The end of summer is always an overwhelming time as I work long hours and prepare for upcoming fall events, all while trying to make the most of the season. Between fulfilling Pierogi Picnic orders, planning for the fall, managing work responsibilities and the overarching demands of life, I often feel like I’m on a rollercoaster ride too soon after drinking an over-sized milkshake. Continue reading
Kelly Lynn O’Brien, the beauty and brains behind Chicago’s newest go-to site for all things green, Eco-Minded Chicago, presented me with the honor of being her first featured designer on the site. Kelly is an inspiration to me on multiple fronts – as a bold vegan, Christian and city-dweller, she embodies the lifestyle I am always striving to achieve, one that’s balanced, authentic and filled with contentment.
Check out my fashion feature on her site, and more importantly, peruse the other contents of the site and you’ll be left feeling inspired and ready to explore the earth-friendly side of Chicago.
I’m really looking to infuse more prints and patterns into my handmade garments. Not only does it require me to develop this portion of my skills as a designer, it’s also a real challenge as it stretches the aesthetic combinations of my pieces. By adding these re-occurring elements I’m hoping to bring more of a folksy look to my otherwise retro and urban inspired style. The Flirty Flounce is my first in many upcoming ventures to combine a feminine shape, casual cotton and whimsical pattern into one piece.
What I love about this design in particular is the soft peplum flare along the bottom and how it combines with the look of the assymetrical print. The image along the top is hand-stenciled using two different shapes – one which I created myself. I alternated the colors to enhance the ‘textural’ appeal of the garment.
The clothing sample in the photograph above also brings together some of my favorite colors for the upcoming season: teal, silver and grey. Seeing that this piece hits on all my interests and goals for upcoming looks – how could I not have chosen it as the “Item of the Week?”
My dad is not only “the most interesting pastor at Harvest,” he’s also an incredible man with an even more incredible life story. Whether it was beating the odds as an orphan growing up in communist Poland, gracing hundreds of stages across Europe as a seventies musical icon, becoming an ex-patriot after moving to the U.S. or surviving his many brushes with death (we’re talking stepping on a bear, navigating a sailboat through a storm in the Bermuda triangle, sleeping through a twister, etc., etc. ), my ‘tata’ has amassed quite the encyclopedia of adventures through his sixty-six years on Earth. Continue reading
With my brain consumed with Renegade prep, I have started a board on Pinterest with fun decor ideas for my booth. There are so many ways to liven up a tiny space – that I’m somewhat overwhelmed by the possibilities!
Take a peek at my board here and let me know which of the pins catch your eye the most. You can play a part in sculpting my space while pulling me out of this indecisive rut!
Every few months Pantone puts together a color report to summarize hue trends for the upcoming season. In a surprising twist – the palette for fall has a unique smattering of shades – many that would normally be found in a spring collection. I picked my four favorites hues and compiled a series of eye-catching looks from Etsy to get you thinking about Autumn.
Vernon blouse by Kimmy Kuo
Oval N5 brooch by Verónica de Arriba
Sunrise Anonymous bear leggings by Qoo Qoo Fashions
Girl with Dotty Scarf by 10antemeridian
Point of Light tunic dress by Pierogi Picnic
Danae lace collar necklace by White Owl
Whether it’s posting incredible finds on her blog, Wanderlustings, or creating effortlessly elegant and retro-inspired jewelry for her Etsy shop, Caitlin’s a force to be reckoned with! So how could I not invite her to pose for me in a Pierogi Picnic photo shoot?!
To get into her lovely brain further, I asked her what inspired her. Here’s Caitlin’s response:
“Possibly anything. But constants seem to be: being different, creative and driven people, cinematography, music designed to tell a story, architecture, anything experimental, Paul Pope, comic books in general, decades past, Klaus Nomi, playing pretend, Ray and Charles Eames, self-awareness and letting your imagination run wild.”
Beautiful inside and out – isn’t she?!
Shiny Happy*People 