DIY necklace project via The Fashionate Traveler

I love this woman. I've lurked on her blog for a lil' while. (*lurk lurk stalk stalk* Dun dun DUUUUN!)

This stylish Aussie trots all over the globe, so squares like you and I don't have to. She's always dressed to kill, and quick to share her secrets of fabulosity. And, it would appear that the necklace that intrigues her also intrigues me:

This is a Tom Binn exclusive that retails for over 600 pounds. Needless to say, the way our dollar has been dropping of late, this would be a HEFTY chunk of change for those of us stateside. But it's sooo dreamy. What's a gal to do?

Follow the FT's tutorial, of course! I'm not going to spill the beans here b/c I'm not a content-scraper like that, yo! You'll have to go to her own site for the goods. Her version starts out with more necklace-strands, fewer gemstones, and a lot more blinged-out skull charms. Enjoy, and I hope it inspires.

A little pre-Black Friday link love.

The ever-gracious Maggie at The Haute Hoosier has put together a list of local stores running Black Friday specials. Check it out, take copious notes, and avoid the ridiculous crush of crowds at the mall and the big-box stores. Better, you're supporting the LOCAL economy. Employment issues are on everyone's mind these days. Try giving one of the best gifts you could: an effort to keep money circulating locally, protecting and creating Indianapolis jobs.

Another multitude of opportunities awaits at Indy's many local winter gift bazaars. Check out Jenny Elig's writeup. She knows what it's about. Nothing adds a special touch to your holiday gift like being able to meet its creator.

Of course, I'd be remiss without adding a few of my own local gift-shopping ideas. Check out Eye Candy and Arts A-Poppin on Massachusetts Avenue. IndySwank is a fab shop in Fountain Square. The foodie in your life would appreciate a gift card from a local eatery like Yats, Scotty's Brewhouse, Machu Picchu, Aesop's Tables, Bosphorous Istanbul Cafe, or maybe Sawasdee.

And finally, for your loved ones' skincare and fragrance needs, nobody's got more grassroots-local good scents than Jessie Walton's Body Eclectic Skin Care line. Mall-brand shower and lotion sets are a staple gift, but they're loaded with bad chemicals, and your hard-earned dollars end up who-knows-where. Jessie truly geeks out on quality natural ingredients, and all her products smell divine.