I love discovering new designers and brands and letting others in on my findings. And what do you know, I have found a new brand founded and based in Finland. Let me introduce you to INDIEband.

What started out as a hobby alongside a career soon grew into a side business. The Finnish leather bracelet designer and maker Tiia started to make bracelets as gifts for her friends. She was fascinated by including a unique message in each bracelet she made, and this soon became her trademark. Very quickly, through word of mouth, without any advertisement efforts, she started to get orders from others as well. People were immediately interested in getting unique, custom made leather bracelets that came with a personal message.

What makes INDIEband so intriguing to me personally, is how it all got started and how it grew into a small business, which seems to be on the grow. I can see real potential for INDIEband to grow into an even bigger business, perhaps even employing other people as well. But for the time being it’s a one-woman show. INDIEband does not have an official website yet. The designer was initially somewhat hesitant about any online presence, but with the encouragement from friends, she created an INDIEband Facebook page. And since then INDIEband started to get more of a public face.

I really love innovative people like Tiia who have the know-how and passion to make something happen, without really being concerned whether it will one day become something big or not. I can see how the real magic is in the making of these bracelets and being able to put a smile on someones face.

To get your own INDIEband bracelet go to the INDIEband Facebook page, get in touch with the designer and have a chat with her what type of a bracelet you fancy in terms style, color and of course your unique, private message.

I knew about leggings. I knew about jeggings. But treggings? They were news to me…

I was recently checking out a new online apparel collection and I came across treggings. Ladies and gentlemen, I think I have just discovered one of the most unattractive pair of pants. Yikes!

FYI, the golden pair of treggings are by Helmut Lang. This just proves how even high-end designers can go wrong. Go figure!

After a long pause I’m now back with some more style catching…

I’m going through a phase right now where I’m really interested in looking at different fashion designers and what they’re currently up to in terms of the direction of their collections, and I wanted to start with no other than the woman who always knows how to make women look like women. Stella McCartney.

What I like about Stella McCartney is that she designs classy and feminine clothes while keeping the style of her creations really modest. What I mean by that is that she designs strong clothes and she uses rich fabrics and does not make too many pieces which show a lot of skin, leaving the wearer of her pieces looking feminine yet decent. That’s something really rare nowadays and very refreshing.

Stella McCartney’s latest collections, Fall 2013 and Resort 2013, have some really nice pieces among them. I chose a few for you to allow you to feast your eyes on some seriously nice clothes.

Photos courtesy of Style.com.

What do you think about these excessively long and wide pant legs? Cool or a bit too alienish?

I just love the mix of leather with other fabrics. Softer materials can really take the edge off leather. So unless you’re aim is to go for the hard look, this is the perfect way to incorporate a touch of leather to your outfit. This Zara leather and wool jacket is gorgeous. Definitely one of my favorite looks for this Autumn/Winter.

Photo courtesy of Zara.

Let me share with you the latest discovery of mine. I found a brand that gives “cool sunglasses” a good name.

A little bit of background information on Grain Eyewear for you: All of the company’s sunglasses are hand crafted by a collection of artists and woodworkers who collaborate to create unique products. They combine cutting edge technology and time tested craftsmanship in everything they do.

Every step of the manufacturing process is performed in their shop in Philadelphia. Their choice of hardwoods are carefully selected to assure the highest quality, and more importantly, every pair of Grain Eyewear sunglasses uses 100% UVA and UVB protective Carl Zeiss lenses.

I swear by my Ray-Ban Wayfarers but I do think that a pair of Grains would fit perfectly with my style. As I’m not one for trying out different types of sunglasses, I think I could easily find a pair from the Grain collection that will fit in nicely with my taste.  I find the wooden frames really intriguing, and what makes then even cooler is the fact that you can choose the type of wood you would like to have.

I suppose the only negative aspect is that you can’t try the sunglasses on before you make the purchase. So it will have to be a case of trial and error. I’m on an adventurous mood, so I might just give them a try. Anyone else?

Have a look at their website for more info at shop.graineyewear.com.

I’ve found so many gorgeous shoes and bags this season and I wouldn’t mind seeing a few of them in my own closet. I see a shopping trip coming up in the imminent future.

Shoes…

Bags…

I think I might just treat myself to a pair of shoes and a bag. One of each. I believe I’ve deserved it.

Now tell me, what’s in your Autumn wishlist?

I think one of the coolest ways you can utilize a scarf is by making it something other than its original purpose. So I just wanted to share with you what I often do with scarves.

I take some of my favorite scarves, doesn’t matter what shape it is just as long as it’s long enough, and I pop it around my neck, bring the ends to the front and tie them down with a cool belt. Easy and chic! Works with pretty much any scarf. Try it and be prepared for some compliments!

Photo by Victoria Adamson.

Desigual, a brand, which I disliked for years, has now totally surprised me with their latest bag collection. I’m absolutely in love with a majority of their bags and would be more than happy to be the proud new owner of one of these cool totes.

It’s so hard to decide which one I’d go for. They’re all so pretty.  Some of the smaller bags are super cute while the bigger ones are simply cool. It’s a hard call.  Which one would you go for?

Loved by celebrities and laymen alike, Tabitha Simmons continues to make irresistible shoes. Whether you like flats or killer heals there’s something for every taste. I love the way she plays with the conventional by adding a hint of adventure and thus making it a bit more unconventional.

For those who are not familiar with this shoe designer, Tabitha Simmons was born in England. After studying film at Kingston University, she began her styling career. She is also a contributing editor for Vogue magazine and a regular contributor to Dazed and Confused and Another Magazine. She often collaborates with photographers such as Craig McDean, Glen Luchford and Steven Klein and fashion designers Calvin Klein, Alexander McQueen and Zac Posen for whom she has styled catwalk shows. Definitely a name worth remembering.

I particularly liked the opening video on her website. Take a look at it below. You will see women tap dancing in all sorts of shoes. And knowing a little bit about tap dance from my sister who used to be an avid tap dancer, I know how demanding this dance is. Very impressive. So I suppose her shoes are comfortable enough to do tap dance in.

Tabitha Simmons Shoe Collection from Flipworks Limited on Vimeo.