Little Crafty Gifts

I should have started my Christmas shopping a long time ago. In fact, I still haven't started, but here are some ideas.

Crafty little things are definitely something I'm a fan of. Handmade? Good quality? Yes, please! Check out these little finds of mine on Etsy. Etsy is so fantastic, you support people who create their own things and you always find awesome and wonderful creations. What better than to give a gift that's made with a lot of love? Not only is it unique and fun, it's something to remember you by!


I posted about Etsy creator Alliebeans in a post I did about my make-up. basics I can honestly say that the quality of these products is tops, it's excellent! And I also have that little coin pouch (bottom picture), it's perfect! I have already bought several to give to friends.


This is not an Etsy maker. These wrist warmers are designed and made by Sandra Juto, I found them on her blog. How adorable! They're very Victorian; beautiful and definitely useful.


Decorations! I love Christmas decorations! Perfect for a gift for someone else - or yourself! I'm about to go order the cute little needle felted acorn trees from truLuxe. And the adorable little penguins are from Skunkboy Creatures.

What could be more fitting during the wintery months than a pair of mittens? And then Moocow went to go add some pom poms. I'd be happy to receive this, and I know a lot of people who would be too.

What are you thinking about getting for your family and friends?

Image Source: Alliebeans, Sandra Juto, truLuxe, Skunkboy Creatures, Moocow, Etsy

Red Red Dress

Yes, back to holiday dresses. Going from muted tones to FIERY RED, and orange and purple...and black.

I fully approve of this dress by Theory. I don't know why, it's rather simple, not totally exciting, and I'm not huge on patterns, but I'm definitely big on this. It's like big brush stroke roses.

Clearly I'm going to like this one, and I'm going to tell you I'm in love with it because it has ruffles. I cannot stop with the ruffles, oh Lela Rose, how beautiful.

My God, and then I found THIS. Roberto Cavalli! Red! Luscious! Passionate! Most Excellent!

Oscar De La Renta - the perfect designer for a night out. I have nothing else to say, the colour just pops, and the amount of detail is just enough for it to be very interesting, but not overly gaudy.

This big rose applique on the side of the dress is awesome. Some skill definitely went into designing it. While it's a bit last season, it's not just sewn on, it's sewn into the dress. Stunning and memorable to say the least.

Just like I can't get away from ruffles, I can't get away from black. The following dress is by Abeate. Wonderful!

Holiday Dresses...just to start

Another excuse to buy another dress for another occasion, when it's not really necessary, especially now with the recession... but hey, let's have a look anyway.

& we're going for ideas, not prices. Moving along, my little obsession continues with all things white/ivory/beige, within that realm of things, and of course greys and blacks; I thought the following dresses were rather interesting. Something different from the usual holiday dresses you see hung on rack after rack, store after store. Let's start off with a Missoni scarf dress.

I love the back, and especially the subtle pattern, and how the dress has been hemmed. You see a lot of scarf dresses, but this one has some character.

And then after BG's talk of her Rebecca Taylor dress, I had to go find some more because her dress was so beautiful! Simple, but so elegant! The perfect black dress.

It's definitely a piece you could dress up and down. Versatility is always a good thing. I can just imagine how flowing the material would look.

Above, a dress by Miu Miu. Usually I see things by Miu Miu and I get excited, then after a while I don't really like them. However I like this one, and it kind of reminds me of an extremely toned down version of what BG and HG called the "S" dress in a previous post. I love the pleated bottom.

And then there is Chloe. How cute! I have a dress that has a veil layer on top similar to this, and I absolutely adore it. However mine is all black, so this change hue is something I'm drawn to.

And then there is Vera Wang.

Maybe a little too generic and confined? I'm not entirely sure. But beading detail is always an extravagance one can indulge in. Something more grand and sophisticated than sequins and glitter.

So maybe this year, opt for softer tones? Whatever suits your fancy, this was just one idea. There shall be more to come!

Image Source: Net A Porter, Deuxieme Classe F/W 2008

Elegant or Prom?

My mom recently came back from a wedding in Sydney and she got me a dress. On the phone she made it sound really fabulous, "it is a evening dress in a pale sea green color, that goes just below your knees with a matching shawl/scarf. Everyone, even your dad, thinks it is very elegant and gorgeous!" It never occurred to me that I'd want a pale green dress, but seeing as it IS Christmas, maybe it'll be just the thing for a Christmas party!
When I first laid eyes on it, my first reaction was PROM DRESS. The whole pastel color and the jewels at the bodice, with the length ....you got to admit, it's a bit prom like. If not prom like, then at least bridesmaid like. Or just... kind of old (esp with the matching shawl). Don't get me wrong. I love my mom for remembering me on her holiday and buying be stuff out of the blue. I DO know how lucky I am and I do appreciate the gesture. And as much as I am complaining now, I will probably end up wearing it. This is just not something I'd pick on my own... I'd probably pick something more vibrant with funkier jewels, more modern. As an economist, I'm always thinking about opportunity cost.

Having stared at it for quite some time now though, I'm starting to come around to it a bit. The pale sea green color and simple bodice design can be considered as goddess-like and elegant. And while it is not modern, I guess it is classic. I can't go too wrong in a classic dress, right?