etsy

UPDATE: Happy Valentine’s Day to Jessica Hills! She’s the lucky winner in this SML Bags giveaway!!

Whenever I find a hidden gem or something that I just can’t keep to myself because it’s sooooo good…yall are the first to know! This week I can’t stop talking about SML Bags.

These adorable clutches are the brainchild of gorgeous and talented handbag designer, Shana Luther.  She’s a one woman show (which I love and admire so much!)… everything is designed and constructed  in her Brooklyn studio and clutches are the focus.

If you take a minute to browse through her collection, you’ll  quickly notice that color is her thing and that fabrics, prints, shapes, and textures are the inspiration behind all of her designs.  Best thing of all, most of her designs found on her website and ETSY store all retail for under $100….

but one of you won’t have to worry about buying this for yourselves becasue as my Valentine’s Day gift to you, I’m giving away my favorite bag, the Mae coral clutch pictured here, to one lucky reader!

To enter, all you need to do is sing up to receive our daily CC updates via email by clicking here.  And if you already get our daily emails then you’re already entered!

Good luck and check out our interview with this very talented up and coming designer…

How long have you been designing bags?
SL: Actually for quite some time, about 6-7 years.  As most indie designer stories go, it began as a hobby. Walking by a bag store in Brooklyn one day, I fell in love with a bag and thought, “I can make this!”  It took me quite a few pattern drafts but I made a bag, an even cooler one!   After that I varied the patterns and made new styles and made them for friends.  Eventually, I decided to really tackle it and make it something bigger and SML Bags was born.

Why did you decide to design bags, and not clothes?
SL:I’ve made many items of clothing but I just gravitated towards making bags.  I love designing bags and I enjoy the fact that I can pound one out relatively quickly. I also like the idea of dressing around one’s bag.  When I’m getting dressed to go out I usually have an idea of what bag I want to carry.  The bag becomes the focal point for me.

What are some of your favorite bag trends for spring 2010?
SL:I been seeing a lot of perforated leather bags popping up and I think it’s really great.  Love it or hate it, the perforated leathers make me think of the 80’s and I’m totally diggin it!  I also enjoy the across the body messenger style bags that many designers are doing now.  Most of them are more practical for day-to-day but much cuter that a plain old bike messenger bag.  Perhaps in the Summer I’ll have created a SML Bags version!

Do you think you can wear a clutch both day and night?
SL:Totally! I carry a clutch going to the grocery store!  The Rosie style that I make is especially great for errands- put in on your forearm, grab your grocery basket and go!  I’m a clutch girl and I’ll carry a clutch everywhere, anytime of day!

What would you wear with the Mae coral clutch that we’re giving away?
SL: Well in the photo shoot I paired it with pale jeans and a khaki colored jacket and I think it looked super.  I’m loving the color combo of bright coral and khaki, can’t go wrong with that, especially for Spring.  That coral brocade also goes great with browns and navy blues.  Throw on a white t-shirt, jeans, boots, and a navy blazer and you’re ready to go with that Mae coral clutch!

NOTE: This contest ends 2/14 and is only open to readers in the US.  Winner will be notified via email.

I’m completely obsessed with all things knit lately, especially chunky, handmade pieces like the ones made by Yokoo. Ever since the September issue of Marie Claire, I’ve been craving these styles like crazy…but more times than not, these gorgeous knits are made of cashmere and that means beaucoup bucks!

Thank god for Celine…one of my favorite bloggers, from The Shoe Girl!  She featured her adorable Minnie  bows headband and I was instantly intrigued…

Her post lead me to Yokoo’s ETSY store which is full of beautiful, one-of-a-kind, custom creations.  Some of her bigger items are on the pricey side, but this Nantucket Cowl is $60 and you can pick whatever color you’d like her to use from 30 different selections.

And while you might think it’s just a cowl…it’s not!  It’s actually a 3-in-1 piece that you can wear around your shoulders as a shawl or even around your head like a hoodie.  Talk about value for your purchase!

She also has these amazingly cool knit “chains” for $95 and if you’re willing to splurge a little they are totally worth the investment! So cute and even better than that, such an original take on the statement necklace!

Whenever I meet interesting people, I always try to remember to ask for their business card …you never know who you’re going to meet and when you might need them in the future!  I’m always looking out for cute business card holders and everything I find is just too corporate for what I do until I found Bambina on Etsy!

She makes beautiful leather goods and my favorite (and New York Magazine’s) thing on her Etsy site is her adorable Metro business card holders for only $10!  They come in a wide variety of stylish colors and sumptouous leathers and you’re sure to find one that works for you!  I have a few people on my mind that deserve a “thank you” gift and these might just be ther perfect thing!

This weeks designer is lamixx, designed by Jacqueline Rose.  Her collection featues great basics with modern lines in easy to wear neutral colors…so they’re the perfect bulidng blocks for a great wardbrobe.  There’s a nice combination of dresses, like this adorable wool strapless number pictured here, along with great separates and everything is priced under $90.

According to her site, “Lamixx finds joy in bringing adored fashion to you at a price conscious style, without compromising the look of luxury.”…that’s exactly how we feel!! Check out the rest of the collection here!

I’ve been a fan of Etsy for a while, but mostly for non-fashion related things like home decor, crafts and jewelry. But as of late, I’ve been spending way too much time checking out new designers and shopping! I love the fact that most of the items you find are one-of-a-kind and truly unique so each week I’ll be doing an Etsy Spotlight where I profile one of the many talented designers I know you’ll want to learn more about.

This week’s spotlight is on Holly Stalder. This Portland based designer has some of the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen and I love her attention to the back of the dress. I think backs are super-sexy in a totally understated and classy way and her dresses really focus on this part of a woman’s body. And for all of you summer brides, I think her designs would be the perfect party dress for all of those special events you have surrounding the big day!

While her dresses might seem pricey (the one above is $175), she does offer items starting at $44 and remember that you’re getting something that’s handmade and that your local Nordstrom/Macy’s won’t ever carry. And I like the idea of helping fashion’s rising stars on their way to the top! This is just sampling of what you can find in her Etsy store, so check out the rest of her gorgeous collection here.