GrayDayStudio 25% off sale has begun!! (ends DEC 2nd)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

And enjoy 25% off my shop, knock yourself out!

Live with Less by Curating a Knock Out, Edited Wardrobe from clothing by Designers and Craftsmen

All right, let's do this, I want to talk about clothing, about curating a simple yet timeless wardrobe. I've been wanting to elaborate on this theme over the past 3 or so years. My second stint with maternity clothes put this topic on the back burner so to speak... but now I'm ready to discuss the need for a Curated Wardrobe with a more in-depth evaluation where I provide resources and helpful tips. So here we go! (I'll try and break it down into bullet points to keep it short-ish and straight forward.)

* Check out  "The 7 Most Baffling Things about Woman's Clothing" (sent to me by my sister-in-law) this article really sums up the need to seek out clothing that most readily available stores just don't offer. The Majority of Women's fashion is made with thin material, or not enough of it, hence we have to "layer" and are always cold. (I could go on but the article does a nice job!)

* THEN Get the book "Parisian chic"  Even if you dislike the French hype, this book really lays out the key principles about having an edited and limited wardrobe. In her book, Sophie speaks about how a small wardrobe can still be versatile and fun as you mix opposites together- Imagine loafers with a skirt instead of a more typical ballet flat. Essentially, this book is what pushed me forward in a more practical sense towards this need to pair down my wardrobe, etc.

My main objective is to start investing in "Pieces" that will wear well for MANY years to come. Thus they need to be:

~ Well Made
~ and Classic enough to not fall out of style too quickly.

What I love about curating a wardrobe, is that I've become much more discerning. For example I have a black cardigan on my wardrobe shopping list, along with a pair of oxfords or loafers and I've been on the look out for those two pieces for the past two years. I wont settle for something that isn't perfect, that wont stand the test of time. Thus I'm still on the hunt. Luckily recently I've found a few contenders, just need to raise the funds. AND with my limited wardrobe check list, this keeps me from shopping for anything else that isn't on my list! PLUS the bigger take away, is that with a focused approach to knowing my style, and the few pieces I actually need- comes a greater satisfaction with my wardrobe. I am literally satisfied and don't have to go back for seconds on dessert, so to speak. In the end it's better for my budget and for the environment, by allowing me to consume less stuff.

***

I'm sure I've said this before, but there is also a handmade/ get to know who made it- personal aspect to consumerism that is coming back into favor. We are more willing to invest in our wardrobe when we meet the designers, know their story, and know how the clothing was made (be it fair working conditions or a new discovered craft of weaving, etc). Thus here are some links that offer well made clothing that fills this criteria of investing in pieces.

SHOPPING LINKS:

Mill Mercantile: Seeks to offer Women the same craftsmanship and quality that is typically reserved for menswear! (I love everything on their site, it's pricy but if you think of these pieces as a cost per wear piece then in the long run you have a sound investment.)

Everlane: I have one of their silk shirts, and would love many more plus their cardigans look like they would actually keep one warm!!!

Makers Workshop: A blog turned virtual shop that features Made in America goods my enthusiastic craftspeople

Of a Kind: is another site that strives to bring budding designers to the public

Curator SF: is a clothing line made in California. I have two pieces from them and I adore them. I have my eye on their black skirt too!

Fischer: is another clothing line that offers made in the US pieces that are versatile enough to wear from season to season and age well with time.

Colenimo: is similar to those offered above, but it's based in the U.K. and makes everything in the U.K.


Well those are the links I have to share for now. I'll do a follow up post with more links at a future date! Please share an link you might have as well.

thanks for reading!
abigail

Links and Such

Happy Thursday! Here is my weekly Links and Such post. Enjoy ; )

Good article about the importance of not lying to our children- about Santa, etc...
remember to put on your own oxygen mask first
the lost apple project
adorable ice cream truck
buy your own "glamping Tent"
The Passion of Parenting
bookmark this for a snow day- shows and movies you can stream based on children's books
String lights for my studio?
another cute dog bed as side table
love these mugs
and this knotted bowl
images of female athletes 
top places to see Holiday lights in and around PHILLY

Enter the GrayDayStudio Giveaway!!

My friend Nicole at Rose Runs Wild is hosting a giveaway for my shop!

Check out the LINK to see how you can enter to win a $40 credit to my etsy shop!

Good luck and spread the word!

NEW at GrayDayStudio 5x7 Greeting Cards and Even MORE Garlands to Trim the Tree

This past month I've been busy getting my new greeting cards scanned and printed to offer them in my etsy shop! They are now officially in the shop and I'm so excited to share them with you!

Above is my quote series of three cards. These were born from a Magical Moment series I started with my canvas totes and now the same phrases are available as cards. You can purchase all three cards as a set here.

In addition to buying the cards individually, there are also a few other group purchasing options that offer a built in savings! Check out my 5x7 card section for these listings.

I'm also gearing up for the Holidays with my "Cartridge in a Bare Tree" Card. It's pretty "Punny"!

And then my "Cartridge in a Bare Tree" Sculpture! is a the perfect quirky gift to give to family and friends alike or to the hostess with the mostess this Holiday party season. Sure to big a big hit!

I'm also continuing to list One of a Kind garlands, like my Holiday Confetti and then my hexagon and circle garland is now available in Frost and Toasted Marshmallow (my new shimmery card stock).

By the end of the week I hope to have my Winter Party packages available. So stay tuned!

ALSO remember use code "3Garlands" at checkout to save 10% when you purchase 3 or more garlands. 

Our Fall so far (2013)

On Saturday, when our son wasn't going down for his nap, and I began to feel stressed, my husband kicked me out of the house and told me to go on a walk. I threw on a jacket, grabbed my sunglasses and went for a walk around the neighborhood. It wasn't until I consciously focused on just my breathing and my pace... that I realized how much I really needed that walk. I decided to just walk, tried not to think and scheme and plan my next to do, but just walk and let my mind be as empty and free as possible. And while walking, I realized lots of things... thoughts on life, motherhood, my course and direction, but that's for another time.. while walking I revisited fall and attempted to clarify why I love it so, and then why it is also so sad.  Fall has that amazing quality of being both beautiful and sad. It's a season where you are basically watching something disappear. The leaves turn and change, fall and drift down, scatter and skip around as the inevitability of winter is unfortunately around the corner. With Summer it just goes on and on and gets HOT and by September you almost wish it to leave as it lingers and wont take a hint. But fall has days where you realize you must run outside and jump in the leaves when the light is so perfect, when the weather is crisp but not yet biting, the leaves are fun and light and not damp and stinky...

And with this awareness I'm taking stock while some of the leaves are still on the trees... and I'm looking back while looking forward to see if I've truly appreciated my favorite season this year. Here is a round up of our fall thus far.

Halloween- an Owl, a gnome, and a gypsy

Apple picking

Happy coincidence with matching the scarecrow

scootering

Links and Such

Hey all, It's thursday already...? Whaaaat?!?! I still want to share with you our little Halloween round up, have to edit some videos first. In the meantime I managed to squeak out a Links and Such post! (pats herself on the back) The weekend is just around the corner, and the husband isn't working so that's going to be awesome !!!

Want this skirt in black, the perfect staple!
Beautiful Ball Skirts
HOLY necklaces!
DIY Embroidered Constellation Runner
Swants tutorial (sweater pants that is)
Leaves as place cards
DIY Leaf mobile, cute for thanksgiving entertaining
backyard play ideas, love the leaf maze
Healthy and easy recipes for new moms (IE can make them with a baby in your arms)
absence of water: photographs of abandoned Victorian Era swimming pools
beautiful fall trails

NEW at GrayDayStudio: Trim Your Tree and Decorate your Party, plus other sneak peeks

I'm getting ready for the Holiday Season, both at home and in my etsy shop!

Above is a little view of what my etsy shop currently looks like. I'm bringing back ready to ship bags to offer a fun variety for gift giving, plus use them AS a gift bag for a fun green gift wrapping alternative!

This week I've  also begun to list my new winter inspired garlands made from shimmering card stock (see above), as well as another huge Pom-Pom Garland "Neon Yuletide"!  This season I am also going to be making more one of a kind/ ready to ship garlands, to give my customers something truly unique and to stock my shop with more ready to ship merch, making the turn around before the holidays that much faster!!

I'm also continuing to add more original artwork to my shop. Above is Bear Skull no.2.

I'm on a quest to paint more, and I'm giving myself a goal to focus on this after any Holiday rush- so watch out January!! (more musing about this at a future date)

PLUS also coming to the shop this week and next- NEW 5x7 Cards and temporary Tattoos!

Busy, busy around here. Check back in here, or follow me on twitter for future etsy updates.