Now on Etsy: The Victoria, Stella and Henrietta Bow Belts

They're up! Check out more shots of Victoria, Stella and Henrietta in the HCH shop now.

I sewed up extra Bow Belts in time for the holidays since three of mine have been adopted by Bohemian Boudoir's booth over at the Dickens Christmas Faire.

These new additions make great holiday gifts because they work for just about any size and body type. Better yet, they give you the appearance of a cinched waist without the commitment of a traditional corset. Perfection!

The Victoria Bow Belt, The Stella Bow Belt, The Henrietta Bow Belt

Preview: Henrietta and Stella Bow Belts

Just in time for the holiday party season, meet two lovely new Bow Belts. The first, Henrietta, is made of a yummy striped satin and antique Victorian braid. It's topped off with a smart bow and antique crescent moon vignette button. Stella is made of a lovely taupe ribbon printed with shiny silver stars. Both make the perfect stocking stuffer or finishing touch for your own holiday ensemble. Take a peek!

Henrietta Bow Belt (left) and Stella Bow Belt (right)

Detail of the Henrietta Bow Belt 

Detail of the Stella Bow Belt

Look for them in the Honey Cooler Handmade store tomorrow and stay tuned for an uber-precious gift wrap option for all your HCH gift giving needs!

Calling All Flappers...

I can't live without my iPhone.

It's glued to my hand at all times (excepting, of course, when I'm sewing). I use it for grocery lists, checking in on my Etsy shop, playing Words With Friends, Sudoku and Mah Jongg, taking on-the-fly product photos, and killing time in uncomfortable situations. I keep it in my hand when I'm out and about, even if I'm not using it at that particular moment... in short, I'm obsessed.

When I think of early mobile phones, I can't help but think of the charmingly humungous breadbox phone Zack Morris used in Saved By The Bell. Or the one used by the sinister Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.

Photos: Zack Morris Cell Phone (yes, really), Tontadas Verias

But I guess cell phones go back further in history than I'd initially thought! Check out this amazing 1922 Pathé video from How To Be A Retronaut: "World's First Mobile Phone".

So much prettier than a breadbox phone, don't you think? Perhaps less practical, but hey, when has pretty ever truly needed to be pragmatic?

Holiday Sale!

If you've had your eye on something special from the HCH store in time for the holidays, you're in luck! Everything in the store is 15% off until New Years Day! Just use code 2011HOLIDAY at check out to take advantage of the discount.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Calm Before The Storm

Thanksgiving's tomorrow, so I'll be cooking up a storm today. My husband is working on the manlier aspects of Thanksgiving Dinner, intended to pair with our pal's killer bacon-wrapped turkey. Among the hearty offerings, we're having meat-heavy stuffing, gravy from scratch, and artery-decimating mashed potatoes.

I, however (and probably unsurprisingly), am working on the sweeter side of things: yam casserole, Ukrainian apple pie and pierogies. None of it is healthy and all of it is delicious.

We did all our shopping yesterday morning and in trying to square away as much with HCH as possible before a little holiday hiatus, I lost complete track of time. Before I knew it, the sunset was lighting up our cornucopia and I couldn't resist snapping some pics.

So, a little prettiness before the insanity begins.

Happy pre-Turkey Day, everyone!

Thread Show San Francisco, November 2011

The rain may have kept things quiet for awhile, but the Thread Show on Sunday was tons of fun and there were lots of people wandering through, including a photographer from wicked local blog Fkn Famous (awesome name, huh?).

Here are a few photos of my booth. If you spot anything you like, check out a closer look over at my Etsy shop!

A New Look

Honey Cooler Handmade has a stellar new look for the holidays! Check it out and keep your eyes peeled for a very sweet deal up ahead...

Only 402 Days Until The Great Gatsby!

When I was in middle school, I had to read The Great Gatsby, then watch the film adaptation. At the time, I was unimpressed, probably because a 13-year-old generally won't find much to admire in melodrama and Mia Farrow. Not to mention the fact that this 1920's period piece was hopelessly and incurably 1970's. Soft focus, big curls and Disco couture were and never will be Deco.

Photos: Kute Clothes, Velvet Muse

Today, I wait with bated breath for the upcoming Baz Luhrmann adaptation. Sure, a remake is generally never as good as the original, but the fact that Luhrmann is directing and producing makes me certain that I'll love this film for its aesthetic alone.

Photo: Jezebel

Just check out Gemma Ward as Catherine Wilson! Catherine's a bit part in The Great Gatsby, but if Gemma looks this lovely in her role, I can't wait to see how Luhrmann will portray the lavish party scenes. This film is guaranteed to be a Deco-lover's paradise. And it doesn't hurt that Leonardo DiCaprio will be playing Jay Gatsby opposite the precious Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan.

Is it Christmas 2012 yet?

Preview: Pearl Deco Camisole

In preparation for Thread SF this weekend, I've been sewing my little heart out. I have tons of adorable new pieces to show, and they'll be making their debut at Thread before you see them in my Etsy shop, so make sure you swing by.

My newest gem is the Pearl Deco Camisole, a lovely warm ivory jacquard top with a triple bow insertion lace detail. It's the ideal layering piece - wear it with a red cardigan, skinny jeans and black boots for the perfect holiday party ensemble!

Honey Cooler Handmade at Thread Show San Francisco on Sunday November 20th!

Come say hello and check out what's new in the world of Honey Cooler Handmade on Sunday November 20th at the Metreon!

Admission is only $5 if you RSVP here!

Empire State of Mind

I spent the past weekend in New York City, helping my little sister locate her dream wedding dress, shopping, and going out with college chums. It's hard for me to put into words how much I love New York - I sometimes feel like I belong there instead of in San Francisco.

Because autumn is my favorite season, visiting as fall is beginning to crest makes leaving again all the more difficult. I felt like I was in a fog for most of the trip because I really do miss the East Coast so much, especially this time of year. It usually takes me a few days to shake off the resulting nostalgia.

But I have to remember that New York is a tough place. Its residents are more up-front and in-your-face than San Franciscans. Those are admirable qualities, but there have been a ton of occasions when I felt positively trampled by the city and its people. The truth is that I'm too soft for New York, even sartorially.

Anyway, long story short, I had a lovely (if bittersweet) time in the city. My last hour was spent at a lovely store in the Fashion District where I found these gems... Antique ribbon and Deco rhinestones. The perfect bit of sweetness to take home from a very hard-edged city.

It's good to be back.

Now on Etsy: The Ina and Mitzi Knickers

Welcome Ina and Mitzi to the fold! They're both in the Honey Cooler Handmade shop now!

Mitzi Knickers (top), Ina Knickers (bottom)