Which Way to the Beach? #accessories

Summer is in full swing, and that means trips to the sun, sand, and surf! But what are the essentials for a trip to the beach this Summer?

Summer Beach Essentials by sweetstellas featuring striped beach towels

A good pair of aviators, a crochet cover up and a funky headband are really the only things that you need when you hit the beach. Put them in a hippie chic crochet bag, along with your towel and the only thing missing is the latest issue of In Style and Vogue!

My favorite piece in this collection is the Forever New floral headband. Crowns and headbands like this are huge this season, and this one is only $13 CAD! What an awesome score!

What is in your beach bag this summer?

Don't forget the SPF30!

Gift Guide Featurette: Little Luxuries handmade accessories and photography props

Today's featurette is for all of your mama's of cute little girls, tweens, teens and women who like to add a little extra something to their outfit. Little Luxuries is a handmade accessory and photography prop shop created by London, Ontario designer Angela Donaldson.

With a focus on vintage, bohemian and chic design, Angela creates each item from scratch in her home studio...while chasing around her busy 2 year old daughter! A few things that you'll find at Little Luxuries are handmade brooches and pins, rustic chic hair clips, maternity sashes, handmade ruffle rompers and the sweetest burlap and fabric crowns.

Angela has been busy this fall creating a whole new line of inspired accessories for women and girls. Coming soon to Little Luxuries are bohemian feather headbands, newborn crowns for boys, and tulle puff flowers for brooches, pins and hair accessories!

 

At Little Luxuries, you can be sure that you are getting handmade items that are created with heart and inspiration. Angela pays particular attention to detail to ensure all edges are perfectly finished, the prettiest embellishments attached, and elements coordinated to create the most gorgeous accessories.

Here's a sneak peek at what is coming in 2014 for Little Luxuries!

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Spring Hair Accessories under $5

Handmade and colorful elastic hair ties seem to be all the rage right now, so when I saw these sets of 6 for $4.50 on Etsy, I knew it would make for a great addition to the $5 Etsy Fashion Find series!

The Giving Girl has 48 colors to choose from...crazy, right? But at $4.50 for a set of six, you could easily pick up a dozen or so different ones to coordinate with every spring outfit, without breaking the bank.

She even has some funky tie dye ones, in sets of 5 for just $4.10!

Happy hair tying!

$5 Find Friday: Double Braided Headband

I'm not sure that I could be more in love with this super chic and incredibly simple double braided headband. I just adore it and think that it is the perfect accessory for a Sunday brunch outfit, to hold your bangs back while they're growing out and you have a meeting to rush to, or even just for a casual trip out for coffee and some coveted me-time.

The Yarnival has done a fantastic job of creating a beautiful hair accessory while keeping in mind a sensible budget; this lovely is only $4.25! She's even got the details down - I mean, just look at that lovely wooden button at the back!

And what's even better....you can order as many as you'd like and pay just one flat shipping rate! Better value; stock up now! I have a feeling a few of these will be coming to Chicago with me in July!

Wedding Wednesday: Blue Zinnia's

Take a beautiful model {Stephanie}, a beautiful horse {Nifty Nelson} and a stunning dress...what's missing? A gorgeous hair piece for the bride!

What I absolutely love about this piece is how whimsical it is.

Sculpted out of a turquoise blue clay, this layered Zinnia features pearl and white tendrils and a marbled centre. It is truly inspired, yet only 2.5" in diameter, so it doesn't take away from your stunning gown, or the gorgeous dresses of your bridesmaids.

Definitely worthy of your something blue, hairclips in white and pearl with a blue centre can be created for your bridesmaids to ensure your girls are coordinated with your fabulous look.

Have other colours on your radar? I can work with any colour scheme to give you something truly inspired for your big day!

Wedding Wednesday: New Bridal Accessories!

I have a couple of new pieces to introduce to you today!!

Sculpted bridal hair pins are now in the shop! From tiny little marbled gold and white pearls to hand rolled black rosettes...hair pins make the perfect statement, in a subtle way.

I can work with your wedding colours to create the perfect marbled pearls, your wedding flowers to replicate them for your hair, or create something truly inspired and do some hand painted pins!

I just love creating them. They're so small and delicate, yet make such an impact and really finish the whole look!

Wedding Wednesday: Statement Hair Pieces

One thing that I would do differently about my wedding day is how I had my hair. I so wish that I had of stayed true to my artistic self and not fallen into the formal bridal thing {great for some, just not reflective of my personality or style}.

I wish I had been inspired...

I absolutely love this double layered violet, with gold spiky stamen. It's oversized, handsculpted and just fantastic.

With my new line of bridal hair pieces, I am trying to make a statement. While still classic and clean looking, the pieces are oversized, have a bit of colour and are incredibly inspired. Ruffles, handpainted headbands...you name it and you'll find it in Sweet Stella's, under Clay Bridal Accessories!

Wedding Wednesday: Sculpted Bridal Accessories

I've been in my studio alot lately...dreaming up some amazingly whimsical designs for brides. Oh...if only I could do it all over again! One of the things that I would most definitely change would be my hair.

Don't get me wrong, it was super pretty, but it was incredibly formal and it just didn't suit my artsy-fartsy personality.

To do it all again...

oversize white ruffle peony on a headband

And for my girls...

black ruffle peony hair clips

I don't know why I didn't think about using my skills as an artist four years ago when we got married - I got crafty and made a few things here and there, but definitely could have gone all out when it came to whimsical designs to make our colours {black, white and lime} really pop. Can you imagine the white ruffle peony with a lime centre and some tendrils in my dark chocolate hair?! Amazing!

BlogHer Sponsor Love: Hanlon Lain Photography

I had this vision way back in December when Lainie and I first shot with Kassidy of a woodland fairy nymph coming to life out in the woods with my sculpted hair pieces tangled in her crazy hair, really frosty looking makeup, a big fluffy tutu and reading one of my painted journals.

December.

6 months ago...

On Thursday evening, my vision came to life and I cannot wait to get the photos from the session. Here is a sneak peek!!

White ruffle peony headband and painted skeleton key journal

Isn't she stunning?? I adore all of the photos that I've seen so far and am so thankful to everyone who helped to pull off this shoot!

Talk-To-Me Tuesday: Celeb{rate}

I've had the amazing opportunity to connect with some incredible people lately...people in high places.

Well...in shiny, sparkly places...and people who appreciate handmade.

Over the next few weeks, I invite you to Celeb{rate} with me on Tuesday's! I'll show you who I'm sending some work to, and the amazing pieces that they'll receive....you can shout it from the rooftops with me...jump on a table and dance...fist-pump...the whole thing!

In March, I had the opportunity to create two gorgeous pieces for one gorgeous women that I really admire and find incredibly inspiring.

First and foremost, isn't she gorgeous?

I am so proud to say that I have painted Lauren a journal, with an antique skeleton key embellishment. The journal itself was inspired by ballet, and her clothing collection. All very flowy, fluid lines and with lots of ribbon detail. Absolutely love it!

Then, I sculpted her a double pansy hair clip on a vintage alligator clip. It's a little heavy, so will have to be worn pointing downwards so it stays put. I just love the white and plum together. So pretty, especially with her California blonde and tan!

Stay tuned on Tuesdays as I reveal more gifts to Celeb{rate}!

Talk-To-Me Tuesday: Hair Accessories

Anyone who knows me in real life {which is alot of you out there! Thanks for your support, friends!} knows that I love me a fabulous hair accessory, preferably in the shape of a bow or a rosette.

I have lots....a few made by a dear friend, and two pieces from a shop that I admire with all of my heart, Pixel&Hank.

Since I've been sculpting a tonne lately, I thought to myself what about hair accessories?!



Silver and pale pink on a silver 5mm headband. The rosettes are approximately 2" each, affixed to the headband with epoxy.

They've hit the Etsy shop, and I just absolutely love the response that they're getting.

And it's not just headbands either!

I've had some custom orders for sculpted hair clips, which have turned out amazingly!


Tangerine! The Pantone colour for 2012!

I'm having so much fun making spring accessories!

Any requests??

WAHM Wednesday: Wardrobe

I learned from Jenni last year, that your BlogHer wardrobe is very important.

I was talking to my husband a few weeks ago about what I would wear at the cocktail events, and how I wanted to get a whole new wardrobe.

In my dreams, maybe. In reality...not so much.

This outfit, however, will definitely be making its way into my suitcase, along with many a handcrafted accessory that I will blog about in the coming weeks.


{minus the stroller of course....}

One of my favourite accessories is from BailyBelle, and it definitely will be coming to NYC with me!



BlogHer'12 is, afterall, taking place in NYC...you know...the land of Carrie Bradshaw...*sigh*

My plan is to pack some simple but fabulous clothes, a tonne of unique accessories like the gorgeous cocktail ring above, and shoe...oh...shoes...

My Sam and Libby suede peep toe booties (pictured above) will definitely by in my bag. Those Chuck Taylor's that I blogged about a few weeks ago, they might find their way into my bag as well since the conference is in August...birthday in September...

I'm going to need to find some amazing, yet reasonably priced, shoes for a night (or two) out on the town with my girls. Any suggestions for this 5'2" gal? Channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and let me know!

Sponsor Love: Wedding Accessories by Jacques Vert

Which wedding accessories do you choose for your wedding?

If you are planning to attend a wedding or perhaps you are getting married yourself, it isn’t always easy to find perfect wedding outfits because of the wide range of choice. On top of that are the accessories that are of importance as well. If you are unsure of which accessories to wear with your wedding outfit or when going to a formal lunch event, then it might be worthwhile for you to read this post. I have lined up some accessories that I believe would make a great addition to any occasion wear outfit.

Jewellery

When deciding upon what type of jewellery to choose, I’d recommend opting for less chunky jewellery such as this elegant fine black enamel and marcasite effect pendant necklace. The necklace is set on a silver colour chai with little ball beads and would look great with any wedding outfit.

Fascinators

For those who have never heard of this term, a fascinator is a fashionable headpiece that is often worn on special occasions. Fascinators come in various styles and are created by colourful feathers, flowers and other sorts of fabrics.

Often, these fascinators can be worn in two different ways. There are fascinators with combs attached to them which you have to stick in your hair in the opposite direction, ensuring the hairs are woven between the teeth of the comb. The other, more common, form is the headband fascinator which can simply be placed on top of the hair.

Purses

Finding the right purse to go with your outfit can often be a tricky task because you have to ensure that all your belongings fit in the bag (and we’ve got many things we put in our purses) whilst at the same time making sure that the colour is right.

This purse is an elegant fondant pink fabric clutch styled bag, with a curving flat to the front and satin draped twist detail to finish. You can combine this purse with a crème or black dress, or a similar colours dress.

This post was sponsored by Susanna Cha, on behalf of Jacques Vert

MOMpreneur Monday (and GIVEAWAY!): Lilybugs Clips n' More

Good morning everyone! It's such a beautiful morning, and what better way to celebrate the emergence of Spring than with a lovely MOMpreneur?!

Introducing Stacy from Lilybugs Clips n' More!

What do you do?

I make handmade hair accessories! I use the inspiration from my daughter Lily and my imagination. I try to do things that I haven't seen much of. it is wasn't for my daughter, I wouldn't be where I am.

Why do you love it?

I have always had a passion for crafty things. When I had my daughter 5 years ago, I started doing clips for her and it's grown since then. I've always had a passion for it and it's even better to see the smiles they bring. That's why I love it.

What advice do you have for other MOmpreneurs?

My advice: do what makes you happy and don't let others stop you. If you enjoy it, go for it! Share your passion with others!

Thank you so much for your kind words, Stacy and for creating really cute clips for little girls!

If you're in the Woodstock area, Lilybugs Clips n' More are featured at All Aboard Kids and Kangaroo Kid (also in the St. Thomas location) and in Tillsonburg at Tiger by the Tail. You can contact Stacy through email, and also find her on facebook!

NOW! Stacy was kind enough to want to do a GIVEAWAY! It will run until FRIDAY March 11th at 9pm EST.

What can you win? A $20 credit for the products of your choice from Lilybugs!

How to Enter:

1) Become friends with Lilybugs Clips n' More on Facebook, comment here that you've done so

2) Comment here what you would spend your $20 credit on

3) Share this on Twitter "I entered the @sweetstellas Giveaway to win $20 from LilybugsClipsn'More!" - this can be done DAILY! Make sure you comment back here each time!

4) Become a follower of the Sweet Stella's blog, comment below that you are!

Don't forget your email address on your entries so you can be contacted when you win!