Posts from fav companies (91)

Now that we're exactly three months into the world of retail, I'm becoming increasingly obsessed with finding inspiring ways to fill the windows of our shop. The side window is easy... that will always be filled with the work of others (like this amazing person and this this other amazing person). But I really want for the front window and the store displays in general to be innovative, beautiful and ever-changing...

Here are a few pics of some very drool-worthy windows that I've been adding to OB's Flickr favorites lately. And, as you might expect, several of them are from Anthropologie ;)

For more details on all of these images, visit OB's Flickr favorites.

As in, the Martha.

The reason I've kept quiet on the blog about my sister's February wedding in Palm Springs is that shortly beforehand, we learned the event would appear in the Summer 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings! Now that the issue is on newsstands, I'm so excited to share these images with you (by the amazing Justine Ungaro), and dish a little on the festivities.

The Moroccan-inspired hotel facade at the Parker Palm Springs welcomed you (along with K and JP) to the ultimate desert retreat.

The invitation suite, custom-designed for the couple by NEAPOLITAN - and assembled by Sandy Gordon (our mom), Jo Rettberg (our grandma!), and me.

Kristen and bridesmaids, left to right: Sara Cook, Jenima Hadjian, Laura Naples, and Kate Davis. Not pictured: the adorable Molly Naples. Kristen wore the Billie dress by Melissa Sweet. Bridesmaids wore silk taffeta Gracen and Clementine dresses by J.Crew in Barely Peach (color no longer available online). And by the way, I ended up with these shoes.

The wedding program, which carried on the marbelized paper theme from the invitations, held by ringbearer Michalle Giorgi.

The bride and groom kissed after the wedding at Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Palm Springs.

The bride soaked in the desert sun on a chaise outside the Gene Autry house, which was the site of the evening's reception on the grounds of the Parker.

This same space was transformed for the evening by Artisan Events into a stylishly intimate dinner for 62. Tables showcased individual "trees" made of manzanita branches adorned with orchids and hanging votives. Each guest received a small favor card at their placesetting, which explained how a donation was made on behalf of all wedding guests to Atlanta Lab Rescue (along with silhouette portraits of the couple's two yellow labs, Halley and Lola).

The flowergirl - Catherine, me, and my little sister - the bride! Catherine and I wore matching fabric flowers in our hair.

More photos and descriptions of the event can be viewed online, or you can take a peek at the actual spread in the magazine - it's the Summer 2010 issue in the "Real Weddings" section.

A side note: I bought my first issue of Weddings when I was a senior in high school, and have collected issues ever since. The magazine had a tremendous impact on my decision to pursue design, and so for me, to see my family celebrating together in this issue is the ultimate thrill!

Congratulations again to Kristen and Jon Paul! Images by Justine Ungaro via Martha Stewart Weddings.

So you've seen the lovely setup of the shop itself - and some peeks here and there of the products we're carrying - but now it's time for a more in-depth look at the awesome goods at OB's studio+shop ::

first photo, +plus the pink jackalope and gold fawn in the pic above, all by Chicago local, girlsavage -

+plus letterpress cards, prints + box of books, all by OrangeBeautiful.

wall full of goodies :: pillows by diffraction fiber // books from BlindSided Books, music from Sidedown // bags from Drika B // papercut prints by Crafterall // ...and UPPERCASE Magazine!*

*we're the only shop in Chicago that has it!

display wall :: screenprints by essimar // cards from Spiffy Press // cards by Squirrel in the Attic.

top to bottom :: TYPE Line cards by OrangeBeautiful // hand-felted pods by local artist, Karen Redford // hand-cut notecards by Crafterall // book published by UPPERCASE // books + papergoods from Little Otsu.

left :: totes from Drika B // right :: the finished gumball machine... filled with pins we made with our button maker!

Beard Pins, by Jordan Grace Owens.

Check out lots more pics over on our Flickr page...
and be sure to come by and see the goods in person... if our opening weekend was any indication, this first batch of inventory isn't gonna last long!

Lately I've gone on an uncharacteristic buying rampage since we are redecorating two rooms at once. DwellStudio and DwellStudio for Target seem to provide much of what I need for both spaces. Above: Catherine's new Flower Medallion duvet set is on order, and as the major colorful element in the room, I can't wait to see it. And as she has lately expressed interest having in a backpack, I couldn't resist this Gio Lemon version for her Easter basket, complete with a matching crayon/pencil case.

For my baby boy-to-be: he will inherit the crib from his older sister, so I think a masculine update is in order. The horizontal lines of this crib skirt are so striking and will work well with the other elements we already have in place for the nursery. The knit blanket is my favorite - I just love its graphic simplicity.

DwellStudio also has a fantastic blog that I've enjoyed lately - covering everything from decorating to fashion to travel and food. It's a compilation of posts by the company's founder, Christiane Lemieux, and other stylish employees. (It's also where I first read of those excellent maternity dresses!)

Images from Target and Modern Nursery.

Brooklyn-based company, i am dorkas is part jewelry, part textiles and all awesome. Drawing influence from Finnish, Indonesian and Portuguese cultures, i am dorkas creates everything from carved wooden rings & clock hands turned earrings to handmade aprons & some of the most beautiful napkins I've ever seen.

Beijo, red cedar ring, $75.00 by i am dorkas.

Sirkus napkins 2pk, $30.00 // Time Span clock hand earrings, $25.00.

All of the pieces come out of the collaborative efforts of Marianna Dorkas Jamadi, her boyfriend, Armando, and Mari's mother - all of whom bring their own visions, experiences & skills to the table.

Creating alongside others is always incredibly inspiring, and definitely helps to keep your ideas and designs fresh... well, and working in a space like Mari & Armando's Brooklyn apartment (slash i am dorkas headquarters, below) doesn't hurt either! ::

Be sure to check out more about i am dorkas and browse their shop -
If you're anything like me, you'll probably want one of everything!

images c/o i am dorkas.

Ling-An White, Guinea and Red Tail feather earrings, by Haji Couture.

This past weekend proved, once again, that the best thing about doing shows is the amazing & talented people you meet.

Friday evening & all day Saturday was spent at Living Room Realty Gallery with a delightful group of vendors showing their work at the first Modus Donandi ("Gift of Giving") Show.

Silo Votives, from up in the air somewhere.

Then Sunday ended the weekend (and my run of holiday shows) quite nicely with OB and Thread And Needle's mini craft mart, Coffee. Shop. - held at our local coffee shop, The Perfect Cup (4700 N. Damen)!

Vintage Postage Stamp bracelet, by Foxglove Accessories.

It was great to see Cindy (Tomczyk, of Paper Parasol Press) and spend the day with Holly (Thread And Needle) & Betsy (Foxglove Accessories, image above).

Limited Edition Gocco prints, from Laura George.

And even though the weekend was great, I'll be the first to admit that I'm glad it's all over and I have some much-needed rest & relaxation ahead of me!

I hope everyone else has some R&R coming their way, too!

If you're feeling antsy that Christmas is just one week away and you've gotten hardly any of your holiday shopping done... well, don't fret. There are tons of local events happening this weekend, including two that OrangeBeautiful is participating in!

MODUS DONANDI (or "Gift of Giving") is a 2-day handmade goods market with local designers and makers being held at LivingRoom Realty Gallery. The event includes an evening reception Friday from 6-9pm, followed by a day of shopping on Saturday. +Plus there will be a special bake sale directly funding LivingRoom's Micro Grant Project, which funds projects (up to $1,500) in the areas of art, sustainability, and overall world betterment. The perfect way to give a little that will immediately get you in the holiday spirit!

1. Girl With A Hook // 2. Dollybird Design // 3. Pears of Danger // 4. Kiyomi Kimble // 5. Up In The Air Somewhere // 6. Jane Palmer/Noon Solar.

Then, on Sunday, at my favorite local coffee shop - The Perfect Cup - Holly, of Thread And Needle and I have organized the very first Coffee. Shop.

Stop by between 10am and 4pm, grab an Anne's Special (trust me, it's delicious!) and shop, shop, shop! (And be sure to stop in the newly-opened Ravensgoods, right across the street!)

1. Paper Parasol Press // 2. Foxglove Accessories // 3. Thread And Needle // 4. Tartella // 5. Laura George // 6. OrangeBeautiful!

Hope to see you this weekend!
& Happy Shopping!

P.S. Did you happen to see OB's mention/pic in the Reader TODAY?

Finally, Loeffler Randall style can be achieved on a DIY shoestring, as this tutorial from Teen Vogue demonstrates. The basic project involves cutting a pull-on pair of boots short, then hand-sewing leggings to the top, and folding them over - the final look resembles the Wendy knit slouch bootie.

DIY version...

Though I would choose a slightly lower platform, I think the DIY version bears striking similarity to the (gorgeous) inspiration piece (below). Check out the step-by-step here. (By the way: I learned about this story because I befriended Loeffler Randall on Facebook. I am such a geek!)

Loeffler Randall Wendy knit slouch bootie

Top two images from Teen Vogue. Bottom image from Loeffler Randall.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the LILL Holiday Market this past Saturday... and an extra thanks to the awesome, awesome folks who work at LILL. Every single person working the show was sweet, helpful, friendly and genuinely excited about each and every vendor that they asked to participate.

And it was really great seeing some familiar faces in vendors I'd met before - as well as finally meeting some amazing people I've been fans of for a while (Hi, Veronica!) - I think we all finished the show with the feeling that we'd love to come back and do it all over again. I'll, of course, keep you posted on the next event at LILL's amazing space!

If you couldn't make it this past weekend, definitely mark your calendars for this Saturday - it's the DIY Trunk Show! and many of the same vendors who were at the Market will have tables at that show, as well!

I've got a ton more pictures from the show, so stayed tuned for more posts in the next few days...

1. Seriously 6pk, $14.00 from OrangeBeautiful // 2. Red Kukui Nut Necklace, $54.00 from Veronica Riley Martens // 3. Peacock Earrings, $18.00 from Isette // 4. Untitled matted print, $45.00 from Ariyama Studio // 5. Opal Aline Skirt, $75.00 from orangyporangy // 6. Flight Pattern Onesie, $17.00 from Earth Cadets.

If you're in the Chicago area this weekend, you should definitely check out the 1st Annual Holiday Market, held by one of my absolutely favorite businesses, 1154 LILL -

The market is a collection of 20 local vendors (including OrangeBeautiful!) and was inspired by the brilliant The 3/50 Project... so here's your chance to pick your three (or twenty) independent businesses to buy from this month - all in one place!

And, the best part (for me, anyway), is that the market is being held at LILL's headquarters (1511 W 38th Street)... heck, I'd go just to see their digs!!!

oh, and cause I love you crazy SCOOP readers, here's * A COUPON FOR YOU * to print out and bring with you to the show... this'll get you 10% off your entire OrangeBeautiful purchase at the market ONLY - so I'd better see you there!!!

Get more information (and directions) about the market RIGHT HERE
- and I'll see you tomorrow!