Maggie Daley Park

October 29, 2015January 19, 2016Leave a comment

Our little jelly belly turned eight months earlier this month. Crazy how time flies, right?! Besides hitting a new age, our little man sprouted his first two teeth, said da-da, and started to crawl. And all in just a week! These developmental leaps were a sudden wake up call that his infant days are fleeting.

After this realization a rush of sentimentalism washed over me, prompting me to schedule some time off for a staycation with the boys. I wanted a handful of days where I could slow down, spend time with August and his dad, and soak up the season.

One of the highlights of our recent stint of hometown tourism was a visit to the new Maggie Daley park. Continue reading →

Hello – we’re Shiny Happy People!

October 19, 2015October 19, 2015Leave a comment

After months of anticipation Shiny Happy People has arrived!

We’ve been busy sketching, printing, sewing and branding these past few months and are ready for the big reveal! Bringing you modern, fresh and playful designs, Shiny Happy People creates sustainable, handmade goodies that aim to delight and inspire. Organic cottons, whimsical prints, happy hues – what more could you ask for?!

Our new Etsy page is live so hop on over to get first dibs on our new goodies. We’ve also updated the website to tell you all you need to know about our exciting new venture. We stay, explore and get yo know us. Let the adventure begin!

Events: Pop-Up Shop

August 10, 2015September 11, 2015Leave a comment

Just when we thought all the fun was over – we’ve decided to host one last event to bid Pierogi Picnic adieu – a pop-up shop!

Join us on Saturday, August 23rd from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Chicago’s famed Nettelhorst French Market, just north of Belmont off Broadway and Melrose. We will be selling all of my remaining eco-friendly creations at steep discounts. Plus – we’ll have a buy two get one free special running all day!

Come on out to see us to help the brand with a proper send-off. See you there!

Pierogi Picnic’s Fond Farewell

August 2, 2015January 19, 2016Leave a comment

This is it! The Pierogi Picnic Etsy shop has officially closed as of 9pm this evening. Let the record show that August 2nd, 2015 is a day that now stands in history! At least in my books. Though it’s a bittersweet moment, there’s so much to celebrate when looking back at these last seven years of sustainable design.

It all began with a skirt. I created a simple asymmetrical pencil skirt using a thrifted cotton t-shirt. Every which way I went I would receive compliments, along with inquiries on how people could get their hands on one of their own. That’s what inspired me to create an affordable line of retro, comfy, eco-friendly clothing. I had also recently discovered the growing handmade movement, and with encouragement from my husband, launched my own Etsy shop in the fall of 2008.

After debuting my store I continued to create truly one-of-a-kind clothing items made from recycled materials. Scouring Chicago’s thrift stores high and wide, I was collecting pre-loved fabrics and vintage textiles to create a unique line of casual and comfy clothing. Within a couple of months I began to add other designs. T-shirt dresses, camisole gowns, restructured tanks, vintage finds and more! It was in that year that I came up with some of my most popular designs, included the Resurrected Tee skirt, Revamped Flower headbands, Darling Dresses and No Sweat tunics. They were a hit! And so Pierogi Picnic took off!

Continue reading →

Events & Sales: Only 2 more weeks!

July 15, 2015September 11, 2015Leave a comment

I can’t believe it’s almost here! August 1st is just around the corner and it signals the closing of the Pierogi Picnic Etsy shop. Insane!

If you haven’t already, be sure to take advantage of our mega sale where I’m knocking 50% off all remaining items. All you need to do is use coupon code “solongfarewell2015” during checkout and the discount will come off your final total.

You only have 15 more days to take advantage of this awesome offer – so don’t delay! Scoop up the last of your favorite handmade eco-friendly creations today!

An Indie Biz: The End of an Era

May 19, 2015September 11, 20151 Comment

It is with a heavy, yet elated, heart that we announce that we will be closing the Pierogi Picnic Etsy shop on July 31st.

I founded Pierogi Picnic in the fall of 2008 with the hopes of changing the face of eco-friendly fashion. And I believe that I was able to do just that! Made in small batches using recycled cottons, Pierogi Picnic was the first clothing collection of its kind that offered fun-loving, affordable and sustainable designs. I’m pretty darn proud of how far the line has come, but now it’s time for bigger and better things!

Since Pierogi Picnic’s launch so much has changed in the green goods industry, fashion and Etsy – and for the better! A lot has shifted in my personal life too. A flourishing career in the animal welfare field, a bouncing baby boy, a new design aesthetic, and more, have led me to make the decision to shutter the Pierogi Picnic brand as it currently stands. Change is a good thing and it’s time to move on to the next big thing!

So what does this mean for all you Pierogi Picnic fans? Well, prepare to get excited because there’s some pretty nifty things up ahead! I’m in the process of developing a brand new line of products in collaboration with my talented husband, artist David Paul Downs. Think bright, joyful, and of course, eco-friendly. That’s all I can reveal for now – it’s a mega secret at the moment! Tune in mid-summer for an official announcement about our new endeavor.

In the meantime, there’s a ton of super cool one-of-a-kind handmade goodies I’m looking to re-home from the Pierogi Picnic Etsy shop at a deep discount. To give you, my faithful followers, a head start on scooping up all my close-outs, I’ve created a coupon code that will knock 50% off the current price on anything and everything in my shop. Just type in “solongfarewell2015” in the coupon field upon checkout and the discount will come off your final total. We’ll open up the sale to the general public on June 1st – so get in on the fun while the gettin’s good! Just think – this may be the last time you can score handmade and eco-friendly clothes at such a great price!

We are so excited to be entering into this new chapter of our lives as a family and can’t wait to share details with you this coming season. Until then show us some love and scoop up some handmade goodies while you can!

An Indie Biz: Model Call

March 26, 2015September 11, 2015Leave a comment

Spring is here and with it I’m looking to host several photography sessions to show off some of my newest designs as well as vintage finds. But it’s not enough to photograph the pieces on hangers – we need lovely ladies and gents to get in front of the camera in these duds. And that’s where you come in!

If you live in the Chicago area and would be available on an upcoming weekend to take part in a Pierogi Picnic photo shoot, shoot an email to pierogipicnic@gmail.com. Within your email be sure to send me your clothing size and basic measurements (if you know them). We’ll then coordinate a day and time for you to join an upcoming photo shoot. I’m looking for people of all shapes and sizes to take part!

All participating models will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Pierogi Picnic Etsy shop, plus a digital set of fab photos! And if you’re not sure you’re up for the task, but know a friend who is, please put them in touch with us.

Here’s to fresh faces and new designs!