etsy: yokoo

i am in such a fall mood. i know i got a lot of my fall lust out a few posts back, but i am really craving sweater weather*. i'm a bit bummed though because i don't have nearly enough sweaters or cosy articles of clothing for when the days become really crisp and chilly. needless to say, i'm absolutely drooling over all of the lovely knits at Yokoo. my insatiable desire for all things snuggly is going into overdrive, and if i don't start knitting something soon i think i just might buy out the whole store!

*i've just been reminded of one of my favorite comics. it's called Sweaterweather and is one of the cutest things i have ever seen. i'll have to re-read it now!

etsy color: pink

clockwise from top left: crown by Janine Basil; necklace by thief & bandit; print by jellybeans; coin purse by oktak; coat from Amalia Chimera; print by abby try again; print by Catherine Campbell; tattoo by Julia Pott; bloomers by Clare Bare

i adore pink, but it is one of those colors that i really only adore in small doses. pink is always forced into your face as such a girly color, and sometimes i just wish we could let go of the stereotype and let pink be pink. does that make sense? having said that, the items i picked are rather "girly" but i like them all for their perfect display of the color. the pieces are all rather artsy in their own way and none of them are too harsh or in your face. even that sparkly crown is nice and quaint. i've found that a little pink can go a long way...and just the right amount in just the right shade can make it appear as if you're housing the most wonderful secret.

etsy: caitlin shearer

Caitlin Shearer's work is phenomenal. each image tells a story that i either want to be the heroine in or just read for ages. it's amazing how much emotion can come across in a painted portrait. some of her pieces have almost brought me to tears, while others are wistful and like a fleeting memory. her artwork achieves what i think all art should. the lovely Caitlin herself is a 21 year old woman who dreams of other eras and marrying Fred Astaire. she also dreams of going back as Fred Astaire so that she could, "go (to) a movie with Ginger Rogers and dance the night away wearing a shiny top hat and sequins." this is a woman after my own heart, for sure!

(quote source)

ps- Caitlin also has a blog. it's a super wonderful blog, but incredibly easy to get sucked into, so set some time aside before you start perusing through it.

pps- i'm totally kicking myself for letting this be my first official post about Ms. Shearer, seeing as she's only one of my favorite watercolor artists. in fact, my computer desktop has been one of her pieces for ages. this one to be precise.

etsy color: black

clockwise from top left: pillow by The Utilitarian Franchise; print by Leigh Viner; chandelier by uncommon; earrings by Tilly Bloom; mug by Brookish; journal by The Black Spot Books; harness by Norwegian Wood; booties from Old Baltimore Vintage; print by Caitlin Shearer; bag by Sunflower Design

black isn't exactly a color. while white is the combination of all colors, black is the absence of color. and for something so "lacking" in color, it speaks absolute volumes. i don't feel like black is depressing or sad at all. i think it's sophisticated and chic, edgy and bold. black can also be incredibly elegant...but in a different way than white. black is mysterious. and when you wear it or decorate with it that bit of mystery is what gives black a little something that's hard (if not impossible) to pinpoint...but draws you in nonetheless.

etsy: lamixx

lamixx is all about beautiful minimalism. if you like simple clothing this is a shop i would highly recommend checking out. their pieces look comfy and basic...and in a super chic way. you don't just find t-shirts in this little store. the basics here are quite unique with fantastic details that set them apart from other plain basics. take for instance this tank top. it looks like a cosy tank in the front, but twirl around and the back has a beautiful halter top. wonderfully executed designs, don't you think?

etsy color: orange

clockwise from top left: print by Belafonte; dress from brown bag vintage; oxfords from margaret pearl; pillow by La Pomme; necklace by JewelEra; plush by Sara Carr; print by Zukzuk; print by sparkle power; print by Darling Clementine

this Etsy color post is full of prints! i didn't realize just how many prints i collected until i started typing out which shops i found each item in. every time i do a color post it's fun to see what's popular with each color. sometimes there will be a lot of clothing in a certain color, maybe lots of jewelry, or a plethora of prints (like there are now). i can easily see why so many people have prints in orange. orange is one of those colors that's instantly cheerful. it kind of has the same effect on me as yellow in that manner. so of course it makes sense to put orange in happy prints up on the wall. i want to frame as much happiness as i can! and let's just be honest here...i'm drooling over that first print (the girl). that one is hands down my favorite. =]

ps- want more Etsy? enter this giveaway to win a necklace!

oh, henry! necklace giveaway

♥ to enter this giveaway simply visit Oh, Henry! and leave a comment below ♥

this absolutely delightful giveaway is from Irena, the lovely lady behind the Oh, Henry! shop and blog. she is offering her Good Luck Charm necklace to one very lucky (no pun intended) reader.

as you all know, i'm slightly obsessed with color. big bold pops of color are a dream for me, and i adore this pink necklace. needless to say, i was quite excited when Irena contacted me about a giveaway and i saw all the gorgeous colors in her store, especially in her necklaces. this specific necklace is made with pink beads and pink satin ribbon. it's simple yet versatile, so you could think up oodles of ways to wear it!

for extra entries (one seperate comment each):

-follow my blog, or let me know if you already do!

-tweet about this giveaway, put @LuluDreams somewhere in the tweet.

-blog about the giveaway. leave me a link!

so thats a total of four ways you can enter! i know, i know, sometimes these giveaways can get kind of confusing what with the rules always being different and all. good luck to everyone!

ps- this giveaway will close on August 16th.

♥♥♥

etsy: nan lawson illustration

my oh my, could these illustrations get any cuter? it's absolutely impossible to look through Nan Lawson's shop without chuckling to yourself and going, "oh i want that one! no wait...that one!" about a million and a half times. i rather enjoy the seemingly simpleness of it all. the simple lines, the simple colors, the simple composition. these components make for some, well, simply amazing pieces. my favorite little section in her shop would have to be either her "quirky characters" or her "typography", but i could easily put any of Nan Lawson's art up on my walls and feel quite at home.

etsy color: white

clockwise from top left: map print by Karen M. O'Leary; boots from Marie's Vintage; mobile by The Butter Flying; print by Debbie Carlos; tee by The Petite Chouette; purse by morelle; wall decor from Monkey and Squirrel; frames from Vintage 50s Eyewear; necklace by Fox & Clover

okay, so technically white isn't a "color", but rather a tone (a sort of combination of all colors if you will). regardless, white is beautiful. i just painted my room white. there is something so fresh and virginal about it. it comes across like a blank canvas just waiting to be painted on. i think white can be both calming and stimulating. it's so very versatile. i don't wear much white since i tend to dress in bright colors and bold patterns, but oh how i enjoy it. there is nothing more elegant than white. and white lace is probably my very favorite type of white there is! ;] 

etsy: tsuru bride

i have found the most wonderful things on blogs lately, but i keep forgetting which blogs i've seen them on and it's really truly bugging me! this adorable Etsy shop is one of them. i remember seeing Tsuru Bride's items briefly online before, but as i stumbled across the fun clutches and card holders a second time i knew i had to blog about them. i am a big fan of color (i wonder how many times i've actually said that on this blog, i know i've said it at least a kabillion times, but i keep on typing it out as if you guys haven't gotten the message yet...), and these purses do not disappoint. eclectic animal designs combined with shockingly vivid hues and metallic leather make for a definite eye-catching statement. carrying one of their purses around, you would have the perfect conversation piece at your fingertips.

etsy color: blue

clockwise from top left: cup and saucer by vessels and wares; print by Michele Maule; knit tie by YesJess; print by Freya Art & Design; pouch by rennes; magnets by hollandsworth; yo-yo by something's hiding in here; print by groundwork; fascinator by Giant Dwarf

blue is such a calm color. it reminds me of the sky and the ocean...two big beautiful things that we take for granted on a daily basis. i've never been particularly attracted to blue as a color, i love it but it's never been a favorite of mine, yet somehow it still makes me feel grounded. it seems to pick up all the calming energy inside of me and bring it to the surface, much like the tide does with sand and shells. thinking about blue gets my imagination wandering...drifting off into it's own little land. and that's a good thing, because sometimes a little mellow daydreaming is exactly what we need in this crazy hectic world of ours.

clare owen illustration

her name is Clare Owen and she enjoys cats, tea, ukelele, and all things french.
i think if we ever met we would get along splendidly. she has a blog and an Etsy shop. i am thoroughly fascinated by her simple, delicate, feminine pieces of art. just staring at them makes me want to spritz on lots of perfume and but on some ballet flats (and perhaps a tutu) and go about in a kitty mask taking photos of everyone. illustrations like hers bring out the girly girl in me, which really doesn't get out too much these days. go go check out here work. you'll be enchanted, i'm sure. =]

etsy: thief & bandit

Thief & Bandit houses some absolutely beautiful articles of clothing and pieces of jewelry, all of which are hand printed. the bold geometric designs are gorgeously funky and rather pleasing to look at. i've always been a fan of things that seem to have Native American inspiration behind them, and i get a little taste of that when i peruse through the merchandise. the different colors and patterns are put together so perfectly...they're eye catching and have a modern yet rustic feel. simple yet intricate. homey yet striking. i guess to sum up the brand, all i would really have to say is that Thief & Bandit is a bundle of the most wonderful contradictions.

etsy: for strange women

okay...so i'd be lying if i said the name of this Etsy shop didn't have something to do with the fact that i chose to spotlight it in one of my posts, but regardless of that, For Strange Women is a delightful little place! Jill McKeever manages to make you feel like you're in a quaint boutique whilst you're browsing her online selection of goodies. i haven't tried any of her concoctions, so i can't vouch about the scent or feel, but i can say that i'm in love with the names she gives to her scents. Sweet Androgyny, Cleopatra, and Winter Kitty are just a few quirky and sweet examples. For Strange Women isn't limited to perfumes and oils, though. you can also find jewelry, lip balm, candles, and other various items all in nicely organized and visually pleasing categories. take a peek around Jill's store. you'll feel like you're walking into another worldly herbal shoppe, i guarantee it!