fall/winter 2013 bow tie collection

Friends, we have some seriously awesome bow ties in the shop for fall and winter.  Awesome like I can't even pick a favorite.  Or three favorites.  So I'm just going to show you all of them.  

The world map tie is back and as popular as ever.  I bought enough of this map fabric back in July to last through the holidays.  At least I thought I did.  Once I ran out of that yardage (in September), I found another bit that will hopefully last me another month or so.  It's kind of like a scavenger hunt, buying fabric.  (Exciting side note: this fabric will soon be available in two sizes of leather bottom pouches as well!)

This orange and navy I chose because I love the bold colors, and then later realized that it would be perfect for an Auburn or UVA fan.  Not that I'm endorsing UVA fans, but business is business.  

The typeface tie was a wildcard and I've been a bit surprised by how popular it is.  I've had to go hunting for more of this once or twice too, but now we are stocked up for the season.  I love how the graphic black and white can work with any color shirt or jacket.  

Mint green continues to be a popular color this year, especially for weddings.  I didn't know if I'd find a winter counterpart to my mint seersucker tie, but this cotton wale pique works really well for the cooler months.  I also have some in red, for the Christmas tie crowd.  

I'm on a big mustard yellow kick this fall and would wear this tie myself, if I could.  In fact, I wish it were a shirt.  In fact, maybe I need to get serious about learning to make my own shirts.  But until then, I can just enjoy having this cheerful checked tie around, brightening up the office.  

So that's the starting lineup!  I have other ties in the shop too, but these are the newest batch.  We're working on some lovely packaging as well, so any gift ties will arrive ready to give!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is November.  We're looking forward to a quiet weekend, hopefully involving time on the patio and pumpkin frozen yogurt.  I'll meet you back here next week!

bow ties make me want to have another wedding

It's wild around here, people.  Wild, I tell you. 

 

We had (another) big weekend.  I stitched bow ties until my fingers were sore on Friday night while we caught up on shows on Hulu.  Then I finished the ties on Saturday in the waiting room of Tire Kingdom.  I don't want to brag, but I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who has ever stitched bow ties in the waiting room of Tire Kingdom.  At least that's what I'm assuming based on the looks I was getting. 

 

Some of these ties, specifically the seersucker, (oh!  the seersucker!) make me wish I was planning our wedding again so that I could incorporate them.  I may have to settle for an anniversary party where I force the guests to wear bow ties.  I'll keep you posted. 

We finished painting the dresser and have let it come in the house for good.  I think I have enough milk paint left to do some small book shelves, so you know where to find me this week.  I am working on a full dresser write-up to share pictures, thoughts on working with milk paint, and other little details. 

I'm posting bow ties in the shop all day today and I can hardly believe we got all the pictures done.  Our photo shoot was a whirlwind of lamps and tripods and me pinning Steve's shirt in the back so it looked just right, just like he was a mannequin.  I'm crazy about these plaid bow ties because the colors of the plaid are quite different from one side to the other, making it basically two different ties.  I'd like to say that I planned it that way, but the truth is that it was strictly luck. 

 

Also lucky: finding a husband who is willing to pose in eight different bow ties on a Sunday afternoon.  What can I say?  I'm a lucky girl. 

you're never fully dressed without a... scarf

Now that spring is almost here (please, spring, be almost here!), my thoughts are turning from long infinity scarves to something a bit smaller- the square scarf.  I've seen these jaunty neck scarves popping up all over the place and they always remind me of really stylish women- Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly. 

Audrey really knew how to rock a scarf.  And I've been learning, so I thought I'd share a bit of the process. 

Start by folding your square scarf in half, like a triangle.  My scarves are about 22" square, but you could use a slightly larger or smaller size. 

Fold the point of the triangle up towards the long side at the top, but not touching it. 

 



Fold the scarf in half from the bottom to the top as many times as you need to to achieve the width you like.  I folded mine two more times. 

Now you have a long, skinny strip of scarf that you can do lots of things with.  Tie it around your hair with the knot on top and tuck the ends under.  Tie it onto the strap of your bag for some extra flair.  Or tie it around your neck.

I like to tie a basic knot off to one side of my neck.  Remember- not too tight!  When you do this, you will be left with one end pointing down and one pointing up. 

Tuck the end that points up down between the scarf and your neck so that it comes out the bottom and both ends are pointing in the same direction.  Easy!

 

I think that these square scarves are a nice alternative to a necklace when you want something a little different.  I have two color options in the shop right now and more on the way!

how to fold a pocket square: four point style

In conjunction with our new line of menswear items, Steve and I are working on some tutorials for how to actually use these items.  We have been doing a lot of research on tying bow ties and folding pocket squares and today I'm going to share one of the techniques we used during last weekend's photo shoot: folding a four point pocket square. 

Lay your pocket square on a flat surface with the points facing up and down, like a diamond.

Fold the bottom point up toward the top point, but slightly to the right.  The two points should be even in height and your pocket square should look like a triangle now.

Fold the left corner of the triangle up toward the top two points, but also slightly to the right of the farthest right point.  Now you should have three points, all even in height. 

Fold the right corner of the triangle up toward the top three points, but slightly to the left of the farthest left point.  Now you have four points, all even in height. 

Fold the left side in towards the center.

Fold the right side in towards the center.  You will probably have to hold these folds in place. 

Fold the bottom point up towards the center to meet the side points.  Now your pocket square should look like a rectangle with a jagged top edge. 

Flip the folded square over and slip it into a pocket. 

You can choose to have a lot of point showing, or just the tips.  I love how the contrasting rolled hem on our pocket squares really shows off the detail of this fold! 

 

Did you know that a man's pocket square is supposed to coordinate with, but not match, his tie?  That means that a striped pocket square shouldn't be worn with a striped bow tie, but would be brilliant with a solid blue one. 

the secret life of layers

Good morning, friends!  Is it chilly where you are today?  Our thermometer was already reading the estimated high of 36 when we woke up, so I piled on several layers to keep out the cold.

I've learned a couple of valuable lessons lately about layering for warmth that seem so super obvious, I'm not sure why I haven't always known them.  But I didn't and maybe you don't and I hate to keep such important knowledge to myself. 

 

Number one: always tuck in.  I am not a tucker.  I tell myself that women's pants are not conducive to tucking (they're not) and that I like the look of a shirt peeking out from under another shirt (I do).  But I have started wearing an extra shirt, usually just a thin tank top, just for tucking in.  It has been practically life changing in the area of warmth because, no matter which way I bend, there is never a draft.  

Number two: legs need layers too.  Now I know- nobody wants to look thicker than they already are in the winter.  But I bought these long underwear last week and have worn them almost every day since and I'm telling you that you want some.  They are fitted enough and silky enough to wear under my slimmest fitting jeans without any problem.  



 

 

Number three: solid colors are your friend.  Now, as a person who owns more striped shirts than I care to admit, it is sometimes difficult for me to buy a solid colored shirt.  They seem boring.  But what is boring on its own is just the thing for layering!  Last week I needed a solid white shirt to use for photo shoots, so I ran into Target right before I had to pick Steve up from the train station.  As fate would have it, long sleeves were on sale.  I found two different white styles that I liked, and then grabbed a black and a pink in the same styles.  I didn't intend to buy so many shirts, but I got wooed by the cuffs- I love shirts with cuffs that are at least 2" wide.  My plan was to try them on at home and return the ones I didn't want.  Except once I got them home, I realized that I didn't have any other solid shirts and started wearing these four under absolutely everything. 

 

I think the best thing (other than being way more comfortable) about my new found layering knowledge is that it makes me more likely to want to be outside during the winter.  One of my goals for this year is to be outside more and I'm excited to say that I'm off to a great start!

 

 

 

Speaking of layers, we have three events over the next four days that I need to provide dessert for, so I'm working on a double layer Peppermint Chocolate cake today.  Steve and I are both so excited about it- I just hope we'll be able to save some to share with our guests!

style

Today I'm linking up with Gussy Sews for her Inspiration Workshop.  This month's prompt is: style. 

I thought about skipping this month because, well... most of the time, I'm not even sure that I have a style.  Comfortable?  Machine washable?  Are those styles? 

I surveyed my closet and decided that stripes are definitely a part of my style. 

I surveyed myself and decided that this is a pretty typical outfit for me, these days, so maybe this is my style.  The jeans are my most favorite ever- they fit so well and the waist is in just the right place and they look great with almost every type of shoe and they are the right length.  The button up shirt is the product of a recent weekend shopping trip with Steve (see first picture).  I got three of these shirts and am wondering why I didn't get seven so I could have one for every day.  So instead, I've just been wearing each one for two days before throwing it in the laundry.  Gross, or just very practical- you decide. 

Do you see my pedometer?

Also, as we approach the summer, you can be sure that anything that looks like it should be worn on a boat is most definitely my style.  Now if only I had a boat....

It's hard to imagine summer today though.  I went out to uncover our poor, cold plants this morning in my puffy red down jacket.  You know, the one I wear in the snow.  I'm planning to keep warm today with some sewing projects and a spot of tea.  Hope it's cozy at your house!

color craze

These days, I find myself dying for more color.  The brighter, the better.  I've come out of my winter gray hibernation. (but gray + color?  Perfect.)

I keep scanning my closet, hoping that something bright will appear.  I'll admit to wearing this yellow sweater a bit too often. 

This week I've been hard at work on a custom order for a set of eight reversible placemats.  I'm in love with them.  I am so excited to ship them off to their owner, to be used with their matching party kit.  That's my kind of party.

Even the lizards know what's up.  They were mainly brown over the winter, but this week we've seen lime green and electric blue. 



Now that I'm done sewing, I plan to spend the afternoon mowing the lawn and making berry sorbet.  I'm getting super excited about Easter, even though we don't have big plans.  Tomorrow I'll share some recipes in case you need ideas for your Easter meal!

in this house, socks ARE the good gift

You know how people joke about getting socks for Christmas?  Like socks are a disappointing, boring gift? 

Not around here. 

Sliding into a soft pair of new socks is almost enough to make me forget how much I miss wearing sandals.  They're like a treat to encourage my cold feet to make it through the winter ahead. 

I especially love the details- orange stitching along the toe, a purple heel, maybe a ruffle at the top.  I am completely enamored with hidden details on clothing that will usually only be seen by the wearer.  It's like I'm wearing a fancy secret. 

This year, Steve outdid himself by getting me these socks.  Yes, that is a fox.  Fox on socks.  It's like I'm in a Dr. Seuss book. 

I received lots of thoughtful gifts this year, but there's just something about socks.  They're hard to beat. 

I hope your Christmas was full of good gifts!

tie one on

It's chilly here today and I'm wearing a scarf.  I love wearing scarves. 

In honor of scarf weather, I thought I would share my three favorite ways to tie them.  I am always looking for new ideas too, so if you have one, leave it in the comments so we can all try it out! 

I just learned the four-in-hand knot (both pictures above) this year and am totally smitten with it.  I think it looks very French. 

Here's how it goes:  Start by folding the scarf in half.  Put it around your neck so that you are holding the loop in one hand and the two ends in the other.  Pull one of the ends through the loop.  Twist the loop to create a second loop and pull the remaining end through. 

The European loop (shown above and below) is another look that works with every type of scarf.  It's a lot like the previous knot only easier! 

Fold your scarf in half.  Put it around the back of your neck so that you are holding the loop in one hand and the two ends in the other.  Pull both ends through the loop to tighten. 

And for those times when you want to run around with your scarf tails flapping in the breeze, the simple loop (shown above and below) is best. 

Find the middle of the scarf and put it on your Adam's apple.  Fling both ends over your shoulders to your back.  Then grab each end and pull it over the opposite shoulder. 

My favorite scarves this fall are here and here.  They sell out fast, so be sure to grab one early!  This week, I'm offering free shipping on all scarves in the shop- just use the coupon code "LOCAL".