The Makers

Have you checked out the site for The Makers?  It's a photography project by Jennifer Causey featuring a glimpse into the creative works spaces of people that excel in all sorts of hands-on work.  There's a florist, jewelry makers, ceramists, a tailor, a baker, a mixologist, a perfumer... the list goes on and on.  I love seeing not only their work, but the space that inspires them on a daily basis.  I just made over my office with a fresh coat of paint, shelves on the wall and a few other decorative touches.  It makes all the difference in the world! 

Penny Stock

I'm just discovering the Penny Stock winter lookbook and its easy, comfortable style.  I think it's been floating around out there for a while, but for some reason passed under my radar.  The lookbook is full of truly wearable pieces and one adorable haircut that once again has me hiding the scissors lest I end up with a new fringe. 

Christmas Wishlist

For a fancy cocktail party: TBA Dress, Madewell Shoes & Bag,  Topshop Tights, Kathleen Whitaker Earrings

For a holiday date night:  Topshop Skirt, Madewell Blouse & Shoes, Noble Town Vintage Earrings

For Christmas Eve: Orla Kiely Dress, Lonely Lingerie Set, Marais Shoes, Chanel Lipstick

For a girl's night out: Wren Dress, Hansel from Basel Tights, Isabel Marant Boots, Sama Bracelet

Etsy Update: Dresses

 Pink Diamond Dress /// Levi's Classic Denim Dress

Olive Branch Vest & Skirt  /// Just Past Dusk Dress

Etsy Update: Knits

Charcoal Knit Cape ///  Auburn Ethnic Sweater

Dublin Wool Sweater /// Licorice Wool Sweater

Etsy Update: Lil' Jackets

Brando Leather Jacket /// Dusty Rose Cardigan

Native Wool Blazer /// Calico Quilted Jacket

Myth & Symbol

I discovered Myth & Symbol when I was on the hunt for a particular Dusen Dusen dress.  I quickly found myself wishing that the Houston based boutique was located right around the corner. They seem to be stocked with every designer that is on my current wishlist.  Lots of Dusen Dusen, of course, and also Ace & Jig, Rachel Comey, Dace, Wren and Hansel from Basel.  They also have a pretty great selection of jewelry, a lot of which can be seen in this winter lookbook.  That Dace dress is next on my stalk-until-it-goes-on-sale list. 

Drop Caps

If there is a Santa, I'm hoping he'll bring me this set of Penguin Drop Cap Classics.  Each cover (A-Z) was designed by Jessica Hische. She's a hand-lettering genius and you've probably seen her work whether you realize it or not.  You may have seen her wedding invitation, or her Daily Drop Cap website, or the opening credits for Moonrise Kingdom.  Wouldn't it be beautiful to have all 26 rainbow hue spines lined up on a bookshelf?   

Alive or Just Breathing

photo via Tom's Tumblr

Here's a little peek into what we've been up to around these parts.  Over the weekend we took part in a charity show with a band that Tom frequently works with and photographs, Killswitch Engage.  They were on tour celebrating the 10 year anniversary of their Alive or Just Breathing album.  Tom organized the Lancaster show to benefit the Water Street Mission and Lancaster County Humane League.  My contribution came mostly in morale support as Tom worked hard to bring all the elements together and running around the night of the show helping wherever I could. 

Of course, the night would not have been complete without taking some time out for lunch (and dinner) for potato quesadillas and copious amounts of hot sauce at Roburrito's.   Seriously.  Best.  Hot sauce.  Ever.  Tom captured our friends Jesse, me and Justin chowing down and watching the world pass by out the window. 

In the end, the night was a huge success with over 1000 cans of food donated to the charities involved.  Over 470 pounds of food for the Water Street Mission.  It was a lot of work, but in the end so rewarding to see the generosity of the fans that donated as they filed in for the show.  Thanks so much to everyone who took part!

Etsy Update: Cozy Sweaters

Lavender Fields Sweater /// Checkers Sweater 

Swiss Skies Sweater /// Fawn Fair Isle Sweater 

Rusty Print Cardigan /// Sugar Sweet Sweater

Etsy Update: Leather Boots

High Combat Boots (7) /// High Seas Boots (10)

Cinnamon Waves Boots (6) /// Bountiful Leather Boots (10)

Noir Riding Boots (6) /// Got A Secret Boots (7.5)

Etsy Update: Holiday Dresses

Ebony Capelet Dress /// Deep Water Chiffon Dress

Magenta Embroidery Dress /// Emerald Velvet Dress

Constellation Lace Dress /// Brocade Bouquet Dress

Arc

A new time waster for me is perusing the Savannah, Georgia based shop Arc. This well curated shop has lots of favorite brands like Something Else, Pretty Penny, Dear Creatures, A.P.C., Wren and Rachel Comey.  The only problem I see is that most of the things on my wishlist are already sold out.  From the looks of the shop, it's worth a road trip if you're anywhere close!

The Perfect Vintage

photos by Jacob Pritchard

I completely adore this lookbook styled by Siri of Ringo Have A Banana for Bows & Bandits Vintage.  I think it's a perfect combination of vintage meets modern and really displays the way to mix vintage into your wardrobe without looking like you're wearing a costume.  A little vintage goes a long way!

Etsy Update: Cozy Sweaters

Snowflake Sweater /// Rocky Mountain Sweater

Captain Sweater Coat  /// Candy Cane Sweater

Etsy Update: Winter Skirts

Collegiate Mini Skirt /// Autumnal Plaid Skirt 

In Through the Window Skirt /// Night Skies Skirt 

Etsy Update: Ebony & Ivory

Climbing Vines Dress /// Onyx Lace Dress

Ivory Brocade Suit /// Midnight Velvet Dress

We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Although we technically have a few more weeks of fall left on the calender, the weather officially turned to winter this morning when we awoke to an ever-growing layer of snow.  While I'm surprising OK with this, I'm also still enjoying this moody fall lookbook from Need Supply Co.  That site continues to be one of my favorite places to virtual window shop.  They always have something that tempts me to hit the "buy" button.

Wren Resort

If I had a fancy holiday party to go to this year (which I don't think I do), I'd definitely consider donning one of the little party dresses from Wren's Resort collection.  Somehow the collection is making me like things I usually wouldn't;  like gold metallic and pink floral shininess, navy to-the-ankle lace and even the neon yellow paired with navy (or on its own) is somehow working for me. 

L'ecole des femmes

Far away lived a girl from a French town of Deauville.  She loved poetry, paper, Earl Grey tea and the sweetness of the rain.  But something happened to her when she left her apartment... (read the rest)

Etsy Update: Winter Coats

Blanket Stripe Wool Coat /// Glacier Ice Wool Coat 

Fawn Fur Collar Pea Coat /// Latte Wool Pea Coat

Etsy Update: Cozy Knits

Mayan Belted Cardigan /// Bird of Prey Sweater 

Equestrian Sweater /// Patchwork Sweater

Etsy Update: Skirts

Jewel Stripe Skirt /// Buffalo Check Skirt 

Slate Plaid Skirt /// Herringbone Skirt

Datter

I'm sure I've probably mentioned this fact somewhere here before, but I am not much of a jewelry wearer.  I've been wearing the same pair of little gold hoop Jennifer Meyer earrings for about ten years.  I never take them out and honestly forget that I'm even wearing them most of the time.  I'll don an occasional necklace or bracelet but that's about it.  Lately my necklace of choice has been the Watchful Eye necklace from Datter Industries. I love how dainty the pieces are without being cutesy.  That's a tough thing to balance.

Moroccan Kilim Boots

I'm not sure where it came from since it's sort out outside my normal range of what I wear, but I've been newly obsessed with finding the perfect pair of Moroccan style kilim boots.  I've been living in a pair of black skinny jeans and a denim shirt and while I have no desire to wear much of anything else these day, I think a pair of these boots would make that combination a little less boring. 

It's difficult since the very nature of the boots makes them one of a kind and I'm scare to order a pair not knowing exactly what I'll get.  If the thought had dawned on me sooner, I could have visited the Kiboots store when we were in Amsterdam.  Instead, I've been stalking Bohemia site in hopes of snagging a pair of the Oujda style in my size.

Etsy Update: Cool Colors

Periwinkle Wool Dress /// Wintermint Velvet Dress 

Peacock Paisley Dress /// Autumn Sky Wool Dress

Etsy Update: Warm Colors

Caramel Corduroy Jumper /// Cocoa Lace Cocktail Dress 

Cinnamon Corduroy Jumper /// Butterscotch Suede Dress

Masscob Fall 2012

Somehow when I was going in search of fall inspiration I completely forgot to check out the Masscob collection.  It's better late than never, even though it's already feeling more like winter around here.  The looks are pretty simple, which is right up my alley these days.  And as always, in my favorite colors (or non-colors) of grey, tan and navy. 

The Dust Bowl

I'm really looking forward to nerding out in front of the television on November 18th and 19th to catch the Ken Burns documentary on The Dust Bowl on PBS.  That era has always fascinated me;  from Dorothea Lange and her fellow FSA photographers to the writing of John Steinbeck.  I think it probably all started with reading The Grapes of Wrath in high school.  If this documentary is half as good as the one on The Civil War, we're in for a real treat. 

Etsy Update: Polka Dots

Midnight Dots Dress /// Maroon Dots Dress

Violet Dots Dress /// Sapphire Dots Dress

Maryam Nassir Zadeh

photos from mnzstore.com

This post could easily be titled "Beautiful Clothes I Could Never Afford".  Even if I could afford them, I don't think I'd want to spend $800 on a dress.  Regardless, they are beautiful clothes, and that's why they've landed here.  That cape is just the shade of mustard that I've been looking for all fall.  I would like to have a coat (or cape as the case may be) in just that color.

Patternity

I decided to eschew all patterned tights a few years ago when I deemed myself officially too old to pull them off.  They are always a bit too cutesy for this gal's legs.  But then I discovered Patternity and their limited edition of hand screened tights printed in geometric shapes and I'm having to seriously reconsider my commitment to solid color tights.  I'm especially crazy about the Totem print.  Now, are they better in Bauhaus red or Bauhaus yellow? 

Etsy Update: Mod Mini Dresses

Zig Zag Knit Dress /// Maryanne Velvet Dress

Birch Lace Dress /// Candy Dot Dress