i came across these on etsy today and thought they were fantastic. custom orders take three weeks to make, so you better start thinking fast for gifting purposes.
speaking of gifting, i'll be putting out a gift guide of sorts in the very near future. don't expect much, but i'm saying it's coming.
etsy, $90
remember esprit? yeahhh you do. well, they're back (though i don't think they've ever been gone) and the prices apparently have risen with inflation.
but unfortunately, during a quick visit to the site, this was about the only thing i liked (unlike 1994, when i pretty much couldn't live without that red and white label).
esprit, $89.50
i'm thinking sequins & feathers are the way to go this new year's. and for whatever reason, i've decided i will create such a dress.
i've got a dress (far right, gray wool) that's been sitting on my table, all cut out and ready to go, for a month, but as soon as i finish that up, it is go time.
ostrich feather fringe peeking out at the bottom (also big on petticoats right now) and some pretty matte sequins.
oooh la lovely.
by the way, the look i'm going for is more monique lhuillier than, say, vegas showgirl (not that, in another life, i wouldn't kill to be a showgirl).
fringe from macculloch & wallis for £31.65 a meter (i am so european), and vintage flat sequins from kit kraft (awesome craft site, by the way) for $2.50 a pack (about 1,000 sequins).
the red is fantastic, but i wish i had found them earlier in the year. ladies, sizes 5, 8, 9 and 10: you're in luck. hurry.
newport news, $19 (on sale from $29)
as far as these, though. want that teal so bad, though the purple or green would probably be most practical. scratch that. $30 a pair? practicality isn't even an issue.
oooh also! these are leather, are even cheaper and come in a ton of colors.
newport news, $29 (on sale from $39)
the ampersand... by far the prettiest punctuation symbol (though i suppose it's not so much punctuation).
see, francesca's is great.
francesca's, $18
i am so excited to know francesca's is online. it used to be so near my old apartment and was my go-to spot for gifts and cheap accessories (TONS of cheap accessories). anyway, i had quite forgotten about it.
since i'm nowhere near an h&m or forever21, it's great to remember francesca's is nearby for my last-minute pretty needs.
francesca's collections, $36 (i mean, really!)
we won't get into the myriad of reasons i don't have a little dog named nigel or poppy sleeping (and snoring & snorting) on my lap at this moment.
but, as a sort of makeshift, it'd be nice to have something like this wall graphic. see, it'd kind of be like rowdy (odd site) on scrubs.
i found this and a ton others via lily and tulip.
etsy, $25
i am embarrassed that i have neglected to mention the fabulous wares over at the shiny squirrel. the online showcase for fashion & art and the latest creation by jessica (whose blog of the same name is also a hit) launched about a month ago.
she has a bunch of beautiful things from up&coming artists and designers: clothing (love this dress by betsy wise), stationery, paintings (am absolutely inspired by nicole poko's work), photography (i like the above print by jessica levey; also really enjoying caroline moore's work).
the shiny squirrel, $350
love the american apparel knit dress and especially love the print.
etsy, sold out (sorry... didn't see this until the very end. i'm sure they'd take requests though, or you could try another color!)
i am especially fond of the gray version i saw in this month's lucky but could not find it on the macy's site.
hats in the belfry, $28
first of all, did you know fuyu is japanese for winter? i didn't! good to know.
second, i generally have an aversion to anything suede & furry (thanks, ugg) but luckily puma has restored my confidence in this wintertime necessity.
who knew they could be suede, furry AND have shape? mindblowing.
puma, $130
it comes in a clear jewel case stand, but i think i'd put it on the wall with some picture-hanging wire and alligator clips.
amazing and colorful, oh my.
my favorite months? march, june, july, august and october.
letterpress calendar by ilee
etsy, $20
i love taking notes and making lists on index cards. and, i have a LOT of shit to do. these would help.
shittodo tablet, $5
pretty and snaky.
snake letterpress flats, $6.50
liking the colors and border!
loves bouquet card, $4
birthday card, $3.50
peacock card, $3
late to work but too excited about this to let it go.
sequins, baby! sequins!
glitterati blouson dress
j.crew, $550
every year, i want to be margot tenenbaum for halloween. and, every year, i fail to find the perfect vintage lacoste dress (i've scoured shops, ebay, everywhere... to no avail).
so, please, someone... for the love of god. please direct me to the secret place in the world where these are stashed away.
first off, who's excited about masquerade night on gossip girl? i am.
second of all, inspired by the upcoming episode and marie antoinette, it's been decided there will be a winter masquerade ball soon. very soon.
mask
anytimecostumes.com, $14.99
and, on a similar but unrelated note...
i stumbled upon this cat mask and i might need it just for everyday wear. because it's fabulous.
siamese cat mask
b-masks.com, $15
by far, the best holiday of the year.
still have no idea what to be? american apparel's costume slideshow is quite clever and helpful.
some are especially cute (andy+edie, rollergirl, the three's company gang) and would be easy to assemble at the last minute. the site even walks you through what you need.
(i'm going to be a robot. unfortunately, american apparel couldn't help me out with that one. i'm certain no one wants to see the lamé side of me.)
was in santa fe last week and was so excited about all the color, especially these pretty punched paper banners that hung everywhere.
i suppose i had seen them plenty of times in other places but, given my new penchant for all things gaudy, i was particularly overjoyed.
best part is, you can have them custom-made for whatever occasion you want.
papel picado banner
casa bonampak, $6
