hands free" umbrella just doesn't/won't/can't work -- at least not in fashion. Mind you, I'm sure designer Rusli Tjohnardi would disagree. After all, he's the one responsible for these clear plastic creations. (Heck, I'm still trying to wrap my head around a different hands-free umbrella look that came out last year. And I really don't think I can take another one just yet...)

A Couple of Silly Rabbits

These quirky bunny rings by Thai designer Sumalin Hoontrakul were just too adorable not to share with you! Her small (but enormously lovable) collection "The Apple Tree" is handmade and currently only available at Kabiri.

"The Apple Tree designs are characterized as simple, fun and sweet, and yet having just enough edge with their humorous overtones. The inspirations in each design come from simple objects in everyday life and then are delivered in quirky manners. Each piece is handmade and is crafted individually with love and care in every detail. A labour of love makes each piece unique and well-defined."

'Bunny In Shades' Ring by The Apple Tree

'Nerd Bunny' Ring by The Apple Tree

Gaultier's Sacred Script

While models in Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2009 couture collection waltzed down the runway, an image of a pen-and-ink going through strange computer-generated distortions played in the background. Not surprisingly, his inspiration lay in the age old art of calligraphy (abstract, of course, with loops and swooshes morphing into hard lines and crested edges). However, on second glance, each piece in the collection looked more like a guided walking tour of Wells Cathedral, the most poetic of the English cathedrals (known for its early Gothic interior and signature 'scissor arches.') Perhaps its just wishful thinking on my part, but one would be hard pressed to dismiss the abundance of similarities. Wouldn't you agree?

Tiny People Doing Strange Things

At first glance, these pieces by Austrian artist Mareike Auer look relatively benign. But upon closer inspection, these otherwise "everyday people" are doing some oddly amusing things. (Am I the only one that wants a hit of whatever she's smoking?) Own one by clicking here.