misosouper, a shopping blog, featuring fashion, design, and gadgets

I first stumbled across the clothing brand Madras 641 on Twitter (seriously…is there anything those 140 characters can’t do?), and I was hooked.  Cofounded by friends Subu and Ina, their designs incorporate signature touches in each lovingly crafted garment, such as foil print, paisley flourishes, or an intricately detailed hem.  Their Fall/Winter ‘08 collection features a signature tunic rendered in–hello, gorgeous!–bronze studs, that would be perfect for layering over a long-sleeved tee and leggings, or wearing with heels after the kiddos are in bed.  (OK, so that’s what I would do.  If you don’t have kids, or can stiletto after toddlers, feel free to totter in the tunic at all times.)

What I love most about their line, besides its amazingly affordable prices, is the clothes’ fantastical details:   fabric tucked inside the pleats of a jumper, sequined paillettes bedecking a shoulder, and a subtle horizontal slit across the back of an oxfordy shirt.

I want all of it.  And I bet you will to0, which is why misosouper and Madras 641 are giving away two shirts to two lucky winners.  Choose from those featured above:  the Paisley Muse, a drop-waist tunic with a drawstring at the bottom; and the Rough Around the Edges, a button-down, bat sleeve top, both of which would look great layered over a three-quarter length top.  Leave a note in the comments indicating which shirt is your favorite, and we’ll randomly draw one winner for each garment.

And if you don’t win, Madras 641 is offering misosouper readers a 30% discount on both shirts; simply e-mail ina@madras641.com, mention the misosouper giveaway, and let her which top you’d like.  (They accept PayPal, as if you weren’t enticed enough.)

the fine print:

Comments will be closed and entries will not be accepted after 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, January 11, 2009.  The winner will be selected on Monday, January 12, 2009, and notified by e-mail.  Results of the giveaway will be announced on Monday, January 12, 2009.  Multiple entries will not be accepted, and previous giveaway winners are not eligible.  Misosouper, a shopping blog reserves the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, or considered spam.

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Wondering what to do with all those foolish pictures of you and your drunken friends/mother/cubiclemate decked in Santa hats that are left over from this year’s holiday festivities?  You could just press delete on your digi cam, and let the evidence of your asshattery disappear into the ether; or, you could print them out, snap them in this faux Polaroid frame, and call them art.

And speaking of asshattery, there were over 100 ridiculously funny entries in last week’s Sin in Linen giveaway, which we narrowed down to one eloquent winner.  Congrats to Erica, whose comment is here;  for having the moxie to use the word “starch,” she gets to sleep on new sheets.  (Oh, don’t be sad.  I told you witty, not pity.)

Check back tomorrow for this week’s giveaway, from the fantastic Madras 641; you won’t be disappointed.

In the spirit of tomorrow’s giveaway from Sin in Linen (whose entries have had me lollerskating all week), Ideeli and I want to continue to dress you up in our love.  Use the code misosouper to sign up for this invite-only site, which is like the Barney’s Warehouse Sale without all the public nudity and hair pulling.  Their upcoming giveaways include a Prada logo bangle and a Valentino bow bag, and if you don’t win those, you can score amazing deals like Huit-Huit scarves for $20 (I’m still burned that I didn’t get one) and Goldenbleu boots at over 75% off.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to stock up on Bing Bang jewelry for next year’s Christmas gifts.  Can you blame me?

Caviar?  Not necessarily a subject that most people know a lot about, present company included.  So for my neighbor’s New Year’s Eve party, I’m just having Balducci’s Paddlefish Roe overnighted.  (Sounds swank, right?  You can do this too:  the domestic caviar’s quite reasonably priced, and Balducci’s requires overnight shipping on all caviar purchases to ensure freshness.)  I’ll bring a bottle of $10 cava, a toasted, buttered baguette, and homemade crème fraîche, and still come in for under $100 clams.

Not including my outfit, of course.

Nothing titillates me more than tossing back a demurely made bed, only to find something naughty underneath.  Like these sheets:  made of tumbled 200 thread count cotton, their happy skulls and tattooed bird prints tucked under a patchwork quilt subvert traditional notions of guest space.  Isn’t that right, Mom?

Because no one should have to suffer in boring sheets, Sin in Linen and I would like to dress you up in our love:  make a comment below, telling us in 10 words or less why you deserve new sheets (entries over ten words will be disqualified, so choose your words carefully).  This giveaway is about sin, not sadness, so err on the side of witty to win.  We’ll award the reader who makes our favorite comment a set of Rock Your Kasbah linens, including quilt, pillowcases, and curtains.

the fine print:

Comments will be closed and entries will not be accepted after 11:59 pm EST on Saturday, January 3, 2009.  The winner will be selected on Sunday, January 4, 2009, and notified by e-mail.  Results of the giveaway will be announced on Monday, January 5, 2009.  Multiple entries will not be accepted.  Misosouper, a shopping blog reserves the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, or considered spam.