I’ve been in crazy design mode lately.  The awesome pleasure I have of working with amazing people who get things done (Will, Lupe, and Kate + other amazing folks) has afforded me the open time and space I have needed to let the ideas flow.  With that plus the weather, these are the outfits I feel like wearing most days:

Every morning I think…oh this could be an outfit-of-the-day day…and most mornings I end up throwing on my brown cords or slumpy jeans and think…no, this is what I need for design brain.  So I figured it’s only fair that I show you where I’ve been for the past few months.  Cheating, maybe, but this is an accurate OOTD for the time being.

Pants: years old J. Crew staple

Shirt: Forever 21

Headband: an amazing trade from the Holiday Crafty Wonderland sale (I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the company…I will post as soon as I do)

Boots: Matisse

Earrings: new color vintage, betsy & iya

In addition to the new design project, The Music, we are busy editing (slash: killing) old designs and making room for new ones, like these hot new color vintage pieces:

These color super models will premiere at the Crafty Wonderland Spring show this Saturday and we’ll have them available in our online shop very soon.

In the meantime, we’ll keep on climbing that bright ladder and hope you do the same.

See ya up there.

xoxo~betsy

***Song of the Moment: SpottieOttieDopaliscious, by OutKast***

Several months (er…a year?) ago, I asked my dear readers what were their favorite parts of my blog.  Two most popular things:  1) Songs of the moments and 2) Outfits of the Days. Well, I’ve kept up the bargain with Songs of the Moments, but I’ve completely neglected the OOTDs. I’m going to try and change that, starting today.  I *hope* to give you at least one OOTD per week.  That’s my goal.

Shirt:  Artisan shirt from Campeche, purchased in a rad Mexico City mercado.

Pants: Leggings from Nordstrom.

Socks: local favorite Sock Dreams.

Scarf: local Sloan boutique.

Earrings: betsy & iya.

Boots: Frye.

Dog: Gingham Macpherson Cervarich.

In the early days, it was just me, but now I have a partner in this blog (+ this business, this life) and we are dedicated to keeping it alive—because we love doing it.   So we’re in the process of amping it up a little, of deciding what our favorite topics are and how we want to deliver them to you.  We’re even in the process of naming the blog.

What are some of your favorite topics?  names?

Thanks for hanging with us this far!

xo~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Moth’s Wings, by Passion Pit***

Sweater: Levi’s sale bin

Undershirt and Corduroys: Thrifted

Shoes: Converse

Hoops: betsy & iya (old curtain rod holders, pictured in both natural and white wood)

There’s nothing more cozy than seeing a loved one you haven’t seen in: way. too. long.

Song of the Moment: Bloom, by Radiohead***

and this is what I wore that day…

(dress:  Zachary’s Smile, boots: Frye from Johnny Sole, long black house coat: Folly, earrings: betsy & iya)

I was terrified that I would feel terrified when the day actually came.  When the final moments ticked away and thrust me into a new decade… the truth— I felt proud.  I felt the way one must feel when they’re celebrating 30 years of business, or when the Academy Awards celebrated their 30th year, or heck, Miss America.  I felt like I’d earned it.

And here in Boulder, surrounded by young college students just beginning the decade I just finished, I can’t help but feel more like myself than ever before.

I am Betsy.  I am 30.  And I am loving it.

Thank you to everyone who sent me such generous birthday wishes.  The flowers, the gifts, the community, the love …it goes such a long way.

Happy 30 to all of you!

xo~b

Song of the Moment: Holiday, by Vampire Weekend***

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***

Meet model Amanda, who won the challenge, wearing betsy & iya jewelry:

Beautiful!  She’s wearing the Righteous Record earrings in black.

Sooooo fun!

***Song of the Moment: Moves, by The New Pornographers***

]]> http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/famous-jewelry/feed/ 8 http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/meet-our-newest-employee/ http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/meet-our-newest-employee/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:00:47 +0000 betsy http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/?p=2139 It didn’t take too much time to find her.  I knew right away that she’d be a perfect fit.  Introducing:

Daphne

Holler!!!  Also, you might be thinking, wait wait wait…I know Betsy makes jewelry, but I also see a dress and a sweet hat on darling Daphne. Weeelll…We have started carrying a handful of other local designers’ wares, including Seasons K Designs (the sweet sweet owner of one of the best stores in Portland) and Kori’s rad Flipside Hats.

On top of all the wildly awesome jewelry we’re making and selling, you can now pick up some of these things to go with your favorite new earrings:

(owner/designer, Kori, of Flipside Hats.  YES, they’re reversible.)

Come by the shop and see all the new goodies!!

***Song of the Moment: Tight Tee Shirt, by Benji Hughes***

When Media Maison contacted me with an amazing opportunity for betsy & iya, I felt super duper flattered, took a deep breath and proceeded to gather, design, and create 200 pieces for possible use on the 3rd season of Model Latina in NYC.  It was a mad rush, but I am so happy we managed to make it happen.  …That was a few months ago.

photo credit: Juan Luis Garcia

…tonight, TONIGHT, is the premiere of SiTV’s newest season of Model Latina.  It airs on Mondays at 9pm.  If you don’t have cable, NO FEAR, you can check out the episodes online.  betsy & iya will be featured several times on the show.  So, if you’re a fan—be sure to check it out!

photo credit: Juan Luis Garcia

I am incredibly honored to be a part of this special show.

A huge huge thank you to Model Latina NYC, SiTV, and Media Maison for taking such an interest in my work.

Can’t Wait!!

xo~betsy

***Song of the Moment:  The Waves, by Los Super Elegantes***

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/studs-the-photo-project/ http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/studs-the-photo-project/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:18:04 +0000 betsy http://www.betsyandiya.com/blog/?p=2046 This post feels like sitting down for coffee with a good friend I haven’t seen in a while…

Available: $69

With the new shop, the new website and store launch (coming soon), new before & after shots, loads of new designs, and b & i being featured on a national television show—Model Latina NYC: Season 3 (airs on August 2nd)—there’s so much to tell!

Deep breath, people.

Let’s start with a glimpse into just a *few* of the new designs I’ve been cranking out:

These are still part of the collaboration between Isaac and me; we continue to sell many, but we keep adding new designs and we’re adding these to our online shops very soon!  If you see any that you want to snatch up, feel free to email me and put in a request.

And introducing, the STUDS:

More to come, my friends.  So much more…

***Song of the Moment: Flourescent Half Dome, by the Dirty Projectors***

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