I’m pretty {understatement} excited about Dainty Cheeks’
latest venture. Pretty soon we will be offering screen printed designs. “We” you ask? Until this point it has just been me. From first idea for
design, to shipping product, I have literally done it all. Partly because I am
a control freak, and partly because I don’t know anyone that sews…Haha.{but
more the first…}
The “we” is the addition of my brother, and the venture is
an extension of Dainty Cheeks’ design sense, but screen printed on organic
cotton goods, all 100% made in the USA. We are combining our heads
(and talents, as I refer to him as a “digital ninja”.) The line will be called
“M+L” {Margaret and Lou, after our maternal grandparents}. Not only because we
love them but also because they are pretty rad. It will be fun stuff that your
kids’ kids’ kids will want to wear… Generations, you can say. ;)
It will be a bouquet of quirky original, limited quantity
designs for (wait for it…) both BOYS and girls. Everyday basics, lasting quality,
and unique tees, dresses, cardigans and who knows what other developments. It
will be offered in a section called “M+L” in Dainty Cheeks Boutique ETSY SHOP
in the next few weeks, so keep a look out!
xo (times infinity)
Chrissy
Friday, January 10, 2014
After the storm.
I’m really excited about some of the new additions to the
Etsy shop. Valentine’s Day was on my mind when I started sketching. It seems
that most of the pieces I create are meant for special occasions, but I like to
make sure that they can also be worn everyday and would still make sense to wear
once that one day passes.
I didn’t always, but this is also how I look at life. I feel
like we save all of our celebrating for big benchmarks or occasions. { i.e.:
holidays, birthdays, graduations, etc. } but, in the process we somehow blink
and miss out on all of the little in between things that fill the majority of
our lives. I have missed out on a lot trying to plan for the next “event” and
this year I am trying to be more conscious of slowing down and living for one
small life celebration, daily.
A few of my favorite new additions to Dainty Cheeks are the flower
“crowns” that have been added and will continue to be as more colors/
styles are completed. I am excited because they have been a “work-in-progress”
for a little while now and the whole theme and packaging is very personal to
me.
Each one comes packaged with a Mumford and Sons quote that
was a big part of the beginning stages of Dainty Cheeks. While I usually don’t
talk about my personal life on here, and without going into too much detail… I
started Dainty Cheeks Boutique in one of the darkest times in my personal life.
In the basement of my parent’s house while Grace and I were living there during
a transition period. I would go down there after a day of work and then after
fulfilling my “momma duties”, once Grace was asleep, I would go down and sew. I
would use that time to reflect, and create, and think… Through tears, sadness,
anger and self-doubt, during a time when I wasn’t even sure how to get myself
up the next morning to soldier on. This is where I created a little bit of beauty
called “Dainty Cheeks” in an otherwise ugly time.
The song “After the Storm” came on one night as I sat. I
remember feeling a moment of hope... a feeling that was so foreign to me at
that time. I remember listening to the words and for the first time, I felt
hopeful for what goodness may be down the road with a few simple lines:
“And there will come a time, you'll
see, with no more tears
And love will not break your heart but dismiss your fears
Get over your hill and see what you find there
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair”
I feel like what I do, the creative
process is a therapy… It heals. All of the orders I have shipped in the course
of Dainty Cheeks’ existence thus far have truly been made and shipped with
love. Because of the support I have had from all of you, I have intern been
restored and have felt that love back. Words could never express what that
means to me and no words could ever show my gratefulness. There are amazing
things in store for 2014 and sometimes it just takes a little darkness to make
you appreciate all of the goodness there is in the light of daily life.
xo (times infinity),
Chrissy
Monday, January 6, 2014
A N E W Y E A R ... Endless possibilities.
Welp, another year is upon us and I realize I am a little
late, as it has been the New Year for a bit now… maybe I’m just fashionably
late, so it’s okay.
Like almost every other human being, I embrace a new year
whole- heartedly just like I welcomed each past one I have been lucky enough to
be a part of.
This year, I am going to focus on being grateful daily. My
mom sent me this video {she will be so excited that I am talking about it, as
she asked me if I watched it for two weeks each time I saw her after she sent
it. ;) } It’s about gratefulness and how being grateful and conscious of the
act of thankfulness can actually make you happier. I believe it. It works. The
best part is that it has sort of a “pass it on” effect, and who doesn’t love
that idea?
While I was taking our Christmas tree down this year, I
realized something major. As I was pulling each ornament off, I reflected on
this past year. {Note: Usually, I am just hastily putting them back to get
everything away and de-cluttered.} I remembered the ups the downs, the good,
bad, the ugly and all of the grey areas. As I was packing away Grace’s handmade
tree art, I thought back to a time when I was a wild and free 20 something
living in NYC, when all of my ornaments matched precisely with my décor. That
life feels like forever ago and how so much has changed. I laugh a little (like
I often do) when I think about what my former self would think of the “me” that
is in the here and now. But boy is it funny how those hand-made masterpieces
are now my favorite and I couldn’t imagine any tree, going forward, without
them.
:: Switching gears ::I am beyond grateful for the year that Dainty Cheeks has had. For my
amazing customers who are the coolest, hippest and most fun you could ever
imagine. For allowing me to do something I love that fulfills me and inspires
me fully.
I am excited for what is in store this 2014. Many people say
“This is your year!” and maybe it is, whatever that means… but I think 2013,
and 2012, also 2011 and each and every year that has brought me to this point
was “my year”. They had some, disappointment, sadness, stress, unexpected
changes, struggles, etc. but those are the very things that have helped mold
the energy and spirit that’s present now. Sometimes though the toughest of
times you find someone you would have never known existed if you had not made
it out… you find yourself. An even better self, ready to take on everything this
New Year has to offer… gratefully of course. ;)
Here is the video... if for no other reason, watch it for mom! (hehe)
I am the worst at keeping up with blog posts. With all of the other sources of media (Facebook, twitter, Instagram, website, Etsy, etc.) It's sometimes overwhelming to stay up to date with them all. But I wish I blogged more because, I know personally I like to find and read new blogs a lot. I especially love to see how a certain product evolved. I am obsessed with finding out meanings of things... Lyrics to a song, or where an artist gained inspiration for a certain piece, and this list goes on...
The latest addition to the shop is the Extraordinary Princess Fox. I love them, and Grace approves... so that is always a plus! My inspiration for them (like much of what I create) comes from her. These little off beat plush dolls embody a new chapter in which I am going through with her now and that is, her having a voice in what she wears. While some mornings can be frustrating as we are rushing out the door for preschool, I am trying to embrace it. She is becoming a little person and I love that. I have to admit that when she dresses up in my clothes, most of the time she rocks stuff way better than I could dream. It is imaginative and confident. Somehow in the mumble jumble of patterns upon patterns, dots upon stripes upon ikat print, it all makes sense to her and in a way, I love it. These little ladies are an ode to that. Being a princess... any kind that you think up.
The amazing print is by Jen from The Little Illustrator . If you are looking for unique prints for kids and grown ups alike, check her out! :)
The last post I wrote was at the start of summer and I can't believe we are
already in August! While I do like the summer season, fall is my favorite and
we are almost there, woo hoo!
Fall is always a nostalgic time for me and my life personally, but it
is also the time when I officially started Dainty Cheeks to begin with. It all
started with an old sweater, some scissors, my sewing machine, and the decision
to actually do this thing.
It has been quite a journey and through it all I would not change a thing.
The process of the upcycled sweater dress is well, just that... a process,
and a lot of work for each individual piece because each one is just
that... and individual. Literally---> One of a kind. I am trained as a
designer and designing is what I love. To gather inspiration (daily
really) from everyone and thing I possibly can, then to process it in a way
that makes sense to me. But as a maker it doesn't stop there. You must also
follow through with the production. Sometimes when you are producing something
over and over again, it can be monotonous. That's why I love all the
different variables in the upcycled sweater dress. It is challenging... since
all knit is not created equal, there is stretching and in turn a lot of
thinking involved with patterns measurement, etc. for literally each and every
individual sweater. It is a labor of love and I have found that there is beauty
in the imperfections of doing anything. Not only in making things, but in life
altogether; which has taken me the last 3 years to truly understand and accept.
That is really where the whole idea and inspiration came from for the Fall
line "Live Simply". You will find a lot of neutrals and warm earthy
tones and simple appliqués that appeal aesthetically and meaningfully. One of
my favorite pieces in the collection is the “live simply” headband (which you can find here ---> yup, just click to get yours ;)
Life is about making the best out of what you are given. It's about being
grateful and expressing that gratitude daily and really living in a way that
makes you happy.
While you will find the beautiful shots that the amazing @daviddean3 has
taken on DCB's Facebook Page and in the Etsy shop, I really wanted to share
some out takes from the day. Not only because they make me laugh and are cute
as can be, but because it's all part of the process. Out of roughly 600
pictures, it's funny to think really only a handful are used.
A very special thanks to my dear friend Angie, for lending her seriously
beautiful girls to the project. They are the 3 cutest kids ever and the 4 of
them are a blessing to Grace and I. So thank you for not only your
support of Dainty Cheeks, but also for just being you!
And thank you to my awesome customers and friends, family and
"fans". Your support is truly overwhelming, and it keeps me certain
that this is what I am meant to do. So thank you.
Today marks the first day of summer, (cue the : "woo hoo") and while my favorite season is still fall, summer holds a special place in my heart for a lot of different reasons. I have fond memories of summer, growing up. What I remember most is the simplicity of it... through the years of doing "nothing," but in all the little simple, "nothing major" moments, I took away an unimaginable amount of feel good memories and life lessons.
Now having Grace, I want to show her the simplicity of summer's beauty that I remember. Enjoying the little everyday things together that I know will not be here forever.
So, with that being said... why not have a giveaway??? Be sure to enter, you have until July 1 and winner will be announced July 4!
This weekend we celebrated Grace’s “Big 04” Birthday. She
picked the theme of her favorite book “Birdie’s Big Girl Dress”. From homemade
decorations, to homemade deliciousness (cake + cookies) - A super HUGE and
GRATEFUL thank you to Ang J, to a homemade photo booth (thanks brother J
), we had a pretty awesome day. Thanks to our family and friends who shared in
the fun and helped make her celebration so special. It’s “get togethers” like
these that make me realize and appreciate the blessing in my and Grace’s lives.
