Friday Feature: Banana Orange Apple

Blue Patchwork Twirly Sunfrock by BananaOrangeApple

This week's Friday Feature is Hannah of BananaOrangeApple on Etsy. She's from Canberra, Australia and makes the most playful, cute clothing you could ever imagine. Read on for more...

My name is Hannah and my shop is called BananaOrangeApple. It is www.etsy.com/shop/bananaorangeapple I sew sweet little dresses from recycled fabrics. I love taking something no-one else wants - an old pillowcase or some dressmaking scraps - and making something new that will bring joy.

Mum taught me to sew many years ago, and gave me a sewing machine for my wedding present. I kinda went into overdrive ten years ago when my daughter was born. 

As a high school teacher I sew as a way to relax after a busy day at school. But the things I love to sew don't fit on my darling daughter anymore, so I opened the shop to share them with the world.

Pastel Patchwork Twirly Dress by BananaOrangeApple

I love to do patchwork, and sold a beautiful patchwork quilt I named "Sawpit Creek" (you can see it here www.etsy.com/transaction/63829122). I am an "old school" quilter in that I like to reuse material rather than cutting up brand new stuff. I think of it as a way to make old fabric last a bit longer. I was also hopelessly addicted to cross stitch for years. 

They're not bestselling just yet, but I love the two patchwork twirly dresses I have made. So many different fabrics, each with its own story, and they look sooooo pretty. All 100% repurposed fabrics.www.etsy.com/listing/92113295/girls-patchwork-dress-patchwork-twirlywww.etsy.com/listing/89948290/upcycled-patchwork-twirly-dress-size-6-8

Say Hello to Hannah from BananaOrangeApple

Currently, My only shop is on Etsy:  www.etsy.com/shop/bananaorangeapple

I try to blog. My blog is bananaquilts.blogspot.com.au/ Also, you can find me on facebook:  www.facebook.com/bananaorangeapple1 and twitter too @banoranapple

Most of my fabrics come from the charity shops round here, so my products do support their good works. 

What a great story of a great woman and a great shop. Thank you Hannah! Please visit her shop for more adorable fabric goods here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/bananaorangeapple They'd make great gifts for any occasion.

Monday's Fashion: A Little Dose of Color!

A great Casual Friday or Weekend Look is easier than you think!

Hello again everyone, I hope you're doing well after our Daylight Savings change yesterday. Today I have a great, easy way to update your Casual Friday or Weekend Look with a few of this spring's fashion trends.

A few weeks ago I showed you a great outfit of patterned browns: http://lowallergykitchen.blogspot.com/2012/02/fashionable-browns-and-whats-new-this.html but today is all about COLOR!
Bright colors are very in (and SO refreshing after a winter of white, grey and brown!), and really easy to do if you know how. I know brightly colored, pencil-thin jeans are really in style, but I'm going to be honest - I have normal curves, these kinds of jeans don't really look all that great on my curves. If I were a super-skinny size 00, and looked like the models in all the adverts, it might be a different story, but that is life, and I'm working with what I have :)

So, to get us a nice pop of those super-stylish colors everyone is talking about, why not go with a poppy red jacket? It'll brighten up your grey, rainy mornings, that's for sure! Red is a nice warm, happy color, and this great cropped pea coat from Gap.com is fantastic. It is bright, but still stylish and is a great shape for almost any body type. For a casual Friday, put on a nice white button down shirt underneath and you're ready to roll. For weekends, try a white or black t-shirt. Good to go!

For a casual Friday look, it is usually advisable to go with a dark jean, which is infinitely more flattering to our rear regions, so I found a fantastic pair of "Kimmie" 7 For All Mankind Jeans from Bloomingdales.com that are great for those of us with curves. They are a mid-waist, with a dark wash and nicely positioned pockets to flatter our bottoms. A slight flare helps to elongate our legs, which is always nice!

For your feet, why not try a sexy black flat? These "Lula" black patent flats from JCrew.com are a bit of a splurge, but they'll last for years, and keep your feet feeling great. For a little extra oomph, try a black court heel. It'll lengthen your legs and give your bum a little lift, which is always nice too :)

For accessories, stacked bracelets are very in style, so how about this great set of 5 adjustable bracelets? This "Summer Seduction Set of 5 Bracelets" in my shop on Etsy, found here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93557147/summer-seduction-set-of-5-multicolored is great no matter what your wrist size, and because there are 5 different bracelets, you can wear all of them, or just a few, depending on your mood. This necklace is also great - the "Boudicca Coins Celtic Spiral Necklace" is right on trend with mixes metals and wire work. Find it here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/14703105/boudicca-coins-celtic-spiral-necklace It is a great mid-length so that it can easily be worn over a collared shirt, but isn't too big and  busy so it still looks great for work.

What do you think? Would you wear this? What would you change?

Coming up this week: A new bracelet, Arwen's staying healthy, a great feature on a children's clothing artist and your weekend dose of Squee. Keep checking back for more great posts!

Saturday Squee: Who Likes Piglets??

Lil Oinker

Seriously? I might faint from cuteness. Until they get to be about 300 pounds, anyway :)

Friday Feature: Belle Cosette

Clara Bow Bracelet by BelleCosette

Today's Friday Feature post is all about gorgeous vintage, upcycled & elegant jewelry by BelleCosette from Etsy. Read more to learn about this great artist and her creations...

Hello! My name is Scharlyn O'Connor, my Etsy shop is: BelleCosette, at:www.etsy.com/shop/BelleCosette I make mainly jewelry, with an emphasis on upcycling & repurposing. I also love vintage ephemera, and recently made a quirkly Valentine's banner from one of my favorite pieces. www.etsy.com/listing/91389201/no-kisses-valentines-banner-garland 

Initially, I had a retail store in a small tourist town that was hit hard by the economy, and I started making jewelry to keep myself busy during slow times and as a way to add to the store inventory. I eventually closed the shop and kept my new creative love going by opening an Etsy shop. 

Alice in Wonderland Cuff by BelleCosette

I'm a serious Pinterest addict, and I'm open to creating anything from gifts to home decor items. I've started posting some of these as tutorials on my blog. I also love making embellished greeting cards from an amazing collection of family photographs I have...Organizing my photographs is the big project I hope to get done this spring.  

 I actually started a blog around the same time I opened my Etsy store, and I created the name as my ‘alter ego’, to take the edge off of putting it all out there. I have a page on the blog with a picture of me dressed up as a little girl, and as you can see I was obviously destined for a life in the style and design world. www.bellecosette.blogspot.com/p/who-is-cdf.html 

I've really only actively started working on my Etsy shop for about two months, so I can't say that I have a best selling item yet. My favorite item is the 'Return to Paris' Upcycled Cuff Bracelet, I made a second one for myself and wear it all the time! www.etsy.com/listing/74175756/bracelet-cuff-upcycled-return-to-paris I've made several versions of these cuff bracelets. At my day job we ship large quantities of merchandise every day, and I started making cuff bracelets from the core of the packing tape rolls. The possibilities are endless!

Vintage Style Sparrow Bracelet by BelleCosette

Currently I sell only on Etsy, but I do get the occasional request from friends. I recently had a friend bring me a big bag of old jewelry from her mom's jewelry box and I created some matching bracelets from the old pieces for gifts for her to give to her nieces.

Do I blog? Yes, it's a lot of work, but I learn something new every day, and I'm really enjoying exploring the world of blogging. There is an endless number of amazing people out there, and the amount of inspiration is overwhelming sometimes! I have a big spreadsheet of ideas for the blog as well as my Etsy shop and I try to do something to improve them every day, along with creating, listing and posting! Um, and that's of course after family, farm, full time work, friends, you know, life! I try to incorporate a little bit of all parts of my life in my blog. www.bellecosette.blogspot.com/

I'm on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BelleCosetteDesigns Twitter:twitter.com/BelleCosette Pinterest: pinterest.com/bellecosette 

Thank you for this opportunity! I have an amazing and challenging life (don't we all?), and I feel so blessed to have such a fullfilling creative outlet. Sales are so rewarding, but only second to being able to do what I love.

Isn't she amazing? Please visit her shop and see more of her romantic jewelry today: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BelleCosette