New kimono jackets and Summer Sale

Finally the last two kimono jackets are here!

I've been ragging on about the leopard print kimono in particular, for quite some time. Seriously, I rate it so much that I kept the first one I made and ordered more fabric to make another for the shop.

Oh shush. I'm sat typing this wearing leggings with a hole in the knee. I deserve pretty things too!

Both are available in the shop at £14 each, click on the photos above to find out more.

I've also launched The Dress Tree's summer sale! Skirts, necklaces and clutch bags all have 25% off for the month of July. This rain can't last forever, so grab yourself a bargain in time for the sun's return!

These kimono jackets will be the new last stock to be added to the shop until the autumn, when I hope to launch a small Autumn/Winter collection. So stay tuned!

Feeling reflective

I've been feeling a bit pensive and in dire need of change lately.

I'm not sure where this has come from or what kind of change it is that I'm craving, but our weekend in Wales brought home that I need to take a step back from things and have a bit of a think.

The problem is that "things" are still so busy at the moment. Sickness and a broken sewing machine means that I'm a bit behind with current projects and July looks set to be a busy month too.

But if I'm feeling this antsy now, can I really wait that long?

So many thoughts and ideas are whizzing around my head at the moment. It's hard to follow a train of thought without being distracted by something else seconds later.
I can be thinking about this blog, how I want it to grow and yet without having to follow the set path that seems to be written out for bloggers these days. Or how I'd like to stop making for everyone else for just a little while and really get stuck into making myself some some pieces instead. How I'd like to move to Dorset, or buy a motorhome and use it to travel the length and breadth of Britain one summer.
Or there are the more mundane (and realistic) thoughts of what I would like to get done to this place before winter. Get the place painted, finish tidying the garden, the miscellaneous DIY projects I've got stored in my head. Some started, none finished.
All of these things and then some are going round and around my head on a daily basis. It's all amounting to white noise now if I'm honest and I can't keep track.

I'm going to look on the bright side though. Yes I'm feeling overwhelmed, yes I have more things to do than time and yes it's causing frustration and a more than a smidge of anxiety. But I would take this over boredom and feeling uninspired ANY day.

Do any of you feel like this sometimes? How do you get yourself back on an even keel without stopping completely?

Fresh air

We went to Wales last weekend.

My little beach bug lost her mind. Large open spaces to run about in. Heaven for a two year old.

And yes, she's wearing crocs. I don't want to talk about it.

We went for a walk and found a hillside absolutely covered in bilberry bushes. 

We came back the next morning with a tub and for the second time in as many days, Alessi left the hillside with stained clothes and a full belly.

Speaking of the little gannit, she was obsessed with this cheeky gargoyle. Can't think why.

Sitting in meadows, counting dragonflies. It's not a bad life sometimes. Does that sound a bit smug? 

I got bitten by a horse fly minutes after taking this picture.

And balance is restored.

Etsy UK TV Advert

Have you seen the Etsy ad that's currently running on TV? If not, check it out below!



And guess what? I'm in it!

Haha gotcha! I wish.

Truth be told I didn't even realise they were making one so I was chuffed to bits to hear that it was finally being advertised on television. I really hope it manages to raise the Etsy's profile here in the UK because it really is such a wonderful community.
I've been working with Etsy now for years and sometimes I find it a little frustrating that it is still unknown to so many. Especially when it's heads and tails above the high street.
Yes, yes ok, so perhaps I'm a little biased. Sue me. I believe that handmade is King and that's not going to change any time soon.

So anyway no, I'm not in it. But if you have an Etsy store of your own you can personalise the ad so that your shop name appears at the end. I loved this idea so much so I jumped straight on the bandwagon.

And that's close enough right?

Introducing The Dress Tree Style

I've had it in my mind for a while now that really, I need to show photos of real life people wearing the clothes I make. It's the best way to see how an item really looks and I know I prefer to see images of clothing being modelled before I buy them.

But here lies my problem. I don't have anyone who I can regularly call upon to model my clothes so realistically this leaves me with what many fashion and style bloggers have been doing for years.
Model them myself.

Brain: Urmmmm, not super phyched about that one if I'm honest Kim.
Face: Nope. Not happening. You know how I go when I have a camera pointed at me.
Blood pressure: Did someone say photograph? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

I've always wanted to be one of those women that doesn't look like an awkward muppet in front of the camera. Unfortunately however, I do. If it's just me and the tripod, I feel like an absolute dickhead.
If someone else is taking the photo then it's an epic battle to stop myself from either holding my hand up to cover my face or do the whole crossed eyed, Miley Cyrus tongue thing. And we all know what a good look that is.

Still, I've decided that enough is enough. I'll get used to it with practise and it will be a positive thing for the business and this blog. I hope.

So, to ease us all in gently, The Dress Tree Style's first ever offering is going to be a 'how to style it' post using the lovely Lona's photos. Thanks always darling, you are THE BEST.

Blue Floral Belle

Pink Floral Belle

Green Floral Belle

Yellow Floral Belle

The Belle dresses are available from my Etsy and Bigcartel shops at £20 each. 

And if you would like to see more of Lona's work (and you should) hop on over to her website Lona Aalders. Her style is breathtaking. 

Now if only I could get my hands on that shoulder bag...

Poll - which shop do you like the best?

Ladies and gents, I need your help.

I currently have two shops for The Dress Tree, ETSY and BIGCARTEL.

At some point the time will come to chose the one I want to stick with and close the other.
This is where your help comes in.

I need to know which one you prefer. Which one is the most user friendly to use? Which is easiest to navigate? If you were to shop with The Dress Tree, which online store would you enjoy using the most?

If you could have a quick look at the links above and then vote for your favourite using the poll up there in the top left hand corner, I would be forever grateful.

If you have any feedback, questions or suggestions please feel free to leave a comment too. I'm taking everyone's views on board.

The poll is running until the end of the month and if you like both shops equally, you can select both options.

Thanks all!

Father's Day - Part 2

Dan, you've taught her to swim, jump and kick a ball. 

She's tall like you and has your extroverted streak. 

"Daddy" was her first word (much to my annoyance) and she hates it when you leave the house without her.

Thank you for being an amazing Dad to her. You're not afraid to show her that she's your number one and what I feel I lack in the parenting stakes, you more than make up for. Thank you. 

One day when she's older, I know she'll be the one making a fuss of you on these special days, but for now, know that we both love you to the moon and back.

Happy Father's Day stink. 

Xx

Father's Day - Part 1

This is my Dad. 

He gave me my eyes, my stubborn streak (sorry Dad, that's definitely from you), my dislike of cities and a love of pork crackling.

Happy Father's Day Pops! Love you more than cake, (that's a lot by the way). 

XOXOXOX

Summer Manifesto 2014

Last summer I posted a list of things I wanted to do while the sun still shone. Summer Bucket List 2013

I loved working my way through the list and had so much fun while doing it. In fact, we made so many warm and fuzzy memories as a result of that list, that I've decided to make it a summertime tradition!

So here's my Summer Manifesto for 2014.

It's a shame that that things are so much busier this year, which prevents me from adding more. That said, I think the things I've chosen will provide some fun for all of us and add a few more 'warm and fuzzies' to the old memory bank!

Does anyone else have a summer list? What sort of things do you add to it? 

I would love some inspiration for future summer lists! 

New In The Shop - Disco Fever Kimono

Available in my Etsy and Bigcartel shops

£14

Now I LOVE this kimono, but dang it's hard to photograph! This photo certainly doesn't do it justice. The material is a black sheer chiffon with gold glitter. One minute you can be standing in the shade looking as though you're wearing a regular black kimono jacket.
Then BAM! A ray of light will catch the glitter and all of a sudden you're a walking disco ball!

Can I catch any of that in these photos? Can I heck.

Nevertheless this has become another favourite of mine and I will be making one for myself. Along with a leopard print kimono which will be coming very soon. Stay tuned!

New Shop Launch!

I'm so excited to announce that I have a new shop!

Click HERE to view my new online store! 

Photo ©Lona Aalders

This is currently running alongside my Etsy shop and may end up replacing it, depending on where people prefer making their purchases from.

The products and prices are the same and payment is still via Paypal. The difference is that it is a stand alone online store so you don't need to be familiar with Etsy in order to use it.

Another good thing about this new shop is that I'm able to link it to my Facebook Page. So if you're on Facebook, why not come on over and like the page? I post exclusive content there, host giveaways and offer discounts that are not available anywhere else so it's well worth the trouble.

As you can see, it looks pretty basic at the moment as I want to see what the take up is before I invest more time and money into it. However I believe that it's a cleaner, more user-friendly site and I hope others will think so too.

If you do have any thoughts or ideas, please get in touch. Feedback is always welcome!

Here Come's The Summer!

Yesterday I woke up to a little girl bursting in to the bedroom yelling "HELLO MUMMY!".
As that kind of killed my plans for a lazy Sunday lie in, we decided to head up to our local car boot sale and have a mooch about.
I picked up another picture for the living room and some pretty plates because they were cheap and we need new plates. New to us is new enough.

Then we headed in to town to watch some music. When we got our entry stamps, Pip immediately put her hand out to get one too and spent the next ten minutes comparing her hand stamp to ours. 

Is it silly to be proud of this?

Great music. From left to right: James off of The Magic Lantern, Marianne off of Hot Feet and Sam off of..well, Sam Brookes. Check them out if you like folksy, rocky music.
I think I may have just made up a new genre there, but seriously do give them a listen if you're a music fan. There was a lot of talent in that tent today and I'm so glad we go to go and fill our ears with it.

Time was a little short after that, but we managed a quick wander along the river before I had to shoot home to finish up some sewing. It was nice and quiet as Dan and Pip had a hot play date in the park. What a day.

I bloody love this city.

And before I forget, the Facebook giveaway has finished and the winner is........

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jess! 

Congrats Jess! A pair of cherry earrings will be winging their way to you shortly. Thanks to everyone who took part. You're all a bit fab. XOXOXOX