October

October is finally here....and to celebrate these fabulous 31 days of cool, fall weather, a local designer is showing her love for her fans/customers with a giveaway.

NELLE is a designer of gorgeous handbags + clutches. She has been featured in countless bridal magazines, sells her clutches at the gorgeous l'atelier couture, and even had pieces that were sold on Anthropologies's wedding partner site, Bhldn! AMAZING!

The owner, Laura Nelli is conducting an extremely generous giveaway this ENTIRE month of October...giving away a clutch EVERY DAY!! Find her on facebook, like her page, and then sign up to win - it's that easy!

If you haven't checked our her gorgeous pieces, now is the time! I own 3 of her pieces and LOVE them! (Check out a post I did about her collection last winter HERE.)

View her collections at nellehandbags.com ....and sign up for her giveaway here!

GOOD LUCK & Happy Fall!

Perfect Peacock

Peacock-inspiration seems to be increasingly more popular these days, and I myself can't get enough! From the fabulous jewel tones of the blue and green to the actual feathers there are numerous ways to incorporate PEACOCK into your wardrobe and/or your home decor.

From scarves, clutches, & other accessories to dresses, skirts & tops the peacock pattern can be applied to so many items....even rugs, wallpaper, and textiles for your home!


ACCESSORIES
One of the first places I fell in love with peacock feathers was on Etsy--of course! I LOVE the clutches by redrubyrose, and she makes several GORGEOUS peacock-inspired styles. These are just a few of her pieces....I plan to order one to use at my wedding, and perhaps choose several other prints/designs for my bridesmaids!!



I am also loving this locket & these earrings, from two more sellers on Etsy! You'd be surprised how many items pop up when you search for "peacock"--try it!!


Here are a few more of the MANY peacock-inspired accessories available:
click on the picture for more information & prices for each item!

*Remember: you DON'T want to wear ALL of these together....pick just one or maybe two pieces that work together with your outfit and you're set!


CLOTHING
Peacock print can be tricky to get "right" when it comes to clothing...you don't want to go over the top! For instance...this dress (pictured right) is a bit much, don't you think??!! WOW!

Here is a better choice for a dress....simple yet unique enough to make a statement...love everything about it, including the price and the name: "Ahead of the Flock Dress" available at ModCloth.com


And just a few more options to add to your closet...not all of them have to be bold & bright, peacock feathers can also add dimension in black & white and even grey tones!
...again, click on the picture to find out more about each item!

HOME
Peacock inspiration can not only be added to your wardrobe, but your style at home as well.
Here's a link to some photos of fabulous & gorgeous bedrooms designed with peacocks in mind.

A few other peacock-inspired home items:
...keeping in mind that it doesn't have to include the actual peacock feather print, it could just include the fabulous jewel color tones seen in those gorgeous feathers!


And just a few more...

What do you think of peacock-inspiration??? I am planning on using peacock feathers as a part of my vintage wedding theme...SO loving it & so excited!!

If you're loving it as much as we are, where will you add peacock feathers in your life.....accessories, clothing, your home, a party or wedding....or perhaps somewhere else??

Spring Fashion: DIY

Lately, I have seen TONS of FABULOUS DIY "fashion" products being made out there and wanted to share some of these ideas. Whether you are on a tight budget, or you didn't quite get as big of a tax refund as you had hoped to have for that spring shopping spree, making something new or improving an item you already own can be inexpensive and fun!

This is probably my favorite of what I have seen lately....making a sunglasses case into a mini clutch! LOVE IT!!! You often get a "free" one with the purchase of a pair of shades, and you may not need it or always use it. So it sits in a drawer or the bottom of a box taking up space.


This idea comes from another blog, HonestlyWTF ...check out the steps and finished product she made. A "minaudière" as she calls it is a small ornamental case for a woman's cosmetics, jewelry, or personal items that is often carried as a handbag. =Perfect for spring and your absolute essentials: money, ID, cell phone, and favorite lipstick or gloss! (see DVF's version, pictured above)

Her version of this mini clutch takes a few more tools such as a drill, drill bit, and a bolt cutter. It turned out fabulous (pictured left), but if you don't have the tools, or the patience for taking it quite this far, I can think of other items to add to a sunglasses case that could look just as great! Whether you choose to cover it completely in fabric, or lace, add some buttons or even better, a vintage brooch or pin, and then add a drawer pull or even ribbon as a handle.....no matter what you choose, it will be a functional & affordable new clutch just in time for spring! *I found black sunglasses cases at the Fossil outlet store for only $6.99...just in case you don't have any empty ones lying around!

Another fun accessory is this ruffle necklace (pictured right). Depending on your sewing skills (& a sewing machine is necessary), this may be a bit more challenging, but a fabulous final piece--for yourself or perhaps to give as a gift!! Check out the blog, Creature Comforts, for the step by step tutorial. You can make it personal by choosing your own ribbon and embellishments! So FUN!! A great way to spruce up your spring wardrobe! Also, check out Creature Comforts links to other fashion & style DIY projects!!


There are also SEVERAL ways to "WEAR" a man's necktie...instead of around your neck!! I LOVE both of these....the necklace (pictured below right) and the cuff. *I've seen different styles of the cuff bracelet. This one (pictured left) is 2 ties with snaps, I've also seen single ties with buttons. SO great!

I have several, as my father used to own a men's clothing store, and I have worn them often as a sash/belt and received tons of compliments! I also LOVE this clutch....I've considered trying to make one myself, but might just have to breakdown and purchase instead!!



And of course, if you haven't checked out the blog, New Dress a Day, do so now, as she is the QUEEN of DIY fashion!

This fashionista gave up "traditional clothes shopping" for a YEAR and took on the task of CREATING each new piece she wore. Here's more about her & her project from her blog: Instead, the only shopping that I’ll be able to do is that of pieces that have been used and worn already. So long to mall trips and hello to sifting through piles of vintage pieces at flea markets and at neighborhood garage sales. Each day for the entire year, I’m going to introduce a new piece into my existing wardrobe that I’ve found from these places. On top of this, I’m giving myself a budget of $1 a day. She finished with her 365 days of creating, and is not taking "donations" from her readers and continuing the work....you can send in a piece and she will make it into something more fashionable....so clever & impressive. Definitely worth checking out her blog....if nothing else, it's super fun to see the before & after pictures!!


Don't forget, if you don't have the creative inspiration or the time & energy to make your own, you can always support those that make their own products and sell them on one of our favorite websites, ETSY!!


Perhaps some of these projects will inspire you to try these ideas at home, or find another DIY project...if you do find yourself creating something new, PLEASE SHARE it with us....we'd love to hear what you are creating! ....and you just might surprise yourself!!

If nothing else, these websites & blogs are fun to peruse, read, and see the creativeness of others out there ....the transformations of objects that may not at first appear to be much, but have now become someone's treasure!

Local Accessories Designer we LOVE: NELLE

Finding that perfect handbag can often be a total challenge. Whether you know the exact price-point, style, color, and fabric you are hunting for, or you have no idea--it doesn't seem to matter, there are times when you just can't find the perfect one.

We are lucky to have SO many fabulous local designers here in the Twin Cities. From accessories, to handbags, to casual styles, and even wedding gowns--we have many talented people! NELLE is one of these amazing local brands. Laura Nelli is the brains behind this accessories line, and I can't say enough great things about her. She not only is talented, but also a wonderful and amazing woman. Here is a little bit about how she began her business taken right from her website:

In 2004, with no more sewing experience than a pillow she had constructed in home economics class, Laura Nelli, with a load of determination, a used sewing machine, and a library card, set out to learn the art of handbag design.

Her handbags, clutches, and accessories are available for purchase online and in several boutiques (30+) across the country. With price-points ranging from $60-$190, her products are well worth the investment, as they are hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind. I know that when I leave my house carrying one of my NELLE pieces no one will have the same one. Being unique is so much more fun than joining the crowd and carrying the same LV bag that your best friend has!! I ordered her HAROLD chevron bag (pictured above right) for "Christmas" and I totally and completely LOVE IT! It is a perfect size to hold everything I need and is easy and comfortable to carry. I have received TONS of compliments on it already.


And, because she was SO KIND, and I told her not to rush on getting it sent to me by Christmas, she sent one of her AMAZING clutches along with it!! It is perfect, as it is the colors for my wedding....ivory paired with black & brown! (pictured left) It couldn't be more perfect, and she couldn't have been a kinder soul to work with!


So....if you are searching for that "perfect" handbag, need a new clutch for the new year, or a gift for your sister, check out her website or find her at any of these MN locations:
Flutter Boutique-Minneapolis, Smart & Chic-Minneapolis, Picky Girl-St. Paul, Waters of Superior-Duluth.

You will not be disappointed!