Bloom Workshop Recap

I never want to stop learning. That's why, last summer, I decided to put efforts into improving myself as a business owner. Part of that meant paying for online tutorials and consulting, and joining groups that discuss women's issues and social media strategy, and attending workshops and conferences. Without fail, every time I partook, I left feeling refreshed, motivated, and excited to get back to work.

So, when Bloom the Workshop came across my instagram feed, I felt compelled to attend. I'm always looking to improve my blog and social media pages, but what I was most excited to learn about was the photography and styling especially as it pertains to the wedding industry -- my new chosen career. The best part about attending workshops and conferences in person is meeting other like-minded people. I wouldn't even call it networking... It's more like bonding. And for me, that's instrumental in feeling connected to my life and my career.

Michaela and Ashley we're such lovely hosts, making me and thirty other fine young ladies feel quite at home at Regale Winery by greeting us with coffee and breakfast. When we took our seats, we were treated to a gift bag chock-full of most welcome goodies. Then, it got right down to business -- literally! Our hosts covered the basics of blogging, social media, and branding. It basically lit a fire under my ass because I have a lot of updating to do now that I run a new business!

During a delicious lunch (which featured a wine tasting, yum!), we each got our head shots taken by the uber-talented Ashley Slater. I can't wait to see how mine turned out!

Ashley gave a post-lunch photography tutorial, which empowered me to shoot in manual on my DSLR, which I had always been afraid to do. That encouragement alone was worth the price of admission. After Michaela's lesson on event styling, we got the chance to put our new skills to the test, which resulted in the photos below. You'll have to forgive the amateur nature of my photography from here on out, because I'm officially ditching the iPhone and shooting all my blog photos on my DSLR.

Of course, the photo shoot ended much too soon, but we were welcomed back into the conference room with slices of cake.... Which I'm never mad about. 

I was really thrilled to see Shannon Willardson on the Q+A panel, because I have followed her blog for the longest time. I'm happy to report that she is just as sweet, funny, gorgeous, stylish, and smart as she comes across on her blog and instagram. 

I was super sad when the workshop ended and I was literally the last person to leave because I couldn't help but linger to soak up the last moments of a wonderful day. 

The Bloom Workshop | Floral Design: Natalie Bowen Designs | Table Rentals, Flatware, Dishes, etc: Pieces by Violet | Venue: Regale Winery | Makeup and Hair: Camille Monique Beauty | Cakes: Sweet Tooth Confections | Gown: Sarah Seven | Design: Michaela Noelle Designs For The Bloom Workshop

Create, Caffeinate, Repeat

This is the tee shirt that made my break my New Years resolution of no shopping for a year. I literally had to have it; it was that good. If the phrase "create, caffeinate, repeat" doesn't sum up my life, I'm pretty sure nothing will. I find that there are plenty of products out there about drinking copious amounts of coffee, but since green tea lattes (with soy, pretty please!) are my drug of choice, this tee especially spoke to me.

Create Caffeinate Repeat Tee

ShopBop Skirt | Similar

Kate Spade Purse

J Crew Pumps - on sale!

Kate Spade Saturday Sunglasses | Similar

BaubleBar Earrings

So, I Guess I Make Bras Now

It's funny how things change so suddenly. After struggling in my maternity and children's wear business for almost 3 years, I decided to take a break from it and focus on other endeavors. My main focus, I decided, would be working weddings for Orange Blossom. But I wasn't ready to stop being a maker. So, I posted this image on instagram.

I had so many people asking me where they could get one, that I decided, on a whim, to open a new etsy shop. I've added a couple other new bra styles, and some hair accessories, and the idea is to make and sell wedding wearables such as garters and veils, in addition to pretty underthings, and hair bows.

Amazingly, I sold out of my gold glitter bra less than a week after opening my shop! This was a taste of success I never got to enjoy with my previous business, and I am so grateful. I'm having so much fun making pretty little things, and sending them all over the world -- one of my first orders went to Australia! -- that I just had to share. If you like what you see, feel free to swing on over to my etsy, or follow me on instagram.

I Don't Work Out

Last month, Jessica and I attended a Bloom Gathering hosted by Krysta Masciale. Bloom Gatherings are like baby Yellow Conferences that happen once a month. This one was all about goal setting -- and achieving. I've had getting in shape on my to-do list forever, but never actually made myself do it. After attending one evening with Krysta and having a pal to keep me accountable, I finally just effing did it. I went to my first yoga class! And I'm going to another one at the end of this week.

The secret to finally getting my ass off the couch, I think, was this amazing tool, a workbook called START, created by Krysta and Ruthi, that breaks goals down into yearly quarters.  By setting goals that should be achieved in 3 months or less, the unattainable is broken down into bite-sized portions that are much more manageable. See, instead of saying, "I'm gonna lose 10 pounds," I decided to just try and find the kind of workout I was comfortable with and would do again.

By breaking down a bigger, more long-term goal, into mini goals, the pressure to achieve is alleviated, and I'm met with a satisfying sense of accomplishment when I get to check off a simple task from my list.

START recommends setting goals in a few different categories, including work, networking, investment, personal development, financial, and family & friends. I didn't set goals in every category, but I have three more quarters to get to the ones I missed or still feel need attention.

Other goals included paying more attention to my blog (check!!), working on relationships with female friends, and very simply, just deciding what I wanted to do about my career. I've hashed that whole issue out over here.

When Jess and I left the gathering, we we're like "Yes! 2015 is gonna be out bitch!" After what felt like a rough 2014, I'm looking forward to taking control of this year, and shaping it into what I want it to be.

Big thanks to Joanna Waterfall for putting the whole thing together.

In Flux

If you follow me on instagram, you might have noticed a couple changes and been like, "wait, what?" I'm not just talking about my pink hair, so let me explain.

Writing honestly about this has been hard because so much of my identity has been tied up in being a designer, and owning Expect. But, lately, I've been feeling like it's time for a change. Late last year, I experienced a painful epiphany: running my business wasn't fun anymore. Being the girl behind Expect was a stress-inducing, frustrating process that kept pulling me further and further away from who I was as a designer and as a person. Rather than spending my time making cool stuff, I used my hours chasing customers on social media, trying to launch new and desirable products, and frankly, comparing myself to others.

In December, I was was met with a failure so epic, it felt business-ending. I was exhausted. I was burnt out. I was unhappy.

It was at a craft fair. I had paid a huge booth fee, make hundreds of pieces of inventory, driven two hours, and set up the booth on my own. I had made a huge investment in this one day both financially and emotionally. My hopes were so high that this would be the moment my business finally took off. When the market opened, the room filled with potential customers and I was excited. But then, I stood in my booth for hours waiting to make some sales. All around me, it seemed like other makers were selling out of their goods, making connections, and raking in the cash. As the minutes ticked by, I started to panic. I rearranged my booth. I started slashing prices. I tried every sales technique I had in my arsenal. 

I fought back tears as I felt my hopes at making any sales that day melt away. Over the course of the eight hours in that convention center, I felt my business dying.

Was it my designs? Was I, myself, off-putting in some way? Were my prices too high? 

By the time the show had ended, I had make three sales, and I was sure Expect was finished. I kept thinking about Mean Girls.

I loaded my car full of the merch that I made but hadn't sold, drove out of the lot, and headed home. Before I even made it a few blocks down the road, I had become so blinded by my tears, I had to pull over. 

I had failed. My business was never going to take off. This whole thing was a terrible idea. 

I pulled into a strangers driveway and sobbed. 

At the same time that I realized that I didn't want to run Expect anymore, I felt that I was being forced to break up with something I was still in love with. It was horrible.

When the tears subsided, I drove home, calling each member of my family. I wallowed in my sadness, indulged myself in their words of kindness. It's going to be okay. 

Over the next few days, I vacillated between wanting to throw away and delete all things Expect, and desperately wanting to take a defibrillator to the operation and make it work. I eventually decided that it didn't have to be either-or. Expect was my first business, my first passion, and while I wasn't ready to say goodbye to it, I felt it's time to take a break.

Over the holidays, I allowed myself some space to rest, think through my options, and change my mind as many times as I wanted to. It was such a tender gift to give myself. For the first time in what felt like months, a weight was lifted and I was able to just breathe.

They always say that when a door closes, a window opens. And that's just what happened to me. Just as I decided to hit pause on Expect, a new opportunity arose.  Brooke, my boss at Orange Blossom Special Events, the wedding planning company I was sporadically working for, asked me to become more involved. It couldn't have come at a better time, or made me feel more valued. I was intrigued and excited, and so pleased to be able to put my talents and abilities to good use.

After a three-day retreat with Brooke and the other Blossoms, I felt connected back to my life and to those around me. Bonded by our passions for the wedding industry and a few too many whiskeys by the hot tub, I felt as though I was finally one with my coworkers at Orange Blossom. I felt happy. And the more I became interested and invested, the more it felt right to give Expect a rest.

After years of struggling for money, feeling lonely and isolated in running a business by myself, and unhappy with my level of perceived success, working for OBSE seems like everything I had been missing: more financial stability, camaraderie and community, and fulfilling and meaningful work.

I love being part of a couple's special day. It's a wonderful thing to witness so many beautiful moments, and to know that, no matter how small, I was able to help in making someone's big day go more smoothly. It's a dream.

All this is to say, I haven't closed down Expect -- everything is still live for made-to-orders, but I'm just shifting my focus to wedding-related endeavors. I've decided to start handcrafting some bridal accessories for sale now live on my new etsy shop, MarriedAndBright, and continue working for Orange Blossom making wedding dreams come true!

Sometimes life throws you curves. I'm trying to roll with it. Thanks for sticking around.

Resolve 2015

Well, New Year's Day has come and gone and I haven't made my resolutions yet. Last year it took me until February to get around to it. I like the idea of resolutions because I'm always thinking about ways I can improve myself, my business, my marriage, my blog, etc. Fresh starts are really appealing to me, and a brand new year always resonates as a good place to start again.

1. Don't shop. I've decided to do another #yearwithoutshopping again. 2013 was a huge success and I actually loved not feeling anxiety about buying the newest, greatest trend, or worry about spending too much money, or feeling like I might have buyers remorse. With that perspective, over the course of 2014 I carefully invested in closet staples that I knew would stand the test of time. Now that I'm fully restocked, I think it's time to take another break from spending. I know a certain roommate of mine will be happy about this resolution.

2. Blog more. I've had this blog for almost five years (!), and it's always been something I enjoy working on regardless of followers, readers and statistics. Sometimes I get so tied up in my many jobs, or just result to watching hours of TV to relax or have fun. I'd like to spend more time working on something productive that I also enjoy.

3. Dress better. This may sound funny coming from someone who calls herself a fashion designer and blogger, but let's me honest: there have been so many mornings lately that I roll out of bed, throw on some pixie leggings and a tee and call it a day. Seriously, no shower, no makeup, no style. It's gross. I always feel better about myself when I'm wearing a fun outfit or trying out a new lipstick. Look good, feel good. That's what it's all about.

4. Cook more meals at home. When we first got married, I was all about meal planning and eating together at the dinner table. As our lives got busier, Alex and I stopped eating healthy, and fell into a routine of chipotle, kraft mac n cheese, and grocery store sushi on the couch, often times while the other one was at work. Processed meals alone on the couch are sad. I want to try new recipes and eat them together more often.

5. Join a gym. I have been vowing to do this since high school, but I have never, ever been a gym member. I don't even know how to work most of the machines or what to actually do when I'm there. It's really scary, but I would like to be a person works out, so I'd better get on that.

Anyone else into resolutions? What are yours this year?

Yellow Conference Take-Aways

Wow. I can't believe that it's October (my birthday month, woo!) already. September flew by in a blur. It was by far the busiest month of my life, so far. I only expect (see what I did there?!) that it will get busier from here on out. So, before too much times goes by, let me take a second to reflect.

It feels like September started on August 28th this year. I took what felt like a little bit of a leap of faith for me and I attended my first conference: Yellow. Being in a room full of women who want to advocate positive change in this world through their creativity, humanitarianism, and spirit was much a moving and inspiring experience for me. On the eve of the biggest launch of my business' short life, taking two days away from the studio felt really scary, but ended up being the best use of 48 hours I could have asked for at the time.

I think, even weeks later, I'm still processing what I learned there, but for now. Here are my main takeaways:

"Because of who we are … we have something to offer the world." -Sarah Dubbledam
I have always felt that I was put on this earth to do something more with this life than to simply go through it. For the longest time I believed that my "more," my great achievement, would be attributed to being a business owner, a fashion designer. But I'm here. I've arrived. I am those things. But I still feel a longing for something greater. I'm still not sure what the more to my more will be, but that brings me to my next point.

"Do as much as you dream." -Carlos Whittaker
So often, I find myself dreaming the day away with plans for the far-off future -- a small boutique! a warehouse! a house with a sewing studio out back! collaborations with major stores! seeing my designs on celebrities! having a thousand followers! -- that I forget to actually do, to act. What are the steps I can take to move towards those lofty goals? What can I do today?

"Do not despise your small beginnings." -Lindsey Eryn Clark
I'll readily admit that I sometimes get very down on myself about the state of my business, especially when I'm daydreaming about the future, or comparing myself to other small businesses. I have to remember that I've been in business for less than two years, and this, right now, is my small beginning. Everyone has to start somewhere. I'm working to embrace this season of growth and not be so depressed when it feels like I'm not making the progress I feel I should be making.

"Break up with your ideal self." -Allie Marie Smith
Along the same lines of embracing where you are now, is embracing who you are now. So what, I don't own a boutique today? So what, I'm not taller and thinner? So what, I don't have piles of friends? So what, I don't have a master's degree? So what, I don't live in New York and work for a major designer? (Was that a little too Drunk Uncle for you?) I'm trying to accept the person that I am today, and not worry so much about being something I'm not and will probably never be.

"It's not what you're passionate about, it's what you're willing to suffer for." -Hannah Brencher
Everyone has passions in life, but it is those who are willing to suffer for them who will be successful. I always say that I would make clothing even if it didn't pay. (And sometimes it doesn't.) I'm willing to stay up until 4 in the morning filling a custom order, run my hand over with a sewing machine, and push and push and push until this dream comes alive.

"Just ask." -Ashley Howell
One of the most practical business lessons came from the creator of the Givve Collection. What hurt can asking do? Need help? Ask. Want advice? Ask. Confused? Ask.... ask ask ask. The worst thing that anyone can say is no. And that's not so bad!

To other Yellow attendees? What did you take away from the conference?

Huge thanks to Joanna Waterfall for putting this amazing event together! I absolutely can not wait for next August!

Expect Autumn 2014 Launch

Sorry for the radio silence around here. If you follow me on instagram, you're probably more up-to-date on my goings on and are aware that I have been consumed for the last month with launching my fall line for Expect. Now that it has been successfully launched, I'm hoping I'll have a smidge more time for fun stuff like blogging (not that running my line isn't fun, but you know...)

To celebrate the big day, I hosted a little party at Trinkets and Treasures. We enjoyed lemonade and cupcakes, chatted about the new line, and narrowly avoided getting sunburned. Good day.

Here's me wearing the Hazel dress. Ignore the huge condensation spill on the table behind me. It was seriously hot on Monday! I probably drank six glasses of lemonade and was still boiling up! You can see the entire collection behind me -- each piece was thoughtfully designed and loving handmade by yours truly! From the fun prints, soft colors, vintage touches, and simplistic shapes, I am in love with everything I have created for this season. I truly hope you love it too!

Chatting with customers -- especially when they had mouths full of red velvet! -- about the line, my inspiration, technique, and philosophy was my favorite part of the night.

Fabrics have always been my jumping-off point when it comes to design. When I came across April Rhodes' Arizona collection, I instantly thought back to driving cross country with my now-husband back in September 2011 before we were married. We were both so taken with the colors and natural beauty of the southwest, and that's when the light bulb went off! I believe deeply in the quality and innate passion that goes into making garments by hand. The one thing I'd love every one of my customers to know when they purchase something that was made especially for them, is that I put all the care I have into each piece I design and sew.

After viewing the collection, my guests had the opportunity to make their purchase right then and there through the iPad kiosk. It was wonderful to see people taking in the website that I had worked so hard to create!

I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me and my business. I want to especially thank my brand reps, and their moms for providing wonderful modeled photos, and my husband for helping me take all the product photos, and providing input and advice along the way. To those customers who have already made purchases, your continued praise and support keeps me going and I can't say thank you enough!

Preppy in Pink

When: Monday, June 23rd, 2014

Where: Home Studio

In a city which practically relies on cars for its sole existence, waking up to an empty street made me feel like perhaps the apocalypse has actually arrived. Nope, just some road maintenance. Alex and I stood in the middle for a while as we took these pictures, and yes, it was pretty weird. I didn't know our street was so... wide.

I bought and wore this dress on Valentine's day, but since that date turned out to me something of a disaster, we never got the chance to take pictures of it. I've been wearing a lot of jeans and tees lately -- a look a abhor, however admit is very comfortable -- but now that Valley Summer is upon us, it's time to turn in the denim and shift for shift dresses.

I love this dress because while I has structure, it still feels very light. The scallop detail makes an other wise basic dress feel so special. I have a hard time defining my style, but I have to say that this look is decidedly preppy. To pump up the prep, I added my bow t-strap flats. So classic and cute at the same time.

For an added touch of glam, I matched my lipstick to my dress. Most of the time, but especially in the summer, I don't like to wear a lot of makeup. I've been having fun lately playing with shadows and eyeliners, but my tried and true, on the run favorite look is power, blush, mascara, and balm. I've gotten so fast at the routine, I can complete it while waiting at a red light!

J Crew Dress

Schutz Bow Flat | Splurge // Save

Emilie Despeaux Locket

Pink and Gold Home Studio Makeover

I've been redecorating my home studio for about 5 months on and off, and, while it's still a work in progress, it is finally presentable! The original design was more of a big white box with yellow accents. Since we rent, I didn't want to paint the room and re-paint when we leave, so I tried to warm up the place with soft pink furniture and golden touches, while keeping the overall look clean. You can see my inspiration here. I hope you like what I've done with the place!

My office // hand sewing corner.

Pink cutting table, pink chair, pink flat file for patterns and packing materials, and a pink bag...

Where all the sewing happens.

My handsome office assistant.

Handy ikea closet with art from Essanel and Le Papier Studio next my well-loved filing cabinets, office supplies, and giant fabric hoard.

This amazing paper doll art piece was gifted to me by fellow MassArt alum, Evelyn Berde. It defines the whole room for me.

I am obsessed with my new studio -- it inspires me to make great work, and spend a little more time in there each day. I still want to recover the chair in the corner with the fabric that is draped over it, but other than that, this room has really become a reflection of my taste and style.

What do you think??