Windows!

Thursday is Window day.  Therefore we must update our window displays!  Because we are going with the back to school mommy mannequin, I decided to do something Anthropologie circa 2000.  It represents learning, school, fall everything we all imply for the season.  I found a book in my stash and cut out all of these leaves with an exacto knife.  I'm not Hitler, I recycled this book!  I found it on its way to the dumpster at a school that was no longer going to teach on this novel.  I saved it, knowing one day I'd make something out of it.  So I cut all 200+ pages worth of simple leaves.  I then stapled them together to make this garland I hung from the ceiling.  I draped the back ground with thick natural colored craft paper.  I even stuck a few leaves to the mannie.

My philosophy on window display is as follows:

1. Use correct scale.  So many boutiques simply put some product in a window and a few props.  You need to use the space you have in a window.  Otherwise you are missing out on real estate.  You wouldn't leave a corner of your store empty, so don't do it to a window.

2.  Make a statement.  If you are going to use a fun prop use a lot of them.  Windows are fun and need to be attention grabbing.  Make people wonder how you did it.

3.  Keep product simple.  Use the window display to highlight some of your product.  Don't clutter the window with a lot of mannequins making it too busy.  Don't confuse the customer by putting too much out there.  People like clean and orderly merchandise.  PS. Usually high-end stores have less in there windows and budget stores have a lot of merchandise.  Who do you want to resemble?

4. Change often.  Give your customer a reason to come in.  Show them something new and current.  Make them think you have received new shipment (whether you have or not).  Changing your merchandising makes people think you have entirely new clothing.

5.  Be Creative with your Budget.  If you don't think you have the budget to come up with fun and creative window ideas you are cutting yourself short.  Using simple or cheap items for props isn't bad as long as you follow tips 1 through 4.  Save your money to make a few extraordinary windows throughout the year.

it's here

I'm looking forward to wedding season this year... Check out the new collaboration with anthropologie and  BHLDN.

In their Honor

In honor of Anthropologie introducing a bridal line in  2 weeks I went through the anthro website and picked out a few favorites.  Then I started to notice a theme with my choices.  I guess I'm into dark yellow right now.  There is more yellow on the website too!  I just picked out my favorites!

Go find your own faves on the website.

My Greece Wardrobe

Being the fashionista I once was.  I feel the need to have a new Greece wardrobe.  Here is what I already bought for the trip.  Remember it will be fall over there too.  The highs will be in the upper 60s and I'm assuming chilly nights. 

I can wear this awesome jacket I was swooning over earlier this year and bought on sale from forever 21.

During Missouri's tax free weekend Brian was buying clothes for his upcoming trip to San Diego and bought me this top from Forever 21.  I love that it is a little oversized and blousey.

He also bought me this hat at forever 21 for $3.50.  Can't beat it.  It's really soft and cute.  I had a navy one I bought a few springs ago but it went missing over a year ago.  I was not happy about that.  I'm glad I have another one.

I would really like something like this sweater from Gap.  It kinda has that "I'm an airplane sweater" look written all over it.  It will keep me cozy and comfy on the plane and then be perfect for an evening stroll on the beach in Santorini with rolled up skinny jeans.

During my stroll I would have to carry these great shoes.  They are Steve Madden that I found on Piperlime.com.  They are a canvas boat shoe.  Perfect for Greece, don't you think?

This little sweater vest is from Anthropologie.  I think it is great traveling item as well.  It would help in dressing down any of your dresses or outfits for the day while adding a cute detail to the ensemble.  I love the neutral undyed look of the fabric.

And lastly, I just REALLY want these boots.  They are over the knee Frye boots.  Of course they are a little out of my budget but they would be a great addition to my wardrobe.  I'd probably wear them everyday of fall.  I love you Frye over the knee boots!  I found these on Piperlime.com.

It's beginning to look a lot like

I went to Anthropologie the other day and started to admire their awesome Christmas stuff, so handmade looking!


So I thought, gee I can have my own awesome homemade looking Christmas too!


First I crocheted these snowflakes. I saw them on one of my favorite blogs. I made them into ornaments by adding loops with red yarn.


Then I got an idea for my gift tags this year. I sewed on buttons to tags and tied red yarn in a bow at the end.

When I looked at my little Christmas tree in my room, it needed a topper. So This morning I crocheted a long piece of fabric and tied a bow topper for my tree.

This afternoon I sought my embroidery thread and felt and made this cute little bird ornament. I want to make more of these, so who knows if I will.

I'm kind of thinking of giving my Christmas ornaments away as Christmas gifts too. I haven't decided yet.

Martian Child

I've been taking a break from my Project lately and doing things that I really love. This would be stalking craftster.org. I came across this today and decided to make one of my own. I walked out the door went to Walmart and bought two dollar fabric. I came back home stuck in Martian Child and started to cut and sew.

It is a convertible dress, sometimes called an infinity dress. It is basically a circle skirt with two long straps that you can tie any way you want.

This is me in the dress and I'm wearing it crisscrossed in the front. (Martian Child is on the TV in the background)

One of the ways to tie it. Yeah, I kinda got that 90's floral feeling too.