What I love on Etsy right now: Mardi Gras Masks

With Mardi Gras just around the corner on March 8, I thought it would be fun to check out what Etsy has to offer in the way of masks for the holiday. Fat Tuesday is all about excess, so a simple gold and purple plastic half mask from Party City just won't do.

Here are some fun ones I tracked down:

Purple Lace Mask

The Mask of Strong Emotion





Scarlett Macaw Masquerade Ball Mask






Fire Bird Phoenix Feathered Mardi Gras Mask





Wild Lotus





Handpainted Damask Inspired Mask

The greatest Halloween costume ever.

That is the phrase I typed into my Google search field. And the response I got was actually an illustrated version of a story told by an old friend of mine from high school, drawn by Doctor Popular. I think this Google is a little too smart. Hope you enjoy and Happy Halloween to you all!!!

Easter Bonnets

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!
I love Easter because it is one of the few occasions we have in modern times to don a gorgeous hat, and I just love hats!

Victorian Easter Bonnets

Adorable, little girl, 1950s Easter bonnets

and the Easter bonnet I would buy if I had a good enough reason.

Happy New Year!

Hope you all are having a wonderful time celebrating the turn-of-the-decade! Here's an image of a spectacular party dress from Paco Rabanne, worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film Two For The Road (a really interesting movie, I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't seen it). See you in 2010!

Joy to the World!

Hope you and yours are having a very happy holiday! Enjoy!

(and you can find this costume here if you need to liven up your gathering)

Let's bring back poodle skirts!

And by that, I really mean appliqued circle skirts. There is no reason poodles should get to have all the fun! Circle skirts are wonderful because they are flattering on a variety of figures, they require very little sewing know-how to create (and if you make them from felt they don't need to even be hemmed), and they are a perfect blank canvas to express yourself through fashion in a fun and whimsical way.

Oversized flowers look fun and chic:



This darling skirt let's everyone know you're in a party mood:



The three-dimensional vines of magnolias on this skirt are downright glamorous:



Using abstract shapes can let your inner designer shine:



And Santa will be sure not to miss your house if you don this skirt on Christmas Eve:


Instructions for making a circle skirt are easy to come by, or a commercial pattern can be purchased from your local fabric store.

Free applique templates abound on the internet, you are really only limited by your imagination (just try googling "{applique idea here} pattern" in an image search and you're sure to find something). I came across a few cute ones to share with you:

kitty cat applique from mmmcrafts


owl applique (template here) from amazing mae


skull and crossbone applique found on crafty crafty
and a
bird and ribbon applique from Make Them Yourself

The technique you use for your applique will vary depending on the materials you use and your skill level. You may use fusible webbing, needle-turning, or even topstitch a felt applique by hand with large stitches of embroidery thread. With some practice and creativity, you can experiment until you get a look you like.

You can also get a personalized monogrammed circle skirt from Hey Viv!

If you do decide to give the circle skirt a go, I'd love to see your pictures!

What I love on Etsy right now: holiday picks

Wooden Heart Necklace (I love the festive colors and the funky look of the clasp in front... I mean, it always ends up there anyway, right?)

LuRoe Accessories are created by an old friend of mine, we were in the same 5th grade class! She just happens to be a great creative talent in the jewelry department with a great offbeat style. I always advocate supporting handmade when it comes to gift buying (I consider it a public service), so I've picked just a few of my favorite pieces of hers to share with you all if you're looking for a few more gifts (or a treat for yourself) this holiday season:
Peach Agate Hoops
Funky Wrap Watch
Green Shell Bracelet
Silver Filigree and Chain Necklace


Get 'em while they're hot (or before I buy them all!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you enjoy your holiday as much as this dancing duo seems to be! Enjoy your meal, love your family and friends, and count your blessings!

Turkey Day Trinkets

this feathered hairpiece entitled Wild Turkey

this bold Turkey Feather Brooch
this beautiful Turkey Brooch

How much fun would it be to spice up your Thanksgiving wardrobe with these little numbers?

'Tis the season for entertaining...

With Halloween officially behind us, it is time to turn our attention from candy and costumes to turkey and table runners. We're getting into the Thanksgiving and other winter holidays, and many of us will be entertaining guests in our home. And you know what? You deserve a beautiful apron to wear on those occassions. There is a good chance your guests will be seeing you in it, so treat yourself to a cute one that you can be proud to wear in front of people. I have absolutely fallen in love with the selection of aprons from The Apron Shoppe. They're a fashion statement in and of themselves. A flattering, feminine, but utilitarian apron also makes a wonderful hostess gift if you should happen to be a guest instead of a hostess. I hope everyone has wonderful and delicious holiday plans ahead of them!