little snippets!

After going back through our blog over the past few weeks, I realized I haven't updated in forever. I blame my hectic schedule over the past few months and general apathy with just about everything - working 60+ hours a week and having two jobs will do that to you! Luckily, I just started a *new* job about 3 weeks ago that I already love. Never say never but I never want to have to work retail again, I honestly felt like my soul was being sucked out of me every morning I had to wake up at 4 am (did I mention that before? 4 AM!) and then spend the day being nice to strangers even though it's the last thing I felt like doing. I'm not allowed to go into too many specifics about my new job (they told me I wasn't allowed to! Specifically "don't take pictures in your office and post them on Facebook. Just don't mention ANYTHING on Facebook") but it's definitely a more ~adventurous office job with benefits and PTO. Finally a grown up job!

Basically what all this rambling means is that I will now have time to start blogging again! Tricia and I already have a few ideas for new paper-based projects and blog features.

In the mean time, here's a few photos from my Instagram. Sorry not sorry they're all mostly cats.

Super casual office attire - beige cardigan, J.Crew chambray puff sleeve top and a necklace I made during my jewelry making phase

Little Beaker's new favorite nap time spot

Saturday morning's strawberry pancakes with cool whip

Xylophone aka one of "God's Girls", a kitten a friend is fostering 

Mociun tee I scored on eBay

ELLIE! We'll be roommates in August. 

My "work" mug that I ran out and bought my first day so I could join the coffee crowd. I went back the next week and bought 4 more to keep at home ($4 at Target!)

Best kitty paws!

Madewell boots I treated myself to a while back 

myth & symbol preview

Not trying to insult the intelligence of any readers here, but I feel the need to remind you Texas is really big. So big that I'm not even close to seeing a fraction of everything worth seeing here despite having spent most of my life living here.  With that in mind, I figured it's long overdue for us to start featuring nice places for local readers to check out and maybe even tempt out-of-staters to visit if we do a good enough job! Texas love forever.

Wren, Samatha Pleet, and Ace & Jig dresses.  

First up is a preview of Myth & Symbol, a shop which will be opening very soon in Houston and stocking clothing and accessories from emerging designers such as Feral Childe, Uzi, and Dusen Dusen as well as printed, home, and beauty goods.  It's not hard to imagine that the future customers are a lot like me when it comes to buying clothes...girls who focus on a wardrobe consisting of a small rotation of pieces truly special to them from sources they feel good about supporting.  

The obvious benefit of the shop stocking plenty of designers whose work hasn't yet be sold in Houston (and in some cases, all of Texas) is that it will give customers the opportunity to check out the fit and feel of pieces they might have only admired online or possibly never would have been familiar with otherwise. I think the appeal of Myth & Symbol goes beyond that, though. When I stopped by to check out the shop while they prepare for their launch, Trang and Chau Nguyen (2/4 of the Myth + Symbol team) were equal parts enthusiastic and informed as they showed me pieces from the store, sharing tidbits they had learned from their Brooklyn studio visits such as which designers share space and the inspiration behind certain prints.  Eventually, they plan to use the space to host events such as jewelry making workshops to foster Houston's own creative community.  

Be sure to check out the shop for yourself when it opens if you're in town, and until then, enjoy my preview shots and read what Trang had to say about how it came together and some of her favorite pieces.

The fitting rooms feature an impressive amount of yardage of hand-dyed rope.  

Your store is being created by a group of people with a diverse group of talents.  What made opening a retail store seem like the best idea to combine your interests?  

There are many aspects to operating a boutique so it's really beneficial having a team with diverse backgrounds. You need someone who knows the business and the creative side. All four of us (Ameet, BJ, Chau and myself) contribute our own unique talents and each bring different skills to the table. Chau is actually my sister. BJ is my brother-in-law and I've known Ameet since high school.

Some of the accessories in stock by designers including Alyson Fox, Rennes, Fay Andrada, and Baggu.

What about opening a store with your vision has been the most surprising?

The response from other local retailers... especially from other boutiques who also are focused on independent designers. Everyone wants each other to succeed.

Houston tends to be overlooked, from a national and even specifically Texan level, in terms of creative ventures, despite having a really impressive museum district and artistic community.  What made you want to stay in Houston instead of setting up shop in a city where the brands you’re carrying might have more recognition?

Houston has definitely been overlooked. I think this outlook is slowly changing though since there's been an "Austin-effect" emerging in this oil city. Houstonians are becoming more conscious and aware of the way they consume and buy. I can't completely knock down Houstonians though. We've always appreciated fashion, it just isn't easily accessible. The idea of Myth + Symbol came about because my sister and I knew we weren't the only ones frustrated that we couldn't find our favorite designers in our very own city. There's a big demographic that has yet to be tapped into here.

In my perfect world, every retail location (book stores! clothing stores! grocery stores!) would have a section devoted to aesthetically pleasing, independently published printed material.

Are there any specific pieces you’re stoked to have in stock? Tell us about them!

Fay Andrada's Elli Necklace has been on my personal wish list for months. It's kinda pathetic of me but sometimes I would just go online and swoon over the necklace.  Samantha Pleet's Cosmo Dress is one of those dresses that just make you wanna swirl and twirl. I'm also a proud Texan so I can't wait to feature a local designer, Myan from Hidden Vices. 

Dusen Dusen prints.

Odette New York jewelry.

this month's awesome kickstarters

First up, our own Caroline, along with our pal Rhiannon, have a brand new Kickstarter to fund an interview zine as a companion to their excellent Women Artists blog.  They're asking for a modest $250 to get the zine printed AND secure a table at the New York Art Book Fair at PS1 this September, so even the smallest donation helps in a big way. Let's do this!!

 

Another great project that has actually already achieved its goal (yay!) is It's Complicated: A Feminist Zine on Loving Misogynist Art.  They still have 17 days to go, though, so you can still help!  I'm personally really looking forward to receiving my "I Love My Goth Boyfriend" zine in the mail, because what could be more perfect?  Plus, you know, I support the cause and the zine deals with a subject that I have spent a lot of time questioning myself and still don't have answers for. 

If you're unable to contribute (totally understandable), help get the word out!  I just want all the cool girl zines to be as big as they possibly can be.

we never sleep

There's no shortage of inspiring new jewelry designers to watch out for these days (which, by the way, is so cool! room for everyone to succeed!),  but We Never Sleep has definitely been a personal favorite.  I'm thrilled to see Sarah Beaver taking on new projects with the venture - hand painted silk bras and metal floral hair accessories, no less!  Plus, getting other talented ladies on board for the photos (like Jenny of Fashion for Writers and Wray of Ambit), of course, sweetens the deal.

Check out We Never Sleep on Etsy here!    

Photo:  Dustin Fenstermacher
Stylist:  Siri Thorson
Models:  Caroline, Jenny, Perla