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)