Navigating Fashion Websites - Part 2:Etsy

Source

So we've all been to a market. A market is a place where creative types buy and sell items. These item are very often vintage. Etsy is like this but is online. I call it the indie version of Ebay. 

However, Etsy is MASSIVE. There are so many shops and to be honest some of them are pretty mediocre. There are a few ways to find the best things. 

The first is to take the taste test. This is a test where you choose your favourites out of a group of items. It finds out your taste and then selects items that fit it.

The second is to look at the discover category. It again shows some of the best of Etsy.

You can also take a look at Etsy Milk - a blog that looks for the best in Etsy.

A list of my favourites to get you started 

Kimmy Kuo 
Katie Jean 
It's Ok My Dear 
Amourx 
B. Poetic 
Bad James Vintage 
Zero Gravity   
Ruggles Made 
Black Sheep

Happy weekend. 
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Isabella 

Navigating Fashion Websites - Part 1: Polyvore

Polyvore. I adore it. For those who don't know what it is, it's an outfit creating service. Oh, but it's so much more. It's a shopping service, a fashion help community and an inspiration board.

Source

This is how polyvore works. You go on and use pieces from various shops to create outfits. You can then use those outfits in lots of different ways. To answer questions, enter competitions, etcetera etcetera. Yes, it’s extremely simple.

 I find it helpful as I can find items similar to the ones in my wardrobe and use them to create outfits with other items. This helps me to find out what garments could help my wardrobe.

This is wardrobe revolution people!

Polyvore is also a great way to release your inner fashion guru. When people ask questions you can give them outfit ideas and visa-versa.

You can even buy your outfits for yourself!

The best thing about Polyvore is that is pretty damn fun. It lets you release your inner child. It takes me back to the days when I stuck magazines together to make ‘outfits.’

If you want to find me on Polyvore my name is ilovelife765

Hey, it’s true!

Paint a smile on your face and keep it there

Xoxoxoxoxox

Isabella

When You Feel Like You Are One Of THOSE People. Alternate Title: A Beginner's Guide to Fashion

Sometimes you feel like your fashion is failing. You have no idea what you’re doing and EVERYONE seems to look so much better than you.  You feel ugly. You feel horrid. You feel as if you may as well write ‘I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT MY FASHION!’ on your forehead.

It doesn't get much more unfashionable than that

Well, start by realizing what you are doing wrong. Here’s a list of my 7 Worst Fashion Pairing Mistakes taken from my Inspired by... Sydney CBD.

1. Sneakers and Jeans 
My least favourite fashion pairing mistake. EVER. Ok, converse don't count but your running shoes. Egggghhhhhhh. It looks so awkward and well, just plain awful. You may as well write 'I DON"T CARE ABOUT FASHION' on your forehead.


2. Ugg Boots and Skirts (or even worse Dresses)
I don't really like Ugg Boots at all but they can look ok with jeans. With a skirt they are just hideous.


3. Socks (especially white ones) with sandals or thongs
If there is something that screams OLD it's this. Even if you were wearing the prettiest top and the best jeans the outfit would still be unbearable to look at if you wore sandals and socks.


4. Leather Boots and shorts
Boots are for winter, shorts are for summer. Pairing them doesn't make sense. Don't do it!


5. Spots and thick stripes
Print vomit. Colour vomit. It makes me want to vomit. Way too much (thin subtle stripes can look ok).

6. Hoodies and Dresses
A combination of formal and casual can look really good and REALLY BAD. This is an instance were it looks REALLY BAD.

7. Heels and trackies

That just completely stupid, why did I even list that

 If you feel you are doing any of these things stop!

The next thing to do is to buy some new clothes. Try the following stores

If you are 14-29

http://www.threadsence.com

http://www.frenchconnection.com.au

If you are 30-49

http://www.dvf.com/

If you are 40-50

http://www.jacandjack.com/ 

If you are 50+ 

http://www.blueillusion.com/

All AGES

https://www.leonaedmiston.com/online_store

Remember this simple piece of information. Cream. Goes. With. Pretty. Much. Everything.

Look around at other outfits you like. Try and recreate the. There’s nothing wrong with stealing good ideas once in a while. 

Have a lovely weekend!

Stay happyily fabulous 

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo 

Isabella 

Photo from http://www.maskworld.com/pix/costumes/large/91099-urlauber-fat-suit-tourist-fat-suit.jpg 

The Picks of the Month - Music, Fashion and Food

So view this as a plug in to the amazing things I’ve seen this and last month.  We can all admit these few months have definitely have their ups and downs like most months. But let’s be optimistic and focus on the good stuff. 

Music

Lana Del Rey

Not amazing live but fabulous songs and big lips.  Ring any bells? It must because Lana Del Rey is the new big thing.  Sure, she’s liked and disliked all over the world but the amount of hate she gets doesn’t stop her from producing amazing music.  I give her massive thumbs up.  

Lonely Boy by The Black Keys  

The new song by The Black Keys has gone absolutely viral. It is loved all over the world. The tune is catchy AND they are talented. This can be very rare in the current pop music scene.  I utterly adore it. There’s only one problem…I can never get it out of my head.   

Boys Like You by 360 feat. Gossling

I love the chores and the voice of Gossling plays my heart strings but 360 annoys me (all rappers do) and the theme of the song is really horrible and not the most pleasant to listen to when you take the lyrics seriously (shown in music video, which is not displayed here as I feel it isn’t all that appropriate for this blog).  

Tongue Tied by Grouplove

I’ve run out of words for love. I think I’ve already said love and adore so many times in this article. I’ll just say I’m nuts about this song. The backing line with the instruments in the background is so fabulous and bold. This means the song is wonderful to listen to and never drags. 

Fashion  

Collard Shirts

Those collard seem to ensure sophistication and funkiness. They absolutely ooze coolness whether they are covered in a bold print or in a simple colour.  I heart these shirts!  

Photo From
http://rockinthatbling.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/vanessa-collar.jpg 

Polka Dots

Oh my gosh. Who knew these tiny little spots could make me feel so happy. They absolutely scream cuteness.  I love them on 50’s styles dresses, on skirts, on headbands on EVERYTHING. 

Photo from http://www.isdress.net/img/black-embroidered-polka-dot.jpg

High Waisted Skirts

Oh, how I love wearing a skirt tucked in.  It seems elegant and cool all at the same time. Wearing one with a cute blouse and a pair on sunnies is one of my new favourite outfit combos

Photo from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJ9ggK9U_5BY254wL1jdzInpibpfggaKEa8udPQgFayHArL6bRZg4nzjCn5-6YpeNnYG-sOKT3dCzt5qmrXwnTeNTf3x1Cr7wFTsjcNQhLmMVCYTEopW_MmBc1DliscLvPhbzfmd_IbQ3/s400/2b86082e-9d20-47a1-948f-2cbedeee309e.jpg

Vintage

Ahh, the love of the old and lost. Rekindling new trends in one of my new favourite things to do and vintage can really help with that. 

Photo from http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlnE3r1mn-A/Tb7hbEwGqRI/AAAAAAAAAEY/LZQt-K4wcAc/s1600/pretty-pink-vintage-collage.png

Food

Tofu

I love tofu in all forms.  It is high in protein and iron and low in calories. It’s also highly delicious. A perfect healthy snack. What’s not to love? 

Photo from http://www.thefatlossauthority.com/fat_loss_tips/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Tofu-Image.jpg

Thai Food

Mmmmm. I love the bold and delicious flavour of Thai Food. Pad Thai anyone?  

Photo from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrAYkbRtk-EIvfXOzit2vhHV0WoHl3l4P2NiVPnMGiLgX5jNu4darunsL90qpmpaA0YQrtYh5T4W0MyAVFkpfMPqXrlJiH0-BJsYxc2HXxoJV4DGb8y17ExacLj49PMlpGKk-UBqwalyI/s400/padthai.jpg 

Scones

Is there anything better than a warm scone with jam and cream, a cup of tea and a really good read. No there is not?

Photo from http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/12/scones_narrowweb__300x449,0.jpg

Have a nice weekend

Xoxoxoxo

Isabella 

Quikifing Your Look - Part 3: Fabulously Quirky Fashionistas To Take Inspiration From

Style Icons

People interpret fashion in so many ways; it’s fascinating to see unique senses of style. These are some of my utter favorites.

Gala Darling

Gala Darling is my fashion idol. I love her quirkiness and how she has so much fun with her fashion. She has a really interesting story. She was born Amy Paape but changed her name to stand out. She really does stand out. She has bright blue eyes and pink hair! Most importantly, her fashion is one-of-a-kind. It’s girly and pink and sparkly and one-hundred-percent fabulous! You don’t completely get it until you see a picture. So, check out her extremely popular blog to see one. 

Photo from Gala Darling.com (Link below) 

http://galadarling.com/ 

Emily Schuman

Emily’s style is modern, fresh and really quite delightful. She is always on trend. She combines her love of fashion and food in her blog Cupcakes and Cashmere, which you should totally check out. Photo from Cupcakes and Cashmere (Link below) 

http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/  

Ebony Bizys

The writer of successful blog, Hello Sandwich, really knows her fashion. She leads a lifestyle I am totally jealous of. She lives in an amazingly decorated Tokyo apartment and spends her life riding around on a bike, taking pictures, making little things and blogging. She wears vintage style clothes that are feminine and beyond adorable.  

Photo from Hello Sandwich (Link below) 

http://hellosandwich.blogspot.com/

I Hope You enjoyed 

Xoxoxoxoxo 

Isabella

Qurikifing Your Look-Part 2: Using Brands As The Fuel For a Quirky Style

So, as I said in my Inspired by....Melbourne post, this year I'm trying to add a bit more quirkiness to my personal style. And I encourage all my readers to take that jump with me. If you do plan on adding a bit of quirkiness to your look than these brands are perfect for you! And if you don't then you can still find some not-so-quirky and still ever so cute garments in these brands. These are brands I've read about in Frankie (my favourite magazine) or have just discovered on the Internet.   

All photo's were taken from the sites of the brands they are from. 

Etsy Brands   

Golden Ponies

This little Etsy shop is stocked up on VERY cute brightly coloured oxfords (brogues) and lovely satchels. They are hand crafted in Mexico and are about $39 each. Check them out at  

www.etsy.com/goldenponies/

Oh Leoluca 

Oh Leoluca has super cute garments with bold, eye-catching prints. It’s fun and super modern. It’s closed at the moment. Don’t panic though; it will reopen in a couple of weeks. www.etsy.com/shop/leolunaescobar

PomPomClothing 

This vintage store has a massive range of clothing. It stocks clothing from both the 20^th and the 19^th century. It’s a bit out there for me but I’m sure it would totally work for some people.  www.etsy.com/shop/PomPomClothing/

Kimmy Kuo 

Kimmy Kuo is modern and with clean lines. The beautiful garments are architectural in a fashionable, trendy way.

www.etsy.com/shop/oukymmik/

Katie Jean  

This brand reminds me of spring. The designs are pretty and feminine. It’s fairly formal but very cute. 

www.etsy/shop/ktjean/

It’s Ok My Dear 

This brand is a bit pricy but has adorable accessories. It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. When you look at the site it’s like going straight down the rabbit hole.   

www.etsy.com/shop/itsokmydear/

Not on Etsy

Garry Pepper Vintage

Garry Pepper Vintage is so utterly delightful I can’t get my head around it. I absolutely adore the dresses. In short it’s a brand full of floral prints and Peter Pan collars.  

www.garrypeppervintage.com/

Lauren Moffat 

When I popped past the Lauren Moffat website for a quick squiz, the first thing that caught my eye was a grey dress with a fitted off-white bodice. It was gorgeous, just like all the other pieces. 

www.laurenmoffat.net

Handsom  

Handsom is crazily quirky. The way they pair their garments (on the models) is totally out there. By themselves however, the garments really shine. They’re great and easy to add a personal style to.   

www.handsom.com.au

So, I hope you enjoyed. My next post will be Quirkifing Your Look – Part 3!

Stay quirky and fab

Xoxoxoxo

Isabella

PS. I am totally aware that ‘quirkifing’ you look isn’t a word BUT I’m taking a bit of creative license because it takes ages to say adding quirkiness. I’m sure you will agree quirkifing (pronounced quirk-ee-fi-ing) is a really fabulous word even if it isn’t official and in the dictionary. So, feel free to add it to your vocabulary as I have done. 

When you are low on clothes and very low on inspiration

We all have days when we look at a closet full of clothes and think 'I have nothing to wear!' But some people really have nothing to wear. It can be really tricky to dress well when you are so limited.   

Photo from http://hellobeautiful.com/special-features/kasey-
inderdahl/report-women-waste-a-year-of-their-life-in-their-closet/

So this is my list of closet essentials. 


- A plain white t-shirt 
- A pair of jeans 
- A simple black cotton skirt 
- A casual summer dress 
- A long sleeve top 
- A formal dress 
- A pair of shorts 
- A cardigan 
- A jacket 
- A t-shirt with some sort of print 

So basically if you have all that you’re fine. If you don't you should probably get some more clothes. Your goal when you are limited (and also when you are not) is to make sure no one thinks you are always wearing to same clothes/outfits. There are three ways to do this…………… 

1.    Experiment

Mix things together. Roll up the sleeves of one thing. Tuck something in. Fold up your jeans to make them ¾ jeans. Have a little bit of creativity. Remember you will learn from your mistakes and also from your successes. 

2.    Accessorize 

You can make something look totally different if you put a scarf on or a n necklace.

Stock up on tons of scarves, bracelets and necklaces.

If you put a printed scarf over a plain white tee it takes it to a whole new level. Different necklaces can make an outfit look totally different as with bracelets and scarves. Even a different bag can change an outfit. 

3.    Attitude

If you are confident with the way you can change something it will seem like it’s changed.

If you do all these things and you still feel like you’re ALWAYS wearing the same clothes then there is only one solution TO SHOP.

Now, this may be hard because usually the reason people are low on clothes is because buying clothes can be expensive and they don’t really have the money to do it.

If you are really quite broke, set yourself a very fixed budget and only shop at the cheaper stores.

Start at the bottom. Start at secondhand stores, charity stores and even $2 shops. Then work up to Target and stores like that. You will be surprised at the things you can buy. Only bring the money you plan to spend. Don’t bring your whole wallet, then you will be tempted to buy things beyond your budget.  

Other ways you can get some more clothes is to organize clothes swaps and ask friends for old clothes (this can sound a bit desperate though).

So, I hope you enjoyed this post. This week I’m going to Melbourne! Which is Australia’s fashion capital. So up on the post agenda is an Inspired by Melbourne as well as a few other surprises. 

Stay wonderful and FAB

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Isabella

But I don't know what to wear!!!

Life. It's busy. We do so much sometimes we have no idea what to wear. Here is a guide to what to wear and when.   


To get milk (walk up the street sorta thing) 
Oh yes, I know you want to wear your trackies. BUT YOU SHOULDN'T. The thing is, you have no idea who you will bump into. The lady who interviewed you for that job you wanted, your very critical fashionable friend, who knows? So don't wear them. Instead put on a casual playsuit or jumpsuit or romper (they are all basically the same). Jumpsuits are WAY nicer and I actually think they are comfier than trackies. Acessorize with bangles, a fedora and a satchel.  


http://www.threadsence.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=romper 

http://img.alibaba.com/wsphoto/v0/463994872
/FY1925_The_new_Summer_2011_
fashion_boutique_double_flouncing_black_jumpsuit.jpg_200x200.jpg

  






The beach 
Kaftans. I love them. They give a toatally beachy look. Wear over swimmers with a 70's floppy hat. Whenever I go to the beach I wear my Kaftan. Maxi dresses look great over swimmers. Or a crochet top with denim shorts. 


Have a look at swimwear and kaftans at 
http://www.seafolly.com/  

http://media.thesimplygroup.com/
stockimages/Melissa_Odabash_Liz_Kaftan
_-_White_and_Silver/77038/1/3.jpg

http://media9.onsugar.com/files/2011/05/21/
0/636/6360581/caee393f67cc4ae0_selenagomez_0526.png

For doing sport/gym/fitness 
Again no trackies. Instead wear a t-shirt with a witty saying or a famous logo on it. Wear with leggings or genie pants or shorts. Wear sunnies. IMPORTANT! Oh, as for sneakers Nike free runs are the way to go. Or converse but these aren't running shoes.  


Sneakers 
http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/products/free_pdp2?pid=384354


For cool t's look at 
http://www.t-bar.com.au/  

Just wear sneakers instead of sandles
http://cdn4.lookbook.nu/files/looks/small/
718318_SAM_3537.jpg?1280515811

   


A job interview 
So. You wan't to look corporate and sophisticated. The sterotypical look is a white shirt tucked into a pencil skirt. Ugh, not nice. DRESSES ARE YOUR FRIEND. Black ones look the most sophisticated. If you want to dress it down you can put on a fedora or beret. Wear with some gold bangles for a glamerous look.  Wear with some chunky heels.   

http://pics.livejournal.com/ppbypp/
pic/000087ck/s640x480

http://pics.livejournal.com/ppbypp/pic/00009430/s640x480

High Tea 
I love high tea so I couldn't resist! So. Ever looked at the fashion of the 50's. That's what you're going for. So, some suggestions. A formal floral top and jeans. A pretty blouse tucked into a black skirt (NOT A PENCIL SKIRT). A cream dress maybe with puffy sleeves. A tulle skirt with some sort of simple top and a necklace.  

http://media.photobucket.com/image/what%20to%20wear
%20to%20high%20tea/lovemorelive/8823b89d.jpg

  






Concert 
Music concerts. They are fun. The best thing to wear is something comfy. A pair of skinny jeans, converse or other CLOSED IN shoes a pretty top (I think party tops look great with you know sequins etc) and maybe a leather jacket. You want to look cool.   

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/
BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFjZCSVlFeFVJM2hHcj
NiQVdxSnZvM2cAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg

  

Hope you found this helpful. If you want to know what to wear to any other event email me I'd be happy to help. Email me at dandelionamazingblog@gmail.com  








Stay STYLISHLY FAB 
Xoxoxoxoxoxox 
Isabella  






  

Defining a personal style and how it's more important then you think

Defining a personal style

Having a defined personal style makes you seem fashion forward and cool. It lets you show your personality to people. First impressions can be tough;you want people to look at you and think 'that person looks nice.' It's not difficult to show your personality through your clothes.  Seriously, and it makes you feel better about your whole style if you know it's unique and cohesive. Here’s how to do it.

Decide what you want your style to be?

So the first is to take a very long look at your wardrobe. Choose you absolute favorite garment. It can sum up your personality, be your favorite color or just be something you love to bits. Look at it and think of the first word (actually a style) that comes into you head. For a floral dress it would obviously be something like floral or feminine. For a maxi dress it may be something like boho or chic or hippie.  This will be your personal style. It makes sense for your favorite garment to sum up your style.  Alternatively you can decide on you style before this and look at your wardrobe to see which of your garments best fits your new decided personal style.  Or you can even decide on you personal style and go shopping to find one thing that suits it.  

Once you have found a single garment that sums up your style take out the things in your wardrobe you actually like.  Throw out the stuff you don’t like. There’s no point having things in you wardrobe you don’t like. Is there?

 SO, take out the things you like and have a little play around with them see how they work together.  The thing is. I hate to break this to you but your wardrobe isn’t going to automatically work together.  You will have to find accessories that you think sum up your personal style.  Girls looking for a feminine style may look for little flower hair pieces and lockets. Buy lots of things, you don’t want to be wearing the same accessories every day. It all depends on the style you have chosen. By putting a little bit of your style in your outfits (with the accessories) your outfits will be more cohesive. As time goes on your whole outfit will be part of the style.

So, this is a long term thing.  For the next month or two take a photos of outfits you wear. Stick them in a book if you want. Your own personal lookbook. See how things work and how they tie together. When you go shopping buy things that tie in with a personal style.  Soon enough you will get to know your style and it will come together. A good aim to have is to try and make all your outfits look like one collection. 

Photo from
http://www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb300/20080120/Camera-Sketch-584587.jpg

Here are a few inspirations, just so you can get the idea of what a style is and some certain ones that are quite popular. They may be similar to a style you may want so feel free to be inspired.   

Urban/Indie/Retro AKA my personal style

A urban look is designed to look cool. Like something you would wear in a cool suburb buzzing with culture. Wondering why I listed retro first, because it’s my style. Despite the fact many other people have a vaguely retro style mine is still unique.  Urban wear has lot of vintage influence.  Urban style can look a bit old, I’m not talking Victorian dresses, no, I’m talking about old fashioned looking oxford shoes or a pair of 50’s sunnies. Retro is usually in darker shades. My personal retroish, urban, indie style is cool. I like to wear things like a loose knit beanie, brogues,loose tops with prints on then, vintage looking necklaces are it all ties together to make my style. 

Boho/Hippie

This 70’s inspired look is quite popular. It includes maxi dresses, frayed tops and bags . It’s carefree and loose. Designed to look comfy. It can be good for someone who has never really cared about fashion and is opening out.  I love it, it’s lazy in a fashionable kind of way. Look for things with patterns (not floral) and things that look comfy and loose (But still fashionable NO trackies).  

Sophisticated

I’d say this is designed for people who work a lot. It is very formal wear. People who go for this kind of look tend to wear things like formal blazers, wrap dresses and things in colors like navy, peach and lots of black and white. Even on weekends this look is always very formal. Work dresses are favored. It’s not a look a particularly like because you cant experiment much and it tends to be quite boring.  Even still it can look very sophisticated and it always looks professional. 

Feminine 

Feminine is a nice style. It’s feminine as the name suggests. Skirts, dresses and floral patterns are what you generally see. It’s nice and is very garden girl. It looks really pretty in my opinion. It’s still quite free but not as much as a hippie look.  If I didn’t wear a retro look I’d go for this. 

A few styles. The first one is the most similar to mine 

Photo from
http://www.thechicfashionista.com/images/french-cool-street-fashion.jpg

  

Already have a personal style? Or have any questions? Share it in the comments?