misa en place

Some would say that once you’re a certain age, you should stop wearing silly t-shirts. I heartily disagree (I should note that I am by most definitions at that “certain age”). As long as the fit is excellent and the rest of your outfit kitsch free, I think they add a bit of fun.  They work great under a blazer or over a plain pencil skirt with high heels.  So today’s pick is a whimsical t-shirt designed by artist Jose Pulido.

Etsy Gold: Flying Boston Terrier Shirt by MisNopalesArt.  Price: $17.

Note: If Boston Terriers aren’t your bag, there are lots of other fun dog breeds and animals to choose from.  This particular shirt is in honor of all the wonderful, ball obsessed BTs that I know.

Flying Boston Terrier Shirt from MisNopalesArt

It’s a dress, a hoodie, and a t-shirt, oh my!  A dress that’s both fashion-forward and comfortable – does it get any better?  Oh wait, yes it does: the dress has pockets.  Unlike the name of the designer’s line, this little number will make you want to put your clothes on.  I think I may just have to order one…

Etsy Gold: The T-shirt dress by takeoffyourclothes.  Price: $80

T-shirt Dress by takeoffyourclothes

Etsy Gold: Matte Gold Drop Earrings from Shlomitofir. Price: $18

Beautifully simple jewelry handcrafted in Israel. This is but one example. I ordered a few pieces from this seller several months ago and am very pleased with them.  Her work is well-made, easy to wear, and way classier than ghetto gold (though there’s a place for that too, of course).  She also packages her wares very nicely, so this would be a great seller to buy a gift from. I believe her prices are quite fair, and if you’ve ever tried to make a pair of earrings or a necklace yourself, I think you’d agree.  So enjoy her lovely jewelry and her gorgeous models.  And remember, Gold is the new Silver.

Matte Gold Earrings by Shlomitofir

Today’s Etsy Gold is a beautiful, handcrafted, cashmere coat from yystudio, a small design studio in the UK.  Price: $368

This coat is 95% cashmere, made to your size, and looks super classy. More like a coat with a dress’s style cues, it’s a statement piece that slips easily into your everyday wardrobe.  While I know the price seems steep at first glance, think about the last time you had something made to your exact measurements.  Now consider what you paid for your last wool coat at Banana Republic, JCrew, or Anthropologie.  My guess is the price difference isn’t that great.  And I bet this one will last longer.

Did I mention that it’s also lined in silk, not nylon or polyester acetate?  One thing I learned in fashion school at Bocconi is that cheap synthetic lining makes the garment “hang” poorly on you, not to mention makes you more likely to sweat and smell.  Even if this isn’t the coat for you, check out the tag to see what the lining is made of the next time you’re shopping for a coat or blazer.  If you find one with a silk liner, try it on and see if you can tell the difference.

Cashmere & Silk Trench from yystudio

Dear reader(s),

I realize I have been horribly inconsistent in my writing on the blog. So sorry. As part of my 2010 6-month plan (thank you, Tim Ferriss), one of my goals requires that I be committed to the blog. And what better way to do that than through one of my obsessions in 2009: Etsy, a marketplace for independent crafters, artisans, and designers.  I spent a lot of time on Etsy during the distance-wedding planning months and have never kicked the habit. Through Etsy I can bring to the blog another promised, but undelivered element: fashion (and by relation, design).

Several friends have commented that it’s difficult to find real treasures on Etsy due to the the sheer number of sellers. I agree. But the similarity ends there. Do you spend an unnecessary amount of time mining Etsy, looking for nothing in particular? No, I didn’t think so.  Let my habit become a timesaver/eye-candy/perfect gift for you.  Without further ado, I present to you my picks on Etsy.

First pick: Hand-knit cable fingerless gloves (can you tell it’s snowing here?) by homelab.  Price: $39

Available in a variety of colors and hand-knitted to order, I’ve had my eye on these for months. Given the resurgence of 80s fashion, I think these would be a perfect way to bring a little of edge to your wardrobe.  Just keep in mind rule #1 of fashion and you’ll be hot to trot: Only one set of appendages should be clad in 6+ inches of knitted goodness. In other words, leave your legwarmers at home when you rock these. Unless, of course, you happen to be starring in the remake of Flash Dance.

Fingerless gloves by homelab