Thank God for Spitfires and their Buttons!

Happy Labor Day, all!

Hope your L Day weekend is going swimmingly! The fam and I spent most of the weekend at our little log cabin in the Catskills, playing cutthroat Monopoly, taking walks, and splashing around in the neighborhood waterfall. The hubby and I also got to enjoy some much-needed cocktail time on the porch. Good stuff.

You know what else was fantastic about our mini vaca in the 'Skills? That's what the cool kids call the Catskills (actually, no one calls them that). An unexpected but totally awesome score for one of my jewelry-related obsessions: vintage buttons!

On our way up to the cabin on Friday afternoon, we passed a sign that said "Red Barn Yard Sale and Antiques". Mind you, we'd passed this sign dozens of times over the years on the way to the cabin, and we always said, "We need to make that right turn and check that out some time." And at the end of every weekend at the cabin, we'd always forget to check it out. This time, we decided to make the right turn before we headed to the cabin. We turned off Route 17B and drove about 2 or 3 miles down a road with rolling hills and farmland on either side, keeping an eye out for the red barn. We finally saw it, and pulled into the driveway.

Out of a house off the barn came this wiry old lady who had to be at least 85 years old. The stuff she had for sale ranged from old toilets (I kid you not!) to old books, furniture and clothing. She was about to close up for the day. I asked her if she had buttons for sale. "Yeah, I got lotsa buttons. Come back tamorrah and I'll get 'em down for you." "Great, I'll come by around 11am," I said. Now, I figured I'd at least be able to get a few buttons out of her stash to make a necklace or two, maybe a couple of key chains for the collection. So, Saturday morning, I left the hubs and the kiddos after breakfast and headed out to spend what I thought would be about half an hour going through this lady's tin of buttons.

When I arrived, she came out and told me she'd bring the buttons down after she helped some customers. I wandered around the barn, checking out all the piles of old yard sale stuff that people brought to this lady to sell. Then I went into the house and perused the old novels and bric-a-brac. A few minutes later, she came waddling in with six tins filled to the brims with buttons. She put them down on a table, pulled out a chair for me and said, "Here they are. Every piece of clothing I ever threw out or donated, I cut off the buttons first. You never know when you're gonna need buttons! Have fun." It was Christmas come early, people!

Each tin had to weigh about 4 or 5 pounds. So much for spending half an hour!

 I had to be methodical. I had to take heaping handfuls, one at a time, and spread them out on the table. Then I pulled from each handful any buttons I thought were pretty, then sorted my picks by color. As I got lost in my task, the old lady haggled with potential customers, sold sodas to locals who wandered in to chat and discussed what to do with the stray kittens she'd taken in to her friend the animal rescuer. Quite a cast of characters flowed in and out of the place, glancing over at me hunched over the piles of buttons, chuckling at my "patience". They had no idea I was in a kind of heaven!  

Two hours later...BOOM!

 Look at those lovely, lovely buttons. I know, some of you are like, "They're buttons. Big woop." But for those of you who have the sickness, you know how exciting it is to look at this rainbow mountain of beauties and start imagining all the awesome creations you'll make with them. So glad that sassy spitfire saved those buttons! I'll post pics of the goods as they materialize. Can't wait to start working!

Primary Colors: My Faves of the Week

My fellow Etsians never fail to delight and surprise me. My latest stroll through Etsy furnished me with some fantastic finds from designers worldwide. Here are some worthy of sharing. Stop by these shops and show some love for all that is bright and bold!

Fave #1: Elifus Jewelry
You wanna talk about bold and bright? Elif Ustunel, a designer from Istanbul, has created a collection of felt and yarn jewelry that makes your inner child "ooh" and "aah", while being daringly sophisticated for the grownup in you. Major statement necklaces with large spheres in rainbow colors; treble clef earrings; tribal-inspired bangles--all make for an unforgettable collection. Here's a little taste of what you'll find when you visit the Elifus Jewelry shop on Etsy. You can also find Elifus on Facebook.

Red Fringe Fiber and Felt Necklace

Treble Clef Necklaces

Neon Felt Cuff Bracelets

Fave #2: Bayan Hippo
To a handbag junkie like me, finding bags that are stylish AND useful make me jump for joy. And fellow Etsian Bayan Hippo delivers. A gorgeous color palette paired with simple, attractive shapes is what this designer does best. Every bag is more than a showpiece--they can carry your books, phones, makeup bags--all the necessities. They double perfectly as diaper bags too, which, I can tell you, is a HUGE plus for the style conscious mom. Having a fashionable handbag to incorporate into your "with kids" lifestyle is wonderful. Check out their Etsy shop to find your favorite bag!

Flamenco in Carmine Red Canvas

Fora in Yellow and White Striped Canvas

Euphoria in Teal

Some Serious Shoe Therapy: This Week's Fave

Happy Spring/Easter/All things cheerful!

It's been awhile since I've featured a favorite Etsy shop. I stumbled upon this week's fave during one of my late night Etsy wanderings. What drew me to Crafttastrophe's shop was this pair of delightfully bright yellow flats. I dug them so much, it inspired my latest treasury.

See what I mean? Doesn't that lemony yellow just sing of spring? Crafttastrophe creates hand painted shoes for those of us who like a healthy dose of whimsy with our style. Think flats are for quitters? Check out these diva-licious heels.

Crafttastrophe's philosophy: "Everyone deserves at least one beautiful item that no one else on Earth has". Truer words were never spoken! Visit their Etsy shop and their Facebook page for their entire collection and the skinny on special orders. Happy shopping!

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted...

So, the weather's been beautifully mild this month in the Hudson Valley (and some days were downright summery), which is making me antsy for summer, or for a getaway to someplace warm and beachy. Since a vacation is not in the immediate future for this new homeowner, I've been pouring that desire into additions to my Into the Ocean story for Accessory Showcase. Some of my fellow Etsy designers have been on the same page, and have made my daily Etsy perusing feel like a mental vacation.

Check out my latest Into the Ocean creation, as well as some highlights from my latest treasuries that whisk me away to imagined tropical climes. Enjoy!

Into the Ocean silver finish necklace with faux coral, shell and starfish charms

Blue shell statement necklace by Wild Flowers and Grace

Blue stripe cotton Turkish beach towel by Turkish Towel Village

Deep aqua sea coral glass bowl by Uneek Glass Fusions

Show Some Love for Etsy Designers!

Today my Into the Ocean blue starfish earrings are being featured in a great BNS treasury on Etsy. These types of treasuries are great ways for Etsians to increase the visibility of their shops, while supporting their fellow designers. So excited to be a part of this, and thrilled to support other shops.

Check out the treasury here, and snag yourself something lovely! Thanks to Jenny from Flirty Sanchez Project for putting this together.

Oscar's Post Mortem: Glamming it Up on the Red Carpet

I sort of love and hate the Academy Awards. While I bemoan the sometimes ridiculously long song and dance numbers, and the self-important emoting on the part of Hollywood's A-listers, I unabashedly LOVE the fashion buffet it offers! In anticipation of the big night, I created an Etsy treasury that captured Hollywood glamour. What bigger night is there for celeb gawking and couture gown coveting?

Emma Stone's red Giambattista Valli gown with that dramatic "go big or go home" red bow has to be my favorite look of the night. It's classy, sexy, young--the whole package!

Michelle Williams was darling in her red Louis Vuitton strapless tiered ruffle gown with peplum detail. The pixie cut she's been sporting for the last couple of years channels a young Mia Farrow. Beautiful!

A lot of the jewelry on the red carpet was simple and  less chunky, allowing the dresses and the wearers' faces to own the spotlight. Milla Jovovich, in her one-shouldered, beaded Elie Saab gown is a great example. Her bare neck and Marcel waves were a nod to starlets of yesteryear. The fabulous clutch and cocktail ring were swoon-worthy, indeed.

And then there's Ms. Portman. She is hands down one of my favorite actresses. With her timeless beauty, she'd make a potato sack look good! Her red Dior gown was stunning, without being over the top. The dotted fabric added lovely texture, and her high-sparkle jewels were elegant with a simple design.

Gwyneth's Tom Ford dress and cape were the talk of the town, and with good reason. So sleek and sophisticated! The cut of that cape was amazing. Another bare neck with a bold, modern cuff bracelet and a simple ponytail capped off the look nicely. Well done, Goop (a ridiculous nickname, to be sure, but that's a rant for another day)!

Working the peplum trend beautifully: the lovely Tina Fey, ladies and gents! This sexy navy number by Carolina Herrera was a fabulous choice for the 30 Rock star. Her up-do with chandelier earrings were the perfect companions to the look.

There was a plethora of fantastic frocks last night, but these were the ones that stood out for me. What were your faves?

Fave of the Week: Isadora Kids

In my weekly homage to my fellow Etsy designers, I've come across some lovely shops with some super cool designs. This week's fave is a definite midweek pick-me-up.

Isadora Kids
Rachelle, the designer of Isadora Kids, has been sewing since the age of 5. With several family members in the art and design field, creativity is in her blood. Her years spent traveling the globe have contributed to a cheerful, eclectic children's wear collection that's sassy, yet not too grownup.

Seriously-- I want this dress for me! And don't even get me started on the adorable ruffled leggings! The Isadora Kids collection has such bright, fun colors and prints, it's impossible not to fall in love with it. Thoughtful, yet simple details like a well-placed ruffle add some whimsy without being saccharine. Who wouldn't want their little one in these fun togs?
You can keep up to date on special offers by visiting their Facebook page. Want a custom made frock for your little darling? Check out the Isadora Kids Etsy shop!

Bring on the Sparkle: It's Awards Season!

I love watching the big awards shows and checking out who's wearing what on the red carpet. You'll find celebs wearing everything from the sublime to the bizarre. And the jewels, oh the jewels! I am a lover of all things glam.To keep the sparkle love going, I've made and procured lovely items for the Accessory Showcase collection that are red carpet (or at least Oscar party) ready. Here's a look at all that glitters in my collection!

Accessory Showcase tear drop earrings with black crystals

Accessory Showcase gunmetal "chain mail" stretch beaded bracelets

Salty Teacup black hoops with crystals in shades of pink

Salty Teacup assorted ornate filigree and colored stone bracelets

You Can Always Go... Downtown

So for some reason or other, I could not get Petula Clark's song "Downtown" out of my head. Maybe it was because I miss NYC so much. Maybe I'm jonesing for a little spring inspiration for the Showcase collection--who knows? Either way, it inspired me to make this little Etsy treasury. Here are some of the stars of the treasury for your enjoyment. Forget all your cares and go Downtown!

Yellow retro dress by GoGo Vintage

Vintage yellow purse by Michelle's Closet

Green and turquoise trench by De Novo Style

Spread the Red: Treasury for Go Red for Women

Hello all!
Hope you're spreading the good word about Go Red for Women Day by posting Go Red's Facebook link to your social networking sites--Tweet it, Facebook it, Blog it! And while you're at it, "share" your posts on the Accessory Showcase Facebook page for your shot at winning a piece from the collection!

Here are highlights from my latest Etsy treasury, in honor of this awesome organization. A big heartfelt shout-out to DMPics, Topsy Turvy Design, and Black White Pink for being my inspirations for this fun treasury! <3 <3 <3

Yellow, Yellow, Kiss a Fellow: Latest Treasury

What a gorgeous day here in the Hudson Valley! It's like a little taste of spring, and I'm loving it! There's nothing like a good dose of Vitamin C to make you feel human again. In light of this lovely weather, I made a sunny treasury of yellow items from my fellow "TT Team" Etsy members. Here are a few highlights.

Bright yellow pillow by pillows4fun on Etsy

Yellow handlebar mustache cufflinks by Bijotti & Ciciotti

Yellow quilled flower wall hanging by S. Vaeth Designs & Photography

Do check out the shops of Pillows 4 Fun, Bijotti & Ciciotti and S. Vaeth Designs to see more of their fabulously sunny creations!

Groove is in the Heart

Last night, while completing a custom pair of earrings for a friend, Dee-Lite's "Groove is in the Heart" inexplicably came into my head and wouldn't leave! Love the song, so it naturally (at least for an Etsy junkie like me) inspired me to create a Mod/retro treasury. This treasury was a blast to make. Here are a couple of highlights.

Red Mod dress by Honey Bunny Vintage

Mod Psychedelic feather and crystal eyelashes by Moonshine Baby

Find the video on YouTube, flip through my treasury and shake what your Mama gave you!

Color Me Happy: Faves of the Week

So, I woke up to 15-degree weather in the Valley this morning, and really had a hard time getting out of bed, much less leaving the house to run errands. Being Caribbean-born, I don't do winter very well. In the post-holiday dog days of winter, I need a little dose of cheer. Looking at some of my favorite Etsy designers' shops, I found some. When it comes to warm and bright, these designers deliver! Here's your happy pill for the week. Enjoy!

Fe Fi Fo Fun
If you think the name is adorable, wait until you check out Fe Fi Fo Fun's Etsy shop! Color, color and more color is the rule here. Upcycled home decor items, painted in bold palettes will bring a powerful dose of sunshine to beat those winter blues. Speaking of blues, these fab frames will add life to any wall in your home.

Jaani, a Texas resident and the designer who hand selects these fantastic flea market finds, breathes new life into them with a great eye for color. Maybe being a teacher of young children allows her to tap into a sense of fun and high energy.

In addition to having a love for upcycling vintage home decor, Jaani creates laundry dryer balls in varying colors and scents, like lavender and pomegranate vanilla. The balls are merino wool, a great moisture absorber, so they'll cut drying time nearly in half. Add a bit of fun to the dreary task of doing laundry!

These colorful frames and candlesticks would make any mantelpiece the focal point of a room. You just can't stay down in the dumps when you look at this fun assortment of shapes and colors. If you're feeling a little ho-hum this winter, visit Fe Fi Fo Fun's shop, and give your space a little pick-me-up!

Me and Matilda
About to tie the knot? Or looking for that little something to give an old outfit some wings? Me and Matilda's charming collection has what you need--delightful ties and bows for ladies, gents and kids in color and print combinations that simply sing!

All the pieces are handmade to order. The brainchild of a fellow entrepreneur, Me and Matilda is the home of the "Everyday Necktie", a washable, cotton tie. Not only are they well made, you can skip the dry cleaning bill and throw them in with your wash! Me and Matilda's commitment to creating unique, high quality, affordable accessories is clear. The collection has the right mix of crispness and humor,  whether you're 4 or 40. The looks have been featured on the Martha Stewart Weddings blog and Disney Weddings.

Whether you want a bright twist on a traditional print, or want to inject some whimsy with a bold polka dot or Chevron stripe, Me and Matilda has a tie for every personality. Check out their Etsy shop for a look at all their offerings. You're welcome!