Trends: High Waisted Shorts

July 2, 2013June 27, 2013Leave a comment

It’s no secret that I love a high waist! Though this style can be a little intimidating at first – once you start wearing things above your belly button – it’s hard to go back.

Flattering, comfy and oh-so-retro looking, the “hike ’em up” trend has now spread to shorts as well! If you’ve been hoping to give the fit a try, check out these finds and give the look a try.

Vintage Pink Shorts from This Vintage Girl
Vintage Brown Shorts from Brown Cow Vintage
Handmade Scalloped Shorts from Pierogi Picnic
Vintage Yellow Shorts from Charlia Lana
Handmade Floral Print Shorts by Minkie
Vintage Neon Shorts from The Happy Forest
Colorblock Jean Shorts from Pom Pom Vintage
Sabina Short from Bark Decor

Keeping Things Cool

June 27, 2013January 19, 2016Leave a comment

I don’t know about your neck of the woods – but things have been quite steamy here in Chicago the past few days. We’ve been bouncing between thunder storms and high temps – making it not only sweltering, but stuffy as well!

So how do you keep cool without the help of an energy-sucking, heat producing air conditioner? Here are some ideas:

Bust out the ice. Seems simple enough – but keeping a tray of ice cubes at the ready is not just a good idea for a late-afternoon lemonade. Try filling a bowl with the oh-so-cool cubes and placing them in front of a fan. You’ll find yourself lounging in a cool breeze in no time!

Stay hydrated. It goes without saying that making sure you’re getting loads of water will help your body feel better overall. But especially in summer months when the temps are up and your body’s a perspiration machine – you’ll need extra H2O to make sure you have what you need to stay cool.

Freeze some fruit. A great mid-day snack, freezing some watermelon, strawberries or other in-season treat is a great and tasty way to cool things down.

Dress to impress. And do it in light-weight, airy natural fibers. I’m a big proponent of cotton, but anything that will allow a loose fit and sweat absorption will help you stay comfortable. And to help you sleep through a hot night – make sure all your bed gear is made of natural materials too! Continue reading →

Events: Summer Bazaar Fun!

June 20, 2013June 19, 2013Leave a comment

This past Sunday I had the privilege to showcase my Pierogi Picnic creations alongside a collection of amazingly talented local Chicago artisans!

Setting up shop in the store and sidewalk of the new Lincoln Park salon, Smith & David, we took this tiny neighborhood nook by storm with our handmade creations, homemade soaps, hand-forged jewelry and incredible vintage finds. The weather was perfect, the clientele was chipper and the entire event had an easy breezy heir.

summer 2

Thank you to everyone who swung by to shop local!

For a complete list of all the talented participants, click here.

An Indie Biz: Design Process

June 18, 2013June 12, 2013Leave a comment

Designing a new garment or revamped vintage clothing item is always an adventure!

I’ve used many methods over the years. Some involved intricate illustrations prior to creation. Others were more stream-of-consciousness, just cutting and sewing and making things up along the way. Still, in other situations I’d find myself with some general ideas of what I was looking to present and forming the vision in my mind before take scissors to fabric. No matter what the method – coming up with a new design can be the most exciting, and conversely, flabbergasting thing! Continue reading →

Finds: Herbivore Botanicals Skincare

June 13, 2013June 12, 2013Leave a comment

I’m somewhat of a natural cosmetics junkie – always ready to try the latest DIY tonic or small-batch soaps. Whether makeup or bath bombs, as long as they’re natural and cruelty-free, I’m always willing to give them a try. So when I stumbled upon the vegan Etsy-based skincare Herbivore Botanicals, I knew I was sold.

Featured in an Etsy shopping guide for Father’s Day, I scooped up a men’s gift set for my hubby. “It’s an early Father’s Day present!” I told him. “But we don’t have kids” he protested. Four-legged babes count – don’t they?! Besides, I thought it would be more apt for him to try the line as it’s meant for toning the skin of those with facial hair, something I’m thankful I don’t qualify for.

So what did he think? Continue reading →

Featured Design: Frills & Thrills

June 6, 2013June 5, 2013Leave a comment

It’s truly starting to feel like summer – which has me thinking about stylish ways to look cute while keeping cool. So when choosing a featured design the choice was easy: the Frills & Thrills tanks. Created from pre-loved racerbacks, these adorable tops are embellished with a splash of vintage lace and an over-sized button. Great for layering with a high-waisted skirt or cut-off shorts – it makes the heat-filled days that much more fun! And with a limited time sale price of only $18 – these tanks are as easy on your wallet as they are on the environment!

An Indie Biz: Making a Look Book

May 30, 2013June 10, 2013Leave a comment

This past Saturday I embarked on my first look book adventure!

Gathering together a group of talented creatives and the Pierogi Picnic modeling gang, we orchestrated a fun-filled shoot in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. With loads of brightly colored designs and props in hand – we snapped and shot hundreds of photos to show off the latest Pierogi Picnic creations – orchestrating an urban picnic in one of the most vibrant and eclectic neighborhoods in Chicago.

Now that the actual shoot date is behind us, all that’s left to do is sift through the shots and do some fine tuning! We’ll keep you posted on when the final product is ready for it’s debut to the world. But in the meantime – here’s a peek into the planning that went into making the shoot a success. Continue reading →