Go for the Gold!

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.Time to Shine

With the Summer Olympics upon us it's time for athletes around the world to shine. How about a little golden bling for us, here at home in the US of A? Here are a few of my favorite golden goods - all made here in America, of course!

Clockwise from necklaces at top: + These Morse Code necklaces by COATT each have a unique meaning such as 'swell' and 'wild horses'! You can even customize one with your initials or your name... + I love these Plume Studs by Tiffany Kunz, who makes everything by hand in LA + Every time I wear my Gold Number Band Cuffs by Robynn Molino I get compliments all day long. Love 'em! + Elston Dancer Oxfords by Nina Payne who is based out of Brooklyn + Love these Collapsible Gold Star Structures at DWR + I am currently obsessed with these Gold Woodgrain Cuff links by F is for Frank... Sexy!

Dip Dye Ombre Ballet Flats

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Ombre has definitely become one of my favorite trends of the season and when I discover a new iteration of it, I get really excited and have to emulate it. For this DIY, I was inspired by these beautiful dip dyed ballet flats from Anthropologie. Here's how to create your own...

Materials:
- ballet flats (mine are poly satin and faux suede from H&M, but works best with natural fabrics like suede and cotton)
- RIT liquid dye ( purple, fuschia, and teal)
- measuring spoons
- gloves
Steps:
1. Create your dye baths. First, boil water. You will need about 4 liters.  For the fuschia dye bath, pour about 1 1/4 liters of water, along with 3 tablespoons of salt into a container. Then, add about 3 tablespoons of fuschia RIT dye. For the purple dye bath, pour about 1 1/4 liters of water, along with 3 tablespoons of salt into a container.  Then, add about 2 tablespoons of fuschia RIT dye and 3 tablespoons  purple RIT dye.  After, for the teal dye bath, pour about 1 1/4 liters of water, along with 3 tablespoons of salt into a container.  Then, add about 3 tablespoons of teal.
2.  If your ballet flat has a bow, you can tape it to the inside to prevent it from dying. Then for the fuschia/pink ballet flat version, quickly dip the front end of the flat into the fuschia dye bath. Then dip only about 1" into the dye bath for a couple minutes, so the tip of the flat is richer in color. Let this dry. For the purple/teal ballet flat version, quickly dip the front end of the flat into the purple dye. Then dip only about 1" into the dye bath for a couple minutes, so the tip of the flat is richer in color.
3.  To finish up the purple/teal version, paint on the teal dye with the sponge brush.  Leave a gap of about 1 1/2" unpainted.
4. Afterwards, run the sponge brush under water until fully clean. Then, paint on water at the edge to smoothen the ombre. Let fully dry.

Customize an American Classic

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Not all New Balance sneakers are made in the US, but they are the only major sneaker brand that still makes a good percentage here. With five factories in New England - three in Maine and two in Massachusetts, New Balance maintains a commitment to US manufacturing. According to their website: "With a high-quality labor force, unique modular teams that are continually challenged to offer creative alternatives to foreign competition, and the confidence to be different, New Balance is able to survive and thrive, and take a leadership position in an industry that has sent most of its production overseas." We say kudos.

Now, you can support this commitment in a really fun way. They have made their classic US574 style fully customizable: with up to eight different colors of leather, an option of a leather back tab, up to eight different colors for the tongue tag, eight stitched characters per shoe, and nine color choices of embroidery thread. The base “N” is available in White, Navy or Black, while the top “N” and the shoe’s laces are available in nine colors. You might think you have to wait 4 to 6 weeks to get your shoes, nope! Your pair is shipped out within four to eight business days of ordering. There are endless combinations, so you can have a unique personalized take on a true American shoe!

Walk this Way!

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Whether China, Italy or Guatemala, most of the shoes I like are made abroad. But because it's not only my passion but my business to discover independent, Made in the USA brands and then get others to discover them, I'm always on the hunt for cool locally-made shoes... It's tough. So you can imagine my giddy-delight when I met Marisa Spinella the owner of Penelope and Coco last month. I literally freaked out. These shoes are modern, sleek and sexy...

What I really love about Penelope and Coco is that they've taken a few classic shapes and added their own twist. The oxfords come in a beautiful fuchsia leather instead of the usual dark colors and the silver studs added to the heel of their black version is to die for! The prices may be higher then what you'd find at the mall, these shoes are the perfect example of quality over quantity. Well-made with quality materials and care, they won't just last you for a season or two, these shoes are made to last a lifetime. Hallelujah!

A Fine Footwear Fete

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Talk about an amazing store concept! The inside of this 'lil Texas trailer is a shoe-lover's paradise...

Sarah Ellison Lewis is a Texas native and a fashion stylist who lived in NYC for 10 years and is obviously very passionate about shoes. So passionate that she opened a mobile shoe store in a trailer called Bootleg. Just like the trendy food trucks that seem to be at every cool event, Sarah parks her trailer and hustles designer shoes and vintage finds.

What we here at UNIQUE loved was her concept of such a detailed product offering and the way she decorated the space. It feels so inviting and warm for such a confined area. If I lived in Austin I'd be a regular for sure... Hey Sarah, wanna come to LA?! :)

(Pics via SeaofShoes.com)