Shrististudio Vintage Styles

Facebook Giveaway- time to win another dress from www.shrististudio.com

2011-09-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Friends , It's time for a facebook giveaway. You can win a dress from website www.shrististudio.com .... winner will be randomly chosen at the end of 30 days.

The rules

1. Go to my website http://www.shrististudio.com/ and pick your favourite dress and post it on your facebook profile.

2. Like my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Styles/131140100257333

3.Comment on my facebook page - Comment should include the dress you like from our website and to what ocassion you would wear it.

4. Give away ends March 31st

Some plus size creations by ShristiStudio and photoshoot by Autumn Luciano

2011-09-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Friends I have some awesome plus size clothing listed on www.shrististudio.com Recently we did a photo shoot with Autumn Luciano. I loved the pictures and I am sharing them with you. These dresses are available for photo shoots too with http://www.decadencedolls.com/

Some awesome buyer appreciation pictures and emails to share with you

2011-02-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

I get very excited when I receive appreciation pictures from buyers. It really does say that I have been doing a good job and it encourages me to keep on doing it. From now on all the buyers who send me an appreciation picture get a coupon for15% off to use on my website and the coupon code can be transferred to friends and family as well.

Around 6 months back I got an email from a buyer who bought a dress from me which read

" Huge Thank You "

"I just wanted to send a quick message because I absolutely love your dresses. I quit my job this spring and decided to go on a three month trip around Europe as an act of freedom. I've backpacked before for a couple weeks but never so long and knowing that I would need at least one nice outfit in my pack, I took a purple polka dotted dress sold on your site. The dress was not only a lifesaver (you have no idea how many churches I avoided being shunned from because it covered my knees and shoulders) but the only article of clothing that made it back from the trip! All my shirts, pants, and shorts were thrown out and replaced because of the constant and rough wear but that little dress held up beautifully. Keep up the absolutely fantastic work! "

Here is another email and Steph I really don't mind you using it as a Halloween Costume :)

Hi there,

Oh my gosh, I'm sooo sorry I didn't get this to you sooner. I totally forgot to send you the picture of me in the dress I bought from you. I hope you don't mind that I used it as a Halloween costume. I went as a stepford wife; the funny makeup is robot showing through :) Hope this helps you! Thank you soo soo much again for the fabulous dress!
Blessings,
Steph
ps: I attached a full length picture of me in the dress and then a waist up pic with a friend of mine.

-SP

Here is an email and a picture from Natalie

"I got a dress made from you a while back. Sorry i forgot to send a pic. I love the new website and am hoping to make another order again soon! Thank you! "

-Natalie

Photographer/Model Autumn Luciano took this wonderful appreciation picture for me of a dress she bought more than a year back. I am so impressed.

Sorry ! I haven't been updating my blog. The last 4 months were very busy shopping seasons. I am still working on the wonderful picture contest I am going to do with Victoria, Autumn, and Tracy
Will keep you all updated.

Nasty Gal fashion - A success story that I would like to imitate !

2010-09-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

I saw the American Express small business advertisement on TV in which a online seller was featured. She started selling vintage dresses on eBay at age 23 and now has a very successful website which sells both vintage and new dresses. From what I can gather from her face book fan page, she is very very successful. Congratulations to her for doing it all so well. Her success is what I have been dreaming for years.

Take a peek at her collection http://www.shopnastygal.com/ . I loved her sense of style and she has a great eye for fashion. Her company doesn't make them but she sources the dresses from different designers. She not only Sells beautiful dresses but also the accessories to co-ordinate. I love the whole look !

Mommy2girls winner of My love is a little tom boy giveaway !

2010-09-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mommy2girls was randomly chosen as the winner of the My love is a little tom boy give away ! Congratulations !

All the posts were so heart melting , beautiful and awesome ! I finally decided to choose a winner by random number generator.

Thanks everybody for taking part.

Wear it with sock and stockings- The new trend that I totally love

2010-08-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

I just love this new trend for fall . Now I can wear all my short dresses with a knee high sock and stay warm.
If you wear dresses to mid thigh then the designers permit you to wear them with fishnets and a knee high scow combination.

I am sharing some pictures from the ramp and some from the everyday fashionistas from around the globe.

I love the vintage style dress she is wearing with a knee high sock.

A simple shirt dress ,my favorite right now which the model above has styled with knee high sock .I really really want to try it.

I don't wear shorts but if you do, the stocking with a knee high sock is a great way to do it. I love the school girl look like second model but may be I am getting a little older to pull it off ! he he . But if you tried it send me a picture.

I just love the vintage styling of the dress and the way the sock looks with it.

some more photos for your inspiration

Pulling a knee high sock look can be a little tricky so go trough some of these tips from fashionstyle become gorgeous

Length

•It is extremely important to choose the right length of the socks. Indeed as the name denotes this trend encourages the wear of knee-high socks. However it is still important to consider whether this accessory works for our body shape. Undoubtedly similar accessories shift the attention to the thighs. Therefore if you are not totally satisfied with your parameters, make sure you devote more effort to selecting the right designs.

•Those who struggle with a few extra-inches in this section should go for socks that reach just below the knees and not a bit over them. This is the ideal alternative to still adopt this trend. A similar choice will have a miraculous slimming effect on your silhouette since it would accentuate the lower part of your legs as nice and lean ankles rather than slightly thick thighs. Make them loose rather than too tight to feel comfortable and give some space for your skin to breathe naturally.

If you are going to wear longer dresses the sock look can also be done like this

I will share more trends I love, that can be sported with vintage style dresses soon. Until then take care.

New York street chick to Fall fashion trends from the ramp

2010-08-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

Source: Elle

Channel the feminine style of Betty Draper in a long pencil skirt and retro blouse.

I am so excited the vintage fashion is going to be huge in fall 2010 and will be pouring in 2011. I am working like a busy bee to get most of these looks for my store.I was browsing the Elle website and found some cool looks from the streets of New york and the fashion trends for fall from the ramps. I am sharing them with you.

Don't be afraid to sport your vintage looks it's back big time this fall.

Halters and corsets are everywhere this season.

Really red is cool

I love this girly floral dress with the patent leather belt look !

Elle’s street style photographer decamped to Senigallia, Italy for the annual Summer Jamboree to capture some of the finest looks at the fifties-inspired fest to inspire your own fashion choices this coming season. This fall up-to-there hemlines are replaced by longer, more ladylike lengths

My favourite the polka dots are going to be huge this fall. I am going to have the white with red dots version of this dress.So check back the store soon.

Now lets look at what's on the ramp.

Louis Vuitton, fall 2010

Channel pony tailed sweethearts (and their circle skirts) when test-driving fall’s ’50s-inspired separates

Chloe fall fashion 2010

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more fashion trends for fall. I will also have another photo contest soon in which three beautiful ladies are going to dress like fashion icons from the past and you can vote for the lady who pulled it off the best !

My love is a little tom boy ! Share the special story of your munchkin and be the giveaway winner

2010-08-02T07:28:00.000-07:00

When I found out I was going to have a baby girl three years ago I was filled with dreams of a little girl in princess style dresses, tutus and fairy wings. What I got is totally opposite. She is still very adorable three year old but she has a very unique sense of style. She is very tom boyish ! If I let her dress all by herself all she will wear is a trouser and a tee probably with red shoes and beaded necklace !!

Since I intervene the above is how she looks usually (Like the sketch above) !! I have bought, and made lots of skirts for her but she will only wear them with leggings or tights. She loves to play baseball with her dad and her favourite TV show is Thomas Train. She knows the names of every train from the show. When you start thinking there is something wrong with this little girl she will surprise you by taking her dolly for a stroll and feeding the dolly milk from her sippy cup !! She likes to wear skirts when I wear them and likes to twirl in it but she will wear it with a legging only.

She doesn't like to have little piggy tails or bunny ears as she calls them.If I try to comb her hair and make it look all nice, she will move her hand all over her hair and tells me that's how she wants to look !

If I show the princesses dolls she has and ask her if she wants to dress like them? she says," NO MOMMY I WANT TO BE GOYI "(that's how she says her name) Then points at the doll of princess Jasmine and tells me she wants to dress like her, in pants, but doesn't want her belly button to show. Then she shows me this character from Sid the Science Kid called Gabriela and says "I want to dress like her (Like the little girl in pink outfit) " !

When I see little girls dressed pretty like a princess I go awwwwwwww .......how cute ! but I can never make my princess dress like a princess. She has a mind of her own !! When she chooses what she wants to wear she looks like the sketch below. People usually think she is a boy when she does that !

May be there are many girls out there who like to "dress like a dude ", remember that's what Angelina thinks of her four year old Shiloh :) That's a little relief to know I am sailing with a celebrity !! LOL !!

Now my blog content looks like a text message ! Hope my English teacher never reads them. :)

Share the amazing stories of your little one in your life it could be your children who have already grown up , or grand children , niece or nephew. It can be your own special story from when you were little.

If you want to share the special pictures with the world send them to me I will post them on the blog with your stories.

Like my facebook page, share the giveaway on facebook and twitter or your blog. don't forget to follow me on my blog .

I will choose a few winners. Yes, that is more than one person can win. Winner will get a dress or a chiffon skirt from my store www.shrististudio.com

Email: shrististudio@gmail.com

Pictures from readers comments will be posted here.

Deanna's from http://deannalw.blogspot.com/2010/04/notice-things.html said she loves the way her nice dresses which is like this little girl.

Congratulations to the winners of the red white and blue giveaway !

2010-08-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

The winners of chiffon skirts

Madeline Brubaker

Kathy Pease

The winner of a dress from http://www.shrististudio.com/ is

Carol Dziuba

Congratulations !

Me And Mommy can do it ! PLUS Red Blue White Mega Giveaway

2010-06-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

The beautiful mommy and me dresses were designed and custom made for the beautiful models by shrististudio.My daughter always wants to wear dresses that match with mine that was the inspiration behind this new line. Tracy at Tracy Joy

photography did such a wonderful job of capturing the beautiful moments of mommy and daughter pairs strolling and having fun in the great outdoors.

                                                 We are part of the earth and it is part of us
                                       Preserve the land for all children, and love it, as God loves us.

                                                                                                   - Chief Seattle

The sun comes shining as I was strolling

I saw above me an endless skyway

Reason why I selected me and Mommy theme for the giveaway is also to give a voice for the little ones to whom the country belongs. The human race has been gifted the most beautiful environment. Will we hand it over to the next generation the way we received it?

Just think about the oil leak in the gulf ! The wildlife and sea creatures are in distress. It's just a matter of time that what's happening to them will happen to us. We might even be lucky and escape the wrath of nature but will our children be lucky enough to escape? Shouldn't we switch to green energy source which will keep all of us safe?

Amidst the beer barbecue and the beach lets think about what the future holds for our children. There isn't anything that the mothers can't do when we get together. Keep the red white and blue safe by being green :)

Happy 4th of July everyone !

The beautiful mommy and daugter pair Ryan (the mama) and Mila

May I introduce the mommy daugter pair Dana and Chloe

The aunt and niece pair Kimmy and Reese

                                   The beautiful pictures were taken by Tracy Joy from http://www.tracyjoy.com/

                                                                             http://www.tracyjoy.com/

                                                                           http://www.pinkheelsboudoir.com/

                                                                              http://www.propinsanity.com/

                                                                                http://www.thejoybag.com/

Thanks to my daughter who is my inspiration behind this new clothing line.

To make this cause a little more fun I have added a mega giveaway!

1.Go to http://www.shrististudio.com/ and tell me which dress is your favourite
2. Send the link of this give away to at least one of your friends and have them post here for an extra entry. when they post they should just leave your ID (blogger ID is fine)
3.share the giveaway on facebook and twitter or on your blog
4.follow me on my blog
5.There will be one winner for every 50 comments. Your chance of winning is very high.
6.You will win a beautiful chiffon skirt in your size.
7. One lucky winner chosen randomly will win a dress of their choice (worth $29.99) from http://www.shrististudio.com/
8.Give away closes 7/31/2010

Red Blue and White salute in me and mommy co-ordinating outfits part 1

2010-06-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

How adorable are the mommy and daughter pair. These beautiful pictures were taken by Tracy at http//www.tracyjoy.com/

Shrististudio is now making cordinating mom and daughter outfits. The polka dot fabric is now being manufactured so if the order for the dresses are placed now they will be delivered in the mid August.

These co-ordinating outfits could be great for holiday pictures or any special memories you are looking to frame.

These dresses were made to models custom measurements.

What's in model/photographer Autumn Luciano's pin up closet ?

2010-06-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

You have no idea how very excited I feel when a buyer sends me a picture of her wearing one of my dresses ! ! Especially when it's sent by a pin up photographer. I am sure many of you know her she takes lovely pin up pictures http://www.decadencedolls.com/

She also hosts pin up parties. How exciting is that ! I would so love to go to one of them ! I have posted some of her pin up pictures here.

See many more of her talent in capturing day today moments on http://www.autumnluciano.com/

You can understand how talented she is by just looking at one of her photographs posted below .

Not to forget she also contributes to http://www.vintagelifemagazine.com/ How awesome is that ?

Thanks Autumn Luciano for adding a ShristiStudio dress to your pin up closet.

Jackie O with a bow ! Dress is done like you asked it to be !

2010-06-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

The dress is made the way you asked it to be ! I am so glad you have a say in what I add to my store.

Chiffon dresses in the same style are ready too. Didn't find time to take pictures yet. Some of you asked me to make the style below with sleeves and in different colors. They will be made in our mass produced styles which will be added to the store just in time for the holidays.

Every time I make something new I will take your opinion first :) No matter who the winner of the custom dress giveaway is going to be , I will keep making the styles the readers requested and share with all of you. Just remember to keep checking back and see if the dress of your dreams is available on shrististudio.

Quoting New York Times and Huffington post on vintage style clothing making a huge come back and a Shrististudio mention

2010-06-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

The well known newspapers had articles recently where they said vintage style clothing is making a huge come back. People prefer to wear anything but the current. The reason they give is that Americans can't trust the stock market and the corporations. These newspapers think old clothing styles with a classic feel will assuage consumer anxiety in shaky times. Some think the vintage styles are making a comeback because fashion industry is out of ideas

Well ! I totally disagree and I know followers of vintage fashion disagree too. When we go through the old vintage photographs we are just too fascinated by what a great fashion statement these looks made. How beautiful our mothers and aunt's looked in them. We try to emulate those looks because they were extraordinary fashion times. What's good never goes out of style.

Contemporary designer runways have shown heavy ’50s influences this year. You must be going Oh ! those won't be for affordable prices. Nothing to worry ! I will have them in my store in time for fall.

Louis vuitton clothing

Were you looking for vintage reproduction swimsuits for summer ?

both can be found on http://www.jantzen.com/

Heads up vintage girls ! keds has this shoe in their stores this year. I know many of you love them

http://www.keds.com/

Also Shrististudio was mentioned and linked in the huffington post article about the vintage styles making a comeback.

Sharing a moment of pride ! We were linked from lucky magazine's website

2010-06-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

Twilla from http://living-vintage.blogspot.com/

and

Justice pirate from http://tiedemanntribe.blogspot.com/

have been modeling for my clothing line. Take a look at some of their great pictures .

So what happens when you are supported by beautiful women like them? Your website lands on lucky magazine along with other famous names.

http://www.luckymag.com/blogs/luckyrightnow/2010/06/online-markdowns-164.html

The link to the store and the coupon code screen shot

Inspired by Jackie O ! Would this fit in the 60's or 50's ?

2010-06-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

We made this new style to add to our collection. I really love this wonderful summer dress. The fabric is so cool and comfortable. We will add simple black buttons in the center front between the threads. After my beautiful models wear it, the dress will look like it belonged to Jackie O. I think this would be a 60's style dress. What do you think? 60's dress or a 50's style? Would you like it with black buttons in the center front or no buttons? Impatiently waiting for your input.

If there is a model/photographer reading this post, and you think you can look like jackie O in this dress email me . Send me your pictures jackie O style. I might just send you this dress for a picture.

The Winners of the photo contest and the photo contest giveaway !

2010-06-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

I am totally encouraged by the number of votes and hits the photo contest give away received. I greatly appreciate everyone who shared the giveaway with others.

First let me thank Smultron for being so kind and extra sweet and also for giving me the help and guidance to put the contest in front of a very huge audience. It's because of her suggestion that I posted the giveaway on different giveaway blogs. Being a newcomer to the blog world I had no idea how to do it.

Please don't forget to visit her cute shop http://hawaiikawaii.spreadshirt.com/ I really really love this tee from the shop.

Victoria is now modeling for my clothing line I love the pictures she takes for me. She has also been posting them on her blog I especially like the this picture of her where she is standing in ice cold water !! I totally appreciate her commitment. I am sure pretty soon her blog will be one of the best online .

Lets hear some victory music for Twilla ! She won this contest by a total number of 170 votes.She was the one who introduced me to blogging by doing a giveaway with me back in December of last year. Thanks Twilla for everything ! She will be taking more pictures for my store and here is a little preview of the one she took recently.

All of you must be eagerly awaiting for the result of the dress giveaway for one lucky winner among all the people who voted and tweeted and shared the giveaway with friends. I used the random number generator and it picked one winner Theresa who runs the etsy shop http://tiltcreations.etsy.com/ You can also say hi ! to her on her blog http://www.tiltcreations.blogspot.com/ Hope to see you in the winning dress on your blog :)

Rest of you lovely ladies don't be disappointed you can now redeem this coupon CONTESTG on my amazon hosted website http://shrististudio.hostedbyamazon.com/ It has the same safe features as shopping on Amazon. If you have any trouble using the code please email me. I will try to give the best service possible.

That's all for now !
XOXO

Custom dress giveaway ! Celebrating the new venture on Etsy

2010-05-26T00:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of you for the incredible response on my last post. Starting from June 15 th I will be only posting dresses in one of a kind fabric prints in chiffon on Etsy.Most of the fabrics we are using are silk chiffon so these dresses will be priced high but I assure you they are the most beautiful fabrics I have seen in a while. You will love it ! We are currently making them and I am very excited by how they are turning up.

To celebrate this new venture and also encouraged by the success of the last giveaway I have come up with a new "Custom Dress Giveaway" ! ! Here is how it's going to work.

1. You send me the picture of a dress and info on fabric you want the dress to be made in, to my email address shrististudio@gmail.com Please please don't send the picture of a dress made by a fellow etsy artist. I am most interested in reproducing vintage styles. Once I receive the picture of the dress to my email I will post them here.

2.Share this giveaway on facebook or twitter and post the link here.

3.Follow me on my blog.Remember to leave a comment here. It's required to pick a winner.

4. Sounds very exciting ? don't wait to send that email because I will not be accepting any entries made after June 30th midnight eastern time.

I will randomly choose one lucky winner and make a free custom dress. Can't wait to get your emails.

Here are the requests from readers

Porcelina would like this 1940's dress custom made........

Thrifty poet would like this dress custom made

Picture from http://www.modcloth.com/

Kate lusts for this dress

Annie loves this style

Annika would love this dress custom made

Kristin would like one of my designs from my Etsy store in her size

Claudia would like this beautiful I love Lucy dress

Erica loves this dress

Amber likes this Audrey Hepburn dress

Gabrielle Loves one of my vintage reproductions from the store

Aik Chien Would love to see thid dress custom made

Lydia would like this beautiful circle dress

Picture credit http://www.whirlingturban.com/

Erim M likes this dress

Cherie loves this dress

Erin H likes this vintage number would like it in an Emeral Green

Elizabeth likes this dress

Stase Likes thid dress from unique vintage

Sarah would like this dress in a material that would make it semiformal summer dress

Ditha would like this Lolitha dress

Ria would like this dress in a red or black

Amber loves this dress

Surge lovesb this dress

picture credits

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/

Sally likes this dress

Picture credits http://www.ballyhoovintage.com/

Eva Likes this dress

Rinei wants this dress made for wedding pictures

Dominique loves this dress

Jen loves this dress from Nancy Drew

Lola loves this dress

Melissa loves this dress

picture credits http://www.etsy.com/shop/fabgabs

Rose wishes these dresses were made now !

Beth loves thid dress

Alyssa loves this beautiful dress

Shwana would like these dress from

http://cache.stylemepretty.com/

Vittoria Likes this dress

Anissa loves this dress

Danielle would like this dress with a littlemore casual feel to it

Kir loves this dress

Autumn Loves thiss dress

H. mcnaron likes this dress

Amy loves this

Mandisa loves this dress

Anja loves this beauty from mod cloth.com

Elena

Cheryl loves this

Grace loves this dress

Amy loves this

Georgina loves this

Renei loves this

Leslie loves this dress

Mary really loves all the buttons down the front of the dress and think it would be dreamy in emerald green, charcoal grey, or black.

Mruna loves this dress

Contest ! Contest ! Best Picture Contest ! Please tell me who's your pick.

2010-05-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

I chose three beautiful, talented and smart women bloggers to take part in this contest. I am very grateful to them for saying yes to my request. I sent them one dress each from my etsy store. When I saw the pictures I was blown away ! I must say these are the loveliest pictures I have ever seen ! Are the ladies glowing in ShristiStudio dresses or what ?!

.......and now the drum rolls please !

May I present the contestant number one all the way from Sweden the beautiful Smultron

Smultron is the person behind the blog http://hawaiikawaii.blogspot.com/
She loves cute stuff, kawaii, the color pink, rainbows, Japan, art, tattoos, flamingos and games.
I love her hawaii kawaii store http://hawaiikawaii.spreadshirt.com/ She has some cute stuff you might like.

I love the way she accessorized the dress. It's just perfect ! It gives the dress such a casual contemporary look. The perfect down town chic !

The contestant number 2 is the beautiful Twilla Jean.

The person behind the blog http://living-vintage.blogspot.com/ She is a mom of 2 kids, wife to one hot-roddin husband, shop owner, wanna-be seamstress, wine snob. How awesome is that? totally...

Doesn't she look like Alice in wonderland but in a red dress ! I love her shoes the hair style and the beautiful tattoo on her hand. Very exquisite like her etsy store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/exquisitebones

The contestant number 3 is gorgeous Justice Pirate

She is the person behind the blog http://tiedemanntribe.blogspot.com/

Her real name is Victoria. She loves Jesus, She loves her high school sweetheart Rob, and their two beautiful sons. She is a photographer, a stay-at-home mom/housewife, abolitionist, and a youth leader at her church. She loves movies, reading, nature, periodical fashions/hairstyles (mainly 1940s), and has many various interests.Check out her etsy store

http://www.etsy.com/shop/electroblood

Victoria adds V to vintage . Scarlet O'Hara in a short dress ! She looks darling in this maroon dress . The hair style and the flower in the hair makes her look though she blast from the past .

Now it's your turn to vote for the best picture.

Who can vote.......

1.Everybody can vote . Please make sure you have voted only once.
2.May I request the readers to consider hairstyle, accessories and the whole look of the picture.
3.The top of the comment should be who is your choice...... Followed by
4. Share the giveaway with your friends on facebook and twitter, comment here that you have done so.
5.One lucky winner will be randomly selected from all the people who voted to receive a free dress from Shrististudio website.
6. Follow me on this blog so I can inform you if you are the lucky winner among the people who voted.
7.All voters and contestants will get a 20% off coupon to shop on my website after the contest results have been announced.
8.The voting will end on 31 st May at midnight eastern time.

Earth day 2010 Giveaway - Lets make little changes in our lives

2010-04-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

I didn't post anything last week as I was busy getting the next batch of dresses ready for my online stores. I use lots of plastic bags to pack and ship my dresses. I go crazy when I think what harm I am doing to the environment. I have to use plastic bags to keep my dresses safe from rain and damage during shipping. Then I thought atleast a few changes I can make in my day today life can offset the damage I have been doing.

My daughters earthday craft !

This month I want all of you to join me and make a difference for the environment. I know we can't do much interms of recycling and reusing everything in our life. We are too busy to take care of every little detail. However we can do our bit for the environment by changing very few of our habits.

Did you know ?

1 ton plastic bag equals 11 barrels of oil
It takes 1000 years for plastic to disintegrate

Animals can die because of the pastic bags we throw away.
But what about paper bags ? Are they good for the environment?

Paper bag production causes 70% more pollution than plastic.

It takes 91% more energy to recycle paper bags.

1 ton plastic bag equals 11 barrels of oil
It takes 1000 years for plastic to disintegrate

Animals can die because of the pastic bags we throw away.
what about paper bags? Are they safe ? Are they good for the environment?

Paper is bio degradable.But paper bag production causes 70% more pollution than plastic.
It takes 91% more energy to recycle paper abgs.

Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures a year! Ever heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? It's twice the size of Texas and is floating somewhere between San Francisco and Hawaii. It's also 80 percent plastic, and weighs in at 3.5 million tons.

How can we do our bit to help the environment ? Lets start by changing three of our habits.

1.Start using a reusable stainless steel water bottle and just say no to plastic bottles. American tap water is safe to drink. You can always use a filter to fill your eco friendly water bottles.

2.Carry your own shopping bags when you go shopping. Wonderful shopping totes are now available everywhere. Lets make it fashionable to carry a tote.

3. Help recycle plastic and metal. You don't have to buy big recycle boxes to separate plastic, paper and metal at home. Just hang little plastic shopping bags to your kitchen knobs and you can separate paper plastic and metal for recycling. You can then throw them in your recycle trash cans.

Make three of these changes in your life and come and send me the pictures of your reusable water bottles, your recycling methods, a picture of your shopping totes (any one picture or all three). If you are already a step ahead of us you can post what other kinds of recycling you are doing.

You may win a dress from my etsy store. Tell your friends about this and motivate them to post here.Email me the pictures to shrististudio@gmail.com . I will wait for a minimum of 25 comments and picture postings and then randomly pick one lucky person to receive this beautiful dress in the size of their choice.

One of the etsy stores was kind and generous enough to add 2 of their totes to the giveaway ! Now there can be two winners for the giveaway.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/35643698/sophisticated-cats-full-size-tote

This etsy store isgiving away two of the bags from their store for the second winner.

I found some beautiful totes on etsy. You can use these for your shopping. They are wonderful and the sellers have so many kinds of them to suit your style.

Cotton Shirt totes at

http://www.etsy.com/listing/23205998/recycled-cotton-t-shirt-tote-grocery-bag

Cotton Shirt totes

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44456408/eco-friendly-recycled-shirt-urban-market

For cat lovers

http://www.etsy.com/listing/35643698/sophisticated-cats-full-size-tote

Sew your own PDF pattern available

http://www.etsy.com/listing/37928822/crochet-mesh-bags-pdf-pattern

If you send your significant other to shop

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44405759/market-tote-recyclable-shopping-bag

Personalized Market Tote Basket with Polka Dots Name and Initial

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44642563/personalized-market-tote-basket-with

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Pictures and comments from readers

I was inspired by your blog all the way from Australia to change my ways! This morning I went out and bought an aluminium water bottle and shopping tote. The tote rolls up with a press stud to be quite small so I can carry it in my handbag in case I do some impromptu shopping! We already have a recycling bin in our house for rubbish.

Our next step is to get a worm farm (for all food scraps) to share with our neighbours in our apartment block.Thanks for your blog, I'm going to pass it on to some friends!

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Recycling ideas from Liz

Well, for a few quick pics and ideas...other than using my recycling bin, I like to use paper with one side used already to do my printing...I cut up used t-shirts to use as cleaning rags...I have feature art in my home made from recycled paper...I recycled shutters to use in my studio for product and supply organization...

You just hired yourself a little boys room decorator !

2010-04-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

When I think of little boys and their room decors all that comes to mind is base balls, soccer balls on a blue background and sometimes cars or airplanes for a change. The greatest thing about online shopping is you can see all unique stuff for room decor which you don't see in retail outlets.

I did a search on google but they didn't give me any fun results. I saw the same soccer balls and the cars. Went to etsy and found this wonderful collection. I planned a little room decoration. Visit the stores I have referred and you can design a fun room with your own theme. Why etsy is so different ? because all the things you find here are handmade one of a kind. They don't come out of factories. They are the results of imaginations of the store owners . You can put together a wonderful room for a fair price.

I just love the wall decals for kids room. Yes it can be easily removed without leaving any traces.They come in so many different designs. I liked the one where the little boy is blowing bubbles !

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WowWall

But I have a different look for the room in mind so sadly I can't incorporate this lovely design to the room I am going to talk about. I like the color the wall is painted in the picture below and I like to apply the decal just behind the headboard as shown in the picture.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WowWall

I found an array of wonderful quilts on etsy too . You can choose a colorful quilt. It will make the room look bright . Just cover half the bed with this bright quilt. I am sure they can make it in any size you want.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewnNatural

I found this monkey print Laura Ashley sheets on bedding style.com.

http://www.beddingstyle.com/product/sheets/521594/laura-ashley-bedding-monkeys.html

You can decorate the bed with fun pillows like the one below. I love them so much !

http://americankidsbedding.com/milo-and-gabby/pillowcases/pillowcase-harold-the-dog.html

I think little boys room should not be decorated on just one theme . They should have as many different things as they can have. It will just suit their mood. One day they might want to be a pirate the cowboy the next day or they might want to roar like a dinosaur the day after. On one wall I would represent their ever changing interests by putting together these wonderful prints.Talk to the sellers to get these prints in the size of your choice. They might help you out.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LucyHobbs

http://www.etsy.com/shop/berrystudio1

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cobarela

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LondonBridgeChildren

I love this cowboy style wall letters. You could just hang the first letter of your little boys name at the door.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MonkeyBabyBoutique

You can have one of these measuring sticks on a narrow wall in the room.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Studio1am

The Joys of Plus Size Shopping for Women

2010-03-31T14:17:00.000-07:00

One of my buyers on etsy loved my dresses so much she shared the link to my store in her article. I think it's very well written. The link to article is here.

The Joys of Plus Size Shopping for Women

Posted March 31, 2010 - 06:00 by Margaret Garcia-Couoh in Shopping

Photo: Shristi Studio

I read last week’s article, 15 Reasons Plus-Size Shopping Sucks, with flabbergasted amusement. The article let off some well needed steam I thought — and I used to feel that way too — but it doesn’t have to be a pain and a chore to buy a nice outfit in a decent average size — which nowadays seems to be a plus size. Part of the frustration, as I see it, is seeing great looks in sizes that just aren’t going to fit your body type. Not that you necessarily need to go the route of watching endless bits of What Not to Wear, but perhaps taking stock in yourself in a full length mirror naked might help.

I’ve done that quite a few times. My weight goes up and down with my thyroid but for the most part I know where I hover (around a size 16-18). I’d even venture to say it’s harder for me to walk into your average mall and find clothes that look nice than most women due to the dreaded curves. Fat girl clothes seem to think that all big girls are broad shouldered, barrel chested, and pear shaped at the bottom with stilts for legs. I call it the eggs on stilts look.

But that’s not me. I have small shoulders, a small neck, the dreaded 38 DDD, tiny waist and giant hips and not a lot of length in the leg. Where does this freak of a girl find clothing? Everywhere but the mall and it is fun. But that might be the problem right there — walking into the local mall. In our DIY culture of now, when has a mall offered anything but the same old, same old? In going to the mall you are giving up on anything unique and original anyhow. So, stop the mall and chain store business and get realistic.

I don’t even think I own an outfit that doesn’t look good. I follow the adage that if you’re going to be big you HAVE to be beautiful. How do I manage it? I got realistic with my body type.

The hour glass figure with breasts to match

Dresses will always look better than anything else on you. Never wear pants. They weren’t meant for you. Wear at your own peril. Don’t wear belts or cap sleeves or bulky sweaters and for heaven’s sake don’t show up in shorts. Don’t even look at these items in stores. Even if you do find your size those things are always going to look tacky and you’ll always look like a caked sausage.

Once you realize that 1920s fashions and spaghetti straps are never going to work for you, you will begin to live again and enjoy shopping because you will no longer waste your time with expensive mistakes. Find what works for you. Find a celebrity that has your body type. What does she wear?

Find your time period

Seems like designers liked my body type from the 1930s until the mid 1960s. That’s 30+ years of fashion ideas that work well on this figure. This spring I went to one of my favorite shopping sites, Etsy, and typed in XL and 1X and 2X (some designers on here have 16 as a 2X) along with the word vintage and then again without it. I scored five beautiful dresses that each look amazing on me. I highly recommend Shristi Studio for nice, inexpensive spring/summer dresses. She uses vintage patterns with new fabric in large sizes. As soon as the first dress arrived and fit like it was made for me, I ordered two more just like it in different fabrics, same cut. That’s smart shopping. Each was under $30 bucks and perfect. From Rocket Betty I bought a great rockabilly dress that I get mega compliments on every time I wear it. From Pretty Cool Clothes I bought an unusual looking dress that fit my shape well.

One place that I check out every month for cool ads for big girl clothes is the back of Bust Magazine. Two of my favorites I’ve found cool on are The Mode Merr (who can custom make if so desired) and Daddy O’s. Not only are there many small time designers out there making great clothes in large sizes but purchasing from one of these designers means you are supporting small businesses who are making their products here in the USA. The items I’ve bought from these stores never fail to get compliments. So most of those sites above aren’t selling necessarily to the frugally inclined but my Scotch grandmother always taught me that a few good pieces in your wardrobe go a long way.

Thrift stores

I balance this out with strategic thrift store shopping. Did you know lots of times clothes wind up in discount outlets and thrift stores not because they were unwanted, ugly, or ridiculous, but because they were badly sized? I just bought a size 10 designer skirt for 3 bucks that should have been sized a 14 or 16. Don’t go by the size on the tag; hold it up to yourself instead. Surprise yourself too. I bought a great sweater for 2 dollars the other day that looked like a bunch of fabric on the hanger that was loose and low cut. But the fabric was such that it clung nicely where it should and not where it shouldn’t. A girlfriend of mine showed me a dress she found discounted $60 bucks in the store simply because it didn’t look like anything on the rack. The body made the dress and often does. When I lived in San Francisco I used to go to this great vintage store that catered to drag queens. Well, I surmised, men tend to need bigger sizes when they dress up as women and low and behold I hit the jackpot befriending a few fashion divas and asking their secret shopping places.

Target

If you aren’t willing to pay for the uniqueness and the styles are just a little to wild for ya, why not shop at Target? Hands down, Target always has cheap clothes with big sizes. They seem to go up to a XXXL. They also over size in the first place. A target shirt marked “L” is usually really an XL anywhere else. Some of my best workout clothes are always from Target. Know the local market of your chain store. I lived in a tiny woman’s neighborhood in San Francisco. I never went to the Ross, Gap, or TJ Max in my area where it would be futile. Those chains catered to their local population of size 1, 2, and 0. This sounds crass of course, but heck, go to a fatter neighborhood. Those same stores that carry XXXS in a skinny neighborhood in the city will carry XXXL in the suburbs.

I freely admit to loving clothes. I see them as performance art just as much as I see them as necessary covering. Even if I found a designer who made a pencil skirt in my size I know that it won’t look good. The waist will feel like there’s miles of extra fabric and the hips will be too tight. Why go through the torture? It should and can be fun to plus size shop. The designers are out there!

It's a imaginary Alice in Wonderland tea party and you are invited !

2010-03-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

My daughter is going to turn three very soon. If I had a couple of thousand dollars to spend this is how I would celebrate the ocassion. I would choose a beautiful place overlooking a lake. I wish for a nice big tree near the lake with lots of shade.

Look the cute invitaions are ready !

http://www.etsy.com/shop/southernbellescharm

I would hang these little paper flowers from the tree.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/prosttothehost

I will have these huge pink lemonade swirl lollipops as the center piece .

I will have little white tables with these little mushroom toadstools for the little ones .

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Royalkane

I can't decide between these two tea sets.What a lovely idea for a tea party pretend play!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dearmykids

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilbooandco

I am sure you are thinking of the little boys who would like to run all around instead of drinking pretend tea from pretend cups. I will give them these pinwheels or pin them to the ground. Whenever they are ready they can pick them and run allover the place. Can the party get anymore colorful ?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rule42

I love cup cakes on a tower for birthdays than the birthday cake. I will have a cupcake tower in the center and a candle on top.

I will surruond the tower with little blue cupcakes with Alice in wonderland cup cake toppers.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarimakingSupplies

Now for the big one .....This is what the birthday girl will wear. I love this dress ! See how the dress looks all Alice in wonderland type but not like a halloween costume !

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tutiecutieboutique

How can I forget the party favors. I love this mad hatter favor boxes.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/favormakers

I love all the varieties I can find on esty. If you buy something here you are sure to hear "Where did you get that?"

My vintage inspired dress or was it Miss.V inspired dress?

2010-03-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

I want to share the story behind how my most best selling style was created. The style is a huge hit among my buyers. Many of them email me saying it fit them though it was made for them. It's a very flattering comment for my work.I don't use measurements that I got from any catalogs or a retailer . I developed my measuring charts by experience from making dresses for incredible number of women.

Actually one of my buyers on July 11th 2008 emailed me and said she wanted me to make a custom dress for her . I will just call her Miss. V here. She did not like the hem ruffles I used for the dresses I use to make then.The blue dress below is the style she was referring to. So I made her a dress as per her measurements and shipped it.

But she didn't like the dress I made for her !! After a month or so I started thinking what I could have done on the dress that would make it more flattering ? I added a waist band and made the criss cross opening in the front thinking it would accomodate different body types. Hurrah ! it was a hit. The first dress I made during the fall that year is posted below.The neck had a litte sweet heart shape then. Later on I changed it to a V neck.

Stay tuned as there are more stories to be told.

Fashion me fabulous features Shrist Studio as the etsy shop of the week.

2010-03-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to fashion me fabulous for doing this nice write up about shrististudio. I am so excited to be the etsy shop of the week.

Shop: Shristi Studio

Why We Love It: Shristi Studio creates vintage reproduction dresses. This is actually a pretty new shop, but it looks promising. The pricing is incredible!

Price Range: $29.99 for everything!

More Info: They are currently taking custom orders. Visit their blog for updates and more information.

Favorite Items: All of it, but more specifically, Lucielle Ball (pictured); Black Polka; Black Peter Pan Collar; Valentine's Pink Polka Dot; Black and Pink Polka Dot (all $29.99, but custom dresses are more).