Etsy Made Me Do It: Five Maxi Dresses Under $80

Etsy Made Me Do It: Five Maxi Dresses Under $80

This week is mostly about great finds I've made recently while virtual shopping for you all. I hurt my ribs very badly this past weekend when I ran straight into a (triathlete) friend of mine during my husband's kickball birthday party. Let me tell you what-bruised ribs are not fun! Nor do they heal overnight.

That being said, you likely know by know that Etsy is one of my favorite places to window shop. I often come across pieces of clothing that I would love to wear or to dress you in. Some of my readers and clients are talented seamstresses, too, and so I often imagine how your take on one of these would look!

What I love in a great maxi dress is that it wears like a nightgown (read: soft) but feels more glamorous than shorts and a t-shirt or any other summer uniform. Here are a few Etsy favorites.

Kaftan, $39.99

Tank Dress, $30

The tank dress above ($52) with that incredible chevron sequin panel would be incredible worn to a summer wedding, don't you think?  And the unique shape below caught my eye, but the rest of this seller's dresses are incredible, too.

Kaftan $78

Navy Blue Maxi, $59

As far as styling a long dress, I have a few go-to styling tips. First, wear long jewelry that mimics the length of the dress. A long necklace helps you look long and lean, while long earrings lengthen the neck and add to the inherently boho feel of a maxi dress. If your arms are exposed, wear a bracelet or cuff that commands some attention. Otherwise, the great thing about a maxi dress is that it's a statement itself-don't feel obligated to dress it up too much.

People always ask me about shoes and maxi dresses. I tend to wear flats (sandals this time of year or boots during the colder months) or maybe wedges. I know that some women can successfully walk in a long dress and heels-I'm just not one of them!

Via ModCloth

If it's still chilly at night in your neck of the woods, bring along a pashmina to wear over your shoulders or layer on a jean or moto jacket or even a blazer.

HauteKnitNorthShore Etsy Review

HauteKnitNorthShore Etsy Store Review

Looseknit skinny scarf

It was the net-like look of this skinny scarf that got me interested in the artists behind HauteKnitNorthShore on Etsy. Then I dug deeper and spotted one necklace after another that I wanted to wear. Specifically, wear to the beach!

Bamboo cord with Moonstone

I can just picture this gorgeous necklace out in the garden where you wouldn't have to worry about getting it dirty or breaking it. I love how wearable they all are!

Virtual Client Session, Incredible Etsy Store, and an Exclusive Discount for You

Virtual Client Session, Incredible Etsy Store, and an Exclusive Discount for You

Recently I had the absolute joy of helping to celebrate a 50th birthday- via a virtual FaceTime session! Natalie's daughter-in-law, Jenni, emailed me to book a surprise session for Natalie. Then, the morning of the session, she was presented with a gift card saying "Personal Styling Session. Your Closet. 10AM." The next three hours were a blur as the two daughters-in-law helped me to raid Natalie's closet and pick out versatile, fun, gorgeous outfits for their incredible mother-in-law. Here's what Jenni had to say about it (isn't she the sweetest?):

For my mother-in-law Natalie's 50th birthday this year I knew I had to do something a little more special and out of the ordinary.  She has always wanted to have a stylist or personal shopper help her pick out clothes - she really hates shopping.  So after I read Miss Mustard Seed's review on Ella, and saw that she would do online consultations, I knew it would be perfect!

I had no idea what to expect, and it was a great surprise both for Natalie and I who got to sit in on the action (and learn a few things too!).  Ella got right to work, having her try on her favorite outfits and things she usually wears to work.  She changed up outfits in completely new ways that looked awesome! 

Ella was great at giving tips along the way about what to buy to add a little more to the outfits - just great staples to have in your closet.  Ella would be great working with anyone and any style, she was completely confident in her knowledge of fashion and at the same time super easy to talk to and work with.

We had a blast, it was a great 3 hours spent on a birthday!  Natalie has been wearing the new outfit combos and getting compliments on them!  She had a great time, we would both highly recommend Ella to anyone and everyone!

 As we chatted, I learned that Jenni is an artist. She makes the most beautiful painted and upholstered pieces of furniture, including custom orders! And tomorrow marks her one year anniversary of opening her shop. So she's offering my readers 15% off with the code STARTCLOSEIN until 5/16! Isn't that awesome?

I particularly love the colors that Jenni uses, and I can imagine a few of these pieces in my own home!

I think the piece above would be beautiful as a changing table in a nursery. Then again, we always seem to need more storage space in our guest bedrooms...

Those are just a few of my favorites, but there are too many to choose from on her site! So check her site out in the next few days and don't forget to use the code STARTCLOSEIN for our special discount.

And thanks, Jenni, for sending along this action shot of Natalie from behind the scenes that day! Instead of street style I'm going to coin the phrase "closet style" to describe these live-action shots!

Holiday Wish List

Holiday Wish List

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Disclaimer: if you'd rather not think about shopping or buying gifts, then please avert your eyes. We'll return to our regular program of working with what you've got, shaking what your momma gave you, and upcycling, re-styling, and generally working what's already in your closet.

But, if you-or someone you know-are in the market for something to tuck into a stocking or wrap under a tree, here are some of my current favorite things from several online sources-some big, some small. Some from major retailers offering great sales and the rest from small, American-based businesses who would love your support, I'm sure. They may not be the big retailers offering the big discounts, but they're the small business owners (like me!) who rely on you to make it possible to continue on. So I hope you consider looking at some small businesses-whether these below or the ones in your area.

And, yes, it's absolutely fair to "mistakenly" leave these pages open for a loved one to discover if you find something you really like. If you're looking for clothing deal roundups in general, here are three good ones from Plus Model Magazine, Fashionista and Cup of Jo.

Gifts that say "Let's have a date night-tonight!"

Ann Taylor is offering 40% off full-price code TAKE40 and an additional 50% off sale price with no code needed.

Via

Also velvet pants, a gorgeous, long necklace, three shirts that sparkle, including a long-sleeved one, and a beautiful dress.  

Gifts that say "I honor the wild woman in you."

All via

Plus a skirt made for dancing and comfy leopard print flats to tuck in your purse until the dancing is over!

Gifts that say "I love that you take time to feather your nest."

Via

Keep up with the animals and ask "What does the fox say?" Oh! And if your crafting energy will be running low, PB's German glitter garlands are still available in store.

Gifts that say "I notice the things that you like. I see you."

More perfect dots here and here. 

Via

And also peplum cashmere or softest silk for staying cozy by the fire, a flattering, soft sweater, and striped peplum because, well, I love stripes.

Shameless Plug

Several of you have contacted me about buying gift certificates for in-person or virtual styling sessions for your loved ones. I am happy to create a pretty gift certificate for you to give to a loved one this holiday season that they can redeem in the New Year for a new look. Just email me, and we'll work something out! I'd love to see a StartCloseIn certificate clipped to a new scarf or tucked into a stocking this year. If you purchase during the last days of November, virtual sessions are $50 for three hours, in-person is $75 for three hours. These prices will be going up in December so book now!

What about you?

I'd like to invite you to post your blog or your small business link below in the comments section, too. So many of you are also small business owners who make and find incredible things. I'd love us all to support each other. Happy Thanksgiving, again. 

And don't miss 50 Things to Do Other than Shop this Friday.