Merry Christmas

I am so sorry for posting this so late in the day, but I am sure you can understand with it being Christmas and all. I want to tell you all that I am Thankful for your readership and helping me to take Miss Serendipitist on its way to success! I hope you have had a lovely holiday! Please, share you Christmas (or Hannakuh) stories in the comments section, and if there are at least three, I will share my own.

Thank you, lovlies!

Special message to Ashley from Regis, the sock change purse you discovered is awesome!!

Featured Artist: Colleen Downs

Colleen Downs makes beautiful, ethereal and somewhat creepy art dolls. Her creations are all handmade, she never uses molds. This feat is amazing, considering the detail and craftsmanship that goes into each doll.

Downs loves creating these dolls and often has their character and image in her head before she begins sculpting. Each doll is a character and has a story behind her, which I love. Downs has a seven year old daughter and takes some of her inspiration from her daughter's vivid imagination.
These dolls are exquisite and I was immediately drawn to them. While some of them creep me out a bit, I can't help but want to know what their stories are. These dolls are amazing, their clothing and hair give life to an otherwise dead medium. Downs is creating something beautiful and wonderful. I love the uniqueness of these dolls and the lack of traditional doll beauty. These dolls do not look like angelic children that have fallen from the sky, they seem to represent the broken and tarnished souls of us and the people we know. Visit Down's etsy store Loopy Boopy to read each doll's story and to pick out your own work of artistic genius.
Note: Press play to get the slide show to work

Wool Solution is the Answer to Cold!

Wool Solution makes beautiful knitted hats! These hats are so beautiful, it is hard to believe someone hand made them. Wool Solution (and I) believe that everyone is a hat person, you just have to find the right hat for you! They point out that hats dominated the runways this fall, so they are in style, and not just warm.

I love hats! I tried two of Wool Solution's knitted hats! The first hat is cream with a knit bow. It is so cute and kept me warm during several hours of standing out in the cold. This hat is great and everyone I have encountered (the females) complimented it and asked where I got it. There is a gorgeous scarf that matches this hat. The scarf is amazing and I have been trying to figure out the pattern since I received it! The scarf has a unique knitted ring that helps it to stay around your neck and keep in the warmth. The second hat is rustic orange and can be worn a couple of ways. It can be worn plain or rolled at the brim. There are ties in the back that give it a great look and keep the warmth in your head! This hat is great and I am waiting for the perfect opportunity to wear it out; lately I just wear it around the house.

Wool Solutions has many more hats to choose from. Their designs are awesome! I have never seen knits like these! Below, some more hat designs are displayed. Make sure to get yours, it's going to be a looong winter!

Alpinestars--New for Fall '08

The cool people from Alpinestars added a few new things to their line for Fall '08. While Fall is coming to a close, these clothes will transition wonderfully into the Winter months.

I tried out some great, lightweight and really comfortable tees. They are both made from that really soft tee material and feel as if they are already worn in! They have the texture of your dad's old undershirts, the really comfortable ones, but these are minus the sweat stains. Alpinestars has also added beautiful, very colorful leather jackets! These are a must have for any wardrobe!

A Mother/Daughter Team makes Rebe Excel!

Rebe was begun by a creative Mother/Daughter team. Debra Weiss and Hillery Sproatt have created this great line which includes, rebe sacs, accessories, and apparel. Over time, the mother and daughter realized that Debra's background in textiles and Hillery's creative nature would make some thing wonderful if they brought their talents together.

They did make something wonderful, their beautiful line, rebe! Some of their designs are even eco friendly! I tried out a purse from rebe and it is like no purse I have ever seen. It wraps around my body, kind of like a half apron. I am super paranoid about theft and I really like that the zippers are on the inside, close to my body. You would have to be almost groping me to get into the purse, which isn't very stealth for a pickpocket. There is a pocket in the front, where I put my hand. It is nice, a hand pocket on your purse! The purse has plenty of room for all of my stuff (this, my friends, is a difficult feat) and the design is completely original. The fabrics used are extremely unique and pleasing to the eyes.

Make sure you check out the rest of rebe's great items. Their clothes are absolutely beautiful and they look as if they have a great fit (what's the point in wearing clothes without fit?) I have displayed some on the slide show.

Liz Earle smoothes me out!

As I have previously told you, Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare is a wonderful skincare line. Not one to disappoint, the folks over at Liz Earle have some new stuff ready for winter dryness.

The first in the collection is the Superskin Moisturiser. It is designed to help rejuvenate mature and very dry skin. This moisturiser is free from mineral oils and liquid paraffin waxes and really helps smooth the skin. If nothing else, this product feel great against my cold and flu weary face. I no longer feel I might flake away.

The Superskin Concentrate is a nighttime moisturizer that is good for all skin types. This great product helps to plump, nourush, restore, and balance skin. It smell good and goes on really smooth.

I love this duo. They are just what my skin needed for these cold windy months! Now it's not so bad, just cold.

Trace Ellements

Trace Ellements makes gorgeous, modern jewelry with a hint of vintage. These pieces are wonderful! Trace Ellements makes earrings, necklaces, lariat necklaces, pins, rings, purse mirrors, bottle stoppers, ceiling fan pulls, key chains, zipper pulls, and bookmarks. Tracy Ellison, founder and designer, began Trace Ellements in 1990. At first, Ellison just sold her treasures to friends and colleagues. Soon, she was encouraged to expand her business into something more. Trace Ellements has made it's way into boutiques and department stores over the years.

I reviewed the olive jade stone wrapped in antiqued filigree on burnished brass earwires (no nickel) and a beautiful ceiling fan pull. The earrings are beautiful and look vintage. Their color is muted green and will go with most outfits. They are dangly, but not overwhelming. I really like the filigree! I like look of dangly earrings, but I rarely find some I feel good wearing and I am definitely comfortable wearing these. I have been sporting them all day while I have been lying around in my pjs (I still have the flu).

The ceiling fan pull is great, also. The design on the big bead is beautiful! I love the way the light bounces off, it brightens the whole room! Trace Ellements has over 300 designs of ceiling fan pulls and they are only $12!

Trace Ellements is truly one of a kind! Click on the links above or visit Ellison's other store at Etsy!

I enjoy being a demographic

demographic is an awesome tee company. The idea for this company came from the minds of two very creative graphic designers who wanted to make clothing that spoke to them; they were tired of the self-promoting designs that are taking over the market (aka Abercrombie). These creative minds set forth to create a line that spoke more about the wearer and less about the company it came from. Each tee design has a certain "demographic" of people who fit into it. Are you superstitious? Are you allergic? Are you independent? demographic has a tee for you! And, if you have an idea for a tee design, go here to submit your idea. If your idea gets chosen, you will get a bunch of cool demographic goodies!

I reviewed Superstitious. This shirt is great! It is very comfortable and cute tee. A spilled salt shaker is on the front of the shirt, and a line of salt continues down the back of the shirt, as if you had thrown the salt over your left shoulder. So cute! I am a nut about knocking on wood (I used to be more so), so I love this shirt. And, I don't have to throw real salt, I can just point at the shirt. There is a short paragraph about the history of salt throwing on the side of the shirt,

It seems that most everyone is superstitious to some degree. Superstitions about salt date back to Biblical Times when salt was a highly prized commodity. Spilling salt was considered an almost sacrilegious offense, and left one perilously exposed to the Devil's machinations. Throwing salt over your shoulder, like blessing someone after a sneeze. is a way of deeping the devil at bay while you're in an especially vulnerable moment.

I know someone who fits into every one of demographic's tees, and I feel like I fit into several categories. The fun thing with demographic is that they are classifying people, but not into the stiff circles that we are usually classified into. These categories are fun and so are demographic's tees. I want to collect all of my demographics. And, trying to come up with cool new ideas will keep me up at night.

The Flu

A couple of months ago, my mom suggested I get a flu shot. I thought, 'whatever, there is no way I am going to get the flu.' Well, I should have listened because right now I have the flu. I am sorry there was no review today, being on the computer in general is an improvement. I haven't checked my email since Friday, I have no idea what's going on.

The moral of this story is I should have listened to my mom. Then this wouldn't have happened and there would be a review today.

heebeegeebee's Tees Are Great!

Even though it is winter, and cold (ok, it's not winter yet) awesome tees are still in the mix. I pair mine with a cute jacket or sweater. heebeegeebee makes cute and original tees. Started by Kelly and Jay, an artist and graphic designer/screen printer, heebeegeebee has the most original and cool tees around. Kelly's designs go on the tees and Jay screen prints them with care.

I love my tee. The design is Octodendron and it is a combination plant and octopus legs. It is so pretty and cool. The tee is soft and comfortable. The fit is great, as you can see from the pictures. This shirt will be great dressed up to go out in the city or dressed down to sit around the house. And, my order came with a baggie complete with a Jolly Rancher, a heebeegeebee pin and a heebeegeebee chapstick (which works great!).

heebeegeebee is a great company with awesome tees. These tees are affordable and comfortable. I want one of each! Please also visit their Etsy store to easily pick up one of these gems.

Natalie Low Makes Beautiful Clothes!

Natalie Low, of Melbourne, Australia, is an awesome small time fashion designer! Her clothes are beautiful and original. Low gets her inspiration from magazines such as Russh, Nylon, Elle UK, Frankie and Harpers Bazzar and all of her clothes are handmade by her.

I love Low's designs! Her clothes are so interesting. The skirt I reviewed is awesome, it is her High Waisted Skirt In A Field of Roses sizes S-M. I am sorry if I look less than enthused in the pictures, it is FREEZING outside. The skirt is comfortable, the waist is elastic and can be worn as high or as low as you would like, but it is meant to be high waisted. The fabric is beautiful, there are little roses on it and I wish I could find the brown tights I have been searching for because they will go great with cute boots. I love this skirt, the craftsmanship is perfect!

Natalie Low's prices are affordable and will make great holiday gifts for yourself or for a friend. Her style will look good on most body types. Let's take this small designer and blow her up!

Marisol the Alpaca Babe

My Alpaca Babe, Marisol, and I have been living it up over the holiday weekend. We have been telling each other secrets and playing with the dogs. Marisol came from the wonderful and colorful alpaca farm, Alpaca Babe, where everything cute and cuddly alpaca is on the mind.

Alpaca Babe started when Emily (creator and founder of Alpaca Babe) was visiting her cousin Isaac. Emily fell in love with these wonderful creatures (who hum when they get nervous! So cute!) and started making little Alpacas to share with the world. Not only are the Alpaca Babes cute, but they are made from recycled sweaters--because most thrown out sweaters were once a cherished favorite.

My Alpaca Babe, Marisol, is a cutie. I just love her. She came in her own little bag (that I immediately filled with crafting items) and has a coral sweater as her underside. All of my friends and family who have seen have wanted to touch and pick her up. It is as if they are all children again. She is soft and cuddly, which is great for long nights when Caspian and Aravis (my kitties) refuse to come inside.

Your can get your own Alpaca Babe by visiting Emily's website. Get as many as you want! They will make great gifts for the kids in your life, and when you see one in person, I know you will be back to get your hands on your own.