heysusy

STATEMENT PAPER { sneak peek, heads up }

Hi Everybody! See...I have been working! 

The next few weeks here at HS*, and in the studio, are going to be really, really busy. So, an advance apology if I don't post every day-- or even every other day, as usual. There is plenty to do, and a paper business to run. Hopefully, after all that has been happening, I will have lots to share, business-wise. And, I'd rather post thoughtful things of interest to my readers than scrounge at the last minute for a quick fix to slap up here.

...

In the past few months, aside from blogging here, I've been focusing in on cultivating my brand, deciding what should come next, and getting ready to step forward. It takes a lot of thinking...and exploring. And much more is going on here other than just designing new styles.

It has been (and still is) a big challenge to go from a handmade brand, to something more broad-based. And while I am not there yet, there are interesting things in store...new ways of thinking about my business, my products, and how they are presented to the market. I hope to share all of this with you as it evolves, and I hope it will be interesting.

WE HAVE A WINNER { reiss s/s }

I am so sorry to have been away for the past couple of days!! The only excuse I can offer is that I'm so busy getting ready for the stationery show and time has been running away with me. More on that in May. Basically, I'm racing towards a self-imposed May 1st deadline so that I can rest easy before things get crazy. Lofty goals, I know.

Anyway...I hate to get bossy, seeing as I've been a bad blogger this week, and I just hate bossiness in general... So, I will, instead make a *strong* recommendation: If you do nothing else today, click over to the Reiss website and ogle their lookbook. Designwise, their site is luscious. The art direction of the hero shots on soft, taupe backgrounds...and the navigation are so smooth. So easy...and also wonderfully rich and delicious.

For me, the lookbook is the crowning glory. About 50 pages of buttery looks, and I especially enjoyed the shots involving separates...since I can't afford any new clothes...especially expensive ones....right now, this at least made me feel glad to be a girl.

See more (worth it, promise!) > here

Enjoy your weekends, all. And thank you so much for visiting this week. Things have been crazy, but I cant' wait to go back to my daily posting schedule! xx s

NEW FRONTIER { howdy do }

Perhaps I've been watching too much American Experience lately, but I am in love with Frontier Style.

The other day, Saturday, I was walking down Lexington, and these beautiful Cowboy Boots whistled at me from window of a shoe store. I went in and looked at what brand they were, and they were Lucchese. Not being up on my Cowboy Culture, I had never heard of 'em. But, I loved the shape of the boots. Narrower than others, and with a beautiful wooden heel, stained to match the leather finish.

Since then, I"ve been on the Lucchese website every hour on the hour. I even went as far as to ask Kurt if he would be seen with me if I started wearing cowboy boots in the middle of Manhattan. Something i have heretofor been adamantly against. I don't want to go around looking like a down and out Jon Voight or anything. But these are HAND MADE. In TEXAS. By BOOT ARTISTS.

I can't get the idea of pretty, airy items out of my head. A new pair of jeans, a few simple shirts. Decorating our apartment with oversized, YeeHaw Postcards (only $12 each). And yes. Bloomers. Bloomers. Bloomers!

Oversized Letterpress Postcards > here
Sweet Cotton Dress > here
Lucchese Boots > here
Cheapo Earrings... 5 bucks a pop > here and here
Retro Bloomers > here
Awesome Garter Belt (love the red garters!) > here

BUT I DIGRESS! { weekend }

WARNING!
I had a bad, unglamourous weekend, involving a certain big, blue store. Things will be back to normal tomorrow. Promise.

Also, the post attached has NOTHING to do with my wonderful, loving sweetheart, Kurt. Who I am lucky to have in my life.

I'D LIKE TO BE... { inside a pretty shop }

Last night, before I went to bed, I prayed to the Gods of Blogging. Please, please, if you provide me with content for tomorrow, I will bake two whole pans of cupcakes in your honor, and eat them all at once. For lunch.

And lo, here we have HUDSON, some lovely shopping in Massachusetts, and... a website that anyone, anywhere can visit and enjoy. I love it when brick and mortar stores have really detailed photography and product info on their sites!

Lovely photography, a well-chosen variety of luxe decor, gifts, dinnerware, lighting, and more, and a really nice mix of textures, colors, and design motifs. I was particularly drawn to some of the elements with radial symmetry...there's such comfort in round shapes. And, The beautiful copper colors in this plaid woven rug and laboratory lamp.

Visit Hudson Online > here
When in Boston > 312 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA
When in Wellesley > 61A Central Street, Wellesley, MA

Enjoy, enjoy. And have wonderful weekends, all! xx sus

MONOMANIAICAL { monograms }

I have SO had monograms on the brain lately. Well, really ever since I saw this chart of monogram styles. I have taken the liberty of highlighting my favorites in yellow, for your reference.

While I can't claim I love the idea of personalizing outright, there's always something so cool about things like "His and Hers" or...just the hint of a person's initials...arranged in the classic style...

Of course, when I was little, monograms- especially those with MY initials, were a frivolous luxury. Hearty little NewEnglander that I was, I had to be content with wearing Sara Fertitta's hand-me-down LL Bean sweaters. And hoping, just hoping, that all the kids would think that the typographic S.A.F. on my chest was a logo for the coolest new brand ever.

Monogram browsing and custom designs > here

SNEEK PEEK! { new susyjack* goodies... }

Afternoon, everyone! I'm feeling a bit better...how are you? Thank you so much for the well-wishes yesterday!

Well, this year's stationery show is quickly approaching, and I wanted to share a very, very teensy sneak peek with you, of just one of the new items which will debut there. This year, we'll be doing a desk version of our calendar...and I'm very excited about it. I'll also be sending out a couple of notices through my newsletter, prior to the show... so, if you want to see what else is coming up, just head over to the site and sign up for the mailing list.

I promise, there is lots more to see, and lots more to look forward to...and I wish I could share it all, here today. But, a girl has to have her secrets...right?...right??

Newsletter sign up > here
Current Collection > here

CAMPFIRE GIRLS { summer craves }

'Lo, all. I sincerely hope that your weekends were much better than mine, which was spent sneezily nestled in a den of crumpled tissues; drinking more tea in two days than the entire population of the British Isles does annually.I have a cold. A cough. Circles under my eyes, and sporadic goosebumps. Chalk it up to the stress of running a small business, which normally, I take in stride. But every now and then...situation critical.

These colors made me feel a little better...we'll all be feeling summer's warmth soon...walking around with breeze on our bodies...the honest mix of soap, salt, and sunscreen on our skin.

Jumpers, Dresses, Rompers > Here
Shoes > Here
Gentle Bath Products (organic, new family line) > Here
Best sunscreen, sailor approved > Here

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE { navy, black, pearl }

Yesterday, on my way back from a completely fruitless errand downtown, I saw a woman on the train wearing a navy skirt and black crocheted stockings. It reminded me, I have been wanting to post some of my navy and black favorites for a while.

So, without further ado-- here they are. I like the idea of pairing navy and black with a lighter touch-- say, a soft peach, gold, or pearly neutral... and a pretty, elegant finish...patent leather, matte charcoal, natural wood, or a flowing chiffon. It helps take the edge off. I know I'm going out on a darker note this Friday...but frankly, things were getting a little too colorful around here!

Dresses > here
Patent Leather, Navy Pumps (only $89!) > here
Natural wood and black matte pumps > here
Matte black chain necklace by Lauren Haupt > here
Leaf and Pearl earrings by Abigail Percy > here
Floor swatch (love this finish!) > here

Enjoy your weekends, everyone, and thanks for visiting. xx s

BEAT THE FLOWER DRUM { drawflowers }

Good Morning, everyone. By now, you probably know, it's springtime in New York City. So, I'll spare you the gory details about how great spring is (as if everyone didn't already know)...and how great it is to see things growing again, and how spring brings up so many wonderful feelings in my sweet, delicate heart. Still, gushing aside, nothing's better than bringing a few flowers into your surroundings. I really enjoyed looking at all of the fun, vintage wallpapers and handmade objects that Draw Flowers features in their shop.

There's just something about these gorgeous prints...they remind me of sitting in the kitchen when I was little. Maybe that's why they make me feel so good. I especially like the flower necklaces-- which would also make beautiul decor garlands-- and the huge, drum-shaped, pendant lamps. But...since my first love is always, always food...I just had to include these pretty little re-usable lunchbags. Perfect for a snack, or even as a re-usable gift bag.

Shop Drawflowers > here
Also their website...take a while to load but, well worth checking out > here

Enjoy. We're in bloom!