Sidewalk Ready, LETS GO!

meet Kayley of SidewalkReady.com
here's her bio:
"I am an employee at the Gap, a photographer, and a hairstylist.
I love fashion, but let’s not get crazy. My ensembles are wearable for every day people.
I’m not out to get wacky looks from people, just compliments.
I shop at the mall (especially The Gap and Banana Republic).
I scour catalogs, magazines, and the internet for inspiration.
I look for deals. I get creative.
Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail.

That’s life … that’s fashion."

Kayley and her husband, Kai, are quite the spectacular team:)
she dresses, he shoots, magic happens!
the above photos are of one of my absolute FAVORITE outfits Kayley has blogged
read about it HERE
{fast foward}
Kai contacted me about customizing a bag as a gift for Kayley
super good vibes + abundant talent made me totally geeked about drawing sum art on said bag.
i couldn't wait to see what wondrous photos Kai was going to drum up.
these 2 TOTALLY delivered:

read this outfit blogged HERE
*all photos taken by Kai. please visit his EXCELLENT website:
www.kaiheeringaphotography.com *
big thanks to Kayley and Kai for not only supporting my shop but for doing such a beautiful job showcasing their purchase:)
i love connecting with my awesome customers.
i'm quite certain we'd be fast friends with these 2 if it weren't for thousands of miles separating us.

hope you'll head over to Kayley's blog.
she's got FAB style with a great element of comfort- this is a HUGE plus in my opinion:)
sidewalkready.com
have fun!
rachel

Flutterby YES!

caught a photo from this shop on the Etsy front page
umm, slight obsession began

White Knitted Leg Warmers
&
A fairy Shawl in Cream
these product shots are FAB! this last one may be the cake-topper

yum! happy eye-candy friends.
back later with day 8/365 on Flickr AND my Photo Mosaic
xox, rachel

Handmade Fashion COAT & DRESS

where do i even begin on the MANY ways that i LOVE this coat and the photos?!? it's truly beautiful and you can tell the designer put a lot of time and creative energy into making it.
made by RiordanRoache
you can find it here along with all the details:
Double Breasted Hand Embroidered Wool Jacket Large $245

this next dress is gorgeous and it's REVERSIBLE! it's a new artist named Kendra who has created her own independent fashion label called Lonie Mae. It can be found over at RedVelvetArt
and here is a direct link to the dress:
Silver Bubble Dress

that's my tuesday blog post!
also, i am having another GIVEAWAY that will start again this thursday and i'm extremely excited about it! don't forget to enter my current
TWILLYPOP GIVEAWAY
xox, rachel

Autumn Staples

here are a few of my vintage finds that i think could be staples for your fall wardrobe.

1. 70's Brown Ethnic Cardigan Sweater

buy it here...
perfect to wear over a t-shirt or tank! during the warm days of fall you can keep it stashed in your awesome bag with all of your other belongings for when the temperature drops in the slightly chilly evenings. what bag am i talking about? read on.....2. here's the bag from my shop on etsy! the most perfect rich cranberry wine-colored messenger that will hold ALL the things you need for a day out and about.
buy it here.....
3. who doesn't love these Vintage Leather Boots in Espresso

by JessJamesJake ?
buy them here...

4. to complete the ensemble we have super cute skinny jeans- don't you want to show off your awesome boots? really, you can find them anywhere. i like the medium-dark wash the best. new jeans are ALWAYS a staple when gearing up for fall!

hope you all are as excited for autumn as i am, hot apple cider here i come:)
keep your eyes peeled for another shop update later this week with lots of messengers and really cool stacking trunks.
xo friends,
rachel

The Salt Empire

oh how the photos from the shop above inspire me. they are so beautiful and the earrings that are for sale are SPECTACULAR!
go check out TheSaltEmpire

it's pretty safe to say that i have been in love with this striped sweatshirt since i first found etsy. it looks so comfortable and the detailing of the ruffles on the shoulders gives it the perfect feminine touch:)
Blue and white striped sweatshirt by VictorianBird

i really want to start reading more and i think this autumn leaf in red hues might just be the jump start i need to get me back in the habit:)
Autumn Leaf Bookmark by Rumpelfeltskin

cannot believe it's wednesday! the husband has gone back to work (he is a high school physics teacher) and i am officially a part of the 30 year old club. it feels like a new season really is starting! now to book that trip back to michigan in october. i'm working up to it.
xo, rachel

Inside of Love

1. vintage BETSEY JOHNSON BLACK LACE DRESS $98
2. Imagine Bracelet $25
3. I'll GET YOU MY PRETTY POPPY LONGSTOCKINGS $16
4. 1980's Black and White Steam Punk Fleuvog Angel Racer Brogue Shoes $89
(i am a SUCKER for any and ALL footware by John Fleuvog)

mmmm, remember this song? i love nada surf but nothing hits me like their older stuff.
"i wanna know what it's like on the inside of love......"

Back to SKOOLERS

are you ready? it's coming...... that's right- SCHOOL! then onto AUTUMN, pumpkins, leaves changing colors, apples and cider. can you tell it's my favorite time of the year?!

the shop is getting a TOTAL makeover. it's been in desperate need for quite some time. here's a preview of what we've been working on......

some new bags, new product shots, new outfits, new feeling!

i am in love with the way this sweater shoots!
suspenders, adorable mini skirt and tights? CHECK!

a little something new..... won't be doing much of it because it's quite time consuming but i had such fun stitching her up!

the military teacher just flipped out!

thanks so much for checking out the newness. i plan on adding lots of fun new designs to the shop over the next few weeks. i am also entertaining the thought of taking more custom orders, which will require more time but will also force this brain of mine to get more artistically challenged:)

love, rachel

pink red pretty happy!

oops! i missed sunday. i was a busy kid yesterday. i was also doing some serious relaxing due to the cloudy, rainy weather. i LOVED it because this poor florida foiliage is quite desperate for the water plus it put me in just the right mood: a balance of artistic inspiration and laziness:)

i told you i would share the treasures i picked up on saturday while i was running around but the one find that takes the CAKE and is going to be used for my fall photos is this old skool vintage rugby cardigan sweater with stripes and front pockets. it was a QUARTER! and look at all that pretty luggage sitting there waiting patiently to be upcycled. love this color mix!

now, onto the goodies from the first photo. red and pink galore with SUCH cute designs i can barely stand it!

1. LOL Pillow Cover $15

2. Handmade coin purse- The Cookies $18

3. The Owls handmade coin purse $18

4. Vintage Retro Red fashion purse $15

(#2 & 3 are from the same shop because they were both so fun and i couldn't choose between them. #4 is the BEST shade of red and i would LOVE to upcycle/personalize that for myself or someone else)

lots of shooting & drawing going on in my little office
hope everyone is having a happy monday.

xo, rachel

EyeContact

growing up my dad was ALL about manners. now, when i say that i do not mean that my dad was some sort of dull dud. if anything my dad is far from that. he's always encouraged us to be ourselves, embrace life, do crazy things, laugh out loud etc. we are quite the ridiculous bunch when you get us together and we ALLways have a good time!
one thing i remember learning from a young age that has stuck with me like nothin' else over the years is Eye Contact. when you meet someone, you shake their hand- you make Eye Contact! when you are toasting and clanking your glasses with those around the table (a fun thing we do often when we are together) you always make Eye Contact with the person you are cheersing to! (i think i made up the word cheersing but i'm okay with that) when you are having a conversation- EYE CONTACT!

i think it's a really great thing and it's polite. the older i get the more i am baffled by the amount of adults who lack people skills and most likely it's because they were never taught them. i am thankful my pops was insistent on teaching us kids these things. it's just a kinder way of life:)

in light of my father's good teaching i decided to share some of my favorite vintage sunglasses with my readers. sunglasses are another thing that fall into the large category of "things i could easily get addicted to" so i'd better be careful!

1. 1970s Red and Clear Sunglasses New Old Stock $20

2. red wayfarer style sunglasses $28

3. Vintage Mod Foster Grant Hexagon Sunglasses $38

4. Vintage 1960-1970 John Lennon Rounded Circular Sunglasses $43

it's the weekend- happy dance.

i'm hoping to convince rebecca to go garage sale-ing with me tomm morning, but she doesn't know it yet so let's keep it between us:)

love, rachel

MILI TARY BOOT

welcome friends. internet is back to behaving:)

when i saw that military and knee socks were making their way onto the runway this fall i was quite pleased. i've been searching up etsy for some military and boot loving treasures. hope you like what i've found!

1. Prep School Drop Out Vintage Harve Bernard Blazer $32.99

2. Vintage Sz 6 Ruby Red Boots $55

3. Vintage Harrods Gay Wool Military Style Jacket 80's $61

4. Vintage Steampunk Military Style Khaki Green Vest $35

5. private benjamin military top $28

6. Vintage 80's Glam Red Military Style Coat w/ Gold Buttons $26

7. purple punk rock boots $46

8. vintage 80's Black Military Styled Vest $13

hope you all are having a great thursday with fun plans for the upcoming weekend.

love, rachel