Another new venture..of Vintage Fashion

In my vast amount of extra time between running a non-profit organization, owning a Soap Business, Consulting, a day job, and teaching children's art classes (whew! I'm worn out just saying that)...I decided to start taking some of the wonderful vintage I have been collecting over the years and share them with the world.

photo courtesy of Matt Holland @ matthollandphotography.com

I have been collecting and storing vintage stuff since I was a kid. I remember going through my mom's clothes from the 60s and just thinking how cool it was that she still had some of the stuff. I would try on her green corduroy pants from the Gap (still in mint condition I might add) and an embroidered top and I knew I was set! Not sure how good the combinations actually were back then, but as I got older I learned what retro looks went together and what was worth saving. 

With hosting two WWII dances at the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing, my collections began to grow even more. In addition to Civilian clothing, I started collecting vintage Military items with my husband. I'm finding there are quite a lot of people interested in dressing up for the dances...so I decided to start my own Etsy site for vintage stuff. I only just began posting things...so you will find purses, jewelry, records and such. You can expect to find coats, dresses, and more very soon. Eventually, I will be creating a site for people to rent items specifically for dances and other functions. My thought is that while many people may attend these "Retro" bashes, they may not want to invest in the piece. So, why not rent it for the night just like you would a tux or dress for a formal engagement!

Stayed tuned for that...I'm thinking that is a great Winter project to get going. In the mean time, check out the Etsy site called Amelia's Vintage Closet. The site is named after our little kitten who is enamored with all of the sparkly things hanging in my closet!

www.ameliasvintagecloset.etsy.com

Fabulous lashes at an affordable price

When you think of Wet N Wild, I'm sure the first thing that comes to mind is cheap nailpolish you can pick up at the drug store, but they have evolved so much farther beyond that! I started playing around with a few of their inexpensive bronzers and eye shadows and I was pleasantly surprised. Wet n Wild holds up to the competition in many ways...but lets get to the point of this post- Eye Lashes! Most girls want fabulously long lashes and we have all tried countless brands that leave us feeling less then trilled. They clump, the flake, they burn our eyes...we don't need that kind of abuse! If your like me, you want something simple that is cost effective and works! Simple!
  

After doing a bit a research on some of the Wet N Wild products, I decided to try their Wink Mascara. It's about half the cost of the other name brands and makes my lashes look really long, plus no clumping, flaking, or irritating (yup, I think that just rhymed a bit). You can find the products at just about every drug store across America...so give it try, it wont break the bank at $2.99!

You might be asking why I am sharing this with when it's not related to my soaps or jewelry? It's simple really..you can get a great product without breaking the bank! Plus, Wet N Wild does not test on animals (unlike a lot of the other brands out there).

So here's the link...enjoy! http://wnwbeauty.com/Product.php?Pid=95 

How time flies

It's been longer then I had intended from my last blog post! Sometimes time just gets away from you!

Twilight Soaps & Gifts has been really busy this year so far....2011 has been full of new shops, trunk shows, and new products (coming soon- my fabulous soothing foot soak), and jewelry lines (Aurora25).

Most recently,  Twilight Soaps & Gifts was featured as one of the artists of the 2nd Annual Parc Boutique Designer Jewelry Trunk Show. It was a lot of fun to be had by all! You can check out a few of the pictures at http://www.kittycotten.com/2011/04/parc-boutique.html

Next month, May 28th to be exact, Twilight Soaps & Gifts will take part in Aviation Inspiration Day at Fleming Field in South St Paul- a day devoted to giving girls the opportunity to explore and create an interest in aviation! 
I will be primarily selling items from the new called Aurora25 which is a fusion of polished glass, aircraft parts, and other lovelies!


For more information go to http://www.girlswithwings.com/MNevent.html

Happy New Year

2010 was such a great year for Twilight Soaps & Gifts and me! I met  a ton of new people (business contacts and new friends), participated in Trunk/Fashion Shows, and am have began building a bigger base of stores that carry my soaps and gifts! I couldn't do it without all of the support from my customers, friends, and family!
I hope you all have a very wonderful New Year!

I also have a giveaway for you to help ring in 2011! Simply go to the link below for the Minnesota Etsy Street Team Blog's giveaway for a chance to win one of my sugar scrub and lotion gift sets! Just my way of saying "Thanks for all the support".

http://etsymn.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmademn-giveaway-twilight-soaps.html

New retail locations for Twilight Soaps & Gifts

When you are out and about this Holiday Shopping season, don't forget to visit these great store that carry a wide range of Twilight Soaps & Gifts items!

Ultima Bellezza Salon - Great Salon and retail boutique on 3rd St in Stillwater. Fabulous prices, friendly service!
www.ultimabellezzasalon.com
www.ultimabellezza.blogspot.com


planMYhouse Studio- a great new eco friendly studio that just opened up. Joanna and Michael can create a vast array of plans for your home, office, garage, and so much more. While your there, shop around for some great eco friendly wears! Located on Maint Street in downtown Stillwater, in the Brick Alley

www.planMYhouse.com
www.planmyhousemn.blogspot.com


The Farmers Daughter in White Bear Lake, MN
This is the newest store to carry Twilight Soaps & Gifts! They have a wide variety of hand made items perfect for those Holiday stocking stuffers! 
http://thefarmersdaughterwbl.com/The_Farmers_Daughter/Welcome.html


Parc Boutique
This lovely boutique in NE Minneapolis carrys Twilight Soaps & Gifts jewelry collection.
The store is full on wonderful clothing and accessories for men and women!

http://www.parcboutique.com/

MN Wing CAF Vintage Fashion Show Debut

Twilight Soaps & Gifts was a proud vendor at the Minnesota Wing's 2nd Vintage Fashion Show & Wine Tasting.

Bob & Matt help me man my vendor space

The evening was a huge success featuring clothing from Twilight Soaps & Gifts Vintage Collection (soon to be on Esty); the CAFs PX with new Bags, hats, and women's polo's; and custom creations from The Girl Can't Help It Deluxe Clothing line. Accessories were featured from one of my favorites- Atta Girl by Kedrin; my dad's new line jewelry (yep, that right..it runs in the family)- Pacific Shores Stone Works; the Spectacle Shoppe, Scentsy and more.

Jewelry by Pacific Shores Stone Works & Twilight Soaps

We also had Warehouse Winery and Import Iberia for the sampling portion of the show! For a full viewing of the Fashion show, please check out http://www.matthollandphotography.com/Events/CAF-Vintage-Fashion-Show/13791714_oU4aa#1009909346_dwEz8Matt Holland Photography

Kristal and Jason Velick walk to the runway!

If you missed it this year, stay tuned for next years show which is already in the making!

Photo's are courtesy of Matt Holland Photography!

Weddings on a Budget Part Two: Wedding Favors, Tables Settings and more!

Now at the risk of writing a whole piece on promoting my business for your wedding favors (shameless plug in five, four, three two…Solid Perfumes, candles, Lip Balms, and custom soaps), there are tons of ideas out there to choose from!

In the vast age of the internet, you are not limited to the wedding cake shaped bubbles or those awful chalk flavored hard candies. Be bold with your wedding favors and think outside the wedding box. If you have the time, be creative. If you like an idea that doesn’t fit into your budget, do some research and come up with your own.

Here are some great DIY sites to help get your creative juices flowing!

http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/homemade-wedding-favors.html

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/basformakdif.html

http://www.craftster.org/blog/?p=2106

If you don’t have the time to make your own or you don’t want to, then check out the list below for some of my favorite sites for Favors, Bridal Party Gifts, Table Settings, and more.

All of these can be done on a budget and still be unique. They should reflect your individual style and the Bridal party gifts (in my opinion) don’t have to be cookie cutter, carbon copies for each person! Give them each something with a little flare and that reflects them as a person!

I am huge fan of supporting small businesses and I love all of the one of kind creations on Esty, so the next few sites are from there:

Wedding Favors

Wedding Favor Boxes- fill with your favorite candies, nuts, or a secret surprise! My favorite is the wedding cake favor boxes! So cute!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rachelaakmama?ref=top_trail

Custom Wedding Favor Soaps- great for Favors, to hand out to guests staying with you and so much more!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48433418/set-of-10-french-vanilla-and-amber

Tired of Keeping up with the Jones ? You will have them beat with this fresh idea of Upcycled Match Boxes. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ivylanedesigns?section_id=6064107

Crafty enough to try your own- you can even customize them theses simple products (check out those DIY sites above for details):

Match Boxes

Glue

Scrap Book paper

Sharpie of your choice or sparkly marker

No one can resist cookies as favors. Try these rose creations and attach your own label with the date!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/32850778/pink-rose-cookies-with-chocolate-12

Table Decorations & More

The perfect table decorations from Paper Platypus- simple and elegant:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperplatypus

Vintage Wedding Table Numbers can dress up a plane table in a snap.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50793989/vintage-wedding-table-numbers-cottage

The Wooden Owl has great wedding cake toppers, table center pieces and so much more

that are sure to make your wedding special!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodenOwl?section_id=6305770

I am in love with these Mr. & Mrs. Fork set! Super cute for any wedding or perhaps for the grooms dinner. They can also be used as place settings!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50832113/vintage-silverware-mr-and-mrs-wedding

Bridal Party Gifts

Bridal Gifts, no sweat! Check out these Custom Flasks for all your girls!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/47241617/pretty-in-pink-flask

Another great place to try for some beautiful Bridal Jewelry for you and your Bridesmaids is Wedding Jewels- http://www.etsy.com/shop/WeddingJewels

White Wash Sundries has a great Groomsmen mug for $10! You can’t beat that! http://www.etsy.com/listing/39983126/groomsmen-gift-beer-mug

You can’t go wrong with something like custom cuff links for your groomsmen! Check out this shop for some really unique ones!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCufflinkMaker?ref=top_trail

Of course, there are tons of places to choose from in your local community as well as all over the internet, so don’t be afraid to hunt around and find something that you love and that fits into your budget! Always keep what you want in mind, but be flexible and open to new ideas!

Happy Shopping!
Amy