fashion LITTLE BLACK DRESS

I've spent the last few days searching high and low - online - for dresses for the feature The New Little Black Dress in the upcoming INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // holiday 09. All the designs are from independent designers, and so far the choice has been amazing.

This morning I came across the work of designer, Mahta Bazimi - and just love it. The 4 little LBD's from the line cover all bases - cocktail, casual, maxi and classic. Here's the best thing - the glam little numbers all retail for...wait for it....under $100. So you can understand why I had to stop what I was doing and share it with you.

For more information visit the Mahta Bazimi website

jewelry 5 FAVORITE BAT NECKLACES

Years ago I received a bat brooch as a gift and wore it every halloween. Last year, I decided to turn it into a necklace - well, I kind of broke it. So now I am on the look out for something to take it's place.

Now my favorite is Batsu, center stage, from Australian designer Corky St Claire. So although my heart is set on him, I don't think he'll get here for Halloween. Corky, please tell me - will Batsu be home for the holidays??

Well, I've told you my favorite, now you tell me yours. The designer with the most votes will be a featured designer on the blog.

FEATURING
+ Silverwing Necklace by Wear Thou
+ Going Batty by Vision Quest
+ Vampire Bat Necklace by Fictionary Duck
+ Batsu by Corky Saint Clair
+ Oxidized Bat Necklace by Axel Honey

Check out our Stylehive for even more bats from independent designers

slideshow OCTOBER PICKS

The October slideshow is dedicated to everything halloween. I hope you enjoy it - and feel free to leave a comment with your favorite design.

designer YANA COLLECTION

Sleek sillouettes and a tailored femininity make the Yana Collection the perfect modern power dressing line. Timeless and stylish.

Check out more at the Yana Collection website

designer MAGALI ANIDJAR

Inspired by an announcement via Stylehive, I just had to check out some rings on the MOCAshop website. I was immediately drawn to Argentinian designer, Magali Anidjar. Some pieces are clean and modern, and some - like the Fired ring - look like happy crafting accidents.

Check out more from jewelry designer, Magali Anidjar at her website: www.magalianidjar.com

designer TUPSY TURVY

Nice girls don't wear hats like these! These hats are as delicious as they are dramatic and would fit nicely atop a Madame Bovary, Bettie Page or Lady GaGa.

Oakland designer, Kim Brown-Dye, makes each one painstakingly by hand using traditional millinery techniques. Check out the Eyespy Films "handmade portraits" for behind the scenes peak at her work - it is truly amazing.

Check out more extravagant hats at the Topsy Turvy website

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!

giveaway : charm pendant

It's been a long time since the last giveaway - but I hope this one is worth the wait.

Ergane's canister pendants are delicious little concoctions. The canisters are handmade and sit alongside charming charms - a wing, a bauble and a dagger-like stone. They are romantic, timeless and like some untold story.

Visit the designers website : ergane.etsy.com


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

play dress up

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

What do you get when you mix 1 part James Perse, 1 part cashmere, 1 part LBD (Little Black Dress)? Whatever it is - buy it! I mean who cares if you don't have a party to go to - put it on, pour yourself a girly cosmo, and read a good book. You can take it to bed later - but you might want to take it slow - you don't want it to pill on the first date.

For the commitment-shy, I've also included a fun little Missoni-esque number from BB Dakota and the most - DDG dress by Diane Von Furstenburg. Personally, I think I might be ready to settle with the latter. Maturity + sex appeal!


James Perse Short Sleeve Cashmere Dress

Diane von Furstenberg Dorothea Fitted Bow Back Dress

BB Dakota Gardenia Sweater Dress




Check out more at: Tobi

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

sam trout rocks

Sam Trout rocks and not just because there is a chic in the photo doing that...erm...rocker hand thing! He rocks because of his awesome design work AND he agreed to put a couple of his pieces in the WHAT store. Yes, that is shameless self promotion - but, I mean, what isn't?

See Sam Trout in the WHAT designers store