Kingdom of Style

Today it rained all day and we thought it was Thursday by accident but that didn't stop us from getting down to business and keeping the fashion momentum--nor did it stop our Network Partners!.

We learn about a new brand every day...Clothes Pin gave a shoutout to Hoakon/Helga, a new eco-friendly accessories company based in Canada.

We received a tutorial on Takashi Murakami from Fashion Nation as part of an ongoing course on Japanese designers. We think her investment in talking about the East in the West is a wise one. 

Sandra Backlund might not be an unknown designer but we agree with The Bread And Butter that her designs are positively mesmerizing. 

Finally, this post was the sweetest in our Network today. Kingdom Of Style talked about receiving a gift and also the more meaningful merits of blogging. 

We've got something for everyone in today's Must Reads, from makeup to fashion week--it's all out there.

Girl Woman Beauty Brains tested out some instant eye shadow and gave her readers the do's and don'ts of application. Only Avon would come up with something so, well, Mad Men-era. We're dying to try it out. 

Final Fashion gives her readers the run-down on L'Oreal Toronto Fashion Week, with Project Runway background info and comparisons to years prior. Check out her informative post here and also our runway galleries here.

Fassonaburu scoped out some toastie gloves for fall where proceeds help women in need. We declare this post the sweetest in our Network today.

Kingdom Of Style, as usual, is scoping out fashion's most promising young designers. These ladies also have a penchant for leggings, tights, and other body-hugging fashion items. Today, check out their post on designer Brian Lichtenberg.

The blogosphere didn't take the day off for Columbus Day (and neither did we) which means there are plenty of interesting posts worth reading before you go order your chicken wings and ogle Eli Manning (oh wait that's us) on Monday Night Football.

Lace and other feminine frippery was on the minds of more than just us. I Am Fashion has a new guest blogger (welcome!) who explores her new found obsession with lingerie.

The Coveted introduces us to Swedish designer Lamilla

Kingdom of Style continues to astound with her crocheting skills as she debuts her homemade Rodarte knit tights.

Debutante Clothing found a lace black dress on Ebay for $16. Go on and get it!

And because we have to include just a few general interesting posts andSheFinds asks what went wrong with Sigerson Morrison for Target and The Beauty of Life has a Yes to, well, lots of varieties of Produce, giveaway

While absorbing Paris Fashion Week from a computer screen comes at little cost, wearing the clothing is another story. Given the state of our economy, our wise bloggers are either covering straight runway or finding opportunities to talk about "look for less" options. That said, we picked three to note.

Kingdom of Style is possibly the biggest penny saver of all having made her own organza skirt for a night out on the town. The results are pretty fantastic, but we're also putting a few bucks on her styling abilities. 

Pretty Legit scoped out Old Navy's Fall deliveries, confirming our recent penchant for black sequins and more long blazers than is necessary for one person to own. 

Platinum Blonde Life gave up the info on Banana Republic's recent shoe offerings. We've been meaning to pick up a trench coat from them and we might just have to add a shoe or two to the basket. 

Looks like we're going on a mini-shopping spree, seeing as it's all in one place. 

While absorbing Paris Fashion Week from a computer screen comes at little cost, wearing the clothing is another story--given the state of our economy, our wise bloggers are either covering straight runway or finding opportunities to talk about "look for less" options. That said, we picked three to note.

Kingdom of Style is possibly the biggest penny saver of all having made her own organza skirt for a night out on the town. The results are pretty fantastic, but we're also putting a few bucks on her styling abilities.

Pretty Legit scoped out Old Navy's Fall deliveries, confirming our recent penchant for black sequins and more long blazers than is necessary for one person to own.

Platinum Blonde Life gave up the info on Banana Republic's recent shoe offerings. We've been meaning to pick up a trench coat from them and we might just have to add a shoe or two to the basket.

Looks like we're going on a mini-shopping spree, seeing as it's all in one place.

Yesterday we were in a brooding mood as we pondered the effect the economic downturn would have on our fashion choices. However, we've since turned our frowns upside down, as we realized that the fashion world doesn't have to become a virtual strip mall of homogeneous, low-quality goods. While we're still aware of its pitfalls and are sleeping with one eye open, we've found solutions for the fashion-craving girl or guy on a paltry budget. Our network partners show us the way.

We found inspiration in the form of a puffed shoulder, via Kingdom of Style's tale of victory on eBay, where she scored a unique bolero jacket that sent her over the moon with rapturous joy. Her jubilant photo spread with said jacket proved to us that you can still sate your high-fashion appetites. You just have to know where to look. Even if bidding wars aren't your thing, there are many virtual stores on eBay that don't require you to engage in high-speed clicking battles with an enemy mouse. For the uninitiated, these stores allow eBayers to buy and sell goods at fixed prices.

If it's indie accoutrements you crave, Etsy is pretty hard to beat. As a marketplace for independent designers to showcase their wares without the costs associated with a brick and mortar shop, it's a go-to if you're looking for unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that you won't see everywhere else. Plus, it feels good to support a fledgling designer and stick it to our mass-producing culture. Network partner Stereoette makes and sells her own jewelry at her Etsy online store. She also recommends Gavin & Lily, and Holly Stalder.

If it's vintage you seek, our network partners have you covered. Shrimpton Couture is a treasure trove of vintage finds and is currently offering 15% off of everything on the site until May 31. Debutante Clothing lets you know where to find the great vintage styles and tips you off to the best eBay and Etsy shops. Zuburbia always features an enviable vintage pick of the day and provides a well-edited list of links to vintage resources.

Perhaps our economic woes will force us to become better, more resourceful shoppers. There will always be a niche to serve those discerning consumers who won't be satisfied with what traditional retailers try to peddle, and as long as we continue to seek it, the market will respond accordingly.

Our English network partner, Kingdom Of Style, has called on Absolutely Fabulous for a dose of nostalgia. Yesterday, Catwalk Queen brought us an outfit inspired by Sweet Valley High, and today, we've put together some Absolutely Fabulous looks to get us through this rainy Tuesday (well, at least in New York and London). Both cult classics feature looks that would embarrass even the most liberal fashionistas. We've taken the high road so that in case you want to relive the Patsy and Edina narrative, you need not also be the laughingstock of the high street. For an Ab Fab video clip and more, be sure to check out Kingdom Of Style's nostalgic post.