Lime blouse: Old Navy, remixed * Black cardigan: Old Navy, remixed * Skirt: H&M, remixed * Tights: Target: Brogues: apostrophe, remixed * Necklace: gift
I've got a case of the Mondays today, fo sho. And probably a case of somethin' else, too, since I've been home sick all day. I started coming down with something yesterday, and tried to beat it, but by the time I woke up this morning I was achy, weak, and just generally under the weather. I'm feeling a bit better now...I think it has something to do with the multitude of tea and Emergen-C that I've been dutifully drinking throughout the day. I'm going to go out on a limb and contribute it to the Heroes marathon I've indulged in this afternoon. Probably more due to the tea, though, huh? Since I'm sick, I haven't exactly gotten dressed today. So these outfit shots are from a little while ago. I do remember that I had a pretty busy day at work that day, so I wanted to feel comfortable but still look professional. I got the idea to cross-tuck this cardigan from Blue Collar Catwalk and What Would a Nerd Wear, and I really like how it ended up. It was surprisingly comfortable, and I think it looked sleek and pulled together. Plus, it totally changed the way this particular cardigan looked. It's usually a looser, flowier fit, but by cross-tucking it, it took on a totally different, polished quality.
In other news, I spent a good chunk of time yesterday updating my Etsy shop (the above pictures, when clicked on, should link to each listing in the shop). I took a bit of a break from the necklace-makin'-and-sellin' biz around the holidays, but since then I've been making some pieces here and there. I finally got a chance to photograph and list them all yesterday. As always, if you see something that you like, but want a minor (or major!) tweak, let me know. Working on these necklaces reminds me of how much I love Etsy! There is so much great stuff there. I think what I like the best about it is that it has both vintage and handmade stuff. I love that you can find some astonishing heirloom one day, and then an incredible handcrafted scarf the next. And I love that it gives the opportunity for small businesses (or tiny one-person enterprises, like mine) to exist in an increasingly small-business-stifling economy. The buy local, buy vintage, buy handmade movement is so real, so smart, and so creative, and I'm thrilled to see how much it is flourishing. I remember when Wal-Mart first came to my small town, and a lot of stores struggled, a lot, an went out of business entirely. Now, I realize that sites like Etsy cannot entirely replace the indie record stores and clothing boutiques in small towns, but it is a start. And I think it's proof positive that we're not just interested in the lowest price, no matter the cost. We value quality, and craftsmanship, and supporting small family businesses. So tell me: what's your favorite Etsy shop?
Title song: The Fugees, "Family Business"
