Carhartt in Detroit

In a day and age when so few brands can rightfully call themselves a family company, Carhartt sticks out in a sea of suits like a vintage chore coat, passed down for generations. In 1889, Hamilton Carhartt started his workwear company with only 5 employees and 2 sewing machines. Over a hundred years full of hard work later—and look at them now!

Born in Detroit and proud of it, Carhartt opened a new location in a historic building downtown. Each nod to their past is a reassurance that Hamilton’s words still ring true:

“I believe that when a man wears an article that I manufacture, his self-respect is increased because he knows that it is made by an honest manufacturer, who is honest with his employees.”

That is perhaps the highest calling of a company: to do things well and to do things honestly. Now that is something I think we can all get behind.

 

Check this location out for yourself at 5800 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 4820. 

 

 

Free Fall DIY-ing

There is so much to appreciate about fall: crisp air and crunchy footsteps, soft earthy tones and speckled foliage. It marks the start of bonfire season and cuddle-up in-warm-blankets season. I’m a big proponent of surrounding oneself with the great outdoors. That being said, it feels natural to pluck up a few flowers from the yard and put them in a vase, but what about leaves? They can be just as lovely, with free flowing branches and freshly turned hues. Why not give it a try? It’s a free way to decorate for the season and it challenges you to see the beauty in what most consider mundane.

what I wore: Carhartt Women’s Belton Shirt & Carhartt Women’s Series 1889 Sim-Fit Double Front Denim Dungaree 

 

 

 

DIY: WIRE WORDS

Valentine’s Day can be a very divisive topic. You love it or you hate it. It does feel like a very commercial holiday that pointlessly makes us buy tons of things covered in little pink and red hearts and end the night with a self-indulgent candy binge. I’ve never been a fan of store bought cards or heart-shaped chocolate boxes. But boy do I love a good old fashioned handcrafted sentiment. That’s why these wire words are the perfect craft for this time of year. Give them as a gift or simply use them in your own home as decoration. This year, make something from the heart to remind those you hold dear how much they mean to you. Go ahead, state the obvious.

“The most important things to say are those which often I did not think necessary for me to say- because they were too obvious.” -Andre Gide

take a look at my crafting outfit: Script Logo Tee, 1889 Double Front Dungaree, & Sandstone Berkley Jacket

 

Alison of Bit of Butter

Alison and her husband, Kevin, started Bit of Butter as a passion project. It’s an online store that sells vintage, mid century, and danish modern home goods, housewares, and furnishings. Alison is a mother, an academic, and a mid-century design enthusiast. A lot goes into their searches for Bit of Butter stock. The mornings start early at Seattle estate sales and thrift stores. Alison and Kevin often refinish their findings as well. Much time is spent researching the goods and prepping them for resale. Take a look at the charming items on their website here.

Ceramic Artist Jill Rosenwald

Jill had an usual start to her career. After being arrested by a few undercover cops while she was selling crafts she made in summer camp on a New York street, Jill showed her ceramics at the ACC craft market in West Springfield, MA. Neiman Marcus, her first big client, helped Jill make an impression on the design world.

She’s now a licensed designer in a studio she shares with her husband and a few other ladies in downtown Boston. Their space is gorgeous, well-lit, and full of character. I fell in love with the bold patterns and bright colors of Jill’s designs. Browse through her website to see a few more goodies designed by Jill.