the stylo post

So this was kind of a huge deal for me: I have a little spread in the new issue of STYLO along side some of my favorite children clothing makers and designers.

The looks that I contributed reflected what I love most this time of year- hiking and insanely cute outerwear. We live walking distance to a sprawling reservation and autumn is such a beautiful and vibrant time to enjoy the trails. For chilly hikes I put together these two looks: Phia's is much more whimsical while Ori's has a utilitarian feel to it.

 I made all the pieces that the kids are wearing, but I really wanted the focus to be on their coats. On cold days that's really the only layer showing, right?

 

Spruce Herringbone Wool School Days Jacket by Oliver + S

Gray Italian Denim Small Fry Skinny Jeans by Titchy Threads 

Chambray Pullover by Blank Slate Patterns
 

Tan Wool Nituna Jacket by Figgy’s Patterns

Thistle Ayashe Tunic by Figgy’s Patterns

Ponte Knit Capris drafted from Small Fry Skinny Jeans

Most of the fabrics used are available from Michael Levine Fabrics, one of my favorite fabric sources, who also happens to be offering a special STYLO discount. Check out their incredible selection and then use the code “STYLO10″ at checkout for 10% off your entire order.  

Major thanks to the STYLO duo Jessica & Celina- I am still so honored to have been a part of this issue as this was such a wonderful reason to jump on the sewing machine.

So, go swoon over STYLO & get inspired.

Summer

This summer was a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

It was structured around pool days and last minute dinners plans with friends. It was spent as homebodies in the garden and explorers searching for the best beach. It was surprise birthday parties and sprints to the train. It was sundaes with teachers and enjoying coffee with loved ones. Just a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.

Lover of Pools

I am a self proclaimed pool person. 

My summers have always been shaped by my ability to drop everything and dive into a pool. In my book few moments were as joyful as a hot summer day tamed by rippling blue waters. I accept that my love for swimming might not ever be subdued by adulthood, and that fact leaves my kids thankful as I rarely pass on a trip to our community pool.

This summer I was determined to make the perfect pool bag. I did a test run years ago with remnant pieces from ikea and was never truly happy with how overly large I made it. Pool bags need to be big, but there is a fine line when it comes to ridiculously proportioned. The tote fits 4 towels & dry clothes, has a vinyl coated phone pocket and a place for summer reads. I played with fabric dye to try to capture the beauty of those gentle crystal waves- think rit dye painted on in lines and then washed out. It is my favorite and most used project of this summer.

kcw: Stash Control & the Sea Change Dress

Ever walk into your sewing space and wonder "how did I become a hoarder?". I did a major purge at the beginning of this summer, and along with it I made a pile of all the acquired and thrifted goods that needed to be given a second chance. The first to be transformed: a skirt that a friend handed down to me- the gorgeous deep jade color and lovely embroidered pattern at the bottom were too good to be left waiting any longer. It was a piece that she was ditching after losing a significant amount of weight, a feat which I am so proud of her for, and it offered up a fair amount of fabric to play with. After some minor agonizing over what to do with it, I used the oldest trick in the book and made it into a summery dress for Phia. I kept the embroidery at the hem in tact and graded it so that it would be a more manageable amount of fabric for a shirred bodice, and I love the ultra fluttery and and ripply result. The straps came from some fabric taken out of the dress when I took out the zipper and I am kind of loving the embroidered pattern at their ends. I have aspirations to knock out the rest of the pile and hope they are as gratifying as this little frock. 

Setting Standards

School wrapped up this past week and two projects were finished just in time to celebrate another wonderful year and the incredible teachers that made it happen. Even though it is slightly kitschy, I kind of loved this print used to keep the 'apple tote' tradition going. We gifted Phia and Ori's fabulous teachers with one made especially for them- my kids each adored their teachers and I hope they always know how dear to us they will be.

Our summer studies includes a journal that I am having the kids add to everyday. While there will be some standard reflective entries it is also serving as a place for them to practice some persuasive writing by making their own reviews of books, restaurants, outings, and the like. So far Phia has written about what it takes to be a good friend and Ori wrote up plans on visiting my sister in Brooklyn to get a donut.

Garden State of Mind

1. Tending to our patio nursery
2. Bikes make botanical gardens better
3. Arch ways covered in green
4. Inspiring orchid displays

Lately the place you will most likely find me at home is in the garden. Since our home-making journey began we have always tried to find time for a garden whether it be herbs crowded on a balcony or plots brimming with veggies. There has always been an insatiable desire in me to watch tiny seeds transform into crops robust and fruit bearing. Sometimes I feel it must be a Kansan predisposition- an urge too hard to fight and too engrained to question. Gardening is my zen. 

Knowing my love of plant life, Danny took us for a tour of Duke Farms last week. Once the sprawling estate of the Duke family and then botanical garden and gem of central New Jersey, it has evolved over the years into a sustainable and ecological friendly garden filled with inspiration. The expansive grounds were easily accessible by bikes rented at the garden- an idea that I loved as it made the visit feel like an adventure for the kids. It was invigorating, and when I came home I went straight to work in our little garden.

Self Making

 I learned a bit about personal style this past month. Me Made May was an enlightening experience- I not only found an inner spark pushing to wear handmade pieces that were long forgotten or suspended in the back of the closet, but also honing in on my overall look. This is an endless project and I've had lulls, tried new things, made interesting decisions and gone through the cycle of wardrobe evaluation before. I've grappled with maintaining my style, especially after becoming a mother, and have watched as my closet evolved to fit different needs. In the midst of my less fashionable phases I realized taking on a different role in life did not mean sacrificing style, and have been refining the little glimpse of me that I wear each day.

During this overhaul I purged some lazy knit t-shirts and old jean shorts that were kicking around far too long. I made room for two pairs of maritime shorts, two skirts the purple dress pictured above and have thoroughly been enjoying each piece. The maritime shorts were completely worth the wait- the red pair were actually my 'muslin' that ended up being wearable, as in I want to wear them everyday. I had to take in the sides slightly, thus the smaller scale pockets, but it just steered me in the right direction on sizing for the next pair I made. I highly suggest checking out this pattern if you are interested in learning the secret art of shorts making. I had tried other patterns years ago that didn't break it down as effortlessly as this little gem did. And grainline studios also offers super helpful walkthroughs if you get caught up along the way. If that wasn't enough to sell you, then check out all these fine ladies rocking their creations:

vintage inspired by skirt as top
little stars by miss make
amazing print at lladybird
awesomely bright by cloth habit
grainline studio's own modified hem

Me Made May

I, Lindsay of 'lindsay, etc.', sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 2014. I endeavor to wear a handmade items five days a week during the month of May 2014.

So it is half way through May and after showing someone my blog at a wedding this past weekend I realized I had never posted my Me-Made-May pledge. I am excited for the challenge and have so far fulfilled my agreement- I have worn something made by hand just about everyday. These past two weeks were beyond busy with confection production; most of the jobs were scheduled in advance, they just all happened to fall on Mother's Day weekend. After a wonderful wedding for two people we love, I had a chance to mop the floors, do the laundry and lounge around on the beach with a best friend and her family- possibly the best way to wrap up a frantically busy week. And on today's agenda- vacuuming sand from my car and making some Maritime shorts.