etsy

Everyone is taking the statement necklace to another level with the made to wear bib necklaces; however I am privy to turning my own twists on the trends. To that end I have been perusing etsy for neckwear that goes against the grain a bit; enter the designs of White Owl.

I have been a fan for several months now, they create delicate, feminine, and unique accessories at prices that keep you coming back for more. The abstract lines and transparent sections of the lace add peek-a-boo detail while providing you a unique look at the fraction of a designer accessory.

The necklaces pictured here are each $29, and the chandelier style earrings are worth the price at $18 each. Check out their etsy store for more styles; they ship fast and package your treats with care…it’s like getting little presents from yourself in the mail.

I get so excited when I get word of a new guest designer at a favorite store of mine. As every cheap chica knows Target rules the roost with a steady showing of high end guest lines. Their latest guest star is a line developed by Zac Posen who developed a line of show stopping silhouettes and prints to satisfy every fashionista’s craving.

I love Target for grabbing basics as well as unique finds for a fraction of the designer cost. Zac Posen’s line delivers a mix and match collection that you can funk up or funk down as you please, giving you more options to diversify your style selections.

Favorites from this collection are the sexy red one piece swimsuit for $34.99 and the little black dress for $49.99; Posen adds design into the fabrics with piping and texture while keeping his signature flattering shapes. Click here to check out the collection….in stores April 25, 2010!!!

The blog Modish hardly needs an introduction! I am so excited to share this blog that my advice is to go right NOW to check out all the great finds, talented new designers and inspiring artists that are featured.

I’ve never found a better site with so many unique pieces and hand-made goods…from clothing and jewelry to accessories and art; I was overwhelmed with what to look at first. It was if I had stumbled upon every girl’s vintage dream!

What I love best about this blog is the collaboration between the personal life and fashion advice from founder and writer, Jena Coray, and the features on new emerging designers.

Ok, ok I will stop rambling about the greatness of Modish! Learn more about the blog’s beginning and why it has been so successful, in the interview with Jena below…

Why did you start Modish? I started Modish in April 2006 to give more voice and exposure to the independent craft movement. I couldn’t find any design blogs at the time that focused on handmade goods and small designers, so I started one!

Is there any meaning behind the name? Modish means stylish. From clothing to home decor to art, I try to feature things that have a well-defined style of their own.

How do you choose which artists and designers to feature on your blog? I find many of them on etsy and just by trolling around the web and searching favorite online boutiques. I also feature a lot of artists and designers that email me introducing me to their shop. I love discovering new shops right there in my inbox!

When did you start the Miss Modish Vintage Shop? I just opened it this past November to help myself get out of the house more often (since I work from home!) and I thought of nothing better than giving myself an excuse to fuel my thrift store shopping addiction. I’m slowly listing things and hope to be able to focus on it more in the coming weeks. I have so much cute stuff to add to the shop- I just have to find time to photograph it all!

Where do you find your inspiration? Pretty much everything I feature on Modish is what I gather inspiration from- innovative designers and handmade things, art, especially photography, music of all sorts and old things- I love the history attached to vintage and antique items, imagining all the stories they had before I found them. And my surroundings here in Portland, everything from the rain to the moss to the bridges, are always inspiring to me.

Make sure to bookmark this blog!

It’s no secret that big, gaudy jewelry is in. Way in. Like…in-your-face. I’m sure you’ve noticed. That being said, if sporting statement jewelry is not your style and/or gives you fashion anxiety, never fear. You can still partake in the current craze by purchasing a fabulous… vintage brooch.

What I’m trying to say is this: if you are searching for a “wow” amount of either size, color, or sparkle, but you’re looking to limit gaudiness to a less obvious spot, then this is the way to go for you. Pump up the volume–even if it’s just a little bit–by sporting a pinned vintage piece and boom: you’re instantly unique, on trend, and you won’t stick out like a sore thumb on the subway. YES!

Not only do I like to add vintage touches like this to my outerwear (these brooches will look amazing on your favorite jean jacket) I also like to use brooches to fasten shawls, wraps…

I even like to attach them to a simple scarf. It’s a nice (and easy) way of spicing up an otherwise understated outfit. You can really put them on…anything. From the red carpet to distressed denim.

If you still don’t buy it, find a way to pin a brooch on your favorite clutch or one of your purses; I think it’s a very Carrie Bradshaw type of vibe, and how can we not love that?

Just remember this: if there is ever a time to go bonkers with out-there baubles, THIS IS IT, ladies.

Not surprisingly, brooches can be found all over Etsy and Ebay, but I would definitely check out your favorite local vintage and/or consignment shop for a selection you can oogle over in person.

You wouldn’t believe how many women out there who have zero qualms tossing Grandmom’s costume jewelry goodies right out the window (for cash, of course)…

…and right into our hands (and usually for under $40.00, sometimes as low as $10.00!)…muhahaha.

Your weekend getup never looked so special. That was easy!

I’m completely obsessed with all things knit lately, especially chunky, handmade pieces like the ones made by Yokoo. Ever since the September issue of Marie Claire, I’ve been craving these styles like crazy…but more times than not, these gorgeous knits are made of cashmere and that means beaucoup bucks!

Thank god for Celine…one of my favorite bloggers, from The Shoe Girl!  She featured her adorable Minnie  bows headband and I was instantly intrigued…

Her post lead me to Yokoo’s ETSY store which is full of beautiful, one-of-a-kind, custom creations.  Some of her bigger items are on the pricey side, but this Nantucket Cowl is $60 and you can pick whatever color you’d like her to use from 30 different selections.

And while you might think it’s just a cowl…it’s not!  It’s actually a 3-in-1 piece that you can wear around your shoulders as a shawl or even around your head like a hoodie.  Talk about value for your purchase!

She also has these amazingly cool knit “chains” for $95 and if you’re willing to splurge a little they are totally worth the investment! So cute and even better than that, such an original take on the statement necklace!

What better way to hop on this year’s trend train than by purchasing yourself some vintage cowboy boots?

It’s no secret that western-influenced styles are all the rage (consider the veritable plaid explosion going on right now), and what better way to add a fun-loving hint of Americana to otherwise basic ensembles than by rocking cowboy boots!

Now I know what you’re thinking. Me? In…cowboy boots? Easy, partner. I know. I know it might seem a bit bold, but considering how big the whole boots-over-jeans look has become (and the fact that it is clearly here to stay), most people won’t even give your beautiful boots a second thought. In fact, they’ll probably beg for details on where you snagged them.

So where *does* one find cowboy boots that don’t cost a fortune? Brand new, quality cowboy boots can be expensive, sometimes verging on three or four hundred dollars, but this is precisely where the benefit of shopping vintage comes in–I’ve seen quality pairs go for as low as 40 dollars! As for where, you have a few options: I am staggered by the selection available on Etsy, but there are some fantastic options on Ebay as well.

Remember that sizing is important and that boots such as these can definitely run a bit big; another thing to keep in mind is that the boots have already been broken in for you, another reason sizes will end up being larger than marked. When in doubt, just e-mail the seller and ask for measurements.

What more do you need to know? Grab your skinny jeans and lasso one of these deals ASAP—finds such as these are just too good to pass up, cowgirl.

I think we are all aware how big “statement” necklaces are right now. We’ve seen them on everyone– on the red carpet and off. Logically, jumbo-sized baubles also tend to come with a jumbo-size price tags. That is, unless you shop vintage.

One of the many wonderful things about buying vintage is that you can score unique items at a fraction of the price. How? You know, that whole “gently used” thing tends to put some people off. Not this gal! I love the idea of wearing a fabulous chunky necklace a 60s housewife might have once worn. It gives the item a certain… je ne sais quoi that non-vintage pieces just don’t have.

We all like to feel special, and why not feel special *and* be on trend at the same time? Yup, that’s where the V.P. comes in.

I found an awesome array of statement necklaces on Etsy (most no more than $25.00, might I add!): all one-of-a-kind, all at half the price you would pay retail for similar items. Picture yourself wearing this gorgeous multi-strand chain link piece, whether it be with your go-to LBD and a killer pair of heels or your favorite jeans, t-shirt, and boyfriend blazer.

Tis the beauty of the statement necklace, and of vintage: they both have the amazing ability to morph from day to night, dressy to casual–just like that. So hop on the vintage bandwagon, what are you waiting for? A statement necklace is a perfect place to start. Per usual, with Etsy, the possibilities are endless.

Whenever I meet interesting people, I always try to remember to ask for their business card …you never know who you’re going to meet and when you might need them in the future!  I’m always looking out for cute business card holders and everything I find is just too corporate for what I do until I found Bambina on Etsy!

She makes beautiful leather goods and my favorite (and New York Magazine’s) thing on her Etsy site is her adorable Metro business card holders for only $10!  They come in a wide variety of stylish colors and sumptouous leathers and you’re sure to find one that works for you!  I have a few people on my mind that deserve a “thank you” gift and these might just be ther perfect thing!

This weeks designer is lamixx, designed by Jacqueline Rose.  Her collection featues great basics with modern lines in easy to wear neutral colors…so they’re the perfect bulidng blocks for a great wardbrobe.  There’s a nice combination of dresses, like this adorable wool strapless number pictured here, along with great separates and everything is priced under $90.

According to her site, “Lamixx finds joy in bringing adored fashion to you at a price conscious style, without compromising the look of luxury.”…that’s exactly how we feel!! Check out the rest of the collection here!