slideshow FEBRUARY PICKS

February is that most romantic of months - hacking coughs, runny noses and cold damp weather. Oh - and something about cupid and candy and stuff.

Enjoy these picks - there might even be something for that special someone - you!

slideshow JANUARY 2010

January 2010

January has started, in fact we are almost half way through so here are some of my favorite pieces from independent designers this month so far. Check back again, I will be adding more soon.

bags 5 AMBER LEATHER BAGS

The other day I asked a friend what they felt epitomized the end of summer. The answer went something like this. The end of summer is being at the beach, you have a sweater on and your basking in the gold afternoon light. It's a bit too cold for being in the water, it's still warm, but it's more about chilling than doing.

Well, that sure did make me feel nostalgic for the beach house I would some day like to have, but it didn't really help me with the blog post that I wanted to write. Then I saw it, a bag from Lunch A La Mode in caramello leather (center) - that is the color of the end of summer.

These bags in warm neutral shades of amber, caramel and cognac, transcend being simply end of summer. They are new classics, you can use any day of the year - but still, if you like, you can imagine that last beach day of the year where you feel relaxed to your core watching the sun go down.

FEATURING:
1. Raw edge bag in caramel leather, $125, Jackie Robbins Design
2. Weekender bag in golden cognac leather, $325, Valhalla
3. Picnic bag in caramello leather, Amber Pollard
4. Betty clutch in cognac leather, $59, Lilipad Creations
5. Cognac leather bag with flowers, $115, Josee Lafond

independent design guide SUMMER 2009

Last week I launched the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // summer 09 - and I love it! Of course, there is the oh-so-slight chance that I am biased since I curated the guide.

Plus, one of the designs is going to be our next giveaway....I bet you can't guess which one!

Check out more from the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE and then don't forget to vote for your favorite designers.

giveaway VINCA USA

Vinca is an adorable line of leather accessories with a few jewelry pieces thrown in. With motifs that range from simple florals to hammerhead sharks - the designer definitely gives off a fun eclectic vibe. Recently Vinca's work was featured on the runway as part of the Pin Show.

The giveaway is for all the pieces featured above: purse, cuff, necklace and 2 barettes.

To enter the giveaway (US addresses only):
1. Leave a comment here with your email (or other way of contacting you if you are worried about spam).
2. Join the mailing list

color TEAL WE MEET AGAIN

Teal is such a fun little color - somewhere between the navy of mid winter and the light aqua of early summer. I would go so far to say that teal is the color that says "you know, I think the economy will turn around soon...I'm going to buy something I don't need".

Whatever your opinion of the economy or the my anthropomorphous obsession with color, I'm sure you'll agree that these pieces are rather lovely!

FEATURING:
+ carved resin ring, $65, quercus silver
+ octavia bag, $530, rebecca ciccio
+ harbor graphic t-shirt, $24.95, puckish
+ acanthus keychain, 10 €, stillwater designs
+ 3 logo circle tee, 32,90 €, silber fischer

launch INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE

Spring is here...and not just because it's sunny outside and birds are chirping! Spring is officially here because I've just launched the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // spring 09.

The poster child of the guide is the gum popping girl in the Bubble Lights "organic" silk scarf by Yosifa Silk. There is something so incredibly spring-like about the style of the scarf and photography. Carefree in a sophisticated sort of way.

This guide started off a little differently - very slow. Even the designers who are usually the first to sign up, put all spending on hold while sales slowed down. I considered not doing a guide - however instead I decided to support to very designers who had supported the guide over the past year and offer several free spots. The response was overwhelming - and so I am especially proud to launch this guide.

As a result, I have decided that I will continue to offer 3 free juried spots to designers in every guide. I will also continue to suprise the odd designer by including their work at the very last minute, these designers are usually new designers who I haven't featured before.

Juried spots will be awarded to the 3 top designers from the previous guide. This will be determined by a combination of the following:
+ saves on StyleHive
+ saves on ThisNext
+ or leave a comment on this post

Thank you and enjoy!

designer NORWEGIAN WOOD

Don't try this at home folks. I mean wearing these 3 pieces together might be a little too much, but individually these pieces add an avant guard flavor to the wardrobe. The designer herself warns against going head to toe pattern.

That being said, it is refreshing to see work that is individual without being pretentious. My favorite piece has got to be the "Maximum" feathery necklace - something that can infuse fun and fashion into. A jeans and t-shirt wardrobe.

For more from this designer, visit the designers Norwegian Wood

color HELLO YELLOW

The sky is grey - rain, rain go away - but spotted here and there in the garden are daffodils. And, this seems as good a time as any to feature some spring like yellow products from some fabulous independent designers.

All of these products are super sunny looking, but my favorite has got to be the jolly looking "egg pants". So get in touch with your inner "spring" and check out these delicious things!

FEATURING:
+ hello cards, $6 for $13, in vita
+ hand batiked linen fabric, $25, margot bianca
+ mirabel anorak, $180, suzabelle
+ egg pants, $20, design glut
+ yellow yarrow ring, $53, bario-neal
+ "lovely taka the ninja" leather keychain, 13 EUR, leather prince

designer FILZ FELT

Filz is German for felt. Und felt ist Englisch fur filz. So there you have it, my full understanding of German per some Internet translator.

I have featured felt before on the blog, so it was hardly a suprise to find out that Filz Felt is co-owned by Etcetera Media's Kelly Smith. The other half of the partnership is Traci Roloff of the blog Girl In The Green Dress

Modern and simple basics in brightly colored industrial german felt. The line includes felt yardage, so if your ready to develop you own felt line, filz felt will make a good first stop.

Check out the filz felt line at: www.filzfelt.com

designer A LA MODE

I came across a la mode's work through fellow designer, sea finds designs. Clean lines and thoughtful fabric -the seatbelt bag utilizes industrial overcuts - makes this line modern with a twist.
In addition to bags, a la modes etsy store is full of other delightful items such at switchplates and jewelry - including some funny "no whining" cufflinks

Check out more from this designer at:
alamodestuff.etsy.com

some bunny to love

It might not be Easter or even spring yet, but how could I resist when I saw these darling little rabbits. Could it be that they are ready to take the crown from reigning woodland favorites, deers? Who knows!

What I do know it that this post started when I saw the cut out bunny cards by pocket studio. However, I promptly managed to forget who the designer was and how they ended up on my iPhone in the first place. After many wasted hours sleuthing, I remembered that the designer was featured on Etsy. So now with all information in hand, I give you .... bunnies!

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ Rabbit vase, $48, pretty random objects
+ Bunny pendant / fob, $8, la coque
+ Cutout rabbit card, $4.50, pocket studio
+ Bunny check lists, $3.75, may third


For more bunnies, check them out on the WHAT designers hive

designer URBAN HEIRLOOMS

Urban Heirlooms is a perfectly named collection. Each piece has a nostalgic inspiration made with vintage skeleton keys - but the aesthetic is simply modern.

Check out more from the Urban Heirlooms website

bags from ENGLISH RETREADS

A lotta trucker in a little bag! Made from truck innertubes - yes, that's eco friendly - these bags are fun and fabulous. Only in black exterior, but with a choice of lining colors. So cruise on over and check out their website.

www.englishretreads.com

bags + PURSECUTION

Ahh, finally a clutch for girls who just won't let go. Sure it's chunky and riveted and has a shoulder strap - but the cuff is what maketh this bag! The bag is loving (probably) fashioned out of grey leather by Minneapolis designer, Persecution, and completes a line of bold leather bags and accessories.

Check out more at the designers website: pursecution.etsy.com

bold, bright bags

I am thrilled to add 2enju's bags to the WHAT designers store. I just love the casual and bright prints, and can't wait to get the red print on myself. These are the perfect summer bag to dress up jeans and flip flops, or dress down a more tailored ensemble.

I'll be adding more of this talented designers bags in the next few weeks....but in the meantime check out:

2enju in the WHAT store.

enamel amore

I took an enameling class at college and I loved it - I even wanted to get my own kiln at some stage. With enamel you don't see the finished color as you work on it - you have to fire it, and wait to take it out of the kiln - a beautiful suprise or horrible mistake!

There are no horrible mistakes with these designers - all beautiful, modern and vibrant.

FEATURING:
+ target necklaces, £83, kokkino jewelry
+ samurai orange necklace, $36, verre encore
+ mid-century modern necklace, $42, orange peel enamel
+ oiseau bleu necklace, $46 AUD, dreams and jewelry
+ truss buckle, $125, swear jar design
+ raspberry drop necklace, $28, jewelry by natsuko

Want to see more enamel work? Check out my enamel wishlist on Stylehive and "hive" your favorites.

giveaway : db clay [finished]

Congratulations Daisy, you won!

I love db clay wallets and have featured them several times - so forgive me if I repeat myself. Their designs are simply fabulous, especially the new puzzle line, plus the wallets are made from eco-friendly tope. I have their "Lights of Spain" wallet (lower left) and I simply adore it, not just because it is VERY well made, or because the barista at Starbucks complimented it - no, I especially love it because unlike my purse it fits nicely in my pocket. Girls....why do our purses have to be such big beasts....free yourself and go db.

Oh, that's right - it is a giveaway and db clay are giving away number 229 of their puzzle collection (see above, top). It is fabulous and truly one of a kind. You can check it out in all it's glory at: www.dbclay.com

To enter the giveaway:
1. Leave a comment here with your email (or other way of contacting you).
2. Join the mailing list