It feels great.  Like if I needed to be on pills for depression, this would be my pill.  I wake up, take my workout pill, and go to work—or vice versa.  BAM, productivity, bright and light happy work for the remainder of the day.  After three days of this back to back, though, I now feel like someone has dragged me from the back of a pickup truck on an inner tube—I’ve been fighting to stay on that tube so as not to skin myself (seriousy, kids, it is this dramatic), and I’ve succeeded, but not without some dings and near misses.  I ache.  I move slow.  I groan.  I’m black and blue.

I’m counting 1.2.3. (thank you, steph) to get in and out of the car, on and off the stairs, opening and closing doors, hammering ear wires, moving my head to the right to answer a question—IT ALL HURTS!!  But at the same time, it feels so good.

Black pants:  Scout & Molly’s

Blue (oooo ahhhh back shirt): Adorn

Feather Hoops:  betsy & iya

$25, feather hoops

***Song of the Moment: Black and Blue, by Dinah Washington***

A few weeks ago, I received a care package from my mama.  I love care packages.  I remember the first time I left home for more than just a down-the-street sleepover, I felt like I was leaving for years.  I had a blast making new friends and learning how to ride horses and shoot with a bow and arrow and slide down huge slides and fight for the red team and spill an entire box of beads from the top bunk to the floor, but I never forgot about home.  And the thing is, I was the envy of all my bunk-mates.  The reason:  my family sent me letters and packages EVERY day.  I started feeling a bit guilty because the mail dude would come in and say our names if something came in for us… it never failed.  I felt like the luckiest little girl in the world.

Jumper:  Stewart & Brown

Tee:  American Apparel

Leggings: basic blacks from anywhere

Jellies: CARE PACKAGE! (steve madden)

Earrings: yours truly

When I opened this package is was like a gust of childhood nostalgia permeated the room—swim team, bathing suits with holes in the middle, dress up, long afternoons of song writing (I used to take old songs like…”It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to…” and somehow manipulate them into my own), forest deck forts, painted rocks, friendship bracelets, the 80s…just– the 80s, lots of cuddling, lots of love.  All of these amazing memories jumped out at me in the form of jellies and my day was instantly made.

Thank you, mama!  I love my new jellies SO much!

If you’re thinking about sending a loved one a care package—do it.  In the age of facebook messages, texts, and emails, there’s really nothing like a rough cardboard box with a handwritten note and a little surprise inside.

xo~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Lovin’ Arms, by Etta James***

Today, it feels like summer.  It feels like juicy melons and the sweet sweet sun.

Dress: Michael Stars via Mabel & Zora

Bracelet: Mama’s drawer (can’t seem to take it off)

Leggings:  H&M

Boots:  Frye via Johnny Sole

Earrings: new locket earrings by yours truly

I love my new space.  Can you tell?

What does one say on a Thursday?  Happy tip of the weekend to you?

As my good friends over at Radish Underground say,

LOVIES~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Summer is the Champion, by Laura Veirs***

]]> http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/outfit-of-the-day-summer-melon/feed/ 3 http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/outfit-of-the-day-me-and-the-middle/ http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/outfit-of-the-day-me-and-the-middle/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:09:33 +0000 betsy http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/?p=2011 It’s been awhile since my last OOTD.  In an effort to catch up, I’m about to blow your minds with clips from several outfits of the days.

I go through clusters of days (sometimes weeks), when the last thing I want to think about is what my OOTD will be.  I wake up, sloth my way towards the shower, and if I’m lucky, there’s a cup of coffee in my hands before my first wet foot brushes the cushy bathroom mat (yeah, I told you W was awesome).  By the time that’s all finished? …it’s probably time to be leaving for the studio, so you better believe that quality time for cohesive thoughts on what outfit might make me feel swanky for the day is loooong gone.  If I’m super lucky, I will have dreamed it up in the shower—pre-coffee.  And then I’ll use the coffee to fast forward all of it.  No time for questions, just time for doing, blinders ON…go coffee, go!

Sometimes it’s one word: chucks.  Then the outfit blooms around it.

Sometimes a brand:  Noa Noa or Stewart & Brown.

Sometimes a challenge:  stay comfortable all day.

Sometimes a theme:  local.

Sometimes a game: what colors can’t I fit in this outfit?

Mostly, though, it’s super simple:  belt?  (ding.)  …little belt??  (double ding.)  …the cheap one from the estate sale???  (ding ding ding!!!)  …and then the shower has ended, I’m dry, coffee is in my hand, blinders are on, and it’s all smooth sailing from there, baby.

If all else fails, accentuate the parts you love about yourself.  And RUN with it!

It’s Friday already!!??!  What the!?

I hope you all have marvelous weekends.

Shop will be open from 11 to 4ish tomorrow.  Come by and see me! xoxo~betsy

***Song of the Moment: 57821, by Janelle Monae***

and snuggled up in our cubby bed…

outfit of the day: boyfriends, tight pants, and cowboys.

Loved it.  every minute of it.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite Brooklyn-based bands:

***Song of the Moment: Fake Empire, by The National***

We stayed at the historic Charleston Place hotel, right in the middle of downtown Charleston.  The moment we got in there, we were overjoyed with the decor—-the warmth, the detail, the tradition, mmmmm.  We immediately jumped into photo-shoot mode.  Seriously, for at least 30 minutes, my mama, sis and me took pictures of the gorgeous room and each other in it.

So. much. FUN.

Chocolates on your bed.  Whaa??  Who does that any more???  love.

That moment stood out as one of my faves of the whole trip.  I mean, what’s more fulfilling than being completely goofy with the ones you love most?  So I combined it into my Outfit of the Day.

girly dress:  Free People from Radiance in Hilton Head.  (a new boutique who will be carrying my line)!

graphic tights: from Philly’s Bus Stop boutique (another loyal betsy & iya seller)!

boots: Frye.

new earrings and necklace: betsy & iya

Turns out mama has some SKILLZ with the camera…go mama!!  I heart this new head shot!

And then…ahhh…my favorite shot of all—the real deal, iya.  Sis, you melt my heart.

More on this east coast journey to come (including: my trip to Etsy headquarters, the NU hotel in Brooklyn, and sweet memories of childhood beaches.  Also, I’ll be listing those new key/chain earrings for you today.)

I hope you’re holding your Monday’s hand and skipping all the way into the sunset!

***Song of the Moment: Blues for Mama, by Nina Simone***

]]> http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/outfit-of-the-day-charleston-place/feed/ 1 http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/on-my-way-to-etsy-like-really/ http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/on-my-way-to-etsy-like-really/#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:14:29 +0000 betsy http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/?p=1753 No, I mean really really.  Etsy headquarters are in Brooklyn, NY.  And TODAY, I will be there.  …  ! … !!!!!!!!!!!

Remember that awesomely amazing book I told you about?  The book every indie crafter, artist, etc should own?   The one I told you I was in??  This one:

The one with advice and contributions from hot hot hot folks like, Grace Bonney from Design Sponge, Emily Martin of the black apple, and Matt of Etsy.com (to name a few)?

Well, the book’s awesome author, Kari Chapin, has organized a discussion panel for the Etsy Speaker Series—and (you guessed it) I’m ON THAT THING!

A great group of folks who were featured in the book, including the author;

Kari, Kim Werker, Jennifer Judd-McGee, Liz Smith and yours truly, will talk about selling crafts locally, globally and online, LIVE at 7 pm eastern time TONIGHT!!  wheeee!  I am SO SO SO grateful to be included in this.  Kim gets to the point better than me:

“The panel will be a live event there [at Etsy headquarters] (if you’re in NYC, you can sign up for free here). If you aren’t in NYC or you can’t make the event in person, you can catch it live in the Etsy Virtual Labs. I’m not sure if they’ll record the panel for non-live viewing, so watch it live if you can! (Note: The panel starts at 7pm Eastern time.)”

Speaking of Kim, she said she’s “stupid excited” to see Etsy in person (I couldn’t agree more).  Which makes me stupid excited to meet her.  I spent many parts of my tryst with Vancouver, BC trying to explain to my Canadian friend what “stupid excited” meant.  I don’t think he ever got it, but I’m hoping this post will help.

In the spirit of what-to-wear-to-Etsy-tonight, I offer you a glimpse into my Charleston Outfit of the Day:

(these earrings are some of my favorites from the new Old Turns New line.  lookout for them in the shop soon)

Okay okay okay, we gots to get on the ROAD!  Yesterday, Charleston.  Last night, DC.  Today, NY.  Brooklyn, here we come—

I’m STUPID excited for all of it!  Kari Chapin, you’re… too much for words; thank you for—well, everything.

(new stores in SC and DC—lookout for ‘em!)

miss you guys (wish me luck)! xo~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Walking, by the Dodos***

This outfit is almost entirely local!

Tank:  Mabel & Zora

(my new favorite) sweater: Radish Underground

Jeans: Levis

Rad Shoes: Terra Plana

Glasses: Amy Sacks from blink

Earrings: These are my new go-tos in my mixed metal collection, you can click on the pic to go directly to the shop.

We’re off!!!  Expect updates from the road.

***Song of the moment: Let it Fall, by Lykke Li***

]]> http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/outfit-of-the-day-oh-canada/feed/ 2 http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/outfit-of-the-day-picking-berries-at-prom/ http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/outfit-of-the-day-picking-berries-at-prom/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:11:35 +0000 betsy http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/?p=1632 Last Friday, I spent the evening at one of my faves–Radish Underground, making custom jewelry for folks and having a grand old time.  Gina’s husband, Ammon, grabbed my camera for a moment and I took to the stage.

It comes out of that place of being slightly uncomfortable, but once it’s there, it just goes wild…

there it is.

and then it sort of takes off.

and once it’s going…

…it would be MORE awkward to turn it off…

…so we let it play out.

and see where it takes us…

The best is when we figure we can take a stab at those ridiculously unbecoming model poses.

hmmm…  it’s the face.  if the face is wrong, it throws the whole thing off.  The expression is key.  Look how I NAIL it in these last few pics.

yes.  if you hesitate, you’re in trouble.  it’s all about follow through, folks.  and then you’re smooth sailing—picking berries at prom.

Boots:  Portland Outdoor Store.

Textured Tights:  Nordstrom.

Vintage navy blue slip:  Folly.

Ocean Dress: Stewart & Brown.

Cowboy Shirt: Vintage shop in NY.

Glasses: Amy Sacks.

Sassy Hoops: betsy & iya.

I hope you all have colorful and productive Wednesdays in your own ridiculously awkwardly awesome model poses!  (If you choose to do any, please please take a pic and send it my way.)

***Song of the Moment: About Face, by Grizzly Bear***

This is the year of embracing the legs.  I dabbled in it last year; springtime brought on old frilly dresses and gunny sax, new jumpers and geometric skirts.  But this time, I’m for REAL.  I’m 29 years old.  It’s time to stop beating my long plump voluptuous legs into the ground because they aren’t good enough.  These things are great.

They’ve seen me through the worst and best of times.  They’ve taken me to places I never imagined I’d go.  They’ve broken and healed.  They’re super strong—holding people high (in chairs even, did you see Truth & Beauty?) And they make me funny sometimes…this is a good thing.

While I’ve spent a fair share of my life hating them, the truth is (somewhere in there) I’ve always loved them deeply and I can’t see us ever breaking up.  So this year, I intend to show them why.  I art thou dub 2010 an Ode to the Legs.

I will write that Ode on the streets of Portland and anywhere else these beauties might take me, then I’ll get back to you.

If I had remembered to represent b & i with this outfit, I would have chosen this:

"if" Morse Code necklace by betsy & iya. click for direct link to purchase.

I have loads and loads of orders in the queue right now, so I better take these hunks of love I’ve been talking up and get a move on.

Lost is on tonight.  I sort of can’t wait.

xox~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Trying My Best to Love You, by Jenny Lewis***