Budget Buys: Sweet Shoes with Soul

I’m always on the lookout for a chic flat perfect for pounding the city pavement. Extraseed’s line of flats comes in a classic shape and a variety of subtle, wearable patterns that will add to, not distract from your outfit. As an added bonus, the shoes have a rich sustainable side: the soles are crafted from used car tires and the fabrics are the scrap remnants from garment factories – not that you could tell. At $38 a pop, you can feel good about doing something healthy for the environment, your closest, and of course, your wallet.

July 21, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: Saltbox Bags

Having just returned from a week of travel, I have luggage on the mind. While my Burton bag has served me well over the past few years, I can’t say I’m not tempted to upgrade every time I see a great pattern. A series of textured weekender bags from Saltbox are currently on sale on One Kings Lane. Check em out, as they’re a nice alternative to the Vera Bradley set.

July 16, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: A Hint of Bed in Your Bag

This silk box clutch from French Connection is a real eye catcher. From the geometric linear shapes to the folk inspiration to the nod from bedding, this collection is the perfect balance of hard meets soft. The color palette’s bright and bold and an interesting example of functional color blocking. At $53.99, it’s also a sweet addition to any futurist’s wardrobe.

June 29, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: Louis Reith

A few months ago, Amsterdam-based artist, Louis Reith spun a web of admirers with his typographically inspired works on paper. His masterful merging of geometric shapes, abstract typography, vintage maps and old book pages is a reminder to all designers to take a step back from the computer every once in a while. In today’s world where so much art is digitally composed and intricately dense, the hand-rendered simplicity and obvious restraint makes Reith’s work immensely beautiful and refreshing. Little Paper Planes is presently offering four exclusive limited edition prints from the artist at a delightfully affordable price of $35 per print, with the whole set offered at $120. A lovely opportunity to get your hands on the work of a talented up and comer- take advantage!

June 21, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: Jules Pansu Pillows

After visiting this year’s gift show, it’s apparent that ikat patterns are here to stay. Just as animal print’s become a seasonal staple in the fashion world, it appears that ikat variations and ethnic repeats are following a parallel road. Everyone knows the beauty that is the John Robshaw collection, however it’s important to note other designers making their mark around the globe. Today’s feature highlights Jules Pansu’s collection. Pansu’s a Parisian design house with roots dating back to 1878. In 1994, a home collection was launched and the line’s been leading the way in innovative design ever since. Today a wide variety of products are on sale via Gilt Groupe. Check it out!

June 17, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buys: Moody Hankies

We couldn’t help but get excited when we saw this censor scarf by Allsaints Spitalfields because it reminds us so much of the imagery from the Art of Conversation show in Berlin as well as our recent Spin it: Webcam Style post. Even more interesting, is that within this scarf, the details are censored. The faces are nothing but a blur when looked at in quick succession, though the design’s political spin adds an interesting and rather timely twist.

The Jack scarf is lovely too, in its moody swashes of color, looking almost like an abstracted appropriation of topography – a trend that’s been moving steadily through the ranks. We love these for their wearability, and for the fact that they’re not your everyday run of the mill hankies. The fact that they’re silk doesn’t hurt either, and of course certainly not the fact that they’re a steal at $20.

June 14, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik