Fashion Archives – Page 3 of 8 – A Well Crafted Party

Choosing Our Family Photo Attire

January 7, 2014 2 Comments A Well Crafted Kid

pacific northwest family photos — Photo by Motormouth Studios

I will never claim to be the most fashionable person, or to have the latest in fashionable items. But, I do love clothes. And, I love styling my little family. Yesterday I shared some of our family photos taken by Motormouth Studios one very cold day this last November. It was FREEZING outside, so I asked everyone to dress warmly and to coordinate with a color scheme of brown and blue. I didn’t want everyone to be wearing the same thing or even close to the same thing– I didn’t give much more for family members to go on for their outfit styling. I’m really glad I didn’t dictate that everyone wear a certain type of outfit or only certain colors. I was really happy with how everyone looked together!

Family Photo Attire — Photo by Motormouth Studios

My husband placates my desire for us all to coordinate (never match) and usually allows me to pick choices of clothing for him to wear. He always gets the final say and typically it surrounds whether or not he can also wear a hat he likes or comfortable shoes. My son, given the choice, will always choose anything with Lighting McQueen or Elmo on it. So, I’m thankful that he is pretty great at letting me pick out his attire for now. He enjoys getting dressed up and making sure his hair looks good in the mirror. When I purchased the sweaters for the little guy and his dad I didn’t realize how similar they’d look. It *almost* looks as if they are matchy matchy… but, little one’s cute polka dot undershirt helped them differ just enough in my book.

Outfit Details:

(some of the below links are affiliate links… purchases made through these links will benefit this blogger)

The Lady: Dark wash jeans, Lucky Brand Plus Size Ginger Skinny Jean// Shoes, Payless tan suede (ish) booties from three years ago (similar tan booties) // Light Denim Chambray Shirt, Lucky Brand Western Chambray Shirt// V-Neck Sweater,Liz Claiborne Brown Sweater(similar sweater)// Chunky Necklace, H&M (similar chunky necklace)

The Man: Dark wash jeans, Old Navy// Chambray Shirt, H&M (Similar) // Brown dress slip on shoes, (similar) // Chunky white sweater, H&M (Similar Men’s Knit Sweater)

The Kid: Chunky White Knit Sweater, H&M (Similar Sweater) // 7 For All Mankind 2T Slimmy Jeans // Navy and White Polka Dot Button Up Shirt, H&M (Similar)

What do you think? Did our outfits work together or did we completely miss the mark? What do you like to wear for family photos? Comment with your tips below!

A Well Crafted Kid

Toddler Style: Bright Colors for Fall

November 19, 2013 No Comments A Well Crafted Kid

When I think of Fall clothing I typically lean towards styling in browns, reds, and yellows. As soon as winter hits I like going more jewel tones or greys, blacks, and blues. My personal closet doesn’t really vary from those two areas. But, with my son’s clothing, I try to stretch myself into dressing him in brighter, more engaging clothing. He loves interacting with his clothes and pointing out particular colors.

These photos were taken during the very early Fall when the weather was quite a bit warmer. But, I think they’d work throughout the Fall by adding a fun, bright colored jacket and beanie.

The little guy sported the above outfit at the very last Sunset at the Zoo at the Oregon Zoo this season. He looked pretty snazzy in his 7 For All Mankind Slimmy jeans, DIY orange-dyed tee, Cherokee long-sleeve plaid button-up shirt (via Target), and orange tennis shoes.

Do you like particular colors during the Fall?

Do you tend to dress yourself or your kids in particular color schemes?

Fashion

Behind the Scenes: Sister Fresh Girl’s Clothing Designer

September 14, 2013 1 Comment Fashion

It is true what they say… having a child changes your life. Just ask Erin Keys, the designer and owner of Sister Fresh.

Today I am beyond excited to bring you a behind the scenes look and story of the adorable girl’s clothing line. I met Erin while at a Portland Fashion Week meet and greet. She was with her gorgeous daughter who was walking amongst all the models and designers in a beautiful leopard print dress. The pair were so sweet and easy to talk to that I just had to ask to interview her for the blog. She was gracious enough to ask me into her home and give me a tour of her home studio.

How Sister Fresh Began

The beautiful young lady, that I met at the meet and greet, was the reason the whole venture began. After the birth of her daughter Erin decided to not go back to work as a buyer for a successful department store. After making her daughter clothes, things developed and she began designing and making little girl clothing to sell at home parties. Her home parties were successful and eventually, local boutiques were requesting her items. Currently Erin sells Sister Fresh at local boutiques and through her online shop.

The Studio

Erin graciously let me tour her home studio space, giving me a glimpse at how a clothing designer works. Walking into her gorgeous home you could immediately see that the busy season and Portland Fashion Week was causing her to expand outside of her studio. She had a make shift desk with her laptop, phone, camera, and paperwork on her kitchen island. A rack of pretty dresses stood in front of a huge window and her mannequin was showing off a yellow pom dress.

Upstairs a small room was neatly organized to fit an entire sewing business! The room could only fit a desk, small ironing board, a washer and dryer. A serger and sewing machine were housed on the desk. Small bows littered the desk, ready to accent dresses.

Tiny dresses were hanging on all surfaces of the room–filling it with bright colors. Several bolts of the colorful fabric used to make the dresses were neatly stacked beneath a small counter. A framed sign with the Sister Fresh logo decorated the wall. On another wall hung two cross stitched works.

“My grandma made these,” Erin explained. “She is the one who taught me to sew.”

I’m touched by this. My grandmother also taught me to sew.

I’m amazed at the small space. Not only does Erin manage to fit an entire (successful) design business in the home studio, but she has also managed to make it a delightful and inspiring office space. It makes me think differently of my sewing space at home and certainly inspires me to do more with the areas I have.

Can a designer of this adorable girl’s clothing line really have started out just like me? Seems sort of unreal and full of possibility. I hope that if someone out there is thinking of becoming a clothing designer, and sees this post, they can be inspired by this awesome lady. She learned to sew from her grandmother, had a career in a whole different field, did not go to school for this trade, and is now doing something she completely loves in the space she has available. (Though, I do encourage schooling very highly!)

More about Sister Fresh

The Sister Fresh clothing line is a line of clothes for girls to be girls. It isn’t about dressing little girls up to be women, but rather a clothing line that celebrates the age of girl for as long as possible.

If you’d like to keep updated with the goings on at Sister Fresh then following along with Erin on her social media accounts. She JUST got Instagram and Twitter so those would be great for you to connect with her as she learns the ropes and shares lots of good photos and tweets!

Follow Sister Fresh on Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

Thank you!

A BIG thank you to Erin Keys for letting me peek into your beautiful home and studio space. Good luck on the runway today!

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this interview and studio tour. I am a part of the Portland Fashion Week’s Style Collective and will be receiving free VIP tickets to visit the shows. However, no post requirements were asked of us and this post was all my own idea and Erin’s awesome story. All opinions are my own. Tickets to Portland Fashion Week are still available! Purchase tickets now to get in for just $20 or pay $30 at the door. There are 6 shows in total, 35 pop-up boutique shops, and 3 after parties. I hope to see you there!