Modish

Handmade Inspiration and Sarah Backlund

One thing I'm really aching to do this year is to show more of the pure awesomeness of what handmade can be.  Instead of just shopping finds, I hope to also show off the side of handmade that isn't necessarily for sale, the side that lies at the intersection of art, craft and design.  The hand-styled, hand-drawn, hand-written, hand-crafted things that add beauty to our homes, our public spaces and our imaginations.  The side of handmade that inspires further creation, that leaves people thinking, "wow." 

Like these incredible dresses from Sarah Backlund, for instance, created entirely by hand.  WOW is right:

Lemonstory

The pleats!  The ruffles!  The styles!  The colors!  Oh how I ache for that "sunset yellow" shirt dress, wow.  Lemonstory, you're just too good.

Picture Perfect: Partybots

Picture Perfect: Kcoline

{the most perfect winter red I ever did see...}

Skirting the issue

Oh how I am in love with these high waisted pencil skirts from sohomode!  I love the cut, I love the prints, I love the wide colorful belts that are included with each, I love the funky color combos, I love the modern girlyness.... they're soho-fabulous!

Picture Perfect: 13Threads

New Modamuse!

Modamuse is celebrating their 2 year anniversary (congrats Jessica!!) and with it comes a brand new site re-vamp that looks great!  It hosts all the same incredible handmade goods made by Australian and New Zealander designers, but in a new and improved shop interface that looks cleaner, is well organized and super easy to navigate.  Now it's even easier to explore the wealth of design goodness!  Take a peek for yourself at Modamuse.

If only I could look so good...

I'm a drooling loser over the new fall/winter collection from Snoozer Loser, so good, I'm thinking of cashing in an organ or two for a little shopping spree:

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 :)

Picture Perfect: Coma & Cotton

Picture Perfect: Les Enfants Sauvages

Picture Perfect: Indie Collective

I don't like Mondays

And neither do these guys...

But lucky for us, the folks behind the new great online store, I Don't Like Mondays, do like supporting fantastic independent designers and bringing handmade goods and accessories the exposure they deserve.  You'll find hand screen-printed tees, embroidered pouches and brooches, hand finished flasks, and lots of contemporary designs by upcoming designers.  Head over to I Don't Like Mondays to see the whole collection and commiserate in good company.

Picture Perfect: Venomiss

Eco-Friendly Find: Heidi and Seek

This new clothing shop out of Australia is making a name for eco-friendly clothing, and that name is Heidi and Seek!  The designer behind the label creates her cool, retro styled wares purely from second-hand and vintage materials, upcycling old garments, using scrap fabrics and unused second hand remnants.  Too cool!

And, on top of the eco-goodness and pure adorableness of the clothing line, most pieces are one-of-a-kind so you know you'll be stylin' in a garment that no one else has.  Check out the whole collection, including a new line of accessories, at the Heidi and Seek etsy shop!