Coquette

Win a Copy of The DIY Wedding by Kelly Bare

Let's face it, it's not easy to plan your own wedding - somehow I lived through this in the fall of 2006 in the midst of all my other girlfriends getting married each month, and for work, CRAFT magazine launching on the newsstands. (You can see my wedding post here from earlier this year.) If only I had this book, The DIY Wedding: Celebrate Your Day Your Way by Kelly Bare, I would have saved myself from so much headache through wasted months that now I consider a huge learning process. Trust me, time is precious when you are planning a wedding (weeks, especiall months) so you'll be able to use this book like a true guidebook. You'll get great advice on how to save money on all those things that cost so darn much -- from flowers, invitations, favors, decor, food, and more. I also love the crafty projects Kelly brings into the book in each chapter so you can really bring your own touch to your wedding from making jewelry for your bridesmaids to creating your own table centerpieces. Plus each chapter is chock full of tips from budgeting to organizing, as well as advice on how to deal or chose vendors. I was really honored to be asked to write the forward to this book and I know if you are a crafty DIY'er like me, you'll love reading every page of this book!

For Coquette readers, I'm giving away 1 copy of The DIY Wedding. Just leave a comment to this blog post by Thursday at midnight (PST) and I'll pick a winner to announce on Friday on Coquette.

The Green Grocer

There's nothing like a handmade gift this holiday season and something with a Green theme is even better. That's why I love this Green Grocery Sack by Whosiepie ($44 at Smashing Darling). You get one large canvas bag with cute little green silkscreened trees and another smaller bag that's perfect to stash produce. That's right, you won't need those pesky, clear plastic bags either.

You can shop for more Whosiepie goods here.

Alyssa Ettinger Knitware Pottery

Brooklyn based artist Alyssa Ettinger makes beautiful pottery. I love her Knitware line which are designs based on cable knits -- a perfect mix of fashion inspired goodness for your home decor. I love these Aran Cable Vases ($120 on Etsy) that are perfect for a holiday gift for anyone on your list, especially mom. Visit her Etsy store here.

Here are more great gift ideas from Alyssa Ettinger:

Knitware Tumbler ($35)

Knitware Bowl ($65)

Web Snob Weekly Roundup

Fashion:

• FabSugar's got Be & D in the Designer Spotlight.


• Get the "Gossip Girl" look at Fashiontribes...even if you don't have a GG sized bank account.


• Stylehive gives you a sneak peek of Marc Jacobs' Visionaire 52 Private - sultry, gritty, and edgy photographs of our favorite celebs.


• Be prepared for any party invite this season with StyleBakery.com's list of 10 holiday must-haves.


• Bag Snob is obsessed with the Devi Kroell shopper bag!


• Bag Bliss’ newest obsession, the Knoxx Roan Weekend Handbag.


• KRiSTOPHER gives away a Gifts.com gift certificate. And she doesn't even want brain in exchange.


• Papierblog deconstructs the new season of Project Runway and plays Vegas bookmaker.


• Second City Style asks celebrities: Does middle age mean a fashion meltdown in "WTF Was She Thinking?": Grandma Jezebel edition.


• Yeah, Project Runway is back and The Jewelry Weblog is thrilled, even if they don't use enough from the accessories wall still this season.

Beauty:

• Celebrity Makeup Artist - and new blogger - Sam Fine stops by 55 Secret Street with his makeup secrets - and red velvet cupcakes!


• Stiletto Jungle found a Lush-ous way to do good while you shop: Lush Charity Pot Lotion.


• Beauty Snob fulfills the ultimate beauty fantasy with Bobbi Brown!


• WELOVEBEAUTY.com discovers Celeb Makeup Artist Paul Starr's newest obsession.

Project Runway 4: I'm Going for Christian

Yes that's right. I'm calling my Project Runway favorite now and it's going to be 21 year old Christian. I like that he can take risks and sews up something in a non-traditional silhouette and pulls it off on the runway. It was the freshest look out of everyone else's. I can't believe he didn't win last night. How many times have we seen the Greek goddess toga style dress? Too safe in my book. I'm looking forward to seeing what else this kid can make. So glad PR is back on TV again!

Freddy & Ma Sample Sale

Freddy & Ma is having their Fall Sample Sale with 50-70% off all custom designer handbags. I am loving the classic black bowler bag in black leather -- a steal for only $190. Shop online now!

Here's some other Freddy & Ma bags I love:

Iolanda with Pink Geometric Print ($115)

Aleta with Yellow Ginko Print ($75)

Announcing TechStyle

I can't wait for the start of the fourth season of Project Runway tonight! Speaking of Project Runway, I've got an exciting annoucment. Diana Eng, the Fashion Nerd from Season 2 and I are writing a book! It's called TechStyle: Create Wired Wearables and Geeky Gear and will be out in summer 2008. The book will cover everything you need to discover this new world of fashion + technology. From mathematical knits, biomimetic clothing, basic electronics, and more, you'll get inspired to create your own fashions with TechStyle.

Diana and I have gotten to be good friends from all the stuff she contributes to CRAFT Magazine, so as hard as writing can be, it's a fun process with the two of us. With Diana's amazing fashion designs, let's just say -- you are going to be blown away!

Photos above are from the fashion show at Maker Faire in 2006, Diana's fashion nerd logo, biomimetic clothing by Diana, and Diana + me at the Craftland show in Rhode Island last xmas holiday.

Hats Off

An easy way to make an outfit fresh this winter is to top it off with a hat like this Eugenia Kim Dante Fedora ($190). Fear not, if fedora's aren't for you, there are lots of different hat options that will keep you warm and looking fresh.

Here are more stylish hats:

Parker Wool Fedora ($28 at Urban Outfitters)

Eugina Kim Dion Knit Hat ($215 at Neiman Marcus)

Snow Squall Hat ($38 at Anthropologie)

Cable Knit Beret ($24 at Urban Outfitters)

Wool Cloche ($78 at Banana Republic)

Angora Poor Boy Hat ($19.50 at Gap)

Project Runway, Season 4!

Cold Feet

I always find it hard to find a pair of slippers come winter time because I need something to warm my feet and also look good, but not in that super big puffy slipper kind of way where you can barely walk cuz they are like clown shoes. I just got these Ugg Roo Slippers in Sand ($83.95 at Zappos) and it's the best match of cozy warmth and indoor winter style.

Here are more slippers from Zappos:

Hush Puppies ($45.95)

Smartdogs Comfy Booties ($48.95)

Barbo Rabbit Slipper ($68.95)

Daniel Green Cheetah Terry Spa Slippers ($37.95)