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Introducing | Corso Como Handbags!

Several weeks ago, I caught wind of new news in Corso Como. If you’re already familiar with this brand for their fabulous shoes, well you’ll be excited to learn that these famous kicks now have handbags to pair with! Here’s a pic of my new bag and I absolutely LOVE it. It is made of genuine leather and is so soft. But what we think gives it real personality is the fun liner to spice up this black classic look. Karen Rutkowski, President of Corso Como Handbags chatted with us about her venture into this new line and the exciting path [...]

New Online Boutique Featuring Indie Design!

One of our favorite sites is at it again! US Trendy brings us the most popular names in indie fashion voted on by their readers. But now they are offering readers access to these coveted names everyday! Readers get a one-of-a-kind look while designers are given another venue to sell their lines. It looks a bit like etsy…just for indie fashion lovers!

Julie Blouse- $120.00

I just spent about an hour browsing all of the looks available and I don’t think I came close to seeing the whole store. For such a new online boutique, I’m shocked at the variety that’s available. No matter your personal taste or price point, there seems to be something for everyone.

BLOOM handbag- $40.00

Some of our favorites are this Love Belle dress by Sara Mena, Blouse by Julie and BLOOM handbag by Mamsirati Irm/-e .

Check it out and tell them LDB sent you! Happy Shopping!

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Adding this one to our list of favorites!

A few weeks ago, I was introduced to another talented jewelry designer by Johanna of Beso Handbags. I’ll admit…I’m a sucker for sentimental pieces, so I couldn’t resist this designer’s custom design portfolio. In fact, I’ve already given my husband strict instructions on which one he should order! But we aren’t the only ones who love Lisa Leonard Designs. There is a list a mile long of other fashion editors who are following this hot designer. Lisa Leonard creates these pieces from her studio north of Los Angeles. We caught up with Lisa to get the scoop:

LDB: I love the fresh look you give each design. How were you inspired to start your collection of jewelry? And tell us about the materials you use.

LLD: Thanks for your sweet words! I made jewelry in high school, but it wasn’t until a trip to San Diego, California after my first son was born that I got really inspired to make my own jewelry. I bought a few bracelets and then had an I-could-make-these moment. So I did!

My jewelry has changed over the years as I’ve learned new techniques and have grown into my own style. We use mainly sterling silver and cream freshwater pearls to create our signature look!

LDB: What part of the design process do you enjoy the most?

LLD: The design process is so much fun! My favorite part is seeing an idea go from a sketch to a real-life necklace hung around someone’s neck. And the first time I see a new completed design, I always think it’s the best one we’ve ever done.

LDB: What has been the most exciting for you since launching your jewelry line?

LLD: It’s been so exciting to watch the business grow. Being featured in magazines like Parenting and Glamour is thrilling. We did a local morning show in Birmingham, Alabama and it was my first experience with anything like that. Also, seeing celebrities wearing my jewelry is completely surreal.

LDB: What methods do you use to market and sell your items? Are you currently sold in boutique stores?

LLD: Certainly our best advertising comes from word-of-mouth. Blogging has also been incredible for my business because people really want to know the artist behind the creations. We sell mostly through our online store at lisaleonardonline.com. We have a few boutiques that carry our designs, but we really focus on retail. If you are in California, check out Hands Gallery in San Luis Obispo- love them!

LDB: What’s next for Lisa Leonard Designs?

LLD: Hmmm, good question! Our plan is to keep making jewelry and we hope people continue to love it. We’ve got a couple new designs we’ll introduce in the next few weeks- so stay tuned!

Click here to browse Lisa’s full collection. Such a great gift idea for mom or grandma. Get Mother’s Day done early this year!

We love Lisa Leonard Designs!

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SarahBear’s Cards & Creations

sbtins1 Recently I met with, Sarah Barrett, a designer of cards and photo albums in Los Angeles. When I first heard she specialized in handmade cards, I wondered if Sarah’s designs were really that unique. Let’s face it, handmade cards are beautiful and fun to receive, but they are a dime a dozen these days. That is…until I saw her complete collection. Sarah doesn’t just create handmade cards, she designs photo accessories that you’ve never seen before.

My absolute favorite item is her photo tins. At only 4″ x 6″ the are small enough to fit in a small handbag and oh so cute! They retail at $25, fit nine wallet-sized pictures of your hubby, kids or dog and Sarah will customize the look to fit your theme, favorite color or anything you have in mind. This is what Sarah had to say about them: “

I think the photo tins are what I’m most proud of. I love the idea of being able to carry pictures of those you love in your purse and not worry about them getting bent or destroyed. I felt especially proud of the HOPE tins since it was my way of giving back…20% of each tin went to Susan G Komen for Breast Cancer Research.”

Here is a little more of my interview with Sarah:

What inspires your paper creations?

Different things inspire me. My kids…women with cancer, the incredible way a happy design makes people smile and feel warm. In terms of my designs, I can see certain colors together, see a pattern on some paper or see shapes while I’m out walking…anything can inspire me and then I just go back to my desk and play!

Where are you when you aren’t working?

Well, lately I can usually be found volunteering at my daughter’s school. Partially because of my former life as a teacher and partially because I love that sparkle I see in Emily’s eyes, I feel it’s essential that we support our teachers and schools as best we can…

Do you have a favorite boutique shop? If so, what?

I haven’t been doing a lot of shopping lately, but when I was looking for unusual and wonderful gifts, I would always go to Zipper. They were on 3^rd Street in Los Angeles and then they opened a shop in Brooklyn , NY . A month or so ago they closed their store here and opened in Sonoma , CA . So Cal ’s loss is No Cal ’s gain! At least I can still find them online!!

I had a great time getting to know Sarah and I was more and more impressed with each creation she pulled out for me to see. We’ll be watching her closely to see what she does next! To see for yourself, click here to visit her website.

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Fashion Rocks Chicago

by Rachel Yeomans

It was quite cold during the first weekend of December. Temperatures dropped to the numbers we Chicagoans don’t usually have to deal with until mid-January; however such was not the case this season. Yet we as Chicago residents are used to braving the cold, bundling up in layers, and refusing to be shacked in by the Midwestern weather.

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Therefore nothing could stop us from venturing out to the first ever Fashion & Shopping Extravaganza held in the trendy Wicker Park space, The Creative Lounge. Hosted by Fashion Rocks Chicago and See More Shopping, designers spanned the enormous space with tables and racks for their items, while we shed our coats and layers to get down and dirty with fun and fashion.

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Attendees received complimentary homemade goodie bags upon entering the event along with free snacks and refreshments. And if trying on pretty clothing and jewelry wasn’t enough to get over the cold, mini makeovers and hair styling was provided for guests courtesy of Sugar & Spice.

Designers included the wondrous talents of Evil Kitty, Anastasia Chatzka, 5p1t, CC Bella, Rosina Mae, K-Fleye, Mr. Tastees and Poise.cc. Partners included Sugar & Spice, SeeMoreShopping, Smashing Darling, Liberation Prints, We Give to Get, Rock Uniform, MaZi Dance Fitness Center, and Janet Jewelry.

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We also received a lovely preview of the TOYOTA i-REAL, TOYOTA’s newest concept personal mobility device. The TOYOTA i-REAL collaboration was established in 2008 with designers Agga B., Anna Fong, Melissa Serpico, and Lidia Wachowska, to create fashions inspired by the i-REAL design and concept. This is an image during the event of a model donning an Evil Kitty dress (designed by Lidia Wachowska) with the i-REAL.

It promises to be a long winter ahead of us in Chicago-land! But when there is such fabulous fashion to be had, we’ll make sure to bundle up for it!

Photos: Aza from Sugar & Spice

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