I’m a day late, I know.  With all the Fourth of July happenings yesterday, I simply forgot to write my link love post.  So here it is, in all it’s glory.

• Can I live in these tree houses on Re-Nest?  Pretty please?
• While we’re at it, can I have this sweet little kitten on Itty Bitty Kitty Committee?  She reminds me of my Brownie.
• I really want to try out these vegetable washing gloves featured on The Kitchn.  I think they could make cleaning veggies so much more fun.
• This Chocolate Loaf Cake from 101 Cookbooks has me salivating.
• I want Joss Stone’s manicure and pedicure as featured on Wendy Brandes.  It’s so colorful and whimsical (and matches her scarf!)
• Craft Leftovers created a tasty (and cleverly named) recipe called Frappacheapo.  I’ve got to try this.
• B Spoke Tailor focuses on making stylish clothes for people who ride bikes.  Awesomeness.
• This re-usable plastic cup on Re-Nest could be the perfect solution for people who like to buy soda but don’t like to create more garbage.
• Already Pretty had a guest post on what makes a great bra.  A good-fitting bra is something that every woman should have.
• This  homemade toothpaste from Instructables looks interesting.  I might try it out.

• Sweet Pea has a great tutorial for making your own ribbon headbands.  I’ve got to try this out!  I have tons of ribbon lying around my studio.
• If I had a cute little apartment porch, I would want it to look like this one on Design Sponge.
• I’ve always had trouble freezing food because it tends to stick together, making it hard to thaw.  This tutorial on Craft explains the art of freezing food properly.
• Welcome to the Good Life has an amazing tutorial for creating a top inspired by J. Crew’s Flutter Fold Shell.
• S. of Academichic started a new blog, Simply Bike.  I love it, and I’m seriously coveting her gorgeous mint green Electra.
• The Green Phone Booth asks if clutter is becoming the cost of conservation?
• These photos of E. from Academichic in a garden make me smile.  Such a gorgeous outfit, and such joyful images.
• Gala Darling posted A Letter to Men by Christina Hendricks, and I love it.
• Sarah Von of Yes and Yes posted these amazing images of Pencil Vs. Camera.  I love seeing interesting, innovative photography.
• These photos of Garden Mama‘s front porch make me swoon.  I love the beautiful vibrant colors and the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.
• Everybody Gets Dressed has some useful tips on How to Survive Brutal Summers.
• The Conscious Shopper looks at the importance of Living a Re-usable life.

I’ve really been missing writing link love posts, so I’ve decided to bring them back.  Sundays seem to be the best day for me to post them, since I do a majority of my blog reading on Saturdays.

*Link Love covers a variety of topics: style, sustainability, adorable kitten pictures. Basically whatever strikes my fancy during the week.  Enjoy!*

• S. from Academichic shows us that wildflowers are the perfect accessory for a black and white polka dot dress.
• Tatertots and Jello is one of my new favorite blogs.  I absolutely love this DIY of meal-planning magnets she posted.  These would look so cute on my fridge, and they would make planning what to cook so much easier!
• I just discovered Makeshift, and I’m absolutely mesmerized.  Natalie has committed to wear only things she has handmade herself for a year.  That includes clothes, shoes, socks, underwear, coats, accessories, bathing suits, everything!  She’s 272 days into the project, and her creations are amazing.
• The Green Phone Booth has an awesome re-use suggestion for cardboard - layer compost on it and plant a garden over it!  The cardboard will kill the grass and weeds underneath, and eventually biodegrade.
• Also from The Green Phone Booth, a very insightful and reflective post on coming to terms with spending more money on groceries in order to keep yourself and your family healthy.
• Joyful Abode posted a homemade York Peppermint Patty recipe.  This looks and sounds seriously yummy.
• Sew Can Do posted a tutorial on making insulated lunch bags.  I am SO making a custom one for my bento box.
• Garden Mama offers up a recipe for natural mosquito repellent.

Fashion has Brains

Edited by Ashe

Every week I am always surprised by the selection of posts we receive here at IFB. I think back to before I started my blog, the discrimination I felt working in retail and adoring fashion, because it was shallow and it wasn’t academic. Now I look at the community I am a part of and think– how could anyone accuse fashion enthusiasts of being shallow? Or fashion designers, lovers of style? Indeed, like any frowned upon medium or niche, fashion has brains; it has ingenuity, it has controversy, it has creativity, and it has depth.

This week I want to celebrate those putting fashion and intellect together, to show that there’s more than meets that glittering eye…

Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do this summer… IFB is looking for interns!

Links à la Mode : April 22

• Agent Lover: – On The Search For The Perfect Retro Bathing Suit!
• Alice in Stilettos: – Interview with Edgy, Up-and-Coming Designer Chelsea Sutrisno
• Bay Area Style File: – Interview with Model turned Eco Friendly Beauty Brand owner Josie Maran.
• Bobbins and Bombshells: – Fashionable History: Lilly Dache – A True Fashion Success Story.
• Denim Debutante: – Meet US-Made NAEM Denim and Win Your Own Pair
• dramatis personae: – Back to the Future
• Fashion Pulse Daily: – Cynthia Rowley for Roxy Spring 2010
• For Those About to Shop: – Crystal Renn’s inspiring story of transformation may make you think twice about modelling industry:
• krameymartin: – Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your fashion sense. Check out this post to learn how to jazz up simple maternity pieces.
• La Chanelphile: – “The Allure of Chanel” by Paul Morand with Illustrations by Karl Lagerfeld
• M.I.S.S.: – The Rag Trade: The Sale Mentality. This week’s article looks at how we will get consumers to break the sale mentality and pay full price again.
• Night Watch: – DIY Tutorial: Burberry Prorsum F/W 2010-11 Inspired Blazer
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go!: – ASOS Curve Models – Plus, or not plus enough?
• Oranges and Apples: – Some thoughts on weight, fat activism and health
• Poetic & Chic: – Hamish Bowles, European Editor at Large for Vogue, visits the de Young in San Francisco to announce a new Balenciaga retrospective slated for spring 2011.
• Retro Chick: – Made To Measure – Dresses for those who aren’t a standard size
• shrimp salad circus: – DIY Spring Flowers Headband/Belt for Under
• The Coveted – Craving Miu Miu Clogs?
• the fashionate traveller: – Discovers the emerging Japanese fashion trend Dolly Kei, as seen through a visit to Grimoire, Shibuya’s premier vintage store.
• The Fashionista Lab: – I gave up shopping and gained a new perspective on using and building my wardrobe (hint: shoes are important)
• True Queen: – Warning: Men In Skirts – Examining a taboo trend that attempts to go mainstream

Fashion is Booming

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily
Style cares not about the economy, so we continue on, falling in love with a fabulous pairs of shoes, lbd, and the perfect little cardie. New boutiques, designers, ideas, and innovative, avant garde concepts continue to emerge, and we can’t help but start a new love story with our latest DIY project, amazing vintage find, department store score, or simply a fabulous floral umbrella. And so, as the title suggests, fashion is booming, creativity is soaring, and we can take a big exhale and shove our worries aside – it’s time to allow ourselves to get excited about wearing some new or all-time favorite spring-weather garments and accessories.

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

[Note from Jennine] Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do this summer… IFB is looking for interns!

Links à la Mode : April 15th

• 39th and Broadway – An Interview With The Person Who Really Determines How Your Clothes Fit!
• Chic Steals – What happens to a piece of clothing once it is donated to a charity such as Goodwill?
• Dedicated Follower of Fashion - Explores the new Spring/Summer Collection from Stylesmith:
• Denim Debutante – Three Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Jeans
• Evoluer – My best friend & I came across mint condition vintage Chanel at the local thrift store!
• Fashion Pulse Daily – Discovers a new way to think about dress via Linda Grant’s ‘The Thoughtful Dresser’
• Fasshonaburu - Need inspiration on fun color combination? Try looking at wedding palette articles!
• For Those About to Shop - Breeyn McCarney’s eco-conscious collection finds beauty in despair
• House in Tillford – An interview with two big blogs: learn from their experience on how to grow your own blog
• Idiosyncratic Style – Recycled Style Project: DIY paperclip necklace
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Microsoft Launches KIN : The Social Media Phone
• Maple Sucre – The Women x Women Exhibition: Inspiring Young Women to get Behind the Lens
• M.I.S.S. – The Rag Trade: Wear it Now or Wear it Later
• Oranges and Apples - Ways of wearing vintage
• Retro Chick – Video Tutorial: Vintage style victory roll fringe bangs
• Some Kind of Style – Mr. Sartorialist In Town…
• Style Eyes - Couture: What’s the Point?
• The Coveted - March Springs, April Showers…. Floral Umbrella for Spring
• TheWellAppointedCatwalk – Suneri on Newbury
• TheWorkingWardrobe – Battle of the Blazers: 25 different blazers for 25 different styles and body types
• TrueQueen – Can Sweat Pants be Sexy?
• Tweet - Simon Ekrelius: Chalk, Mirrors and Confessions
• Widespread – An Interview with a new SF based store who gathers inspiration from the world

Thinking Fashion

Edited by Retro Chick

It never ceases to amaze me the quality and variety of links that get submitted to IFB each week and how hard it is to pick just 20. Fashion & Style Bloggers are intelligent, thoughtful and insightful people who really understand their subject. Whether it’s Second Hand Shopper questioning the distinction between fashion and style, Shrimp Salad Circus discussing how much of ourselves we should put into our blogs or a whole plethora of posts on the subject of body image.

Of course, we also love a bargain and this week we have a DIY Pillbox Hat, tips on thrift shopping the Spring trends and a gorgeous giveaway.

I really would urge you to take the time to check out the links that didn’t make it in the forums. I don’t think there’s a bad post among them….

Links à la Mode : April 1

• Alyson Is Neat – Revealing secrets on how to go into a store and not purchase clothing.
• Awakened Aesthetic – How to live green, without giving up the “unethical” stuff you already have.
• blackdog finds – How to Thrift Shop for Spring 2010 Fashion Trends:
• British Style Bloggers – A preview of the finalé of British Style Bloggers’ Body Image Season, including a random and rambling tour of BSB’s head office (aka my house).
• DailyDivaDish – Spanx for Men: Is shapewear for men really going mainstream? Why I think it’s a bad idea.
• Despising Life is So Passe – Pillbox Hat DIY
• Eternal Masquerade – Monroe Monday: A Look At What the Wardrobe Should Mean to Every Woman
• Grit and Glamour – A signature fragrance is your invisible identity—it becomes part of your brand
• High Fashion Girl – I write about Lady Gaga like you’ve NEVER read about her before.
• Idiosyncratic Style – A Peek at the life and style of illustrator Rachelle Scarfo
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – How to make your blog mobile friendly
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – Fatsionable Art and Inspiration from Eva Hannah.
• Retro Chick – How every girl can be a Princess
• Second Hand Shopper – Second hand shopper pits the escapism of fashion against the expressionism of style
• Shoulderache & The Closet – The most expensive wool in the world!
• Shrimp Salad Circus – How much of yourself should you put ‘out there?’
• The Demoiselles – Graceful Empowerment Comes in All Forms (including that of eating the other guy’s tacos).
• The Greyest Ghost – Behind the scenes of the Chanel f/w 2010 ad campaign in NYC with Abbey Lee Kershaw, Freja Beha Erichsen, and Karl Lagerfeld.
• The New Wave – Going once, going twice, SOLD! A visit to the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection auction.
• The Well-Appointed Catwalk – Highlights and my impressions of “Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the World of Fashion,” a panel discussion I attended featuring Anna Wintour, Michael Kors and Natalia Vodianova.
• True Queen – Examining the use of fur by designers on the runways of the Fall 2010 fashion shows.
• Unfunded – Unfunded teams up with the U.K. retailer NEXT for an awesome giveaway!

DIY NATION

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily
It seems that across the board, there has been a resurgence in DIY, as we are very much living in a world of ‘Do it Yourself’ everything; ranging from creating or updating or garments’ silhouettes and decorative details to showcasing our own versions of runway looks, virtually styling with tools like Polyvore, tackling self-photography, and of course self-publishing via our blog platforms. We reign supreme in the DIY world on a daily basis, and I only see this trend gaining momentum. The roundup of this week’s links is definitely an indication, directly and indirectly, of the incredibly creative, innovative, persevering, motivated folks that are part of the new DIY frontier, and of course, IFB!

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

Links à la Mode : March 25th

• Alex Loves - The Chanel Tattoo Cast
• Alice in Stilettos – DIY Faux Fur Ankle Cuffs Inspired by Thakoon
• Denim Debutante - How Would You Change the Denim Industry?
• Despising Life is so Passé – Spring Cleaning: Detox your Space
• Fashion Pulse Daily - The DYI Glue-On Pedicure: Reviewing Revlon’s Perfect Pedicure Kit
• Fasshonaburu – Vyque & Alyssa review the “Project Runway” video game and give you a chance to win your own copy!
• For Those About to Shop – Designer NADA’s Fashion future – how about a 3D film?
• Haute World – My real life encounters with Balmain and an exclusive tour inside the label’s only boutique in the world.
• Idiosyncratic Style – The Personal Style of Fashion Designer, Breeyn McCarney
• Independent Fashion Bloggers : Evolving Influence business, ethics, and the future of fashion blogging videos
• Inny Vinny – See No Evil, Hear No Evil: Jezebel exposes photographer Terry Richardson
• Lady Peach -The men that have shaped the fashion scene… 5 Male Style Icons
• M.I.S.S. – Interview with Gabriela Hernandez, founder of Besame Cosmetics
• Retro Chick - How Vanity Sizing is damaging your health
• Shrimp Salad Circus - What does color do for your life?
• Skinnypurse - Skinny Cargo Pants: Love Them or Hate Them?
• Style Eyes - The Wang Effect – A discussion about the phenomenal popularity of all things Wang
• Style Symmetry: Style Me Challenge! Wear an Outfit Styled By Someone Else
• The Working Wardrobe – Show this rainy season who’s boss!
• The Coveted – Do you alter vintage?
• Tweet - Dark and intricately sculptural clothing by a young, Hungarian designer named Dora Mojzes with an amazing talent
• Ventures of Jenn - Vice interviewed Karl Lagerfeld; I broke it down

Rants & Raves

Edited by Ashe Mischief
I was taken aback when going through the submissions this week– there were so many powerful, strong, opinionated pieces that I felt really taken aback. With overwhelming positivity or negativity, the fashion community is finding it’s voice– and making themselves heard!

The fashion community is great at sharing the voice of others, and we’ve got several fabulous interviews to prove it. From Derek Lam at Poetic & Chic and White Rabbit’s interview with Irish woman Sinead Doyle (along with my own interview with Amelia Arsenic at Dramatis Personae), there are voices for everyone. We’ve got bloggers ranting on the lack of premium denim in plus-sizes at Denim Debutante (hell yeah!), and some showcasing inspirational figures like KOOS (at M.I.S.S.), Philip Crangi (at Eternal Masquerade), and Maria Felix (at Jewelry Whore).

There were so, so many great links this week, it really was hard to narrow it down to 2o. Check out the full listing of Links à la Mode here.

Links à la Mode : March 18th

• Bachman’s Sparrow – DIY post on how to use bleach to revamp your “unloved” clothes!
• blackdog finds: – How To: 10 Creative Ways to Revive Less-Than-Loved Clothing
• Denim Debutante: – Guest Blog: Is there Size Discrimination in Premium Denim?
• dramatis personae: – Amelia Arsenic’s Miss X Aesthetic Laboratories & Interview
• Eternal Masquerade: – How I Met Design Duo of Giles & Brother, Philip and Courtney
  Crangi
• Fashion Hippo – Win Marc by Marc Jacobs Leola Bow Wow Handbag
• Fashion Pulse Daily: – Not Your Daughter’s Jeans: Fit for a Mother AND a Daughter?
• fete a fete: – Whiisical spring designs from Camper shoes
• Forty Not Out: – Louis Vuitton – Fall Winter 2010/2011
• Grechen Blogs: – are you incorporating video into your blog? how is it working for you?
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – A New Map of the Two-Way Street: Why Giving Back to the Blogosphere is Key to Growth
• jesse.anne.o: – How do you swap, thrift or buy resale and NOT get bedbugs?
• Jewelry Whore: – “The Fabulous Jewels of Maria Felix, La Dona”
• M.I.S.S.: – Eyes To The Sky: Before BOHO There Was KOOS.
• Obsession: – How I Met Design Duo of Giles & Brother, Philip and Courtney Crangi
• Oranges and Apples: – Sustainable fashion part 2: thinking about speed
• Poetic & Chic: – A candid interview with Derek Lam, fellow San Franciscan and fellow high school alumni!
• Pretty Shiny Sparkly: – It’s leather. It’s quilted. It’s a computer, for fashionistas.
• Style Symmetry: – Interview with the Stylish Sisters of Beckerman Bite Plate
• The Thinking Fashionista: – An in-depth, critical look at the Russian Futurist themes of Viktor & Rolf’s Fall 2010 show.
• The Working Man: – Incorporating Spring Into Your Working Look
• White Rabbit: – An interview with Irish fashion Designer Sinead Doyle and the inspiration behind her S/S 2010 collection.

• Last week I mentioned Hipster Puppies, and then I found Hipster Kitties!  Double squeal!
• The Fashion Planner posted The Blah List, which is a list of things to do to fight boredom when you prefer to stay in pajamas.  I love it!  I’d love to spend a lazy Saturday checking off items on this list.
• I love the outfit Katrina of Puglyfeet wore for St Patrick’s Day.  The color combo of yellow, green and orange really pops.  And she has the cutest pug ever.
• Academichic put together a wonderful post showing how changing a belt can really transform an outfit.
• Already Pretty offered up some excellent advice on knowing your body before you shop.  Understanding your measurements and proportions can make shopping much less frustrating.
• I love how Have a Cute Day used vintage sewing patterns as wrapping paper.  What a great way to recycle!

(My post on Effective Etsy Searching was featured this week!)

Spring Fever

Edited by Jennine Jacob

Do you get spring fever? Oh man… the itch to run around outside in flowery prints and frilly laces gets greater and greater each passing day. To heck with chunky sweaters! This week we have a load of great spring style posts, Holier Than Now checks out cape coats, if you’re strapped for cash Out of Order gives the perfect 45min spring skirt tutorial, so cute! And girly clothes not your thing? The Demoiselles has a great homage to genderbending unisex looks. I’ve been thinking of doing a couple of days in menswear myself. Well, as soon as I learn how to tie the half Windsor knot.

There were so, so many great links this week, it really was hard to narrow it down to 2o. Check out the full listing of Links à la Mode here.

Links à la Mode : March 11th

• 39th and Broadway – Death By Over-Scheduling
• Agent Lover – Mad Crushin’ on Pebelle
• Bobbins and Bombshells – Shop News…Hand Recovery Sale AND Give-Away!!
• Denim Debutante – Denim Advice: Why Should I Buy Premium Denim?
• Diary Of A Girl Left Behind – Sorry We Don’t Have Your (Shoe) Size
• Fashion Pulse Daily – London Fashion Week: Vivienne Westwood, Mark Fast & Burberry Prorsum
• Fete a Fete – The Frye Company SS 2010
• Glossary – Sipping tea with Sandra Beijer
• Grechen Blogs – Isabel Marant, the Internet & Social Media
• grit and glamour – Return to pretty, please!
• Hello Beauty! – Shu Uemura Spring 2010 Égérie Collection: Sparkling, rock star chic (with makeup lesson video)
• Holier Than Now – Spring (Transition) Shopping : Caped Crusaders
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – What does your ideal workspace look like?
• M.I.S.S. – Women Making History: Elisa Palomino
• Oranges and Apples – Sustainable fashion part 1: conceptualising the issues
• Out Of Order – DIY Tutorial – Spring Skirt
• Previously Owned – a PREVIEW of Private ARTS la shooting for MINT mag!
• Retro Chick – Vintage Hair Video Tutorial
• SF Indie Fashion – Good Looks: Moody Winter-Almost-Spring
• Shrimp Salad Circus – how to rock orange lips
• Smiles Go With Everything – How to Search Effectively on Etsy
• The Demoiselles – Gender-Bending: Menswear