Suit up- The Battle over the CSPIA just got a little longer!

Exciting news about the CPSIA here. Looks like there will be another year to amend this law. There is still work to be done, but thankfully more time to do it. Keep at it!

Saturday in the Park

We enjoyed a little streak of sunshine a few days ago and spent it reading, people and duck watching in a local park. It felt so nice to be out in the fresh air. I wanted to take more photos of people with their dogs- there were pugs, chiwawas, great danes and even a bulldog- but I felt a little shy. Do you ever feel that way when photographing strangers? It's a bit of a violation. I wonder how the paparazzi live with themselves?! Hope you find a lovely way to spend your weekend. Happy Friday!

Etsy Bloggers Trunk Show: You're Invited!

Come to our virtual trunk show tomorrow, Friday January 30th at 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, where twenty-six talented Etsy shops from all over the world will showcase their best products in the EtsyLabs! Sales and special offers will apply only to the EtsyBloggers TRUNK SHOW attendees!

Everyone is welcome to attend, so come and join the fun here tomorrow night. Check out the sales in participating shops here. See you there!

Italian Fashion

I love to tear out magazine pages that are inspire me- that way I don't end up with piles of old magazines cluttering up the house. But while perusing this month's Vogue, all the pages I ripped out were advertisements! I found the one above especially compelling- I love how the colors she is wearing echo the soft colors of the sea and stones behind her. I also love the way her coat is belted- see how it isn't quite closed so you can see the rest of her outfit, but still tied prettily at the waist. So nonchalant! I visited the Kiton website to see more of these lovely clothes and discovered the company is Italian.

I am consistently drawn to Italian style- such attention to detail, but never snobby or uptight. I also love the way it can suddenly veer towards dangerously over the top, slightly off kilter glamour. A little kookiness livens up any wardrobe. Speaking of Italians, did you see these two on The Sartorialist a few days ago?


I love his spin on Brit Pop and the battered beauty of his massive leather bag. (And that door behind him!)



And I love the details, (the ruffly pocket just above the waist!) and colors she is wearing- don't you love those sea foam green gloves with her dandelion yellow coat red bag and stripey tights? She looks effortlessly gorgeous.

The Law of Unintended Consequences: CPSIA

You may have heard rumblings about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and its potentially huge impact on businesses small and large that make products for children under 12. Today many bloggers are posting about this badly written law which will go into effect on February 10th.

Here's an excerpt from an excellent Forbes article on the subject.

"As CPSIA opponents mobilize, the phrase "unintended consequences" is often heard. Part of the irony, after all, is that the Hasbros and Targets, with their standardization and economies of scale, can afford to adapt to such rules as part of their business plan, while the sorts of enterprises that initially looked to benefit most from the Chinese toy scare--local, organic and so forth--are also the ones who find it hardest to comply.

But the failure here runs deeper. This was not some enactment slipped through in the dead of night: It was one of the most highly publicized pieces of legislation to pass Congress last year.

And yet now it appears precious few lawmakers took the time to check what was in the bill, while precious few in the press (which ran countless let's-pass-a-law articles) cared to raise even the most basic questions about what the law was going to require.

Yes, something's being exposed as systematically defective here. But it's not the contents of our kids' toy chests. It's the way we make public policy."

You can also read the full text of the law here. And here's a letter you can send your congressman. You could also buy an endangered handmade childrens item to show your support, like the beautiful hand painted onesies Amy and her sister make over at Green Seam.

Revive a Straw Tote Bag with Miss B

When I found this little straw bag at the thrift store, I knew just what it needed:




A new lining- obviously. (Yellowed vinyl, yuck!) And I had the perfect fabric in my stash at home.



I carefully snipped the vinyl liner out and then used it as a template to cut my two pieces out.




I sewed them together (thanks for letting me borrow your Singer Momma D!)



A stitch straight across both corners created a flat surface for the bottom of the bag. I placed the lining inside the bag and carefully pinned the top hem and finished the edges with the sewing machine.





I sewed the finished lining inside the bag by hand and voila! A fancy new grocery tote.



And is it a coincidence that all these lovely things can fit inside so perfectly? I think not. There is nothing so satisfying as breathing new life into an old abandoned object. Have you finished any DIY projects lately?

Five Finds for Saint Valentine

Not sure about all of you, but I'm knee deep in Valentine's Day prep for my shop and it's on my brain. As usual, I'm feeling all frilly frenchie foo foo for February fourteenth. Now featuring five favorites- (phew!)


This new photo collectionof the beloved Marilyn Monroe would be a lovely way to add some golden girl sex appeal to my bookshelf.

I think lacy tights are probably the only article of clothing on earth that can make you feel incredibly sexy while simultaneously keeping you warm!


Not just any chocolates- Vosges Chocolates please. I love the crazy flavor combinations- like chocolates with curry, paprika and even bacon. Yum.

Some silly, frilly and frivolous slippers in which to prance around the bedroom. (And the bedroom only, thank you!)



Ms. Monroe famously woreNumber Five as bedtime attire. I'll be following (birthday) suit(s)!

Whats inspiring you for February Fourteenth?

So and So Said Volume 8

Click on the image to see it larger (or use as your desktop wallpaper!) Happy Sunday!

Eat your heart out Molly Ringwald.

This is Pretty in Pink (with a bit of black to complete my pseudo 80's moment.) Click away right here. And if you are wondering how to make and publish your own treasury collection, check out this handy dandy tutorial. I love making them and then sending the sellers I've included a little note- I get to practice my curating skills, picking things that inspire me in the moment, meet shop owners I admire, and they get the little rush of seeing their goodies on stage. Every now and then Etsy admin will choose a collection for the front page and then everybody wins, right?

The Lucky Winners!

Kristin and Lizzie K took the cake! Kristin, your prize is on the way. Lizzie, please e-mail me with your address at thefabulousmissb(at)gmail(dot)com so I can send your lovely prize too! Thanks so much for playing. I have more giveaways planned for February, so stay tuned!

xo,

Becky

P.S) Aren't these pretty yellow flowers just what the doctor ordered for those "Why-isn't-January-over-yet" blues? I think I need to go pick some up.

Happy Friday!

My last guest blog is up over at Panoptica! I hope you love following Jimena's blog as much as I do!

Tomorrow, Eric and I are celebrating the weekend with a decadent champagne brunch at The Palms. (Hooray for Sin City!) What are your plans for the weekend? Enjoy!

Pajama Sketches

Nick and Nora two piece pjs and Lamb Chop fuzzy slippers that were a gift from Momma D.



This vintage inspired romper (sold out, but this one is similar) and this incredible robe, fishnets and these ridiculously frilly shoes.

Click on the images to see them larger. What do your favorite jammies look like?

Crazy Tights!

Lately I've been into layering my crazy tights- a bold color underneath and a pattern over the top to make them really pop. It looks eccentric, and the rest of the outfit has to be pretty plain, but I'm really having fun with it. What are you wearing lately?

Updates from a busy week!

Here are a few of the recent creations from my studio. (The cupid has already been sent off to her new home!) Also, the second guest blog is up over at Panoptica. Come have a look! It looks like an absolutely glorious day in Lovely Las Vegas and Eric and I are going for a bike ride. How are you spending your day?

Prints from Ana Installed in Casa Kazana

After my interview with the talented Ana, I couldn't hold out any longer and snapped up several of her beautiful gocco prints. Here they are installed in cherry wood frames (Target: $5 each) with rich chocolate mats(vile Michael's: $3 each). She's running a buy three get one free sale right now. Pop over and check it out!

Making Big things look Tiny is Fun.

Thanks to Abby's post, I've spent a good part of the afternoon making our Beijing photos into miniatures via the Tilt Shift Maker. It's making my hankering for a dollhouse worse than ever. When I showed these to E, he said, "I don't get it. What makes it look tiny?" What do you think? Do they look like itsy bitsy models, or not so much? Check out the flickr group for even more.

More Treasury Mayhem!

More Becky treasury picks. Click over here before it expires!

Guest Blogging Fun at Panoptica!

Hooray! I've been invited to guest blog over at Panoptica! Jimena writes this wonderful blog from her home in Mexico City and runs this fabulous Etsy shop full of her one of a kind bottle cap brooches and the occasional vintage find. She's also a member of the Etsy Bloggers Street Team! Today kicks off the first of my three guest posts. Come on over and join in the fun!

The Humble Carnation

Trying to stick to a budget and still enjoy unnecessary extravagances like fresh flowers can be tricky. Consider the carnation. It is long lasting, smells nice, comes in every imaginable shade, is readily found at your grocery store and is dirt cheap. I bought this bunch of orange and pink candy striped ones for $5. Group them tightly in a low cup or vase, (mine is a re-purposed poured candle glass) include those charming green buds and they look just as chic and cheerful as a bowlful of peonies.