Photos by Daniel

Blazer, striped shirt, Coach belt and boots: thrift store
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Vintage Coach bag: ebay
Necklaces: handmade

Yesterday we went and walked around one of my favorite places in Milwaukee, the Villa Terrace Art Museum. It is an old mansion that was built in 1923 and has since been converted into a museum. I think the reason I love it so much is because it always reminds me of living in Seville (Spain) with my husband. We were young and only dating at the time, but had such romantic adventures around the city. I think I will always identify with the European way of life.

I spent some time in the metals studio last week and finally finished up some casting pieces I have been working on since my class ended. I experimented with a bunch of different techniques, but the crystals were my favorite project. I hand carved them out of wax to look like real crystals and then cast them into bronze. I am not sure what I am going to do with them yet, but I made one necklace for myself and one for the shop update this week. I am also thinking about trying them with the braided cord. More details below...



The shop update is going to be on Wednesday, Feb. 10th at 8pm (CST). There is going to be a few short and long hand cast necklaces, one cast crystal necklace, a couple of braided necklaces, and an assortment of woven bracelets. This update is going to be a little small, but I am planning a bigger one for next week. Check back later for the outfit post I put together with the new necklaces.

Sorry for the lack of outfit posts and jewelry updates this week. I am still waiting on a few supplies to arrive and my husband and I are both battling nasty colds so it seems like not much is getting done around here. I have been working on a couple of new pieces for the shop and am planning a small jewelry update for next week Wednesday, Feb. 10th. I will be posting more details on Monday.

a couple of style crushes from the week...Jessica and Katy

Have a wonderful weekend!

I was so excited when my friend Christina emailed me yesterday to announce that she had launched the website for her new clothing line, Guy French. She started the line with her friend Louisa and I love the idea behind the collection of jackets:

Guy French is a women’s clothing line focused on redefining a staple in every modern woman’s closet: the jacket. With exquisite tailoring, impeccable attention to detail and distinctive liners, the timeless and versatile designs transition easily from work to play.

Blazers are a staple in my wardrobe so I can't wait to check out the collection when I go to New York this spring. They are also hosting a couple of trunk shoes in New York this month (listed on the website), check them out if you are in the area!

Whenever I don't know what to wear, I always end up throwing on one of my favorite blue oxford shirts. They are the ultimate casual chic look! I like finding new ways to wear them so I am curious to try the buttoned-up look next time.

photos from The Fashion Spot, Garance Dore and Urban Outfitters

The sweet Hannah of Bekvam passed on the happy 101 blog award to me the other day so here are the 10 things that make me happy. I thought I would restrict myself to yesterday and today:

1. making and eating tasty curried winter squash soup (pictured above)
2. waking up next to my husband
3. listening to the new First Aid Kit album
4. drinking tea in the afternoon
5. working on new necklace ideas
6. dropping off the last of my packages and finally being caught up
7. a little oatie from the co-op (the best cookie ever!)
8. buttoned-up blue oxfords (check back later for a post on this)
9. doing hand embroidery just for fun
10. staying in bed way too long

I am suppose to pass on the award, but it has already made it around to so many bloggers so feel free to share if you haven't gotten it yet. I love reading what makes people happy!

A.P.C.

Lover

Wren

Three spring lookbooks that are getting me excited for warm weather. I know last week I said I wasn't that in to the A.P.C. spring collection, but I like it so much more after seeing the lookbook. Overall I am loving all the navy, olive green, white, denim, florals, strips, simple dresses, hot shorts and khakis. Pretty much everything I want to wear this spring/summer. I am especially excited to find cute little shorts. I got a pair of printed silky ones when I was in Chicago that I can't wait to wear.

New items in the vintage shop...

After a really busy weekend hanging out with family in between making lots of jewelry, I decided I needed a little break. So yesterday I dropped off all my packages at the post office and then headed down to Chicago to hang out with a friend for the day. It is really nice that Chicago is only an hour away so it is an easy day trip. We mostly just walked around downtown and did a little shopping and then came back to her neighborhood for some tasty Thai food. I had big plans to take lots of photos, but the first time I brought out my camera I realized the battery was dead. I hate when that happens, but it forced me to really just turn off and enjoy the day.

Today I came back relaxed and excited to put together this little vintage update. I have been so busy with my handmade shop lately that I have been seriously neglecting my vintage shop. It is also that strange time of year where I am not sure if I should be adding winter or spring pieces. I guess it is going to be a mix of both for a while. I am planning to add more pieces the rest of the week as I wait for more jewelry supplies to arrive.

It is going to be such a busy weekend...my husband's twin brother and his fiance are coming in to town from NYC tonight and I still have lots of orders to ship. I have gotten so many requests for my hand cast brass necklace (shown on the lovely Jenny above) that I am now sold out. But I will be adding more to the shop next week along with more friendship bracelets!

Have a great weekend!

UPDATE: Please email me at doreshandmade(at)gmail(dot)com to join my mailing list and receive notice of shop updates.

I have added this sweet handwoven red bracelet to the shop, just in time to show a little love for Haiti this Valentine's day. All proceeds from this bracelet will go to Doctors Without Boarders towards the continued Haiti relief efforts.

UPDATE: Thanks so much for your help! The first batch has sold out, but I will be adding more to the shop next week.

Bohemian roots...for the love of middle parts and long braids. These remind me of my mom back in the 70s with her long dark hair. I will have to show you some pictures of her if I ever get a scanner.

Photos via may grey, backyard bill, vogue, and alela diane

Thanks!

Check out the outfit I put together for the "How I'd Wear It" series today over at Camp Comfort. I love this series and am so excited to see the rest of them!

Another cute striped shirt outfit at the Ready Made blog and they included my bracelet! I was excited to learn about this more affordable striped shirt from L.L. Bean.


Much to my surprise, I've been nominated for a Poppies awards! I'm so honored to be nominated in the "Favorite Handmade Jewelry" category along with so many other great artists. If you would like to vote for me, click here. Thanks for your support!

Photos by Daniel

Flannel, dress, purse and boots: thrifted
Jacket: H&M
Leggings: American Apparel

Another way I am trying to beat the winter blues is to start mixing in spring dresses with all my warm layers. Sadly I have gotten a little cold so I am staying inside today and weaving a bunch of bracelets. I am listening to old rock albums while I work, which is making me daydream of 70s fashion. I am also putting together a little bracelet to help with the Haiti relief so check back later in the week for that!

I loved Anabela's post on the winter emergency list and since I was feeling some serious winter blues myself last week, I decided to cross a few off my list:

#1 Throw on a dress and go out dancing with the girls. I started taking ballet classes when I was a little girl and have loved all kinds of dancing ever since. So this Friday we went out to retro night. You can always count on dancing to a little Michael Jackson and Madonna to put you in a good mood.

#2 DIY-Take the time to make something for myself. I started this necklace at craft night last week and finally finished it on Saturday. I wanted a long braided necklace and since I can't afford this one, I decided I could make one with my hand cast beads. It seems like there are cute braided necklaces everywhere these days like this one I missed out on from Wiksten, this one from Lauren Haupt and I am hoping to snag one of these from For Me, For You.

#3 Indulge my love of denim and stripes and do a little spring shopping. I have given up on shopping for winter, but I feel guilty spending too much on spring. I was determined to make an outfit for less than $20 and had great success! Denim oxford ($2) and brown boots ($3) thrifted, striped dress ($12.95) from H&M and my new handmade necklace.

#4 Sleep in late and let my wonderful husband make my favorite breakfast, banana oatmeal pancakes!

I am so in love with hogan wren's collection of Korean style.