Nov 20, 2013 | Fashion
Emilie M. is an online handbag brand featuring beautifully-designed vegan leather handbags for an affordable price. Offering a number of different colorways for each design, pieces retail for an average of $50-$150, and are referred to as “an investment piece without the investment.”
I was sent the Shelia Satchel with Double Shoulder Strap in Ivory/Black ($85), and the Natalie Shopper ($80) in Blue to review. When I received both, I was quite surprised at how light they both were (usually handbags tend to be fairly heavy, even ones using manmade leathers.) But regardless of their weight, both handbags were constructed strongly, with the edges properly coated and sealed, the handles strongly-attached, and the stitching impeccable. Each piece also comes with a large metal M bag charm that adds to the high-end look (though I wish you could actually choose your own initial rather than it being the Emilie M. branding!). 
I love that the Sheila Satchel is in trendy black-and-white colorblocking with gold accents, and the detachable (and adjustable) shoulder strap has a sliding protector for your shoulder on it. (See the bag in action here in my latest outfit!) Both bags are fairly roomy and structured, so can definitely protect all my essentials easily. Given that they are constructed of man-made leather, I will still have to see how they stand up to daily wear and tear, though so far they seem to be doing well.
For the woman in your life one of these handbags could be a wonderful holiday gift – especially if your favorite lady prefers eco-friendly materials but still wants a high-end look.
Plus, the brand is offering a great deal next week: for a week beginning Black Friday (Friday, Nov 29), you can get 40% off site-wide and 60% off clearance items sitewide!
Also, if you want to round out any handbag purchase with a 5-piece “Essentials Box” (pictured above: a kit including a cross-body wallet, umbrella, scarf, cosmetic bag, and key chain), it’s only $25 additional (normally $155). (A wonderful way to add to your handbag gift – or the items could be split up for stocking stuffers! That folding umbrella is super-cute with a little ruffle – check it out here.) Definitely check out all their handbag styles (14 different styles, not including faux ostrich or crocodile versions as well) below:
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I received both the Sheila Satchel and the Natalie Shopper from Emilie M. for review purposes. I have not been compensated otherwise for this post. The above are my honest opinions. For my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
Nov 18, 2013 | Fashion
MURUA is a mass retail brand focusing on feminine details within contemporary trends. With their A/W 2013 collection entitled “Cubic Art,” the brand attempts to combine modern materials, patterns, and techniques into wearable dimensional art. Produced by fashion magazine darling and It-girl Momoko Ogihara and founded in 2006 by the MARK STYLER company (also backers of EMODA – see their latest lookbook here), the brand can be seen throughout popular fashion magazines and is considered the go-to clothing line for young fashionistas in the know.
(more…)
Nov 16, 2013 | Fashion
Rose Gold Safety-Pin Earrings: House of Harlow.
Rose Gold Flathead Screw Chaplin Stud Earrings: Gorjana & Griffin. Double-Bar Necklace: Forever 21 (similar
here).
Guinea a Minute Dress in Mustard: c/o Shabby Apple. Rings:
DIY Pretty Pearl Ring, Forever 21 Cat Silhouette Ring, Double Bar Ring, and Double Cross Knuckle Ring.
Sheila Satchel with Double Shoulder-Strap: c/o Emilie M. Cone-Heel Slouch Booties: Fergie. (similar
here or
here.)
November has definitely arrived in Portland, bringing blustery, cold winds and showers, showers, showers. I am bundling up daily, shivering beneath my heavy coat and scarf that I keep on even at home. (more…)
Nov 11, 2013 | Fashion
Originating in the Pacific Northwest, Sticks & Stones was founded on the principle that re-purposed natural materials could be utilized in the construction of sustainable jewelry and accessories. Using materials such as reclaimed exotic wood, elk antler sheds, prehistoric ivories, fine metals, seashells, and gemstones, the in-house manufacturing team uses an intricate process of technology and skilled craftsmanship to produce these limited-edition and often one-of-a-kind pieces.
The construction of Sticks & Stones Accessories is done in various stages, including preparation, sanding, and dipping in a custom oil blend. The oil not only cures and protects the wood but also enhances the luster of the wood used. The strength and durability of these products are a testament to the quality of the
material and craftsmanship that is invested in each piece. Completely handcrafted in Portland, OR, pieces from Sticks & Stones have been featured in Lucky Magazine, Nylon, WWD, and Marie Claire, as well as DailyCandy and TrendHunter. Check out their latest collection below and leave your thoughts in the comments!
xo
Carly
Nov 6, 2013 | DIY, Fashion
Seen all over the runways for Fall 2013, this sophisticated take on a monochrome check pattern is too good to miss out on this season. I love the graphic boldness of this windowpane grid pattern – and how great it looks paired with other solid colors (in a Mondrian-esque fashion). It seems to me that this would be a pretty simple DIY…which I’ll be sharing with all of you shortly (once the supplies I ordered more than a week ago arrive!!)
xo
Carly
Photo credits: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here
Oct 29, 2013 | DIY, Fashion
So all the Fashion Weeks around the world – New York, Paris, London, Milan (and Portland, LOL!) – have now concluded and it’s time to do a final wrap-up of all those great ideas and put some inspiration on file to add to the DIY queue. So what’s in store for this coming Spring? And what are you DYING to DIY? Let’s take a look at some amazing runway pieces and see how we can interpret them for creative fashion-lovers on a budget (AKA the Rest of the World):
Left: Take a cue from 3.1 Phillip Lim and add agate-inspired layers of fabric paint to an artfully-cut hem of a white top. Stitch in a layer of sheer fabric underneath for length, and some glued-on rhinestone jewels for your sandals.
Right: Alexander Wang‘s oversized trousers are potentially an easy DIY by thrifting a pair of too-large gray dungarees and folding the excess fabric towards the front, securing with hand-stitching in the shape of an X at the waistband.
Left: Burberry Prorsum’s chic update on the granny-lace skirt can be made by adding some sew-on rhinestones over the flower motif in a lace pencil skirt (and you could easily make one from a thrifted tablecloth or lace curtain!) Update a pair of sandals too by adding a same-colored rectangle of fabric between the toe-strap and ankle-strap (and just gluing the fabric over the straps on the underside).
Right: Simulate the pretty elegance of Carven‘s cutout dress with some DIY floral applique at the sides, and a strategically-placed cut-out in the center of a simple LBD.
Left: A steady hand can mimic the swooping brushtroke motifs at Céline with just some red fabric paint on top of a royal blue T-shirt. Also stitch in a sheer black chiffon underlay to a plain white pleated skirt.
Right: Christian Dior‘s breezy shirtdress is a re-tread of 2011’s cutout shoulder trend (but just tuck one side of the front into the button placket and pin in order to steal the look).
Left: Create a suitlike ensemble with mismatched separates with some strategically-placed floral applique (see Carven, above) just like at Creatures of the Wind.
Right: Warrior chic is totally attainable by stitching in some neutral fringe trim at the waist of an ivory dress, and adding some tan leather extensions to your flat sandals, inspired by Derek Lam.
Left: Edun‘s pattern play can be re-created by stamping a black X pattern with fabric paint over the bottom half of a white coat, and stamping a larger pattern onto plain white sandal slides.
Right: That funny folded skirt outfit at Giambattista Valli could be made by cutting the skirt part off of a wide A-line dress, then slitting the skirt up the center. Flip each side outwards and secure with invisible stitches underneath each roll for the skirt-part, and crop the top part of the dress to create a crop top.
Left: Honor‘s understated dress can be made from a simple black LBD with the addition of sew-on silver star sequins scattered on the collar and pocket. Also: glam up a pair of black flats with some multi-colored pink glitter on the toeboxes by using Mod Podge. (Plus: glittery sunglasses too!)
Right: Hand-stitch a couple pieces of black strapping to the bottom of a bikini top to mimic the Jason Wu Spring 2014 strappy bikini.
Left: Create a boldly-striped skirt like at Jil Sander Navy just by streaking a pleated white skirt with some vertical stripes of diluted fabric paint.
Right: L.A.M.B.‘s fashion-forward dress can be re-created by sewing a long rectangle of fabric to the bottom of a straight black tanktop, and allowing to gape open for a fun nonchalance. Also: Re-color the tops of white sandals with some Angelus leather paint for that contrasting cobalt hue!)
Left: Taking a page from Markus Lupfer‘s playbook, small cut-out hearts can be made in a sweatshirt by hand-stitching some lace fabric behind each cutout, with the edges hidden by sewn-on ruffled trim. Glue some chunky rhinestones onto the toe-straps of some plain black sandals. (Adorabe Persian kitty sadly not DIY’able!)
Right: Go wild with Moschino Cheap & Chic‘s take on Spring: Add some flamingo-shaped iron-on appliques to a plain white purse, create some pink marabou puffball shoeclips, and stamp a white cami and pant-set with flamingos rendered in pink and black fabric paint. Now all you need is a Cosmo!
Ideas from brands beginning with N-Z soon to come!
xo
Carly
All runway photos from Style.com
