Something for the Weekend

I'm a big fan of using accessories and small loveliness to upgrade an outfit.  A crazy little belt or a perfectly sculpted hat can mean the difference between having a plain look from having something stand out in all the right ways.

As the long holiday weekend approaches think casual, fun, and practicality.  Here's one item to add to the closet collection for men and women that will look great while outside on the go.

I'm a total die-hard TOMS Shoes fan, this you may know.  TOMS will help you look good as you do good.  The boat style makes it fantastically appropriate for that barbecue or time at the pier.  This shoe is the cooler version of the boat shoe your dad will probably has, and it's a great way to make a classic feel less... classic.

I hope your weekend is full of sun, but don't let sunglasses be your only option while out and about (but please don't wear together).  These two hats are the beautiful and more refined version of those straw fedoras everyone wears now.  If you're not a hat person, the flat version perches on the top of your head and doesn't frame your face in the same way.  That's code for: Give it another try.

Have a beautiful and safe holiday guys!  More to come in a few days.

The Weekend, Revisited

My weekend was a pretty busy one this time around. 

I've been working seemingly non-stop on pattern drafting and preparing samples.

Since I no longer work out of a separate studio space for the time being, work has started to find itself in places throughout my apartment. That would be patterns hanging from my patio curtain rod- how chic.

And remember when I told you I'd share the less than glamorous parts of this whole situation?  This is what became of my living room this weekend. As the number of patterns hanging kept growing, and the light became more sparse. 

In a more beautiful turn of events, I went to a promo runway show- saw some Summer looks to get the creative juices flowing for my own summertime styling.

The mens looks were also great- I wish there were more guys who would step outside of their wardrobe uniforms to put together fantastic, yet practical looks like this.

The models had great shoes, too! Great attention to accessories detailing throughout the show.

Hope you had a beautiful weekend! Welcome, new week.

New (to me) Machine

How was your weekend?  Spring is finally coming around these parts- we are getting up to 50 degrees today, which is exciting in a sad, cold-climate dweller kind of way.

Like I mentioned on Friday, my family came in town for part of the weekend.  Out of this visit, I received this:

It's my mom's machine that I've been eyeballing for quite some time... she finally gave in.  Also, since when does Urban Outfitters sell such things?  Looks like my domestic tendencies are trendy... until their new weekly shipment gets in I suppose.

Happy Weekend

via

It is an utterly beautiful day here in Chicago.  The sun is shining, it is deceptively warm looking, and people are smiling.  I get a little family time this weekend, and of course some stitch time as well.  What are you going to be up to?  


Whatever it is, I hope it'll be lovely... and that you can dust off the sunglasses too!

Art Wall, Cont.

Hope you had a beautiful weekend! Mine was a bit chaotic, but good times were had. The one thing I wish I had images to share with you all was the Sunday Dinner from last night (quickly becoming my favorite Chicago tradition). My inner sweet tooth couldn't get enough of the dessert: warm chocolate chip cookies sandwiching vanilla ice cream. In the words of Rachel Zoe: I like, die.

Anyhow, onto the post!

I gave you guys a quick peak into my living room art situation that is more of a large work in progress than anything else. This weekend was nothing short of me going crazy trying to coming up with the right image to complete the wall.

I sketched, scribbled, thought, and finally... something that made sense. I started last night with the final touches, but this is what will inspire the little 10x10 piece that will complete the wall. It has figure study (so typical Rachel), hopefully beautiful color, and share a bit of lovely to anybody who visits our home.

For Your Weekend

I've decided: no costume parties for me this weekend. Nope, not going to do it. Well, ok. Maybe. However, this is the first weekend I've had in a while with no company, no trips, no nonsenses. As I'm buzzing around town and working away on projects, here is this week's Friday rundown.

Model: Emma Pei, Photographer: LiQi, Source: LiQi Studio via New Fashion World

1. I thrifted a great vintage cabinet last night. I bought paint and will be shopping Anthro's spot-on section of knobs for a brand new entertainment cabinet.

2. Will be baking some delightful fall foods.

3. Today the public opening of my first fast-fashion favorite. I loved it in Spain, I love it stateside. Now I can love it in Chicago.

4. If you catch me out this weekend with my headphones on, chances are, I'll be listening to this on repeat.

5. I'm getting really into anything involving fancy letterpress. Calendars, note cards, you name it. This weekend, I'll be on the lookout for personalized & beautiful sketchbook.

6. Finally, I have time to sew! A few new and comfy dresses that are fall-approved on the way. (No link... they will be a surprise (which reminds me I need to snap pics of the teal dress. Yikes!))

For Your Weekend: Collegiate Style

Friday is finally here again. Instead of kicking around Chicago for the weekend, tonight I'm traveling back to my alma mater, University of Michigan, for a little football and a huge reunion of friends. I'm actually giddy with excitement.

Anyhow, in the spirit of fantastically collegiate inspired moments, I pulled together this week's list.

1. I don't remember college boys dressing like this, but I definitely wouldn't have minded.

2. I love the idea of women jetting off with their weekender bags in tow. A quirky personal favorite is a carpet bag.

3. Finally got a new toy. I seriously can't wait to play with it.

5 Things for Your Weekend

1. Something marvelous for your weekend vintage fix.
2. An easy project that could potentially be 15 minutes very well spent.
3. My most spontaneous friend visits this weekend before moving to this, so maybe some fun stories next week.
4. I went to a fabric outlet/oasis/purgatory yesterday. I'll be returning Sunday.
5. Crossing my fingers (and toes) that it doesn't look like this all weekend.

Here's to a lovely, exciting, adventurous, and stylish weekend!

Image via The Sartorialist

Weekend Recap

Hello everyone! Sorry for the post gap situation lately-- I've been a busy lady and up to some lovely things. To slow life down a bit, this past weekend I decided to only do things that "people with time" do.

I baked a carrot cake and made the frosting. I should note I also attempted to make homemade butternut squash ravioli. Big fail, thus no picture.

I started painting again (I decided to do a project for my workshop, so sorry to be a tease, but can't quite share images yet),

I did yoga in my living room in the late morning,

And listed to lots of great stories on NPR and loads of XM51.

It was the perfect end to a long week, and the perfect beginning to a brand new one.

PS. I promise to post a fast and easy weekend project this week!

Fall Weekends

This is the first official weekend in fall! I wish I could say I was off to the apple orchard or camping or something equally tranquil and full of outdoor fun. However, I will be in Chicago kicking around this (rainy) town, possibly catching the Michigan game on Saturday afternoon with friends or baking some apple pie.

For the moments when I wish I were exploring small towns and wooded areas, I'll be channeling Rhiannon over at Liebemarlene Vintage Lookbook. Her images are beautiful, the vintage is something to remember, and she's got that Zooey Deschanel vibe going, right? Oh, and you can make the look yours because she sells most of it on her webstore!

Have an incredible fall weekend, everyone! Until Monday...

If you are in Chicago this weekend

Weekend + Swimwear Remix

This was quite a fantastic weekend. I made it back to my parents' house, ate large amounts of food in the name of carbo-loading, ran a road race with friends, and had a late in the season swimwear shopping trip.

In preparing to go on vacation at the end of the week, I wanted to add a piece or 2 to my swimwear repitoire. Now I know this is nowhere near a novel concept, but lately I only add one separate at a time to my collection of bikini separates. In reality, I just have a number of half-bikinis used only to mix and match solids and prints. To an extent, I prefer having mismatched suits to pretend to be like those beach girls that have that whole I-look-incredible-without-even-trying thing going on.

Anyhow, here is what I look for when shopping to maximize mismatch potential in pieces:

Solid colors in basic bikini shapes. Bottom by Target.

Basic textures (no crochet, screen prints, woven-in metallics, or any other foolishness out there). Textures like crochet are meant to be worn with their pair, otherwise it just looks lazy. Loeffler Randall.

Multi-colored prints with a capital MULTI (this is just to pair a wider variety of separates with it). By Jinx!

Limited hardware. When your distressed bronze rings on the bottoms and the wooden beading on the top come together, it can be a bit distracting. It's best to just avoid it all together. By Aguaclara.

Contrasting & complementary colors- don't play it too safe. Marc Jacobs Resort 2010.