I know, I know – the whole moustache thing is so old school Williamsburg – and even Ossington strip Torontonians have been there done that….however, after briefly hanging out in club district this past weekend, I realize that these little fads we report on slowly, slowly and eventually make their way to the hoards of ‘regular’ people, fashion followers, mall shoppers if you will.

So, for at least 50% of readers who visit this site today, this cute little moustache fad will be new, hip and the next cool thing And I really do love these finds! (btw, there are hundreds of great handmade items on etsy.com)

1. First 3 Items: Moustache Handkerchiefs & Smooches Handkerchief

Avril Loreti

I recently discovered this Toronto designer online and love the fact that she maintains an Etsy site, website and blog! I love this ‘Smooches Handkerchief’ and had to add it to the bunch! Most of her hankies, pillows, coasters and totes are available online at Etsy or at a handful of shops, listed on her website.

2. Second 3 Items: Moustache Totes and Robot with Moustache

Anatomy of a Skirt – Away on Maternity Leave…

…but maybe, if you e-mail designer Erin Wilk, she may have more of these items laying around…

3. Third 3 Items: Moustache Pins, IPOD Cozy and Earmuffs

Yummy Pocket

++ click here to see more moustache on torontostreetfashion.com ++
http://www.torontostreetfashion.com/05/more-moustache/
http://www.torontostreetfashion.com/05/la-moustache/

Just a few – very affordable/Canadian hand-made – things I found on Etsy – pre-Valentine’s Day spirit…

Click on photo to go to each person’s Etsy Store:

Usually I start/finish my holiday gift shopping three days before Christmas – however, I always try to remember that the best gifts are to be acquired way before (better selection) and online shopping can be very rewarding – again, to be organized earlier!

There’s still time to do online holiday shopping – electronics, books and video games are so easy to buy online with free shipping from places like Future Shop and Amazon. But for more personalized, one-of-a-kind items I turn to Etsy.com: a massive marketplace of handmade, handpicked and affordable items >>

Canadian Crafters:

Steampunk Inspired Jewellery
A Second Time, Calgary, Alberta
asecondtime.etsy.com

Double-sided Hand-painted Pillows
Priscilla Mae, Niagara-On-The-Lake
priscillamae.etsy.com

Wall Art and Decals
beepart, London ON
beepart.etsy.com

Local fashion designer and dressmaker Samantha Stoncius graduated from LaSalle’s fashion program last year and has been busy getting her name on the T.O. scene by participating in charity fashion events and most recently, the Clothing Show.

Since this is the season of frilly dresses (prom, weddings, showers, etc…) it’s a wonderful time to show photos of Samantha’s recent runway presentation at the Clothing Show.

Her dresses are available online at Etsy or in the city at The Rage (2 Kensington) and Nathalie-Roze & Co. (1015 Queen St. E). However, if you have something else in mind, she can design something for you from scratch – a great idea for bridesmaids >>

klutch bags, handmade in Toronto, keep business simple by offering only a few styles of well crafted, beautifully lined clutches that are “not to be carried, but to be worn”.

Toronto designers Victoria Selano and Sonia Pinto craft their limited run clutches out of leather, Italian silk and natural linen with magnetic closures and hand straps to make carrying even easier.

The district is long and lean, the savoy small, while the metropolitan has curved edges ($100-$165). klutch bags may not be cheap, but this kind of classic quality will last a life time (and besides, being style savvy is not cheap)!

Available online at Shopgirls (new online boutique) or for the same price point at their Etsy shop klutchbags.etsy.com

Of course by now we’re all aware that cupcakes are a sweeping global trend. People are paying $3 for two wee bites of deliciousness; they’re wearing the colorful cups on clothing and crafters are knitting, painting and molding faux petite-gateaux.

Although all the fashion magazines are packed with SPRING collections and colors, the snow in Toronto just won’t let up! Warm weather clothes and strappy footwear in bright hues and monocramatic shades, the trends of the upcoming season, decorate shop windows – while we continue to bundle up in heavy coats and salt-stained boots:(
Etsy, the uber-shopping site for global crafters, is a fabulous spot for some inspirational sunshine and great deals on new accessories and clothing for every season!

These are some fun local finds. All items are one-of-a-kind originals so its essential to check back often!

1. Charlene Serdan Designs
Beads, beautiful rocks and jewels crafted into timeless accessories. Shown: A cluster of czech glass beads and turquoise on sterling earwires. Length of the dangle 1.6″. $22

2. Picnicbybarbfeldman.etsy.com
Fun, affordable polymer clay shaped into lemon pie, birthday cake and salmon and lox! Brunch plate brooch, 1 1/4″ $14.

3. Elizaveta Yankelovich a.k.a. Kameleon
Eye-catching, eccentric necklaces made-up of toys, lego, sunglasses and hair rollers…! Elizaveta will be showcasing at [FAT]. BoBBLes neckwear $34 plus $6 shipping