Behind the Scenes of Fashion Week!

We are now well into Paris fashion week... I have had the privilege of going backstage and dressing models at the Walter van Beirendock and Alexandre Vauthier shows! Although we were not allowed to take pictures at the show here are a few images I was able to pull from the internet!

Dressed the above model at the show!

Paris Sales

Sorry this one will be quite short I am packing up tonight to go on a 4 day excursion to the south of France! Can't wait to take pictures down there!

To my joyful surprise... every January most stores in Paris have ridiculous sales for the entire month.

"Sales are state-regulated in France and generally run during two periods of the year: once in summer, just before the massive exodus toward the sea and sun, and once in the winter, shortly following Christmas. Department stores, boutiques, designer outlets, and even hardware shops clear out items from the previous season, gradually slashing prices over the course of the sales period."
 - Linda Nyirenda
 http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping/a/Paris_sales.htm

Thought I'd just post a few images of what I've seen so far in the shops!

I will be back soon to share the south of France with you! And I have not forgotten about the eating tips and photos, those will come soon!

So what exactly is this Etsy thing?

People are talking about Etsy.

What could cooler than being able to shop online? Being able to browse and purchase all types of unique HANDMADE everythings, right at your computer.

Etsy.com. We are designers, innovators, artists and creators. We love the items we make and are passionate about creating.

I first fell in love with Etsy because of my passion for creation, I thought it would be the ideal place to share my creations with the world, and although all of this is true. I have come to realize that I can also benefit from shopping on Etsy as well. I am extremely "over" the whole "run out and get a whole bunch of inexpensive trinkets for friends and family members at some store phase". Everyone does that and it I am beginning to find it slightly mundane. Many of these items that I receive remain wrapped up in cellophane for a few years before they are eventually thrown out. Now that I have found Etsy, I cannot wait for the holidays to arrive!

I know what you are thinking... you don't really love the look of artisan items, basketweaving, handpainted shelves, etc. I don't love that either. While this type of item is also available on Etsy, what really draws my attention is the large amount of handmade, "indie" or underground, if you may, sellers with unique and modern styles. While some items may have an old time inspiration, the design elements and style is anything but dated... Take this innovative dress for example... made from an antique quilt top and antique cotton feed sack, super cute and with modern flair! It is the finds like this that keep me on Etsy and out of designer stores and places like Target. ((Pretty Birdie by Stephanie Teague)


Etsy is also a great place to browse handmade soaps. One seller I met recently specializes in vegan soaps like the one pictured on the right.

"All of my soaps are made with nourishing coconut milk, herbs, fruits and vegetable bases."
-DeShawn Marie

How can one resist something this luscious...?

So we know that Etsy houses a great selection of trendy handmade items with a country touch and modern flair. With that being said, it is important to note that Etsy is not solely a place for homestyle inspired items. Take this cute fabric bangle for example... this one is my own! A beautiful scrap of Japanese print fabric wrapped around none other than a recycled duct tape roll! Sustainable, and trendy.

Hopefully you have enjoyed my intro to the wonders of Etsy! I hope to bring you a few more indepth articles later on! But for now... what are you waiting for? Head on over to Etsy and see for yourself what it is all about!

The Fashionable Sewing Queen's Palace

If you follow me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook... you already know I cannot get enough of BurdaStyle.com...

It's just that I have spent so long being disappointed in many of the mainstream sewing companies patterns, even Vogue.

Its not that their patterns arn't lovely... they just are not targeted to a younger crowd.

Burdastyle patterns are SOO fabulous and trendy and many are FREE!

They just updated their site and it is now easier than ever to search patterns by season, style, ease of construction, and more options are available as well.

If you have a pattern you'd like to share, users can also add creations and patterns, who knows maybe could be a good marketing technique?

The pictures above are dresses which I have made using some of the patterns on Burdastyle... sorry that the picture is not more professional looking!


Check it all out at http://www.Burdastyle.com

-AzureChina