Sunday, February 28, 2010

Green Thumbing It.


At la maison Stylesmith I'm thinking of pulling out my green thumb..if I do indeed have one.

I don't have a good track record for keeping green and pretty things alive..my cat and my husband excluded (though neither are green, they are pretty) but we do currently have a backyard, in fact we've had a backyard for over a year and we've done bugger all with it.

The main issue at this point is the yard itself. Where I live is basically the desert industrialized, and whilst I'm super fond of the climate, green things such as grass, are not...so my yard is a dirt yard.

Planting grass just isn't an option, the soil is too hard and dry and turf is an impossibility financially, especially seen as we rent and do not own. So we've decided on gravel, surprisingly affordable...I'm also planning on a few 'mulch' areas..mainly because I like the word ; )

I also want to grow my own vegetables, I've actually tried twice now, the first time I was almost far too successful and ended up with a lot of rotten tomatoes and the second time I went away to NY and Mr. Style neglected to water anything....yet the idea of living the 'Good Life' (British tv show from the Seventies) will not pass.

I'm planning on planting in raised beds... cherry tomatoes, arugula and strawberries. Then in my already beautifully painted pots that used to house succulents at our old house (they've since died - yes I can't keep a plant designed for the desert alive IN the desert) I will plant basil, oregano, mint, cilantro and rosemary.

I figured this was a good start and that any remaining pots can receive new succulents.

It'll be a longish process for sure that will unfortunately have to begin with a lot of weed pulling...they'll grow apparently...must be all the rain & a big clean up. But I'll keep you posted with some before and after pictures.

The beautiful picture above is one I snapped quickly on my phone, it's a garden in Culver City that is a veritable wonderland of fancy things and wildness... I dream of a garden like that!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010: Holiday Romance: The Notebook Fascinator

Ok...the best piece in this new collection (I know I made it...obsessed with this myself) and the one pictured has already gone! A felt fascinator stitched to look like a sheet of notepaper, in blue and red cotton on white felt, with 'I love you' hand embroidered along one line....

These will be made to order and obviously due to the handstitching (no templates here!) each on will be slightly different. They'll retail at $40.




Monday, February 22, 2010

Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010: Holiday Romance: Veiled Fascinators


Last set of updates for the day..later in the week I'll show you my more nautical themed items for the Holiday Romance Collection and my new (well updated) jewelry line!

These candy colour fascinators are trimmed with a little pouf of vintage veiling and will retail at $34 each.

Night night folks ; )

Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010: Holiday Romance: PolkaDot Fascinators




Adorable, even if I do say so myself : ) these are the new fascinators for the new Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Felt fascinators with tiny hand embroidered polkadots in contrasting pastel colours. Coming soon and retailing at $32.

Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010: Holiday Romance: Pom Pom Hats!




Pom Pom Hats! One of my favourite additions to the new collection. Felt fascinators, with handmade pom poms in contrasting colours!

They'll be available soon and retail at $34!

p.s thanks to Sandra D at Debutante Clothing for the beautiful vintage dresses.

Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010: Holiday Romance: Cameo Bolo Ties

More previews of the new Stylesmith Spring/Summer Collection with my new Vintage Cameo Bolo Ties. Delicate, pretty and a little bit different, they'll be available soon retailing at $18 each.

Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010: Holiday Romance: Velvet & Lace


Some more pictures from the new collection! Sweet velvet bows in pretty pastels, with a swish of vintage veiling all on a little plastic comb. Coming soon and retailing at $12.

Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010: Holiday Romance: Cotton Candy Bows


The first photo's from the Stylesmith Spring/Summer 2010 Collection: 'Holiday Romance' are here! They'll be available in store soon!
I'll be updating the this blog with pictures throughout the day and they'll be available in the store soon! These tulle bows will retail at $14 each.

Kelsi x

Friday, February 5, 2010

More Peeks..I'm on a Roll


More sneak peeks! Please excuse the iphone shots! Pictured above the cute Pom Pom Hats! Pictured below embroidering the polkadot hats and what they look like so far (still have to embroider the yellow and add veiling!)


Another Sneak Peek!!



Another sneak peek on the run up to the big shoot on Tuesday!

This time shoe jazz! These little gems will brighten up any shoes for only $12! Whoop whoop!

The bows are coming in green, pink, lilac, black, baby blue, and yellow (pictured) and these fab rosettes are made from vintage millinery trims....meant for your head I thought they'd be better for your toes!

Available soon!

xxx

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Stylesmith does Bridal!

The Stylesmith Bridal collection is complete and will be available in store shortly! Here's a peak of what to expect! I wanted to create Bridal collection that was chic, quirky and affordable and I think I hit the mark!

The full collection can currently be seen on my Flickr account here!

Pictured above, baby pleated silk dupioni fascinator - $32


Tie on veil, with coloured chenille dots - $18


Pink Flower Fascinator covered in Pink Veiling - $36


Beaded Peacock Feather Headband - $29


Gold Veiled Flower Fascinator - $40