vote FAVORITE BLOG POST

It's time to announce the winners of the 2009 BLOG OFF, but first we'd like to get your help.

Trish (Smashing Darling) and Lesley (WHATdesigners) are choosing their favorites, now it's up to you! The 3 runners up will be chosen by your votes, so check out the list below and vote for your favorite.

Voting ends January 17th, 2010.

The contenders:

• http://kenziekate.blogspot.com/2009/12/on-cuff.html
• http://inkandwit.blogspot.com/2009/12/inkwit-holiday-picks-merchant-no-4.html
• http://freshlyblended.blogspot.com/2009/12/gifts-under-3000-for-kids.html
• http://stickersandstuff.blogspot.com/2009/12/catherine-kippel-mugs.html
• http://housemartin.typepad.com/housemartin/2009/12/smelling-sweet.html
• http://viamannelli.blogspot.com
• http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2009/12/independent-design-is-clever-practical-power.html
• http://www.skinnylaminx.com/
• http://analoguechic.com/?p=572
• http://www.iadorestyle.com/2009/12/holiday-gift-guide-2009/
• http://www.tildaintheburbs.com/?p=1879
• http://funkyfinds.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-gift-guides.html
• http://www.outsapop.com/2009/11/to-tie-for-gtie.html
• http://www.missmalaprop.com/2009/12/effies-heart-vintage-inspired-style-for-the-modern-girl/
• http://bellestyle.onsugar.com/6374243

vote LITTLE BLACK DRESS

I started with over 150 little black dresses then chose 33 to feature INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // holiday 2009. Now you get to vote for your favorite Little Black Dress in the guide. The designer with the most votes will get a special feature on the blog.

Check out the GUIDE and then VOTE!

jewelry YOUR FAVORITE LONG NECKLACES

So far, the necklaces above are your 4 favorite necklaces out of the MINI GUIDE // LONG LAYERING NECKLACES.

Top designers (shown clockwise):
+ Neawear
+ Red Sofa
+ Merlux
+ Gemela

The designer with the most votes will get a full spread in the upcoming INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // holiday 2009.

So keep the votes coming in! The vote ends 11/1/09.

VOTE NOW

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