Shop Emma and Edward - Support a Starving Artist

Martini Clutch

It's a rough economy, so I am tapping into my entrepreneurial spirit and opening a new etsy store. Emma and Edward is the place to shop for unique homemade clutches by yours truly. Using remnant materials from past projects, these clutches are part of my effort to support sustainable living by upcycling old garments and putting scrap fabric to good use.

Super Kawaii Clutch

Fabrics range from a brocade used for a smoking jacket to cotton imported from Japan. There is even a clutch made from a pair of linen pants. Each clutch is made with care and features topstitch detailing and hand sewn snaps.

Tropical Breeze Clutch

Whether you are looking for a cute bag for a girls' night out, a stylish wallet to stash in your tote, or a pretty pouch to pop necessities in, Emma and Edward clutches are a great option (if I do say so myself). Plus, all clutches include free shipping throughout the continental USA. Look for new additions to be added in the next couple of weeks.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Wearing dresses

Making Rice Krispie treats

Reading Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

(Thank you Velvet!)

This chiffon dress

Ombre hair color

Air conditioning

Watching the finale of Lost

The Stolen Crown by Susan Higginbotham

(Thank you Laura!)

Miu Miu's Satin Daisy-Print Clog

Journals

(like this Asian Butterfly Small Journal)

Land's End Canvas

When shopping for clothes, Sears is not the first store that pops into my head, but on a recent trip to the mall, I discovered Land's End Canvas. A cross between The Gap and J. Crew, Land's End Canvas is a far cry from the frankly dowdy offerings of Land's End. Plus, Land's End Canvas is Guaranteed. Period.®, which means their products are guaranteed to last or you can return it. Amazing!

The Stripe Sailor Tee is a favorite of mine and would look great paired with the Chino Shorts or the Poplin Skirt. Although the weather is getting too hot for jackets, I'm loving the Sport Utility Jacket, which would still work for transitioning into fall. Lastly, the Heritage Ballet Flat in orange spice seems to be calling my name...

Thanks to everyone who entered the My Tagalongs Giveaway!

I will be e-mailing the winners soon.

Getting Lost in Arcadia Falls

There once was a girl who liked to pretend she was lost

until the day she really lost her way...

Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman

Arcadia Falls by Icedivastar featuring Alexis Bittar jewelry

Slip on a white dress, light some candles, and curl up with a cup of tea as you read this mystical tale about a private art school in New England.

Links a la Mode: The Independent Fashion Bloggers Roundup

Edited by Ashe/Mischief Dramatis Personae

To be honest, I’ve been really excited about the content on the web lately…. because each week, it seems that fashion & style bloggers are making a bold step forward. In a niche that was once dominated by runway photographs and personal style posts, we’re evolving to include daring, thoughtful, provocative posts as well. I am continually shocked and amazed by the range of posts… from wearabout’s post on androgynous Indian men and Style Amor’s post on Arab women in fashion to posts about fashion blogging as a career at Style Eyes fashion blog.

Images via The Curvy Fashionista, The Coveted, Hello Beauty, and Wearabout

Links à la Mode : May 20th

• Awakened Aesthetic – Giveaway! Enter to win a hand-embellished floral top by independent designer Eliza + Axel and take the floral trend in a different direction.
• CMYKaboom!: – New York Fashion Week Coverage: IFB “Evolving Influence” Conference
• fete a fete: – Clarins Instant Sun Light summer makeup
• Guacamole & Toast: – What makes a good fashion blog? How can we avoid turning into one of the minority of superficial fashion bloggers that everyone stereotypes us to be?
• hello beauty!: – we have a new makeup lesson video with Guerlain’s top makeup artist and a review of the Guerlain Summer 2010 Collection.
• Holier Than Now: – How to fall in love with last year’s summer essential, all over again.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Skills Bloggers Can Use to Get Hired
• Jewelry Whore: – Designer You Should Know: Elsa Schiaparelli
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS: – An exclusive interview with Amanda deLeon, a fabulous avant garde designer from North Carolina, and personal favorite of Kat Von D!
• M.I.S.S.: – TV: Follow the Leader: A New Style Series Promo! | M.I.S.S.
• Pretty Shiny Sparkly: – Exploring the trend of resin-coated black denim, with a best of the best roundup!
• Shoe-a-Day: – How to Shop for Shoes when you’re living ohsofaraway from civilization.
• Style Amor: – Celebrating the Beauty of Arab Women & Our Diverse Culture
• Style Eyes Fashion Blog: – A career as a fashion blogger – have you considered a career as a fashion blogger? Here are my experiences.
• Stylish Thought: – The Dressing Dilemma: Who do women really dress for?
• The Coveted – Anica boutique is the place to experiment with avant garde
• The Curvy Fashionista: – Curves in the USA? A Question… The Elite of fashion magazines across the pond are fashioning the most fabulous spreads of full figured fashionista, bloggers, and models, will the US follow suit?
• The Recessionista: – Jeans: We’re Spending More and Shopping Longer Does anyone recall the moment when jeans became a luxury item?
• The Thrifty Poet: – “Why Should I Be Ashamed of My Shape” — why I think classifying women into only 4 different body shapes (two of them fruit) isn’t right
• wearabout: – The luxury of not caring – a look inside an androgynous indian male’s wardrobe.
• What 2 Wear Where: – After the fab opportunity to preview the Met’s exhibit “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”, we looked at each of the perfectly portrayed eras and paired them with contemporary looks.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Watching Glee (my new addiction)

Singing

These Galaxy Leggings from Black Milk

Chocolate and believing that it should be used in every recipe

Ashley Watson Junco Bag

Claire de Lune Dress

Having a good audition

My Tagalongs Disposable Underwear and Giveaway

When I first heard about My Tagalongs disposable underwear, I was intrigued and contacted My Tagalongs for a pair to review. Made from breathable, non-woven, recyclable polypropylene with 100% cotton gusset, these wear-once panties are surprisingly comfortable and durable. The panties, also, feature a a faint leopard print design. Even though the underwear is disposable, my pair easily lasted throughout the day and can be washed up to three times, although I didn't try washing mine.

The tiny zipper pouch contains two pairs for only $3 and is perfect for stashing in your carry-on or your purse. You can even buy a five pack for $5, so you can stow an extra pair of underwear in your gym bag or emergency kit.

Giveaway

My Tagalongs has given me two packs of Disposable Underwear Bikini 5 pairs sets in size small/medium to giveaway as well as a few packs of Disposable Underwear Bikini 2 pairs sets in size small/medium and large/extra-large.

To win, leave your e-mail address and answer the question, "Where would you keep a pair of disposable underwear?"

Contest ends midnight, May 25th.

http://www.freegrechen.com