ErinElsie: vintage shopping

Showing posts with label vintage shopping. Show all posts

Monday, November 7, 2016

Coffee Talk & Clothes with Stories

Coffee Talk & Clothes with Stories

Monday!

Hello friends. A new week ahead of us. I like to start off my week with a little positive reflection. Trying to build a creative business can be hard and this keeps me positive in the challenging times.

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The NYC Marathon!

Sunday was the New York Marathon. What a positive way to kick off a new week. Even though we live in this big city, I often am comforted by a collective camaraderie! From that stranger who held the subway door for me, to cheering on the marathon; we celebrate and accept our differences, support the dreamers, and come together at moments like this! Thanks for the good vibes, NYC. Congrats to the accomplished marathoners from all over the world and country- you did it!

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Clothes with Stories!

ErinElsie is all about clothes with stories. I thoughtfully select and curate unique fabrics and thrifted finds. I love the idea that I am adding to the story of that fabric by turning it into a collectable item that someone will own and cherish. Even better, is when my friends and family contribute by giving me vintage bits and fabrics. It's awesome to get fun packages in the mail that are not bills :)

My Aunt Delsie recently sent me the most thoughtful gift! She made this picture using buttons. She's so creative and crafty! The bonus is the sweet handwritten note.

This was not the first package my Aunt Delsie and Uncle Mike have sent me and I cherish every little bit. I'm turning this vintage bit, along with some others into collectible pillows. Coming soon!

I turned some vintage blouses they sent me into these bold little summer dresses for my new baby twin nieces. My first effort into little baby clothes-making!

I also have a box of goodies from one of my dear old friends and creative contributors! She hits flea markets and estate sales with her mom. Although we live far apart now, she'll send me a little curated box of goodies. I always love every item and I can't wait to go through this one. I'll share the details soon!

On that grateful note, have a super week everyone. Thanks Aunt Delsie, Uncle Mike, Jessica, Mom, all the friends who send me things- your inspiration keeps me going!

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!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

ErinElsie, Lately....

Happy fall ya'll!

The ErinElsie blog has sat idle for a couple months, but everything else in my world has certainly not been so. As a busy holiday season approaches, I'm taking a little moment of reflection. Here's what's been going on with ErinElsie and I lately.

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I've moved!

I really loved our little studio apartment and felt a little sad when we decided to make the move. But despite the sentiments, we needed this! We were busting at the seams; and for our lives and businesses to grow, we needed more space and storage. After living in a tiny place, this new place feels like a mansion! As crazy as moving is, it can be a great cleansing process. I feel like at this point in our lives, my husband and I don't really have junk. Everything we own is something we need and/or it has value to us - and I love that. Also, we have a gem of an outdoor space now! Yay!

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Markets, Markets, Markets!

One of my goals for this year was to really start getting ErinElsie out there, especially in person! Since June I've been in several markets. Meeting customers in person and getting feedback about my work has been super meaningful. Also, meeting so many other artists and entrepreneurs has really motivated me. It's comforting being in an environment of people that understand this hustle!

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Orders, Orders, and Reviews!

I get orders from all over the world and I love it. What's even better, is when those customers take the time to write 5 star reviews. I care a lot about the quality and details of the pieces I make. The genuine and positive feedback gives me life!

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Family time!

Lastly, this month I headed to my hometown Thibodaux, Louisiana for 10 days. It was a much overdue visit full of fishing, eating, relaxing, and visiting with family over pots of coffee. It's good to check out of your everyday life and get back to your roots sometimes! I love my family, cherish it, and never take it for granted.

You just can't beat the comforting foods of your homeland. Mom's crab stew, Dad's fried shrimp, our freshly caught fried catfish - you can't get that in New York City!

I also did some thrift shopping and bargain hunting with my mom. It's become a ritual of our visits, and per usual I had some great finds. Some great potential ErinElsie materials, and a few items just for myself :)

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Alright, all these new ErinElsie items are not going to make themselves- I've got to get back to work! Stay tuned fore more updates and blog posts. I'm going to try and keep this somewhat regular- we'll see. Thanks for taking the time to catch up with me!

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!

Shop one of a kind items in the ErinElsie shop!

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Spring things are blooming in the workshop...

Greetings! Happy Weekend!

We are nearing the very end of March, and I can't believe that there are snow flurries floating past my window. At least spring is blooming inside the home studio! I have been super busy these past couple of months with freelance styling work, and day dreaming about all the spring things I want to make when I can get back to my design studio.

Finding beautiful vintage, dead-stock, and thrifted materials is really the launching point for what I create. I let the materials inspire me and go from there. I haven't had much time to dedicate to my usual materials hunt lately, and with almost perfect timing, two dear friends have given me some fabrics and items that are just filling me with all kinds of spring inspiration.

I have known my friend Jessica for years, and although we are separated by distance, we stay connected through our vintage love. We are very different, but clicked beautifully when we met, and she knows me very well. Her and her mom love to shop for antiques together and often collect items that make them think of me. It's touching to know that a distant friend thinks of you at little moments, and better than that, they send me these lovely curated boxes of fabrics and vintage bits to repurpose into new modern items. I was so excited to open my most recent box from her and my excitement was met with an awesomely curated bunch of goodies! I'm sharing my favorites with you, and a little bit of the design ideas that they invoke.

It's great to get actual mail in such a digital age, but even better when it's accompanied with a hand written note.

Put a bird on it! The print on this royal blue vintage fabric is so sweet yet modern. I foresee a simple tank, letting the beautiful print take the stage.

Blue clovers? I absolutely love this vintage fabric from the 60s and the quirkiness behind the idea of a blue clover print.

I feel like bold and basic colors bring a freshness to spring- and I'm particularly excited about this tiny, but bold geometric print.

In addition to fabrics, she also included these bits and baubles :)

I fell instantly for this embroidered piece and I wish I had more of it. I can't decide what to do with it yet...

These little vintage remnants really take me back. They remind me of the kinds of things I would get from my grandmother, Elsie. I wonder where they originated and the stories they tell.

It's hard not to like these bold necklaces. Vintage costume jewelry is such a fun and inexpensive way to revive your wardrobe options.

My friend Julia purged her closet for spring, something I wish I was better at! She sent over a bag of old fabrics that exceeded my expectations. They are screaming, "flow-y dresses"and "breezy tops"- can't wait to work with them!

The subtle drama you can create by elegantly mixing prints...

I love a maxi dress with sleeves- so elegant, versatile, and flattering on so many shapes. The perfect item to throw in your suitcase.

Now time to dive into all this design work ahead of me. Enjoy the weekend and thanks for following along.

XO,

-Erin

http://www.erinelsie.com

Follow along my every day on Instagram:@ ErinBlank_Designer

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Seeing RED, sharing my favorite vintage finds of late.

Happy Wednesday from sunny and snowy NYC!

I'm often too busy during the holidays to take on a personal project for myself; so when I snagged this brilliantly bold, vintage dress, I thought it was perfect as it only needed a few alterations. I wanted to have at least one new jazzy go-to piece with the multitude of events I had approaching and the lack of time I had to prepare for them.

This particular dress was old, but the fabric was in great condition. I reinforced the seams, and shortened the hem. The color and print were so vibrant, I thought it might be more flattering as a shorter dress. A bonus about this fabric was that it draped beautifully and barely wrinkled- turning this dress into a great travel item. Our Christmas consists of 3 parts- Connecticut, New York, and Louisiana. I stuck it in my suitcase as we headed down to Louisiana to celebrate Christmas Part 3, the New Year, and my cousin Sarah's wedding.

With all of the packing and unpacking I had been doing, at least the only item I forgot upon arriving in Louisiana was an evening clutch. This was a perfect excuse to do some last minute antiquing- hehe. My brother agreed to let me stop at my favorite consignment shop in Thibodaux while en route to my cousin's wedding in New Orleans. I was a little bummed at first as I ran through the entire shop and found nothing- unusual for me. Then, my husband pulls out this vintage jewelry box in the perfect shades of red and gold and proposes the idea that I use it as a clutch- brilliant! For someone who often discourages me adding anymore items to our tiny NYC apartment- it was very sweet and memorable of him to help.

The velvety and gold box had a mirror in it, which made it even better as an evening bag.

Some of my best vintage finds are the ones that tie in with memorable moments, and these certainly do. The wedding was a great way to cap off a wonderful and whirlwind Christmas vacation with family and friends. Congrats to the bride and groom, Sarah and Ben- well wishes for a happy marriage!

(Hanging with one of my favorite ladies at the wedding festivities- my Aunt Estherlina)

Okay, now I must get back to work! I leave 2014 feeling superbly grateful and I enter 2015 prepared to work hard on my goals and make the most of what each new day brings. Best wishes to you as we kick off 2015!

Sincerely,

-Erin

http://www.erinelsie.com

Follow along my every day on Instagram:@ ErinBlank_Designer

Friday, November 7, 2014

A few good things from my October

Happy November!

I hope everyone is having a good fall. I'm grateful to be back to working in my home studio this week. Here are a few other good things from my October:

Going home...I went home to Louisiana for a family wedding and it was a good time per usual. The sugar cane behind my parents house was high, all the food was amazing, and the weather was beautiful.

My mom's crab stew...I could go on and on with the laundry list of awesome home cooked food I ate when I was home, but next to my dad's fried fish, my mom's crab stew was my favorite. She waited until I was home to cook this for me, and it did not disappoint - I ate it for three days. Yum!

Treasure hunting... I love good shopping one on one time with my mom. This trip, I found a few thrift store treasures, some vintage inspiration, and some unique handmade items.

Fall Festival at the Laurel Valley Village in Thibodaux

Great vintage inspiration... Check out this awesome vintage Mardi Gras Tableau dress and headpiece at the Laural Valley store and museum. So much detail, and I love he bold color combinations- that's what festival wear is all about.

Discovering local emerging artists in Louisiana... At the festival, I also came across a gal, Lauren Rebert, making these most unique bags. As a maker, I love to see others doing interesting and innovative work. Lauren's accessories are called Fiber Chic and she makes them by tediously machine stitching together rope - quite impressive. She doesn't yet have a website, but I will surely keep you posted. My mom got me this one, and I can't wait to sport it. It's the perfect little, lightweight cross-body bag for cruising around New York in the Spring and Summer.

Great thrifting fabric finds... One was a very large and dated 2 piece leopard outfit- which for me means lots of yards of the perfect scaled leopard print cotton fabric. I've been wanting some leopard fabric to incorporate into a few upcoming fall floral looks so the timing was great. The second find was this dress with a Gerard Darel Paris label- pretty neat for a thrift store find. The shape was large and pretty matronly, but the fabric is great. It's a super lightweight wool, woven into this most vivid paisley print. I'm already working on transforming these, so stay tuned!

Getting out of town...This past weekend my guy and I escaped to the Catskills for a little nature and one on one time. It was the perfect combination of taking in the sights and enjoying doing absolutely nothing! The leaves were literally falling while we were there, and I'm grateful we got to catch this most beautiful fall time.

Fireplaces...We stayed in a little cabin and the weather was perfect for enjoying the fireplace with a good glass of wine. I could have stayed so much longer!

Campfires...We enjoyed one night outside cooking our dinner over a campfire.

Antiquing in upstate NY...I picked up this cute jar of vintage buttons to replenish my stash. I love vintage buttons and almost always use them in my work.

Alright, back to work for me! Hope all is well and thanks for following along friends!