Homegrown Talent: DIY Secrets From Love, Cortnie’s Mastermind

Amidst the recent frenzy of shopping, wrapping, baking, traveling, and (ahem) some truly indulgent eating, we caught up with a newfound fave local talent — blogger-turned-bag-designer Cortnie Hutchinson, who's making stylish waves for her too-cute clutches and contagious entrepreneurial spirit.

Hutchinson first caught our eye with her personal style blog, StyleLustPages, but when we spotted her out and about with a to-die-for gold sequin clutch under her arm, we started hunting for one of our own. Turns out, she stitched the stunner herself!

Upon learning that, we obviously had to grill her on her DIY style secrets and get her to give us the scoop on the handbags that are flying off the virtual shelves of her Love, Cortnie Etsy shop. But here's the kicker: Three months ago, she couldn’t even hem her own pants. We couldn't believe it either.