We've brought the shredded shirts back! They are so much fun to wear and look amazing with any pair of pants and with any kind of tank top underneath.

Here's what the process of making one looks like:

Check 'em out in our Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/47896627/sale-post-apocalyptic-punk-white

Isn't Instagram great? We just really got into it recently and it's a great way for us to share all of our designer-y adventures in and around our studio. Here are just a few samples of our pics and you can follow us as well on Instagram here: http://instagram.com/andreahughes82

Mens Urban button down shirt

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112485789/mens-futuristic-urban-button-down-shirt

Our Mens Futuristic Urban Button Down Shirt in Black & White Pinstripe.

Green and Jasmine tea blend

We recently discovered Jasmine tea, so we decided to create our own blend together with fresh green tea.

Besides being a tasty refreshing beverage, there's some great health benefits too:

- Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.

- Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.

- Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage.

- Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidant “catechin” in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions

- Jasmine helps to improve digestion, eliminate toxins and weight loss

Still - we drink it because it's tasty.

Romantic patchwork shrug in pink and white

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105235437/romantic-patchwork-shrug-in-pink-and

We're absolutely in love with this latest little confection we put together, all full of lace and satin and pink ruffles!

Lovely Busty Corsety Goodness

https://www.etsy.com/listing/104209332/pretty-patchwork-bustier-in-pink-blue

We loved our last bustier so much that we couldn't resist making a new one, only this time, it's got a slightly bigger cup out of black & silver pinstripe. Pretty hot, right?

DIY & Sustainable Lifestyles

Nowadays, consumers are becoming more and more aware of what goes into the products they consume. With this knowledge there are many who refuse to be a part of a system that endorses sweatshops, child labor, chemical additives, GMOs, out-of-control pollution, etc. Knowledge is power and in the days of instant information just Google that chemical listed as an ingredient in the cereal you like or look up the production for that brand of clothes that's so hip right now.

Besides just the ethical comforts, there is a charm in going back to the way our grandparents and great grandparents used to consume. It seems like the world was completely different back then. There wasn't "fast food" and there were no more than a handful of multinational corporations.

Though it's also key to remember that shifting over to a more sustainable lifestyle won't necessarily save you money. That said, you will get more value from your money, both for yourself, your family and for the planet.

There are a few simple steps you can take to ease into a more sustainable lifestyle:

1. If you can't make it/fix it it yourself, support a locally run business that can, rather than a multinational chain.

2. Learn to pull yourself away from the TV/computer and get outside. It's easy to forget about the importance of the environment's health on the drive from home to work/school in the morning. It's  especially important for us city mice to see what trees, birds and fresh water actually are. Otherwise these things just seem like images from travel websites or nice desktop backgrounds. Take a day trip and hike around in a nature reserve. Breath in the fresh air and just appreciate nature!

3. Make your own health a priority. Once you start doing a little research, you'll find that there are basic habits that most of us have that are ultimately unhealthy - and we're including mental health here as well, because mind and body have to work together. I mean, how many times have you come down with a cold when you're under a lot of stress? The key is to understand what stands behind the strange words that make up the ingredient list of all of the foods that we eat, more or less processed. The movie Food Inc. is a great place to start.

4. Exercise! Jog, run, do yoga, lift weights, pilates, anything Just keep your body active. We are creatures that are meant originally to hunt for our food, not just push buttons and sit comfortably eating it...

5. Step out of your comfort-zone. If you really want to make a change in your lifestyle, it means that you're not only going to have to stop certain habits, but you'll also have to try out some new things that may be uncomfortable at first - it's called building character. Don't be afraid to visit groups, places, forums, anywhere where you don't know anyone, and be willing to do it alone. Your current group of friends and family may not yet be willing to take that step with you, but that's OK. This is your opportunity to meet some new people who can help you. In fact, if you show up at a grow-op on your own, you'll be surprised at the enthusiasm from complete strangers willing to teach and help you learn!

It's often fun to fantasize about living a more sustainable lifestyle. It would be so much fun to be able to re-use, re-purpose and even fix the broken and worn out items that surround us instead of throwing out an buying new.

These are just a few possible ways to move towards this type of lifestyle. It is not something that is possible to simply switch into right away. There are no magical shortcuts, however these are some basic steps and methods that can be used to move your life in a more positive direction. 

<3
Shai & Andrea

Pink Punk Patchwork Clutch

Check it out, we've got a new clutch-bag we put together!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/102623774/colorful-punk-patchwork-clutch-purse

We covered it in all kinds of pink patchwork pieces, chains, jewelry, studs and other goodies!

Fashionable eco tote bags

We've been working on a few different styles of eco-friendly tote bags. We've customized them with all kinds of awesome goodies like studs, paint, lace, ribbon. Take a look for yourself!

  

You can see all of them in detail in our shop!

Alice Inspired Dress

I've always been a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, so I guess it makes sense that we'd eventually create something inspired by her.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/101582617/pretty-blue-ruffle-lace-dress-with

 I know it's a little abstract, but then, so's Alice in Wonderland.

<3
Andrea

Punk cuff!

Check out this new punk cuff we made. It's orange, gold and pink and is decorated with various sized studs, safety pinks and chain!

Available online:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/101295114/punk-cuff-with-studs-saftey-pins-in-pink

Patchwork Bustier

https://www.etsy.com/listing/101046740/pink-blue-pretty-patchwork-bustier

Our newest bustier is pretty sweet. You can see all the details in our Etsy shop, but we just had to share it here with you too! We're really happy with the way everything turned out - the colours, the fit, the whole look of it. 


Not sure why, but we've really be digging the patchwork look lately, like on our corset-belts as well. I think you'll be seeing a lot more of this style from us in the near future!

The Gold and the blue

Don't you love our latest textile art necklace:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100542145/blue-and-gold-feathered-fiber-art

We were going for a blue & gold theme, but we couldn't resist adding a little pink into the mix.

4 Handy tips to integrate vintage into your modern wardrobe

It's surprising how many people love the concept of wearing vintage clothing. The whole idea of it is great - you get quality items that have stood the test of time, and you never have to worry about anyone showing up in the same outfit (except maybe your grandmother!).

The thing that holds most people back isn't a lack of eagerness - it's this abstract sense of commitment. Like if you start wearing vintage clothes, you have to start doing your hair every day in a 1960's beehive or something. The truth is, adding a little vintage to your wardrobe doesn't take that much effort at all.

We've put together a couple of simple ways for you to take the leap into the vintage realm:

1. Accessories are great appetizers - Accessories are the perfect way to test the waters - jewelry, belt, broaches, hats, bags, etc. They're low-commitment and they give you a little vintage flare that's actually really easy to work into your existing wardrobe.

2. Have a full budget - Just like with new clothing, quality vintage isn't cheap, but you will get more for your money. A brand new high street fashion chain is charging you most of the money for their fancy big campaigns and branding while with vintage all of your investment goes towards the garment! Even if you are spending a bit more on your item, the vintage boutique has done most of the work for you, hunting and selecting the higher quality items floating around out there.

3. Be patient, be picky - You might not find the perfect piece to suit your style the first time out, so don't force it. Also keep in mind that the perfect item you come across may happen to be 5 sizes up or down from your size. This is part of the charm with vintage sometimes, to wear an over sized  blouse pulled in at the waist by a wide vintage belt with an awesome buckle. Of course, if that doesn't do it for you, many vintage boutiques also offer a customization and alteration service!

4. Enjoy the hunt - Part of the fun with shopping vintage is that you never know what you'll find - it's like a treasure hunt! Many great vintage items come with a history - don't be afraid to ask a shop owner about something. Keep an eye as well on the fabric content. Often you will get a steal and go home with a nice silk dress for the price of a new poly-cotton blend dress from the big box retailers.

Of course there's a lot more to shopping vintage, but as long as you keep these starting points in mind, you'll find that there's a special joy in discovering a great vintage treasure.

Even more so than with shopping new, you'll want to keep an eye on the quality of your treasures. For more tips on that, take a look at our post on buying quality clothing.

So good luck and happy hunting!

We're real proud of this new men's shirt we put together. It is all deconstructed-reconstructed and has a super urban feel to it.

Check it out here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100312813/mens-geometric-patchwork-shirt-in-gray

We're very proud of our latest design. It's a classy tank top with a collar closure at the top and a tuxedo style hemline at the bottom. you can see some photos of it below and check out the following link for the full listing:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/99800698/sleeveless-tunic-purple-and-black

Marks & Spencer UK get on board with recycling!

It's exciting to read about Mark's and Spencer's new initiative "Shwopping"

They are encouraging their shoppers to donate one item that they no longer want/use each time they shop for a new one.

The idea is to collect as many items for recycling as they sell per year (which is about 350 Million items!)

The donated clothes are then given to Oxfam, who in turn resells, reuses or recycles the garments.

This is a great initiative and puts M&S in line with many other big brands out there who are becoming environmentally and socially aware. It seems that the average consumer is longing for some additional meaning to be part of their shopping experience. People are starting to fill guilty for their  consumerist behavior and this is a step in the right direction.

Check out the initiative on the M&S site:

http://plana.marksandspencer.com/about/partnerships/oxfam/shwopping

Poplove works in progress

I absolutely adore this close-up of our latest creation. You really get the feel for the detail and beauty of the work. 

Not to brag or anything, but this one really is beautiful!

We made a cool new eco bag. It is hand painted in our unique "whack" process a reddish-pink color.


We added diamond studs in the corners for added punk value. Featuring our original scary bear graphic.


Check it out:

Available online:


http://www.etsy.com/listing/99285133/pretty-canvas-tote-bag-handmade-eco

Slow food, slow fashion; Your guide to the "Slow Life"

You know what fast-food is, so you can probably guess what it means when you hear people talk about  fast-fashion. You're not the only one who's exhausted from living in the fast-lane.

Now take those concepts and replace the "fast" with "slow". There's a growing trend that is taking us back to the days when we invested a little more into everything we did; we got a little less done, but when we did something, it didn't need redoing.

The movement towards the slow-life is a response to the temporary, inconsistent and poor quality fast-lane lifestyle that western culture has us chasing. Every day we're bombarded by commercials, articles and viral videos all telling us how the latest energy drink is going to turn us into super-humans.

I say it's time to turn off the TVs, computers & smart-phones for a few minutes and remember what being plain a old regular human is all about.

This is what the slow-movement is about. Urban gardens, buying local, DIY, vintage, grow-ops, organic food, home cooking, and "unplugged" time are just a few of the ways that many of us are getting back in touch with the "real world".


So what can you do to join in? The beauty of this movement is that it doesn't take a huge commitment, and the rewards are the kind that give you a warm, fuzzy glow inside. Here are a few suggestions to help kick-start your own Slow-lifestyle:

1. Unplug hour: Turn your phone off, stop staring at the computer/tv/tablet and get yourself up and away from the desk! The world can live without you for an hour, I promise. This is the perfect time to sit down and spend some real, quality time with your family and friends. Pull out the board games, build a fort, play in the garden, make some art - there is so much more to life than the computer!

2. Stay in & cook: Make a homemade meal from scratch. Surprise yourself and your loved ones with newly found recipes online or take an old recipe you have and give it a new twist with different ingredients. It's a great opportunity to try out some new organic ingredients too!

3. Do it yourself: Instead of just chucking the old and buying the new, stop and consider - could you fix it? Could you make something like this yourself? In many cases you can make things yourself with basic tools and materials lying around the house.

4. Take a walk: Nothing is more energizing and refreshing than a quick walk by the beach or in a park. Even if you live in the Urban jungle, walk slowly and breath in the fresh air and notice the surroundings you usually ignore. The sunshine and change of scenery will do wonders to clear your head.

5. Invest in vintage: Buy used. Things used to be manufactured with more care and out of higher quality materials. So why not help the planet while helping yourself? Besides, everything looks better when it is a bit worn in rather than stiff freshly pressed synthetic fabric. Just make sure the item you're investing in is of good quality (take a look at our post on buying quality clothing for a few tips on what to look for!)


These are just a few suggestions to get you started, but most likely, once you've started, you'll discover how slow is the new fast! ;)