Faves of the Week

As usual, the weekend wasn't long enough, and another week is underway. *Sigh* But luckily, I've found some fabulous goodies that will kick that case of the Mondays to the curb! Check out these finds from fellow Etsians  The Crown Jewels Goddess and Maejean Vintage.

The Crown Jewels Goddess
The Crown Jewels Goddess is the brainchild of Vivian, who's been a craft and jewelry enthusiast since she was a child. Her mother introduced her to sewing and knitting, and over the years Vivian discovered her love of making jewelry, and never turned back. Swarovski crystals, gemstones and sterling silver are the materials of choice for most of  the collection.

This jasper bead and crystal bracelet is a stunner. The clustering of the beads and crystals create a darkly decadent adornment for the wrist. Love this bracelet as much as I do? Pay homage to the Goddess at her Etsy shop to find this and more!

Maejean Vintage
The self-proclaimed duo of thrifty sisters who created Maejean Vintage share a passion for procuring fantastic vintage finds and bringing them to you and me at affordable prices. One sister was a full time teacher, who saw losing her position due to budget cuts last year not as the end of the road, but as an opportunity to follow her dream and turn what was a hobby into a full time business. The other half of this duo is a business and marketing student, who helps run Maejean Vintage in addition to pursuing her studies.

What these two ladies bring to the table is an eye for the atypical and the luxurious. Offering everything from vintage clothing to jewelry and knickknacks, what these savvy sisters display in their shop has less of a dusty attic feel, and more of a high end boutique sensibility. Seriously--who wouldn't want one of these lovely pins? Pay a visit to their Etsy shop, and you'll see why they achieve the perfect blend of kitsch and sass. The ladies of Maejean Vintage can clearly spot the gems from the junk!

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

Today's Fave: GoGo Vintage

GoGo Vintage
A great love of yesteryear inspires the designers/collectors of Gogo Vintage. Handpicked, whimsical vintage clothing and accessories are their specialties. They also create custom designs that hearken back to bygone eras. The GoGo Vintage shop's Mad Men-esque offerings were the inspiration for one of my Etsy treasuries. This sassy plaid coat is one of my favorite looks from their shop.

GoGo has a clear vision for what they want to offer--nothing trite, everything charming and stylish. Their collection would make Joan Holloway squeal with delight!

This darling custom made nautical dress with embroidered ribbon trim channels Maria from The Sound of Music. Can't you just see her skipping through a square in Vienna in this?

If you're a retro lover, check out GoGo's full collection on Etsy. These lovely wares can be shipped anywhere in the US and internationally. Start practicing your skirt twirling now!

Downton Decadence, How I Love Thee!

 I, along with millions of others, am a HUGE fan of the Masterpiece Classic series Downton Abbey. As a costume and jewelry geek, DA sends me into paroxysms of ecstasy. The story begins in 1912, and takes you through World War I. Drama, war, scandal, plotting, romance, and some of the finest costumes and jewelry I have ever seen on television! After what seems like an eternity of waiting, Season 2 is finally underway. Let the eye candy begin again! Take a peek at some of these lovelies.

There's so much to love in every shot. From the opening credits that showcase the stunning manor house, the opulent interiors, and the precisely set tableware, to the stunning gowns that rustle and tinkle with ornate beadwork, I can't help but want to dive into that world (skipping the pre-women's rights society and world war, of course).

The character Lady Mary Crawley gets some of the best frocks on the show. Her evening gowns and riding outfits are to die for! It is impossible to not be inspired by this show. I absolutely must include an ornate Downton-inspired necklace for my Truly, Madly, Darkly midwinter collection. Like the young Lady Sybil says, "Is there anything more thrilling than a new frock?" No, indeed.

Little Darlings: Some of My Etsy Faves

If you're like me, a "quick" peek on Etsy can easily turn into hours of ooh-ing and aah-ing. Every click just leads you further down the goodie-filled rabbit hole. Since joining Etsy, I've come across some wonderful designers and artisans creating items that make me want to reach through my computer screen screaming, "Mine, MINE!". Here's a sampling of the lovely offerings available from some of my favorite shops.

Made by Moe
This designer collects and assembles vintage components to create new and delightful jewelry. Moe has a keen eye for color and stone combinations. There are cabochons in colors so soft and rich, they look like frosting flowers.

Some pieces in the collection play with the juxtaposition of hard and feminine, like this grey agate and pink rose necklace. This piece showcases Moe's talent for creating good composition and balance in a piece of jewelry. It's one of the things that repeatedly draw me to her shop.

When I look through Made by Moe's collection, it evokes afternoon tea in a sunlit parlor--so many delectable things to see and sample!

Janine Basil
Embrace your inner superhero with this awesome collection of retro/comic-inspired accessories! Janine's handmade designs have an amazing blend of kitsch, sparkle and originality. The girl who sports these looks can't be viewed as anything other than fun and bold.

Janine is a London-based designer, who describes her lovely wares as "retro geek style, with a twist of glamor and glitz". Her Day-Glo color palette packs a superhero-size punch with rich reds, blues and yellows. There are plenty of sweet and sassy options for the extroverted party girl and the quietly confident retro fashion lover. As for sparkle, this collection has it in spades!

That rhinestone pillbox hat is pure glam, and I love it! You've got to take a virtual stroll through Janine Basil's shop, and you're bound to fall in love too. You can look out for new additions on her Facebook page. And the best part: she ships internationally, so you can have your very own Janine Basil design come to you from across the pond!