Etsy Finds: July Edition

About a month ago I did a post featuring some great items I came across on Etsy.com.  I featured sellers with a variety of products that fit what EB readers are looking for.  I decided to only feature sellers with a 100% approval rating because I would feel funny recommending a product that I haven't tried and hasn't always proven to be successful.  Since that post went over so well, and since I love Etsy and all its crafty wonderfulness, I've decided to make it a monthly feature!  So, here is Etsy: Round Two...

 ClutchThat!

ClutchThat!'s high quality, hand made clutches feature rich silk fabrics and beautiful (typically peacock) designs.  They also offer personalization services for free on three or more bags.  So great for maids' gifts!

Peacock feathers silk brocade clutch, $75

Bird on a Branch silk purse, $72

Green Peacock Feathers clutch, $70

Navy embroidered Peacock clutch, $80

...

Happy Earth Day: Part II

In addition to being a fashion junkie, I'm also a total beauty product junkie, or a makeup whore as my friends so nicely put it.  After years and years of sampling different brands, my overall, absolute fav has to be Urban Decay. Basically the main reason I love them so much is because their products do exactly what they say they will, unlike so many other brands who lie.  Their eye shadows actually look like they do in the case, their Eye Shadow Primer Potion makes said eyeshadow last basically until you decide to wash it off (as in several days), their 24/7 Glide On Eyepencil goes on as smooth as silk, smudges beautifully, and then stays in place and these are just products for eyes! Don't even get me started on the rest of the line!  Great, you say, but what does this have to do with earth day?!  Well, in addition to being practically perfect in every way, they are also a cruelty-free company, offer a huge vegan selection, and... wait for it... the Sustainable Shadow Box, just perfect for the eco-conscious bride to be!  It features ten lovely shades, a cruelty free brush, and a mini Eye Shadow Primer Potion.  The box is made of bamboo and recycled paper and the clear outer PET box is recyclable.  The shadow shades include: YDK (bronzed mocha w/ golden microglitter), Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (golden beige w/ bronze, gold & silver glitter), Flipside (electric teal w/ blue sheen), Flash (bright iridescent purple), Grifter (sheer lavender w/ lots of silver microglitter), Oil Slick (black with silver glitter), Uzi (metallic silver w/ big iridescent sparkles), Kiddie Pool (ocean blue w/ iridescent glitter), Twice Baked (brownie brown w/ gold glitter), and Half Baked (subtle, lustrous bronze).  The possibilities are endless and the price is a major deal at only $36 (individually, their shadows cost $16).

The Sustainable Shadow Box

 This photo features a few of the shades from the Sustainable Shadow Box, including Twice Baked, Flipside, and Midnight Cowboy Rides Again.

 This look features Flash and a few other best selling UD shades including Chopper, Mowie Wowie, and Smog.

{photos via Urban Decay}

-Alessandra

Happy Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day, I've decided to write a few entries involving lines that use sustainable materials, while still maintaining a level of creativity and style.  As a designer, I feel that the biggest mistake companies often make is when they sacrifice their creative vision in the process of going green.  Just because a product is earth-friendly doesn't mean it has to look like it.  Olivia Luca manages to combine chic designs and gorgeous (many eco-friendly) fabrics in her dresses.  The line allows the customer a degree of control when choosing a dress.  You can design wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dresses, and cocktail dresses, choosing the neckline, skirt shape, sashes, and other details.  This allows you to create styles that individually flatter everyone's unique body-type, while still maintaining a streamline look.  Some of her lovely, sustainable fabrics include Organic Cotton Sateen (produced with fiber reactive low-impact inks and dyes in accordance with the Organic Trade Association's Fiber Processing Standards), Fair Trade Handwoven Silk Organza layered over Organic Cotton Sateen, Hemp/Silk Charmeuse (100% Sustainable Biodegradable Product, 60% Hemp, 40% Silk), Hempcel (100% Sustainable Biodegradable Product, 55% Hemp, 45% Tencel), Organic Linen, and Organic Printed Cotton.  They are also in the process of adding Bamboo/ Organic Cotton Knit and also Soy Knit, which really piqued my interest.  I don't know if you've felt bamboo, but it is so soft!  They also offer a great array of Fair Trade fabrics, while not necessarily eco-friendly, they still provide a level of global accountability and ethical awareness.  I've included a few photos from their website, and I also created some earth day- appropriate looks to share with you.

 

These styles are perfect for a low key, yet elegant wedding.  The dress on the left is especially flattering on all body types.

Wedding gown: "silk white" hemp/charmeuse gown with "black" hemp/charmeuse sash

Maids: "black" Hempcel dresses with "silk white" linen sashes

Linen is the perfect summer fabric, it is lightweight, breathable, and (unlike cotton) it wicks away moisture keeping you cool and dry.  

Wedding gown: "silk white" linen, "turquoise" hemp/silk charmeuse sash

Maids: "pale blue" cotton sateen, "turquoise" hemp/silk charmeuse sash

You don't have to sacrifice elegance for the environment!

Wedding gown: "warm ivory" Fair Trade silk organza layered over organic cotton sateen

Maids: "Chocolate" hemp/silk charmeuse with "warm ivory" charmeuse sashes

Even edgier brides have options!

Wedding gown: "silk white" hemp/silk charmeuse gown with black hemp/silk charmeuse sash

Maids: lilac and charcoal silk shantung with charmeuse sashes

{photos via Olivia Luca}

{sketches created using the Olivia Luca Design Studio}

-Alessandra