Giveaway Alert! Factio Magazine is giving away Sienna Miller's Katherine Kwei handbag and a Pop System 40 - Swivel Chair from IQMatics!
Fashion Pulse Daily discovers that there is a way to wear leggings and keep warm in the winter, and it's called Plush.
Looking Sharp! interviews the woman behind the Pittsburgh eco-friendly clothing line- Jonano!
Karissa at Prissy Green is shamelessly asking for votes! Divine Caroline Contest for her nomination of "Love this Site" ends 12/4 and you can get 3 entries into any contest on Prissy Green for voting. Help her win $250! Find more eco-posts on her site.
Runway To Retail finds out where Tinsley Mortimer bought her hot pink skirt.
The Fashionable Bambino is giving away TWO Eco-Friendly Reusable Bags from EnviroVogue. Enter to win before Dec 13th.
I can't begin to tell you how happy it is to receive emails, tweets and comments from my readers. Honestly it warms my heart.
This morning, I got a tweet from @spicymeatball telling me of her new blog- Stylish White Female. As Terra says in her debut post...
"Now that I am settling into my 30s, I’ve found myself feeling more comfortable with who I am and hence, feeling a stronger sense of how I want to package myself. Because really, isn’t that the essence of style? Creating your own personal brand?
Every journey starts with a first step, and this is mine. I hope you’ll join me from time to time as I try on and try out new things."
And I hope you will. Her blog is great and I just love the design of it. And how cute is her outfit??!?! Terra's tweet this morning not only brought her a new blog subscriber and publicity here, but it brought her a new friend-- Me!
Happy blogging Terra! Can't wait to see what you are posting next :)
Look at the fantastic pocketbook/purse Dad got me at an auction! LOVE! It reminds me so much of the Kate Spade Par Avion clutch I wanted last year. This one is retro and great! I can't wait to use it.
If you know anything about the origin of this bag, please let me know! I would love to learn more about where it came from.
A couple weeks ago, I found out about the Pittsburgh-based eco-friendly clothing line Jonano. At first, I was unfamiliar with the designer and the brand, but I immediately wanted to know more.I love to support the local designers, artisans and green movement, and I was thrilled to get the chance to chat with Jonano designer and founder Bonnie.
How was Jonano started?
Jonano began in 2005 when, as I was approaching a major milestone... I began evaluating my life, challenges, inspirations and values. It became apparent during this self-searching process that in order to be fully happy I needed to find a way to incorporate these challenges, inspirations and values into my life’s work, define my dreams and go for them. My major inspiration for Jonano was my mother who passed away when I was 19. Her love of nature, creativity and determination have all been passed on to me. Sami Designs and our brands, Jonano, Sami Baby, and Eco Scrubs were born. The Sami are the indigenous population of northern Scandinavia who herd reindeer from Norway to Russia. They are constantly travelling an their policy of leave no trace is integral to the survival of these nomadic clans. It is the earth that supports them. Jonano is derived from the Sami dialect and means "Live Well."
What is the production process- from concept to creation?
I design most of our collections, but from time to time, welcome the design inspirations of other artists. I received my art training in fine arts and treat each collection as an art project. Elements, color stories and inspirations are defined first. The collections are based on my love of travel and each collection reflects the traditional and modern design elements of the places I visit. For 2010 Spring collections, the colors and motifs were drawn from my recent travels to Istanbul, Turkey - a mix of old world classical design with cosmopolitan city by the sea.
Why did you decide to produce an eco-friendly line of clothing instead of a collection using regular fabrics?
My values and love of nature were passed on to me from my mother and love of nature. We are constantly developing new fabrics and produce each fabric specifically for the garment we are creating. Many people ask me where they can buy our fabrics, and unfortunately we do not sell fabric, just beautiful finished pieces.
What achievement are you most proud of?
We incorporate giving back into our company from the ground up. I joined the Breast Cancer Research Foundations as a survivor circles member in honor of my mother. Each year I design a limited edition piece that generates donations towards cancer research.
What piece of clothing looks great one very woman?
How important is it to stay rooted in Pittsburgh and being part of the local community?
I am very proud to be working and living where I grew up. Jonano is a founding member of Sustainable Pittsburgh and has a robust internship program with local schools. This past year we opened a new showroom along the South Sides Riverwalk and open our studio each month to the public for sample sales. We work with many local businesses, and love to connect with local modeling talent when it comes time to shoot our collections. Locally you can find Jonano in E House in the South Side, Right By Nature in the Strip and The Planet Pulse in Cranberry.
I'm a huge fan of social media. You can find me updating on Twitter, writing on various blogs and keeping it professional on LinedIn, but you can't find me on Facebook.
Why?
Check out my recent post on Peace Turkey here to see why. I keep debating on whether I should re-create an account again or not... what do you think?!
Friend Karlye, also from post below, held her own Kelly Lane Sample Sale in her home. I didn't get the chance to go, since it is still No-spend November and I'm trying to stick to my guns. But trust me, the temptation was totally there. Kelly Lane designs are totally my weakness.
Karlye shared with me some photos of the event, and it looks as though it was a huge success! As I have said numerous times, having the chance to shop with the designer in the same room/store is a huge honor. HUGE. Not only are you buying a piece of clothing, but you are learning about the designer's inspiration behind the piece and how it is meant to be worn.
My first experience with Kelly was in Sugar about a year ago. I was trying on one of her lovely dresses and had no clue how to put it on. There I was, standing in the dressing room, stuck in her creation. Kelly was there to guide me and style me right. I can't begin to tell you how special I felt in the store that day. It's a memory I will always cherish and it has turned into an amazing friendship with Kelly.
Why deal with the packed malls and outlets when you can shop locally? As you know, I am all about support the local businesses, boutiques, artists and designers, and I'm a happy to report that are other supportive people out there in this city too.
Friend Karley is shopping locally this Friday. As she told me via e-mail...
"I will be patronizing local shops on Black Friday - Ambiance, Wildcard, Common Threads, Sugar, Divertido, Elements, Pavement, Equita and whatever else I stumble upon. My reason for shopping local is that I think that consumerism is out of hand. Shops opening at midnight and 3 am is feeding the frenzy that we all need more stuff. It's crazy. The prices are suppose to be better, but at what cost? I really don't need three flatscreen televisions...I don't even have cable. And I hate crowds. Remember that guy that got trampled at Walmart. No thanks.
It's important to me to buy local. It's good for the local economy, better for the environment (I think) and supports small business owners. There are many locally owned stores in Pittsburgh that offer a unique selection of gifts, clothes, accessories, paper goods, etc. that you can't find at a mall or without spending too many hours on the Internet. Last year (or maybe the year before), I bought my brother coasters made from Starbucks giftcards at the Handmade Arcade. That's something I wouldn't have found at a mall. A few years ago, my family decided to give $10 gifts to each other for Christmas. Shopping locally, I can find cool things for $10 or less. And local, independent shop owners are the best - they are invested and investing in the community, creating jobs, adding to the Pittsburgh flavor, and have better customer service - they care about their customers. "
Right on Sista!
Some local Black Friday Sales:
Hip'tique: Friday,Saturday, or Sunday, spend $50 and receive a coupon for $25 off next purchase between now and December 31st
Sugar- new items arriving just in time for Black Friday. Visit Sugar's blog here.
Trendy Trousseau, local on-line retailer is having a sale on eternity scarves, boyfriend blazers, jackets and more. Visit TT on-line here.
Jupe- Mention the e-mail you may have received in your inbox to receive 30% off your purchase.
As you might be aware, it is still Nospend November for me, so I wont be shopping this weekend. However, if you know of a great local deal this weekend, drop a comment and share please!
Each week, Subu holds a contest - Wordsmith Wednesday - where readers submit creative ideas for a chance to win a personalized reusable notebooks. A couple weeks back, I was announced the winner with "lists." I have a great new notebook, now all I need to figure out is what lists to write in it... holiday cards, blog ideas, books to read/have read.. the possibilities are endless.
Be sure to check out her blog here to enter each week.
In case you don't win, visit her Etsy store here to purchase your own. The make excellent customizable and fun gifts!
Welcome to Looking Sharp! My personal fashion blog dedicated to bringing the Pittsburgh fashion and shopping scene to life, as well as documenting my fabulous journey through discovering fashion.
All content on my blog is comprised of my genuine thoughts and feelings about fashion that I want to share with the blogosphere. Unless otherwise noted, I have not been paid to write content on behalf of any company.
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