If you follow me on Tumblr, you may have heard about my love of saddle shoes. Ever since Jeremy Scott sent down his rendition of them with a super chunky pink heel, I have been needing to get my hand on a pair. So a week or so ago during a late-night texting session with Brittney, she linked me to these AMAZING Jeffrey Campbells which were everything I loved. I immediately purchased them and have been resisting the urge to wear them with everything. I even purchased the more practical version from Payless for those random trips to the store where 6 inch heels may be too much. The blazer is one I picked up from SimplyBe a long time ago and it had been sitting in my closet ever since. I had nothing to wear it with but now it goes perfectly with my new shoes!

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So it’s been a while… the good news is that 2012 will definitely see a resurgence in blog activity. I’m sure I’ve said it previously but then I disappeared again haha but really, this time it’s for real. Nothing much has changed since I’ve last blogged except my address. I stopped crashing at Brittney’s and got my own place and now it’s basically me vs. the self-timer. Also, after almost 6 months, I was finally reunited with most of my wardrobe last week so I feel complete in a way. The outfits that I wear now are a better representation of where I’m at and what I’m into, whereas earlier it just a mashup of whatever I had in my suitcase or bought recently online. Blahblahblah enough of that, onto the fashions!!!

I’m still very much into long lengths and I bought this skirt on Etsy a few months back and have paired it with everything from crop tops to sweaters. Even though it’s wintertime here in Chicago, I refuse to give up on my sheer tops so I just layered it under a faux leather vest and skinny bowtie from ASOS. The sheerness keeps the outfit from being too covered up and stuffy. This Cast of Vices leather bag is my new favorite. I’m not a bag girl at all but I couldn’t pass up this one that is based on the plastic thank you takeout bags but is done is the softest lambksin leather.

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In the past Etsy spotlights, I’ve written about Babooshka Boutique. The designer, Francesca, has recently launched her new collection of basics with a twist and I’m really loving everything (namely the Faux Leather Box T that I want to wear over a black unitard!). There’s such a lack of chic basic pieces in my wardrobe so I’m ecstatic to have found her last year. These are great for layering or for wearing solely on their own to create more dramatic shapes.

When I attended the One Stop Plus fashion show during New York Fashion Week, I wore the Closed Wing Cardigan (pictured below) from Shanae (sister line to NaKIMuli) and fell in love with its oversized, draped shape. I then realized that I really needed to invest in some great basics that can be worn a variety of ways. Babooshka is full of said pieces and a lot of them are oversized so they’ll fit a larger range of sizes. In addition, Francesca does custom alterations so size isn’t an issue. If you’re interested in anything, currently she’s running a 10% off promotion on BabooshkaBoutique.com, so be sure to check it out!

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As you all know, I’m a bit of an Etsy addict. I can spend hours upon hours searching and finding new places to spend money. A few days ago I came across the Etsy shop Lola Alexander and it was basically everything I need my summer wardrobe to be. In the last post I mentioned that as of now, my summer wardrobe tactic is to wear as little as possible without being naked. With the variations of sheer and lace available in her shop, I think I’ll be able to achieve that. The aesthetic is definitely inspired by Los Angeles but there’s also retro elements as well as punk influences. I knew it was love at first sight because lately I’ve been channeling my inner hippie and wearing all sorts of head accessories.

My favorite pieces are the Scoop Neckline dress (which is cut very low in front to showcase fancy underthings like a bra or corset), Sheer Lace Ruffle Mini Dress and the Two-Way Asymmetrical Top. I also have my eye on the Nearly Bare Lace Skirt as there are so many ways that can be worn. Also, I reached out to the designer and she’s open to making custom garments in any size so if you’re interested in anything, don’t be afraid to send her a convo on Etsy!

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In the short time that I’ve owned this ASOS Curve maxi dress, it has become my go-to dress, my default of sorts. I’ve channeled my inner 90s grunge and worn it with plaid shirts and combat boots. I’ve dressed it up with a black blazer and heels. There’s so many looks you can achieve with it, I love experimenting. I was thinking of the Fall 2010 Marc Jacobs collection and his play on proportions when I put this outfit together. The long, draped effect of the vest over the maxi dress is a combination that I would never normally put together. However, I’m really into longer lengths lately and I’m liking how it turned out.

Earlier this week, a few old co-workers and I got together with Jose Cuervo and celebrated our recent successes. Upon my arrival, one of the first things mentioned was that I looked like Wednesday Addams from the Addams Family, a comparison that I very much so welcome. It was mentioned that my sudden fixation with long dresses and skirts was weird because normally (and especially when we all worked together), I was the queen of short skirts. I guess its all about evolution, right?

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Continuing on with the Etsy spotlights, today we have Greta Pollman, who I also came across courtesy of Charon. What first caught my attention was, no doubt, the black velvet dress with leather panels (pictured below). In combination with the sheer black leggings with the biker details on the knees, I immediately added it to my shopping wishlist. I then took a look at the rest of the collection and found myself wanting almost every piece. At first glance, the clothes may seem deceptively simple but there is some gorgeous detail work in every piece.

According the Greta:

The creation of a new collection usually requires a source of inspiration, a certain ‘required reading’ on my part. This time around with VERB I decided to let go of a certain theme and to put first and foremost the function.

This concept translates in both the choice of organic fabrics like cotton, wool and silk and in the restrained color palette, almost monochromatic but with gentle skin tones.

Building on a background of graphic design and sculpture, I love the adventure of building layers and patterns on the human body to form a living sculpture while also maintaining and encouraging the freedom of movement we all crave.

VERB is a collection designed to be enjoyed by women who desire garments that are smart and practical for everyday use and for the unexpected.

I definitely get the soft structure feeling from the collection which is in an interesting take. There’s been so much of the bold, black, armor-like silhouettes that its nice to get a different spin on it.

Edited to add: I totally forgot to mention it but her size chart goes up to a size 16, however, she is open to making things in larger sizes!

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As we all know, it can be very tedious to sit and go through pages and pages of shops on Etsy, hoping to find something amazing. I’ve come across a few great ones that I plan to spotlight over the next few days so hopefully you’ll see something you love! Charon, blogger of Black Anesthesia, shared some of her favorite Etsy shops with me and upon first glance, I fell in love with the clothes from ZoePhobic. In the latest collection, there’s a mix of delicate femininity and soft structure, which is the only way I’d ever be interested in tans and soft pinks. Shoulder embellishments are also a focal point as there are small origami-like pleats and bold, sharp silhouettes seen on almost every piece in the collection.

The designer behind the magic is 21-year-old Agnes Nora Szimon, who I’ve been in contact with over the past week as I’m getting a few garments custom made. From our many brief Facebook messages and Etsy conversations, she is the sweetest person! I know some people feel weird about asking for custom garments on Etsy, not knowing if the designer would be open to making things in plus sizes, but she was very interested and open to collaboration. I’m excited to see the finished product and of course, it’ll be posted here on the blog upon completion.

If you are like me and are in love with the clothes, you can keep up with Agnes and ZoePhobic on their blog and on Facebook.

ps. Apparently she is working on a new collection which will debut soon! I cannot wait!

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Its not hard to tell that I prefer my fashion black, over accessorized, torn, studded and the whole nine. I’m not usually drawn to feminine details and colors so when J of Fatshionable linked to Stefanie Bezaire’s new Etsy shop and I found myself coveting almost everything, it was undoubtedly weird. Her line has a vintage feel and is for the girl who likes her clothing feminine with a bit of whimsy. Her shop caters to sizes 12-20 (size x-2x) and is made using organic, bamboo and soy fabrics whenever possible. However, I would not hesitate to ask if garments can be custom-fit if you are larger than a size 20! That’s the beauty of Etsy!

I must say, its actually refreshing to see a line like this. I much prefer my hemlines very short but I’m oddly attracted to the below-the-knee skirts and dresses. There’s something very sophisticated about them. I could definitely see myself in a few of these pieces while enjoying delicious funnel cake at the carnival this Spring!

I’m turning 25 this year, is this what growing up feels like?

What do you all think of the new shop? Is it your style? Can you see yourself wearing any of the pieces?

One of the first people I posted about on this blog was Zana, blogger of Garbage Dress. I’ve always loved her style and she’s been a constant fashion inspiration to me. She recently launched her own line of handmade accessories and I’m having a hard time deciding which piece I want the most! The line currently consists of leather harnesses, shoulder pieces and boot straps, which range from $75 to $150. They are perfect layering pieces and add a bit of drama to any outfit. They are made to your measurements and can be purchased in her etsy store.

What do you all think of the accessories? Is there any that you like?

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If you remember my last post about Etsy sellers, you may remember me fawning over Nakimuli and her amazing dresses. Well, fellow blogger Charon (of Black Anesthesia) recently purchased the Ice Mambo dress (pictures above) and wore it out to a party, so I wanted to share the photos with you all!

Much like Adrienne, who looked gorgeous in her custom Prizy Sebastian dress, Charon is absolutely working that dress! Its just another reason to never be afraid to collaborate with designers on custom garments. What do you all think of the dress? Its currently on sale for $140 and I think it’d be a perfect New Year’s dress! I’m so tempted…

Also, Tennille (the designer behind the magic) just posted two new dresses that I’ve been drooling over ever since. Of course, both are available in plus sizes, just send over your size/measurements when ordering!

First up is the ‘Goin On A Holiday’ dress! A sleek and sexy bodycon dress made up of a pattern in the front and solid color in the back (it can also be worn vice versa). Its trend-conscious with the pointed shoulders, but for those who aren’t that into it, they can be tucked in for a less severe look. Its being sold for $92 and you can purchase it here.

The second dress is the ‘Icicle’ dress! Its made up of the same fabric as the Ice Mambo dress but it instead is a super cute peplum dress! This dress is being sold for $105 and you can buy it here.

So tell me, what are your thoughts? Have you all already figured out what you’re wearing for New Years? I haven’t! I need ideas!