I cannot say enough good things about Etsy, the "world's handmade marketplace"; think of it as a virtual arts and crafts fair- full of one-of-a-kind finds, and when you purchase something, you feel good supporting a small business or up-and-coming artist. Etsy is amazing, not just for consumers, but it gives artists, designers, and small business owners a platform to display and sell their wares. One can find anything on Etsy- vintage clothing and furniture, handcrafted housewares, unique pieces from new designers, and handmade jewelry... pretty much anything! I love using Etsy when I think of vintage item (recent searches include goat-hair "yeti" boots from the 70s and a camel-hair cape), Christmas and Valentine's day cards (flowery and vintage or modern and graphic), home accessories for my new apartment, and artwork.

My most recent trip to Etsy was to find a print- I unfortunately lost a watercolor of a nude during my move. The watercolor was cool, fashion-y, sexy, and inexpensive. I simply cannot remember the artist's name, and I unfortunately bought the watercolor on the street, making my internet search nearly impossible.  I turned to Etsy, looking for fashion illustrations. Needless to say, what I found blew my mind.  It's exactly what I've been looking for- and because the pieces are rather inexpensive, I now have the difficult task of narrowing down my purchases. Below are some of my favorites.  Click here for Etsy website.

Etsy shop: Art by Lola. Lola Donoghue is an Irish artist with a background in fashion design, fashion illustration and printmaking. Her work is ethereal, I do love the flashes of color. Click here for Art by Lola's Etsy shop.

Etsy shop: silverridgesstudio. Cate Parr is an English artist/illustrator living in Los Angeles. Her watercolors are vibrant and dream-like- definitely a strong contender in my search for new artwork. Click here for silverridgesstudio Etsy shop.

Etsy shop: DRYBLANC. Leun Lee is a fashion illustrator. Her work is super cool- something I might find in Interview or V magazine. Click here for DRYBLANC Etsy shop.

Etsy shop: Leigh Viner. Leigh Viner is an American artist and photographer. Something about her work makes me think of vintage Vogue magazines, the models remind me of Amber Valetta and Linda Evangelista- another contender in my search.  Click here for Leigh Viner Etsy shop.

Etsy shop: Plasterdoll.  Plasterdoll creates doll-like versions of fashion ads- note the bandage on the model's right temple, I'm not sure what that's about, but I think it humanizes the dolls. Click here for Plasterdoll Etsy shop.

Looking at all the amazing artwork has only confused me more- since the pieces are so inexpensive, I may buy a few and frame them, but which ones... Advice is welcome, and drop a note if you purchased one!

It goes without saying, Tiffany & Co. does romance right. Tiffany's created a website, What Makes Love True, for all matters of the heart.  Here one may find Valentine's Day tips, director Ed Burns' list of favorite romantic movies, love songs that you can download, and videos of young and old discussing the meaning of love. Yes, I know, cuteness overload.

The site also features a photo gallery, True Love in Pictures, including photos from photo bloggers (and real-life boyfriend/girlfriend) Scott Schuman (of The Sartorialist) and Garance Doré.  You, too, can upload photos of you and your special someone to the site, using Tiffany's Instagram filter, which washes your photo out in the trademark Tiffany Blue, peach or black and white.  The What Makes Love True by Tiffany & Co. app can also be downloaded to your iPhone.  If you happen to be in New York, London or Tokyo, Tiffany's has photobooths, where you can upload the photos to the site.  Love is all around! Click here for What Makes Love True website.

Photo blogger, Garance Doré's True Love photos. Photo: What Makes Love True

The Sartorialist's True Love photos. Photo: What Makes Love True

True Love photos. Photo: What Makes Love True

More True Love photos. Photo: What Makes Love True

Check out the super-cute video of The Sartorialist's Scott Schuman and Garance Doré making of True Love in Pictures.

I am absolutely in love with VILA's True Sailor collection- so timeless, so chic!  The collection features the classic sailor shirt, the Breton shirt, re-imagined and modernized in bright colors- poppy red, paprika pinky-red, navy blue, and turquoise. Even the stripes are modernized- the Nilda dress has stripes both thin and wide and the Sea long-sleeve top has two thin-lined stripes.

Coco Chanel is reportedly the first designer to introduce the Breton shirt to the masses, borrowing inspiration again from the working-classes- in this case, French sailors while she vacationed in Deauville.  I drew inspiration from vintage photographs of fashion icons- wearing nautical stripes, sunning themselves on sailboats and yachts.  One can look so effortlessly chic in nautical-inspired fashion- complete with wind-swept hair and sun-kissed skin;) Click here to shop VILA's True Sailor collection.

Icons in Breton shirt, L-R: Coco Chanel, photo: Kikis List; Audrey Hepburn, French Girl in Seattle; James Dean, Tomorrow Started

Brigitte Bardot by the sea. Top photo: Aliz of Bohemia; bottom photo: Fashion Magpie Files.

More icons by the sea: John and Jackie Kennedy, photo: Photobucket; Grace Kelly: Habitually Chic.

Nautical-inspired finds- (left photo) I like the idea of making the Breton shirt pop with the sweet bow, flashes of pink and unexpected metallic boat shoes. Nate top (photo: VILA), Galli pants (photo: VILA), REO sunglasses (photo: VILA), and metallic boatshoes (photo: Sperry Topsiders).

(Right photo) Though the accessories may be over-the-top, the simple, Grecian-style Carolin dress from VILA ties the look together. Carolin dress (photo: VILA), Eugenia Kim sunhat (photo: net-a-porter), YSL starfish printed sandals (photo: net-a-porter).

Channeling Jackie Kennedy- Pini sleeveless top from VILA (photo: VILA); J.Crew pebble-print shorts (photo: net-a-porter); the Gucci graphic scarf is perfect for tying back your wind-swept hair (photo: net-a-porter); practical shoes are a must- Jack Purcell for Converse (photo: net-a-porter); and a sweet purse from VILA the color of the sea completes the look (photo: VILA).

The kitty influence for Spring 2012 pleases the eight-year-old girl inside me.  First and foremost, the adorable, feline-inspired beauty collection of French brand, Paul and Joe. The collection features shimmery cat-portrait eye shadow, paw-printed lipstick, and a blush stick of a cat wearing a top hat.

Photo: Paul Joe Beauté.com

Photo: Paul Joe Beauté.com

Photo: Harpers Bazaar.co.uk

Victoria by Victoria Beckham is Ms. Beckham's second girlier/quirkier collection, a departure from her sexier, hourglass-fit namesake collection.  The kitty trend appeared in a few of the Spring 2012 dresses- swingy, A-line shifts in bright colors.

Gotta love the star-printed cats! Photo: Style.com

Photo: Style.com

As a blogger, looking back at department store holiday windows gave me a different perspective of the holiday season.  If I wrote about the holiday windows in December, I would have tried to put myself in the positition of a small child, enraptured with the magic of Christmas. Now in the beginning of 2012, the remnants of the holiday season is gradually shedding away- the forlorn Christmas trees laying in the street, the glittery lights are taken down, some store windows showing off spring merchandise.  A look back at the holiday windows of 2011, I was able to appreciate the great work and creativity that stores put into their window displays- these were works of art that would be appropriate in a museum- just to create a bit of fantasy and magic in December.

Bergdorf Goodman, New York, created Carnival of the Animals display.  David Hoey, Senior Director of Visual Display and his team devote a year to the production of the holiday windows. The inspiration for Bergdorf's windows was from diverse settings reimagined in various materials and the animals that live there. Click on here to view a video of Bergdorf Goodman's visual team creating the 2010 holiday windows.

Barney's, New York's edgy department store, collaborated with Lady Gaga over the holiday season and created "Gaga's Workshop", a shop in Barney's curated with Gaga-inspired items. Lady Gaga's fashion director, Nicola Formichetti, worked together with Barney's Creative Director, Dennis Freedman, to make holiday windows commemorating Gaga's Workshop.

Karl Lagerfeld curated Printemps holiday windows. Chanel's 11 window display for Printemps takes a tour around the world- in Los Angeles, flight attendants in Christmas-red uniforms and blue go-go boots; in Moscow, a twirling Chanel ballet troupe; and in Paris, Karl-as-photographer marionettes.

Below are holiday windows of department stores around the world. Photos: Vanity Fair.com

Bergdorf Goodman, NY: Snowy birds as models- they seem as graceful and elegant as the dresses they are wearing.

Bergdorf Goodman, NY: Left: A white tiger, a walrus and a ram look debonair for their photo with their lady friend. Right: This display is called "Teacher's Pet" and features 300 different kinds of paper and a paper zebra!

Bergdorf Goodman, NY:The "Brass Menagerie" display is the most magical- it seems to glow at night.

Harrods in London collaborated with Swarovski to create "A Crystal Christmas".  It's like a fairy tale!

Harrods in London collaborated with Swarovski to create "A Crystal Christmas".  It's like a fairy tale!

Barneys, NY: Left: "Gaga's Crystal Cave" features a mermaid, suspended between twinkling LED crystals that change colors from clear to blue. Right: "Gaga Machine"

Barneys, NY: "Gaga's Boudoir" is constructed from real and synthetic blond wig hair, in the center lies a Lady Gaga mannequin on a blond hair chaise lounge.

Printemps, Paris: A Karl puppet photographing camellias, Coco Chanel's favorite flower.

Printemps, Paris: Chanel ballet in Moscow.

Printemps, Paris: Air Chanel in Los Angeles.

I spent the Christmas holidays with my husband's family.  His eight-year-old niece and I spent our time coloring, making paper snowflakes and playing games.  I came across a microsite that Chanel created in conjunction with an exhibition they are doing in Beijing, called Culture Chanel.  The feature, Kid's Space, is a coloring book of Chanel's iconic pieces- the Camellia, the quilted bag, the ballet flat, the tweed jacket.  Kid's Space features a memory game, too!  The microsite is filled with Chanel factoids- like, the Camellia is Mlle Chanel's favorite flower, hence its ubiquitous presence in Chanel collections.  Kid's Space is intended for children, but creating colorful versions of Chanel classics made me feel like I was eight again.

Below are some of my creations from the Culture Chanel site- give it a try, but to be warned, it is addictive! Click on the link to Culture Chanel microsite.

My rendering from Culture Chanel to the left. The iconic Quilted Bag to the right.  Chanel fact: Coco Chanel created the quilted bag as a chic and hands-free alternative to clutches that were de rigueur at that time.  Photo: Chanel

My brightly trimmed Chanel tweed jacket via Culture Chanel.  Model Freja Beha in Chanel Fall 2011 runway show in a trompe l'oeil tweed double jacket. Photo: Chanel.

Chanel's favorite flower, the Camellia.  My pink rendering from Culture Chanel to the left.  There are many stories as to why this was Mlle Chanel's favorite flower- some say because it is scentless and beautiful, and did not compete with her perfume.  Some say the round shape represented endless possibilities.  Regardless, the flower is still seen in Chanel collections.  The Camellia ring, to the right, is in yellow gold and white agate. Photo: Chanel.

Chanel Memory game. Photo: Culture Chanel.

My memories of Christmas morning still seem so magical- wearing new pajamas (always flannel, colorful and footed), finding the tree lit up and filled with presents.  Christmas morning seemed so indulgent- in our pajamas the whole day, eating a delicious breakfast and playing with our presents.  This year marks my first year without that tradition- we will celebrate Christmas on the 24th.  Perhaps because of that absence, I've started thinking about pajamas.  We no longer receive new pajamas; in fact, I cannot even remember receiving or buying new pajamas- my sleepwear now consists of threadbare t-shirts and lounge pants. To keep the memory alive, I've decided to invest in a luxurious, stylish pair of pajamas.

Recently, I've been thinking about buying a pair of men's-style pajamas. In the Coco Chanel biopic, starring Audrey Tautou, Mlle Chanel wears a pair of silk men's pajamas, both in bed and on the street.  I do love this intriguing concept, especially during those hot summer months when you want to shield yourself from the sun.  How can one wear pajamas outside, without making it look like pajamas? Luckily, a few fashionable people- stylists, editors, designers and even celebrities- are hitting the streets and the red carpet in comfy and chic pajamas.

If you can't imagine yourself in something masculine, we can take a cue from Breakfast at Tiffany's heroine, Holly Golightly, wearing a cheeky eye mask and a men's tuxedo shirt to bed.

Audrey Tautou in Coco Before Chanel. Photos: Habitually Chic

Rolling the sleeves and cuffs helps transform sleepwear to daywear.  Photos: All the Pretty Birds

Left: Viviana Volpicella, Asst. Fashion Editor of Vogue Nippon, in Prada pajamas. Photo: All the Pretty Birds. Right: Sophia Coppola collaborated with Louis Vuitton and created pajamas for the Resort 2012 collection... and a matching Vespa helmet. Photo: Vogue.com

Ryan Gosling at the Cannes Film festival with navy pajama top, crisp white trousers and wing-tip shoes. Photo: Stylelite

Holly Golightly's sleepwear.  I love her carved-out-bathtub-turned-sofa.  Click here to purchase Ms. Golightly's eye mask. Photo: A Girl A Style.

As the old adage goes, a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear.  A short video of The Row's 2007 Holiday Collection exemplifies the saying, as a model goes from room to room changing clothes. But what I love most about the video is 1) it cleverly and stylishly showcases pieces from the collection and 2) it nails the feeling of getting dressed and never being quite satisfied with your outfit. The Row was launched in 2007 by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, at the tender age of 21- originally as the quest for the perfect luxurious t-shirt.  Four years later, the brand has transcended celebrity fashion lines to being well-received, chic and classic, and has expanded to include eyewear, outerwear and handbags (including a $39,000 alligator backpack!).

The video is directed by Alan White and music by Danny Fujikawa. The white t-shirt at the end of the video is The Row's very first sample.

Hello Ladies,

Can't get enough of this beautiful nailpolish by OPI called rainbow connection.
It has the most amazing glitter particles in it and I just can't stop staring at my nails!
I found this top by VILA, it so matchy matchy with the nailpolish right?

Just perfect for the upcoming holiday season!

With love,

Billie Rose

For more daily updates go to http://billierose.creatorsofdesire.com

After the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Day, after the holiday buzz, we all settle in for a cold, dark winter, impatiently and eagerly waiting for spring to come. Why not fill some of that time with travel and adventure? The Louis Vuitton City Guides are the perfect travel companion with insider tips on restaurants, cafes, shops, museums and galleries.  The European Cities collection consists of 9 slim books of popular European cities, like Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin, as well as some off-the-beaten-path, like Toulouse, Birmingham, Salzburg, Odessa and Zagreb. The European Cities collection boasts over 7,000 addresses in 2,000 pages.  Oh, and did I mention that the City Guides are gorgeously illustrated by Ruben Toledo?  Beat the winter blues and book a trip.

Photo: still from Louis Vuitton Rome City Guide video

City Guides against a backdrop of Louis Vuitton suitcases to get your wanderlust going. Photo: Luxuo.com

Ruben Toledo for Louis Vuitton. Photo: Forbes.com

Ruben Toledo for Louis Vuitton. Photo: Forbes.com

Ruben Toledo for Louis Vuitton. Love all the tourists in front of the Forbidden City. Photo: ilvoelv.com

Louis Vuitton also released short videos, narrating highlights from some of the City Guides. If the photos above didn't inspire you the films definitely will.

The Louis Vuitton Rome City Guide takes us on a cinematic tour and teaches us about the history and seductiveness of Rome's cinema past and present.

The Louis Vuitton London City Guide is a short about gentlemen's dressing- bespoke tailoring and impeccable wardrobe.

The Louis Vuitton Paris City Guide entices us with a history lesson about Paris and Perfumes.