We've Moved! The NEW elite16.com

After two years on blogger, we have finally moved onto a new format. It's with great pleasure we announce our new website, elite16.com.  Not only will it include all of our great blog content, but you can now access our favorite shops and navigate our finds with ease.

Come check it out!

Fall Fashion 2013 ║ Film Noir Inspired

Want to add a bit of glam to your look this fall?  Recall an era of sultry screen sirens, shadowed by dark drama, with signature vintage pieces and retro inspired new classics!  Bold, seductive lips, smoky come-hither eyes , and elegantly tailored fashion pieces contrast beautifully to create the look of a fierce femme fatale.  It's easier than you might think and you don't have to be a total  vamp to incorporate this trend into your everyday style.  Here are several pieces that add some old school glamour with a look that's all 2013!

1.ink spot print silk scarf by cinne worthington

2. felt and feather hair comb by ginnyandjudes

3. long wool coat by sofiaclothing

4. vintage 1940's navy leather heels by missfarfalla

5. art photography by lucysnowephotography

6. natural mineral lipgloss in harvest queen by blushie

Style Guide Winner | September

vintage teacups | project sarafan
nesting bowls | romy and clare
8x10 photograph | one december
feather ring | double ele

Every month we hold a Style Guide Challenge where we ask our amazing curator's to build collections around a common theme. This month's theme was all about Fall Color, which was inspired by Pantone's Fall 2013 color palette. The challenge was entitled A Riot of Color or Just a Pop, where the challenge was to either go crazy with color or go neutral with just a hint of color. The winner of our challenge becomes our Guest Stylist on Pinterest the following month where they get to show off their individual style and share with your their favorite finds throughout the internet.

Incite a Riot was a play off of our Just a Pop theme. Jenn took a monochromatic palette and infused it with a riot of color with just one colorful image.

orange | sugartowne
coin purse | oktak
dahlia flower | paper altar
color block pillows | jillian rene decor

Cinne went the opposite direction of Jenn with Pop Color Riot. Her bold and colorful palette uses some of the colors of the season like koi, turbulence and deep rich yellow.

ceramic necklace | karo art
metallic tote bag | independent reign
love notebook | the black spruce
mosaic belt buckle | romy and clare

Helen played up a variety of neutrals like lichen and camel, but all with a shiny metallic element, in Metallic Neutrals.

watercolor painting | fiona zakka
charcoal soap | lebotanicals
ring | le chien noir jewelry
scarf | project sarafan

As this was a challenge, we have to have a winner, someone who really captured the feeling of this seasons Fall Colors.  Our winner is Kim of Semi Sweet Studios! Her collection entitled, Pantone 19-4215: Turbulence, focused on the deep gray tone for this season.

See you next month for our next style guide challenge!

Take Five || Tote Bags

In the last week I have sent off parcels to Northern Ireland, Australia, Norway and the US. It left me thinking- Etsy shop owners really do have the world at their feet. While this is utterly fantastic, it also causes a bit of a problem, of lots and lots of choice for buyers.

So with a world of choice out there, where do you start?

So, what if you are looking for that perfect everyday shoulder bag, try a tote, they never go out of style. There simple construction means they are practical and convenient. Designers have a blank canvas to which they can accent in numerous prints, styles and fabrics.  From minimalist to stylish in linen ( 1. like Independent Reign in New York ) to bold and nautical in leather ( 2. from Coriumi in Lithuania). Try a Mexico inspired hand dyed canvas print (3. from scout and catalogue in Canada), or maybe some advice on how to be happy with typography print in cotton ( 4. from Toodle Noodles in New Zealand). Finally, how about a tattooed cat print to make you smile      (5. from Sophie Parker in London). Which would you choose?

2014 Calendar Roundup

There's only a little over 3 months left in 2013, so that means it's time to start thinking about a new calendar for next year!  I've picked out just a few of my favorites to share with you.  Even with my smart phone, I still love hanging up a calendar and writing in meetings and dates. Don't you? Plus, it's like a rotating art collection for your workspace. Bonus!

2014 Calendar Roundup: (l-r, t-b)
oversized wall calendar designed by 1canoe2
flowers desk calendar designed by semi sweet studios
paris calendar designed by the paris print shop
wall calendar designed by mademoiselle yo

Autumnal Equinox, Goodbye to Summer

September 22nd 2013 marks the official beginning of Autumn. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere you'll notice that the sunrise is later and the sunset is earlier. You might even notice notice that the arc of the sun has shifted a bit to the south. Birds and butterflies begin migrating south as well, following the path of the sun.

In this time of year we celebrate the warm colors, the oranges, reds, and golds that remind us of the warmth of the sun as the days and nights are tinged with a nip of frost.  Our talented team of curators at Elitesixteen  has been hard at work creating beautiful autumnal themed shopping guides to help you bring a touch of the season into your wardrobe and home.

1.  empty dock photography by semisweetstudios
2. fall harvest marble coasters by onedecember
3. color block pillow set by jillianrenedecor

Our September Style Guide Challenge with the Pantone 2013 Fall Colors

dinner plate ∙ Romy and Clare
striped pillows  ∙ Jillian Rene Decor

Each month, we gather together to host what we call, a Style Guide Challenge. We come up with a relevant theme for the season and ask our stylists to create collections not only to showcase the amazing finds on Etsy, but also their incredible style as well.

We realize that Etsy is a crowded place, full of unbelievable finds, but sometimes it's just a bit hard to sort through all of them.  That's where we come in!  We create mini shopping guides to help you shop more easily.  This month we are helping you shop the latest fall color trends with our Pantone Fall Color Challenge, A Riot of Color or Just a Pop.

Are you ready to start shopping? 

Our September Giveaway Winner is...

Our September giveaway delved into the world of something old and something new with the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Bonnie's shop bonnbonn! Did you have fun thinking about all the cool ways you could spend your gift certificate?   Well, we're excited to announce that we have a winner!  Using the random winner generator, we'd like to congratulate Susana entry #633!  Congratulations!  You've just been selected as our Lucky September Elite16 Etsy Giveaway Winner.  We can't wait to hear how much what you choose from Bonnie's shop!

A BIG thank you to Bonnie for her participation in this month's challenge and we can't wait to see you again next month!  Just remember - Lucky 7!  On the 7th of each month, we meet up here on the blog for a fun week of giveaway madness!

Going Local || Etsy Favorites from Colorado

We love sharing with you new and fun finds on Etsy. We also love pinning our finds on Pinterest. We've asked our members from all over the globe to pin their favorite Etsy goodies from shops in their state, country or town.  We then take the best of their local finds and share them with you.  If you can't get enough check out our pinterest page and see if your area has already been pinned!

Pinners: Jenn of Palimpsestic and Helen of Cloth and Ink

Home Country: United States

Area Pinned: Colorado

Follow Jenn: @jhtatroe

Follow Helen: @clothink

Follow Elite Sixteen: @elite16

Going Local Finds in Colorado--

1. mini banner // UrbanBirdandCo.

2. graphic dish || MelissaMayaPottery

3. terrarium // MantraGlassArt

4. art print || LeighViner

5. ampersand pillow // countercouturedesign

6. ring || janeeroberti

7. moon chimes // mudpuppy

Our Giveaway Design Challenge with Bonn Bonn

Every month we hold our Lucky 7 Giveaway which you can enter here. It runs from September 6th through the 13th and you won't want to miss out on this months prize from bonnbonn!  The lucky winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Bonnie's shop.  The hard part will be deciding what to choose.  In honor of our giveaway we asked our talented stylists to create collections around the featured item. Since this month's prize was a gift certificate they were able to choose anything from bonnbonn's shop.  What's your favorite collection?

Collection: Autumn Adventure

Curator: Jillian Rene Decor

1. 1940's vintage suitcase // bonnbonn

2. pomegranate lip balm // ripe shop

3. scheherazade garland // palimpsestic

4. tear drop earrings // lunarbelle

5. chunky knit scarf // knitbranda

Collection: Sand and Sage

Curator: lebotanicals

1. cross body bag // skmodell

2. linen tea towels // bonnbonn

3. yarn bowl // karoart

4. studded pillow // jillianrenedecor

5. rustic wedding soap favors // swampangelsoap

Collection: Gifts for the Hostess

Curator: 88 editions

1. pear serving dish // romyandclare

2. whole wheat tea towel // giardino

3. modern wine holder //  mile112

4. diy cheese kit // urbancheesecraft

5. linen apron //  bonnbonn

Collection: 8 Days a Week

Curator: by Cinne Worthington

1. market tote // milkhausdesign

2. vintage glass juicer // bonnbonn

3. tassel necklace // ninapaco

4. set of 3 ceramic mushrooms // orlydesign

5. colorblock clutch // ddsllgirlsstore

Style My || Cabin in the Woods

Do you ever create dream spaces in your head? Places that you would love to live in or that second home you would love to escape to when the weather becomes unbearable at home.  I do this on a daily basis.  All it takes is for me to see something in a magazine or while I am browsing pinterest and I start thinking about how I could build a room or even a house around it.  

A cabin in the woods sounds like a perfect weekend retreat. A place to get away from the city and enjoy nature. It must be cozy and not too big.  Since you are there to enjoy the outdoors I would decorate it with natural objects or rustic meets chic.  My cabin would be a mix of reclaimed woods, pendleton fabrics, and a nod to our woodland friends. Are you ready to join me at the cabin?

Cabin in the Woods:

1. tea towel bundle by gingiber

2. pendleton blanket by Robin Cottage

3. rustic pendant light by weareMFEO

4. a cabin for your cabin by 2of2

5. pendleton fabric pillow by Scout and Whistle

6. hand embroidered deer antlers by Marys Grandaughter

Our September Elite16 Giveaway with Bonnbonn

Now that it's September, do you have the back to work blues? Our monthly giveaway might just cheer you up.  This month you can enter to win a $50 gift certificate from Bonnie's Etsy shop bonnbonn.  Bonnie specializes in vintage finds and handmade goods or something old and something new. We don't think it will be hard to find something you fall in love with from her shop.

Our September Elite 16 Etsy Giveaway runs from September 6-13 and we'll be announcing the Lucky Winner on Friday right here on the blog and also on our Facebook page!  Make sure to check out all the ways you can enter because there are many options to earn extra points- thus, increasing your chances of winning! Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall 2013 || Color Focus: Turbulence

Revving up for Fall?  It all starts with the right accessories and color palette.  Using Pantone's colors as I guide, I am exploring each color with some of my favorite finds from Etsy. This color focus is all about Turbulence or what I like to call a dark and stormy gray.  I think every season needs a good gray as a neutral and this one is perfect for fall since it's a deep tone and mixes very well with acai, koi, and vivacious.  Do you see turbulence in your future? 

Turbulence:

1. raindrops coin purse by oktak

2. botanical prints by 88 editions

3. silk color block pillow by Jillian Rene Decor

4. paris cafe photo by The Paris Print Shop

5. gray tote bag by Independent Reign

Fall 2013 || Color Focus: ACAI

It's finally here, well almost here at least officially. I am talking about Fall/Autumn or whatever you may call it.  I've said this many times before but it is my absolutely favorite season of the year with Spring being number two.  With the new season comes new and fun colors to explore.  Pantone has released it's fall color palette and I am going to be sharing my favorite items on Etsy that show off these fabulous fall colors. First up is Acai, a deep purple, which always seem to be a hallmark of fall fashion. 

Acai:
1. circus pillow by knit frekkles
2. floral silk scarf by Cinne Worthington
3. fifties brooch by Trees 4 the Wood
4. color block planter by Sea & Asters
5. purple pillow boxes by Green Bug Marketplace

Keys to Success || The Story of Broken Ghost Clothing

brown backless top

1. When and why did you choose to open an online shop on Etsy?

I used to run a consignment shop and it was then that I began 'revamping' some of the items that I had in my store. A customer of mine told me about Etsy and about her shop that she had and it peaked my interest. When I sold my store in 2009 and was jobless, that's when I began at Etsy.

metallic silver vest

2. What got you started in your craft?

I am a self taught sewer/designer and have been creating art in many different forms since I could hold a crayon. I am an oil/acrylic painter, sketcher, mural artist and florist. My love for fashion has brought me to where I am now.

boho sweater

3. Who or what influences your style the most?

I love anything retro, especially 1970's pieces. I love mixing unexpected colors together and creating clothing that has interesting details.

orange tie dye and plaid top

4. How do you stay focused and motivated?

I love what I do so much that I joke Monday is my favorite day of the week, so I can be alone and create after the hustle and bustle of the weekend. I am amazed on a daily basis that I am doing something that I love and making a living at it. How lucky am I?

navy blue bohemian top

5. What would be your insight on "Keys to Success on Etsy"?

Tips for success, in particular in an online setting would be:
a. Embrace the english language and incorporate it into your shop. Words
are really the main way we are discovered and without that expertise, we will struggle.
b. Work to improve on a daily basis. It's easy to get complacent and think we are doing everything the best we can. But there are always new things to learn and try.
c. Stay on top of retail trends. You must sell what people want.


Find more about Jana's shop Broken Ghost Clothing:

Jana is the owner, maker, designer and curator.
Founded January 19, 2009.
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