I am constantly amazed by people's crafty imagination and then their technical skills to actually bring their vision to life. Etsy is the perfect forum that connects these brilliantly creative people together. We benefit by finding unique, quirky, and sometime inexplicable items that we simple must purchase.
Here are my week's Etsy finds:
With the richness of these kimono-styled leather belts by elizabethkelly, I am totally anticipating fall. I can't wait to use one to cinch in all my patterned layers.
I have completely fallen for these black and white and sepia horse prints by equinoxphoto. What an unexpected way to balance colorful, contemporary decor.
I love that these scarves by ColorSprouts infuse a touch of sophistication into tie dye by using silk.
While Etsy seller amberike calls these "Hand Dandy Button Bookmarks," I would totally use them for their original purpose to spice up office life.
Meet Amanda, my dear friend and one of the lucky few who gets to work in fashion (and actually get paid for it). As a valuable team member of BCBG Max Azria, Amanda has a fashion point of view that spans from the classic to the unexpected to fashion forward. But most importantly she knows what looks good on women! Here she gives us her perspective on summer fashion...
Effortless Summer Dressing
Five summer basics that I couldn’t live without include Bondage Skirts, Tunics, Sequined Tanks, Rompers & and Blowsy Shorts.I love bondage skirts because they are so simple, so comfy & they literally look good with any top.I own three!But I think everyone needs at least one neutral and one in a funky color or print.My favorite style to pair with these slim fitting skirts, or any slim bottom, is tunics (think “upside down pyramid”).Cool & breezy, tunics also offer a level of comfort.And I am all about dressing comfortably & effortlessly this summer! I love a classic white style or nautical stripe.To keep a slim illusion layer a heavy necklace on top of these flowing tops.
For an effortless night out throw on a sequined tank – with jeans, leggings, shorts, or as a dress.Sequins allow just the right amount of sparkle minimizing the need for a lot of jewelry.In +90* weather no one loves to pile on jewelry…I don’t care what Rachel Zoe says!
Rompers are so playful!I think we all should pay homage to our childhood this summer!These onesies are perfect for a day of errands, lunch with the girls, sporting events, a trip to the zoo…you get the picture.If you want to set yourself apart try a luxe fabrication like silk.Or make this look your own by adding a belt or boyfriend blazer.
I have never been a shorts fan myself, however, this year, due to numerous vacationing, I have picked up a couple of styles.My favorite pair is pleated, blousy, and silky!Kind of frivolous because they are dry clean only, but it was love at first sight!I also got two pairs that were cuffed because they are so flattering, making my legs look longer & leaner.
I will briefly speak on my view of accessories.I’m much more of a clothes junky than jewelry.I don’t usually pile on a whole lot of jewelry, but I do apply the theory that bigger is better when it comes to accessories.Be it cocktail rings, necklaces, earrings, belts or shoes, I can’t resist a statement piece!
I am infatuated with Twitter. I can keep up with the news, weather, fashion, and anything I want in a split second. So connect with me on Twitter. I would love to know what you are saying too. My twitter profile is notlostintrans.
So the craziness of summer has gotten the best of me, and while it has been fun, I have let some things slip. Laundry, house cleaning, grocery shopping, and my blog. But I am back and plan to stay even more committed than ever.
Do you have ideas for posts? Or would you like to see me do a reoccurring weekly topic ... hmmm like Esty find of the week? Let me know. I always love (and need) ideas.
Thank you to my followers. I hope you haven't lost hope in me.
Thanks to Ms ARSCOTT for my second blog award, likely given to me because she knows of my not so secret obsession for all beautiful footwear.
The essence of this award is to share with you five of my favorite accessories for my feet (so I fudged a little and picked six ... it is like choosing a favorite child ... impossible).
This award resulted in being an interesting exploration into true fashion love. I didn't pick the platform heels or booties that are currently all over the fashion pages. But I immediately gravitated to my shoes with behind the scenes stories to their purchase or because of their quirky or beautiful construction. In fact, I only currently wear one of the six below but can guarantee all six will stay in my collection for eternity.
To me this showed that fashion and style is truly about personal taste that reflects one's uniqueness ... forget about needing to emulate the celebrities.
Enjoy! I sure did!
Purchased off of eBay with 5 other vintage pairs from the 60s.
My only pair of designer heels (Moschino) but more importantly they remind me of my first trip to NYC with my best girlfriends.
Random find at a antique store, but I love them for their over-the-top "themed" details. Yes, I have worn them, and yes, I got lots of crazy looks.
These lucky guys have already been featured on my blog as a gift from my hubby and symbolize his sweet, thoughtful love he shows to me everyday.
In love with these sweet delicate heels. These is how plastic on shoes should be done.
Found these one-of-kind shoes at a vintage shop in Tuscon, designed by a local Tuscon designer in the 50s. Uh-MAZING!
I am totally obsessing over army green, olive green, whatever you want to call it. I love the safari-esqe appeal it brings and how truly versatile it is. I treat it like a neutral paring it with anything from a punchy color to other neutrals like navy or beige. But my current preferred combo is an olive green piece with an overly feminine companion like this floral, peachy-pink top, creating a strong juxtaposition of the hard and soft.
(Skirt and top - Zara, belt - vintage, necklace - Adornments)
Please give me a moment to stray from my fashion explorations to share a fitness find. After hearing about hot yoga for years, I finally mustered up the nerve to try it (I was originally paralyzed by the idea of fainting in an awkward position because of the heat, inevitable causing a domino falling of my fellow yoga-ers). To my surprise, it was approachable, relatable, doable, and totally refreshing.
The "can-do" tone was very much set by the instructor, owner of Yoga Story, and well practiced and passionate yogi, Cindee Joslin. The cute studio off the Bentonville square proved to be a place of peace and inner exploration as I managed to somewhat successfully contort my body into all the positions.
Miss Cindee offers several different class times with several different types of yoga all in the comfort of 90 degrees (it literally felt comfortable). The best part: she charges by donation only ... now that is true passion. Check out Yoga Story's site for more info and look for me in future classes, the one sweating buckets and loving it.
I am loving the trend of cargo pants as dress pants. From my observations, the secret to pulling it off is cuff 'em and pair 'em with sexy heels and a feminine top.
I have been coveting Cynthia's work in shoes for over a year, but the steep price tag has always prevented me from making them mine. When I heard Target was collaborating with her to say I was excited would be an understatement. I am now a proud owner of what I think she does best--overly strappy wedges--for only $30. They are super comfy, and I have already gotten tons of complements on them! You better hurry to your closest Target because they are selling out fast, or you can always buy them on eBay for about $15 over the current retail price.
I am so thrilled to be offering my readers my first ever giveaway. A dear friend of mine, Wendi, has a special talent for making sweet, feminine jewelry with a vintage twist (some pieces even use real vintage beads). On top of that, her prices are so reasonable! She has offered to let the winner of the giveaway pick her (or his) favorite piece! Here is how it works--you will receive one entry if you are a current follower or sign up to be a follower and you will get an additional entry if you leave a comment.
Check out Wendi's Etsy site to explore her whole spring/summer collection.
Have you noticed how everything has gone denim? I have wanted a soft, light denim button-up forever. One that is comfy, modern, and didn't break the bank. I found one today a Walmart thanks to Miley Cyrus herself. The original price tag said $18, but it rang up for only $10. I am totally wearing this tomorrow and turning denim Friday upside down.
The influx of smart phones has permeated every aspect of our life, including how I personally approach fashion and shopping. I thought I would share some of my favorite iPhone apps that have changed my approach to style forever.
Ask a Stylist by Glamour Magazine
Cost: Free
This app is brand new and uh-mazing. Glamour has offered up the services of several NYC-based stylists 24 hours a day. You simply take a pic of the outfit in contention, answer a few questions, ask your specific question and within minutes have a professional, polite, and insightful style answer. I am in LOVE!!
Trendtrack by Trendstop
Cost: Free
This app catalogs all the latest fashion shows from around the world. You have the ability to see the latest from Milan with a simple touch of a button. But my favorite part is the "Trend" tab where you can quickly scroll through Trendstop's latest and greatest trend observations. Some can be very easily integrated into a wardrobe immediately.
Shopstyle
Cost: Free
BEWARE! This app is dangerous for the wallet. It is basically a one-stop-shop for all things fashion with all the hottest retailers. It is so easy to browse and buy that it doesn't even feel like spending money. I could get lost in this app for hours and spend thousand of dollars.
Style.com
Cost: Free
It is like having Anna Wintour in your pocket. OK maybe not, but this is probably the closest you and I will ever get to her. This app is really like having Vogue magazine in a digital format.
TouchCloset
Cost: $0.99
You know when you watched Clueless for the first time and you absolutely died for Alicia Silverstone's virtual closet? Well 15 years later you can finally have it. TouchCloset allows you to take pics and catalogue your whole closet. You can make outfits and even note when you wore them last. It makes choosing what to wear in the morning so much more fun and easy.
It was the hardest thing for me to pass up on, but I simply didn't need any of the NARS eyeshadow or lipgloss gift sets the Rogers TJ (2203 Promenade Blvd, Rogers, 479.621.0214) currently has in-stock. So! Please! I need one of my readers to reap the benefits. I found several boxes of product on the second beauty endcap and several pieces in the beauty sale dump bin near the shoes. Hurry my beauty divas ... before my strength gives way and I return to buy it all!
Never been to a fashion show? Ralph Lauren took the scale of the internet and invited every online surfer to their Spring 2010 fashion show. Being the first ever online show, I commend the attempt but miss the true energy and excitement that reverberates throughout a live show. The sluggish tone is exaggerated by the zen-like music, chilled walk by the models, and the mysterious breeze ruffling all their hair. Nonetheless, I love the safari-inspired looks and color combos, the airy silk pants, the jersey drop-waist dress, and the ethnic printed tops.
I am much more of a sensory driven shopper; therefore, most of the time I prefer shopping in the physical space versus the digital space. However, since I am a sucker for unique and inexpensive items, the right digital proposition can entice me enough to overcome my need to touch, smell, and experience. ASOS.com and ModCloth.com have just that proposition.
ASOS.com comes to us from our fashion forward sister country, the UK. It has a wide collection of designers with a whole range of price points, making many fashion aggressive pieces very attainable for us normal gals.
ModCloth.com has a laid back, retro vibe through their vintage-inspired pieces by indie designers. The utter uniqueness of every piece makes a sense of style achievable and the low prices make it affordable.
One of my friend's wedding is fast approaching, and she is putting the last little touches on her dream look. She has given you, my readers, the heavy responsibility of giving her some opinions on her final accessories. While the dress definitely is the hero, the accessories are the "supporting cast" that can make or break her look. So please give her your opinion!
First her shoes! The bride selected simple shoes with darling vintage earrings to repurpose as shoe clips. However, after dying and stretching to make the shoes perfect a small amount of chemical residue landed just right of the peep toe. And of course, the shoe clip alone won't cover-up the spot. Making light of the situation, the bride has been inspired to use feathers to cover the mistake. Her fear, however, is the fine line feathers can cross. Looking at her inspiration below, do feathers maintain the sophisticated wedding feel or cross over into lingerie territory (that should be reserved for the wedding night)?
Next, while our bride is a spring bride, the spotty weather in Arkansas can prove to be unpredictably cold. Our bride is looking for a warm but chic cover-up for her golf cart exit (so cute). She found this lovely faux fur shrug on Tulip Bridal for $34 and likes the idea but is concerned about the winter tone. Is the shrug too much for the spring timing?
Hopefully our bride will follow-up with pics from her actual day to show us what she finally decides!
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