And We're Off!

Allow me to finally introduce you to the new Heist Handbags line!

1. The Totes-

2. The Clutches-

3. The Crossbody Style-

 

4. The Extras-

Large size change purse

Leather pouches

After 6 months of making patterns and prototypes and actually learning how to sew a bag, and then another 3 months of learning how to sew leather, working out the kinks, establishing our new branding, building up inventory and all the other assorted details that goes into a new line, the Heist Handbag line is finally ready to go live!

Now, about the bags. Each bag is made using recycled leather from coats and other garments. An avid thrifter before, now thrifting is my job...and I love it! I source suitable second hand leathers and combine them with fabrics (some recycled, some new) to create soft, worn-in, slouchy handbags! I try to keep as many of the garment's original details as possible, such as pockets and seams. The result is a one-of-a-kind bag that no one else has.

Although I use the same patterns, each bag is completely unique due to the nature of the original items being used. The beauty of these bags is how perfect the leather already is. No waiting to break it in and soften it...it's already worn-in and ready to go, flaws and all. And the best part? No additional animals were harmed in the making of these bags. Is it vegan? No. But I like to think that it helps.

So keep an eye on the shop, these bags (and the other designs in the works) will be hitting the shelves very soon!

Suburban Love

 

...and she's a Florida girl. Gotta love it.

Adventure Awaits

Via

A New Site and an Introduction

Our new website launched today! Go have a look to get your first glimpse of a few pieces from the new Heist Handbag line!!

I will be formally introducing you to our new handbags right here on the blog within the next few weeks and then I will start uploading everything to the shop. I seriously can't wait. I hope you guys are as excited about this as I am! xo

The Southerly

The Southerly is a cute blog which documents the travels of Rhiannon and Drew, a couple based in Atlanta, GA who happen to love traveling, history, kitschy roadside attractions and, luckily for us, photography. From old Civil War battlefields to abandoned buildings on a Native American Trail, all with their histories carefully explained, this blog is pretty great.

It's not updated as much as I would like (I'm a hard blog reader to please!) but I think it's a really well done blog that is worth your time to check out.

I think I could devote a few months to photographing the deep south. Who's game?

Around Here

1. The Garden That Could. Our garden is big and happy this growing season and we've been plucking veggies from the ground and eating them almost every meal. It doesn't get any fresher than that!

2. The Labels I Can't Stop Staring At. The new labels for Heist Handbags* are in! The logo design is from a collaboration with Flying Pyramids and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. Beautiful, high-quality, guilt-free, vegan leather. Perfect.

*Is the anticipation killing you yet? It sure is killing me! I promise a big reveal of the Heist Handbag line in the very near future. Promise!

3. The thrill of the Hunt. Am I right? I'm always hunting for records and when I dig one out from the depths of some dusty pit (What's with all the Johnny Mathis?!) you'd swear I found the rarest fossil man-kind has ever seen. Talking Heads for under $2? Yes, please.

4. The Experiment that Went Completely Right. I made a batch of these Jute Planters and planted oh-so-adorable succulents in them as a display for my parents' store. My parents were all "that's not really the store's vibe" and then they were all "people are asking about these, maybe we should sell them?" and then they were all "we're going to need more. We sold out." We're on batch 3 now. Needless to say, my stock as store display/interior designer is way up right now.

Photos via my Instagram. Are we friends yet?

Pinterest Recipe Rundown

If you're anything like me, you're probably obsessively pinning things on your Pinterest page whenever you have a spare second. And if I know you like I think I do, it's probably your recipe page that gets the most action. No? Oh. Awkward. Anyway, I still thought it'd be nice to do a quick rundown of some of the best recipes I've tried via my Recipe page. Try 'em out. Let me know what you think!

Salt and Vinegar Fingerling Potatoes

 

I didn't use fingerling potatoes for this recipe, instead I thinly sliced up some baking potatoes that I had on hand and then boiled them in the vinegar solution diluted with some water. They probably turned out milder that way, but I thought they were delicious. Definitely worth a try.

Sesame-Crusted Tofu

If you follow me on Instagram then you already know my feelings on this one. If you want to make a tofu-hater change their mind about tofu, this is the recipe with which to do it. Also, it's so easy to make! I didn't make the sauce listed in the recipe but instead used Frank's Red Hot Sweet Chili Sauce. I've already made it twice and I'm ready to go back for thirds.

Kimchi Fried Rice

This is another favorite of mine that I've gone back to twice already. Maybe even three times? Who's keeping count. It's such a great idea for a quick and easy meal using leftover rice. Throw Kimchi and a runny egg in the mix and I'm sold.

Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup

Vegan or not, this soup is AMAZING. I sent the recipe to my very carnivorous brother who agrees it is quite the keeper. See? Endorsed on both sides of the great divide.

Green Goddess Rice

Do you like avocado? Do you like cilantro? Then this rice is for you. Trust me on this.

Shakshuka

Tasty, healthy, easy: the perfect trifecta. This egg dish is a popular Israeli breakfast, but I took this blogger up on her suggestion to have it as a light dinner paired with a salad. So so tasty. Highly recommended!

Look out Hollywood Here I Come

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon Father John Misty but it's exactly what I need when I'm working in the studio. Something mellow enough that I can listen to it while concentrating on small details. Or more likely, figuring out why my sewing machine is acting up again. You'd be surprised how much music affects my tolerance for such things.

Anyway, upon further research I've learned Father John Misty is actually J. Tillman, aka the former drummer of Fleet Foxes. Ah, this makes sense.

Well Funtimes in Babylon is probably one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a while and I thought I'd share this beautiful live video shot in Paris. Those lights could make anything magical.

Down on Life

Another fairly recent discovery in my music world is Elliphant. I was pretty much obsessed with this song from first listen but this video really takes it to another level.

Those Boots

Steve Madden and Madewell via Kendi Everyday

J. Crew

Payless via What I Wore

Christin Micheals Asha

DV by Dolce Vita via Kendi Everyday

Madewell's Heeled Hiking Boot

Whether they're a rugged sole or more refined, a small heel or a wedge, I'm obsessed with them and I've been stalking. Yup, you too can be a stalker if you spend your late night hours creepily clicking from site to site looking at booties and right-click-adding them to your desktop lurk pile!

Well I went ahead and splurged on a $30 pair of Target booties. That's right guys, sometimes $30 is considered a splurge. Like when you already have booties. Like...a lot of them. But really, they're a dead ringer for those DV by Dolce Vita shoes above and for $30 you really can't go wrong. Unless, of course, they're hideous in real life. In which case it's easy to ship them back and pretend like the whole thing never happened.

Target

But seriously, Heeled Hiking Boot, you might be next.

New, Sale, One of a Kind: Update 4

I gave you a week off to catch up on our older posts. You're welcome. But now it's back to business. Here comes our fourth update for New, Sale and One-of-a-Kind!

(Clockwise from upper left):

1. Copper Arrowhead Pendant - WAIT! I'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE! This pendant has taken a few different forms: rose gold plated copper, embellished with cubic zirconia, etc. But this is my favorite version so we're sticking with it. Copper Arrowhead charm on our badass new steel/copper chain. And we're keeping this chain nice and long. Boom.

2. Scroll Pendants - SALE! These little pieces are made from a mold of a vintage Norwegian button that I found in my Grandma's sewing stash up in the mountains of Norway. They're kind of regal, kind of ornate but at the same time they're a little faded and distressed so they almost look like buried treasure. Available in Copper or Silver.

3. Copper Anchor Pendant - NEW! Another little tiny pendant. Made in Copper so it feels authentically salty and nautical. Yes, that's a thing.

4. Horse Cameo Ring - ONE OF A KIND! This horse cameo is set in a sterling silver bezel and looks as adorable as can be. Does he look familiar? Maybe you're thinking of his sister, the Regal Cat. Let's stop there before this gets weird.

All items hitting the shop tomorrow! xo