ODIE & OSCAR

Tuesday, March 13


Odie is the little one in the top photo, and Oscar's on the bottom

Over Christmas break, Chris and I got two little dachshund pups, and I never formally introduced them on the blog.  So here they are, the most adorable dogs in the entire world, Odie and Oscar.  They have such different personalities and are so hilarious to watch.  My mom has their sister, Olive, and she has had our older dachshund Penny for years, so we have a whole family herd now!  I'm so happy to have two little companions - it will be especially nice next year when Chris starts law school and I'll be working from home.

BATTENBURG LACE



Cream Lace Top - Zora Belle
Dark Jeans - Old Navy
Leather Sandals - Clever Nettle
Vintage Leather Tote - thrifted

I have been wanting a loose fitting, lightweight, airy lace top for so long, so last night I finally decided to sit down and make it.  I've had a few linen battenburg lace duvet's from a thrifting trip ages ago, and I knew exactly how I wanted to use them, but for some reason I put off projects for myself longer than anything else.  At any rate, it was super comfortable on this warm-but-not-too-hot-day.

These amazing sandals are from Anja over at Clever Nettle - it's always a gamble buying vintage shoes, but these are just PERFECT.  They seem to go with anything and I intend to wear them all summer.  By the way, she's having a Spring Fever sale - 35% off everything in her shop with code SPRINGFEVER - so go check it out, she's got tons of great vintage.

I'm off to put up lots of new listings in the Etsy shop!

GET REAL

Thursday, March 1



Outfit Details:
Chambray Button Down: Old Navy
Black Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Leather Clogs: Thrifted
Canvas and Leather Bag: Zora Belle

Let me say a few things about this outfit:

1) It's jeans and a button down shirt.  Yeah, I know, it's nothing fancy and maybe it's downright boring, but it's what I really wear.  I am becoming more and more drawn to simplicity and comfort in clothing (one reason I'm going through an extreme closet purge right now) and I have to be honest, getting dressed up in a skirt with a tucked in blouse or a fussy dress with a slip that might blow up in the wind and trying to keep grease off of chiffon was just getting old!  Right now, I'm all about throw it on and go, and I am actually starting to prefer the minimal look of trousers and button downs.

2) I don't know how I lived before these pants.  I have literally worn these suckers like every day for the past two weeks.  They are by far the best purchase of the year.  You're probably thinking "wow, black jeans, what a revolutionary addition to your wardrobe.............not"  BUT alas this is my first pair of black cigarette pants, so I'm still basking in their wear-with-everything-because-they-make-anything-look-pretty-ok/good glory.  Or at least I'm convinced they make everything look pretty ok/good.

3)These leather Frye clogs are maybe my favorite thrift store find ever. I've lived through the brutal breaking-in process, and now they've stretched to fit my feet perfectly and I wear them just about as much as my fancy black pants.

Well, now that you know I sometimes wear the same thing for weeks at at time, I suppose I should head out!

WISHING FOR...NO. 2

Wednesday, February 29



I may be a few years late to the whole boyfriend jean trend, but that's not stopping me!  I could never find a pair that wasn't too low rise or too wide in the calf - these puppies from Madewell are the perfect answer.  They are tapered at the leg, but not super tight and constricting like skinny jeans, and the rise is perfect!  The only problem is I don't think I'll be able to fork over $110 for a pair of jeans that are already ripped and bleach stained, so I'm going to keep my eye out at the thrift stores and see if I can't find a pair to rough up and make my own.  I really am dying to recreate this look though, so I hope I find some soon or I may find a package from Madewell mysteriously arriving at my doorstep...

GET THE LOOK - SHADES OF NEUTRAL

Tuesday, February 28



A simple outfit in calm shades of ivory, ecru, and brown.  All pieces are in the shop now!

GET THE LOOK - BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

Monday, February 27

Dress on the Left: Ralph Lauren // Dress on the Right: Zora Belle Vintage - $36

Here's a new little feature I think I'll start doing - vintage alternatives to modern and designer looks, and complete outfits made up of vintage and handmade pieces.  This floral maxi dress is in the shop now, it reminds me so much of the Ralph Lauren campaign this past year.

SWEET TANGERINE

Wednesday, February 22

Finally getting back into the swing of things here!  I love the swooshiness of this accordion pleated skirt - it makes me feel like I'm just floatin around everywhere.  In other news, I'm in the midst of an obsessive wardrobe purge - I have gotten rid of at least 15 trash bags full of clothing in the past month.  I'm down to one standard closet and I still have some more to go, but I think that deserves a post of it's own.  I'm really interested in building a versatile, easy to wear, coordinated wardrobe.  I'm trying to simplify everything in my life, and my clothes are a big part of that! Anyway, more on that in another post, for now, here's what I'm wearing -

Accordion Pleated Skirt: Shop in SOHO (can't remember the name!)
Chambray Button Up: Old Navy
Anorak Jacket: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Screen Printed Tote Bag: Zora Belle


SUNDAY MISCELLANY: IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS

Sunday, December 11

Sometimes the sweetest things in life are the little ones.  Things like a luxurious pair of pajamas, a photo-worthy breakfast sandwich, a hot cup of frothy cappuccino, or a jar of jam from the farmers market.  Morning luxuries can brighten your day and make you forget about all the stressful things for a minute or two.  Here are some little things I'm loving right now:


These wonderful washed silk pajama pants from Anthropologie (they are on sale in store - at least here in NC -for $28!).  This waffle knit sweater from Old Navy would finish off the cozy look perfectly.


A hot cup of French Vanilla cappuccino. My favorite kind is actually Bean Street from the gas station of all places - lol - but I'm looking forward to making a cup of my own with this Mr. Coffee Espresso machine!


This gorgeous breakfast sandwich - photo and wonderful recipe from This Fellow.


Some pretty breakfast jams like these from Etsy seller Lemonbird.

It's Christmas break, and I am so incredibly happy the semester is over but we are still pretty busy.  We're in North Carolina right now visiting my parents and looking at law schools for Chris (he loved both UNC and Duke, gorgeous campuses!).  As soon as we get back home, I've got lots of sewing and planning to do, and a website to finish.  Hopefully I'll take the time to enjoy some little moments in the morning and remember that I'm on holiday!

INSPIRING THINGS...NO. 3

Thursday, December 1

It's the last week of the semester and I've been really busy finishing projects and studying for exams, so this week's Inspiring Thing is going to be short but sweet!  We watched this quick TED Talk in my business class, but I think it's applicable in so many other ways.  Take a look, it's just three minutes long.



Stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something you believe in takes guts, but so does stepping out there and supporting a leader who's doing something new.  I think that's the biggest lesson I took away from this clip - that it's just as important to support those doing things you believe in as it is to start movements or projects of your own.  Additionally, those initial supporters and followers are just as important (if not more) than the leader him or herself.

This makes perfect sense to me in regards to the handmade movement - it's incredibly important to support others in the craft community in addition to making your own creative mark.  Even more so, our customers and supporters - in all forms - are so vitally important to the success of independent designers and artisans.  Without those first followers willing to buy our products, write about our lines, and support handmade business, we would never become anything more than shirtless dancing nuts.

SUNDAY MISCELLANY: A MIXED BAG

Sunday, November 27

This week I've had a lot of things catch my eye around the internet. Let's just jump right in!



#1. I keep coming back to this red cape coat by Jaeger (I saw it on CaliVintage a while ago). I've actually been designing a cape with a similar cut - I love the narrow width, its something a little different than the full circular capes I've been seeing everywhere. It almost looks like you just threw your pea-coat over your shoulders, without putting your arms in your sleeves, like models always do in promo shots but you're always thinking "how could I ever walk around with my coat just sitting on my shoulders, what am I going to do with my arms?" even though it looks so good! (see photo on the right)


#2. Beth at Salvage Life has been working on these beautiful watch necklaces - and the best part is they're made with real gold and silver! I'm awfully sick of jewelry turning me green, and I'd really like to start buying quality pieces that will last.  One of these pretty things is definitely going on my Christmas list!



#3. I'm getting a new DSLR - (huzzAH!) but more on the details later, for now I'm just dreaming over camera bags. I would really love this gorgeous messenger bag by ONA, but I can't afford that so I'll probably just go with a basic backpack style that will keep everything organized and safe.




#4. A tweed run?! What could be better on a brisk fall day? (Seen on Sally Jane Vintage




#5. So, Chris and I have made a resolution (a month and a half early?) to start eating better and working out at least 5 days a week. He's perfectly fit, but I need to lose some weight. Our goal is for a three-month transformation - hopefully these new habits will have me looking, feeling, and sleeping better by then! We've been doing great so far, working out everyday for the past week, and no fast food. But, it would really help me stay motivated if I had some sweet new running gear. Right now I'm rocking 6 year old Puma's and some ratty shorts, and I would love these slick compression leggings and this fancy running jacket from Old Navy - I was in the store today and they felt like surprisingly good quality, and very affordable compared to other brands. I may have to swing back before Thursday and take advantage of their BOGO 75% off sale. These Nike's are super cool too, I definitely want to get a simple grey running shoe that I won't mind wearing with jeans every now and then.


That's about it for today, 'til next time!