[ in honour of black friday ]

JUST SOME perfect black finds...

Have a great weekend everyone!

lisa

[emmasblog; 2, 4, 6 convoy; chanel; apunchofcolourdesign]

[ happy weekend! ]

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND IS finally here with pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! Hope yours is spooky chic!

lisa

[sweet paul]

[ the aran sweater ]

MY GUY just returned from a business trip to Ireland and brought me back this lovely Aran sweater made from soft 100% merino wool...

so that I can look as cute as this {note the denim shirt underneath}...

It's funny because we lived there for 4 years and I never bought myself one!

Aran sweaters ~ aka fisherman sweaters {or jumpers as they're referred to in Ireland} have been around since the 19th century and originated on the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland at the mouth of Galway Bay. Originally they were handknit by the wives of fisherman from undyed, unscoured wool which retained its natural lanolin oil and made them water resistant. 

The sweaters are distinguished by their complex stitch patterns and each have a significance: the cable is said to be a wish for safety and good luck when fishing, the honeycomb is the symbol of the hard-working bee, the basket stitch represents the hope for a plentiful catch, and the diamond a wish of success, wealth and treasure.

Eventually island women began producing these sweaters not just for their families but as a source of income.

These sweaters have seen a resurgence in popularity and have become a fashion must this year, a true wardrobe classic.

The Aran Sweater Market since 1892 on Inis Mor, the largest of the 

three Aran Islands

Looking for a genuine Aran sweater but no plans to be in Ireland anytime soon? Try the Aran Sweater Market online shop!

Of course you can always try to find an imitation at places like LLBean, JCrew, Brooks Brothers, ASOS.com. etc. Either way, you'll still look fashionable...

How about you? Do you own an Aran sweater? Will you be adding one to your fall/winter wardrobe this year?

lisa

[via aransweatermarket; LLBean; models.com; nichollvincent.blogspot; lolobu.com; chictopia.com; stylezen.net; swandiamondrose.tumblr; michaelkors; dailycrush.net; trendymadness.blogspot]

[ what's new pussycat? ]

LEOPARD is one of those patterns that just never seems to go out of style. I think every wardrobe can use a touch of leopard - it goes with everything and always looks chic.

I've been on the hunt for some leopard flats and finally found the ones! Cushy comfort and pretty tortoiseshell detail makes these Coach flats a winner. They may have cost more than I was intending to spend, but to me, they're a classic and worth a little bit of investment.

It seems that leopard flats are popular with the celebs too...

What do you think? Are you sporting any leopard this fall?

lisa

[ another tova ]

WELL, I'm pretty smitten with this Wiksten Tova pattern and I just whipped up another...

This one is a lightweight black cotton with little fuzzy circles...

After wearing my blue one the first time, I immediately knew that sewing only one wouldn't be enough {read about my first Tova top here}. 

It just seems to be that easy to wear, go-to top in my closet. And the possibilities are endless! Hmm... I wonder what colour I should make next?

lisa

[ woohoo! and a new style ]

WHAT A LOVELY morning to find out that my Leigh clutch made it on the front page of Etsy! It's only happened to me a couple of times and what a thrill when it does!

I don't really mention my shop often but since we're talking about Etsy today, I'd like to introduce my latest style of shoulder bag hot off the sewing machine: Christina! Designed to be a great everyday bag, I've paired up some fun upholstery fabrics and added pleats on the front and back that expand so you can hold more stuff. Watch for more Christinas coming soon to my Etsy shop and website!

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

lisa

[ the denim shirt ]

WHETHER you call it a denim shirt, a jean shirt or a chambray shirt, it's pretty much everywhere right now. I remember having one back in the early 90s {along with my overalls} and haven't thought much about them since. But I've been seeing more and more of them in mags and in the shops and they are proving to be a very versatile item...

as a simple shirt with skinnies or pants...

paired with a pretty skirt or dress...

or layered under sweaters and jackets...

and don't be afraid to bling it out...

So whether you are cleaning out the barn or going out for a chic dinner with friends, the denim shirt will take you there! 

I decided to add one to my wardrobe and found this light washed one from Tommy Hilfiger...

I think the light version is the most versatile for me here in Dubai ~ nothing too heavy for our hot climate. So are you adding a denim shirt to your wardrobe this season?

lisa

[via allforfashiondesign.com; fashforfashion; pinterest; leblogdemok.blogspot; breakfastatfaymes.tumblr; prepfection.tumblr; fashion-district.org; theberry.com; atlantic-pacific.blogspot; typemystyle.com; meggielynn.tumblr; fashion.teenvogue.com; unitedcolorsofbenetton;  fashiondivadesign.com; closetcravings.com; allforfashion.com; fashiondivadesign.com; stylemeetsy.blogspot; jaimen.tumblr; pinterest; pinterest; heartfeltconfessions.com; swankanddapper.com]