it's only fair.

it's only fair that since I recommended a pair of jeans a little on the pricey side (though TOTALLY worth every penny) that I pass on another recommendation that is definitely budget friendly.
i mean, who doesn't want that?
ever heard of downeast basics?
if so, can i get an amen?
if not, get ready to flip out of cuteness-at-an-amazing-price-ness.

i mean, just look at Lindsey (from the Pleated Poppy)! she is about ready to faint in disbelief because I just told her how much my skirt cost (not really, but she could have!) don't worry, i totally would have caught her. (i got your back, linds.)

anyhow, as i was saying, cute. cute. cute. cheap. cheap. cheap. (not to be confused with cheaply made.)

i am lucky enough to have 3 downeast basics shops within 5 or 10 miles of me. let's just say it's a little dangerous. this is my go to shop when i am in need of something adorable that is young and fresh, but appropriate for my 30 (ahem) year-old-self. I mean, is there anything worse than a 30 year old who still dresses like they are 15? 

no. (just in case you hesitated. there is nothing worse. nothing.)

back to the outfit. 

for TCC, i picked out this beauty of a skirt (in gray of course):

it is so comfy, and the best part? POCKETS. for reals. i looove to wear skirts, but am always hunting for a pocket to put my phone, keys, random goldfish crackers, etc. in and finally, a cute skirt delivers. 2nd best part? (maybe it's a tie for first) POLKA DOTS. i love me some polka dots! mmmhmm.

and the sweater? (in green!) perfect for the fall (well, it's still 90 degrees here, but it WILL be perfect for the fall.)

don't you love the ruffles? yuummmm... ruffles.

and of course, pair it with one of their wonder tees (which i have in every color and wear almost every day) and a modern pearl necklace (gray was my first choice, but i sold it right off my neck that day) and you are set!

a tip? like down east basics on facebook, follow them on twitter, and subscribe to their emails (or pick one of the 3) and you will be in on all the sales and promos. and they ALWAYS have sweet sales. Like this dress (also seen at TCC) i picked up for $15. 

i know, you can't really see it, but it's awesome. promise. (my sister's gray dress is downeast as well. belt is allora though.)

so, friends. again, take my word for it.  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

the one where i go on and on about my skinny jeans

me with the adorable julia of j-jewels

i'm not usually one to care {that} much about what i'm wearing.

i'm not usually one to rave about clothes.

but seriously, (SERIOUSLY!) if you are in the market for a new pair of jeans that will knock your socks off

(that's right! knock 'em right off! do i sound like billy mays?)

your search is over.

ever heard of miraclebody?

i'd heard of their swimsuits, and the miracles those babies can perform. but jeans? miracle body jeans?

you had me at "look 10 lbs. lighter in 10 seconds"

um, yes please! where do i sign?!

my sister and i were each given a pair of jeans to review while we were at TCC.

i might just sleep in them now.

and order them in every style.

i have a strange body shape. grateful that God gave me a body, but sometimes i think he had a sense of humor when he made mine. 

most pants just plain old don't fit. in fact, when i went to place my order for my "miracle" i was pretty skeptical about these fitting either.

you could say i lacked faith.

but oh, dear me do they fit.

showing off my jeans AND fabulous calendar with the much ado about you girls. more on that later.

if you have a little bit of a middle (or have ever been pregnant, let's just leave it at that)

you have to check these out. 

they are soooo comfortable and yet somehow are not pajamas or sweats!

didn't even know that was possible.

the rise is high enough to suck it all in and make you feel confident, but not so high or tight that you feel claustrophobic or like you are wearing mom jeans.

please tell me you don't have mom jeans.

so, just trust me on this. YOU NEED THEM.

amen.

mary, mary: handmade business tip #2

i know you doubted whether or not I would ever revisit this,

but HERE I AM!

back with tip # 2 for growing your business.

this tip came about in conversation with a sweet friend. i couldn't believe it when i found out she a little shy about using this practice in her own business. i mean really, the girl is gooooood. so, i share with you what i shared with her.

handmade business tip #2: 

sell yourself

you heard me right.

there are 2 ways that i get the word out about my business EVERY single day.

1) I rarely leave the house without wearing my own product

and

2) every email i send has a link to allora handmade and the queen bee market

now, these things may seem simple. they may seem obnoxious to some who are nervous to put themselves out there. here's how i see it:

i am my own best advertisement.

i can't tell you how many people have stopped me in a store to ask about my products.

i can't tell you how many people (even close friends and family!) didn't know i had a shop until i added it in my signature. so, let's break it down.

1) wear/use your own product:

I can't emphasize this enough. Don't feel silly being a walking advertisement! How can you expect other people to want to wear/use your product if you aren't willing to? Here's the deal. The hardest part for me in the beginning was knowing what to say when I got a compliment. Because the compliments will come, no doubt, but using them to your benefit is entirely up to you. I was terrible at this in the beginning. Someone would say "your headband is adorable!" and I would bashfully say "thanks!" and just hope they asked me where I got it. Until my other great friend and I were shopping at a local handmade boutique and people kept asking about my necklace. Each time someone complimented me she was quick to say "she made it! isn't it cute? Here... take her card." I was amazed. It was that easy! Suddenly my customer base became every one I came into contact with. Now, when someone compliments me I say "Thank you! I made it!" Plain and simple.

sorry for all of the lame pictures of me. i'm trying to make a point here. don't make fun.

 You don't have to sound like you are bragging or self-promoting, just stating a fact. Now, it's important not to be obnoxious and go around starting up a conversation with everyone you meet by saying "Hi, don't you love my _______? I made it and I sell them if you want to buy one." Goo. Awwwwkward. Please don't do that. Just fess up to the fact that you are awesome (without saying so) when they compliment you and you'd be surprised how many friends and strangers turn into customers. And carry your business cards ALWAYS. (you carry them, right??)

Ok, moving on.

2) If you don't already have a signature on your email, stop what you are doing right now and get to it!! It is so easy (just hunt around in your settings and options) and will only take a minute. I am constantly emailing. By adding my signature I am sending each message with an invitation to view what else I do. Mine is simple and looks like this:

jessica erickson

allora handmade, owner/designer (www.allorahandmade.etsy.com)

the queen bee market, co-owner (www.thequeenbeemarket.com)

no biggie right? But people tell me all the time: "Hey, I didn't know you owned your own businesses! I love your stuff! I checked out your links!" Easy peasy. Doesn't get easier than that.

Hopefully you are already doing these things and I am not telling you anything new. Because this tip is by far the easiest way to grow your business. Constantly expose people to your products!

Now, what are your favorite ways to self-promote?