The most asked styling questions at FN almost always seem to revolve around skirts. Lots of women have questions about how to style skirts of all kinds, so today’s blog is going to give you the 101 on the very versatile pleated midi skirt (well, on my 5’2” frame, this one is almost a maxi but you will see it still works!). This particular pleated skirt is our Pleated Chiffon Midi Skirt and it comes in four fabulous colorways. It is oh-so-comfy, can be dressed up or down, and is a true closet staple. The best part is its $48 price tag, which makes it affordable enough to stock up on more than one color! Read on for style inspiration to create your own go-to pleated skirt look.
For those of you who know me, you may have noticed my obsession with band tees has not waned. FN recently debuted a concert tee collection and we’re thrilled with the feedback we are getting on the fit, comfort and quality of these vintage inspired tees. Here, I paired the Hendrix Solo Guitar Graphic Tee with the rust Chiffon Pleated Skirt. I just love the colors in the tee and I think they add a fun playful side to this skirt. I knotted the tee in the back to give it an even more fitted structure than it already has and this allows it to sit nicely on the elastic waistband of the skirt perfectly, without the bulk that comes with tucking in a shirt. I also added these gingham heels, for a bit more fun, and our Gianna Metallic Clutch to finish off the look and head to girl's night out! Find similar black and white pumps here at Macys.com.
One of my other preferred skirt trends, besides band tees, is pairing my favorite sneakers with a skirt. And this skirt's chiffon texture and longer length balance out the sneakers perfectly. The key to this look is make sure that your sneakers are clean and not dirty. For this look, I went with bright colors in the similar tones by pairing our recent new arrival Tulle Ribbon Detail BISOU Graphic Tee in this bright coral color with the Chiffon Midi Skirt in bright pink. In case of some chilly Pittsburgh weather, you can layer our JBD Oversized Denim Jacket, while the Amelia Ring Bag in white can carry all the essentials. My shoes are the Vintage Floral Old Skool by Vans from a few years back, but you can purchase the updated version here.
In downtown Pittsburgh, we’ve been welcoming back the workforce, as many employees are returning to the office at least 2-3 days per week. Doesn't it feel good to ditch the lounge pants for a tailored look every once in a while? Well, don't forget about your chiffon midi skirt for this! Here, I am wearing our new Slim Fit Blazer atop our Graphic Print Bow Detail Top. The Wide Vegan Leather Belt in black, a pair of smart block-heel patent loafers (find a similar pair from Anthropologie here) and our Charlie North/South Tote complete the look. The best part of this look is that you can remove the blazer and head to after-work happy hour with the gang in a breeze. The sleeveless Graphic Print Bow Detail Top adds a fun stylish touch to this black skirt!
We can’t forget about a night on the town with your honey! Or, perhaps it’s a stomach-butterfly-inducing first date with the guy you’ve been chatting with on Bumble for the past two weeks…either way, this outfit is a sure winner! I tucked in our Rosie Floral Print Top with a contrasting mustard skirt. I wanted to keep the focus on the intricate floral pattern of the top so I kept the other accessories neutral- a pair of nude heels and our Yasmina Clutch in ivory. I also adorned my ears with a little bling with these pastel crystal earrings that can be found in-store only at FN and are budget-friendly at only $12 a pair. All you need now is a bold lip color and your guy will be swooning before the main course.
I could have easily created 5 more looks with this skirt in each color and it’s so much fun to just play around with different pairings…the best thing to do is just try it on to see how it feels. If you feel amazing, then it works! I’d love to see your creations! Are you a casual skirt wearer? Or do you save them for more special occasions? Do you pair your skirts with sneakers or combat boots for contrast or do you stick with classic dress shoes and sandals? So FN-atics, show us your favorite way to wear and style skirts and tag us on Instagram @freshnostalgiaboutique or on Facebook @freshnostalgia. The team here at FN love seeing - and getting inspired - by your style confidence!
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Last week, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership announced plans for the upcoming downtown holiday festivities. And sure enough, Pittsburgh is doing it right again, bringing back many of the traditions that draw folks into downtown for that holiday nostalgia they remember as children. It got me thinking, you really can’t buy that online.
Many of us recall that feeling we got when our parents brought us into the city for the holidays. Remember when department store windows would come alive with festive figurines, colorful lights, and the sound of cheerful choo-choo trains? Inside these stores were endless tinselly trinkets, joyous tunes, and the scent of peppermint. While department stores are becoming a thing of the past (not just here in Pittsburgh, but nationwide, as well), in-person shopping is still alive and well, and the downtown community in Pittsburgh is committed to offering that nostalgic feeling to all who visit.
This year, it all starts with the Grand Opening of the annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market in Market Square, on Friday, November 18. Here, you can shop with vendors housed in holiday chalets as you stroll through an illuminated square filled with holiday charm. Immediately adjacent to the square, you’ll find the nostalgic ice skating rink in PPG Place, where you can skate around the towering holiday tree.
Next comes the 61st annual Highmark Light Up Night, on Saturday, November 19. This event marks the official kickoff of the holiday season in downtown Pittsburgh. As a child, I remember thinking how amazing it was that all of the buildings in the entire city came alive with lights to celebrate the most magical time of the year. This all-day event begins at noon and is filled with tree lighting ceremonies, lively music and entertainment on several stages throughout the golden triangle, merry food and beverages, and of course, holiday shopping. And not only can you not buy any of this holiday cheer online, it’s free to attend any of these events. Now that’s holiday nostalgia at its best!
Don’t forget to bring the kiddos and their wish lists because visits with Santa are being held in the beautiful Heinz Hall Courtyard from November 18 through December 23. This is especially exciting, because Zoom with Santa just wasn’t the same, and who doesn’t remember eagerly anticipating waiting your turn in line, hoping you wouldn’t forget a thing while chatting with jolly ole’ St. Nick?
For us retailers, we are committed to creating a memorable in-person shopping experience, especially during the holiday season. Recently, FN participated in a Halloween Trick or Treat Boutique Crawl with the other downtown boutiques. Those who attended loved the feeling of downtown shopping and socializing with their friends as they strolled through the city on a beautiful evening, enjoying beverages, treats, and friendship at every stop. These experiences are not about bargain hunting or getting the best deal, but rather about supporting the community where you live and work, and that’s neither a feeling nor a benefit you can replicate on a computer screen. So, for the holidays, the downtown boutique community has lots in store (no pun intended) for all of your holiday shopping nostalgia.
Here at Fresh Nostalgia Boutique, “nostalgia” is our middle name! We’ll be gearing up this week, starting with creating our holiday window in time for Light Up Night on Saturday, November 19, when we’ll be featuring a hot cocoa bar with all the toppings to warm you up all evening long.
Next up is Small Business Saturday on November 26. Inside the shop, you’ll find lots of holiday gifts for everyone on your list, including our popular curated gift boxes, to help you keep your gift-giving simple by taking advantage of our hand-picked items. These are all boxed, beautifully wrapped, and ready for giving! Free gift wrapping is always a holiday staple at FN.
Then, on Wednesday, December 7, get ready for an evening of late shopping with another crawl, returning by popular demand! Everyone had so much fun at the Halloween crawl that they were asking for a winter version, and we’re excited to provide it! This “A Christmas Story”-themed event is better than ever, highlighted by a raffle that includes tickets to the A Christmas Story play at the O’Reilly Theater (courtesy of the Pittsburgh Public Theater), in addition to individual giveaways, food, and beverages at each participating shop.
So, if you find yourself feeling nostalgic this holiday season, close that Amazon window, get off your computer chair, rev up your four-wheeled sleigh, and fly to downtown Pittsburgh to experience all the nostalgia your screen can never provide.
For information on the A Christmas Story play at the O’Reilly Theater, click here.
]]>It has always been a vision for FN to support local artisans while delivering unique items to our customers. We hope that you will take joy in not only supporting your local community, but also in feeling great knowing that you have a truly unique piece on your hands!
Enter our newest handmade vendor, beanepôle bijoux. Founded by a veteran in the fashion industry, Barbara Driscoll, beanepôle bijoux is a collection of handmade pieces shaped from hand-carved, burnished natural bone, horn, leather, and suede. Barbara intends for these pieces to be appreciated by fans of tasteful, but affordable, statement-type jewelry. We sat down with Barbara to get all the details, so read on to learn more about her fascinating journey from esteemed stylist to jewelry maker.
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It has always been a vision for FN to support local artisans while delivering unique items to our customers. We hope that you will take joy in not only supporting your local community, but also in feeling great knowing that you have a truly unique piece on your hands!
Enter our newest handmade vendor, beanepôle bijoux. Founded by a veteran in the fashion industry, Barbara Driscoll, beanepôle bijoux is a collection of handmade pieces shaped from hand-carved, burnished natural bone, horn, leather, and suede. Barbara intends for these pieces to be appreciated by fans of tasteful, but affordable, statement-type jewelry. We sat down with Barbara to get all the details, so read on to learn more about her fascinating journey from esteemed stylist to jewelry maker.
My motivation in creating jewelry stemmed from both a budget perspective and a love of fashion. As a veteran fashion coordinator and photo stylist, I’ve long been a fan of larger, statement-type earrings and was seeing few, if any, that I found attractive in the marketplace. A few years ago, I fell madly in love with a Ralph Lauren collection that was accessorized with big, gorgeous, expensive earrings. I got to thinking that with a little help from my husband, Robert, and a few raw materials, I might be able to create a pair or two of my own gorgeous, but affordable, earrings.
No...I made a few pieces for myself and began wearing them. After family members, friends, and even strangers began commenting on my earrings and asking me where I found them, I decided that there might be enough interest to try my luck at making and selling jewelry for my statement-earring-loving sisters. And beanepôle bijoux was born.
My raw materials include natural bone, horn, leather and suede along with brass, silver or sterling findings.
First I do rough design sketches with a specific look or concept in mind. Alternatively, my designs can be inspired simply from the natural markings and existing forms of my raw materials. Next, I produce patterns so that my husband, Robert, has a template from which to work. He then cuts and hand-burnishes the bone and horn. Finally, I carefully assemble the components by hand, making adjustments and corrections as I go.
At 6’5”, Robert is the ‘beanstalk’ to my ‘beanpole’…..and in that sense, we are inextricably intertwined and supportive of each other. As a master plumber, hobby electrician, and hobby carpenter, he knows how to do and fix anything. And he would say otherwise, but he has an innate visual sensibility and a practical, common-sense approach to projects that perfectly complements my dreamy ‘head in the clouds’-type persona.
Having learned from my mother (a stunning runway and photographic model) at an early age, genuine style comes from within, not from a hefty price tag. Also, I believe in a democratic approach to fashion, wherein a striking look can be achieved with pieces that work well together, not because of their price tag, but because that “je ne sais quois” thing is happening....be it color, silhouette, proportion, or simply the wearer’s unique style. My introduction to this sort of concept occurred back in the ‘80s when I was working as Fashion Show Coordinator at Kaufmann’s department store. One Fall season, ELLE magazine editors blew into town and whipped together the coolest fashion show I’d ever seen. They headed straight to the 11th floor, Vendôme (Kaufmann's high-priced designer department) and proceeded to coordinate high-end leather jackets with inexpensive tulle skirts from the 5th floor Junior department. And, voilà! The striking visual effect was oh-so-chic, cool, and captivating, and I was forever hooked! And to further add to my affordable fashion mantra, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love snagging a great-looking item for a wallet-friendly price!
Beanpole was a moniker my big sister, Dana, affectionately used in reference to my gawky, pole-like 5’11” teenaged frame. (Bijoux is French for jewelry.) That nickname has since been abbreviated to simply “Bean”. But the original “Beanpole” seemed just right as a perfect, personal and offbeat label with which to christen my nascent jewelry brand. (The middle “e” and circonflexe were added to set it apart from the existing South Korean ‘Bean Pole’ fashion brand.)
Yes! Though the overall design of each made-to-order earring will remain faithful to the original sample, the beautiful imperfections that nature and human hands create will render each earring unique, even within a single pair. In fact, the two pairs of earrings featured in FN’s Summer Lookbook are currently the only two styles that are available from beanepôle bijoux, and I will certainly fulfill any special orders for those as soon as possible in July. In the meantime, Robert and I have committed to a project-heavy summer with house and yard updates, which has put bb production temporarily on hold. But, rest assured, I plan on adding new styles to FN’s beanepôle collection in July and August...that is....if you and your clients are ready for more! I might add, too, that your commitment to local artists only adds to the unique and cool energy that Fresh Nostalgia provides to our area, and I feel incredibly fortunate in having the opportunity to collaborate with you and FN!! Thank you so much!!
]]>Once again, we had the talent of Barbara Driscoll on board. Barbara is a veteran fashion coordinator and photo stylist who absolutely gets the FN style! After her participation in our first lookbook, last holiday season, I was thrilled when she agreed to design another! Add in the wonderful talents of long-time photographer Michael Sahaida and we couldn't help but succeed!
The concept for this season's book is such a creative one! Barbara decided that since FN is appreciated by so many personalities, why not highlight that in this season's book. This mini catalogue is a journey into the world of Fresh Nostalgia and since we have recently added our "FN At Home" Collection, we also featured coordinating home products for each 'alter ego': the romantic, the minimalist, the bohemia & the nomad.
An idyllic lover in the beauty of all things, the romantic appreciates the frills, furbelows and flowers that romance her table, her home and her life! FN's fashion and home collections offer plenty of girly items for the hopeless romantic.
The minimalist is a person who simplifies her life to make room for the things she loves. Our new collection by Fabina, a U.S. brand that values a minimalist lifestyle and simplicity is perfect for the FN minimalist. Their 100% sustainable line is made from recycled cotton, organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo and the sustainable practices are reflected in their packaging and daily routines as well.
Our bohemian shopper is a socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts. Where better than in the heart of the cultural district in downtown Pittsburgh to find so much art and culture! Fresh Nostalgia is located at 143 6th Street, just down from Heinz Hall and The Byham Theater and just around the corner from The Benedum, just to name a few.
Last but certainly not least is the Nomad, one who is in love with distant places and seeks adventure! Our final spread of the book is a nod to nomadic explorations ... with desert hues, organic textures and primitive patterns that reference far-flung places. Featuring our new home collection, we created a tantalizing table set with global style. Bon voyage!
In today’s blog, I give my best advice for packing essentials that will keep you looking and FEELING GREAT in your clothes while traveling, using versatile pieces that can be used in multiple outfits! This advice is meant to be used by you as just that - a guide for you to use while peppering in your own items, to make you feel most comfortable and help you to be yourself on purpose!
This is where I always start when I’m building my suitcase for travel. The key here is to include shoes that are: (1) comfortable, (2) easily packable, and (3) versatile. You need something that can be worn on the plane and easily removed when necessary, but also something that goes with multiple outfits. I like to include one pair of flats and one pair of sneakers. I usually choose to wear the sneakers on the plane and pack the flats, since they take up less room in my suitcase. Here are my two top choices in these categories:
Rothy’s flats are not only breathable and comfortable, but they are also washable, so you can wash off the travel grime when you get home. Here are two silhouette choices in a nice on-trend yet neutral animal print. I’m still always a sucker for a rounded toe, so I love that Rothy’s offers this style, but the ever-popular pointed toe style is also available in many colors and prints.
In the sneaker category, you can’t beat the Tree Runners from Allbirds sneakers. These, too, are breathable, washable, and easy to slip on and off in security. They come in an array of fun colors, from both limited edition to classic, but I like the classic mist grey with a white sole for maximum versatility.
Now that you have shoes picked out, let’s take a look at a pair of pants that will get you through many days on any trip. Our Bamboo Cotton Joggers by Promesa are the perfect pants for the job and just too practical not to pack. The soft bamboo cotton is utterly comfortable and airy, yet they retain their shape throughout the day. We offer these pants in black and olive, both of which would be a great choice in the versatility department; however, you can never go wrong with black.
I’d also recommend bringing one other pair of structured pants or jeans, depending on your type of trip and your planned itinerary. The key here is making sure it is made of a fabric that will not wrinkle too easily so you’re not wasting precious travel time fighting with the ironing board in your hotel room.
A white button down shirt is a great essential to keep cool and dry in warmer weather and can be dressed up or down and can look effortlessly chic with a naturally worn-in look. The beauty of our Curved Hem Button Down is the tie front and longer length in the back that can be worn tucked in or out and flowy.
Two of my favorite easy-to-pack pieces of jewelry are a variety of stackable beaded bracelets and one good pair of medium size statement earrings, such as our Geometric Hex Earrings, that can be worn from a daytime walking tour right into the evening for dinner.
Generally, I like to have one large duffel bag like this one by Maika, that can be used as a carry-on, and one medium-sized, multi-function crossbody. When choosing the crossbody, think, “the more versatile the better.” For example, our Riley reversible hobo bag not only has an interior removable smaller crossbody, but it also reverses to another color and can be worn on the shoulder or crossbody style, as well!
Now that we’ve got you started with your basic travel fashion essentials, where are you going to go!? Drop us a comment to tell us! Bon Voyage!
]]>Whether you are one who avoids all things fashion or one who follows all the latest trends, I think you'll find the following anecdotes interesting in some regard.
This title belongs to little-known Charles Frederick Worth, who, beginning in 1858, was the first fashion designer to have his labels sewn into the the garments he created. Worth dominated Parisian fashion in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Although born in England, Worth's label, The House of Worth, was founded in France in 1858 and embodied high fashion specializing in haute couture, ready-to-wear clothing, and perfumes. The House of Worth continued to operate until 1952 and closed in 1956. The House of Worth brand was revived in 1999 by two entrepreneurs, but failed to compete successfully in the world of haute couture.
This a long-debated topic in the fashion industry, but the most often credited is London-based designer Mary Quant.
Quant opened what became the iconic boutique Bazaar in 1955, in London's Chelsea neighborhood. I confess I chose this fact because I was fascinated that Mary's favorite car was the Mini Cooper, and rumors swirl that she used this as inspiration for the naming the ever popular "mini skirt."
The truth is, however, the mini skirt design was a slowly evolving process. Early signs of shorter hemlines began to appear in the late 1950s in tandem with rock and roll music and youth dance crazes. Quant was attuned to this trend, starting to sport shorter hemlines years earlier, in the mid 1950s.
So, if anyone should be credited with pioneering the mini skirt, it is Mary Quant. Inspired by the fashions she saw on the streets, Quant continued to raise the hemline of her skirts, and by 1964, to several inches above the knee. As a result, the iconic mini skirt has been alive and well in fashion ever since!
Many people like to credit the Lacoste alligator, which was designed in 1933, as being the very first designer logo. But I would argue that Levi Strauss & Co. would be considered "designer" - both in 1837, when the company was born, as well as today.
The company first used their logo depicting two horses in 1886 as a way to grow their market share before its patent on the jean-making market share expired. I bet they never expected their logo to become so recognizable that early customers would ask for the "jeans with two horses". This led Levi Strauss & Co. to briefly rename their product "The Two Horses Brand" until 1928, when they officially trademarked the Levi Strauss name.
One last Levi's fun fact: the first pair sold for $6 worth of gold dust back in 1853.
Have you ever seen the miniature wooden mannequins and wondered why one would want to showcase fashion on a smaller scale than actual human form? There's actually quite an interesting historical background on this.
The idea for miniature fashion was developed in post-World War II Paris. The fashion industry in Paris was greatly affected by the war.
After Paris was liberated, the idea for a miniature Théâtre de la Mode (Theatre of Fashion) came from Robert Ricci, son of couturier Nina Ricci. Since all materials were in short supply at the end of World War II, Ricci proposed using miniature mannequins, or "fashion dolls," to address the need to conserve textiles, leather, fur, and other materials. The mannequins were 27.5 inches tall and fabricated of wire.
Théâtre de la Mode became a touring exhibit in March of 1945, opening at the Louvre in Paris. Because of its popularity, the tour expanded throughout Europe, and followed in the United States, with displays in New York City and San Francisco by 1946. The exhibit is now part of the permanent collections of the Maryhill Museum of Art in Washington state.
Take a look above at FN's very own Théâtre de la Mode (Pittsburgh style) from our holiday window display by local artist Suzanne Mauro. We love how Suzanne used the nostalgic Kaufmann's clock as the backdrop of our miniature mannequin scene.
During historical periods such as the Renaissance and Victorian eras, women's clothing was much more elaborate than men's clothing. Just picture it - petticoats, bloomers, bustles, corsets, and bustles, to name a few. The wealthier classes of women were lucky enough to have servants to help them get dressed. And who did the couturiers design clothing for? The wealthy, of course. Clothiers soon realized that by reversing the buttons on women's clothing, placing them on the left side, the job would be made easier for all involved in the lengthy dressing process. Eventually, as clothing became more and more mass-produced, women’s clothing continued to be made with the buttons of the left, and the design became standard as it still remains today.
This is just a tiny sampling of fashion facts that I hope you've enjoyed and have become inspired to dig into some more. There are plenty more to explore, and as you can probably see, fashion has played a major role in so many historical events. Leave us a comment and share your favorite fashion fact - it may be one we have never heard!
]]>Each participating business was paired with a local artist who had only 25 days to share their artistic vision, collaborate with their selected business, design, fabricate, and implement the window. This initiative is led by Jayla Patton, an accomplished artist herself who created a 3,500 square foot pavement mural for the PDP back in September. Jayla has an extensive background as an illustrator, comic artist, animator and educator and was eager to curate and coordinate the work that supports the artists and Downtown retailers – two sectors that have been particularly hard hit as a result of the ongoing pandemic.
The resulting work is inspiring and creative in equal measures, with displays reflecting vintage, cartoony, elegant, campy, or whimsical styles to name a few, but all with that seasonal familiarity that resonates so much with Pittsburgh residents and visitors alike! With outdoor activations also offering the safest option for any holiday activities this year, public art has been a natural fit for inclusion, so the PDP looked for ways to integrate a compelling holiday themed installation and get small businesses involved as part of the effort. Efforts such as this are the exact reason that I am so energized by this great city and why I chose it as the home location of FN's brick and mortar shop!
So here is a pictorial look at my very own walking tour of these thirteen windows. I hope this will inspire you to come down and take a look for yourself...trust me, these windows are more stunning in person than what my iPhone was able to capture!
Artist: Jemeelah Platt
Artist: Jessica Alpern Brown
Artist: Katy Dement
Artist: Alycia Washington
Artist: Toni Liberto
Artist: Tom Sarver
Artist: Staci Backauskas
Artist: Sarah Jacobs
Artist: Jen Joyce
Artist: Cat Burton
Artist: Megan Shalonis
Artist: Dave English
Artist: Suzanne Mauro
There's been a lot of buzz in the last several years about a "Capsule Wardrobe". This refers essentially to a small collection of useful clothing that fits your style and you love and can be yourself in, on purpose! Since this is my first time creating a checklist like this one, I decided to start with a "beginner's" version with the most essential of essentials. So let's dive in to what we consider a "Mini" Fall Capsule Collection and hopefully you can use our checklist as a starting point to create your own, making it personal to you!
√ 1-2 Button Downs - Button downs remain a closet staple because of their versatility and layering possibilities. If your capsule contains one, a solid neutral like our white Gauze Button Down shown below is the choice. If you have room in your capsule for two, I recommend a second printed fun version.
√ 3-4 Pairs of Jeans - For me, this number might be closer to 7 but I'm a little denim crazy ;-) ..... I think 3-4 makes sense for most people. This would include one pair of cropped, one pair of full length, one pair of skinny & one pair of colored denim if desired. In our shop we have an entire Denim Bar filled with several cuts from our favorite denim designer, Just Black Denim. Click here to view our entire denim collection.
√ Plaid Pants - These are just a classic that will never go out of style. This year our customers are loving these super soft Brushed Knit Plaid Pants that are so comfy you feel like you're in your loungewear!
√ Midi Skirt - The mid skirt, and especially a pleated version, has really taken off as a wardrobe staple in the last several years. As always, we love versatility so these skirts always can be dressed up with short booties or down with your favorite tee or sweatshirt and fashion sneakers. Here, we love the juxtaposition of rock & roll, chunky boots and tulle!
√ 1-2 Fitted Sweaters - It's sweater weather people! Fitted sweaters are easily layered under vests, jackets, & blazers. At least one neutral and one vibrant is recommended.
√ 1-2 Loose Sweaters - Chunky sweaters are so popular right now and we sure do love them for the comfort and easy to fit style. Tuck the front in slightly to pull the look together whether paired with pants or a skirt.
√ 1-2 Cardigans - Here again, I would suggest one fitted and one oversized chunky cardigan. Two of our most popular cardigans this season are practically sold out already! Click to shop our chunky Pom Pom Cardigan or our Taupe Bell Sleeve Cardigan.
√ Vest - Fall is the best time of year for vests! I recommend having at least one and the options are endless - faux fur, puffer, quilted...whatever makes you feel your best! Our Faux Fur Vest in taupe this year is the softest ever!
√ Puffer Coat - Always a good idea to have a puffer coat and we love a cropped version in a surprising neutral like our Olive Hooded Puffer Jacket.
√ Plaid Coat - A nice mid-weight classic plaid coat will last you many seasons because of it's timeless style. This year we had a beautiful double breasted Mustard Plaid Coat and also a slightly lighter weight belted version that really spoke to our FN-atics!
√ Denim Jacket - Always a must. Period. Your capsule should contain at least one classic fit. Our current fave has a cutoff waist, shop it here.
√ Hobo Carryall - Everyone needs one bag that really does "carry all" and nothing is more versatile than our Riley Reversible Tote! Two color options in one tote is perfect one tote bag for your mini capsule.
√ Small Crossbody Wallet - I always recommend using a wallet that can also be converted quickly into a crossbody. This is perfect for any busy lifestyle and especially travel (no, really, we will travel again I'm sure of it). Our vegan leather Crossbody Wristlet Clutch is used by our clients for just this purpose and this year it comes in a fun prints like camo and animal print!
√ Layered Look Necklace - The dainty layered necklace look is here to stay and we do love it but we don't always love the effort into pairing just the right lengths together. For your accessory capsule, I recommend using one necklace that gives you the entire look. Our Chain Link Trio Necklace is perfect to get the job done and won't take up your entire jewelry box!
√ Layering Bracelets - I recommend having at least 5-10 of these bracelets to mix and match for an easy accessory to any outfit.
Most of us have some form of black jeans or pants and a striped shirt in our closet. Add in a black mask cut out of any fabric you have laying around and there you go - instant bank robber costume! (Looking for a new black jeans staple? Our newest arrival of Just Black Denim includes these amazing Scissor Cut Skinnies in black and we love them!) My boys and I did this one a few years back (when they were all still shorter than me, sniffle). We added in some old plain colored pillow cases to use as our "cash bags" by cutting out some dollar signs in the same black fabric we used as masks. Of course this year, an added facial covering for safety will only add to the costume! Use your black one of course. Here we are, back in 2016:
Using a bandanna as your COVID facial covering? Perfect, your costume is already partially done! Grab your favorite plaid button down shirt or heck, any plaid shirt, pair it with any denim in your closet such as jeans or even a skirt. Next add in some cowboy boots and a hat. You can even braid your hair for an added fun touch. Done! Here is a blog post by Sarah Forshaw where she puts together a simple cowgirl. Look how cute she is and she's got her bandana ready to go:
This one is good if your closet has at least one long flowing skirt. Personally, I just am obsessed with long, pleated and full skirts right now. Best to grab one with a fun print but even a plain colored skirt would work well, like our new Tulle Maxi Skirt in olive (shown below). Pair your skirt of choice with any plain color tee or tank top, and add it a bunch of long chains (the more the better). Use any scarf worn around your head and let it drape down so that it can pulled up and around as a face covering when around others! Another safe Halloween costume for 2020!
Now for the perfect costume to highlight this shit show year that is 2020! You are sure to have the items in your closet for this one! Start with a dressy, office appropriate look on top. This works for men or women. Fellas, put on your shirt and tie. Ladies, pull out that dressy blouse or blazer. Be sure to complete your upper body look with nicely styled hair and makeup for the ladies. Then from the waist down - loungewear! Choose either pajama pants or jogger pants such as these Sweater Joggers that I have on here from FN's fall loungewear collection. Whatever you choose, the key to this costume is make your upper half as drastically different as possible from your lower half. Throw on some slippers for added effect! Also shown below is our Fitted Ruffle Blazer atop our Gauze Button Down Shirt.
With the animal print trend in fashion still going strong, your closet is sure to have an array of instant costumes! Here at FN alone we have so many animal print pieces that we are just wild about! Shown below are: Leopard Print Thermal Top, Snake Print Pants, Leopard Print Trucker Jacket, and Multi Print Animal Sweater.
As with every Fall, this one is no different in that we love to utilize layers. You wake up in the morning to head out the door and you're freezing but by that lunchtime walk, you are needing to shed a little to enjoy the sunshine. This year's trends of cozy cardigans come in handy for just this occasion!
Yep, ladies this trend is still hanging around and we are still loving it, especially with all of the unique ways it's being used!
It was hard to pick our favorite pieces to highlight for this blog, so make sure to check out all of the new fall inventory either on our website or in person at our shop. Let's find your style confidence and get you feeling great in your clothes!
]]>I started crafting for fun maybe about 9 or so years ago. I actually started out by making wreaths. Then I found out about a Cricut machine and moved more into the vinyl and paper crafts. I starting making cards maybe a year or so ago and I really got into them during quarantine. I live a pretty busy life so I never really had time to fully explore the Cricut and get into the card making aspect of it until I was off of work for about two months during the pandemic.
I got the idea to start selling cards because when I really got into making them during the pandemic, I had gotten quite a big collection of them and wasn’t really sure what else to do with them! When I originally posted them, just thinking I would sell a couple, they exploded and the orders came pouring in. I didn’t realize people wanted handmade cards that bad! It was also a wonderful time to send cards since we couldn’t see all of our friends and loved ones and the USPS needed support.
OMG a Cricut is only the best thing ever invented! So it is a crafting machine. It can cut, draw, score, emboss, etc. You use an app on your tablet, phone, or computer to design your project and then the Cricut machine uses blades, markers, or other tools that you load into it to help you create your piece! It can work with multiple materials as well! It’s seriously amazing!
So it all started with just my personal Facebook and Instagram. Then when my original post blew up with orders I decided to make a separate account. My following is all just mostly people I know and then word of mouth. I love having customers that I don’t know though! Especially when they trust me to make a custom card for a special occasion!
Custom orders are my favorite! I love when a customer just gives me a little bit of info about what the card is for and let’s my creativity kick in. I usually will explain to them my idea or show them the card as I do it to make sure I’m on the right track. I also do not hold it against someone if they absolutely hate the card. Anything can be changed!
Oh it’s so hard to pick! I did get to make a card for someone for their Grandma who was turning 100 and wanted floral and glitz and glam. Which that will always stick out to me because 1. 100 is an awesome age to hit so that was an honor to make the card for that. And 2. Anyone who tells me to glitz and glam up a card is my favorite because I love my glitter and rhinestones.
Crafting is always just fun for me. It always makes me happy to piece things together and see a final project. It was something, at least during this pandemic and being off of work for 7 weeks, to keep my mind off of what the world was going through for a little each day. I needed happiness and positivity in my life. And then when I started seeing how much people enjoyed my cards I knew it was bringing joy to others as well.
Well I wish I could tell ya! I don’t think I know what normal is! Haha! So I work full time at Moio’s Italian Pastry Shop in Monroeville. Which if you haven’t tried a cannoli from there you aren’t living ;), and cards is totally just for fun! I have 3 dogs, Elliott, Nora, and Sherman and you can follow their lives on Instagram at @2.5pghpugs. My boyfriend Lucas and I just recently bought a house in Avalon too so we are busy doing what home owners do! So yeah, normal isn’t a thing for me. I try to craft 2-4 days a week for at least an hour or so each time. It really depends on my mood tho. I can’t be creative unless I’m feeling it!
EVERYTHING! I’ve made pretty much every occasion at this point, pop-up cards, shaker cards, small, big, whatever!
Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it! Would I like to quit my day job and craft for a living? ABSOLUTELY. But I am happy at my job because who can hate being surrounded by delicious pastries all day? I think I have a good balance of work and play and having an outlet for my creativity and stress relief. I guess we will see what happens!
If handmade cards and written notes are your kind of thing, you should check out all of Zac's work on his Facebook and Instagram to see a full collection of his work thus far. And remember, we at Fresh Nostalgia always carry some of Zacs cards right in our shop!
This is Jordan. You may recognize her if you've browsed on this website or visited any of FN's social media platforms. That is because Jordan was kind enough to model many of FN's Spring styles this year. Isn't she just beautiful? Well, Jordan is way more than a pretty face and I thought I'd take the opportunity with another "internet holiday" coming up, 'National Read A Book Day' (one that I can get behind!), to highlight Jordan and her organization called Listen, Lucy.
Jordan Corcoran started Listen, Lucy to create a "kinder world where people are no longer shamed into silence or afraid to talk about what they are going through." You see, the number of folks of ALL ages suffering from some form of anxiety and depression is staggering, especially now more than ever. Jordan herself has experience with both Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder so she is genuinely passionate about mental health through her own lived experiences. Listen, Lucy aims to achieve their goal through speaking engagements, assemblies, workshops and the now 3 books that Jordan has published.
Jordan recently released her very first children's book, Little Lucy And The Little Butterflies. This book is unique in that it gives parents of children 8 years and younger a tool to help open up a conversation about anxiety with their children. In our society, this often is an uncomfortable topic to discuss. In a recent interview with WPXI, Jordan explains, "From the very beginning we talk to our kids about physical health, about eating healthy, about exercising, playing sports, gym class, health class and mental health should be right in there but it sounds like a really intimidating topic.” The book highlights a little girl named Lucy who is struggling with her "butterflies" before and during school. Lucy gets some help from her mom who teaches her a breathing technique and they also involve her teacher who is able to provide other suggestions and support. I personally love the idea of starting the conversation at a young age and this book is a perfect resource to help parents of any child, even those not showing early signs of anxiety. The more we talk about it, the less taboo it will become for our children and their peers!
As I mentioned, Little Lucy is Jordan's third book. Her first book, Listen, Lucy contains anonymous, beautiful and sometimes heart wrenching stories that help the reader see clearly that we really are not all alone in this. I highly recommend this book for a true glimpse into the real stories of real people and what they endure each day.
Jordan's second book, Write It Out, is a journal with 40 prompts to help the reader transfer thoughts on to paper so they may free their mind and speak their truth.
To purchase any of her books and for further info on Listen, Lucy please visit her website http://www.listenlucy.org.
So this Sunday, September 6th, take a moment to curl up with a good book (I prefer the real paper kind but any form will do) and practice a little self care. Yes, I believe reading can be self care! Taking some time in a quiet room to yourself and exploring a great piece of literature can be more therapeutic than you can imagine. Drop us a comment letting us know what some of your favorite books are! We'd especially like to hear about mental health awareness recommendations and self improvement in general as it is so important in our current climate. Be well, everyone!
xoxo,
Beth
Some other highly rated books to check out and celebrate Read A Book Day:
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton M. Christensen
Finding Your Element by Ken Robinson
Other important resources:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a great resource for anyone struggling with mental illness and you can search for your local NAMI by state.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
For teens and mental health, check out OK2TALK, a community where teens and young adults are encouraged to share their stories and also Teen Mental Health, who creates and delivers internationally recognized research and clinical programs on adolescent mental health through collaboration with a variety of stakeholders.
]]>This popular styling choice is one of my absolute favorites and it works well if you have a band tee-shirt that is still in pretty decent condition. Don't worry if it is oversized like many of mine from the 90s! Grabbing a handful of fabric at the hem and knotting it and also rolling up the sleeves is a quick and easy way to give it a more structured look to pair with your favorite skirt of any length. My go-to footwear of choice for this look is fashion sneakers but you can also easily pair with a pair of punchy heels for a happy hour ensemble. Just remember if you choose to wear sneakers, make sure they are clean and don't look like you just ran a mud run in them! Here, I utilized an original Gene Loves Jezebel T-Shirt from 1987. I found a seller on Ebay who is selling reprints of this exact shirt for $35. The real deal could cost upwards of $200.
This idea works really well for any kind of old sentimental tee collection that you've been keeping boxed up in your basement as I did. Everyone has that little space of wall that could use something personal to add to the vibe of your home or office. This one also uses very little materials and time! Simply buy a square canvas from a craft store such as Michael's. I used an 8" x 8" size. Simply stretch the tee across the front of the canvas, wrapping it around the sides. Make sure the design you'd like to show is centered how you'd like it to be. Then all you need is a staple gun and voila! You have yourself a piece of personal and historical art. I recommend doing a set of 3 or 4 to group together on a wall. Remember not to hang these too high, a common mistake made with smaller pieces of art on the wall.
This one is the advanced level of the wall art suggestion. I really love the idea but it does come with a bit more commitment in the time and energy department. One option is to ask your local seamstress to help you out with this one (which would be my preferred choice) but, if you are feeling up to it (and you are way handier with a sewing machine than me), here is a tutorial for the quilt from Wiki How.
I really love how easy this one is! All you need is a pair of scissors and this tutorial from the Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth Blog. I love how she gives step-step-instructions along with a photo for each step. The end product is also super cute and I could see myself getting a lot of use out it. I'm thinking this will work well for my really oversized concert tee (I'm looking at you Cure Wish Tour 1992) that I can't quite get the knotting and sleeve roll to look right to pair with a skirt. Here is peek at hers turned out and I think it's super cute.
Now this one is for that super oversized one, maybe your older brother handed it down to you or maybe your hubby has a favorite old concert tee that he's willing to give up. As long as it has a decent amount of length and is not cropped I think this is a really cute option. I just love when creatives upcycle something into a totally different piece. This idea requires a moderate skill level with a sewing machine but I'm thinking even I can manage this one. This tutorial by Saved By Love Creations gives you step by step instructions and even points out that someone who gets anxiety over threading the bobbin can handle it so I was quite encouraged by that! This image here shows a plain colored skirt but I think that it would look super chic with a 90s concert tee graphic on it, especially if oddly placed.
These are just a few ideas to freshen and re-use nostalgic tees. What are your favorite tee-shirt upcycling ideas? How do you incorporate old concert tees into your style? We'd love to hear your suggestions and see your Rockin' style!
]]>As I've mentioned, it takes practice to be mindful about what you wear. If I am wearing something a little too tight in the waist because in rushing I didn't realize that maybe these pants are from several years ago when I was maybe half a size smaller, then I can be cranky for the entire day! This is not good self-care. Conversely, if I am sure to allow enough time in the morning to carefully choose pants that fit, paired with other pieces and accessories that fuel my style confidence, then my aura will reflect that the entire day, in a positive way. Also, I'm not just referring to when you have a special event for the day. This is daily habit to consciously make an effort to achieve. Ask yourself, how do you want to feel today? Comfortable? Stylish? Edgy? It's all possible!
One way to get into the habit of style self-care is to little by little, evaluate your pieces in your closet and ask yourself if they promote of positive attitude or a negative one (no, I am not asking you to go Marie-Kondo-ing your whole life). It's as simple as a piece a day. When I am getting dressed and I try on a blouse, I may decide I don't like the way it cuts across my shoulder or I'm not excited about the print or color anymore. This is a good time to pull it aside, off the hanger and into a bag you keep in your closet for consignment or donation. When that bag is full, it's time to consign or donate. This helps keep our closet negativity pieces to a minimum. That being said, don't do this if you think the piece is just not matching your mood that day. That's a different story. If you still love it and it still can instill confidence when you are in a particular mood, then it's ok to keep. This is my personal style when it comes to purging. I'm someone who believes something can spark joy one day but maybe not so much the next. As with lots of things in life, style is not always black and white. What's important is that it is your own.
I'll leave with one final thought. There actually is a phenomenon that back in 2012 scientists dubbed "enclothed cognition." This is a theory thats simply says clothing does affect how we think. The theory says that clothing we wear, or that others wear, actually changes our thought patterns. This article by Emily Van Sonnenberg does a great job of explaining the scientific studies behind this relatively new phenomenon. However, this concept is not new. People have been wearing clothes essentially since the beginning of time and while this concept started out of necessity, it quickly turned into a form of art and expression. For me, it signals who I am today, where I am in the moment. The only person I think about when I get dressed, is me. If I feel happy, then I look happy. If I feel confident, then I exude confidence. If I feel powerful, then I embody power.
I also love to hear how style can be a form of self-care for you. Let's start a conversation in our community of FN-atics about our own unique forms of individual style. It energizes me even more and certainly promotes further self-care for me!
xoxo,
Beth
]]>As I have mentioned, there was some conceptual thinking that went on before I built FN. I had a very specific ideal customer in mind. She has many qualities some of which may include the following. She is creative, is educated, is well traveled, enjoys reading, appreciates interior design, has or wants children, is typically social, appreciates wine, and of course appreciates a unique fashion style akin to being yourself on purpose! While this is a great summary of who is "ideal" to shop at FN, it of course does not limit our customer base to these qualities. Since then, we have noticed our customers resemble one of three types of women. The following are TRULY our community here at FN.
This is our customer who is probably fresh out of college in the recent few years, ready to take on the world in her new career as a creative professional! We will call her Allie. She is in a transition period and is really excited about exploring all that the city has to offer in regards to culture and vibrancy. She enjoys activism, meeting new people and appreciates a sense of community. Our trendy basics and versatile pieces are what she looks for at FN to build her wardrobe for work, networking and other city/social events. Allie certainly appreciates a panel discussion of entrepreneurs held right in the FN shop for an informative evening on building your own business.
Our creative mom shopper is not only a mom but so much more! Having enough time in the day is probably her biggest concern when it comes to shopping. We love to help out our busy moms by providing a personal shopping experience. Keeping sizes, likes/dislikes and special requests on file helps us help her quickly elevate her wardrobe when needed! Our creative mom, we'll call her Sarah, also appreciates our affordable style pieces that are versatile to span many seasons. She loves our attention to little details such as ruffles and buttons that are never overdone. Sarah might schedule a private sip-n-shop party to celebrate her best friend's birthday in a unique girl's night out style!
Many of our customers fall into a group of lovely ladies also going through a "shift" in phase of life. They are either nearing retirement age (or are simply thinking of retirement) and are also nearing or already at that "empty nest" phase of life. She definitely knows what we mean at FN when we say "Style Confidence"! She is quite comfortable with her style at this point in her life and she just loves taking a style risk that makes her feel like herself (on purpose, of course!). We will call her Susan and she loves finding new, fun and bold pieces from FN such as this hand beaded clutch by From St. Xavier. Susan also enjoys a sophisticated event at FN such as an evening sipping bubbly while enjoying a relaxing massage in the shop.
So we invite you to the FN family whether you visit the truck, the shop in the cultural district or online on our website we hope you relax and explore to your heart's content. Our hope for the FN shopping experience is that you not only enjoy our carefully curated collections of clothing, accessories, home & gifts but are also drawn to our sincerity and soulfulness. No matter what kind of customer you are, you are welcome at FN and hope you always strive to be yourself...on purpose!
]]>At the very beginning of the design process for the new space, the first thing I wanted to pick out was the wallpaper. I knew that I wanted several different wallcoverings and decided to use the wallpaper as the foundation for the rest of the design. Now, if you've shopped for wallpaper recently you may know that there are TONS of choices to select from out there online. While it's nice to have a variety of choices, this made this part of the process a bit overwhelming, to say the least! My friend Jeannine (Nean for short) and I decided the best way to layout our favorites was to create wallpaper selection mood boards in an app called Canva so that we could easily see how they complemented one another. Many mood boards later we came up with this as a final:
A couple of final notes on our tiger wallpaper selection: We loved many prints that included damask but this one really stood out as unique and exuded that eclectic FN vibe. This choice was made in early March, BEFORE the release of Tiger King so no, we do not have a fondness for tiger sanctuaries! Also, a funny side note: "Bean's Interior Design" refers to a combo of "Beth" & "Nean", the two creative minds behind choosing these prints to rep FN!
One thing I've always loved is cool, vintage-inspired mirrors. Even at our last tiny shop, we had two floor-length mirrors, one in the dressing room but also one when you walked in the door. When we spotted a wall of mirrors inspiration pic, we knew we had to set aside a wall for just that! We had some smaller mirrors of various sizes in our collection, some that were even purchased to be used in the truck. We decided that it would be perfect to have the mirrors all in gold, giving them a glam look. So, cue the gold spray paint and some old mirrors mixed with some new and there we had it! A couple of the mirrors even came out of old apartments from the Roosevelt Building. They were actually old medicine cabinet mirrors that had a beautiful floral detail to them. After scrubbing off the dirt, removing the medicine cabinet portion, and giving them a coat of metallic gold, they look great in the mix! Two of the larger mirrors came from Salvaged Pgh, one of our favorite go-to spots to score salvaged architectural pieces for decor.
Once we decided where the natural flow for the cash wrap was going to be, the next question was how we were going to make it be as special as possible. Well, I am going to tell you that the end result ended up greatly exceeding my expectations! As mentioned earlier, we love to check out Salvaged Pgh for inspiration pieces. After seeing a FB post of theirs about reclaimed wood from an old barn, we headed there immediately for our private shopping appointment. Before even making it to the reclaimed wood, the first piece we laid eyes on screamed: "take me home to FN!" It was honestly like it was sitting there waiting for us. It was a rectangular wooden piece, painted and lacquered in the perfect FN teal color. A strip down the middle contained graphics from what I instantly recognized as skateboard brands since my three teen sons are passionate about skateboarding. This piece was made by a talented artist by the name of Rich Moorehead, who is a Pittsburgh native. Check out Rich's Instagram page here. I knew we had to have it. After purchasing some pieces of reclaimed wood and the skills of a very talented handyman, we had the perfect centerpiece for our customer's to complete their purchases. But we still needed the perfect sign for behind the cash wrap. This area already had so much local artistry behind it, we decided to seek out the help of another local artist by the name of Erin Brammer. Erin has a long career in art and graphic design, including illustrating children's books. I gave Erin a digital copy of the FN logo along with some wallpaper samples and boy did she knock it out of the park. Her framed canvas painting hangs behind the counter and couldn't be a more beautiful representation of the FN brand. Erin's website is emdesignstudio.net.
The shop has officially been open for a few weeks and it's been so wonderful to see our FN-atics in person and watch their reactions upon entering the new shop! It makes all the frustrations of opening a new location during an unprecedented global pandemic well more than worth it! With so much new space in this shop to explore, we'd love to know what your favorite parts of the new shop location are! Leave us a comment below and if you haven't seen our new shop yet, we hope you can plan a visit soon!*
*Reminder that Fresh Nostalgia complies with all regulations regarding public health and safety. Masks are required in our shop as a measure of safety. Thank you for understanding!
]]>For those of you who know me, you may have noticed my recent obsession with old concert tees (future blog post idea). I just could not resist pairing this skirt with one of my vintage Gene Loves Jezebel tees, circa 1987 (this is actually a hand me down from my big bro... thanks, Billy). I just love the colors in it and I think they add a fun playful side to this skirt. Yes, this tee is not fitted like a modern cut tee so I simply knotted it on the side and rolled up the sleeves. So, don't be afraid to dig out those old concert tees to pair with your midi skirt! I also added these hot pink heels and our Beaded Drip Box Clutch by From St. Xavier to finish off the look to head to girl's night out! Find similar hot pink suede pumps here on Zappos. As for my vintage tee, I found a seller on ebay who is selling reprints of this exact shirt for $35. The real deal could cost upwards of $200.
One of my favorite recent trends besides concert tees is pairing my favorite sneakers with a skirt. And this skirt's playful print and silky texture balance out the sneakers perfectly. The key to this look is make sure that your sneakers are clean and not dirty. On top I added our (sold out) Eyelash Tee by Ellison, Just Black's Cut Off Waist Denim Jacket and our 3-in-1 Circular Handbag. My shoes are by Golden Goose and one of my favorite sites to shop for these is italist.com and bonus, they have 2.5% cash back from Rakuten! Even though FN is sold out of the ever popular eyelash tee, you can purchase it here from one of our dear boutique friends at the Chi Chi Boutique!
Who says that a silky midi isn't boardwalk ready? Not me! Paired with a breezy white top, fun flat woven sandals and FN's Woven Circular Handbag and you have the perfect sunny day casual outfit. Find a cotton-linen white top here from our friends at Boutique La Passerelle, now on sale for $44.25. Another great option for this look is this adorable Ruffle Mock Neck Blouse from the wonderful folks at Cargo Room. Similar woven mules can be found here at Zappos.com.
While many of you may be continuing to work from home, more and more of my customers are reporting having to go into the office about once a week or so. And doesn't it feel good to ditch the lounge pants for a tailored look every once in a while? Well, don't forget about your leopard midi skirt for this! Here I am wearing a blazer from Anthropologie (find a similar one here) atop our Frayed Fringe Sleeveless Sweater. A pair of ankle booties and our Reversible Vegan Tote completes the look.
What I love about a skirt like this is that it can serve as the perfect transition piece when paired with the right pieces. Once those cooler temps start rolling in, grab a chunky sweater such as our Olive Marevic Sweater from FN last season (I like to refer to this as "vintage FN"), throw on a pair of sherpa-lined booties and you've got your perfect transition piece when paired with your mustard midi! Shown here with our Vegan Leather Vintage Satchel in Grey.
As I said before, I could have easily created 5 more looks on this skirt. But rather than my ideas, I want to see yours! Are you a casual skirt wearer? Or do you save them for more special occasions? Do you pair your skirts with sneakers or combat boots for contrast or stick with classic flats and sandals? So FN-atics, show us your favorite way to wear and style skirts and tag us on social (@freshnostalgia). We at FN love seeing - and getting inspired - by your style confidence!
]]>A statement in the back of your top or dress is a fashion stunner both coming and going. Here at FN, we dipped our toes with this flowing Feather Print Kimono Top. The beautiful lattice window in the back only enhances the beautiful feather print detail on the sleeves. We've also seen this trend cocktail dresses and in our opinion, it's never a miss. The verdict: LOVE.
This 2020 trend shows many suit sets where the traditional trousers are swapped out for a severely cropped look they call upscale Bermuda shorts. While we appreciate bringing a typical casual vibe to a workplace setting, we here at FN prefer to keep our shorts casual and out of the office. This is one of those trends we feel works on a runway but not necessarily in real life. The verdict: HATE.
It's not that big tote bags and mini crossbody bags are "out" this season but we've noticed a lot of midsize shoulder bags with an updated silhouette this season. We have several styles here at FN from our basic Jane Medium Crossbody that not only functions as a shoulder bag but comes with an additional strap to convert to a crossbody. Our true favorite midi bag this season is our Madison Cut Out Tote. It has the flair of the cutout detail, is a medium-size, and has a vintage vibe wooden handle. And bonus- this one comes with a crossbody strap too! The verdict: LOVE.
We have seen so many forms of crochet in the 2020 trend reports! This is one that you can do a head to toe skirt and top crochet outfit or just a fun top with some crochet detail at the top. As I always say, here at FN we encourage our customers to wear a trend in their own way. If you love the bold head to toe look, go for it! If you just prefer a touch, you could always try out our Bubblegum Pink Crochet Top. The verdict: LOVE.
This trend is just everywhere right now - splashed across denim jackets, sundresses & soft tees. This trend always comes and goes but it certainly is here to stay! While we love our retro decade trends here at FN, this one was never one of our favorites. But now, with so many style & color choices (you can choose subtle pastel or bold brights), we are feeling like dipping our toe into the waters, especially in a casual favorite tee to pair with white denim which we always love. The verdict: LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP
The 90s is still going strong in the fashion world and grunge is front and center for 2020. The most prevalent outfit we've seen is the chunky boots paired with a babydoll dress. For those of you who know me, you know that I was in college in the 90s and I was quite fond of this look. It was my favorite get-up to go see the local band at Graffiti. But now we must ask, is this a trend I can love in 2020? The verdict: LOVE. I'm a sucker for grunge no matter what the era.
Neon started showing up everywhere a few years ago and this summer, it's going to be everywhere again. This may be because we all are gravitating towards color as a sign of positivity for a brighter future this year. Whatever the reason, this one can be worn full-on head to toe in a matching tee and skirt or in a more subtle way with just a touch. You can look fabulous without trying too hard with small items such as a neon bralette peeking out under a v-neck tee, a neon hair accessory, or a stack of neon bracelets with an all-black outfit. The verdict: LOVE (with subtle touches).
We are grateful that this one is here to stay for 2020! This one made it's debut several years back but it's here to stay. Many versions have adorned the runways but they also work well on the everyday woman who enjoys a little bit of drama in her fashion and is looking to draw the eye upwards adding height and slimming of the waist. Our favorite piece this season is our Puff Sleeve Sweater. We love the dainty floral print to give it that extra edge of character and just love it paired with white denim. The verdict: LOVE.
We would love to hear all about what you've seen this season that's encouraging you to give yourself a style confidence boost. What are you swapping out your loungewear for? Leave us a comment!
]]>This makeup mirror from Amazon.com is highly recommended from my sister Laurie. She says, "I never knew bad I was at putting my makeup on!" With 21 LED lights and 3x/2x/1x magnification, this mirror helps her see better when she's applying her makeup which allows her to step out of the house with extra confidence! She also loves the price and the fact that it doesn't take up much room on her vanity so it's great for small spaces. At the time of this writing, Amazon had this on special for $22.93 and it comes in four color choices: black, gold, rose gold & white.
My sister Kathy took a chance on this 3-in-1 Microderm Healing Kit from Amazon.com. She noticed it online after searching for something to help her with her puffy skin in the mornings. Not only did the ice roller included in the kit help with that, but the face mask has helped her daughter with migraines. Kathy uses the ice roller after she washes her face and before moisturizing. She says it is easy to clean with witch hazel or alcohol each time before popping it back in the freezer. The third item in the kit is a derm roller with microneedles that exfoliates the skin and also can be used on scalp or beards to help hair look more full and less patchy.
Susan has been using the Bellicon for many years and she says it gives her the best overall low-impact workout. My sisters and I have never been big gym people and enjoy fitness activities from the comfort of home. The Bellicon company has revolutionized rebounding by taking the world’s most effective piece of fitness equipment and pushing it to its natural conclusion. Their trampolines have a custom-formulated, extremely low-impact bungee suspension system that maximizes your workouts, giving you the best muscle-toning, core-strengthening, cardio-pumping workout in the world, all from a single, elegantly simple device. The Bellicon is also so gentle on your joints, and so much fun to use, you’ll be looking forward to every workout. This trampoline does come with a hefty price tag (from $499 to over $1000 per model depending on your customization) however customer reviews and Susan herself all say that because of the quality of the workout and the seamless customer service the price was well worth it. Plus, there's no need for a monthly subscription like other fitness machines. Susan gets her workouts for free right from YouTube.
Kathy owns three of these bottles and really uses them in all aspects of life. Here is Kathy's review of these bottles:
The tall 24 oz bottle I use mostly for ice water. It maintains cold temps all day. Even in a hot car! Slim enough to throw in a book bag, golf bag or backpack. Water tastes more refreshing with these. I often still have ice cubes in it if left overnight. I also have the 12 oz and 16 oz sizes. I am not a quick coffee drinker because I multi-task often. The 16 oz bottle keeps my coffee warm all morning. I often use the 12 oz bottle for tea. So I use all three not only for work and recreation but for home use as well. Hydro Flask offers a variety of styles and colors for your own personal tastes and needs! You can find these bottles at hydroflask.com where you will also find coolers and accessories!
Also, on our text chain, my sister Laurie chimed in how important it is to mention that you can buy different style lids for your personal preference. This is how it works, we all add to each other's recommendations!
Both Laurie and I appreciate the taste and overall quality of this brand of low calorie, high protein ice cream. The best part is that each serving is 100 calories or less and they come in a variety of flavors and forms such as pint ice cream or ice cream bars. My personal favorite is the Brownie Cookie Dough Bar and at just 90 calories, it satisfies my chocolate craving without overdoing it.
Susan loves this hair product for giving her hair a "dirty feeling". A product to make your hair dirty, I asked? Yes, you know how your hairstyles better after it hasn't been washed in days? Well, with this product you can have clean-smelling hair and the style benefits of unwashed hair. She also likes that it's unisex and smells great! You can find this product at a number of online retailers but I found it here on dermstore.com and they participate in Rakutan for 4% cashback which brings me to our next favorite!
All four sisters love and use this one! If you are an online shopper at all, this site is for you. You will earn cashback on purchases made at thousands of participating retailers just by clicking through their site to open a "shopping trip" with Rakutan. It's literally that easy. You get paid via check or Paypal deposit. The stores pay Rakutan a commission for sending members to their websites and that commission is shared with you. It's a no brainer and very easy to set up your account. You also can set up a button in your browser bar that alerts you if a site you are on offers cashback. Just go to Rakutan.com to create your account and start earning!
These awesome soaps are handmade in York, PA by Flowing & Rooted. They are made from 100% natural glycerin, fragrance oils, & essential oils and only the finest of handpicked sheep's wool roving. What I love most about these (besides the yummy scents) is it provides some exfoliation acting as a washcloth and soap all in one. And when you run out of soap, you are left with a little recyclable scrubby you can use with your favorite body wash so they are eco-friendly too! These can be found right here on our website.
Another product that all of us love to wear are these stackable, beaded bracelets by Erimish. These fun bracelets are hand made in the US by sisters and entrepreneurs Ericka and Misha (hence, "EriMish"). These two girl bosses took their bracelet bar idea and turned it into a brand that’s now in boutiques and luxury retail locations around the country. Erimish jewelry and Bracelet Bars are available in over 10,000 locations, and Fresh Nostalgia is one of them. Click here to view one of our favorite neutral jars, The Palmer Collection.
FN is so excited to begin carrying these cards in-store and very soon online. Hand made right here in Pittsburgh, Zac makes cards for absolutely any occasion from healthcare worker support to this lovely apology card! We just love the creativity, wit and humor he puts into each and every card. My sister Susan introduced me to this brand and we think you will love them as much as we do!
I love my "Sister Squad" text thread as it's not only a way to learn about great new products and companies but also because it's a way to stay connected to my family. And as a means to help grow our FN family, I (and my sisters) would love to hear about your favorite products and brands for summer! Leave a comment below to share yours - you never know what we're going to love and perhaps think about adding to our inventory!
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A guide to help you find black-owned businesses in Western Pennsylvania and the Greater Pittsburgh Area. A great resource as you can find these businesses within a multitude of categories and industries. Click here to view the directory.
Ethical, Wearable Art. Named Pittsburgh’s Best Local Brand in 2018, Knotzland takes the best in textile discards and reuses them to create stylish bowties. Owner, self-taught CEO Nisha Blackwell has helped vastly reduce the disposal of fabrics that may otherwise end up laying around and polluting our environment. To date Knotzland has rescued over 1,700lbs of textile waste and over 1,000 of it (and counting) has already made its way to their new home on the necks of their amazing customers! Currently, due to the pandemic and the need for masks to keep the public safe, they are creating sustainable stylish masks. https://knotzland.com/
Owned by 13-year old (the youngest entrepreneur at the Gallery on Penn) Jasmiere Bates, Kin of Duncan has enhanced Pittsburgh’s “fur kids” with original clothing for peoples’ dogs. Items include things like custom made bandanas, shirts, hoodies, windbreakers, and even sunglasses (all for your pup of course!). Click here to view Kin Of Duncan's Facebook page.
This boutique has been described as a “candy store” for hats! A Woman’s Touch Boutique carries both causal and church apparel, accessories, and more. Click here to view A Woman's Touch's Facebook Page.
Owned by Kim Talbert, a lover of Avon products. She’s here to guide you through their amazing products and give you exclusive deals. As your local Avon rep, she’s also sharing makeup tips and tricks. Click here for Kim's Avon page.
This national manufacturer with local distributors has over 35 years of experience of being an industry leader in providing uniforms, custom apparel, and promo items across all industries. In the Pittsburgh area, they provide apparel for large organizations including UPMC, Kennywood Park, Primanti Brothers, University of Pittsburgh, and Duquesne University. https://www.bestbuyuniforms.com/
Fun, trendy, and chic! Owned by Clarissa Clirsa, the CC Xpressions mission is to inspire women to love and be comfortable in their own skin via fashion while discovering their own stylimony, no matter how eclectic it may be. Don't be afraid to switch it! Embrace your stylimony! https://shopccxpressions.com/
This men's and women’s apparel store, owned by Brian Clayton, is a local favorite for fresh, trendy, and unique styles. Products range from shoes and accessories to swimwear, nightlife, and special occasions! Click here to view Clayton's Clothing's Facebook Page.
Focused Fashion Consulting LLC is here to help clients focus on what their style is, how to enhance it, and how to leave a lasting impression wherever they go with their wardrobe. Owned by Lakisha Pattin (an award-winning fashion stylist), Focused Fashion Consulting LLC offers a tri-fold service of hair, makeup, and wardrobe and has done style segments for KDKA Channel 2 News, Dress for Success workshops, and a partner for Pittsburgh Fashion Week. Click here for the Focused Fashion Consulting Facebook Page.
Owned by Tyleda Worou, 360 Café was opened in 2017 as a response for a growing concern for the east side black community's lack of access to affordable holistic health and wellness care. 360 Café is here to service individuals looking for a more holistic approach to healing the mind, body, soul, and spirit. What I love about this brand is that they are encouraging children to focus on creativity instead of electronics and toys. Eight-year-old Peyton has developed a line called "Peyton Createz" launched in Summer 2019. Thirteen-year-old Tyric developed "Tyric's Designz" after getting bored with store-bought clothing and accessories. His products will be coming soon to their website. https://www.360cafellc.com/
An incredible shop that creates garments tailored to fit your personal style. Owned by Yottis Tinsley, a fashion designer who brings innovative elements to her designs, Sittoy has been featured in fashion shows around the world and celebrates occasions such as weddings, proms, and birthdays! https://shopsittoy.com/
Owned by Stephanie Moye (award-winning fashion designer and stylist) who has been featured in our own Carnegie Museum of Art), S. Moye' celebrates women by creating ready-to-wear that highlights style and self-expression. Her designs are infused with elegance and a touch of edginess. https://www.smoyefashion.com/
Owned by local artist, Rainclashh, O.O.T.W. Creations fuses art and fashion all in one. O.O.T.W. takes fashionable pieces and reimagines them though painted art and every piece created is hand (and heart) done. Her work has been featured in fashion shows throughout the area as well as on KDKA! Click here for Rainclashh's Facebook Page.
Dress For Success is a wonderful organization whose purpose is to offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. Not only do they provide each client with professional attire to secure employment, but they are about much more than simply a new outfit. Besides physically equipping the client with apparel and accessories, their programs furnish her with a confidence that she carries forever and the knowledge that she can actively define her life, the direction she takes, and what success means to her.
The Allegheny and Washington branches will tentatively begin accepting clothing donations beginning June 18. To be added to the in-kind donor list and schedule a contactless drop-off, please email the Allegheny Branch at donations@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org or the Washington Branch at genevieve@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org. You can also learn more about the organization, become a corporate partner, or support their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic at dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/.
In addition to caring for the poor, feeding the hungry and educating our youth, The Salvation Army responds to emergencies, shelters the homeless, reunites families, and renews health to addicts throughout Western Pennsylvania. Now, to help prepare children to go back to school in the fall after many families have suffered financial hardship, they are holding a drive in Mount Lebanon where they will be collecting donations of used children's clothing. In cooperation with Mt. Lebanon High School and the Mt. Lebanon Police Association, The Salvation Army Pittsburgh Temple Worship and Service Center will begin preparing for back to school as soon as this year’s school year ends. On Saturday, June 6, 2020, they are conducting a “Clothes for Kids" drive in the parking lot of Southminster Church from 9am to 1pm. As you clean house for spring the Salvation Army will be collecting new and gently used clothes, shoes, and backpacks for children and teens. All items will be distributed to families in need in August. Please click here to view their press release for more details.
For those of you who feel safer to donate from home, this is a wonderful option! ThreadUp is an online thrift store where consumers have the opportunity to trade in their used clothing for cash. You also have the option to donate to causes you care about by sending it what they call a "Donation Kit". They partner with charities such as Feeding America, Girls Inc., Wardrobe For Opportunity, and Help A Mother Out. They will donate $5 to the charity you choose for each Donation Kit you send in. Click here for more information.
This non-profit organization serves local Individuals in need on a person-to-person level. Sales at their stores help support people with rent, utility bills, food & medical care just to name a few. And their thrift stores serve as outlets for clothing and household items to needy individuals and families throughout the area. The Pittsburgh Council had to close their 5 stores during the COVID-19 lockdown, however, the need for assistance has not disappeared. If anything, the needs for local assistance has gone up. In speaking with a local volunteer, we're told that there are plans in place for accepting donations again as early as June 1. Please visit their website svdppitt.org/ for more information and to locate a donation center near you.
We all know times are collectively tough and while the world is figuring out the next steps, we know things aren't going to magically get better overnight. With all this extra time, there's a chance you've already done a closet cleanout - or your planning on a cleanout soon - so why not help your collective Yinzers? One donation can go a long way and in some cases can help those looking for a new start! The world could always use a little more love, share yours today!
]]>I am a huge fan of delicate, feminine fabrics to begin with. And this year I was thrilled to see the markets adorned with plenty of swiss dot, delicate crochet, and lace. One favorite that we could not resist and I think will sell out fast is our Crochet Sleeve Textured Blouse. It's perfect for those early summer days when you're not so ready for sleeveless but you can feel the warm breeze on your shoulders through the crochet sleeves. White is the perfect color for this summer top.
What says summer more than linen? Our best selling vegan crossbody/wristlet/clutch comes in a brand new fabric - faux linen. No ironing needed! This pink one, shown with our ever-popular Vintage Satchel, both remind me of summer nights on a patio with a band playing.
When it's hot, the fashion staple I go to first, before shorts, is skirts. Light & airy skirts somehow just feel more fun & sophisticated as opposed to shorts. Plus, you can dress them up with sandals or a wedge and a cute blouse. Or you can always dress them down with a graphic tee and fashion sneakers like I did here. This minty teal midi skirt just hit our website this week.
Check out one of our other favorite summer skirts, the Mustard Midi Skirt by Ellison!
I don't normally love necklaces in summer fashion, but then these new Toluca Necklaces arrived and have me so excited to dress up a white tee or tank this year! The tassel trend has been around for a while now, but the addition of these ivory beads brings a freshness to this style. They are so versatile, too, that they can be worn long or doubled over for a medium-length look.
You read that right! FN is hosting a Style ConFNdence Contest with gift card prizes! Just think of the items you can add to your summer wardrobe! Post a photo to Instagram or Facebook showing your Style ConFNdence and hashtag with #styleconFNdence by Thursday, May 28, 2020. We will pick our 5 favorites for a follower vote via Instagram Stories on Friday, May 29, 2020, at 9:00 am. The top 3 looks will receive their own discounts (based upon ranking) off their next FN purchase!” (Votes will be counted after 24 hours, winners will be contacted via their DM for their prize).
]]>I decided to list this first because the first step in your style confidence journey is to toss pieces that don't make you feel good. I don't care of they are a fashion staple that you were told along the way that you should have. If they don't make you feel good, they have no place in your closet.
This is just an extension from the first tip. Not only is it a good idea to rid yourself of those pieces that don't instill confidence but also remember going forward to resist the temptation to make a fashion purchase based solely on it being a "must-have" for the season. If you love it, yes. If it's just ok, the answer is NO.
Ok, so my shopping BFF (you know who you are) would not be happy with me about this one, but hear me out. I'm not saying to never take shopping trips with friends again (although in the current moment this is difficult anyway, but we're hoping to get back to it soon) - these can be fun moments that are important to our socialization and mental health! I'm saying that when you shop alone, you are less influenced by friends' input and you may end up either making a purchase that will not contribute to your style confidence or the opposite could occur where you may pass up something because it wasn't in your friend's style wheelhouse but it could be a big part of yours. So - if you need to build up your wardrobe with some feel-good pieces, take a shopping trip solo.
I've said this many times to my customers over the years. I do follow trends in fashion and I do love to see what's new and exciting at all of the shows. However, I still stay true to what my style profile is and I don't necessarily include a trend in my wardrobe if it doesn't feel like me. Or, I may include it, just in my own way. Last year, animal prints were back in a BIG way. They adorned every sweater, jacket, dress, and pants in a big in-your-face way. I've always liked animal prints going way back to my teen years and I did carry plenty in my store at FN this year. But for me, personally, I feel more confident when I wear them in small proportions - on my shoes, a belt, a clutch, or even a hairpin. So, for me and my style confidence, that was the best way to wear that trend.
Another thing I overhear from shoppers a lot is, "oh, I'm waiting until I lose 10 pounds to buy new clothes" or, "I'm waiting until I get a new job (or go back to work in the case of stay home moms)" or, "I'm waiting until next season". I say, stop putting your style on hold. ou are you 24/7 and don't we all deserve to feel confident in our wardrobe, no matter what the scale says or what job we have or what season it is?
This goes hand in hand with the last tip, but I thought it was important to stress this. Your personal style is who you are - on purpose and all the time! Don't let these hang-ups whether valid or not (usually they are not) interfere with your right to feel great in your clothes all the time. I have to remind myself of this on a regular basis. A while back I posted on social media about pencil skirts. I love pencil skirts but rarely wear them. Why? Because I don't even clear 5'2" and am no longer that perfect size 2 and I have a C-section scar x3. Well, I found one in a vintage store with a floral pattern and colors that just spoke to me so I bought and I rocked it and it felt good! I was no Gywneth, believe me, but I still felt good and that was all that mattered.
If you see a piece in a store that speaks to you the way that pencil skirt spoke to me (trust me, I almost did not buy it because of my fear of pencil skirts) then give it a try. Take it home and mix it with some other pieces that you already know make you feel, well, like you. You may be surprised at the style you've created with this approach and not be so reluctant the next time you come across a "risky" fashion item. I put "risky" in quotes because to me, the only risk in fashion is NOT being yourself.
This one is super important and I am constantly working on this with myself. When someone compliments your style, say "Thank You!" You will be surprised not only by how this will boost your style confidence but how much people appreciate that response so much better than a negative one.
Fresh Nostalgia is looking for FN-atic Style ConFNdence! And to celebrate all of our own unique styles, we are hosting a style contest today until next Friday! Post a photo to Instagram or Facebook showing your Style ConFNdence and hashtag with #styleconFNdence by Thursday, May 21, 2020. We will pick our 5 favorites for a follower vote via Instagram Stories on Friday, May 22, 2020, at 9:00 am. The top 3 looks will receive their own discount codes (based upon ranking) off their next FN purchase!” (Votes will be counted after 24 hours, winners will be contacted via their DM for their prize).
]]>Here is a list of FREE ways you can support your favorite small business, without even leaving the house!
* Currently, another fabulous way to purchase a gift card for participating downtown Pittsburgh local businesses is to purchase through the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership here: DowntownPittsburgh.com/GiftCard. For every $25 you spend (up to a maximum of $100 per business) the PDP will add a bonus 25% to every Gift Card. That means for $100 – you get $125 to spend!
As you can see, it can be really easy and inexpensive to support your favorite local business. Here at FN, we are grateful for each and every review. If you would like to leave us a Google review, please click here. Your review means so much to us, especially during this time. Please also leave us a comment with any thoughts/suggestions on how you like to support your favorite local business! Be well! xoxo Beth
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Our first step was to fill our window giving a hint to every passerby just what was coming soon:
Next we had to get started on painting - we needed a blank canvas! Mom and Dad were the first to help out! Thanks to my awesome folks!
In between painting sessions, My sister's fiance Matt was helping me out building a table top for the cash wrap!
Next came the peel and stick wallpaper. This was a new experience for both me and my dad. We were both pleasantly surprised at how easy it was!
Moving Day! This took effort from lots of people! My sister Laurie and her husband Mike who were babysitting Miss Finnie for a while drove her down to the shop to unload. My boys were on hand for muscle, as well as my brother Bill. While we waited for Finnie to arrive, the boys helped out getting ceiling tiles installed!
At this point, the Stikwood had arrived so I was super excited when my brother Bill had some time to help out getting this installed. My oldest son Gabe was also on hand for help. Stikwood is actually peel and stick reclaimed wood made from sustainable wood sourced from various locations around the U.S. This stuff is amazing! It actually was a fun day and I'd love to put some of this on a wall in my house someday.
At this point, I needed to get the balloons out of the window and try my hand at my first window display. I got some muslin for the background and decided to use some of my folded book mobiles that I've used as a display at a couple of my shows with the truck. This process went much faster with my crafty mom helping me....thanks Mom!
Meanwhile, my electrically talented brother in law Mike found some time in his busy schedule to make several trips to the shop to install lighting. This took a lot of work and trial and error with some lighting that I picked not being the right size but we got it done! And I'm so thankful to my sister and Mike for taking the time to help!
In between lighting installation sessions, my sister Susan and Matt helped out installing the rod for the dressing room. It took me a while to find the right one for a corner dressing room but it finally arrived and Matt installed it for me. He even had to take a part to his work to repair and then my dad finished the installation. Thanks Matt! Thanks Dad!
The last big job to be completed and possibly the most important was our lovely reclaimed wood outdoor sign! My brother Bill had an in with a contractor who fit us in his busy schedule to install. This was quite a job so we all pitched in! I injured the contractor but I think he's going to make it.
So that was how I pulled that off! Thanks to everyone and I look forward to seeing lots of friendly faces at our shop at 33 Graeme St, Market Square Pittsburgh!
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Well, the other day when a customer commented how happy she was about the pockets in the dress she was buying and I was in the middle of my "I know right!?" it hit me. POCKETS. We women LOVE having places to store our "stuff" when an extra hand is called upon. This is true of all types of women too, not just us single moms who are always trying to find a spot to stuff that snot-filled tissue. I've noticed throughout meeting my many different customers - retired women, busy working women, creative free-spirits, moms, students - ALL seem to have a love for pockets. Especially in unexpected pieces like dresses.
A-Line Tie Front Dress, with pockets
Phases of the Moon Dress, with pockets
Floral & Plaid Overall Jumper, with pockets
So here at FN we pledget to all of our favorite FN-atics that we will continue to procure the elusive "dress with pockets" and other wardrobe essentials with pockets to keep up with the koalas.
]]>2. Fresh Nostalgia will come to you! Not only are we mobile and found in many places throughout the area, but we can bring the fashion to you at your home or place of business. There is NO FEE for the truck to show up! All that we ask is that you have 10 friends to attend the get together to shop. So it's the perfect reason to host your friend's birthday, engagement party or even just a girl's night out! We will even come to your office location to be available for your employees to get ther holiday shopping done. They will not need to leave work to do it and it will alleviate some stress for them. This is a great idea for an employee perk at the holiday time. And bonus - the host or business owner/manager will receive a discount!
3. The name "Fresh Nostalgia" came from an application for an internship with Anthropologie. Yep! It's true - my dream was always to work in fashion in some way. After a short career in Nutrition then a stay-at-home-Mom gig, I decided to try (a little later in life than some) to break into the fashion world. So why not intern with my favorite store (to this day anthro is huge influence on me)? For the application, a vision board was required and this was the title of my vision board, which still hangs in my FN office today. It was a long shot since I was a newly single mom (new to the single part, not the mom part) of three boys and the internship would've been an hour and a half drive away! All things worked out for the best and the internship rejection brought out that entrepreneurial spirit I've always had.
4. The FN truck is known fondly as Miss Finnie. I owe this one to my creative sister, Susan! I knew I wanted a name with both an "F" and an "N" in it but I was drawing a blank! All I could think of was "Fiona" and that just brought images of the movie Shrek to mind and that just would not do. I vented to Susan about my frustration and she immediately responded, "How about 'Finnigan' but you should call her 'Miss Finnie'!" Thanks Susan!
5. Fresh Nostalgia LOVES collaborating with other small businesses. I am always inspired and energized when I meet other small business owners. And I especially love it when we can create a way to collaborate! Whether it be an artist who hand cuts leather earrings [ True North Provisions ] that we sell on our truck and on our website or a local photographer who helps out with product pictures, we get energized each and every time!
6. Miss Finnie had a former job title of book mobile! I purchased her in a Maryland government auction where she was retired after traveling to bring literature to young children all over Carroll County. But she still had lots of life left in her and we think she looks awfully pretty as a boutique.
7. Fresh Nostalgia does not sell vintage clothing. When people see the name "nostalgia" they think that we are consignment or a vintage clothier. While I do have a love for vintage clothing (I follow some vintage shops on IG that I obsess over) we only carry new clothing. The name refers to my absolute love for fashion throughout the past decades and how it repeats itself in fresh ways. Hence, Fresh Nostalgia!
8. The FN colors are teal and peach which came from a Pinterest pin. My actual FAVORITE color in the whole world is blue; like a true blue. In fact, Crayola called it "cornflower" blue in their box of crayons when I was a little girl. Today blue is still the most prevalent color in my wardrobe. But, when I needed a logo, I hired a graphic designer on the website fiverr and he needed me to send him inspiration photos. At that time, Fresh Nostalgia was only a pinterest board for me so I sent a color palette that I had saved that included shades of teal and peach and an old wooden teal blue door as the graphic. This also contributed to the wrap design on Miss Finnie.
9. My hope for Fresh Nostalgia is that it becomes not just a boutique, but a lifestyle. What I mean by this is that I want to be more than just a location to pick up some clothing. It's a community for all those women who love fashion and love taking risks. It's a support system for fashion and beyond. One of my favorite things is when a customer stops in and we get to talk and connect on a real level. I love meeting other women who appreciate our style and what we stand for! I want to get to know each and every one of my customers and to be not just a stylist for them but a friend as well.
10. Big things are in store for Fresh Nostalgia. Stay tuned because FN is going to evolve in the coming months, even years! We expect to have some big announcements by Spring 2019!
1. Like their business page on Facebook, Instagram or other social media.
Social media is the lifeline of small business today (and big business for that matter). And you can help out more than you think by liking their page. You can also invite all of your friends to like their page.
2. Like and share their posts regularly.
Liking their posts regularly takes less than a second of your time when scrolling through your newsfeed. If they have posted an event, click that you are interested even if you don't think you can make it. This helps the algorithm allow the event to reach more people. And of course sharing the event with all of your friends.
3. Comment on their post, even if it's with an emoji.
Commenting on a post will take a second of your time, even if it's with a thumb's up, heart, smiley etc. Again, this affects the algorithm showing their page is getting activity and they will be seen more often.
4. Take 3 minutes to post a review.
Three minutes is the MAX this will take. Whether it be on Facebook, their website or any other social media outlet, this will help any small business in a tremendous way. So, if you love it, say so! It's free!
5. Invite your friends to like their page.
This can be done in a number of ways. With Facebook, it's super easy with the click of a button. In the olden days, the way to do this was to say, hey you should check out this cool local shop I like. You can still do that too! Another way of accomplishing this is to tag them on Instagram or any other social media outlet especially if you are mentioning them in a post. Make sure to use the @ symbol before their business screen name and that it is highlighted.
6. Put their products or services on your birthday or holiday wish list.
Everyone loves getting gifts and it's even better when you know you are showing your support for a local favorite business. Plus, Grandma will appreciate not having to figure out an Amazon link that you text to her!
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The floral full length jumpsuit (small, medium & large, $64) is our most favorite packing essential. It's made of a lightweight fabric that rolls up easily and it takes up relatively little space. It also will keep you cool and comfortable for any daytime boating trips, shopping trips or even as a beach cover up.
Our very popular sloth dress (small, medium & large, $48) is the perfect example of the little sun dress needed for every summer vacation. This little cutie will also keep you cool with it's lightweight fabric & short length and can be dressed up or down. If the evening becomes cool, throw on a cardigan sweater or a jean jacket and the comfort goes into your evening activities.
Of course you will need shorts for your summer trip and these floral crepe shorts (small, medium & large, $46) are a fave again because of the lightweight fabric and ease of packing. We also love that they can do double duty on your trip - as part of a cute shorts outfit with your sleeveless linen top or as the perfect bottom half cover up for walking to and from the pool or beach.
You will need several sleeveless tops especially if you're headed to an especially warm and humid climate. This criss cross back lace back lightweight tank (small, medium & large, $42) is our answer because the white color is super versatile along with the lightweight fabric and adorable lace detail for some fun.
You will also want some easy to wear tees and here we have our mixed stripe washed tee in blue (small, medium & large, $42) which looks great with lots of bottoms but especially white denim, another favorite staple of ours (Kut from the Kloth Catherine Jeans in white, sizes 2-12, $79).
Speaking of denim, I also love to pack a pair of my most comfy lightweight jeans and these super destroyed from Just Black (sizes 24-31, $68) win the comfort contest hands down - they literally feel like lounge pants!
As mentioned before, it's a good idea to have at least one long sleeve item in your suitcase for nights that my turn chilly. This "take a trip" top (small, medium & large, $42) is the perfect choice because it's a versatile navy stripe color and takes up very little room in the suitcase.
You are going to want an easy to carry small wallet purse for any summer trip but especially if you are planning to do lots of walking. Our very popular and very versatile cross body wristlet clutch (in a wide variety of colors, $42) will serve every need. It comes with two detachable straps so it can be used one of three ways - as a cross body for hands free days, as a wristlet or as a clutch. And bonus points for no animals being harmed - it's made of 100% vegan leather. While this comes in so many choices of colors, we chose this light bluish grey for fairly neutral color that will go the every one of the rest of our choices above.
If you like to have a little fun with accessories on your trip, nothing says summer like a pineapple pouch! This all cotton zippered pouch ($16) also is quite packable as it is flat when empty. It can be used for toiletry essentials but also why not use it as a clutch when headed to the surf side grill for dinner?
I tend to not want to deal with too much jewelry while I'm on a summer vacation. That's why these are my choice for accessorizing my beach essentials. These vegan leather teardrop earrings ($12) are so lightweight you hardly know you're wearing them and the neutral color and shape will add just a touch of fun to any summer outfit. Not to mention they're super easy to pack - they just go right in my zipper compartment in my cosmetic bag or suitcase.
Of course you can't hit the beach without your summer hat and this fedora with light brown ribbon trim ($28) goes with every color suit or cover up you own! Same goes for the cat eye shades in a neutral taupe ($12) and at that price point, you won't be too torn up if they get lost in a giant wave! If you are traveling to an area where the evenings get cooler, we love this lightweight floral print scarf ($24) in summer pastel colors - looks great with your white denim and any tee! Also shown here is another cross body wristlet option, our Kate cross body (in a wide variety of colors, $42).
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1} These basic black pants top our list for both versatility and comfort. They’re a dress pant perfectly suitable for the office but you’ll feel like you’re at home in your sweats!
On or Off the Shoulder Mustard Sweater
2} Speaking of versatility, this sweater can be worn either way depending on your mood. The color and sillouette are still so on trend for Fall.
Doughnut Cross Body & Cross Body Wallet
3} The cross body is an essential during those times when you just can’t be bogged down with your “mom purse”. We love both of these styles.
Dolce Lace, Ruffle Sleeve, Vintage Black
4} The little black drss is always an essential and it’s tough deciding between these three!
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