Oooh! I think this one has to be my favorite design so far. I've always been a sucker for anything houndstooth, so when I spotted this fabric at a little local store here in Tampa I had to snatch it up. Today the clutch is named for my friend, Amanda, who is an accomplished equestrian, super stylish and lover of the finer things in life (although she might laugh at that description!)
I think this clutch is the perfect balance between sporty and fancy, agreed???? :) Like my other clutches, this one can be made with the houndstooth either on the exterior or interior of the clutch and the fabric bloom is an optional addition. You can also choose between the silver nickel frame (shown) or the brushed antique brass.
Anyone get the reference in the title? Anyone????? If you are in Tampa, enjoy this beautiful sunny day! It has been way too rainy and gray the past week.
Let's just say I am very very pleased with myself for setting up google analytics on my etsy shop. Not only is it fascinating to see if I have had a visitor to the site, I can also check when and where they come from, who referred them and what color eyes they have! This is some high tech stuff we've got going on here!!! :)
Seriously though, I was thrilled to find out that Emmaline Bride had posted a little blurb about the clutches on their blog yesterday. I never would've known that someone out there in cyber space had mentioned my shop if not for my new bff, Analytics. So thank you Google! You have made this girl happy. I am also happy because it is about time for a much needed 3 day weekend and I get to see some live music tonight! It's been too long!
Happy 4th of July everyone! Have a safe and happy holiday.
so today's clutch is named for a good friend of mine, emily ley. she is the founder of emily ley paper, designed our amazing invitations and save the dates for our wedding last april, and in general, made my wedding related gift giving easy (personalized stationary, anyone???)...
the pattern on this particular clutch reminds me of some of her new social stationary collection: simple, preppy and classic - a little bit like the lady herself. thanks emily for all of your help throughout the entire wedding planning process and for your support and advice on how to get this little business up and running. you are inspiring! :)
alright dear readers, it's time for the next installation of 'name that clutch'. (do i even have A reader??) it's kind of weird knowing that i am basically talking to myself. if you are reading this, be kind- i never said that i was a good writer!
ok, on to the clutch! today's feature is named the pretty poppy polly. with a nice punch of color, it's the perfect accessory to start the summer. (you like that rhyme, don't you?) :)
the pretty poppy polly is for my good friend mary elizabeth brewster (aka. polly). she runs an awesome site called Poor Couture where she keeps the masses informed of great fashion/gift ideas that pack a big punch for a relatively small expense. plus she is clever and a great writer so it makes an enjoyable read. thank you ma'am!
she's always one to have a really fun colored maxi dress or shirt on hand (remember the rainbow striped wrap shirt polly??) but on a day where maybe she wants to tone down the outfit color but still have a little something- i'm thinking she might pair one of these clutches with some jeans and a tank...perfect for an afternoon in the park or happy hour at a local williamsburg bar.
i've decided to name the clutches i make after some of my female friends and family. why? because i think it's fun. :) if i have not named one for you (in the next month or so) and you want to petition for next up- send me a note (or buy me a beer). the beer may be a better option...
let's begin!!
the 'simple stylish sarah' is aptly named for my sister. i cannot think of a more accurate description for this lady. she is the girl who always makes the clothes look good and her style is simple. the perfect worn in jeans, tank tops, some type of cardigan/hoodie (she lives in the mountains). throw on a necklace or belt and boom- success. simple and stylish. i try to recreate her outfits with no luck. this big sister is jealous.
so you get a new bag (maybe from my little shop???)
then, if you're anything like me you realize- ah, crap. there is no way i'm going to be able to keep this thing clean in a household with 2 big slobbery, shedding dogs who, along with our 'classic 1923 bungalow style home' create more dust than a construction site. might i add that the housekeeper (aka. me) is clumsy and has a tendency to spill wine on any and everything. don't ask why i have wine in my hand while i'm looking through my closet...
so, here's the solution:
boo-yah. handy dandy fun bag (ha!) protector. :) thoughts???
so you get a new bag (maybe from my little shop???)
then, if you're anything like me you realize- ah, crap. there is no way i'm going to be able to keep this thing clean in a household with 2 big slobbery, shedding dogs who, along with our 'classic 1923 bungalow style home' create more dust than a construction site. might i add that the housekeeper (aka. me) is clumsy and has a tendency to spill wine on any and everything. don't ask why i have wine in my hand while i'm looking through my closet...
so, here's the solution:
boo-yah. handy dandy fun bag (ha!) protector. :) thoughts???
our dogs. moose on the left, magnolia on the right. happy birthday big boy!!!
photos by the always amazing matt miller.
seriously i cannot say enough about how happy i am that we found matt and were lucky enough to have him shoot our engagement photos and wedding photos. matt miller and his assistant reagan powell from our labor of love kicked a** and took names. i'll share a couple with you once i get the disc of images. way more exciting then hearing about the one thing i've sold on etsy. :)
if you are debating who you should book for your next photo shoot (because everyone should have one!!) debate no further. they will travel.
anyone know what the name of that song is that my title refers to? my niece sings it all the time and it is stuck in my head...
anyways, one of the lovely readers from GWS saw our wedding up and contacted me at my etsy shop regarding custom clutches for her bridesmaids!!! i didn't even have any listed yet. so so excited. :) hopefully i can do a great job for her and this will just be the beginning.
i know that with a full time job i'm going to have to start prioritizing my time at home and i am ready. i always seem to do my best work and be the most productive when i have to manage my time. funny how that works.
wish me luck!!!
if you'd like to see my first listing (at it's discounted rate) check out my shop.
Seriously, folks. I’ve tried making about 15 different etsy banner’s for my lil’ shop using good old Microsoft word and paint. Looks good while I’m working on them on the computer and yes, I do resize to the correct height/width ratio etsy has instructed me to. Why then, do they come out so blurry and blah looking once I’ve uploaded them to the site? Who wants to visit a shop that has a lousy header? Not me! At this point in the game, I’m not sure I have the resources (aka- time & money) to go and purchase photoshop or indesign. One day though, my friends, one day!
So I turn to google, type in ‘free photoshop like programs’ and find GIMP. Thank the good Lord! Can’t say it’s the most user friendly program, but after a couple hours of trial and error I think I ended up with a pretty good result. See for yourself:
Thoughts? Suggestions?? I'm retarded and coudn't figure out how to embed the picture in the post so hopefully you clicked the link. Ha! I could put together a tutorial on this, so that may be my next post. Stay tuned!
