I don’t think I can live without these little gems on my feet:

Women's Authentic Original Wedge by Jeffrey, in Neon Pink, $225

I spent a full day at the studio on Saturday making a LOT of new products.

Stay tuned for some new products to be posted shortly.

Until then, here are some pictures of the non-stop mold making that took place today.

Packed Molds

The great thing about having access to the FIT studios is their casting room. There, I’m able to take advantage of the vulcanizers and all the other expensive equipment to get the job done.

The molds are about to hit the vulcanizer

I made about 4 new molds today of new pieces. That was a very productive day.

And in case you’re interested in the mold-making and casting process, here’s some more information

Hope you had a productive weekend!

Neon is everywhere on the runways as the emerging trend for Spring 2011. Now, I’m all about taking runway fashion and applying it to everyday, so check out my picks below for tasteful ways to bring Neon into your wardrobe without looking like you’ve spent too much time stuck in the ’80s.

While it’s a gorgeous dress, $2,250 is a bit steep for something that is…hot pink and something I’d wear only in the spring and summer. You could try this hot pink sheath by AGB which costs $62.

AGB Sheath Dress, $62

I personally love a little pop of yellow in my wardrobe. A full disclaimer on that one: I am pretty monochromatic…my wardrobe is filled with black, white and gray. That’s why this neon yellow Marc Jacobs quilted leather shoulder bag caught my eye. And, for $300, it’s not totally breaking my bank account.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Cosmo quilted leather shoulder bag, $300

But if $300 is a little too steep for your budget, you’re still covered. Forever21 has a great look-a-like in power-color red.

Quilted Shoulder Bag, $19.80

Now onto shoes. How could you not fall for some very chic neon? I am sucker for flats in bright colors. Cue:

Belle Sigerson Morrison Cutaway Suede Flats, $195

At $195, that’s a bit pricey…especially since I am have a tendency of abusing my flats with lots of walking around in a not-always-so-clean NYC. Check there as a cute substitute:

Beyond Skin Satin Flat Pump, $66.34

When I first saw this fluorescent yellow skirt by Miu Miu…I fell in love. I would pair this with black and gray and black tights! But, that $745 price tag was not in the cards for me. At all.

Miu Miu A-line Satin s=Skirt, $745

While it’s not satin, you can get the same look with American Apparel’s high-waist skirt at a fraction of the price.

Stretch Bull Denim High-Waist Slim Skirt, $54

Hope these bright colors add up to a bright weekend! Until next time…

Yes, I can hardly contain my excitement over these little gems that I picked up this AM…here are the raw castings (unpolished, not finished) – the start of some new additions to my sterling silver line. Part inspired by hidden passageways, spring 2011 runways looks and the kitch you find in cities.

Skeleton Keys Inspired by Secret Places

Vintage Inspired Damask Pattern Pendant

A Sterling Silver Lotus Flower...Inspired by the Florals on the Runway

An adorable key hole

I can’t wait to get into the studio this weekend to start working on these! What do you think? Have any other charm and pendant ideas for me? Email me at kim {@} kimlast.com.

Sidenote: I’ve been away from the blog for quite some time. So, sorry about that, folks. Work (aka my day job) has kept me quite busy and working 10 and 12 hour days (how fun, I know). The last thing I’ve been wanting to do was some more typing (blogging) on the computer. Nevertheless, I’m back now…

The cold and snowy NYC winter had me craving some serious cocktails. That’s when the Root and Snap came into my life. I was introduced to Snap first right after Christmas on a trip to Philadelphia and a visit to the Silk City Diner. It was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before. Think ginger snap cookie with a touch of extra cinnamon. Warm. Buttery. Smooth.

Delicious Snap

What I didn’t find out in Philadelphia is that Snap is actually distilled (by the cool folks at Art in the Age or AITA for short ) in the Philadelphia area and is sold only in Pennsylvania (for right now). They also produce an English-inspired root beer flavored spirit aptly called Root. You want to try both. Trust me.

The next time you’re in the Philadelphia area, be sure to stop by AITA. The store is chock-full of handmade goods and well-curated clothing. You won’t be able to pick up the Root or Snap though…that’s only available specifically in liquor stores…

Work has been unbelievably busy the last week so…that leave me with not much time to post.

I have been listening to a sick amount of music through the day to get through some of the boring moments.

I just discovered Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. Unbelievable. Worth a listen.

You won’t be sorry.

2011 has become the year of the wedding in my circle of friends. So, lots of my attention has been focused on wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, MOH (that’s Maid-of-Honor to those who don’t know the lingo) duties and venues. Nope, I’m not engaged. But, I’m certainly a sounding board for my girlfriends that are.

These little darling cake toppers crossed my radar today. Yes, yes I know…another etsy find…but these are so cute! They are little lovebirds! And, when you take ‘em off your cake, they convert to salt & pepper shakers. Genius.

Love Birds in Black & Gold. $79

What a great way to always remember your day! If you’re not so into love birds, don’t worry! You can order custom made toppers here.

…sorry I’ve been a bad blogger.

But, at least I’ve worked on all these this week:

Lots of earrings...yes.

Lots of earrings will be listed in the shop starting tonight (after the JETS annihilate the Steelers!)

This tutorial comes from Honestly…WTF, one of my favorite design sites!

Cute cute cute!

Chain necklaces NEVER go out of style. I really don’t care what anyone says. This is a fun take on the tribal trend which is going to be huge this spring. So, start thinking about colors you love and get cracking on those braids!

For more on how to master this tutorial, click here.

Or…you can spend $395 for a look-a-like here.

Enjoy! And, if when you make one…please share it with me and I’ll post it!

Do you ever find yourself going back to where you first start?

Maybe it’s photos of a first love? Your first official college term paper? Your first designer dress?

And, do you ever find that it’s a bit wobbly, dodgy or even off just a tad? That’s why you love it, no? That’s why you hold onto it. That’s why you look back, even if there are some errors, and you smile.

There it is...the first pendant.

There’s nothing wrong with a trip down memory lane. Especially when it’s filled with good memories.

I found myself reminiscing about my start in metalsmithing this past weekend. I was organizing my jewelry and storage area and there it was: my first pendant made out of metal. Full of imperfections. A bit tarnished (because it’s base metal and hey, that tarnishes pretty quickly). A little uneven – you could even call it cockeyed. Totally handmade.

That tarnished pendant would mark the start of a love affair with metalsmithing and creating jewelry that is still very much alive.

And, I’m totally thankful that it happened.

I’ve always been an accessories sort of gal. This could be traced back to college when I had started a collection of custom jewelry that consisted of what I’d like to term as chotchkie jewelry (aka something you’d get at a Target or H&M), sterling silver, gold that I bought or inherited from family (hey, it was a HELL of a lot cheaper back in 2003/2004…and actually affordable), and other little items that I’d pick up in my travels (not real metal of any sort, but special anyhow). College was the first time I had the fashion freedom I always wanted. Up until that point, I was subject to Catholic school, uniforms and rules about what you can and cannot wear. So, you could see why I went a little crazy in college with accessories, clothing and shoes. But, to go into that is really another story and another blog post.

After graduating college, I started what I thought would be a dream job for a fresh out of college grad: marketing at Forbes.com. While at first, it was tons of fun (I had a great first boss) – and yes, it will always be the “Harvard” on my resume, the deep dip in the economy came hand in hand with a “promotion,” or really a new job within the company, that would change my perspective on what I really wanted from life back in New York City and in my career, forever.

I was attached to not one blackberry (which was always on, not by my choice), but my personal blackberry where the VP of the company had my phone number. That, I learned, is never a good thing.

So, that brings us to 2008. The end of 2008. I was unhappy in my 9-8PM job (not normal). I felt uncreative and unfulfilled. I spent a lot of money, also, on purchases meant to perk me up during a quick 15-minute lunch break. But, really, those purchases made me happy for about a minute.

I was looking for something a hell of a lot more fulfilling. And, I was sick of being on my damn blackberry and on my laptop. Before I was off to find my new job in 2009, I made a promise to myself first: find a new hobby. And, find that hobby quickly.

That lead me to FIT. It was time to use my hands. Learn in a studio. Shut off my phone and put it to the site. What you don’t know is that it’s the fashion school mecca in NYC with a little secret. You can practically take any class offered as a continuing education student. No need to enroll. And, as a NYC resident, it’s cheap. Under $400 a semester for a class. What a beautiful resolution.

And here I am. Going on my third year of classes at FIT. Learning more about creating pieces constructed from metal…more than I ever thought possible. Feeling part manufacturer (hello mold making) and a big part designer (what little object is the next big craze?). It’s mostly fun, sometimes high-pressure during the holidays, but mostly it makes me feel fulfilled when I’m not working my day job. And, isn’t that what life is always about? Feeling fulfilled. Being proud of where you’re from.

FIT can take a big piece of credit when it comes to my creative awakening. I have met some of the most amazing professors, friends and students. Some of the kindest and most talented folks around. I am lucky it’s in my backyard.

So, when I look at that first pendant and then some of the items in my shop, I smile. That tarnished pendant represents someone who just wanted to learn, create and try something new. It took a lot of time to finish that first pendant – nearly half a semester: three months. But, let me tell you…it was quite the transformation. A formative beginning that encouraged me to want to learn more and create for the first time. With all the cuts, with all the hammers that have mistakenly hit my fingertips or the burn marks that have left their scars…it’s welcomed. It’s a part of who I am now. Just like that first pendant at the start of this journey.

What do you love the most about looking back? What have you learned?

It's tarnished...and not perfect. But, it marked the beginning.