Aliology

For the first time since I can remember, I will not be joining the throngs of kids, tweens, teens and young adults returning to school for another year. I have always loved being a student, and I miss shopping for new school supplies, discovering my new textbooks and (for me) exciting first class lectures. Maybe my memory is a little rose-tinted – I did have my fair share of start-of-the-year anxiety and reluctance – but I have always loved this changing of the seasons most of all.

Growing up with sweltering Texas summers, there is nothing like that first whiff of chill air. Autumn air is invigorating. It’s the scent of imminence – sweaters, Halloween, classes, books, my birthday, Christmas and maybe even snow are all on their way and coming nearer all the time. Even though its still warm here in LA, I’m getting a jump start on fall fashion.

Right now, I’m really into hunter green for fall, whether its a sweater, dress, jumpsuit or accent bag. However, as I learned doing research – read “online shopping” – for this entry, hunter green means a lot of different things to different people.

(By the way, there’s also a shirtdress version of this Dolce Vita top with the leopard print collar here.)

I’ve always imagined it as a very dark shade of blue-green, but what designers and copyeditors call “hunter green” actually seems to vary from jade to dark army green. As I began laying out all the beautiful pieces I found, I also realized how much I loved seeing all these darker greens together. This year’s fashion is all about mixing the unexpected – what you were always taught NOT to mix growing up – so I’m thinking, why not layer on the green?

I really want to try some tone-on-tone green looks with hunters, emeralds, forests, armies, jades, olives and khakis. I can’t wait to try this with natural leathers, metallics, sequins, faux fur and animal prints. I may not know right now whether or not I’ll ever end up in classroom again, but fashion is great way for me to stay a student at heart.

One of my greatest not-so-secret, not-so-guilty pleasures in life is shopping – especially online shopping. I really enjoy prowling through retail websites, apparel boutiques, thrift stores and flea markets to find just the right pieces. Ever since I stumbled upon Etsy last May, etsy.com has become one of my favorite places to shop!

{ vintage dresses from Taxi CDC Recycled Wears on Etsy }

So I was really excited when I happened to hear (only days ahead of time) that Etsy was coming to LA! Etsy is an international, online community of small, independent vendors. At the Etsy Craft Party, Etsy artists, crafters, hobbyists, designers, and collectors from Southern California came together to create a really unique and eclectic market of personally made, re-purposed, and curated items.

{ turquoise necklace by Jen’s Jewels on Etsy }

It was great, for once, to meet the vendors and see their wares in person. My camera was clicking away all night, trying to capture all the beautiful and interesting things I wanted. Booth A126 was a jewelry-making trio of friends Jenifer Lynn, Marta Bialy and Philip Vargas. As Marta tells it, these three artists have all been friends since she and Jen drew Philip into their world of metalworking in college. Each of them has a very distinct point-of-view, but I loved seeing all their work displayed together.

{ metalworked necklaces by Philip Vargas Art on Etsy }

{ bustling vendor booths and craft stations }

{ Triple Chevron Necklace by Ninotchka Goods on Etsy }

SalvageShop by Teresa Cheung had another of my favorite booths, where she displayed her environmentally-sustainable goods converted from existing items and factory scraps. Her series of leather clutches really stood out to me with their stunning materials and organic shapes. She really lit up, too, talking about she let the existing shapes of the cuttings inspire the construction of each bag.

{ Grommet Clutch and Leather Clutch by SalvageShop on Etsy }

{ Leather Clutch by SalvageShop on Etsy }

{ a great red dress on another Etsy devotee }

{ octopus necklace by Gold Tentacle on Etsy }

{ turquoise ring by Gold Tentacle }

{ vintage earrings by Gold Tentacle }

{ key necklaces by Lindsay Zuelich on Etsy }

{ a trendy Etsy devotee and an awesome wall of vintage shoes }

{ bottle necklace by Lindsay Zuelich on Etsy }

I’ll pullover on the road in an instant if I see a sign for flea market or drive an hour out my way for an Etsy conference, but it’s hard to find the time and energy to attend these events, travel to the best flea markets in the region, or sniff out all the good thrift stores in your area. Etsy makes it so simple to make an incredible find.

{ Cabrillo Way Marina in Port of Los Angeles }