Friday 30 January 2015

Special Feature Friday: Polina Ivanova

Edition 49

In the couple of weeks ahead I would like to feature shops with their main focus on marriage.
Etsy has a great number of shops who offer the best products to make any wedding perfect.

This weeks feature is about a dress maker located in Sofia, Bulgaria. Polina Ivanova has been designing and drawing clothes from a very early age. At 17 she convinced her parents she wanted to go to an arts college to fulfill her dream to become a clothing designer. At college she learned everything about sewing, designing and she started selling her fashion in the 3rd year of college. She graduated from college as a fashion designer and entered a internship in Italy. In Italy she learned from the best and got inspired to start her own atelier. After a couple of months in Italy she returned to Bulgaria and started to make clothing for local customers and for a national tv show. She opened her Etsy shop 4 years ago, and is using all of her experience to create beautiful wedding dresses.



This is a skirt with an A-like skirt made of Chantilly lace. It has two layers of tulle witch creates volume and movement for the skirt. It comes with a belt make from silk taffeta, witch is imported from Italy. The skirt closes with a zipper in the side. It can be worn with a bodice or corset or with another dress, so it can easily be turned into another dress. This is especially handy for brides who prefer to wear something easier for the reception, or who like to change their outfits during the day. 




An open back lace wedding gown with a chiffon draped skirt. This dress has a flawless fit and is made with materials from the highest quality. The designer Chantilly lace has a stunning scalloped edge. The dress is made with 100% silk chiffon and two layers of luxurious satin lining. It is possible to choose the length of the lace, to be either waist, hip or mid thigh length. It is also possible to change the sleeves, add in bra cups, or to have the dress made with a different color lace.

All the dresses ordered at Polina Ivanova are made in her studio to your measurements, in many cases it is also possible to make the changes to ensure you will get the perfect dress for your special day!

Polina offers the readers of this blog a free sash or belt with an order made in her shop. Simply write FREESASH in the comment section of your order. 


Friday 23 January 2015

Special Feature Friday: Larkspur Hill

Edition 48

Recently I ran into a very special Etsy shop, it sold a type or product I never thought about. I knew it existed, but I did not know the possibilities, so it kind of feels like a new world has opened.

Larkspur Hill is owned by Cindy, and in this shop one can find a wonderful selection of dried flowers. Larkspur Hill is the piece of land where Cindy and her husband live, and where they raised their 5 daughters. They are the owners of a beautiful garden where they grow all kinds of flowers.
Cindy works in the garden in all weather, and her hard work really get payed off! She picks the flowers and then dries them, they are for sale in her shop and are shipped out to every corner of the world. 

I must admit, when I first saw this shop I thought that the only thing to do with dried flowers is to use them as potpourri or to put them in a vase. But in all honesty, the dried flowers I came across in my life where always these dull bushes, with no color in them. Cindy proved me wrong, the flowers in her shop are beautiful in color and look like they came fresh from a garden just minutes ago.





You might wonder what the options are with dried flowers, I can tell you that the options are endless. The rosebuds above for example, can be used as table decorations at weddings or parties, or maybe to brighten up the table for that special date. For those into candle and soap making, I would think they would make beautiful decorations to make the soap-bar or candle more special. 


Flowers can not only be used as table decoration, but also as decoration for a dish These violets are completely safe to eat, and will brighten up a dish like nothing else. They can be used in a salad, as a garnish, they can be frozen into ice cubes for a cold drink, or as decoration on a cake or chocolate mousse, I can even imagine they would look great in jelly! 

Cindy's flowers do not have to be refrigerated, and can therefor be shipped worldwide. 

Cindy offers a discount code for the readers of this blog, with code 4AISHA15 you will get a 15% discount. This code is valid for January and February 2015 

Friday 16 January 2015

Special Feature Friday: Sharon Tasker

Edition 47

I think Etsy is one of the best places to go to for jewelry, last week I came across Sharon Tasker, a Etsy shop with a nice collection of jewelry and fashion accessories.

In this shop we can find original pieces of jewelry with a playful twist to them. The jewelry offered is glamorous and wearable. Sharon, the owner of the shop, also offers a collection of original waist belts with highly decorative elements.



This belt is made from elastic ribbon with a gold plated filigree center piece. It's elegance will make it suitable for many outfits, both professional or casual. This belt will help make a simple dress into a dress for a fancy evening out. 


This necklace reminds me of a fragile butterfly wing. I love its fine lines and its gracious looks. It comes on a thin chain to really put the attention to the pendant itself. 



A very stylish necklace. The black and gold are a classic and timeless combination. An essential piece to every woman's jewelry box.

If you like to stay up to date with this shop I would suggest you follow Sharon's blog. She does not only write about the newest items in her shop, but she also makes great suggestions about how to wear them with the latest fashion.  

Sharon offers the readers of this blog a 15% discount with discount code: AISHA
The code is valid until the end of January 2015.




Friday 9 January 2015

Special Feature Friday: Mc Farlane Metal


Edition 46

First of all I would like to wish you all the best for 2015! I hope everyone had a great time during the holidays and has much great things to look forward to in this new year.

This week I will be featuring a jewelry shop based in Cologne, Germany. Dianne is the owner of Mc Farlane Metal. Her shop is filled with a wonderful collection of hand made jewelry.



This is a pin less silver brooch, the inside of the flower is gold leaf, giving the brooch a unique and delicate look. Instead of a pin it has a tension system with witch it can be attached to a scarf or into a button hole. 


This silver ring with aquamarine stone was inspired by the jewelry of ancient Rome. The body of the ring is textured with hammer marks and the base is wide to offset the weight of the stone. 

Because Dianne's jewelry is all handmade by her, they will all come out a bit different, and therefor every piece will be unique.

For anyone who lives close to Cologne and would like to know more about jewelry making, Dianne also offers courses in all sorts of jewelry making spectrum's.

You can find more information on her website or facebook page.