Saturday, July 30, 2016
Friday, July 29, 2016
ELLE Canada September Issue Feature
Paris Saint-Germain 2016/17 Tactics: Emery’s European ambition
It’s not very often a club that’s won four consecutive league titles, and lifted a domestic treble last year, is counted as under-achievers but it’s far to say that many expected more from Paris Saint-Germain on the European stage. Ahead of 2016/17, it’s been a summer of change for the French giants and there’s plenty of expectations.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is of course gone, having spent fruitful years in the French capital and establishing himself in the club’s history books as the all-time leading goalscorer, but he couldn’t guide Le Parisians to European glory. To achieve that ambition, Unai Emery has been drafted in to replace Laurent Blanc after he led Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League crowns.
A fresh new approach could be exactly what PSG need and Emery will look to find balance in a side full of stars- and this is how he could line-up next season.
After 35 appearances and 19 clean-sheets in his first year with PSG, Kevin Trapp will continue between the sticks for the forthcoming season. Ahead of him, the defence is also recognisable with Brazilian duo Thiago Silva and David Luiz as the centre-back pairing, whilst young Marquinhos will also be pushing for regular football.
With Serge Aurier, who enjoyed a fantastic match and scored a brace against Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup, on the right and Layvin Kurzawa on the opposite side, PSG boast two exceptional young defenders and they will be crucial for the club’s aims this season.
A massive addition to the side comes in defensive midfield, with Polish international Grzegorz Krychowiak following Unai Emery to the club from Sevilla. His experience and pedigree in Europe will be a major asset and his role in the side could bring the best out of the midfield duo playing ahead of him.
With Krychowiak providing a defensive cushion, both Lucas Moura and Marco Verratti can enjoy more freedom in their midfield roles- which could be the making of one of Europe’s finest midfield duos. Whilst Moura has been accustomed to playing out-wide, this position will give him more game-time.
Moura’s lack of opportunities out wide will come down to the pair who get the nod ahead of him, with Angel Di Maria finding his feet last season after a disastrous spell with Manchester United and Hatem Ben Arfa, another new signing in Paris, also redeeming himself last season after a torrid few years.
Ben Arfa managed 17 goals in Ligue 1 last term, a tally only three players could better. Meanwhile, Di Maria scored ten goals and provided 18 assists to his team-mates. Add Edinson Cavani to the mix as the central striker and it’s an extremely threatening line-up, with the trio contributing to a combined total of 75 goals in Ligue 1 last term.
Securing the Ligue 1 title should once again be a walk in the park for PSG, with the likes of Lyon and Monaco not having enough to threaten their crown, but it’s in Europe where Emery will be judged- and the club’s billionaire owners will be looking to improve on their recent record.
Since their return to Europe’s elite competition in 2012, PSG have tumbled in the quarter-finals on all four occasions; losing against Manchester City, Barcelona (twice) and Chelsea- teams that, on paper at least, the French giants should be able to overcome if they play at their best.
The post Paris Saint-Germain 2016/17 Tactics: Emery’s European ambition appeared first on Top Eleven's Football Blog.
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Gem Gossip Visits Shamila Fine Jewelry in Seattle, WA
While a majority of my Seattle #JewelryRoadTrip was spent in the downtown area of Seattle, I was able to change the scene up a bit with my next visit. Shamila Fine Jewelry has called Seattle home for several years, with a private design studio tucked away in Fremont--an artsy district, where the views are captivating and the inspiration is flowing. For Shamlia, her extensive travels and worldwide thinking have shaped her collections and it is no surprise that she has clients that live all over the globe. Her customers end up being collectors and obsessed with her pieces, with the first purchase never being the last! I've met Shamila at tradeshows in the past but had only seen a couple pieces of her work at a time – she always wears her gold stacking rings or a cocktail rutilated quartz ring. I was so excited to not only get the chance to see her collection in its entirety, but to also catch up for more than just a few minutes with this warm-hearted soul. She is one of those types of people that you want to be around, with a contagious positive spirit!
Shamila's background is quite interesting, she was born and raised in Tanzania, then moved to Canada as a teenager where she had the opportunity to live in both Toronto and in Vancouver, and has since called Seattle home. This however, was not before spending an exciting year living in the West Indies, where a work assignment with the UN and the WHO sent her to the Island where wonders never cease – St.Lucia! She has lived in many parts of the world, as she describes herself as "comfortable out of her comfort zone." Her studies brought her to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver BC, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and International Affairs. In 2009 she apprenticed for many weeks in Instanbul where she learned from the best. Seattle has been a great place to call home for Shamila, as an easy gateway for her jetset life, ideal food destination for her foodie habit, and the weather pairs perfectly with her obsession with shirt dresses!
For Shamila, designing jewelry began as a hobby about 14 years ago when she first moved to Seattle. It started off with beads from a local bead store and when that didn’t satisfy her, she began looking for bigger and better. Shamila’s drive lead her to seek out rare stones, like specially Labradorite from Madagascar. Her hobby continually grew and brought her more and more happiness than she ever thought. Keyword here is hobby, so still this wasn’t a full-time thing for her. Alas, she was at a crossroads where many passionate people find themselves—choosing what you love vs. being realistic and sticking with her day job, she vividly remembers what made her decide to put everything on the line with jewelry. She says that choosing jewelry would be, “A career that would allow me to travel the world, to find beauty in the often overlooked, to make deep and lasting connections with those I worked with, while being able to give back on many different levels.” That was it—she was choosing jewelry, and yes, this decision came right at the brink of the recession. But she was ready for the challenge and it was the best decision she has ever made.
Inspiration abounds for Shamila when designing jewelry. She says, “When I am designing pieces I am thinking about who is going to wear them, sometimes the clients are such muses, especially when they are collectors, you get to know what they love and like. Quality is of utmost importance. I like to offer luxury in the details. The weight of the piece, the curvature of the shank, the subtle polish of the metal, the way the stones are cut, and how the light reflects off of them.” Design ideas pop into her head frequently, without warning. Travel is a huge inspiration, although there is a time and a place for these ideas. There is an art to holding onto inspirations and releasing them when they are ready. I think Shamila has mastered this, especially when she says, “Creating is not linear to me. It is like a careful yet chaotic orbit of paths; I just do what feels right for the stone and for the experience I am having at that point in my life.” All her designs are proudly handmade in Seattle. Having everything created locally is extremely important to Shamila and her objective, as well as keeping everything as ethically sourced as possible.
One thing I love so much about her designs is how she showcases the gemstone's beauty above all else. A rutilated quartz is poised gracefully within a setting, while a labradorite is captured ideally to show off its unique labradorescence. Shamila loves using gems that are specially cut, which takes her collections to a whole new level.
Speaking of specially cut gemstones, her carved citrine and amethyst minaret stacking rings are what dreams are made of! A week later and I'm still thinking about them. If you're unfamiliar with what a minaret is, it is found in Islamic architecture and is a distinctive feature, where prayer is called out--oftentimes similar to a tower. Shamila's Lokum Lale Luxe collection features these minaret carved gemstones in different styles, not just rings! I'm wearing a few in the photos above, like the lariat necklaces and dangle earrings. I especially love the variety of gemstones that this carving style comes in--like Pyrite?! So amazing to see pyrite not only used in fine jewelry but carved into a shape like that. Other stones besides the citrine and amethyst include lapis, turquoise, black spinel, lemon quartz, London blue topaz, smokey quartz, chalcedony, rose quartz, carnelian, rock crystal quartz and green onyx.
Another collection that blew me away, Shamila's stacking rings made of specially cut gemstones--round and square checkerboard, honeycomb and rosecut faceted stones. Pops of color are huge for accessorizing and these rings are ideal to pull off some colorful looks. These rings are the kind you just can't have one of, so the more the merrier. I've stacked several in the photos above. They are so fun to wear and have a loyal, local collector base! Want something unique and gets people wondering, "What kind of gemstone is that?!" Then you HAVE to check out her Flèches d'Amour collection which uses rutilated quartz and rutilated topaz. Not many gemstones feature inclusions that make them even more beautiful than they already are! These gemstones are so unique and Shamila does a great job of enhancing their beauty!
I want to thank Shamila for welcoming me into her design studio and allowing me to learn about her as a designer, while experiencing her jewelry first-hand. I hope you are now familiar with her work if you weren't already--and if you'd like to get a chance to see her designs in person yourself, she has many upcoming shows where she exhibits. Like this Saturday & Sunday in Glencoe, IL at the Glencoe Festival of Art...as well as August 13th & 14th in Los Gatos, CA at Los Gatos Fiesta de Artes. Be sure to continually check back on the EVENTS page of her website or sign up for her jewel-laden newsletter to know before anyone else! More dates, especially during the holidays, will be announced soon.
>> If you're interested in any of the pieces shown, please contact Shamila.
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Thursday, July 28, 2016
Gem Gossip Visits TWIST in Seattle, WA
GREAT MIX of designers: top left, going down--Ileana Makri, Fernando Jorge, Marc Alary; top right, going down--Spinelli Kilcollin, Marc Alary, Sophie Bille Brahe
Love the artisan-made cases, organized by designer
Wearing all Polly Wales
Trying on some Kothari pieces
The colorful world of Jamie Joseph, some best-sellers!
A nice stack of Dorette rings, I'm in love!!
...and can't forget the matching Dorette necklace
All these are by Judy Geib: emerald bracelet, circular band, number ring, emerald ring
Rings by Marie-Hélène de Taillac
Checking out the bridal selection, it's like a store within a store!
Some of my bridal favorites! Pinky is Rebecca Overmann, ring finger is Mandrel Studio, middle finger is Mandrel Studio, pointer finger both rings by Mallary Marks (awesome necklace in background)
TWIST has been well-known for their incredible selection of fine designer jewelry for years! I realized a few weeks ago that my second blog post I ever wrote on Gem Gossip, I featured some selections from their website, so saying I've been a fan for awhile may be an understatement. Those not akin to the Pacific Northwest may not realize that TWIST has TWO locations, one in Seattle, WA and one in Portland, OR. Most are familiar with their popular website twistonline.com where people from around the world can shop their highly sought after curation of designer jewelry from the comfort of their home! I gush as I profess having a love affair with their newsletters. Anytime new designers are added or new pieces are added to their website, an eye-catching newsletter gets sent to my inbox, alerting me to check out what's new. And for TWIST, anything that they do is one step ahead of the curve. I learn of new, upcoming designers often from TWIST and love seeing how they curate their selection from all that is out there and available. Each piece is special, unique and often tells a story.
Walking into TWIST was like a fantasy becoming a reality. The store is located in Pacific Place shopping center, where some of the best shopping can be done in Seattle. A quick toss of the keys to the valet and off we were where five floors of shops awaited, TWIST being on level one. An aspect that defines TWIST since the beginning is their devotion to artists, so although jewelry now rules their main focus, some eclectic pieces of art (and although jewelry can be considered art) are still a part of the store. Items like sculptures, blown glass and pottery to be exact. Case in point, the giant penguin that stands majestically outside the storefront. It was created by artist Leo Sewell who transforms scrap metal and junk into fun animals. This piece has become iconic to the shop since first opening in 1999.
The jewelry sprawls across multiple cases at TWIST, organized by designer and neatly displayed in artisan-made cases. Everyday pieces mixed in with one-of-a-kind, over-the-top...super cool alongside funky and chic, the jewelry is quite endless in terms of possibilities and truly such a fun shopping experience. The moment you think, "where is the engagement rings and bridal selection?," you stumble upon the tucked away bridal boutique that is just as unique as the rest of the store. Traditional mixed with alternative, with their favorite designers putting a spin on what they would consider bridal, this section reveals much to swoon over. Yes, there are diamonds, but there are also "rustic" diamonds, specially cut diamonds, inverted diamonds, fancy colored diamonds and so much more. I hope my photos above prepared you for some kickass jewelry!
Perusing the jewelry cases with Cullen, store manager and partner of TWIST, proved to be a Who's Who of the jewelry world. My favorite designers, pieces I've been coveting, and works of art I've had to stare at for a few minutes to grasp its amazingness, all in one place. Polly Wales and her masterfully-crafted jewelry set off one section of the store--both her staples and her most recent collection was displayed. I got to experience French designer Marie-Hélène de Taillac and her eye-popping colorful designs. She proves how color can be so fun and within one piece, a whole rainbow of spectral colors can be found. Arik Kastan, a brand I'm more than familiar with, was on display--but did you know they create an exclusive matte gold collection just for TWIST?! I've actually never seen it before because the pieces go straight to TWIST, so this was so great to see in person. It is funny how just changing one aspect, like the finish of the gold, can create a whole new look. And for the first time ever, I got to experience Judy Geib, a designer who hand-fabricates everything out of her Brooklyn studio. She is a phenomena in her own right, being self-taught, and on top of that, she mainly works with opals and emeralds, two of the most difficult gemstones to work with (very soft stones). There were SO many great designers featured, for a full list check out this link.
I don't think I can say enough positive things about TWIST, so I'm going to leave you with this idea--if you're in the area or planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest, make sure you visit either their Seattle or Portland locations. You could easily spend hours in here, so plan accordingly. (I also recommend the wine bar located at Pacific Place, Sixth Avenue Wine Sellers for before or after visiting!) ;)
Thanks Cullen and TWIST for showing me some amazing designer jewelry while in Seattle on my #JewelryRoadTrip, I'll be catching up in the meantime via newsletter!
Pacific Place, 600 Pine St #300
Seattle, WA 98101
(TWIST's other location, Portland, OR)
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Liverpool 2016/17 Tactics: Klopp’s Gegenpressing Game Plan
Having settled into his role as Liverpool manager following his appointment at Anfield in October, Jurgen Klopp will be preparing for his first full campaign as Reds boss and, as such, he’s ventured into the transfer market in order to make signings that will help the Merseyside giants reach their previous lofty heights.
Liverpool have underperformed in recent years but Klopp immediately showed improvements at the club, helping them reach the League Cup final against Manchester City and the Europa League final against Sevilla. Whilst the Reds lost both games, it showed Klopp can make a big impact and he’ll be expected to build upon that this year.
The German boss has made a number of signings so far this summer, bringing in six new faces, but not all of them will be first-team regulars. The biggest changes for Klopp tactically will likely occur in attack but it’s the shaky back-line that’s been the focus of transfer activity and should not be bolstered, with a team that can fulfil Klopp’s preferred pressuring game.
In goal, new signing Lorius Karius is expected to feature ahead of Simon Mignolet and the back-line in front of him will also feature new faces, most notably Joel Matip- who arrived from Bundesliga side Schalke on a free-transfer, a deal that was confirmed prior to the transfer window opening.
Mamadou Sakho has faced problems this summer, having been sent home from the club’s pre-season tour in the United States, but Klopp has stated it’s nothing too serious and the French defender will not be offloaded. As such, he’s expected to feature alongside another player who’s endured some troubles, Alberto Moreno, as thus far the Reds haven’t been able to find a replacement.
Nathaniel Clyne completes the defence and he, alongside Moreno on the other flank, will push forward regularly and put the opposition’s wide players under a wealth of pressure. In the counter-attacking style Klopp likes to adopt, these two players will be crucial in getting things rolling quickly.
In midfield, Georginio Wijnaldum is another new signing and the Dutchman will provide a blanket of cover for the defence- although he’s still capable of making an impact in attack. Captain Jordan Henderson is also likely to feature in a midfield three whilst Emre Can, who’s been crucial to Klopp’s tactics at Liverpool, will complete the trio.
As mentioned, the attack is where the biggest tactical changes could occur as Klopp has three big names to choose from- although none of them are natural strikers. Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane should complete the line-up and all three may play centrally, although in our selection we’ve featured Coutinho in a false-nine role.
Coutinho is much more effective in the centre but the same can be said for Firmino, so expect the Brazilian pair to be dynamic and fluid. On the other side, Sadio Mane has shown his attacking credentials with 21 Premier League goals for Southampton, including the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history.
Firmino is probably the most capable player in Liverpool’s ranks of spear-heading the attack but expect it to regularly change, keeping the opposition on their toes. If Klopp manages to sign a striker between now and the end of the window, then a big decision will be made as to who is dropped from the eleven we’ve selected, and there could still be some modifications in defence- depending on whether any new faces come in.
Do you think Klopp can guide Liverpool to a top-four finish in the Premier League this season? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter using #TopEleven!
The post Liverpool 2016/17 Tactics: Klopp’s Gegenpressing Game Plan appeared first on Top Eleven's Football Blog.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Gem Gossip Visits Alexandria Rossoff Jewels & Rare Finds in Seattle, WA
Diamond cluster navette ring, Five-stone Edwardian ring
Edwardian diamond cluster dangle earrings
Left to right: Emerald ring #1, Emerald ring #2, Emerald ring #3, Green tourmaline ring
Mid-Century Tiffany & Co. earrings, thick Retro yellow gold snake chain necklace
Emerald cut diamond ring with sapphire side stones, large sapphire ring with diamond side stones
Festoon diamond necklace, diamond rose cut dangle earrings
Pearl, sapphire and diamond bar brooch, Matching Edwardian pearl and diamond bracelet
Three-diamond Gypsy band, Hexagonal Amethyst ring, Victorian pearl band, smaller amethyst surrounded by pearls, larger amethyst surrounded by pearls set in filigree
Round halo ring, cute Old Mine cut ring, domed filigree ring, domed filigree ring on right hand
Golden Beryl ring, Alexandrite ring, large antique Opal ring, snake ring
Next stop on the Seattle #JewelryRoadTrip was Alexandria Rossoff Jewels & Rare Finds, a stone's throw away from where we were staying, Hotel Vintage. We walked to the shop which is located on 4th Avenue; lucky for us it was a beautiful and sunny summer day in Seattle. If you're planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest, I would highly recommend the summertime. Alexandria's store has been on my radar for quite some time, in fact, back in 2010 when I would write about stores I hope to visit one day, this store was one of my features. I also named Alexandria Rossoff my favorite Facebook "Like" back in 2012. And one of my most favorite people in the jewelry industry, Levi Higgs, actually interned at Alexandria Rossoff's back when he went to the University of Washington for his undergraduate degree. He now lives in NYC and works for David Webb.
I had so much anticipation going into this visit that excitement wouldn't even begin to describe it! Meeting Alexandria for the first time was like meeting a longtime friend, as she has been in the jewelry business since 1980. She has worked in every aspect of this business and is a wealth of knowledge, as well as being regarded as the antique jewelry expert in the Seattle area. Her business has changed addresses a few times over the years, which has allowed Alex to creatively depict the feel for each storefront and reinvent her brand. Her partner brings a unique aspect to her antique jewelry business, with the ability to design jewelry, hand-engrave and make waxes for casting. This adds a whole new dimension to the store.
Walking into Alexandria Rossoff Jewels & Rare Finds, you'll notice the elegance of the store paired with some Hollywood Glamour. The floor to ceiling windows allow some glorious sunlight to fill the entire space, easily becoming a selling tool as the gemstones light up with sparkle. The engagement and bridal selection is filled with antique and vintage diamond rings, along with some alternative options, like sapphires, rubies, even pearl suites fit for that stunningly beautiful wedding day look! I love the display fixtures and how each told a story--whether it was color-coordinated, gem-coordinated or era-coordinated--the vignettes help put together a look. And boy, did I get busy putting together some looks! Hope you enjoy the photos above, fixed with captions to depict pieces you can easily shop online. If you see pieces I'm wearing that aren't online, simply email alexrossoff@gmail.com
Alexandria Rossoff is a must-see if you're in the Seattle area! Next time you're there, snap some photos and tag me on Instagram--I'd love to see how my visit inspired yours.
1304 4th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
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