Oooh. I dig "Giving Up The Gun" by Vampire Weekend the most.
Today anyway.
3.18.2010
3.17.2010
Et Tu, Anthropologie?
I am sure you all have heard.
The retail juggernaut Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters is jumping on the bridal bandwagon, with dresses to be priced in the $500 - $5,000 range.
Instead of waxing poetic, it makes me want to speak in tongues.
Before I go on, a disclaimer. I worked briefly at Anthro as a Sales Associate and do occasionally shop there. My bitterness is not some anti-mainstream I'm-too-indie-cool-for-school rant. They do have cute stuff, and their bridal collection is sure to measure up. This simply is a plea for small business. Even though mine is dead and gone, my entrepreneur heart beats on.
Since closing last year, I have come to realize that there is serious bridal boutique hate out there. This makes Anthro getting into bridal the biggest news since J. Crew joined the fray. Some see it as another mark in the column for the consumer and another nail in the evil bridal empire's coffin.
Remember, most bridal salons are privately owned small businesses whose practices are fair and ethical, deserving a shot at earning your business.
Why?
The personal service and investment when working with a small business is unparalleled. I can't tell you how many times I opened when we were closed, gave out my personal mobile number (call anytime), stayed well past closing, and made personal deliveries to customers.
Each gown was treated as if it were my own. I was accountable if there were errors, crises, or unhappy customers, and I was proud and delighted when things were perfect. I stopped at nothing and did everything I could in my power to make my customers happy. I know I am not the only one with that kind of conviction.
At a small bridal shop, brides are able to choose a gown that will be custom made, with changes and specifications unique to each customer. While garments cannot be purchased off the rack, as at Anthro and J. Crew, they are well worth the wait and your consideration.
It seems like flawed reasoning to believe you are getting a deal and sticking it to the (bridal) man when dresses will be in the same price range as the local bridal shop and you are actually buying from the man.
That kind of thinking chips away at small businesses one dress or wedding planning service at a time (you will soon be able to work with Anthro for everything from flowers to stationery). Certainly, bridal shops, designers, and wedding vendors can't all deserve that fate?
Whatever products Anthropologie produces, I know they will be beautiful and worth a look. Just try not to buy completely into the hype, shop around, and choose what works best for you.
P.S. - If you feel bad for me losing my business, don't! Closing provided a springboard into a career doing something I never thought someone would actually pay me to do...write! Everything really does happen for a reason.
The retail juggernaut Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters is jumping on the bridal bandwagon, with dresses to be priced in the $500 - $5,000 range.
Instead of waxing poetic, it makes me want to speak in tongues.
Before I go on, a disclaimer. I worked briefly at Anthro as a Sales Associate and do occasionally shop there. My bitterness is not some anti-mainstream I'm-too-indie-cool-for-school rant. They do have cute stuff, and their bridal collection is sure to measure up. This simply is a plea for small business. Even though mine is dead and gone, my entrepreneur heart beats on.
Since closing last year, I have come to realize that there is serious bridal boutique hate out there. This makes Anthro getting into bridal the biggest news since J. Crew joined the fray. Some see it as another mark in the column for the consumer and another nail in the evil bridal empire's coffin.
Remember, most bridal salons are privately owned small businesses whose practices are fair and ethical, deserving a shot at earning your business.
Why?
The personal service and investment when working with a small business is unparalleled. I can't tell you how many times I opened when we were closed, gave out my personal mobile number (call anytime), stayed well past closing, and made personal deliveries to customers.
Each gown was treated as if it were my own. I was accountable if there were errors, crises, or unhappy customers, and I was proud and delighted when things were perfect. I stopped at nothing and did everything I could in my power to make my customers happy. I know I am not the only one with that kind of conviction.
At a small bridal shop, brides are able to choose a gown that will be custom made, with changes and specifications unique to each customer. While garments cannot be purchased off the rack, as at Anthro and J. Crew, they are well worth the wait and your consideration.
It seems like flawed reasoning to believe you are getting a deal and sticking it to the (bridal) man when dresses will be in the same price range as the local bridal shop and you are actually buying from the man.
That kind of thinking chips away at small businesses one dress or wedding planning service at a time (you will soon be able to work with Anthro for everything from flowers to stationery). Certainly, bridal shops, designers, and wedding vendors can't all deserve that fate?
Whatever products Anthropologie produces, I know they will be beautiful and worth a look. Just try not to buy completely into the hype, shop around, and choose what works best for you.
P.S. - If you feel bad for me losing my business, don't! Closing provided a springboard into a career doing something I never thought someone would actually pay me to do...write! Everything really does happen for a reason.
3.16.2010
DI-Why Not PSA: What the What?
Remember the Canvas Tote DI-Why Not?
That cute idea, originally from Ashley Anne and featured on Design*Sponge and With This Ring, that went inexplicably awry?
Well, get this. I went to visit my very crafty friend Kori last week, and upon her coffee table was a very cute tank top and onesie for her new son, Dexter.
The first thing I asked her was how she made them. Turns out, she made them the same way the tote is supposed to be made. With Freezer Paper.
As I sat there drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows (both homemade!!!), she explained, "Your doily bled through. You needed to use freezer paper. That's the only way the other woman was able to make her bag look so good."
Oh.
So, I went back to Ashley Anne's blog. Maybe I had missed something. Nope. The only time she mentions freezer paper is when she discusses creating the stencil for her bag, which I didn't do.
Kori told me that if I wanted to make the tote again, I should try placing the doily on the freezer paper and using an Exacto blade to cut out each detail. Then, I should stick the freezer paper on the bag and paint over that.
I realize Ashley Anne probably created the DIY as a clever way to showcase her work as a photographer and earn more exposure on blogs, at which she was successful. I admire how she came up with an ingenious way to market her business, costing her next to nothing.
What kills me is that her post is more about the images than the actual DIY. Yes, yes, show us how perfectly you capture the steps and how well the photo is staged. Along with that, though, it would be really helpful if information on how to achieve the same results were included.
Since it appears I did not create the tote correctly, I almost think I should do it again and compare my results to Ashley Anne's.
So, you may not get the Martha DI-Why Not this week in favor of a canvas tote DI-Why Not redux.
Well, get this. I went to visit my very crafty friend Kori last week, and upon her coffee table was a very cute tank top and onesie for her new son, Dexter.
The first thing I asked her was how she made them. Turns out, she made them the same way the tote is supposed to be made. With Freezer Paper.
As I sat there drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows (both homemade!!!), she explained, "Your doily bled through. You needed to use freezer paper. That's the only way the other woman was able to make her bag look so good."
Oh.
So, I went back to Ashley Anne's blog. Maybe I had missed something. Nope. The only time she mentions freezer paper is when she discusses creating the stencil for her bag, which I didn't do.
Kori told me that if I wanted to make the tote again, I should try placing the doily on the freezer paper and using an Exacto blade to cut out each detail. Then, I should stick the freezer paper on the bag and paint over that.
I realize Ashley Anne probably created the DIY as a clever way to showcase her work as a photographer and earn more exposure on blogs, at which she was successful. I admire how she came up with an ingenious way to market her business, costing her next to nothing.
What kills me is that her post is more about the images than the actual DIY. Yes, yes, show us how perfectly you capture the steps and how well the photo is staged. Along with that, though, it would be really helpful if information on how to achieve the same results were included.
Since it appears I did not create the tote correctly, I almost think I should do it again and compare my results to Ashley Anne's.
So, you may not get the Martha DI-Why Not this week in favor of a canvas tote DI-Why Not redux.
3.15.2010
Baby Momma
So, you're planning your wedding and you've decided that, yes, people may bring their kids.
However, a lot of your friends and family are from out of town. Who wants to schlep all the baby accoutrement (car seats, high chairs, pack n' play, and who knows what all else) on a plane, into a cab/rental car and to the hotel?
No one.
That's why Two Momma's Baby Rentals is so cool.
You can rent that stuff.
My sister, her husband, and their two kids under the age of 5 recently came to visit from LA. Super resourceful, my mom discovered Two Momma's and rented car seats. Way better than borrowing, buying, and/or dragging that stuff cross country!
It warms my heart to hear about thriving, clever, women-owned small businesses. Plus, my mom says that the owner, Emily, was "was personal, efficient and helpful."
High praise from Juliana (aka my mom)!
3.11.2010
Thursday Dance Party: Too Fake
Go on. Rock out to this one. It'll make you want to prance and strut around.
I do, every time.
Although that could be just me...
I do, every time.
Although that could be just me...
3.10.2010
Punk Rock Bride Launch Party
The long awaited Punk Rock Bride launch party was last Thursday! Stephanie's studio looked great, especially with the new addition of a graffiti mural. Though the showroom was filled with people and soft light, the collection's clean, edgy vibe was present and accounted for. Punk Rock Bride's uniquely beautiful 2010 gowns mixed and mingled with the guests against the backdrop of her modern space.
Our dress, Grace, was the first gown I saw when I walked in (on the right.) It was amazing to see it in person! The brocade Stephanie chose was even more gorgeous in person. Its texture gave the fabric incredible luster and substance. Balanced by the soft chiffon neckline, the whole effect was edgy, soft, and romantic all at once.
I kind of love the dress on the right:
Here it is again:
Then I saw some friends, got distracted, and forgot to take more pictures until right before I left. Blame it on the weather. After being cooped up so long from the crazy snow we had, it was the first time I had seen my industry pals in awhile!
3.09.2010
Punk Rock Photoshoot
Now for the fun part!
With Grace completed, Stephanie was ready to take the Punk Rock Bride 2010 collection up to NYC for a photoshoot. Grace was the last gown to be shot that day, so Laurie, the make-up artist, freshened up Stephanie's model, Jae.
(all images by Stephanie/Punk Rock Bride)
Laurie's make-up kit is no joke.
Grace was shot in three different locations. The first was in front of an ornately engraved black door. It was a little cold (45 degrees!), but Jae is a total pro and made it look anything but!
It was bright and sunny out, which was nice for everyone's moods but not for the photos! Believe it or not, direct sunlight is not ideal or the most flattering for pictures, so Stephanie's photographer was constantly adjusting to get the right images.
The next location was a park bench...and Jae is showing none of the exhaustion everyone on the shoot was feeling.
At last it was time to shoot at the final location...
In between each shot, Stephanie had to straighten Grace's skirt since the wind kept pushing it all over.
Then they were done!
Stephanie promises to send along the final images from the photoshoot (can't wait). Until then, check back tomorrow for a peek into the Punk Rock Bride 2010 collection launch party!
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