Hey all, over at Dedicated we're now offering monthly spots for sponsors!

Here's the scoop:
Dedicated Follower of Fashion is in it's first few months and we already have a following of our own.
We get approximately 100 hits a day, with a high of 217 and a low of 43.
Not bad eh? Well we're proud.

$10 will get you a sidebar ad, 150 pixels wide by 100 pixels tall for one whole month!
And hopefully a good few clicks, this month Dedicated will be advertising itself so we're hoping to double our numbers and your's at the same time!

If you're interested just drop me an email: kelsi@stylesmithonline.com

We're also open to your story's and submissions so drop us a line!

Feed Your Soul - Free Art!

I love free things. There's no doubt about it. And free art. Well that's just fabulous.

Especially when it's from these amazing artists.

'Feed Your Soul' is a free art project run by the peeps behind Indie Fixx and it is just fabulous! So go! Download to your hearts content!

Yummy Pavlova

So on Easter Sunday (yes this is a long time coming) I decided to attempt a childhood favourite of mine. Pavlova.

It's basically a huge meringue (or littler ones) filled with whipped cream and fruit. The recipe is simple enough but somehow hard to achieve perfection with.

Mine, started to tan in the oven so I took it out earlier, so it was still a little soft in the middle, it also began to crack overnight. But softness and aesthetics aside, it was soooooo yummy. I can't wait to make it again! And the fruit from the farmers market was just perfect!

(any tips for avoid browning/softness/cracking would be much appreciated!)

I used this recipe.

Ahoy There Sailor!

I just spent a long but wonderful day on the beach shooting the latest shoot for Dedicated Follower of Fashion.

It was a fabulous day down in Malibu, which certainly wasn't expected on the drive out there with sky full of clouds! So much so none of us brought sunscreen. Big mistake and my red back is paying for it.

This cheeky little picture isn't particularly reflective our 'Girl Friday', 'Shipwrecked Siren' theme but we could resist pulling out our inner campiness just for one little picture!

See the full and beautiful shoot on May 15th at Dedicated Follower of Fashion!

Happy St George's Day

I'm feeling homesick and extremely patriotic with my pint of cider. (and just a little tipsy)

Today is my sister's birthday and Shakespeare's birthday and the anniversary of Shakespeare's death.

And it's also St George's Day. St George is the patron saint of England - the one that killed the dragon!

Have a little listen to the below video it's one of my favourite songs and makes me a little weepy!

Belles Lettres

So a little while, maybe a full year ago in fact, a fell a little bit for Belles Lettres, a seller on Etsy. She had created a kit called 'Know Your Corbusier' a series of laminated flash cards intent on teaching one the basic classics of Mid Century Modern Furniture.

The light humour and design bent made me squeal. And at some point I really must buy a set for my brother (the purveyor behind Homespun)

Today perusing Belles Lettres' store I was more than a little bit blown away. This is now a fully fledged love. I am fascinated as to what this girl can do with a laminator.

I adore the decoupaged Matroshka dolls, the bags, the dresses. Wow. Clearly a step in a very good direction. And I'm kind of wanting to purchase a laminator..though I don't see a chance in hell of achieving the kind of greatness that Belles Lettres presented me with today.

Well done.

(As a side note check out this listing in her store. What an amazing and fascinating project. I wish I could have been an original subscriber. Also you must check out her books, very inspiring.)

Stylesmith Turns One!

Today (April 15th I'm posting this an hour early) Stylesmith turns One year old!

It's been a whirlwind of a year. To think one year ago I was an out of work actress desperately trying avoid waiting tables (again) with a lot of handmade hats on my hands (it was my hobby)

Who knew the mixture of the two would turn out so well?!

I certainly didn't. But it was a risk that paid off, 300 plus sales later between the two stores!
Now I just have to work out if I can be a working actress with a handmade business! Do you think I can handle it?

Anyhow. To celebrate this lovely anniversary everything in both Stylesmith and Stylesmith Vintage will be 20% off for one day only! With the first five lucky ducks receiving a free gift with purchase!

Just say 'Happy Birthday' in message to seller and the discount will be refunded via Paypal.

Thanks so much for all the support over the past year let's make this one a good un!

Kx

(p.s the pic is from my actual birthday...which I will post about soon I promise!)

California Girl...

So I've decided something...

I'm an English girl living the California dream. Not the American dream. Very different. In the California dream, you're simply happy. And when you're not happy, you're beautifully melancholy.

(I'm not sure where I found this image, if anyone has the credit I'd be happy to add it)

The Second Dedicated Shoot is Here!

Tea anyone?

I'm so happy with these results!
Checkout the full shoot at Dedicated Follower of Fashion!

Press Club

With the first birthday of Stylesmith coming up soon I've been reflecting on the past year and it's success and I realised I have a lot of people to thank for my success.

The obvious ones would be my husband, family and friends, the models, Kate my amazing friend and and make-up artist.

My wonderful customers.

But I am really truly thankful for the great press I have received throughout the past year from all you wonderful bloggers out there.So I have compiled a little list... thanks so much you're all fabulous.

Etsy Wedding

Coco and Kelley

Indie Shopping

A Practical Wedding

Journeys of Mangonett

Rini and Faith

Kelli Green

Big Girls Clothes Horse

Conversation Pieces

Creative Monsoon

The Haute Craftour

Lipstick Lace. Brass Knuckles

Tha Hotness

Valentine Interviews

Parapluie@Chictopia

Pause4Thought

Lurrrve is all you need

Amanda Sainsbury

Greetz From Tiz

Susie and Prue

Picture Credits from Clockwise: Vintage Royal Typewriter from AntiNu, Chocolate Brown Typewriter from JessJamesJake, Antique Royal Typewriter from Vintage Tea, IBM Selectric Typewriter from Kelly Hillis, Red Sears Electric Typewriter from Happy Day Vintage, Vintage Pink Typewriter from Bleep

Royal Anarchy on Sale

The Royal Anarchy is going on vacation from the Etsy store for a little while. So to celebrate it's little getaway it's all on sale.

They're actually selling pretty fast and won't be back till the fall. So be quick and be nifty and grab yours!

Available here.

Etsy Seller in Twilight!

Maybe this is old news but I thought it was very cool and definitely worthy of a brief Stylesmith feature!

An Etsy seller had her bag in the Twilight movie...

So the geeky teenager in me adored the books, and liked the movie (not remotely up to par with the books in my honest opinion) and I think I would have had a coronary if I spotted one of my hats in the movie...(total geek out moment - Alice in 'The Alice'?!)

Anyhow if you wish to purchase said bag visit the wonderful Stitch and Swash and read the full story in her shop announcement.

Oh and I should mention that the bag is very lovely!