Happy Halloween!

On this day of all things weird and frivolous, I present you with several shopping options for the weird, frivolous, or perhaps just pre-teens on your upcoming holiday lists. Yeah, I said it- the holidays approach, people, let's not whine about it.

Galibardy is an accessories site with some pretty interesting trinkets. I'm talking a gold plated barbed wire necklace and cuckoo clock earrings. Love this site, think someone you are buying for might love it, too. I, of course, want the Bird on Wire brass necklace, but I digress...

Plasticland is chock full of ridiculous things I want that I never even knew I wanted, but that no one really NEEDS (except I need the Foot in the Door Shoe Doorstop, actually, so scratch that last part). The adorable shoe section alone is enough to keep me coming back for more, but they also have cute jewelry and handbags. Browse with caution: TOO much kitsch can be hazardous to your style.

I hate to break it to my friends with young kids, because I WILL be looking for excuses to buy stuff in the Teeny Tiny Toddlers section at Girlzlyfe. Don't lie, new or newish moms, you know you want your children to be the proud new owners of PB&J hairclips and this Cute as a Cupcake bodysuit. Just try to stop me. Truthfully, most of the items on this site are for a younger set, but that doesn't mean I won't be wishing that I'd had the Little Lemon studs in middle school. Or you know, had my ears peirced.

Happy frivolity!

Bridesmaid Dresses, Revisted

This is the one where I post pictures of hideous bridesmaid dresses and mercilessly make fun of them.



Looks like something I wore to a middle school dance. This is not only the ghastly color of death, it doesn't even flatter the underweight model. If I can see her every lump, how great will normal people feel in this grossness? The fact that the fabric type is undisclosed leads me to suspect that it a) is 100% unnatural, and b) feels like burlap.





Wow, this is...wow. Are there brides who want all eyes pointed at their bridesmaids' crotches? The tacky lace up ridiculousness in the back is just adding insult to injury.




I thought this went without saying, but, as usual, I have to say it anyway: when the models look chunky in a dress, don't make anyone wear it. Girlfriend on the right is looking bloated, people, and we know she's not. So the dress ISN'T FLATTERING. Don't do this to people you call friends. These colors are also just disgusting.




Too matronly for even a Matron of Honor. Column sheath in shiny fabric won't do anyone any favors. Aging socialite, anyone?




This color seems less than celebratory to me. More something I'd consider for a wall or maybe a sofa.

Handbag of the Day: Sweet Satchel

This is the Steve by Steve Madden Sweet Escape satchel for $198. The color is listed as orange, but I'm betting this is really more of a kicky shade of brown. I love how simple this bag is, and how roomy it looks.

Check out: Footzyrolls

Once I got past the slightly ridiculous name, I got on board with this ingenious little shoe idea. Footzyrolls are rollable (it is so a word!) shoes you can throw in your bag to wear after a long day or night in heels. I'm currently partial to the wedding set for obvious reasons. They also come in black, silver and gold and they are only $25. I haven't tested these out yet, but I will let you know when I do (hint, hint to anyone who wants to buy me anything).

Seeking Non-Hideous Bridemaid Dresses

As with most things, there are usually a few of one item I am shopping for that I like and a huge number that are completely unacceptable. Looking at bridesmaid dresses online, I think the ratio is even worse. The number of hideous, friendship-ending dresses available is offensive. The number of dresses I can stand? In the single digits. Granted, my Bride Squad is on the hunt for dresses they like; it's in their interest to find something we can all agree on. But I don't want anyone to have to buy a dress they hate, is unflattering, or is just plain uncomfortable.

Here are my apparently really difficult requirements:

1. Not strapless
This was a request made by the Mistress of Honor, and it's a reasonable one. Why wear a strapless bra if you don't have to? However, dressmakers appear to think that every bride and bridesmaid want a strapless dress. So, of course, finding dresses with straps of any kind is going to be a pain in the arse.

2. Flattering length
This should go without saying, but the dress length should be flattering. At or just above the knee or floor length are fine, but almost no one really looks best in something in between. There are, of course, a billion dresses in that terrible in between length. Maybe other people don't mind if their bridesmaids look or feel stubby/stumpy/oddly proportioned, but I want pictures I won't cringe at for years to come.

3. Comfortable fabric
This request was made by another Bride Squad member, and I think it's reasonable as well. Are there dresses not made of polyester and rayon blends that don't cost over $400? Probably, but not that many, apparently. Since there is no way I am asking them to spend that kind of money on a dress they will likely wear once (no need to blow smoke and sunshine up everyone's bum about wearing it again), I will be searching for the elusive dress made up of at least mostly natural fibers that doesn't feel like plastic.

4. Color that passes the laugh test
You know what I'm talking about. Everyone knows that sea foam green and lemon yellow are just not flattering on most people. I don't care what anyone's flower/linen/chair cover colors are, but I do think one has to consider whether the color they have chosen for these dresses is going to flatter a wide variety of skin tones (or at least the skin tones of your particular bridesmaids). Since the color choices seem endless, I have committed to a range of colors I would agree to, and asked the Squad to look around. I am not putting them in hot pink (I think that's a little mean), but I'm also not agreeing that they can all show up in black.

I am taking any and all suggestions on places we might find dresses we can all get on board with...

Accessories Sites You Will Love

I'm am really into UncommonGoods. I'm obviously with this sterling silver bird ring, but these reclaimed bottle rings are also pretty great... The unique jewelry selection is what drew me to this site, but I also like several other categories, including Wallets & Bags (check out the Alejandra purse) and Home Decor (love, love, LOVE some of the random wall art).

I also recommend Una Alla Volta for jewelry and other accessories. The right hand rings are really fun, and I am asking for this pewter crown ring holder for Channuka/Christmas/Kwanzaa/Winter Solstice.

Lastly, if you haven't checked out Etsy yet, you are missing what is probably the largest online collection of jewelry and other accessories. Don't let the massive selection daunt you; I always check it out with a very specific idea of what I'm looking for, and the choices get narrowed down quickly. The price range is as varied as the selection, so you are pretty likely to find almost exacly what you want in your price range... And so many of the pieces are truly unique and quite amazing.

Happy Blog Action Day!

I don't know about you, but my idea of fashion and style does not involve handbags made of seat belts, bottle tops, or candy wrappers. I know it will be a shock to some of you, but I don't DO crunchy. Surely making environmentally sound choices doesn't have to look so freaking hideous?

In honor of Blog Action Day, I am presenting you with several eco-friendly shopping options and sites, all of which have a distinctly crunch-free (or at least low-crunch) vibe.

ecofabulous is a blog with several eco-friendly categories; check out the Fashion category for news on eco friendly clothing lines, sources of hip organic tees, and details on recycled accessories that you would actually want to wear, like designer sunglasses and fun jewelry.

The Fashion + Beauty section of Treehugger is another great source for eco-conscious clothing, all natural cosmetics, and some brief articles on topics like environmentally sound uses of fur.

Real Green's article Fire Your Clothes Dryer is a practical article on why we should stop using our dryers and how we can do it. I like how practical and realistic the suggestions are; I tend to ignore well-intentioned articles recommending I bike to work or advising that I not flush the toilet every time (um, yeah, right).

The Rain Forest Site is a fun site, where you can not only click on a link every day to help protect endangered habitats, but you can also shop for well-priced jewelry, handbags, and clothing. Purchases also contribute to the protection of habitats, and site tells you exactly how much you are helping with each item. Steer clear of all prairie skirts and peace-sign tees; there are plenty of modern, wearable options available without having to go to that dark and hideous place. And by well-priced, I mean truly affordable.

Earth Girls in an online "eco boutique" with some seriously adorable stuff. The well edited selection of clothes and accessories is fab enough that I'd shop there even if it weren't a environmentally friendly site.

World of Good sells "Style Savvy, Planet Friendly" goods, and it's not all raffia bags (although some of those are pretty cute for spring & summer). Some of the jewelry is great, and I am drooling over several recycled rings and bangles. Lots of well-priced choices, here, too...

Many people make earth friendly choices simply by shopping at vintage, thrift, or consignment stores. I find these places hard to shop in (I'm weak, I know) and thus don't have any fab advice on them. I do admire those with the stamina to sift the diamonds from the endless rough- I've seen a few amazing finds on some co-workers.

This is not a comprehensive list, so feel free to share your (stylish, non-crunchy) suggestions, too!