Friday I'm in Love (returns!)

Lets just pretend I never dropped the ball on this weekly thing of mine okay? ♥

Anything uncredited (non-linking images) were found floating on Tumblr.



































I am tempted to mimic the last photo with some kool aid dyeing.

Might try to shoot a video of my thrifting haul from Wednesday. Yeah, a video -- because I know you all are dying to see me awkwardly monologue about clothes. ♥

Friday I'm in Love -- 7/29

I know, I totally slacked off on this last week and am almost late this week. I kind of excused my string of Lita Fab posts as that week's equivalent to this little series. What cripples my ability to maintain these posts is the fact that I work Fridays. I will try harder from now on!

1. Fishtail skirts

 

I'm actually bidding on a bell-sleeved fishtail dress in hopes to wear it to this fall's Renaissance faire and to be able to wear it everyday...because I have no shame, apparently!

2. Batwing/oversized (preferably cropped-length) sweaters

 

I'm itching to get to the Salvation Army so I can acquire a couple of these, even if through the means of DIY.

3. Doc Martens

I am aching for some black Docs. My gosh. ♥

...You know what? I think I just accidentally assembled the most awesome 90s grunge outfit ever. In the words of Captain Picard, "make it so" -- stay tuned.

Friday I'm in Love -- another fashionably late installment

1. Chloe Ting

Gah, this girl is freaking adorable, and has the best sense of fashion -- and she's super sweet, to boot!
If you haven't seen her around before, then rectify that as soon as possible:
Chictopia • Lookbook • Blog

2. Hivennn by Hivenj

I'm following Hivenn's blog here on blogspot, and she mentioned that she has an Etsy shop. Of course, I'm all over that, so I checked it out, and her stuff's so cute! I grabbed one of her crystal rings once I'd swept through her whole store. They have that antique store charm while being fresh and unique. Check her out! (And you might want to skim through her blog before you buy... ♥)

Hivennn @ Etsy

3. Open cape ponchos

 

I've actually been trying to find one in the same Mexican-blanket style as Madeline's, but to no avail. I'm not giving up, though! I love the open cape kind, as they vaguely resemble kimonos, making them perfect for wrapping.

4. Insane fringe vests

I just... ♥

Friday I'm in Love (July 8)

Grr, I scheduled this to be posted at 10 this morning, and didn't realise it set it for 10 PM!

1. These DIY Etsy heels

I just...can't describe how wonderful these are. It's no wonder they cost over $400.

(Find them here.)

2. Any shirt featuring fringe

I am so in love with fringe right now! My 4th of July look may have hinted at that, though.

(Find some here on Ebay.)

3. Sisters of the Black Moon on Ebay

The clothing in this store is to die for. The shop is great to look at, too!

(Find them here.)

4. Lucky Brand rings

I'm bidding on the lower left ring at the moment. I adore their jewelry, but their rings always get me.

(Find some here on Ebay.)

Shop Spotlight: Moon Raven Designs

I decided I wanted to start a little editorial series about shops I've come in contact with that I love, both to gush and to give said shops a little more exposure, and my first installment will be featuring my current favourite Etsy shop: Moon Raven Designs.

 

(Note: the availability of items I mention will always change, which is more reason why you should check the shop out yourself once you've read this!)

I first discovered Moon Raven Designs while searching for a Dia de los Muertos ring on Etsy, and stumbled upon their Onyx Black Sugar Skull Cocktail Ring, gorgeously detailed with floral designs all throughout the skull's face. Despite the fact that I wanted such a ring for the classic variation of bright colours, I was so taken by the intricacy of the ring I'd discovered, that I had to add it to my Favourites.

Going through said Favourites later on, I stumbled upon the ring and wondered if the shop had anything else jewelry-related to offer. What I found was far better.

Skulls, talons, antlers, teeth, and beaks greeted me in a metallic colour spectrum of glowing bronze, shining silver, warm gold, and charcoal black, and hues in between. Bird skulls stared wide-eyed at me, wolves and wild cats grinned at me, and I found myself transfixed by what I was looking at. I never thought such a shop existed.

Moon Raven Designs is run by Michael Doyle and his wife Dianne, and is based in British Columbia, Canada. The 'full time wildlife artisan' has been designing these beautiful pieces since 1974, and in an interview with Freedom Spark talked about the origins of his craft, beginning with leather works. (You can read the interview here.) He is quoted as saying, "I have always been inspired by nature from a very young age, and with living in British Columbia, it is all around us."

3D African Fruit Bat Skull Pendant

Your first thought at skull rings and claw necklaces may be something resembling Hot Topic or Spencer's, but I insist that you'd be mistaken. Each piece is beautifully created, realistic and artful. They're less like jewelry you'd find at a mall and more like what you'd expect to find in a mysterious lodge out in the middle of the woods. Many pieces are cast from real skulls and bones of animals that have passed on (from natural causes) and sized down for a more acceptable size for jewelry, though some pieces are perfectly to scale. The same goes for his claw pendants and many other items.

If sporting an animal's skull isn't your thing, Moon Raven Designs offers many other pieces of jewelry (such as under the shop section 'Assorted Necklaces') with a vague steampunk feel, such as keys, wishbones, and gothic crosses (be aware, some may be housing a tiny knife within!) to name a few. Perhaps if you're into dinosaurs, you may have enough cash to pick up a Triceratops or T-Rex skull necklace -- the latter complete with articulated jaw.

Moon Raven Designs even offers anatomy pieces on the human side of the spectrum. Anatomically correct heart pendants dominate this section, but you might still find a humerus bone necklace, or a brain pendant. Really, if you can think of it, they probably have it; if they don't, they're open for custom orders.

If you're a cat lover, then your feline friend doesn't have to be left out either! Moon Raven Designs even provides small bird skull necklaces for your kitty that you can even share to wear as a bracelet or anklet.
 

Sterling Silver Elk Antler Ring

This shop is nothing short of amazing; catering to all of your wildlife needs, while simultaneously inspiring goth to be classy. Moon Raven Designs gives a whole new outlook on nature and the cycle of life, and brings a unique take of a world outside of our own, a world that we too easily forget in our technologically-driven society.

Get in touch with your nature-loving side and take a look at Moon Raven Design’s Etsy shop!

Life Size Crow Skull Ring (Weathered Finish)

Recommended items:Antique Gold or Polished Metal Crow Skull Ring
Bronze Bighorn Ram Skull Necklace
Oxidized Sterling Silver Hummingbird Skull Necklace
Bronze Sabertooth Tiger Skull Pendant with Articulated Lower Jaw

Basically, all of the skull stuff.

(Thanks to Dianne for allowing me to talk about them here on my blog! ♥)

Friday I'm in Love -- Saturday Edition

So here I am, thinking I'll follow the cute blog trend of making weekly blog posts about ~things I love~ and what happens? I get completely sidetracked and even temporarily forget that it's Friday. My first installment, and I miss it!

Well, it's Saturday, I have to work during the pre-4th of July parade rush (and then miss said parade), then wander around town without a break and get my butt down to the park for 4th of July fireworks and festivities until late into the evening. Since I'm going to be on my feet most of the day, I'm going to indulge myself.

1. These Finsk Cinza wedges

 

My god. Aren't these things crazy? I'm so in love with how Lady Gaga they come off as. If I had $999.95, I'd really consider them.

(Find them here.)

2. Almost anything by Jeffrey Campbell

 

 Do I even need to elaborate?

(Find them here.)

3. Almost anything by Moon Raven Designs
 

 

I can't quite fully explain how much I love this guy's stuff. I'm actually thinking of doing a spotlight post for his Etsy shop, because his handcrafted jewelery is phenomenal, and he deserves more attention. (I was going to show a photo of a gorgeous octopus ring he had in his shop, but it has since disappeared, and I'm fairly heartbroken.)

(Find him here.)

4. Almost anything from AstralEYE

 

Another Etsy shop I may just have to do some sort of spotlight post on, oh my god. I am so in love with the jewelery in this shop. Like, do you see that collage image? I don't need to make a single comment -- you understand how awesome these pieces are!

(Find her here.)

5. Black (crushed velvet preferably) mini dresses

 

I just...need one in my life.

(Find it here.)