Merry Christmas

Shoegazer Fashion: Abstract prints

This season I am in love with abstract / smudge print garments. I can't put my finger on why exactly, but all I know is I can't get enough! Here are some images from various "look books" to illustrate my current fashion fad :)

Above: This outfit is from the Ermie look book and I just love the pairing of the bold, smudge-print skirt with the muted, delicate print grey top.  

Above: These two outfits from the Wilfred look book are beautiful. The outfit on the right is definately a look I would wear for everyday activities. The smudge-print skirt features large, draped pockets at either side, making it practical and teaming it with a chunky knit cardi and opaque tights makes it perfect for this cold weather. WANT.

Above: This abstract print top is from the wonderful Anthropologie and is a garment I actually own :D The deliciously soft, cowl-neck top features twists of fabric (embellished with little bronze beads) that add unusual lines to the garment. The print reminds me somewhat of Alexander McQueen's famous animal/reptile print collection (see here for what I mean). Anyway, I love it.

Above & Below: These outfits are from a Something Else / Natalie Wood look book. I adored the whole look book but these two outfits to me look very wearable and really opitomise the style direction I wanted to go in this Winter.

What is your fashion-fad this season? Are you into abstract prints too? Or perhaps the camel trend? Or has something else caught your eye?... Please share :) x

Friday Finds: 10.12.10

 It's finally Friday again! Yipiee! I hope you enjoy the latest batch of Friday Finds, sourced from some of the finest websites, etsy shops and blogs. Enjoy :)

.:*Art / Illustration *:.

Above: Bee Merry print by Kate Hindley. Check out her online portfolio for some more adorable, quirky characters.

Above: "Walking Together" by Heidi Burton (the first of several lovely items from Heidi in this batch... I love her illustrative style!)

 

Above: See, I told you there was more to come from Heidi Burton... another item I couldn't resist sharing is this customised Moleskinne Journal which Heidi has turned into a Baby Journal. Such a nice idea! 

.:* Jewellery *:.

Above & Below: Jewellery created using broken china.. ingenius and beautiful! From Dishfunctional Designs.  

 

Above: These glass cluster rings that look like ice glistening on your hands are from Urban Revisions 

Above & Below: "Gold chain crocheted in a web pattern and burnt to create a tarnished, antique finish." Me like. From Catbird. 

Above: Black diamond earrings also from Catbird. Yes please.

.:* Homeware *:.

 

Above: Log bowls from Loyal Loot.

Above: This Brown Bear lunch plate would look great on your dinner table or hung on  your wall. 

Above: Another item from Heidi Burton now in the form of this happy little egg cup which comes with a cosy hat!

.:* Misc *:.

Above: Real baby owl in a hat! :D

That is all... x



A great way to display...

As you may be able ot tell from this blog, I do a LOT of etsy browsing and have to say it's really refreshing to come across a shop with great product display. One shop with a cute twist on product display is MemiTheRainbow. I particularly love the way she displays her fabric-covered buttons and can just imagine these sweet little product display cards nestled on a shelf in a little highstreet boutique. 

 

  

For another cute piece of product display, these Sardine/Herring felt brooches are pictured snug in a sardine tin, and jumping from the tin onto a jacket lapel.... ingenius!

If you know of any other etsy shops with great product display please share in the comments!

(Ps. I am having trouble replying to comments at the moment as the word varification letters don't load! But I will reply as soon as this is sorted. Comments are always appreciated.)

x

Jewellery by Selda Okutan

Some intricate, gorgeous, figurative jewellery for you today from Selda Okutan. Find her on Etsy here.

Polaroid scarves...

Want. Want. Want. Want.

Polaroid silk scarves by Philippe Roucou, available (for an arm and a leg) here

Shoegazer's Gift Guide: Christmas 2010

Hello Shoegazers! Have I got an epic post for you today or what? (I'll give you a clue, the answer ISN'T "or what"). I've been trawling the Internet day-in-day-out to bring you this extensive Gift Guide in the hope of helping you find the perfect present for friends / family / your boyfriend / that weirdo you know... See what you think and, as ever, feedback is always greatly appreciated! Right, let's get stuck in to the goods:

For the: animal lover . . .

Above: How could anyone resist these cute and quirky knitted hats for cats. From bear ears to party hats to devil horns, treat the moggy you know to a stylin' new bit of headwear this Christmas - they will appreciate the warmth no end when they're out catching meeces on those snowy winter nights. Meow!

For the: friend with quirky taste . . .

Above: "All I want for christmas is..... a knitted dissected frog." If you can imagine someone you know musing in such a fashion, then BINGO! Here you go... one knitted dissected frog served up on a platter.

Above: Oh yes... Hi-5 mittens. What more could ANYONE want EVER? From Kate Spade.

For the: fan of headwear . . . 

Above: Perfect for the friend or sister who loves to adorn her head with gorgeous hats and faschinators whatever the occasion, these beautiful creations are from Zara Carpenter.

For the: boyfriend or brother . . .

Above: Who doesn't like a drop or two of booze during party season?! Spoil your man with this silver hip flask... whilst reminding him just what he's doing to himself. Bwahahaaaa. From ShotWell.

Above: I love this men's travel jewellery case from Heals. Your man can store his cuff links, watch and all sorts in this handy leather box...  MADE OF WIN!

Above: This sky-scraper scarf from Donna Wilson is perfect for the city-boy with a quirky sense of style.

Above: Entice your boyfriend into doing the drying up by treating him (and yes a well-designed tea towel can be a treat as a present!) to this mischivious item. Just make sure you run a mile if you see him spinning the cloth, otherwise.... OWCH!

For the: home-maker

Above: Setting the table for breakfast would be much more satisfying if you knew you would be eating your eggs from such a cute little set from LAMA. 

 

Above: I love Jonathan Adler's ceramics so much and WILL own a piece one day... if you know a ceramic-nut, why not light their pipe with this jaunty match-holder.

Above: You've heard of a tea-cozy? Well this adorable little teapot comes with a cute spin on the tea-cozy format... it's very own little hat!!!

Above: It's a stag head... it's cable knit... it's A-flippin-MAZING. By the brilliant Rachael Denny. 

Above: Calm-a-llama-down... by sitting on it. Who wouldn't want to find this llama cushion nestled under there tree??

Above: Snap up a print such as this "Wedged in Fashion" one from Little Doodles whose little birds are currently appearing in Vogue the world over!

For the: fashionista book worm

Above: Discover the inspiration behind some of Anna Sui's prints, dresses and designs in this hard back book.... mmmm, books.

Above: Luella Bartley spills the beans on how English girls are so damn chic in this lovely book... (mm-hmm, that's right, us English girls have got it goin' oooonnnnn). A perfect coffee table book perhaps? Yum.

Above: Fans of the wonderful Fifi Lapin will already be desperate to get their paws on this gorgeous book. If you aren't familiar with the blog, be sure to check it out. The book would make a great gift for a fashion-fan as Fifi models all the latest trends to perfection!

For the: magpie!

Above: Bambi & Snowflake’s affordable harness necklace (as featured in Grazia magazine and also available in plain gold, silver and gunmetal) will set off the simplest Christmas party outfit and tell everyone how fashion-forward you really are... treat yourself or perhaps a friend or sister this festive season. Go on. You know you want to...

 

Above: KNOCK KNOCK! It's a ring... with a working knocker! Woooow. By Pat Kim.

 

Above: Earrings and brooches made completely from paper (except the fixtures) by Essimer. Devine!

 
 Above: Know someone green-fingered? No? Well you will if you buy this garden ring from Woodland Belle. Sorted. Perhaps to repay you for your generocity the reciever could swear an oath to do all your weeding for a year? BONUS!

Above: A teeny-tiny butterfly sitting on a mini-mushroom and hanging round the wearer's neck for all to admire. Scoop one up from Woodland Belle.

Ps. Many thanks to all the online shops, etsy sites, blogs and websites that have produced or written about these lovely things. Merry Christmas! x