SQUIRREL & STARLING

We adore online indie boutique Of a Kind, so this Holiday Gift Guide installment features our picks from their recent editions, including perfect earrings from Portland's Better Late than Never Jewelry, a chic bracelet from Lizzie Fortunato, and Louisa Paris' gorgeous Clove Scarf. All would make wonderful holiday gifts (hint...hint...). Visit www.ofakind.com for more exclusive small-batch designs from favorite indie designers.

Better Late than Never Ocean Quill Studs, $125 per pair

Lizzie Fortunato Neon Fishtail Bracelet $100

Louisa Paris Clove Scarf $195

Photos via www.ofakind.com

-Colleen

 

Hooray! ban.do has just introduced a beautiful heart-print silk scarf! I'm rather obsessed with all things ban.do and am thrilled by this latest offering. I wanted to share this gorgeous scarf and a few of my other favorite ban.do adornments with you today...

NEW! ban.do signature scarf, $95. photo: max wanger.

mini ban.do heart hair clip/brooch (pink or red), $10. photo: max wanger.

ban.do classic bow headband (pink, blue, black), $25 & french pouf $65. photo: max wanger.

ban.do two tone satin sash, $55. photo: max wanger.

{all photos by max wanger. courtesy of ban.do}

Check out all of the yummy ban.do accessories at www.shopbando.com.

My No. 5 "Birthday Wish," is for anything from the fabulous purveyor of iconic printed fabric Liberty of London. In particular, I adore the new Liberty print-lined Barbour jackets on www.liberty.co.uk. Jackets like this come in handy in rainy Portland, Oregon and why shouldn't they be lined with colorful and cheerful floral prints?

Barbour Liberty Print Classic Hooded Jacket, GBP 199 at www.liberty.co.uk.

Thanks to the i am a greedy girl blog (such a good read!), I've found out that Liberty also offers a "scarf belt" much like the Asprey one I posted not long ago. Turn your fab scarves into a belt instantly, with this lovely embossed buckle from Liberty (More belt options can be found on the Liberty site).

Liberty of London Red Embossed Round Belt Buckle, GBP 45 at www.liberty.co.uk.

PS. Have you seen Liberty's scarf-tying tutorials on YouTube?? Amazing.

{All images via www.liberty.co.uk.}

-Colleen

I feel a thrill of instant delight when, in the course of my online ramblings, I find a new agate or mineral item (or items featuring motifs inspired by them).

Thus, I'm completely in love with the agate, obsidian, and tiger iron necklaces by Quarry at Creatures of Comfort. I'm only including a few examples, so check out the other offerings at Creatures of Comfort's online shop.

Quarry Agate Pendant Necklace - Silver, $221 at www.creaturesofcomfort.us. Image via www.creaturesofcomfort.us.

Quarry Agate Pendant Necklace - Brass, $221 at www.creaturesofcomfort.us. Image via www.creaturesofcomfort.us.

These Weston scarves at Liberty of London (an exclusive to their shop!), featuring rock-inspired prints, are equally covetable.

Weston Scarves Fluorite Assorted Scarf, GBP 210 at www.liberty.co.uk. Image via www.liberty.co.uk.

Weston Scarves Taupe Agate Scarf, GBP 210 at www.liberty.co.uk. Image via www.liberty.co.uk.

-Colleen

Over on the Every Body Every Wear blog it's polka dot mania! Unfamiliar with Every Body Every Wear? Read our blog post about it here.  The next styling challenge on March 8th (next Tuesday) is polka dots. If you have a blog and own a polka-dotted item, we can't wait to see how you style your polka dots! Here's a selection, with the help of Polyvore, of some darling dotted pieces to put you in the proper frame of mind. Click on the individual pictures below the collage for more information about the items. I especially love the Miu Miu shoes and belt (sadly for me they are especially pricey!).

-Colleen

New obsession alert. Ummm...words cannot really express the gloriousness of this Asprey scarf belt. I'm freaking out. It's basically half of a belt that you connect your favorite silk scarf to and then you have a complete belt. Huh? Just check out the pictures below. So simple yet sublime.

Asprey Tan Calf Leather "scarf belt" with scarf attached.

Image via Asprey.com.

Belt shown without scarf.

Image via Asprey.com.

The belt pictured above is $100 on the Asprey site. Add your favorite scarf and off you go. I heard tell of this from The High Low via Matchbook Mag (those gals always spot the best stuff). Check out their sites for additional fab pics.

-Colleen

Orla Kiely (love!) is having a huge online sale on dresses, coats, bags, and accessories.  Unfortunately, a lot is sold out already but you still might find a deal!

Orla Kiely Acorn Print Raincoat, $227.50 (WAS $455) at www.orlakiely.com.

Orla Kiely Double Wool Coast $342.50 (WAS $685) at www.orlakiely.com.

Orla Kiely Mohair Dress, $152.50 (WAS $305) at www.orlakiely.com.

Orla Kiely Multi Stem Scarf, $72.50 (WAS $145) at www.orlakiely.com.

Orla Kiely Tafetta Frame Purse, $67.50 (WAS $135) at www.orlakiely.com.

{All images from www.orlakiely.com}

-Colleen

It's getting a bit chilly out and all I want is cozy winter apparel!

1.  I love these Pendleton Men's Gloves from Seattle-based Blackbird.  The Mercury's MOD blog reports that there are plans for a Portland Blackbird location in the offing (which would be awesome!).

Pendleton Gloves, $50 at www.blackbirdballard.com.

2.   I like saying the word "snood."  An image of Ava Gardner or Veronica Lake springs to mind.  Check out J. Crew's snoods.  They are very modern snoods and don't really conjure up images of the 1940s, but are fab nonetheless.  Wear it as a scarf or head covering, or whatever!  J. Crew makes sparkly beaded ones too!

J. Crew Marled Knit Snood, $49.50 at www.jcrew.com.

3. & 4.  A coat and cape from Anthropologie.  Both of these items remind me of my favorite movie, the Sound of Music.  The coat reminds me of one of Maria's fitted suits.  The cape reminds me of the Von Trapp's traveling clothes (a.k.a. singing costumes.)

Ensemble Cassonade Coat, $198 at www.anthropologie.com.

Dear Creatures Everything-in-Place Cape, $198 at www.anthropologie.com.  Sadly, only one size (M/L) is left!

5. Sperry Top-Sider Shearwater boots!  You may have noticed that I have a thing for Sperry.  So cute & preppy (and waterproof)!

Sperry Top-Sider Shearwater Boot (Brown/Tattersall), $90 at www.sperrytopsider.com.

Happy Winter!  Drink some cocoa and stay warm!

-Colleen

I haven't been to Old Navy in a long time, mainly because the store near my house always has such long lines at the register.  I am not very patient.  I decided to check out their website (no lines!) and there appears to be quite a few cute fall items available at the moment.  Here are my picks for luxe-feeling fall basics from Old Navy, and the great thing is that Old Navy offers so many styles in petite, tall, and plus sizes.

I love all things fair isle.  Did you see Mondo's great fair isle pieces in the Project Runway finale?

Old Navy Fair Isle Tie-Belt Wrap Cardigan (Gray Combo), $39.50 at www.oldnavy.com.

From past posts you may have realized that I adore sequins (and stripes too!).

Old Navy Sequin-Stripe Cardigan (Simply Mauvelous), $39.50 at www.oldnavy.com.

I own an easy blouse like this from Anthropologie and it's my favorite item that I own.

Old Navy Ruffle-Trim Tie-Belt Top (Silverback), $24.50 at www.oldnavy.com.

An exotic looking scarf adds instant drama to a basic outfit.

Old Navy Patterned Fringe-Tassel Scarf (Purple Combo), $14.50 at www.oldnavy.com.

I've been wanting a military-esque comfy day dress for a while.

Old Navy Drop-Waist Cord Shirt Dress (Silver Sash Brown), $29.50 at www.oldnavy.com.

Camel or beige-colored coats are so on trend for fall.

Old Navy Wool-Blend Trench Coat (Taupe of the Morning), $69.50 at www.oldnavy.com.

I love a good fancy clutch.

Old Navy Clutch (Black), $14.50 at www.oldnavy.com.

-Colleen

I love blue + white porcelain and thus prints that evoke these pieces.  The Spring/Summer 2011 shows revived this love of mine, in a big way.

Prada's monkey-print blue and white top looks like an inverted porcelain teacup to me!

Prada Spring/Summer 2011 RTW. Photo Imaxtree via New York Magazine.

In like fashion, these Rodarte wedges have the quality of a porcelain figurine.

Rodarte Spring/Summer 2011 Shoes. Photo Imaxtree via The Cut.

Here are some lovely blue & white pieces, with a similar vibe, that you can buy now!  Lilly Pulitzer's Janet dress.

Lilly Pulitzer Janet Dress Lawn, $148 at www.lillypulitzer.com.

Gorgeous blue & white dress by Isabel Marant.

Etoile Isabel Marant Printed Crinkled Silk Crepe Dress, $480 at www.net-a-porter.com.

Accessorize in blue & white with this charming scarf!

Lucky Brand China White Scarf, $69 at www.zappos.com.

And, some modern blue & white for the home.  John Derian Delft decoupage plate.

John Derian Delft Jardiniers #1, $145 at www.shopcielo.com.

-Colleen