Friday, December 20, 2013

Fashionably Shop Toledo: Copper Moon Studios

When you walk into Copper Moon Studios it’s difficult to not become pleasantly overwhelmed with the bright colors and great selection of glass (and now metal) products.  If you’re looking for unique, fun gifts for a variety of people, make a trip to this glass art gallery this weekend.

I've bought several gifts from Copper Moon, located at 8007 Airport Hwy. in Holland, Ohio, including earrings, a wall pocket and a sun catcher. This year I'm eyeing the poinsettia ornament, Christmas light platter and colorful candle holders.

Here’s an idea of what else they offer:

  • Business card holders
  • Candleholders
  • Clocks
  • Coasters
  • Jewelry
  • Lamps
  • Mirros
  • Night lights
  • Ornaments
  • Picture frames
  • Plate and knife sets
  • Platters
  • Purse hooks 
  • Smashed wine bottle trays
  • Sun catchers
  • Wall art
  • Wall pockets
  • Wine stoppers
  • Plus, custom work!


You can also sign up for classes to make your own glass art.

Copper Moon Studios’ holiday hours are Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.


Photos courtesy of Copper Moon Studios' website and Facebook Page
  

Which is your favorite glass piece from Copper Moon Studios?

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Fashionably Shop Toledo: Shapemejeans

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is like finding a ________.

If you said "unicorn," then you're going to love this gift idea from a local mom and daughter duo! Shapemejeans, located in Franklin Park Mall, sells custom-fit, handmade jeans.  They are made to fit both your hips and waist, without any gaping in the back or bunching in the front. Options include fabrics in a variety of colors, threads and stitching, shape, pockets, belt loops and embroidery.

Shapemejeans was born from the recurring frustration of struggling to find that perfect pair of jeans that fit in all the right places.  After Alicia Lawson tried on 52 pairs of jeans she gave up and made a pair herself.  Her daughter, Arlinda, wanted a custom made pair too.  In 2009, they realized that many women have trouble finding jeans that fit and began developing their business plan.

A gift card to get a pair of jeans made specifically for the receiver would make a very fitting gift for the woman in your life, who is always looking for that perfect pair of jeans.  Ladies, if that’s you, be sure to put Shapemejeans on your wish list.  The jeans start at $120 per pair, plus a one-time $25 fitting fee.  If you think that’s steep, ask yourself if the person they’re intended for lives in jeans.  If they wear jeans often, then a high quality pair of custom made jeans would be more than worth it.

Toledo Blade Staff Writer Roneisha Mullen tried the idea on for size by having a pair made just for her and wrote about her experience here.

“My Shapemejeans are dark, clean, and classic,” she said.  “Because of the simple design I chose, mine look like any other pair of jeans you’d buy at a traditional store. However, the fit cannot be rivaled.”

For more information, go to www.shapemejeans.com or visit them at Franklin Park Mall in the food court wing.


Photos courtesy of www.shapemejeans.com and the Toledo Blade/Jetta Fraser


Are you adding Shapemejeans to your wish list?

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Fashionably Shop Toledo: A Holiday Gift Guide

While I guiltily enjoyed shopping on Cyber Monday at national chain stores, some of my favorite places to shop are locally owned in my hometown.  I’m an advocate for shopping local and I try to whenever I can.  It’s as simple as replacing the goods you normally purchase (or gifts!) with locally made products or shopping at locally owned businesses.  Why shop local?  Here are my top 5 reasons:

  1.  Shopping local creates jobs
  2.  When you shop local, more of your money stays in our community and strengthens our
        economy
  3.  Local shops invest more in our communities
  4.  Shopping local reduces the environmental impact
  5.  Local shops keep our city unique and attracts out-of-towners

I say it time and time again, Toledo has a lot to offer.  You just have to know where to look, because our businesses have sleighs full of gift ideas!  So until Christmas, I'd like to share some gift ideas from local businesses or places to shop that are locally owned.  To see all of the Holiday Gift Guide posts once they're shared, click on the label to the right, 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. Happy shopping, locally!


Today’s Fashionably Shop Toledo Idea: Swan Creek Candle Company

Have you ever been in this place?  It smells delightful.  Who doesn’t love candles that make a home smell like Christmas morning or a walk along the beach or clean laundry?  Swan Creek Candle Company has a huge variety of fragrances.  Plus, they are made with 100% cotton wicks and all natural American soybean wax, which mean they burn clean and come from sustainable and renewable resources.     

Most candles from large national chains, like Yankee Candles, are made of paraffin, which is a petroleum based product and possibly not so good for you.  Ever notice the black ring they can leave?  My parents used to burn Yankee Candles on their fire mantle and eventually they left a black ring on the ceiling above.  They, and I, have both switched to Swan Creek Candles since then.

Another way this local candle company strives to be eco-friendly is by selling 24 oz. containers of candle refill wax so you can refill candle containers when the wax is all burned.  In addition to all types of candles, they sell tarts, wax warmers, fragrance warmers and home décor. 

The Swan Creek Candle factory is located in Swanton, Ohio, along with their original outlet store.  Shopping here supports the American farming community.  They also have locations in downtown Toledo, across from the Mud Hens stadium; Dundee, Mich.; Vermillion, Ohio; Perry, Mich.; Jackson, Mich. and Leesburg, Fla. 




A few of my favorite scents are Pumpkin Vanilla, Citrus & Sage and Crisp Cotton.  What are yours? 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Trending: Rebellious Street Wear


“Who am I today?  That is the modern approach in deciding what to wear.”
– Suzy Menkes, style editor of The International Herald Tribune, as quoted in Harper’s Bazaar, September 2013

Today’s fashion is all about choosing your identity and this season has presented distinct options for almost every persona.  From rebellious street wear to traditional American pastoral and ladylike silhouettes to gender-bending menswear, there’s a possibility for your varying identities all winter long.      

Monday, October 28, 2013

Mocha Dot Dress


I got this little polka dotted number from Wet Seal a couple years ago on a last minute shopping trip for fashion week. The pleated skirt and belted waist accentuate my hourglass figure, while the long sleeves make it practical for most months in the Midwest. I think the mocha colored dots make this dress especially adorable for fall.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Eerie Inspiration for Easy Halloween Costumes

Halloween is creeping around the corner!  What are you going to be?

I love this time of year and lucky for me, I have a few costume parties to attend! I prefer costumes that are a little creepy, quite witty or very well done.  While I’m keeping mine a secret – pictures to come – here are a few of my favorite ideas this year. Most of these can be recreated with items you already have in your closet or that you can find inexpensively at your local thrift store and a few key accessories from a costume shop. I enjoy Savers on Reynolds for costumes (and side note, they have great business clothes.)

For example, for the Wednesday Addams costume all you need is a little black dress, a white button down underneath, black tights and black boots. Add a headless baby doll and an expressionless face and you're ready to spook!


Morticia or Wednesday Addams

Photos courtesy of ABC Television, Unknown and Trang Huyen of Behind the Scenes


 Cher Horowitz and Dionne from Clueless
 
Photos courtesy of Paramount and Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs


Offbeat Disney Characters

The Evil Ursula

 Photo courtesy of Brittany Couture

A Modern Princess

 Photo courtesy of Unknown

A Hipster Princess
  
Photo courtesy of David "DTJAAAAM" Ngo

A Zombie Princess
  
Photo courtesy of Undead Cosplay
  

A Sultry Joker
 
Photo courtesy of Unknown


Ron Burgundy and Veronica Corningstone
 

Photos courtesy of DreamWorks and Reddit user dwbabcock


Medusa

 
Photo courtesy of Marie McGrath of The Joy of Fashion*
*Note: Marie offers several DIY costumes on her blog! 


Beetlejuice

Photo courtesy of Unknown


Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe
 
 
Costume photo courtesy of Megan Fay


So what are you going to be?  Happy Halloweeeeen! 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Style Diary: What Happened in Vegas…


Earlier in October, I went to Las Vegas for a friend’s wedding.  We stayed at the Flamingo, where the couple exchanged vows poolside.  We celebrated with bottomless champagne at the Paradise Garden Buffet and sang along with dueling pianos at Harrah’s.  We walked the strip and ate delicious croissant sandwiches at JJ's Boulangerie inside Paris Las Vegas and fantastic mac and cheese at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.  We shopped at one of only four TopShops in the country and danced at The Act inside The Palazzo just days before it was closed for being too risqué.

So what happened in Vegas... stays on here.  Below are a few photos from the trip, along with details of my outfits.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Anticipating Mrs. Lauren Conrad

Photo courtesy of LaurenConrad.com

Lauren Conrad got engaged over the weekend and I’m already giddy with anticipation of seeing which dress she’ll choose and how gorgeous she’ll look on her and William Tell’s Big Day!  Not to mention what she’ll wear to the various pre-parties – engagement, bridal shower, bachelorette…  Oh, I hope she shares some personal style #WhatIWore blog posts from each celebration.  She’s already said there will be lots more wedding content on LaurenConrad.com.

After looking at countless wedding dresses, I could imagine Lauren in a variety of styles, but I'm sure it will be a pretty, yet elegant gown, something that's traditional with a modern twist and styled perfectly.  So in celebration of the future Mrs. Tell, here are a few dresses from the latest collections that I think she would find lovely & chic!

In case you were wondering, her "love" ring is from Sydney Evan Jewels.


Alvina Valenta
 

 


Amsale
 



Christos
 

 
 
 


Hayley Paige
 



Johanna Johnson
 



Kelly Faetanini
 



Lazaro
 



Lela Rose
 



Maggie Sottero
 



Marchesa
 



Romona Keveza
 



Val Stefani
 



Vera Wang
 



Winnie Couture
 


Photos of dresses courtesy of their respective designers