In Crochet::purses and bags

Over the last few months I've developed an affinity for Pintrest that I wasn't entirely expecting. Maybe it's because my best friend just got engaged and it's the easiest way for us to communicate wedding ideas (she's in NYC), or maybe it's just the idea of escaping from my giant stack of papers to grade for a little while? Either way is fine with me. I have been pinning a lot of crochet projects I want to try out now that the sun is setting earlier and I'll be spending more hours indoors. Here are a few I thought I'd share with you!

I'm smitten over these bags from Bamba, an independent crochet artist from Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is the crocodile stitch at it's best! I've often heard that Buenos Aires is a yarn wonderland--city blocks full of yarn vendors! What a DREAM!

I've also been eying up this Ribbon Accent Bag from Pierrot yarns on Ravelry. What an adorable statement. I love the idea of this bag in black with a red bow or with a black bow mixed with metallic thread. Either way, it's so chic! You know, the best thing about this bag is that it would make a really cute gift to a bff or sister-in-law this holiday season!

The Salmon Lace Bag from Chalklegs on Ravelry is so chic and romantic I just can't stop looking at it! This would be a great year-round bag!

Follow me on Pintrest to see what other fun crochet creations I find!

xo,

Graduation Outfit

Graduation Outfit 

I'm on the hunt for a cute graduation outfit to wear to graduation on June 8th. Dressing for graduation can be tricky. I will meet a lot of parents and siblings for the first time, plus give one last hug to all those special students who are going on to bigger and better things, so dressing on the conservative side is a must.  


I just opened an account over at polyvore.com and pretty much love it. It was really easy for me to play around with colors and textures, which is going to be key for any cute graduation outfit!

I have to admit, that tutu skirt is a little much for my everyday wear, but I would really love it to be my spring and summer go-to piece for fun occasions. 

Do you have an event coming up that requires a special outfit? 

 

My Sunday Night Brilliant Idea.

If I had a tumblr, this would be a tumblr post, but I don't have a tumblr. 

I have an idea and I have no idea how to make it come to life, but I at least want to document it, before I forget/someone else "comes up with it."

There needs to be a What Not to Wear show for girls who don't want to transition into a sassy city chic, but for girls who want to keep their vintage lovin' ways, but simply need a makeover.

Like me.

So someone please come up with the show, the premise, the funds, and I will be your first client.

I want a makeover!

The Perfect Shoes for Spring + Summer from ModCloth!

 

When it comes to shoes, my taste is classic and colorful. I certainly have more colorful shoes in my closet than black or brown. Being a teacher my budget for shoes is pretty small, so I have to make sure they're cute to wear out, but also school appropriate. Since I've been on such a shoe hunt recently, I decided to stroll through the selection over at ModCloth and was really happy to see that their selection included seven beauties that would be perfect for the rest of the school year, summer, and the return to work in the fall! Now, I just need to pinch my pennies so I can see them in person ;).

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

5 Ways to Wear Pantone's Color of the Year in Crochet!

In October 2011 I posted about my 5 favorite fall trends in crochet. I really loved putting together that post and thinking about it inspired me to put together today's post! As you probably already know (or have realized due to it being all over major stores), Tangerine Tango is Pantone's color of 2012. I don't typically incorporate tangerine orange into my wardrobe (unless I'm at an Auburn game) as I am more of a burnt orange kind of gal, so I thought I would see what was available in the handmade market! As always, I wasn't disappointed.

 The first gem I found was this pretty spring style free-form scarf from Yanettine. I think this would be so pretty paired with a cream or white sun dress! 

I think this was the most impressive item I found during this search. What detail in that skirt! I feel like this dress wouldn't look good on my body type, as I am pretty short and can't carry the weight of my item at this length (I typically cut my dresses and skirts right at the knee), but it is GORGEOUS! This crochet dress is brought to us by Subrosa123 out of Australia!

 Maybe you're more of an accessories gal and want to do some thing a little more subtle because orange really isn't your color? I really love the simplicity within these hair pins. Adorable and perfect for a quick summer hair-do pick-me-up! Crocheted by Katrinshine from Italy!

This is the most dainty of the 5 ways to wear Tangerine Tango, but I think it's so perfect. It's so simple and elegant while supplying the exact pop of color to an outfit! Mariareche from Spain is behind this beautiful necklace!

 

And I saved my most favorite way to incorporate Tango Tangerine into my 2012 wardrobe with this phenomenal cocktail ring from Tammy Epley from Texas!

You'll notice that many of the items are light weight and easy to incorporate. I have been focusing a lot on accessories instead of larger pieces as we're on the verge of full-throttle summer in Maryland. Well... that's me assuming. It's been anywhere between 55-85 degrees throughout the last 3 or 4 weeks, so I guess I'll never know what to expect! 

 I hope you enjoyed these small ways of incorporating such a bold color into your wardrobe!

LEFTOVERS

I'm in the process of having my blog re-designed (yay!) and I needed to add a few more photos to help match the style I am going for this time around. I figure the more specific I am, the better out come it will be, right? So, Cory and I both have the day off, so after we met with his family for breakfast, we headed out around town to snap some shots. 

I'm realizing this is more of an outfit post, so the details for the outfit are listed below. It's a little weird to think of me having an outfit post. Why? I don't really take what I wear too seriously. I do find it very important to look nice and have a personal style, but I'm not one to document something like that, even though I enjoy looking at other people's. Anyway, I just feel sort of weird about it?! hmm..

Here are few left over shots for you :)

(outfit details: teak bangle/thrifted, jade ring/Sky's the Limit, pom pom brooch/DIY, tweed coat/Guess 2008, floral bow top/Forever 21 2009, yellow cardigan/H&M 2009, navy pencil skirt/thrifted, brown booties/Nordstrom Rack Fall 2011, orange tights/Target, brown vintage purse/my grandma's)

It's been a pretty busy weekend over here, so I'll be back later with a weekend recap. It sure is nice having today off to catch up on all those little projects!

How was your weekend?

Liz

New to the Shop! The Bandana Cowl

Over the weekend I noticed bandanas are everywhere this season. EVERYWHERE. I've seen them in a few What I Wore posts from bloggers I follow, but realized it's really not my style. What could I do to incorporate the same trend with my own personal twist? Ah ha! Crochet it!

Introducing: The Bandana Cowl

I am in love with this piece. I'm excited to make it in a ton of different colors and lengths as well!

So, if you want to join me in the bandana craze, you can order one for yourself at

 the shop!

xo,

Liz

My 5 Favorite Fashion Trends for Fall .... in Crochet!

Fall is my favorite season for fashion. From the color scheme, to the stunning shapes of boots, to the interesting textile choices, I feel the urge to shop and to take my time getting dressed more during the fall than any other time of year. I have a little shopping trip planned for this weekend, but wanted to put my own spin on Elle's Most Wearable Trends of the season by finding as much of them as I could in crochet items!

1. Mustard Hues

Elle's Version:

My Version:

Elegant Crochet's Mustard Cape

This cape is pretty perfect in my book. Pair it with the most stunning dress or a fitted tee and jeans.

2. Rust Colored Jacket

Elle's Version:

My Version:

Check out this gorgeous vintage pattern via Past Perfect Patterns

3. Maxi Skirts

Elle's Version:

My Version:

This amazing maxi skirt can be yours from SansLimitesCrochet for only $175. Trust me when I say that's a steal when it comes to the craftmanship!

4. A Touch of Lace

Elle's Version:

My Version:

Everytime I see work from LiveinStyle I want to snatch it up ASAP. This black lace peice is no exception and truly is just a touch of lace. So stunning!

5. Jade Green

Elle's Version:

My Version:

I'm not sure what it is, but jade is such a hard color to come by. I have an affinity with the color (and stone) since Jade is my middle name ;). I thought it would be cool to transpire this fashion idea into more of a standard accessory. Jade is pretty all year round and so is this neckwarmer from KubukiKreations!

What are your favorite fashion trends for the season and how are you implementing them into your wardrobe?

xo

Crochet in Spring & Summer Fashion

I love this time of year, where in Maryland, the new heat coming in allows tanks and sundresses. I've noticed A LOT of crochet in every day outfits, so I decided to do a little research, and wanted to share with you some of the beauties I found!

Crochet maxi dress at Emilio Pucci, source

source

Mod Cloth, source

Anthropologie, source

Are you incorporating crochet more than usual in your outfits this spring and summer?

xo,

Liz

Style Icon: Mary Tyler Moore

When I was in elementary school, my grandmother was in charge of organizing the local Memorial Day parade. It was a big deal to me--because at that time--my little teeny tiny hometown was the only place I knew that hosted parades. Imagine my surprise, as a child who favored black and white episodes of "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" over any Saturday morning cartoon, when my grandmother told me that Mary Tyler Moore would be the Grand Marshall of our parade! oh.em.gee.

MTM's father is from my hometown and was friends with my grandmother for a long time, which is how she swindled Mary Tyler Moore to come to our little parade. Hooray! Thinking back to my favorite style icons, I must include Mary Tyler Moore for not only her clothing, but the fact that she really made a name for herself and became the quintessential independent woman.

Mary Tyler Moore became a household name when she appeared as Dick Van Dyke's character's wife on his namesake television show.

Then, in 1970, she created her own show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in which she played a 30-something women placed in a newsroom sitcom. This is what I remember watching for hours at home. This is when her fashion, poise, and moxie were so evident on the screen.

 

Which inspired this moment of happiness and independence:

xo,

Liz