Compete for a Lady's Attentions

The lovely Miss Vanda of Paraphernalia fame is having a competition to win a voucher and immortality in her Victoriana Collection!

Per her competition blog post:

I made the Victoriana Collection because I really really wanted some pieces I could wear to more formal occasions and parties, but I've also been wearing Penelope up there for going shopping, going out for coffee, going to family dinners - totally versatile. They have five beautiful ladies with very different personalities, besides a beautiful pearl and discreet, yet sparkly glitter accents. I'll be taking photos on a model with them tomorrow, since I think these images do not do them justice!

On top of this, I'm launching the very first Paraphernalia competition! Write a short story (around a paragraph or two) for one (or several) of these ladies, and if yours is selected, not only will be featured in the product description and press releases of the collection (with full credit and link), you'll also be able to win a $30 gift voucher for each of the stories that get selected!

To enter, leave a comment here, on my Flickr, or send me an e-mail to bonmots@paraphernalia.nu. Entries close on Saturday the 6th, so be quick! Good luck! <3

I know I'm going to try and come up with something worthy of these lovely ladies! I know there's a ton of creativity out there. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Perfectly Paraphernalia

If you haven't purchased one of the amazing pieces Miss Vanda makes on Paraphernalia, you should be ashamed! They are amazing and adorable and unique!

I just bought a few new pieces and highly recommend you get on over there as well!

To celebrate her new site and two (!!!) new collections, Vanda is offering 10% off your order with the promotional code: YAYNEWSHOP.

So go... Shop!

Artistry & Accessories

I tried to hold out as long as I could but finally I could no longer resist and had to, just had to, get some new items from the amazingly talented folks who's sites I follow and who make the best stuff on Etsy!

First off I got this adorable poster from Miss Nubby Twiglet. She has as much graphic talent in her personal fashion style as she does in her graphic design. Working in advertising and loving fashion, I appreciate both things to a huge degree. I can't wait to find a home for this, but should it be in my office at work or here at home????



I just wrote about my love for Miss Lou Lou and her darling bows. I ended up getting Alice blue (love the name, love the color) and the hot pink. I think next will be red and maybe some of her sexy satin-y knickers.





I saw this poster from Jenny's Bake Shop on Flicker, and being a fan of the original, I loved the cheekiness of her version.



I want to look like all of the elfin girls in Jasmine's art. I decided on Queen Elizabeth and the Lion because I'm in a huge English history reading streak. Plus I'm a Leo and a red head, so it's perfect.



I finally got the original Keep Calm and Carry On poster. I think this, the cupcake version above and, maybe my Village "For Like Ever" poster as a triptych display may be in order.



Then I just went crazy with accessories! I'm not kidding.

I got one of these plume pins from Topsy Turvy Design in brass and teal. I'm planning on wearing teal and purple all Fall and Winter long. This will go on blazers, bags, hats, skirt, all over the place, I think.



I know I have a Champagne tag necklace but I couldn't not get this Brandy one. The little charms give it a more cutesy appeal plus it's kind of a personal joke... my parents almost named me Brandy! It would not have been a good combo with my last name. I would have sounded like a drink order. Eek!





I fell in love with this necklace from Heatherly Designs. She does these really interesting vintage inspired pieces and I thought the shape of this was so unusual. I love the deep crimson color of this too.





I also got this piece from her. The pendant reminded me of cinnabar.



I even like the chain.



This piece was from The Hand of Fatima's store (same as the Brandy necklace above). She makes pieces from re-purposed vintage pieces and I really like that unique element. This pendant reminds me of the jewelry in one of my favorite Marilyn Monroe movies - The Prince and the Showgirl.



I even like the chain detail.



But on a another note, I like utter modern, totally Bubblegum Plastic-ness of this this cameo necklace from Zombuki. She has other colors too, so check them out.



And last, but certainly not least, more delightful strangeness from Paraphernalia. I can wait to wear these around my more conservative friends and co-workers. The heart makes them look twice, what will the skull necklace do?



I still love owls even if the "fad" is over for a bit. A confused owl? Yes please.



I'm going to have a Poochie nameplate at last! I'll need to take a picture in this.



I may wear this all the time. Especially when I'm going out. ; ) I don't think I really trade it away but maybe I'll get some good offers.



Have you made any great Etsy or hand-crafted finds lately? I'd love to see what's out there!

A little weird... A lot wonderful

As you know, I am a total Etsy convert and I placed an order not too long ago. I finally got to order some pieces from Paraphernalia, which I think is the coolest store.



How they describe their work is:

We at Paraphernalia design beauteous and wholesome accoutrements for both Ladies and Gentlemen.

We are much inspired by both vintage illustrations and 19th century magicians. We also enjoy the odd, the unusual, the uncanny and the bizarre, in all the aspects of beauty.

If you haven't seen their work, you have to go check them out.

What I love about them is that you can wear them with so many levels - very seriously or you can wear them very tongue-in-cheek. I have chickens, so this Fauna Chicken Claw Necklace can be just weird or, if you know that we have them, it's kind of funny.





I also got this Anatomica Arm Bracelet. I like that you are wearing this on your arm but you are also wearing an image of the musculature of the arm. Okay, so yeah it's a bit weird.



I also got the Anatomica Red Heart Necklace. And I don't think I need to say anything about it, just look how freakin' cool it is.






Would it be too dorky to say I ♥ them?

Yeah, I guess it would.

But I soooo do!