DJ Update Again

Now that you know all about Willow & Shea I'm excited to announce their POP UP shop is opening next week in Greenwich, CT.  If you are anywhere near CT it is going to be worth it to stop in!  These little post cards are hitting the town today all around Putnam Ave.  Let me know if you spot one!

DJ update

Sometimes I like to post about my day job because, I LOVE my day job.  I work with the most beautiful and creative people who are producing amazing products and curating for the good.

I recently worked the St. Louis Fashion Week Butik with Willow & Shea.  It is an online boutique where you can shop for a cause and donate a percentage of your sale to the charity of your choice.  How cool is that?

I did not do any merchandising but I did get to learn a lot about the Willow & Shea brand while familiarizing myself with the products.

Items are curated all over the US, supporting small businesses, artisans, and green products.

If you want to bond with your daughter or give a girlfriend the next big thing, it is temporary tattoo jewelry.  It sold like crazy while we were there.  We only had a few left and they are coming to the website soon!

SELFIE!

Shameless Plug

It's official, you are invited to Esther's Anniversary Party.  There will be a trunk show of the lovely Emily Koplar's Wai Ming.  Not only does she have a kickin' website, her designs are beautiful.  I'm sure we'll have some kind of give away too.  Come visit me and see me in my element running around entertaining the guests of Esther!

Boutique Splurge

This kitschy flamingo top now has a home in my closet too!  How could I pass up the charm of this silk top from Harlyn!

Boutique Splurge

This is the latest beauty that found its way into my closet.  I think I fit the description of NSF dressing descerning women with a relaxed sensibility and quiet confidence, quite well.

Boutique Splurge

This is the latest boutique splurge I indulged in!  You can find it here.  It's really light weight and I've already gotten to wear it a few times now that it feels like spring is among us!

I am also considering jumping on the knuckle ring band wagon.  What do you think of this?  Here are some of my favorites I've seen.

here

here

here

here

Boutique Splurge: Inspired Crochet

This winter I splurged on this Wai Ming Sweater.  The short sleeved cropped sweater looks awesome over my long maxi skirt and a long sleeve shirt.  I love the way it looks when my coat is buttoned up over the sweater revealing a dramatic cowl neck.

Therefore, I decided to crochet a black and white chevron neck warmer that is reminiscent of this sweater!  Winter is not quite over either as you can see from the winter wonderland behind me!

I made up my own pattern, here it is and be sure to let me know if you don't understand something about it because it has not been tested.

Crochet Hook:  J
Red Heart Worsted Weight Yarn:  Black and White
Starting with the white yarn...
1.  ch 34
2.  In third st from end hdc, 1 hdc in the next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st.* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last two st.  Turn
3-4.  Ch 2.  1 hdc in the next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st.* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last two st.  Turn
Change yarn to Black.
***5-7. Ch 2.  1 hdc in the next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st.* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last two st.  Turn
Change yarn to White.
8-10.  Ch 2.  1 hdc in the next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st.* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last two st.  Turn ***
***Repeat 8 times.
Change yarn to Black.
59.  Ch 2.  1 hdc in next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last 2 st.  Turn.
60.  Ch 2.  1 hdc in next 3 st.  *In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 4 st, decrease hdc in next 2 st, 1 hdc in next 4 st* repeat.  In next st 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next 3 st, decrease in last 2 st.  Turn.
Circle the scarf around to make a ring.
61.  Ch 2.  sl st into the first st of the white section you began with. hdc in next black st, sl st in the next white st. repeat til the end of row.
tie off
Single crochet around both circle edges, 2 rows.

Day Job...

Sometimes Fiber Sketchbook becomes a little dormant.  It is usually because I very consistently blog and write copy for my day job.  Learn all about it at EstherSTL.com.  Feel free to peruse the clothing and accessory listings and be enlightened by the colorful descriptions, written by yours truly!  

boutique splurge

I recently took a little trip to San Diego.  I can't help but check out the local boutiques to get some ideas.  While shopping I visited a little boutique named Vocabulary.  I walked away with this necklace.  It is now fondly referred to as my fox necklace.  I love it.

It was my birthday present to myself.  Yep I'm now officially in my upper 20s.

If you like to do some online boutique shopping, just wait!  Esther is about to launch their online store later this month!

Shopping at Home

Online boutiques have just gotten awesome.  Maybe I'm just slow to realize it but there are some great online boutiques out there!  Here are a few that I like to frequent.

Modcloth
Duh, it's awesome.  It's also where i got my bridesmaids dresses last year!

Salvage Life
I've bought a really cute vintage, mustard floral dress from here.  Love it.  Buy bought I really mean won!

Ruche

I just discovered this one on this girly's blog.

It may be my new ambition to work for an online boutique.  You have to be part blogger, part fashionista.  I feel that could really work for me.  Now if only I can find one based in St. Louis.  Or even better, CHESTERFIELD!