Ready, Set, Spring!

Hi friends! I'm trying to think spring, even though it's cold and rainy outside today in New York City.

 At least there are still beautiful sunny moments and flowers are starting to bloom. I feel like I've been hibernating creatively during these past winter months and collecting some super vintage fabrics and ideas along the way.  

I'm feeling inspired and anxious to get to work on a new ErinElsie summer collection. Here's a little preview of some of my fave fabrics.

It's all about the details. Handmade finishes and just the right buttons are part of what truly sets a special garment apart. 

I love using denim. It's such a great fabric to recycle. It's become a sort of neutral that connects my pieces to one another amid all the prints and fabrics.

My current fave in my vintage fabric stash is this most unique hand-dyed and hand embroidered one.

I still have buttons from my grandmother Elsie and I love hunting around for more. I also still receive some from family and friends a I love that! 

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Okay, time to get busy! New pieces coming your way!

Have a lovely Monday!

xo,

     Erin 

Shop one of a kind items in the ErinElsie shop!

Follow along the journey of ErinElsie and *Textile*Repurposed*Style.* Subscribe by email in the sidebar of my blog or sign up for Bloglovin!

Other Links:
✰ Website: http://www.erinelsie.com
✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinelsie_official/ 
✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinblank_designer/

✰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ErinElsie/360147150720430
✰ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinElsie_Blank

Pouch Perfect! Something Old, Something New...

Greetings! I can't believe it's already November. Freelance projects have kept me super busy, so I am so excited to be back in the home studio making things again! In my busy-ness, I feel like I am always in need of little ways to help organize my daily life. My handbags, backpacks, styling supplies, and sewing supplies tend to get out of control over time and I can't find anything I need. With that inspiration and my desire to put some great fabric remnants to good use, came these little zipper pouches!

I can't ever let good fabric go to waste. Each piece has a story - whether it was the way it was found or the story by which a person gave it to me and I love that. Because I have fabrics in such small and limited amounts, I want to use every last bit of them. In addition to interesting prints and colors, I really love working with denim. It's not unusual for friends to drop off their old jeans to add to my fabric supply :) If any fabric was made to last and be reincarnated into a new item - it's denim. 

And how about these great brass zippers?

This floral cotton fabric was give to me by an old neighbor in my hometown. For a long time, she worked at a fabric store and she is starting to giveaway all her fabrics and notions. The quality and assortment of her fabrics are so lovely I'm so glad that she thought of me. I decided to use some of this fabric as a lining - I always want the items I make to be beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. 

The result? Sweet little somethings to hold your sweet little somethings, or just all those little things that get lost in your giant handbag! 

Shop Pouches

Pleated Plaid Pouch

2-Toned Denim Pouch

Seamed Light Denim Pouch

Light Denim Pouch

Light Denim Pouch

Blue Florals Zipper Pouch

Blue Florals Zipper Pouch

Get more detailed info and shop all of these pouches in my ErinElsie Etsy Shop by clicking here!

Treat yourself, or give one as a sweet gift with a story that goes much beyond the design!

Okay, back to work for me. I have a few ambitious projects I'm trying to get done! Please stay tuned and hope you are having a lovely Monday!
xo,

     Erin 

Follow along the journey of ErinElsie and *Textile*Repurposed*Style.* Subscribe by email in the sidebar of my blog or sign up for Bloglovin!

Other Links:
✰ Website: http://www.erinelsie.com
✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinelsie_official/

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinblank_designer/
✰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ErinElsie/360147150720430
✰ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinElsie_Blank

Coffee Talk, R&R and Homemade Chicken Soup for the Soul

Greetings Friends!

 It's finally starting to feel a little more like fall here and I love it. I've just finished up a long freelance styling job. It was a little intense and physical, but I love that I get to meet and work with interesting and nice people, and it beats the cubicle any day (no offense to cubicles, it's just not the life for me). It's the non-structure that allows me to work on my own design efforts and I'm grateful for it. I'm a under the weather with a cold, so I thought I'd just share a few recent reflections of gratitude and inspiration. 

 The first day after wrapping that job, I was excited to jump back into ErinElsie Fall/Winter design projects, but unfortunately I woke up with a sore throat, runny nose, and achy body. I was forced into a day off of rest and recovery; probably a blessing in disguise as sometimes you really do just need to stop and rest. The best part of all, I have a man who can cook, and his homemade chicken soup certainly is helping! The warm and simple soup helped me physically, but the fact that he dropped what he was doing and made it for me fed my soul - a reminder to always be grateful for the little everyday gestures of love.     

This past week, my Nan Jule passed away. She was my great aunt, my grandmother Elsie's sister, and such a perfect representation of the strong and loving ladies in my family. The kind of ladies that will ride a tractor, catch their own fish, cook the most amazing homemade food, and take care of virtually everyone around them. I have vivid memories of my grandmother and Nan Jule talking on the phone to each other loudly in French.  When we would go over to Nan Jule's house, she would give us these little bags filled with candy and one dollar bills - what child wouldn't love that! It makes me smile to think of those days and I am grateful for the memories. The day after she passed, a little heart appeared in the foam of my homemade latte. Simple it may seem, but this little sign made me smile and gave me a sense of peace with it all. 

And speaking of signs, this was on a building across from the one I was working in. I just happen to glance in a certain direction and saw my last name, Blank. In a place like Manhattan where there are buildings on top of buildings and new and old ones sandwiched together, it was a pretty neat coincidence. I never tire of checking out all the old buildings here and learning more of the history, and now I shall do a little research into this one.  

And lastly, just a little bit of inspiration I came across on instagram from @ekoluv and @emilykatesymes. In building my business, it's more than just turning out clothes. I want to build an ethical business I can be proud of - one that is built on passion and not greed, and one that appreciates craftsmanship and artistry. In whatever you do, be the change you want to see in the world!

Ok, now back to my hot tea, rest, and recovery so I kick this cough/cold!

Thanks for following along on my journey and be well!
xo
 -Erin

http://www.erinelsie.com 
Follow along on Instagram: ErinBlank_Designer

Statement Necklaces, sharing my favorite thrift shopping secret!

...rediscovering some of my favorite thrifted statement necklaces.

I love to hunt in thrift stores for treasures, but it's not for everyone. If you're someone who would like to  do more of it but are uneasy or overwhelmed by the massive racks of things or piles of old stuff, start with the jewelry counter. It's an easy and gratifying way to discover the joy of the hunt!

When I get in a "I can't figure out what to wear" rut, especially at those weird in between season times, my statement necklaces are always an easy solution. Dress them up or down with your favorite basics and you're done! This also comes in handy when your traveling and want to maximize your looks. I had one of those days lately and it cause me to rediscover my growing collection of statement necklaces. I also love that every necklace has a story behind it. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with you! And the best part, these are all high quality, sturdy necklaces and none of them were over $5! 

(Tear of Rita Ora courtesy of Lucky Magazine)

I'm not that "edgy" as a person, but I love statement jewelry that's a little edgy.This chain necklace is a little bold but can be chic too, as demonstrated by Rita Ora above. I picked up this one while on a break from Jury duty, one of the better memories from that week! 

I purchased all three of these necklaces while I was living in Sandpoint Idaho. I had many great times while living there, and I now these remind me of some of those times. 

This one, also a little edgy, is special because I found it in my hometown of Thibodaux while shopping with me mom. I then wore it to my friend Ali's wedding while I was there. I love that it has those memories!

 Lagniappe Shoppe - Thibodaux, LA

Fun times at Ali's wedding in my spiky necklace!

 Thanks for following along. It's been a fun distraction, now I must get back to organizing the workshop and my materials! Hope you're having a great week and happy shopping! 

xo
 -Erin

http://www.erinelsie.com 
Follow along on Instagram: ErinBlank_Designer

Live in Color: Sharing a few bits from my inspiration board...

Greetings!

I hope you are all having a good week. I'm in the midst of some freelance work by day and my own work on an ErinElsie collection by night. Getting inspired is always a great stress reliever for me so thought I'd pass along the gesture by sharing some of my most favorite bits of  recent inspiration. 

Above, some bathing suit designs by the artist, Sonia Delaunay circa 1920s.

Image found here: stylesight.com 

Sonia Delaunay was a painter, illustrator, textile designer, and clothing designer who was a pioneer of abstract art beginning in the 1920s. In 1964 she became the only woman to have had an exhibition at the Louvre Museum in her own lifetime. Learn more about this artist here: britannica/Sonia-Delaunay

Two models in Sonia Delaunay beachwear, 1927. I gravitated towards this image right away and love that these outfits could indeed look great in black and white or as colorful prints. 

Images courtesy of blog.stylesight.com

How fun are all these pieces on the below vintage pattern? I'm still loving the trend of 2 piece sets and crop tops. There were so many fun takes on it in the late 50s and early 60s.  

Image found here: pinterest

I love sifting through old advertisements. Sometimes they can feel so dated and sometimes they can feel surprisingly modern. This ad below was for beach towels and I love love the prints and the idea that you could mix these patterns in a look. 

...and in the studio

I'm working on a few beach-y carryall bags. If perhaps you're intimidated by putting bold prints in your wardrobe, then try incorporating them with accessories. 

I'm also loving how this array of kimono-style tops is turning out! I'm trying to get this all out in the next couple of weeks.  

Alright, and now time for that glass of wine...I hope your week is going well, and if not - hang in there, the weekend will be here shortly!  Many thanks for taking the time to read along.  

Cheers friends,
 Erin 
http://www.erinelsie.com 
Follow me on Instagram: ErinBlank_Designer