Modish

New shop: Yokomono Studio

Brittni over at Paper n' Stitch let me know about this wonderful new shop that's participating in this month's exhibition, Yokomono Studio!  Yoko is the creator and "mono" roughly means "things" in Japanese, so put 'em together and Yokomono means a wealth of lovely Yoko-made wonders! 

There's handbags, totes, pillow covers and coasters each featuring stunning fabric in rich colors.  I just love the contemporary styling paired with the bold graphics, pretty pretty.  Head over to Yokomono Studio to see what else she's cooking up, and add some "handcrafted 'mono' to your life"!

Love. These. Bags.

Oh ninu ninu ninu, you're calling my name...  With your stylishly unique shapes, your soft, supple fabrics in luscious winter colors and your maker with the wildly fabulous (and kinda familiar :) hair... oh, and your awesomely awesome photographs- I was going to choose one for "picture perfect", but yours are all too perfect in everyway.  Ninu, I'm so glad I found you.  And maybe you'll find your way into my welcoming arms too, soon :)

Picture Perfect: Moop

{psst- get free shipping on your order from Moop!  Check out their listing in the Modish Marketplace, under bags & purses!}

Eco-Friendly Find: Hoakon Helga

Speaking of voting, I'm off to drop off my ballot right now (we vote by mail here in OR, but I didn't want to trust my vote to the mail system, so I'm driving down to the elections office to drop it off instead :) and then start work on the November giveaway, which will be announced tomorrow! 

In the meantime, check out this wonderful new line of handbags by Hoakon Helga- they're each made from 100% recycled leather and lined with reclaimed materials!  That makes them stylish, one of a kind, earth-friendly and 100% awesome, in my book!  Plus, worn-in leather has such a better feel and look to it than the fresh off the cow kind (yuck.)  I usually opt for faux leather substitutes being a veggie and all, but thrifted leather sometimes finds its way into my closet and recycled leather has an even better ring to it.  Check out the whole line of recycled goodness at Hoakon Helga!

Hip Handmade: Brown & gold for fall

You may remember a post from this past spring where I compared handmade scarves with those you find at big box stores- it was fun and I'm still planning on another post like that comparing different items, like purses, other accessories, jewelry, what have you... but in the meantime, I'd like to present a different facet of the "Hip Handmade" idea by showing how easy it is to find hip, handmade clothing and accessories that you can mix and match with what you've already got in your closet to create some cute, non cookie-cutter outfits. 

So, here's my first attempt: casual, yet girly accessories with a vintage feel, using rich chocolate brown as the base color, accented with gold.  Dress up your favorite soft tee and some jeans with these items for a perfect look on a mild fall day- bring a cute blazer or cardigan along to keep warm into the night...

Vest, by heirloom08 :: $40

Necklace by Erica Weiner :: $40

Earrings by Spontaneity :: $25

Belt by Susie Maroon, at the Velvet Boutique ::£39

Shoes by Hippy of Doom :: $85

Clutch by madebyhank :: sold out now, damn! (wrote this post a few days ago- they have other lovely purses :)

Eco-Friendly Find: Wren

Oh, I love these BIG beautiful sling bags by Wren- you can carry along just about anything and everything with you in a roomy and eco-friendly design!

Made out of recycled coffee sacks, these one of a kind bags have a great story to tell.  Once a vessel for coffee from a fair trade farm, they have traveled far and carried much.  Their fabric is durable, resilient and full of character, sure to hold up to everyday use.  The bags are lined with hand-dyed organic hemp canvas, have three sections inside and close with a poplar wood button that's decorated with a little wren.  From market to market and day to day, these bags can carry everything you need!  *For an added bonus, you can see how they're made and get more info about all their details on the Wren Blog!

Picture Perfect: madebyhank

Soft finds for fall

Fall feels so quiet and cuddly to me, and it has definitely arrived here in Portland.  It cheers me up to see leaves yellowing against grey skies, to see how the angle of the sun changes with shorter days, to feel the chill in the air hit my cheeks and the tip of my nose.  So, I put together some soft, felted and knit goods for fall that remind me of the wonderful richness of this, my favorite season:

1:: Squirrel Rex by Strawberries and Cream
2} decoration maple leaves by Fleur Fatale
3:: Presence- red sea shawl/scarf by Irregular Expressions
4} Sprout Edith Tote by Queen Bee Creations
5:: felted wool acorns in blue by lil fish studios
6} fall story necklace by Pirilampo Riscado

Livin' La Vita Lola

La Vita Lola is home to flirty clutches in a wide variety of designs, from super femme flowers, to modern patterns to rocker style skull motifs.  They're simple and cute and the perfect size to carry your essentials for a fun night out:

The coolest thing tho about these clutches is that they're each made to order!  Pick your favorite fabric pattern, and then you can choose your hardware (antiqued brass, silver or gold) and choose the color for your luscious silk lining.  It's the perfect way to find the perfect clutch for you!  Take a peek at all the pretty options at La Vita Lola.

In pig's heaven

Chez-sucre-chez, creator of wonderful embroidered goodies, has just released a new line featuring wee little piggies:

Aside from being adorable, the goods are handy too- there are pig embroidered tea towels and totes in two sizes: one that is large enough to take you to the market, and back, with groceries in tow, and one that's a better everyday size to keep your totables with you (so you don't have to cry wee wee wee all the home to pick up something your forgot.)  I think all that's missing is a piggy who ate roast beef, but that's gross anyway.  Check out all the pig friendly goodies at chez-sucre-chez!

Picture Perfect: Jacob's Eye

{*More awesome bags over in my etsy favorites today!!  Find them located on the right-hand side under the google search bar -> -> -> ->}

Eco-Friendly Find: Mingus Designs

I was originally drawn into the pure adorableness of Mingus Designs' bags and stationery, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they are eco-friendly as well! 

The Australian based designer uses only hemp, a hemp/organic cotton blend, and organic cotton canvas when crafting her handy dandy bags and coin pouches.  She then hand screen-prints them with adoooorable, nature inspired designs (my favorite is the bunny pile!) for an end result that's both easy on the eyes and on the planet.  Check out her line of recycled cards too, all at Mingus Designs!

Eco-Friendly Find: Queen Bee Creations

I've written about Queen Bee Creations before on Modish, but not since I moved up to Portland, which is where they're based, and not since they debuted their new eco-friendly line of bags.  So, I introduce to you, yet again :), Queen Bee Creations and their chic new line of printed fabric bags, in a variety of designs and color options!

Each bag is made from an eco-friendly, yet durable combo of hemp and tencel or hemp and organic cotton, all natural and sustainable fabrics.  They are also printed with lovely designs using water based inks.  The results are soft yet structured and oh so cute bags that you can take with you where ever you may go.  See the whole line, along with their other eco-friendly recycled line, at Queen Bee Creations!   

Picture Perfect: Etcetera

Totally Totin'

These adorable handmade tote bags by Kate Garey will take you from a day of toting books around campus to a day of shopping around town with ease.  Made from a strong, durable canvas, each one is adorned with a cute as can be, hand-embroidered appliqué.  They're lined with pretty floral fabric and each have a handy zip pocket and phone pouch inside.  They'll brighten your day, and are sure to spread some smiles to others along the way, too!