I’ve been saving a clipping of an interview with Lisa Boucher from a local newspaper waiting for an opportunity to explore her website and post about it here on AllChic. Well now I’m wondering why I waited so long. Lisa is the owner of  Green-n-Groovy, an earth-friendly boutique in Northeast PA. Lisa sells the work of 78 artisans and is always on the lookout for new artists to work with on a consignment basis.  Lisa sells clothing, jewelry, home accessories, furniture, baby items and artwork…almost everything made from recycled materials. My personal favorite is the jewelry made from typewriter keys. Wandering through her website catalogue just might be inspiring me to get back to work on my jeans bags.

Nicole Roberts of NokHoo Laptop Bags has designed a line of beautiful backpack laptop bags.  Why the name Nok Hoo? Well Nicole has lived in Thailand and says that NokHoo is the Thai word for owl…which, coincidentally, I’ve come to learn is my totem animal.  According to Nicole,

… owls are both handsome and wise, it seemed like the perfect name for these bags. (Yes, there are other variations of the spelling, but I like this one best.) In the Thai language, they associate each letter with a word. The letter H is called “ho nok-hoo”. My logo is a stylized version of this letter made to look like an owl’s face.

In addition to the dragon-themed design inspiration, the Shirrush NokHoo bag (shown above) has every compartment you’ll ever need – you might not even need to carry your purse.

• Main section includes separate laptop pocket and secret zip pouch.
• Zippered front section provides multiple pockets made for cds, business cards and gadgets.
• Detachable phone pocket on strap.
• Elastic side pockets for easy access.

As I’ve written before I’m a fan of all things Steampunk… like this and this.

Suzanne Lazear is an author and a blogger at Age of Steam. I came across her detailed post(s) about Steampunking this dress for a Dickens Ball. Follow her progress with part 1 and part 2 of How to Steampunk a Dress Without Really Trying.   I hope we get to see the finished product with the third installment, Suzanne. Hint. Hint.

*Update* Part 3 in which Suzanne goes to the Dickens Ball, complete with photos of the finished dress.

Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame has joined forces with People Tree to launch her own line of fair-trade and ethical fashion due out later this month.  According to this article in the Daily Mail

The aim was to create a range for teenagers that appealed to their consciences as well as their sense of cool. ‘We’re not asking for the sympathy vote,’ says Safia. ‘Our designs need to hold up against the high street but also have that level of quality and integrity that you just don’t get from fast fashion.

When asked where she gets her inspiration Watson said

I went through my summer wardrobe and thought, ‘If I filtered this so that it was just the very basics, what would I want to keep?’ The answer was cotton vests, easy T-shirt dresses, nice scarves to accessorise with and some lovely linen pieces. For the boys’ range I’ve done hoodies, which I know they’ll love. The clothes are very British, which is why we shot them in an English country garden – it’s all very strawberries and cream and tennis.

Read the rest of the article here.

LeMuse

After dropping by laimikis this morning I was inspired to use Etsy’s “shop local” search to hunt down new designers from Vilnius. Lucky for me I found LeMuse, the work of designer Lina. Here’s how she describes her work:

It all started with the fabric… I bought a wonderful cloth. It was so cozy and beautiful, that I didn’t need to do much with it. I started to drape it in different ways and I’ve noticed that it falls in wonderful waves. Every time I moved, it changed and curved adapting to the lines of my steps and gestures. I kept on wondering how could I catch those curves and flux of the fabric… Well, I believe I did it. And that’s how LeMuse was born.

Every time a woman would dress in LeMuse, I would notice how differently it looked. It adapts to individual body and moves with that person in its own unique and beautiful way.

Each Muse has a name:  SandMuse, LoveMuse, PassionMuse. And every Muse creates a different mood when you wear it.

Take time out to visit LeMuse.

meeganp :: buckle and button bracelet

As an NEPA resident and a fan of “The Office”, of course I was interested to read about Meegan Possemato, Manager of Business Development  at our local office supply company, One Point, which happens to be errily similar to the fictional Dunder Mifflin.  But what caught my eye was Meegan’s sideline business of making bags “crafted from vintage, recycled and agonized-over materials” to sell at crafts fairs and online at her Etsy shop.

In addition to her bags, Meegan has a line of one of a kind “buckle and button” bracelets. Pictured above is my favorite made with mother of pearl and rhinestone. The buttons and buckles are sewn onto a piece of elastic which is wrapped in vintage linen so it would be soft against the skin.

In my piano teaching I see many styles of bracelets and rings on the students – along with nail polish and fingerless gloves – but this unique bracelet is a beauty.  Someone will be lucky to get it for Christmas!

All Chic :: Jonathan Logan Vintage Sheath

I just added this classic 60s (or early 70s) Jonathan Logan sheath dress to my Etsy shop. It comes with the colorful paisley scarf. Add some black boots and a Twiggy style hair cut and you’d look like you just stepped out of Carnaby Street!

Winifred Grace :: Cocktail Bracelet

I’m usually not that big on jewelry… necklaces are annoying to me and since I play piano I don’t usually like wearing rings, watches or bracelets… but for the occasional dressy affair I sometimes wear a bracelet. However, this lovely rhinestone fringe bracelet from Winifred Grace caught my eye!  Unfortunately I have to replace both of my son’s retainers (upper and lower) which accidentally went out with the trash recently so I’m going to have to pass on this gift to myself. Take some time about browse the Winifred Grace blog to see where she gets her inspiration.

Annie Briggs :: Retro Hand Crocheted Jacket

Whenever I need a shot-in-the-arm of creative inspiration I can be sure to find it at the AnnieBriggs Etsy Shop.  This two-toned pistachio retro jacket is a mixture of velvet, polyester chiffon, ribbed cotton and Annie Briggs’ trademark – crocheted trim. What’s most unusual about this jacket? Besides being on ‘clearance’ it’s listed as a size XL.