xoxo, Leigh-Ann
Sunday Sunshineeee
xoxo, Leigh-Ann
My SATC2 Review, Winner, Sale!
Samantha was HILARIOUS, Charlotte came down to earth, Miranda caught her style up to the others and Carrie was Carrie :) And AIDEN WAS IN IT!! If you're a fan of Sex and the City, you should defiantly see this movie! I'm going again this week with my sister and am so excited to relive the adventure :) Did you love it too?? :)
The Giveaway Winner is....
Congratulations Brianne, you've won the BIG Giveaway!! :)
Please email me at FreckledNest@gmail.com
Large ad spaces are currently $5off in celebration of my Blog Anniversary next month! Email me if you'd like to reserve a space.
xoxo, Leigh-Ann
Thursday goals
* Drop off car to get fixed
* Pick out cute rental car
* Possible thrift visit
* Maybe pick up my other glasses (I've got one pair so far)
* Supper with my friend Courtney
* Buying Mocs at the Mall
* Sex and the City 2 with Jill (premiere night!!)
* Work when I get home :)
ps. Fierce and Love. and if you know what that means, I love you even more ;)
My Odyssey: Chapter Two
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[ chapter one here ]
Elementary School eventually ended. I kissed a boy on the last day. His name was Billy and an alarm went off when our lips met. No, literally, one of my classmates pulled the fire alarm and we all went crazy. That summer Billy moved away and that was that (and I didn't kiss another till I was 19). I also got glasses that year, and felt really excited! I was the first girl in my class to wear glasses, I was becoming a little different and I welcomed it :)
While I still in Grade 6, my parents met with my new teacher for Grade 7 and my Dad pulled a hero move :) He spoke with the teachers and said, "Please don't put my daughter in the same class/team as Lisa and Nikki." And that's when I knew things were going to change :) That summer, I anticipated what my new school would be like. I was going to be in band and chose to play the Flute (purely because it was silver and I could carry it in my backpack). My middle school promised to have double the students in my grade because two elementary schools were directed into our middle school and I hoped I would make a friend.
Clearly in Chapter One, I longed to be accepted. Since my parents really valued strong academics and polite & kind young people, I made that a priority (i wanted to be good at something for them/impress). Booksmarts and memory retention never came naturally but I pushed myself hard to get my best grades possible; I liked the satisfaction and approval of a good report card and it made me feel normal (plus, my sister is a natural brain and i wanted to keep up).
Summer passed and I walked to school with my flute in my backpack, the combo lock that I'd practiced opening all summer (I lost sleep worrying about getting locked out of my locker), labeled binders, gum and a super nervous & excited stomach... change was coming :)
My class had a few familiar faces in it, but it was mostly new kids... I worked on my assignments and kept watch for a friend opp. It didn't happen right away, but the class environment was already so much better, the days were getting easier. I realized though that I was really naive and had become accustomed to letting the girls walk all over me. I was still desperate to fit in, and my eager beaverness was 'not cool'. I started protecting myself, avoiding those clicks and faked sick when history started repeating itself with the new girls.
So here's what happened in Grade 7 & 8!
To fill the time where my 'uncoolness' was clear (breaks and lunchtime), I volunteered in the School office, like a mini-job. It was my dream situation!!! I got to use the PA, take calls, write on the message sheets and I was around adults instead of the girls. I dorked out!! :) It passed the time and started me off on my passion for administration and business :)
To fill the time where my 'uncoolness' was clear (breaks and lunchtime), I volunteered in the School office, like a mini-job. It was my dream situation!!! I got to use the PA, take calls, write on the message sheets and I was around adults instead of the girls. I dorked out!! :) It passed the time and started me off on my passion for administration and business :)
Middle School also introduced 'Shops' classes. School was no longer only academics; once a week, we were learning creative skills, innovation and design :) I freaking loved it!! This was the best thing school ever did for me and I finally enjoyed it! I took sewing, plastics, photography, woodshop, foods, electronics and screen printing. I usually threw away the project instructions and made my own version or raced through the required assignments so I had lots of freetime. My curiousness always got the best of me... "what if I do it this way" and "what would happen if..." took over and I couldn't resist thinking outside the box and figuring it out myself. Plus, having all those supplies and tools available gave me endless possibilities! I'd discovered my inventor side, I was giddy, obsessed and I felt alive! A few teachers noticed my passion and unique qualities and put me on a team of young inventors and problem solvers. We went to symposiums to compete and were given challenging tasks to solve. I loved being the one to write down the teams ideas/details because it allowed me to stay quiet (i was shy), still be involved and piece the details together like a puzzle!
Funny Story: One day in Plastics Class, I was engraving my initials into the back of my cassette Walk-Man with an electronic dremmel tool. The tip was a spiral shape like a corkscrew and I got curious... "Would this curl my hair?" ...instead of thinking it through, I just tried it. With my classmates around me, I didn't want them to tease me for curling my hair with a dremmel... so I staged it "like an accident". I hung my hair down and let the corkscrew drillbit hit my permed hair. Duh. In one second, I'd instantly attached the dremmel to the top of my head, secured tightly by my tangled hair, a tool hanging off my head-- and I couldn't get it out!! I called my teacher, "Mr. Masi?"... he came over, perplexed and tried untangling my hair, but pretty much had to cut that section off. Lol, I have so many stories like this! Caught my homework on fire "by accident", sprayed my finger with a car powerwasher to see how strong the pressure was (it took my skin off), poked a Bull in the butt for a photo opp (thought it was a cow, till it turned around mad at me), etc, etc ;)
Further on in Grade 7, I started hanging out with a girl named Melissa. She had a pool in her backyard and I loved going to her house (i'm shallow when it comes to pools. pun)... we got along and it was fun hanging out with someone who was so nice :) Sometimes her friend Michele from our class would come along too, and we'd all play with Melissa's dogs and go swimming. The dogs often humped Michele's leg, and Michele thought they were hugging her. Michele was just as innocent and naive as me... we were perfect for each other!
At the end of Grade 7, Melissa had to move away and Michele and Melissa were no long automatic class partners. Michele and I teamed up on a 'no smoking campaign' for school and we had a sleepover. It was my first ever, and we did homework all night long... and we loved it :) That's how perfect Michele and I were for each other and we quickly became best friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) We did everything together, people thought we were sisters, we loved school work, we were in band together (Michele played Baritone) and we didn't really care about boys or regular girl stuff. We were just so happy being friends and I was finally a real kid :) People who knew me could probably tell something had changed in me, the improvement was that drastic :)
I had all I needed. I got to give my friendship to Michele & trusted her completely and she gave me back the same thing :) Michele gave me life!
Red Velvet Summer Camp [registration OPEN]
Registrations are OPEN :) You can register with the paypal button (left sidebar) or through the Red Velvet Site... see you there! :) xo.
Yaaay! Registrations open tomorrow for our next Online Class, Red Velvet Summer Camp! Elsie and Rachel have recreated Summer Camp (one of my favorite things) and invited Holly, Emma and myself to teach with them! :) I was the crafts teacher when I was a camp counselor as a teenager and I'm excited all over again to teach my 5 special projects :)
*Registrationis now open!
What is 'Red Velvet Summer Camp'?
Red Velvet Summer Camp is a 6 week online class encouraging a crafty, handmade lifestyle. This course is filled with projects to keep your summer inspired and fun-filled. We will share 30 Do-It-Yourself projects and have three live chats with students! The cherry-on-top is merit badge project to celebrate the end of Summer Camp! It's sure to be lots of fun. NOTE: This class is appropriate for all ages & family friendly, but projects are primarily set up for an adult skill level. :)
Summer Camp Project List:
10 Button Based Embroidery Patterns, Summer Floral Hair Clip, 'Hello' Woven Floor Mat, Summer Log Art Journal, Leather Feather Earrings, 3 Upcycled Tank Tops, Pup Tent (as seen in promo photos), Doily Plastic Bag Holder, Loom DIY (make your own loom), Swiss Cross Pillow, Ready-To-Use Recipe Box, Beaded Chandelier, Canvas Cloud Bath Mat, Mod Tote Bag, 3 D.I.Y. Bracelets (using three techniques), Pretty Windchime, Beach Blanket, Hanging Lanterns, Rockabilly Head Wrap with Summer Lovin' Embroidery Patterns, Happy Thoughts Wreath, Plush Animal Greeting Card Set, Fresh Fruit Apron Makeover, Simply Charming Necklace and Key Chain, Somebody Loves me Pillow Case Set, Tea Party Decor D.I.Y. (learn to throw the perfect little tea party!), Plush Scout Animal (with patterns), Forest Friends Shadow Box, Photo Fridge Magnets, Mini Party Garland, Scout's Honor Merit Badge Project (make pillows or wearable pieces with downloadable badge designs by Elsie & Rachel!)
Class Details:
*Red Velvet Summer Camp is a 6 week online class that begins June 14th.
*Supplies: Class Supplies are posted in advance on the private blog. Most supplies are inexpensive craft store items and items you may already own. We work hard to keep the supply list super affordable with lots of options.
*Class includes Bi-Weekly chats with the teachers (both text and video chats are included).
*Private Blog access will be sent to you within 24 hours of payment. The blog includes supply lists and a fun welcome post for pre-class preparation & a chance to meet fellow students.
*Our class is set up on an open ended time frame so that students can follow at their own pace. There are no deadlines or pressure and the private blog stays posted for one full year after class completion for students to reference!
Registration:
*Class Fee $60 USD
*Payments accepted via paypal (left sidebar) and the red velvet site
*If you have questions, please e-mail racheldenbow(at)gmail(dot)com.
This class is going to be so much fun and the project list is giving me goosebumps!! I'm so excited, see you there!! Leigh-Ann :)
i spoiled my eyes :)
I got two pairs of glasses and contacts yesterday... they're ready next week and I'm giddy!!! :)
I'll show better pix once I pick them up :) Headed to the cabin now... I'll probably post some fun things this weekend :) Happy long weekend friends!!! xo, Leigh-Ann
ps. This weekends your last chance to enter the BIG Giveaway HERE :)
ps. This weekends your last chance to enter the BIG Giveaway HERE :)
little button jar
I'm going to the eye doctor today, new glasses and contacts are on their way :) And Lola's going to the Vet this Friday for a check-up & heartworm pills before we head to the cabin for the long weekend. I'm so nervous about woodticks, ewe! But I'll still let her sleep with me because she sleeps with her head on the pillow like a person and it makes me giggle when I wake up :)
Lemon and Raspberry: Feature + eBook!
Hi Amy :) How would you describe yourself?
I'm a wife, sister, daughter, cousin, friend, wedding photographer, scrapbooker, reader, writer, editor, planner, blogger, traveler, singer, crocheter, cook, Netflix subscriber, aspiring linchpin, English literature M.A., procrastinator, learning addict... Amy T. Schubert :)
Lemon and Raspberry is intended to be a blog/website (and extended business) that will serve as a resource and inspiration to all the amazing artists, crafters, scrapbookers, photographers and creative small business owners who I have been lucky enough to find (and blog stalk) and love over the last few years.
I took the Indie Biz 2.0 class recently and met so many great bloggers and creative small business owners. Interacting with these women really helped me recognize a really strong pull I have toward being a help as much as I can to others who may be going through the same small business struggles I have.
I have my own creative small business that I have been putting everything into for the last couple years. I spend pretty much all my free time learning about online marketing and SEO and social media and on and on ….. I feel like I have something I can give back to our amazingly supportive community.
It's really been a big part of my heart lately and I'm super excited to put it out in the world.
I recognize that small business owners have about 45 different hats on at once – especially creative businesses. Not only are you the visionary CEO, with your hand on the wheel, steering the whole bus, but you are also in charge of the money and resources, keeping up with technology, marketing, the front line interaction with customers, the manufacturer, and the manager making sure it all gets done. I totally get that.
And I totally know it’s not easy.
I would really really love to help creative business owners in any way I can.
My awesome husband, the Muppets, Anne of Green Gables, time to myself, musical soundtracks, Seth Godin, springtime, having a camera in my hand, learning new things, Paul Simon, traveling, American History …. I could go on and on.
I think the more important thing is...
a) To know what inspires you. I know that if I’m feeling down or bored or uninspired, I can just go to one of these energy boosters. Just 15 minutes to read whatever Seth Godin has to say that day, or editing through a slew of new photos can make my day. I just got a couple new musical soundtracks on CD. Learning all that new music will keep me busy and so so happy for weeks!
b) We try to stay committed to DOING something about all this inspiration. It’s so easy to just look through all the blogs I love day after day after day after day. Yes. They are all so pretty. And those images of a gorgeously decorated cake definitely inspire me to bake my own. … but it’s a completely different story to actually do it.
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What can we expect from Lemon and Raspberry?
What can we expect from Lemon and Raspberry?
I would love to have you join me over at Lemon and Raspberry. I've got lots of exciting things on my ‘to-do’ list:
- DIY projects
- Several ebooks – on journal prompts, photography, SEO, and so much more
- Photography FAQs
- Blogging resources
- Productivity tips
- Ways to add a little magic to your day
- Featured artists
- Workshops and classes
I’m currently feeling extremely ambitious, but also quite overwhelmed. Almost as if I can’t keep track of all the ideas swirling around in my head.
I want to offer everything from business resources to blogging tips to practical ways to increase your productivity to fun little ideas to add a little magic to your day (and remind you that it’s still about your creation, in spite of all the quickbooks entries you may have done that day).
I really want to share with you all my very first product launch – a free ebook on improving your photography.
For many of us (especially with a primarily online business), our blog or our etsy shop is our first contact with a potential client.
If we all just stop for 3 seconds before we take a photo and make a couple tiny little tweaks, the quality of our photos can improve SO much. Completely without buying a fancy camera, or more expensive lens, or even learning how to shoot Manual on our cameras.
I made a free downloadable pdf that features 3 really easy ways to make your images even better. All the steps are completely do-able with any camera you have – do NOT think you need to buy a fancy dSLR to make better images.
Each of the 3 steps includes...
- the how and why
- possible drawbacks
- unexpected advantages
- examples from my photography and others
- extra credit projects
This ebook is completely free. No need to shell out a couple bucks or join a mailing list. Just download it to your computer and start playing... Better Photography : in 3 steps
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Thanks for sharing your knowledge, passion and eBook with us Amy!!! xo, Leigh-Ann
fanclub: Labelmakers
Growing up, my parents labelmaker was red and I loved using it to label everything :) When I was 17 and got my first job at McDonalds, they punched out "LEIGH-ANN" in blue and I had to hide my excitement. At my apartment/dorm in bible school, my 121 on the buzzer was yellow and I grinned everyday as I walked in. Nothings changed, I still love punched labels and over the last few years, I've discovered the machine designs are even better than I could of imagined and I feel a new collection coming on... these are the one's I'm keeping my eyes open for (especially the dog)!! :)
from Vintage Avacado (sold)
from Vintage Avacado (sold)
from Vincent.zp
from Giant Dwarf
from Vintology (sold)
Young Entrepreneurs: JordanTaylah.com
Taylah signed up for Indie Business a few months ago and we chatted 1:1 online. As we talked, I was fascinated... I really admired her business sense, product development and beautifully designed website (every detail is so clever!). THEN, I found out she was 14 and I felt secretly intimidated to be one of her teachers, she's an impressive young woman and I asked her immediately if I couldfeature her on Freckled Nest :) Taylah and her best friend/business partner Ellie are the kinda girls I always wanted to be growing up... I hope that as you read this interview, you'll realize & discover that ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE if you put your mind to it!!!
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1. Please introduce yourselves and your company :)
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1. Please introduce yourselves and your company :)
Hi! My name is Taylah Golden, and I own and operate a boutique sleepwear label called Jordan Taylah with my friend Ellie. We design cute, comfy and quirky pj's, as well as a range of bags, purses, clothing, swimwear, softies, and accessories, which we will be adding to our store through-out this year. Ellie and I met in preschool, where we studied 'The Beautifulness of Ballerinas' and made dancer dolls. We started going to real sewing lessons in grade 7 at a little patchwork store. We made lot of old lady friends, who insisted we call them all 'aunty'. Auntie Phyllis, Auntie Barb, Auntie Shirl... They all rushed in on Saturdays to show us their latest quilt or machine-embroidered design, then stayed to help us turn bag handles. We progressed from patchwork bags to dressmaking, with help from my mum, and began with the pajamas. Oh, and we're 14 years old, from QLD, Australia :)
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2. I was so impressed with the success of your small business when I met you, then I found out you're fourteen and my jaw hit-the-floor!! Please tell us about how your business started and how you made it all happen!
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2. I was so impressed with the success of your small business when I met you, then I found out you're fourteen and my jaw hit-the-floor!! Please tell us about how your business started and how you made it all happen!
Our business started back in '08, when we were 12. El & I were getting ready to go on school camp- interstate to Canberra! Flying to another state with 80 of your friends is big when your 12. I wanted some nice, new winter pajamas to take with me, but couldn't find anything nice; everything was covered in strange cartoon characters, and buying warm pj's without a collared, button up shirt was impossible.
So off I went o the craft store, where I picked up a few patterns and some cute flannelet. Ellie came over to my house, and we sewed. We were aiming for a pair each if we were lucky, but we ended up with about 4 or 5. They were lovely, but we didn't need that many, so we gave some to our friends. While we were away, more people began to ask where we had gotten them from. We also told our other family and friends, who wanted pj's right away. Those guys were responsible for us having orders less then a week after we made our very first pair :)
The thing that people wonder about the most is probably our label name - Jordan Taylah. What it means, and how we got it.
When we had our little brain wave, we mashed our names together. I am Taylah Golden, and Ellie's full name is Ellie Jordan. After trying every possible combination of our names, that is what we decided we liked best. I get called Jordan more than I get called Taylah, I think, but it's all good. ;)
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Everything was a bit bigger than we imagined, with friend's friends ordering, even the occasional purchase from someone we didn't know, it was time to sort ourselves out, and make JT look official. I emailed my cousin Bianca, who has a wonderful marketing, web & graphic design business. She whipped up our lovely logo, and designed us a few business card options. In the end, we settled on the blue ad green theme, which has now become sort of like our 'trademark color scheme'.
My uncle is a software engineer, and offered to build my website. Once we got talking to people, we found so many businesses and contacts who were willing to help our dream become a reality, screen printers, photographers, retailers and journalists. It was amazing to find there were so many generous and helpful people in the community, who were interested in a little PJ label like ours.
2009 was a big year for us, we got a brand new website (from Bianca's newest venture, Web123), participated in the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival, started circuiting the markets, gained most of our retail outlets, and were featured on a national morning television program, The Today Show.
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3. Who are your style icons and where's your favorite places to find inspiration?
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3. Who are your style icons and where's your favorite places to find inspiration?
In terms of style icons, I have quite a long list that changes regularly. However, a few of my constant favourites include:
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Nirrimi is a teenage photographer from here in Queensland too. Her pictures are absolutely stunning, a huge source of inspiration, and one of the main reasons I wanted to get started in photography. She is not even a legal adult, and has shot editorials for Australian magazines, and recently returned from New York. Yep, New York, to shoot for none other than DIESEL.
Her creativity is mind blowing, and her technicality is superb. I think it is even more amazing that she is self taught, I love hearing stories like hers :)
I think she has big things ahead of her!
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Of Course, Red Velvet Art, is a massive inspiration....
I stumbled upon Elsie's Blog a few years ago by accident, and it has become a daily source of motivation and eye candy for me. I love hearing little stories about RVA, and want to buy pretty much everything in the store. I would loveLOVElove it if JT became anything like Red Velvet, and I think a lot of indie business owners from all around the world feel the same.
A Beautiful Mess actually inspired me to start my own blog, team*taylah, which I am so grateful for, as it has allowed me to connect with so many amazing and like-minded people. I love the whole aesthetic of the boutique, and the RVA team are my business & style icons :)
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I couldn't forget Peter Alexander, the pyjama king...
He started sewing on his mother's kitchen bench, and 20 years later his name is synonymous with boutique sleepwear. And the dachshund branding is so cute!
I often think of new ideas and designs when I am on the train. Trains are my most favorite, and maybe strangest way of being creative. I always draw or collage in my art journal, or list the interesting things that pass by the window, especially flowery fields, abandoned shopfronts, and amazing graffiti. Even the station names are inspiring, I pass Sunshine Station on my trips, and I think that is the best name for a train station ;)
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4. What's your favorite part of having a small business and what do you look forward to in the future?
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4. What's your favorite part of having a small business and what do you look forward to in the future?
The thing I love about having a small business is feeling you get when working with others. I feel like there is a real sense of connection between the customer and my brand, which I don't think is particularly possible in a huge, mainstream label. I believe that the story behind a product can be just as special as the product itself, and retailing through my web shop and various market stalls allows me to share that with my customers. I love to feel like your getting a real treasure, and a little piece of a fairytale after buying from an indie designer, and I like to think people who buy Jordan Taylah feel the same.
In terms of the future, this year is particularly exciting for me. I have a huge range in production at the moment, the majority of which will be released in September, after being unveiled in the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival. As well as over 10 new summer sleepwear designs, I am adding swimwear, clothing and accessories to the store. There is a lot in planning, but I want it to be a big surprise when it comes!
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5. What does your average day look like?
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5. What does your average day look like?
Obviously I have school everyday, so I can't spend all my time making cute stuff. When I get home in the afternoon, I usually have assignments or homework to attend to, as well as sport. In the evening, I respond to emails, add new products to the shop, spend a bit of time making littler things, such as purses or hair accessories, and I try to write a blog post as often as I can. On the weekends, I work in a local craft store for a few hours, where I spend a lot of time imagining the fabrics as bags, or pajamas or other bits and pieces.
The weekends are usually when I get most of my work done. If I have a specific order to complete I will cut it out, and pack it up with all it's tags. If I have a lot of general stock-building to do, for a market or event, I organize my fabrics an patterns and send it to an industrial cutter. Either way, once my pj's are cut they are sent to Shirley. Shirl is my fantastic sewer, and one of the best things that have ever happened to Jordan Taylah. I drop bagfuls of fabric to Shirl, and have a chat in the sewing room. She is so sweet, one day I was telling here how I loved typewriters, and a few days later when I came to pick up my order, she had one for me! In return I made her a Heather Bailey turtle. While my boxers are being stitched, I take care of embellishing tops, and making a cute, coordinating drawstring bag for each pair ( Every set of JT pajamas come with a matching bag, for taking to sleepovers, or just storing your pj's in the cutest way ever :] )
Then there is packaging and shipping, once production is complete.
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6. What do you want to be when you "grow up" and how do you plan to get there?
I want to do so much! I would love to pursue photography, as it is something I love and am very passionate about. Of course, I want to continue Jordan Taylah, growing into a label stocked in cute boutiques all over Australia, maybe even overseas. Adding a design degree to my skills is also on my list of things to do, particularly one in visual communications. This will allow me to study graphic design, popular culture, typography, photo media and digital editing, packaging, and psychology of marketing. I think that sounds so interesting, and also helpful for what I want to do. Another dream of mine is to own my own boutique, stocking my own pieces as well as items from other designers, especially locals or people who are 'undiscovered'. I would stock lots of fashion, cute homewares, pretty stationary, photo prints, magazines and books, jewelery and toys. And I want a studio space, so others in the community can connect through art and craft!
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7. What do you have planned for Jordan Taylah in the near future?
This year brings big things for me. I am currently designing a cute line of dresses for summer 2010, as well as about 20 ranges of pj's to be released through out the year. I am adding a lot to my store, including swimwear from my lovely friend Kristy. I want to find some soft toys and stationary (especially notebooks!) from other independent designers to fit into the Jordan Taylah family. If you are interested in showing your stuff on my site, please email me and let me know (info@jordantaylah.com)! I am really passionate about giving unearthed brands a chance to get noticed. A big goal for me is expanding my stockists, and finding cute stores to sell my label. And circuiting the markets again! It's a big list, but you've got to dream big! xo, Taylah.
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Thanks so much Taylah, keep following your dreams!! :]
LA
LA
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