handmade kids' stuff with a bright future + a sweet past

Sunday, March 16, 2014

M+L by Dainty Cheeks


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)
 


xoxo,
Chrissy