Thursday Threads: Sweetheart Apron

I haven't written many features lately.  I love doing them, but they're time-consuming.  By the time I decide on a theme, look through my favorites and search Etsy, decide on my three feature items and write the actual post, I've usually put a good two hours or more into it.  That may not sound like all that much, but on top of promoting and getting non-Etsy-related things done, I found myself running short on actual crafting time. 

So I decided I needed to cut back on the time I was spending on some things.  I focused my promoting on Twitter because it's quick and easy.  I can tweet something whenever I have a few extra minutes.  And rather than trying to blog every day, I decided to aim for a few times a week.  That's worked out fairly well, except that I found myself skipping features altogether. 

I miss doing features and they've always been well-received, so I've decided that rather than saving them for when I have extra time, I'll just cut them down a bit so they won't take so long to write up.  Rather than three items, I'll now be featuring just one.  You'll be getting a delicious nibble rather a four-course scarf-down. 

And your first nibble is...  this adorable apron from prettylittlepearl:



I love aprons. My housemate and I collect them. Mostly, we go for vintage aprons, but this one would fit right in... and stand out. "Vintage style with a modern twist," the descriptions says, and I couldn't put it better myself.

My favorite part? The sweetheart neckline. I've never seen another apron made like that. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen another apron specifically made to be flattering. Kudos to prettylittlepearl for elevating the apron from utility item to fashion statement. You go, Pearl!

Thursday Threads: Dressed for Summer

Well, folks, summer is upon us.  So it's time to trade in those jackets and sweaters for lighter fabrics, shorter sleeves, and--my personal favorite for the season--summer dresses.  I'm not a fan of shorts, and some days it's just too darn hot for pants.  So I wear a lot of skirts and dresses during the summer.  In anticipation of the upcoming season, I've perused Etsy's eclectic selection of dresses and chosen a few favorites to share with you, my dear readers.  And here they are...

Katharina Dress by Lirola




This dress has it all.  It's the perfect length, custom fitted, comes in a variety of colors (though, I must say, I love the one pictured), and it has those cute little flirty sleeves and ruffles.  Now, I must confess, I am not generally a fan of the ruffles-on-everything trend.  But these are cute ruffles.  These are controlled, sensible ruffles.  This is not a senseless, violent, ruffle-splosion.  So.  Thumbs up.  And getting back on track...  This is one of those versatile dresses that I love.  It looks cool and comfortable, casual enough for your midday ice cream break, but dressy enough for that dinner party your friends are throwing.  All in all, a great dress.


Summer Breeze Dress by oneaviandaemon




This dress is the epitome of summer romance.  That layered skirt, that ruched waistband, those lovely little cap sleeves...  And to top it all off, as you can see in the closeups, the fabric has a subtle polka-dotted texture.  It's so cute!  So innocent!  So... summery!  This one also is made to measure.  Awesome.  Obviously, I need one of these to wear while I sit on the porch in the rose garden and drink tea and read Jane Austen. 


Sunflower Dress by ShugaRose



Let's see...  We've had a bright blue, a crisp, cool white...  What summer collection would be complete without a sunny yellow?  This dress certainly fits the bill.  And it's just adorable.  I love the 50's inspired full skirt, the sash, the scoop neck...  But the darling is in the details.  That lovely spray of hand-stitched flowers at the neckline is like a built-in corsage.  And the hem is embroidered--gorgeously, I might add--for that extra hint of elegance.  The item description says it would be fun to wear to a tea party, and I must agree.  I think it would be great for any summer party.  Or any summer grocery shopping excursion.  Or any excuse you could find, really.

So there are my picks.  Now let's see your favorite summer dresses!

Thursday Threads: Command Presence

I've always had a thing for uniforms.  Military uniforms, in particular.  There's just something about those sharp lines and shiny buttons...  And I must not be the only one who sees it.  There is certainly no shortage of military-inspired fashion to be found.  And it's everywhere - on runways, in malls, and of course, on Etsy. 

Here are a few of my favorite military-inspired finds, beginning with the quintessential jacket...



I've seen oodles of different takes on the military jacket in all sorts of different styles, and I've found that what really makes one stand out is the details. Such is the case with this jacket by blackmirrordesign. Those straps and buttons on the front, the extra buttons along the sleeves (one can never have to many button), and the tails and more buttons in the back... It's these little things (the tails, especially) that make this jacket a cut above the rest.

Pardon me for a moment while I shove the Want Monster back in its cage...

*ahem* Moving on... While I love the severity of a good uniform and admire the discipline it represents, what I really enjoy about the fashions we're exploring today is the chance to break boundaries and, occasionally, to have a good chuckle. Which is why I just love this shirt by luckybunnyworldwide.



It's a bunny driving a tank! What's not to love? I certainly think Hawkeye would approve.

Now, getting back to serious business, I came to a startling realization while I was searching for today's items. I don't think I have ever featured a pair of pants. Leggings, yes, but I'm not sure those count. So I made it a point to look for some pants today, and boy am I glad I did. Check out these kick-arse jodhpurs by idolatre:



All those buttons and all that piping and zippers too? These are some seriously fancy pants. And I, for one, would love to have a pair to march around in.

So I guess I better get to work. Gotta sell before I can buy. And oh, do I want to buy...

What about you fine folks? Got a favorite military-inspired creation? Leave a comment!

Thursday Threads: Eco-Friendly Fashion, Part 2

Happy Earth Day, dear readers!  I know I celebrated the coming of this auspicious day last week with an eco-friendly fashion feature, but I couldn't think of a better way to honor today than a sequel of sorts.  I certainly didn't have any trouble finding enough items.  In fact, the hard part was picking just a few.  But I did, because I had to.  And here they are...

Pretty Birdie's High Waisted Bamboo Swing Skirt by stephanieteague



This beautiful skirt is made with bamboo and organic cotton and is available in several colors. Bonus: It's hand-dyed with eco-friendly low impact dyes. Cool.

Crossley Hooodie by simplebear



Both the inner jersey lining and outer fleece lining of this unique, asymmetric hoodie are 100% organic cotton. And doesn't it just look super cozy? Bonus: You get to choose your colors! And both fabrics are available in several, so there are oodles of possible combinations.

Flora Flat by HydraHeart



These adorable, nature-inspired flats are totally vegan! No leather to be found here, only fabric and rubber. Bonus: No need to worry about wearing them in the garden or out in the woods. These babies are washable!

So there you have it - three awesome artists doing their part for the earth. Now, what are you doing?

Thursday Threads: Eco-Friendly Fashion

I've always been "eco-conscious." Ever since I was a wee critter-loving tot, I've done my best to follow the three R's. I'm always trying to reduce the amount of crap I throw away. So I reuse what I can (shoe boxes are great for storage). I recycle what I can, both in the conventional dump-it-in-the-bin kind of way and also in the crafty, "upcycling" way. I like to think I'm pretty earth-friendly.

And now, with the current eco-craze, it's easier than ever to do your part. Organic foods are all over the supermarkets. Your options at the checkout are now paper, plastic, or eco-friendly reusable tote. Electric companies are even offering green energy options to their customers. Talk about an awesome trend.

So to celebrate this green renaissance--as well as the coming of Earth Day--I've dedicated this week's Thursday Threads to eco-friendly fashion. Kudos to these creators for respecting their mother (Mother Earth, that is).

Lil' Miss Sailor Shirt by sewmoe



Snazzy little sailor shirt made in a bamboo knit fabric. I can only guess how ridiculously comfortable this must be, as I've never worn bamboo. But I have gotten my paws on some bamboo yarn and it's just amazingly soft. An entire shirt made of the stuff? Yummy.

Mademoiselle Skirt by econica



This lovely skirt has a lot to offer--a touch of ruffle, a hint of retro, and plenty of options. It's available in 14 different colors, in an organic cotton/bamboo blend. And the colors are all so lovely... Who could pick just one?

Hemp Patchwork Apron Dress by peacebird



Isn't this just gorgeous? It reminds me of stained glass. And it looks so comfy! As it should. After all, it's made with hemp cotton. I'd love to have a dress like this to romp around in when summer comes. So I'll start saving my pennies.

In the meantime, why not leave a comment and share your favorite eco-friendly finds?

Thursday Threads: Spring Green

What's this?  A regular feature?  At last? 

Yep.  I'm finally gettin' back into the swing of things.  Sorry for the sparse activity, folks.  I'm afraid our little household hasn't been the healthiest of late.  But Kitty's all better now, and I finally have the energy and brainpower to do something other than sit around like a bump on a log (or a bum on the couch, as the case may be).  So let's get back to our regularly scheduled blog, shall we?

Spring is finally on it's way, and I can't wait for it to get here!  I love spring.  I love it's lack of snow.  I love the temperatures that climb to well above freezing.  But most of all, I love all of the buds and blossoms and blooms, the life that finally returns, and the beautiful colors it brings.  Like green. 

This week's Thursday Threads features cute garments in light and lively shades of spring green.  Like this adorable gingham dress by Ananya:

 

This dress just screams spring to me.  The color, those playful ruffles, the print...  Spring and gingham just go together like... peanut butter and jelly - which would make a great sandwich to pack for a picnic, to which you could wear this dress.  Of course, it would be equally suited to a walk in the park, a trip to the nearest ice cream shop, or... just about anything really.  It's casual enough for everyday but has plenty of dressing-up potential for those somewhat more formal occasions.  Ah, versatility.  I love it!

Which is part of the reason I love this reversible wrap skirt by GenerationGap:

Adorable, no?  I'm not usually all that fond of floral prints, but this ones pretty with it's springy greens and golden yellows and those lovely little, white... daisies?  I'm going to call them daisies.  And I'm going to call this skirt awesome, because guess what.  This is only the first side!  This skirts reversible, so if you're not in a flowery kinda mood, you can flip this puppy around and BAM!  You've got the same cute, kneelength wrap skirt in a lovely shade of sky blue.  How cool is that?  I love reversible stuff. 

Ya know what else I love?  Hoodies.  I think a cute hoodie is a necessity for spring weather.  And this bunny hoodie by ShoriAmeshiko is seriously cute:

It has ears.  And a cute ickle bunny face.  And wings!  And it's made with fleece, so it's most likely just as comfy and cozy as it looks.  And it looks pretty darn cozy.  And so do ShoriAmeshiko's other adorable critter-eared hoodies (featuring bears, and moogles, and mudkips - oh, my!) and hats.  The whole shop is just full of cute, so be sure to check it out!

And if you've got any spring greens you'd like to share, leave a comment! 

Thursday Threads - Zen and the Art of Fashion Maintenance

As part of my reasonably-close-to-New-Year's resolution to get back into a more active routine (winter forced my walking routine into hibernation - I'm just not dedicated enough to go out in the cold), I have recently taken up yoga. I'm just doing it in the privacy of my own home, at the guidance of some great videos I've found (thank you, internet), with no one around to laugh at me when my warrior wobbles or my down dog can't get up. I've even been known to do it in my pajamas. Obviously, I'm not too worried about how I look.

That being said, I still wouldn't mind having some of the awesome yoga goodies I found on Etsy. Like this fantastic hoodie from FunkyQuail:



This makes me want to try and combine knitting and yoga. Maybe I could knit it lotus pose? Or throw some meditation in and chant while I knit - knit, om, purl, om...? I don't know. What I do know is I love this shirt. And it looks like it would be just as comfy during yoga practice as it would be sitting on the couch knitting your way to Nirvana.

And while we're on the subject of comfy, check out these pants from Ahpeele:



Don't these look like they'd be just wonderful to wear? And they just look wonderful too! I love that vine-y, leafy pattern. And the colors - calm and subdued. Just like yoga pants ought to be.

But as much as I love these, I have to admit, I actually prefer to wear leggings for my yoga practice. And I'd be hard pressed to find a lovelier pair than these from prettypennydesigns:



These, too, look super-comfy. And I just love the little birdies! But if birds aren't your thing, Pretty Penny has some other awesome leggings too. So be sure to check 'em out!

Me? I'm going to go enjoy my inner tranquility. And maybe a cup of coffee. It's cold!

Thursday Threads: Ballet Beauties

Happy Thursday, Folks! First off, I want to share a little something I whipped up the other day...



It's not in the shop yet because, well, this one is mine (I always keep the "prototype"), and I ran out of chain.

I decided to name this one Coppelia. The pink and white made me think of tutus and toe shoes, and though I think it's rather elegant, there's also a certain playfulness to it. It's ballet with a sense of humor. Like Coppelia.

I love ballet. And I love fashions influenced by the art. Hence, today's Thursday Threads features ballet-inspired items (in shades of pink to match my pearls *wink*).

One of the first ballet-inspired fashions that springs to mind is ballet flats. DeBonisOrquera has whole shop full of these lovely shoes, many of which are made in bright, fun colors and patterns that are more "bold" than "ballet." But there are softer, sweeter styles as well, such as dear Helen here...



I just love these! The color scheme gives them a distinctly "ballet" feel, but the pattern makes them modern and just a little funky. They would go just as well with a t-shirt and jeans as they would with a pretty, pink dress. Or your leotard and tights.

Speaking of pretty things to wear your new shoes, how about this gorgeous tank from clairelafaye:



This just looks like it came straight from the stage, doesn't it? That shade of pink, those ruffles, that bow... And for a dash of unexpected glitz, that rhinestone pin and chains. Magnifique! And to think it all started with a simple tank top... This is but one example of clairelafaye's beautiful designs. Be sure to check the rest of the shop too!

Now, then. I bet you're expecting a tutu, aren't you? I have to be honest. I did consider it. There are some truly lovely tutus floating around the Estysphere, after all. But in the end, I decided to go with something a bit less obvious and a bit more practical. Like this beautiful skirt from lauralyn:



I love the colors and the pattern and the "poofability" of this skirt. It's shown here on its own, but it could also be worn with a petticoat for that wonderfully fluffy, cupcake-y look. Check out the rest of lauralyn's shop for this same print in dress form, more wonderfully "poofable" skirts, and plenty of other adorable items.

I'm gonna go pirouette my way to the kitchen to have some of the scones I baked this morning! Au revoir!

Thursday Threads: NicoDesigns

I suppose it could be argued that handbags don't technically fall under the category of apparel, but the title of this feature is Thursday Threads, and threads and fabric are most certainly involved here.  Also, it's my blog.  =P

So.  Without further ado, let me introduce you to today's featured Etsian, NicoDesigns, who makes some truly awesome totes and handbags, the most adorable baby shoes, and pretty pincushions and pillows, as well. 

Here are a few of my favorites:



Isn't this pretty? I love the colors (I've discovered I have a big thing for blue and brown together...), and the size would be perfect for all sorts of things. It's listed as a diaper bag--and a very stylish one it would be--but it would also be a great school bag or for my fellow knitters/crocheters, I think it would be great for those on-the-go projects.



Things like this make me wish I had a baby to dress. Aren't these just the cutest? And they're eco-friendly too! They're made with a recycled felt product and 100% cotton flannel. Oooh, flannel. Gosh, I wouldn't mind having some flannel-lined slippers for myself... Hey, Nico! Any plans for adult sizes? =P



How cute are these? And versatile. They have ribbon loops, so you could hang them as ornaments. They'd look lovely just sitting on a shelf. Or you could use them as pin cushions! I personally think a whole set of pin cushions would be a very handy thing to have. Then I could have one for every room, which would totally eliminate the "oh darn I left my pincushion in the other room guess I'll just stick these pins in the arm of the couch" syndrome.

But I digress. There are many, many more adorable items to be found in Nico's shop, so go take a look! And be sure to check out her blog, as well! NicoDesigns is this month's featured Etsy Blogger!

Thursday Threads: Coats!

I must confess, I am not a fan of winter. I hate cold weather. I loathe it. So when it comes time to buy a new winter coat, it’s very important that it be not only warm, but also awesome. I simply must have a coat that’s cool enough to make me want to wear it. And, because it is a grand repository of cool stuff, I just new there would be some really cool coats on Etsy.

I was right. Check this out:

Isn’t it great? It was a beautiful coat to begin with—the cut, the fabric, those buttons… But the painted roses make it truly special. And really, I can think of no better way to ward off the winter chill than by wearing a reminder of the beauty that spring will bring. Relished Artistry has lots of other gorgeous wearable art, so be sure to check out the rest of the shop!

 Finding a good coat one thing. Finding a good coat that won’t look out of place with formal attire is another thing entirely. Granted, it’s not a problem I really have to deal with, but if I did, I’d pick this coat by ShardlowDesigns:

Isn't it just gorgeous?  She has several other beautiful coats in other colors too, so be sure to check out her shop!

If you’re looking for something truly unique, you couldn’t go wrong with one of longing’s designs. I think this one’s my favorite:

Probably because of all the buttons. I’m a sucker for buttons.

Now, do yourself a favor, and go look at the rest of the shop. Everything there is just wonderfully unique.

Me? I’m gonna go have myself a nice cup of hot chocolate and enjoy being indoors! =P

Thursday Threads: Ananya

I love shopping. Especially for clothes. There’s nothing like prancing around your favorite store, grabbing up an armfull of garments, and dancing off to the dressing room to try them on…

But inevitably, this is where the disappointment steps in. There are always things that don’t fit at all or just don’t fit quite right. Sometimes there are things that fit perfectly but the color is all wrong. And then are the things you didn’t bother trying on at all because as much as you loved the design, the fabric was just awful.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was someone in the shop who would take that just-a-bit-too-big dress that you love and make it just your size? Or make that too-short-skirt just a little longer? Or take that cute top in that awful print and making in a fabric you truly love?

Enter Ananya. She makes adorable dresses, skirts, and other garments all in your size and the fabric you choose.

This is the dress that drew me into the store. I knew I’d come across a great designer. But when I saw what else she had to offer, I was really impressed.

There are several things here I’d just love to have. Like this skirt. Isn’t it great? So cute and classy! But I don’t know how I would ever choose a fabric. There are several options shown in the listing itself, but if none of those strike your fancy, you also have the entire stock of two separate shops to choose from. That’s a LOT of options.

And I definitely need this. It’s a cupcake dress, for goodness sake!

What? Doesn’t everyone have a weakness for cupcake-adorned clothing? No? Oh. Well. I do.

I also have a special fondness for skirts and dresses that have pockets. They are a rarity and, in my opinion, pockets are a necessity. I rarely ever put anything besides my hands in them, but I miss them terribly when they’re not there. So of course, I think this dress is fantastic. And it just looks so comfy…

But I think I’ve said enough. You get the point. Go pay Ananya a visit.

Thursday Threads: Winter Wonders

Happy Thanksgiving, Folks! Hope you’re all enjoying your holiday. If you’re anything like me, there’s a good chance that you’ve eaten entirely too much and that this is only the beginning. Yes, the holiday season is officially upon us and the festive parade of yummy, calorie-packed, guilty-pleasure foods is off to a great start. And, if you’re anything like me, it’s all gonna go straight to your hips. Or somewhere you don’t want it. But I for one, am not going to let that get me down. Nope. I’m going to look at those few extra pounds as a great excuse to do some shopping!

And so, this week’s Thursday Threads features pretty winter styles that will carry you through the holidays and well into the aftermath.

Like this lovely hoodie. Doesn’t it just look cozy? And versatile! The seller calls it a dress, and you could certainly wear it as such with a pair of tights or leggings. But you could easily wear it with jeans too. It’s cute enough for all your casual winter occassions, but I must say, it looks particularly well suited to curling up on the couch with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate.

Moving onward, I love that tights and leggings are so in vogue right now. It means that dresses and skirts aren’t just for warm-weather-wear. Which is great because is I snagged this skirt, I certainly wouldn’t want to wait until the weather warmed up to wear it.

And with a pair of cozy stockings like this, I wouldn’t have to!

This is just the tip of the iceburg, of course. There are oodles of lovely winter-ready garments out there in Etsy land. Why don’t you show me your favorites?