On Sale Friday & Discount Code

I never intended to offer the aprons I've been sewing for sale. I was making them for purposes of my own. Somewhere along the way, and with the positive feedback from my wonderful Instagram friends, I have decided to make them available for purchase. I take pride in making quality products to share with others. I have worked hard to create an apron that is practical and fashionable. I am delighted with the way the aprons have turned out and I hope that if you decide to purchase an apron you will be too.

Aprons will range between $26-$30 shipping included. They can be the perfect pick me up for yourself this baking season, a great gift for the ladies in your life, or the perfect hostess gift this holiday season.

In addition, I would like to offer a discount code if you help spread the word through Friday. All you have to do is tweet and mention @larnlevy and I will then DM you a discount code. Or you can use Facebook to mention my page or a link to this post and I will send you the discount code.

Thank you all in advance for the awesome support. Feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions you may have. 

Lauren

Let's Call Chartreuse

Today I am living out my dream of being a nail polish namer. I'm sure that is their title right? I've always wanted that job. So today instead of sitting back wishing, I'm taking the plunge. 

sorda.

Instead of naming nail polish, I'm going to name my cutest newest clutch available at LAURENDARLINGS! 

Let's Call Chartreuse

The first night I finished this little piece of goodness it came to bed with me. As in I wanted it to be the first thing I saw the next morning so it slept on my night stand. Yes, I made room - see previous post.  When that happens which it sometimes does, I know I have got something good going on. 

So let me tell you the features of my newest sassy molassy. 

She is perfectly striped chartreuse cotton lined for extra support. Her rounded bottom allows for a little extra room on the inside and is lined with a matching chartreuse check and a striped pocket to keep  small or more important things secure. The fold over flap is a brown cotton with a tweed look lined with a stabilizer to help hold the bag's adorable shape. For a little bit of flare and depth I added a special pleat. She is finished with a magnetic snap to keep all your essentials safe. With 9" long, 5" tall, and 2" deep you should have plenty of room for the essentials. Basically... it's your new favorite clutch. 

I love this bag for so many reasons but I'll tell you my favorites real quick.

Color - the perfect colors to transition out of this HOT summer into the fall.

Shape - It isn't square and it isn't round. It's unique.

Size - Big enough for what you need without the extra bulk and not too small.

So you want to get your hands on this pretty little thing? I'm going to tell you how.

I am offering a pre-order for this clutch from today until AUGUST 18th at a discounted price of $20 dollars + $4 for shipping.  On the 19th I will still have them available just at their regular price of $24 + S &H. All orders between now and then will NOT ship until after the 18th. I have rearranged and re-planned how I run my shop according to my always changing schedule. You can order your new clutch >>> HERE.

I'm super excited about the new bag and I hope you all love it as well! 

What do you say... Let's Call Chartreuse.

I Ain't No Quitter

Apparently I hate the idea of being a quitter. I've logged some hours sewing this week. Don't really have much else for you right now except some pics of things I've been working on. 

I'd love to know what you'd like to see more (or less) of.

Laminated Fabric Keychains - aka waterproof beauties, available here,

the everything pouch - ereader compatible, all of these are still available ($12 + 2 S&H)

my attempt at an iPad case - will get correct measurements on the next one

 and the cutest diaper & wipes case...ever! Isn't baby stuff adorable. I should get one...in a couple years. 

I have been loving the quilted look as of late. Although it takes more time, it makes the quality and look of the bag so much better.  Now.. if only I can get these all of these items available in the shop. 

LD

No Sugar Coating, I'm Not Willy Wonka

Yikes. I have seen an ugly side of myself this week. After parting ways with Brandon at the airport on Thursday morning I have been in quite a funk. It actually died off about Friday evening but it was ugly while it lasted. I was sad and deflated. How could such a wonderful seven days with my husband leave me feeling like this?

I try to stay positive here on the blog, not to give you the wrong idea but more so to encourage others to be positive. I truly feel I've been honest with you all about how I've been dealing with being a baseball wife and all that comes with it. I have enjoyed the travel, adventure, and the unexpected. I have found myself keeping busy with multitude of things and it hasn't seem bad at all. Until lately. I cracked. 

I was craving more time with him. Another morning to wake up next to each other and I couldn't have it. I was both angry and sad, yet helpless. This is what it looks like. The ugly side. I wanted to crawl into bed and sleep the day away. But at the same time I knew I wanted to change how I felt. I knew that I had overcome these less severe feelings I've had in the past and that I could do it again.

This negativity snowballed. Yes it gets worse. The whole time I drove from Memphis to Missouri I debated back and forth on closing LaurenDarlings. I've been blessed with this gift but I am struggling to figure out how to utilize it in the way I was created to do so. I really enjoy making and creating/sewing different things. The weeks when I am with Brandon I pretty much have to put the shop in vacation mode. I also don't want to spend all my time online networking when I can be looking at his cute face, cooking him dinner, or spending quality time with him. It has left me torn and at this point I haven't figured out how to balance and make both work. Of course he will always come first no question.

When I'm not with Brandon I spend my time sewing. As I just explained, I wasn't sure my heart was in the right place on return from this trip. What was the point, at this point, to keep making anything? I just kept buying more, and making more, and selling less. I'm not concerned with making a profit, I would just like to be able to make back what I put into my shop. But I wasn't, I'm not and that is really discouraging.

I sat at my machine for an hour before I even turned it on, maybe longer. I had a few requests from some people I knew in town asking for various items. I had told them I would try to make those products so that's what I was going to do. I have to say those projects are what helped me out of the slump. I'm grateful for them. I also apologize to those individuals who have been patiently waiting for me to fill their requests. Truth be told I want to keep all the things I made for them. But I won't. 

In the meantime Brandon knew I was in a sad place and that I was missing him terribly. He text me this. 

"P.U.S.H. through it." 

He always has been very simple but that text was exactly what I needed. For those who have never heard this, it's an acronym for pray until something happens. I can always count on him to say the right thing and encourage me when I need it most. 

You, as well as myself, will be glad to hear the slump is over. I prayed for peace and direction and I still am. I miss Brandon dearly but... I am thankful my passion to sew and create hasn't been taken from me. For a minute, I thought it was gone and I would have dealt with it. It was a great reminder to me of how much I actually love sewing.

I can't tell you for sure the direction LaurenDarlings will take. I've decided only this, I'm going to keep making product and use whatever supplies I have on hand without buying new. I will be listing and selling these various items and most likely there may be only one available. Some fabrics I have more of, others I only have a scrap piece, If you love it snatch it up. I will probably make them first available to my Instagram followers because it's my favorite and easiest form of social media. If you're not following me my username is @larnlevydickson. From there I will list them in my storenvy shop - LaurenDarlings. As always you can contact me via email - laurendarlings@gmail.com. 

I know posts that aren't happy, cheery, and full of great photos aren't fun to read but I felt the need to be honest about my feelings and whats been on my heart. My life is easily stereotyped and misconstrued to be luxurious and carefree and I just want you to remember that I'm human too. I will leave you with one happy photo from our trip last week just so we end on a good note.

LD

New Camera Strap Covers

Hello lads and ladies...I've had some time to catch my breath. 

I'm not really sure how different our lives would be if my family didn't live in Missouri. I've been hanging out here temporarily until Brandon gets back to Memphis and then I'll rejoin him at that point. I'm unbelievably thankful for this.

While the last two weeks have kept me extremely busy they haven't allowed me any sewing time and hardly any blogging time. It was similar to working out after you take a break. I didn't want to but...I did and it made me realize how much I've missed creating fun things.

Especially new fun things which leads me to the new ruffled camera straps available in the shop. These actually came about because one of my friends pretty much forced me into making one for her. I can't really say 'no' when a camera strap shows up in my mailbox. I'm totally kidding and thankful for our friendship because she is probably one of my biggest customers. 

The way I'm selling these adorable camera strap slipcovers is via custom orders. If you want one I'll make it for you and with the colors and fabric patterns of your choosing based on selection available. We will work closely together to pick out what is best for YOU. I will try to have a large variety of colors available. 

In the midst of all our moving and the chaos it sometimes bring, I look forward to having your business. Please feel free to contact me with questions/requests via email - laurendarlings@gmail.com or start shopping here.

Wild Things

Happy Friday friends. I don't have much for you today just a little something.


It's been since early February since I've been to Hobby Lobby. Earlier this week we made a trip. I wasn't looking for any particular fabric, just seeing if anything caught my eye. That's usually how my fabric shopping trips work. I walk around and wait until I see something that I know I want to use. I get a gut feeling that I can't leave without that fabric or I'll only think about it until I get it.


I kept looking and looking. I kept going back to the animal prints. I've always liked animal prints and even did a few small projects when I first got my machine. I just couldn't figure our what I would do with animal prints when NOTHING I've been sewing lately has been this style.


Then I found two other pieces to match that were even more out of my element. But I went with it and had a slight vision in my head of something that could be awesome. I knew I had to get them.

I don't know how it happened but it turned into this.

And I love it!


The end. 

Blogging & A Sale!

I'm a tiny bit debbie downer today and not because I had to kill another roach last night. Let me tell you, when I go a week without blogging it's two things, freeing & annoying. Freeing because I don't feel obligated to update about the goings on of daily life. Annoying because in my mind I write the most genius blog posts and then can never get them documented to save for later use. I'm glad to be back. But if I had to be gone four more days with out blogging because I was at a blogging/creativity conference in SLC Utah, I wouldn't be complaining. I'm not though. After attempting to win a free ticket, twice, I decided this isn't my year to go. 

I love my blog I do, but to be honest I write it for me and Brandon so when we are 80 and can't figure out how to work whatever electronic device is being used, someone out there can enjoy it for us. I'll admit, it's great sharing with others this glamorous life so many people assume baseball players and their wives live. I just told you I've killed FOUR roaches in our new apartment remember?!

Once you start this whole blogging adventure you get sucked in. I've ventured deeper into the blogosphere and met some pretty darn cool people. People that I hope I get to meet someday. Friends that have so kindly complimented shop items. Bloggers and shop owners who I look up to and know that they once started small too. So right now as we speak many bloggers are gathering for an awesome conference filled with creativity and next year I hope to join them. I can't help but be encouraged by some of my favorites who so kindly - okay I had a great sentence but basically this is what I'm saying without the fluff. 

Kellie a blogger/shop owner/friend/momma/southerner that I think is the BOMB.COM bought a clutch of mine a few months ago. She is at this conference and I woke up to this on my Instagram feed. A few months back she even featured this little bag on her blog. I may hire her to do ALL product photos for me from now on. 

Just to clarify, I didn't wake up at 11:46,

 that's just the time of the screen shot.

I can't explain the smile that came across this girls face! I'm so grateful, and inspired, and anxious for BD's game to be over so I can go restock my orange fabric!! He has errands to run to so we are gonna carpool, cute isn't it. 

I was thinking of making a cross breed of the fold over clutch and this new little mini. So a pleated fold over clutch perhaps. I like it!

I'm bringing in the new vintage clutches, soon I promise, some pleated mini coin purses, some pleated clutches, and some vintage minis. With all of this said, I'm ready to clear out the shop for some new items. I have marked down ALL items. Shop now and help make some room for the new!

Vintage Darlings Are Born

Me: I think I'm going to pick up a new pair of some color skinny jeans, they are in right now.

Brandon: Who says?

Me: It's all over right now. It's just in.

Brandon: But why? Who decided that its 'in'?

Me: I don't know I can't explain to you how fashion works. It's just popular right now.

Brandon: Who says that though? Which person decided that and told the whole world?

We go round and round. I can't convince him if it's in or not, and if it is, he will never jump on the bandwagon. He will stick to his greens, blues, grays, browns, and of course Camo for the rest of his life because to him, camo is always in.

I'll admit my closet is not real up and up with what is in as far as fashion goes. I wear what is comfortable to me and what I think is cute, and of course things Brandon likes and sometimes things he doesn't. 

As a tiny shop owner of some clutches and wristlets I try to follow the current trends. Maybe that isn't a good idea and maybe I should make what I like instead. If I did that though, I would probably hoard all my new designs and not be able to share these with everyone else.

It has occurred to me that thrifting and vintage clothing are a hot item right now. Brandon if your reading, don't ask me why or who decided this, it is what it is. The last time I went shopping for fabric all the pieces I picked in some way reminded me of my grandma Norma. She liked to quilt, owned a farm that my siblings and I reminisced about all weekend, and could cook something fierce. 

Today as I was shopping for fabrics, I ooh and awwed over pretty much the entire store. I spent the first fifteen minutes documenting my new-found obsession for fabric. Years ago my mom couldn't drag me into a fabric shop. Anyways, I kept finding myself being drawn to some of the most classic old fashion and some pretty ugly pieces. Don't get me wrong I loved all the new bright color and geometric shapes and patterns but before I knew it I had several bolts of the old fashioned looking stuff in my arms.

And that's how my next little project was born. Tonight I worked on a prototype and brainstormed to see if this was going to work the way I planned in my head all afternoon driving home from shopping. I'm super giddy about it. So much that I knew if I didn't just write out how excited I was, I'd be up all night thinking about it. Now instead I'm up late writing about it. 

I completed my first clutch, that I have to keep for myself because it's to live for cute, (I'd never die for a clutch's cuteness, just saying) Then, we started going through my mom's fabric stash. Some good, some bad, and some just uggggaly. I ended up with this whole stack of fabric perfect for my new vintage line. Love love love.  

Until I can show you more, I'll leave you with a sneak peek. I'm so in love already. I have very high hopes for the new clutches and I hope you will love them. These mean more to me already than any of the other things I've sewn because they have so much meaning behind them. They remind me of my grandma and quite a bit of the fabrics are from my mom. I think know my grandma would be proud of her little quail. 

Available Now!

My new clutches are made with adorable cotton fabric measuring 11 x 9 after folded.

This clutch can be used for an afternoon or evening out. It can also be used as a case for iPads. Already have a case? Then consider this a slip cover. This clutch is lined with lightweight interfacing. There is NOT extra padding. 

Closes with matching ties into a bow. 

This clutch is reversible if you choose. Just iron on low to get rid of the wrinkles.

SHOP NOW!

This,That, and a Sneak Peek

Happy Hunger Games week. Can you believe it's here? If you don't know what I'm talking about please quit reading and go download Hunger Games on your ereader or check it out at your local library. Although I doubt there are copies available for check out so find another way to get your hands on the book. You won't be disappointed. I couldn't help it when I saw this at Starbucks this week. It's a line playing over and over on TV and in my head. 

" I volunteer as...

I am loving these little nuggets of wisdom you can find at Cracker Barrel. We dined there this week and I loved it. It's the closest thing to homecooking we can find. 

Speaking of food... I must be a kid again because this was my cereal choice for the week. 

I also did some fabric shopping. All the pieces I picked out remind me of my Grandma Norma. I can't figure out exactly why but that makes me love them that much more. She would love to see that I've taken up sewing. At the time I had a different purpose for the fabrics than what I am actually using them for. I didn't mean to jump on the iPad cover/case/cozy/snuggie bandwagon that so many shops online offer but I just couldn't help it. Especially at the request of a few readers. I'll soon be introducing you to the new fold over clutch that is ipad compatible. 

I'm a sucker for cuteness, I hope you will be too.

A Messenger Bag

Here is my new messenger bag. 

I kinda love it. 

It's perfect for spring, summer, and the beach!

If YOU want one, I'm taking custom orders.

laurendarlings@gmail.com 

I'll even throw in a CHOOSE JOY bracelet.

My sister ended up going home with a bag in these lovely colors. 

Hope you're having a lovely Monday.

New Wristlets

The latest additions to the laurendarlings shop for only $8 + shipping. Enjoy!

Be sure to email me if there are colors you want but don't see in the shop. I'm pretty flexible. Thanks!

Houston We Have Internet {and products for sale}!

So sorry I have been MIA. We recently discovered we have internet on our patio! Now I can post and keep you up to date from here in sunny Florida more frequently than once a week. 

But for now I just want you to know I have LIMITED items in the shop and more great color combos coming as soon as I can get them sewn. Please go now and check them out.... HERE. I have the best husband I asked him to take the pictures for me. Thankfully he said yes and didn't get annoyed at me (at least that I know of).

I hope you all had a great valentines day.

For my family back home in the snow you will be happy to hear that I haven't been to the pool yet once. That will probably change soon though :).