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Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Cocktail Party

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I’ve been daydreaming lately about throwing a lovely cocktail party, full of fancy dresses, music, laughter and great conversation. Unfortunately, my apartment is barely big enough for my craft supplies, let alone guests. I am undeterred, however; a cocktail party will come my way sooner or later, and when it does, I’ll be ready with the perfect handmade outfit.

Fashion in Hawaii is pretty casual, which means I’ll be extra excited to slip into this gorgeous 1950’s style silk dress by Fiori di Arancio. The high neckline, full skirt, and short sleeves are chic and elegant, while the organza bow adds the perfect touch of sweet. The dress can be made in any color silk, but I love the patterned fabric shown on the model–it’s classic, subtle and sure to turn heads among the little black dresses.

What’s a cocktail dress without the perfect statement-making ring? This bezel set option by Blue Wave Jewelry will add just a little bit of sparkle and modern flair to my vintage-style dress–a fashion juxtaposition, if you will. The different dimensions of this druzy quartz stone will catch the light perfectly, and set it apart from your typical cocktail ring. The oval shape and wide sterling silver bezel setting are classic.

A great clutch is always a must when you’re dressing up for a night out. This simple black option by Designs By Ambiana is made of vegan leather, lined, and includes a small pocket. It’s large enough to hold all of your things, but small enough that it won’t compete with the cocktail dress. The silver purse frame and chain will coordinate perfectly with the silver jewelry, and the pattern on the vegan leather is just the perfect amount of texture.

Now that I have my perfect cocktail party outfit, all I need is an invitation, and a drink!

**The image featured at the top of this article is a photograph by The Bunny Cage.

Boyfriend Chic

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Wearing your boyfriend’s clothes is one of those fashion trends that keeps coming back year after year in one form or another. Sure, it sounds easy enough – just throw on your man’s collared shirt – but for those of us who aren’t fashion models, this trend can be difficult to pull off. Those over-sized collared shirts can easily create a messy, even frumpy look. For women in need of something more tailored, there are plenty of handmade artists creating pieces that will keep you on trend, but still looking chic and pulled together.

I just love the look of this tunic by Ma chemise d’homme. Made from a man’s collared shirt, you still get the comfort and relaxed look that is typical of the boyfriend trend, but the round neckline, puffed sleeves and contrasting bias tape add subtle touches of femininity. Ma chemise d’homme’s entire shop features women’s clothing made from upcycled menswear and some of her designs are truly surprising – a must see.

If you love the relaxed look of boyfriend jeans, but are looking for something a little more tailored, the Charlie Pants by Three Little Ducks may be just what you had in mind. With a relaxed fit and flattering pleating across the front, these pants combine masculine tailored details with a feminine cut and fit, and could be easily dressed up for a night out or worn out while running errands.

This acorn yellow satchel by breagha is another great combination of masculine and feminine details. The leather shoulder strap and detailing along with the boxy shape mimic more masculine messenger bags while the bright yellow color and compact size make it perfect for female body types and taste. Made from tweed woven in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, this bag is both unique and utilitarian.

The sweet print featured at the top of this post was created by Sparklehen.

New York Marathon: Running Fashion

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My friend from college is running in the New York Marathon this upcoming weekend and I couldn’t be more excited for her. She’s been training for months and I can only imagine the overwhelming sense of accomplishment she’ll feel when she finally crosses the finish line, not to mention the excitement of being around so many other runners. My longest race so far has only been 10 miles, but I felt great at the end of it and hope to one day run a marathon as well, just to prove to myself that I can.

This graphic cutoff sweatshirt by Firedaughter Clothing would be a great motivator during months of training and early morning runs or a great gift for someone’s who’s completed a marathon. With bold colors and large, graphic letters screen printed onto eco-fleece, this isn’t your typical sweatshirt. Can you think of anything else so comfortable and stylish?

When you’re training for a marathon, you spend so much time running that it can feel as if you’re living in your workout clothes. After all of your hard work, the last thing you want is to feel frumpy. This tie dye t-shirt by Tie Mee is the perfect solution for runners looking to be a bit more stylish. The horizontal dye pattern is a great twist on the typical circle tie dye, and the cotton and spandex blend is sure to stay in place during your workouts.

A great pair of running pants or shorts can be key to a comfortable run. These 7/8ths foldover workout pants by Cast Couture are perfect for jogging, yet stylish enough to be worn to the grocery store. Buyers can choose between six colors and the pants can be custom sized according to specific body measurements.

I wish I could be there to cheer my friend on over the weekend. Maybe someday we’ll be able to run one together, but for now, I’m happy to start with a half marathon and work my way up.

**The linocut print featured at the top of this post was created by AnnikaLane.

Falling for Red

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Along with the changing leaves and dropping temperatures comes the new fall fashion and color trends. I already reported on capes and leopard print, and last but not least is the color red. I have to admit that the only red thing I own is lipstick, and that only goes on for special occasions, but that may change this season. The color red screams confidence and strength, and, well, who doesn’t want more of that?

A red party dress is the perfect way to stand out in a crowd of little black dresses. This silk option by Ikvot ha Mashiach has wonderful detailing–a series of sweet ruffles and pleats–coupled with a classic and universally flattering cut that accents the smallest part of your waist. Paired with a simple heel and jewelry, this dress is sure to turn heads.

This poncho by Sandmaiden is handmade from beautiful red hand-dyed wool jersey. It features a peter pan collar and belted closure, as well as a sophisticated cut that can be worn casually with a pair of jeans or dressed up with a skirt and heels. If aren’t too eager to wear red this season, this poncho comes in nine other colors. Best of all, it’s sewn to your specific measurements.

A red purse is a great way to make a statement with color this season. This leather option by Art On Crafts is perfect for work or running errands on the weekend. It features a zipper closure, both interior and exterior pockets, and plenty of room for all your odds and ends. The detailing on this bag is excellent; I love the larger zipper pulls and white stitching.

My mom always told me I should wear more red. This year I’m going to take her advice and pair my red lipstick with an equally red and stunning dress!

**The painting featured at the top of this post was created by Shira Sela.

Spring Trend: Nautical

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With the cold weather almost behind us, the spring trends are starting to emerge just in time for the warm weather. This season the nautical trend is back in full force featuring classic strips, preppy pants and boat shoes along with anchors, lobsters and any other sea animal that comes to mind. While most of us don’t have a boat upon which to enjoy the sunshine, you can still look the part in a few of these great handmade finds.

A great spin on the classic horizontal striped shirt, this navy blue and white top by tsifca features both vertical and horizontal strips for a preppy, yet modern look. Featuring a comfortable fit and wide elbow-length sleeves, this shirt is perfect for lounging, but could easily be dressed up for a night out. The light weight fabric will keep you cool during your time out at sea.

These forest green pleated summer shorts by Eleanor Rot are just perfect for enjoying some time out in the sun. The preppy pleats and cuffs fit perfectly with the nautical trend, but the unexpected color and large gold button keep them modern and a bit edgy. These shorts are the perfect compliment to a striped shirt, but be sure to tuck it in order to create a clear waist line.

This blue, red and gold-toned anchor necklace by Debbiecarroll Designs is the perfect way to add a little bit of nautical into your everyday wardrobe. The gold-toned anchor features a touch of red and is nicely complimented by bright red lucite beads, Swarovski crystals and other gold-toned vintage components. This necklace is a great way to add a bit of vintage glam to your striped shirt or dress up an otherwise plain outfit.

The digital sailboat print featured at the top of this post was created by JC Arts.