Morgan Carper A/W 2013

Morgan Carper A/W 2013 is right up my alley. But let's be honest, you could add black tights to anything and it would be right up my alley. But really. So good.

Heist Vintage

I spend a lot of time thrifting for leather and I always buy other oddities I find along the way. I always thought I'd open a vintage shop one day and a few weeks ago I just went ahead and did it. Heist Vintage is currently mostly stocked with nautical and rustic home goods and more goodies are on the way.

 I've only been buying things I would want in my house, for 2 reasons: 1) I have no idea how to shop for other people, and 2) anything that doesn't sell, I get to keep!

Vintage Glass Floats

Red Lantern - SOLD

Vintage Leather Coach Handbag

You can find the above, plus more in the shop right now. I also have some vintage jewelry (including the most adorable turquoise stud earrings) that will be making it into the shop in the next few days so stop by and have a look!

Margaret Howell - A/W 2013

Miami just hit that late summer phase where it rains every afternoon, mosquitoes are lurking just outside your door and your hair remains in a permanent humidity frizz no matter what control measures you might decide to try. And yet I can't stop looking at all the beautiful Fall collections that are rolling out. I know it's cliché to even say it but, I love Fall. I really truly do.

Margaret Howell A/W 2013 is exactly why. Classic menswear inspired styling, plaid, tweed and gorgeous brown leather...yum.

Can we just fast-forward through September please?

The New(ish) Girl

When I decided to expand the Heist line into leather handbags, I was completely unsure of how deep into it I would get. After doing a ton of research, I decided to start on the cheap(er) side and invest in a portable walking foot sewing machine.

These portable walking foot machines are mainly used on ships to mend sails and vinyl and make other repairs on the go. Long story short, the machine was just ok. The lift under the foot was just not enough to fit any thicker materials, it often left track marks and the machine was just...finicky. It refused to top stitch properly and I wasted a lot of good leather because of it.

I started getting really frustrated with my limited options and about 2 weeks ago I started trolling Craigslist looking for a proper industrial machine. After perusing many, many leather-worker and sewing machine forums, I made a list of the top 5 machines I should be on the lookout for, and sure enough one popped up last week. 

It was listed in Tampa, which is about 4 hours away from me, and I just decided on the spot to make an offer. The seller accepted immediately and the very next day I was driving across the state to pick it up.

I met the sellers in their upholstery studio, tried out the machine and loved it. They were so helpful and explained all the ins and outs (about half of which I understood and absorbed), and then they helped me pack it up and I hit the road. 

Welcome to the party, Consew! I can't wait to get to know you.

Summertime

Summer is soon coming to an end (at least in theory, Miami won't see cooler temperatures until the end of October), so I figured I'd commemorate it with a little post. It was a rough start to this summer but it ended up being one of the best summers ever. Sometimes you just need a little perspective to realize how great you really have it, right?

That trip to Big Bear

Thrift adventures (and an addiction to stripes?)

Discoveries on my evening hikes with Zero. On this evening it was this giant airplant which had been knocked down in a rain storm.

Salty air and salty hair in Ft. Myers Beach

A trip to the aquarium in Wrightsville Beach, NC

Now it's back to business. I'm prepping for several local markets that we're participating in this Fall, and as crazy as it sounds, I'm already busy making inventory for the Holiday season (including new jewelry, so stay tuned!) Lots of fun stuff in the works!

Follow us on Instagram! @ILoveHeist

Cocones

Absolutely loving Cocones, a leather and wool accessory line out of Dublin. I want that MacBook Pro sleeve! Read an interview with the couple behind the line here.

Wrightsville Beach

I just got back from a 5 day vacation in Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach, NC. The first few days were cold and rainy, but it was the perfect weather for exploring the area and eating all the delicious food the area has to offer, including my favorite, Flaming Amy's. The last day was bright and sunny and we lounged on the beach all day and, of course, got sunburned.

Sipping beers on the porch watching the rain

Exploring and surfing in the gloom

Exploring Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson

One of the tamer nights, playing cards in the cottage

Hanging around the Country Store eating boiled peanuts

Facing the Sound through the screen door

Summer Vacation

I'm hitting the road this week to take a much needed break and enjoy a little summer vacation time at the beach house in North Carolina that we rented last summer. All orders to date have been shipped and any new orders that are placed in the next week will be made and shipped next week.

Happy summer vacation!

 xo

Via Pinterest