interview with shae acopian detar of everything style

I'm so thrilled to share this with you! Shae Acopian Detar of everythingstyle.com is a very busy lady.. between photoshoots, modeling and styling, hanging out with prominent costume designers and getting featured in fashion magazines, she's definitely got a full schedule. So imagine my excitement when Shae agreed to answer some questions for all of us!

A lovely lady with an amazing eye and rare style, all photos shared today have been shot by and styled by (and some, even modeled by!) Shae. And, what's more.. Shae has only been behind the camera lens for a year! Her photos have a polished yet uniquely imaginative tone, thoroughly modern yet lovingly worn, almost from another time. And within every photo, there's a story.

This is what Shae had to say.

Hey Shae! Tell us about yourself and the beautiful work you create.

I'm a gal who's been in love with the same boy since I was 19 yrs old, which is nearly 13 years ago (we were married in 2005). My mom and dad are my best friends, aside from my husband, and my Shar Pei dogs Waylon (and Crumbles, who died a year ago) have been the greatest added joys in my life. I am constantly moved by nature, the mountains, the trees, the sky, and music.

Creating art is one of my most cherished forms of expression.. without that I think I would go crazy. And...volunteering is something that will always be a part of my life.. helping people in need is one of the deepest desires of my heart. :) I have a very deep faith that gets me through life's ups, downs and in betweens. All of that might just about sum me up. ;)

What does a typical day look like for you?

I'm more of a morning person than a night owl, so coffee in the morning and a walk with my dog Waylon gets me going. If I don't have a shoot planned for the day, then I am either planning a shoot, photo editing, scouting for locations or searching for clothing for the shoots. I'm going to begin a few workshop classes, learning how to make & edit videos, so that will be taking up some of my time in 2011. In my downtime, I am hanging out with friends and my husband in his music studio, listening to his new songs and occasionally singing back ups for some random projects.

You have such a knack at combining completely different eras into one outfit and making it look effortlessly lovely! Any advice for others desiring to do the same?

Awww.. well thank you. :) Advice.. gosh, I have no idea. I don't think about it too much to be honest.. I've never been a real fan of people advising others on how to dress. I think when I first started my blog I did a post on "15 ways to wear a skirt" or something like that and I cringe when I think of that blog post now. Style is all relative anyhow. I've been thinking of changing my blog name for some time now.. because "everything style" really is not the focus in my life. It doesn't sum me up as a person, it has nothing to do with my values, and it's not what I would want someone to think my photos are primarily about.

What inspires you?

My mom, Karen Acopian, is probably one of my greatest inspirations. She is so creative, so selfless, so strong.. and fun. She is the reason I fell in love with antiques and vintage.. she's amazing. My husband is ridiculously inspiring. The music he's been making the past few years is so breathtaking. His solo album, Bird In The Tangle, blew me away and he's been writing a lot of new songs that are just stunning. His drive and relentless work ethic and his passion for creating.. they inspire me to rise to the occasion, creatively, every single day. Being married to a hard working person, and such a creative person, like him.. it's just wonderful.

Music, nature, history and paintings are my constant go-tos when I am looking to be inspired artistically. Old tin-type photos, old paintings, driving through the mountains, looking up at the sky and seeing huge trees all around me, the desert, hearing coyotes cry out in the night, listening to music like Townes Van Zandt, Waylon Jennings, The Carter Family, The Louvin Brothers, Loretta Lynn, Neil Young, Porter Wagoner, Old Dolly Parton, Gillian Welch and George Jones, always bring images and themes to my mind for shoots.

When shopping for vintage, what kind of pieces do you look for?

Oh gosh, anything from the 1800's up through the 1960's. Vintage shopping is a fun thing to do from time to time. I'm not nearly as active at it as I used to be. It's nice to have a little Sunday stroll to The Rose Bowl Flea Market or thrift shops from time to time. I like to look for costumes for shoots, anything that will be dramatic and theatrical for a photograph. And I have a hard time passing up vintage men's oxford flats.. and hats. I have over 75 hats or something crazy like that. I've been collecting hats for so many years.. my husband gets overwhelmed by how many I have in the house. LOL, but the reason I own so many is because I buy them for around $4-$12 dollars, so.. it's hard to pass them up.

You recently made the switch from running a large online vintage business to focusing on a new love - photography. What brought you to this decision, and where has this new path taken you so far?

I quit Lullie Vintage about a year and a half ago, and I've never looked back in regret. I love vintage, but being a vintage seller was just not what I think I was meant to do. We did really well, and I appreciate all of the wonderful customers we had. It was a great learning experience. I'm glad I had the shop for 5 plus years.. but it was time to move on and write a new chapter in my life. I'm sooooo thankful I found photography, it's what I hope to do until the day I die.

Any exciting future plans or ventures?

Oh yes! The sky is the limit. I'm still completely new to all this photography stuff, I think I picked up a camera to pursue this craft about a year ago, so I haven't really done anything significant yet! I'm working on a coffee table book with Suzanne Ford Carafano of Spanish Moss this year.. we begin shooting next month. That may take us a while, but we're on it. I'll be trying to focus on portrait photography - photographing actors (not headshots, more dramatic location shots for magazines is my goal), musicians, writers, dancers.. you name it. If I could have my work in magazines like Vanity Fair, Interview, GQ.. this sort of thing.. that would be absolutely amazing. I'm also going to be painting more on my photos.. people have really responded to some of those pieces, so I will be creating more on that end. I'm going to work my butt off to create really good work, and hopefully begin to make a living off of my art. Wish me luck, I have a lot of work ahead of me! :)

Thanks so much, Shae! To stay in touch and find out about her future projects, join her mailing list here!

inspiration of the decade - elinkan

The post I promised on the rock coolness of Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Alison Mosshart of the Kills and the Dead Weather will have to wait, I'm afraid. Girly stuff got in the way again.

While I was looking up rock pictures on Flickr, I ran into Elinkan's photostream. I'm sure many of you have seen her outstanding blog before, but for those who haven't, this is a must. She has a cuteness that transcends hair color and a knack at taking the best photos.. and I'm not exaggerating. Bows, florals, knee highs galore. Very schoolgirl and not in a crap Britney Spears sort of way. In a playful European sort of way.

Tomorrow, an Etsy shop update!!

necessity is the mother of invention.. or at least the older sibling.

photos by Neil!

White and brown clover blouse - thrift (from a 60s/70s Girl Scout jumper)

Seafoam green button up skirt - 80s thrift

1960s gold buttoned heels - gift from Rhi! (thrift)

Green vintage lace collar bow - fabric store in Hohenwald, TN

Thank you for the wonderful Etsy store reception, all... and to let you know, 24 hours left for the free shipping deal!!

Modcloth recently listed a Terrific Transformations Contest on their fantastic blog, asking bloggers to post about a major event or transformation in their life that changed the way they saw things. What an awesome idea - we've all had those moments/days/years. Here is mine. :)

I believe my transformation is happening as we speak.. and it's possibly the biggest one of my short life. Neil and I have almost been married for a year, I've been out of college for longer than that, but for the first time I truly feel like we're doing things on our own. We, together, are standing on our own (four) feet. It's a time that's filled with millions of contradicting emotions - we're pleased, proud, terrified, in awe, excited. Terrified.

We recently moved to Nashville and both had jobs when we made the jump. Unfortunately, one week after starting mine, I was laid off due to lack of business (and me being the last person hired.. well, you get the idea). While this freed up time for things that I absolutely love (this blog, Salvation Army, reading classics, playing computer games, starting the store), it didn't exactly free up any money. As we are right now, relying solely on Neil's income, we don't quite have enough to pay the bills. We might have to go into our savings in order to pay for things like groceries and internet in the next couple of months.. how scary is that?

It truly is a scary beginning, but what baffles Neil and I is the sense of peace that we have. We are happy more than sad, comfortable more than scared. Really, really content.. and for the first time, I feel all of these creative ideas just running rampant. All of a sudden, when more important things are at stake (like eating, for example!), I'm visualizing all of these blog posts to write, interviews to conduct, pieces to sew, podcasts to listen to (Winston Churchill rocks and he was literally built for wartime, a really interesting guy). I feel more and love more (my husband is even cooler than Winston Churchill), and I've probably learned more in the last two weeks than I have in college, too. I've certainly worked harder. My faith is stronger.

Life has been too easy until now, I've had few responsibilities. You don't learn anything from easy life, you don't grow. But now that it's a bit tougher, I appreciate nearly everything.. and for some reason, my brain feels more efficient and my mind is racing with good things. Working at jobs I don't enjoy and are not fulfilled by makes me seek positions that will fulfill and sustain me. The same with Neil - he's always enjoyed cooking, but there is a renewed passion in him now.

Is it true? Is necessity truly the mother of invention? 

This entry is in no way meant to attract pity. Neil and I will be fine, I've been looking for other jobs, I'm very pleased with how my store has turned out so far, and we have fantastic families who will always be there to help us out. What I mean to do by writing this, is, I guess.. to emphasize the importance of attitude and perspective. The happiest man in the world is not the richest or the most beautiful, I'm convinced. It's the man who chooses happiness over resentment or greed or anger. I really believe that we have more power over our circumstances than our circumstances do over us. We decide what makes or breaks us. I didn't say it was easy, but we do have the power.

So here we are, living a semi-bohemian lifestyle with a frugal budget. I don't know the next time I'll be able to shop at Urban Outfitters or go out to eat at a great place, and I really don't mind.

I'd love to hear all of your transformational stories - what you guys are going through right now! I was so blessed by your responses to my first post, your stories about your not-so-relevant degrees. Also, about losing family pets last month. It's a comfort to realize how often we are all going through the same experiences in life.

etsy interview with designer kelly of i'm your present!

I lucked out again. Just a few days ago, gorgeous Kelly from I'm Your Present responded to some questions of mine.

Kelly is another one of those girls that you've got to admire, even if you're busy being terribly jealous of her creativity.. she makes some beautiful, beautiful pieces that embody her own personality and imagination. Her rompers and dresses are filled with a coquettish playfulness, the sort of thing you love to put on just to feel feminine and pretty after a day of work. Lots of bows, 80s florals, vintage patterns, perfect pastels (is anyone else willing to kill for that seafoam playsuit below?). If you want to look girlishly sexy, you go to I'm Your Present. And after checking out her Etsy sales as well as her clientele (I think everyone in the US has heard of the cutely controversial Katy Perry by now), you know lots of people are after just that. 

What have you been up to recently? 

I've been preparing to sell at the Providence, Rhode Island Indie Fest this weekend, it's a really fun day of crafts and tons of awesome local bands from 12pm- 12am. I also just got in touch with Katy Perry and Audrey Kitching and am working on clothes for them. Katy Perry actually found me on Etsy about 2 years ago before she got big. She is so awesome, sweet and really supports independent fashion! Audrey Kitching is of course the same way, I admire and adore both of them so much.  

How would you describe your sense of style? 

Girly, fun, playful. Most days while i'm working I just wear leggings and cardigans but whenever I go out I love to dress up!  

Where do you see your personal fashion going? 

My style is always evolving but its routed in the same idea - being ultra girly and having fun with fashion.  

How did you get involved with Etsy, and what is your success secret? 

My friend and I were trying to figure out venues to sell our things and Etsy seemed like the best online choice, although I wasn't all that familiar with it when I started my shop. I'm so thrilled and lucky with the success I've had on Etsy. My secret is all the generic stuff like listing often, having a good product and pictures. Basically I just put everything I have into it, there is hardly a moment when I am not thinking about or working on my line.  

What are your plans for the near and/or far off future? 

There are things I want and dream up, but I don't really share them with anyone, for now I just want to take everything week by week!  

What inspires you most of all? 

Turkey sandwiches! JK... the way I want to dress, and my friends. Little things inspire me all the time, like seeing an elaborately decorated cake or a frilly 80's prom dress. Seeing my friends and peers on Etsy updating their new designs is a HUGE inspiration, it gets me so excited that I want to immediately start sewing! 

Thanks so much, Kelly!!

Tomorrow.. Etsy Store opening and giveaway winner announcement!

blogger meet up! hanging out with meaghan of left hand endeavor

I just had a near 5 hour Nashville coffee date with beautiful Meaghan of Left Hand Endeavor and her boyfriend, Mike! 

When Meaghan told me that she would be coming through Nashville and was free to meet, I was excited and nervous. Her blog is one of my favorites (her Wakefield Express post especially left a big impression on me), so of course I wanted to meet her! But this was our first blogger meet up, and the internet adds all sorts of weird dynamics to friendships. Online communication is a funny new medium.. what does communication do without nonverbals, anyway? Wasn't I taught in college that communication is 90% nonverbal? How is online communication doing so well on its meager 10%, then? Should I start using italics and caps more often to give inflection?

It ended up being wonderful. Meaghan and Mike were so much fun to talk to - we actually had plans to check out vintage stores in the area, but we talked for so long that by the time we were finished, everything was closed (including the coffee shop we were at!). And we talked about everything.. literally. From fashion (all boys should wear v necks, period) to Canada to South Park (watch out for underwear stealing gnomes) to Star Wars to glam rock (Brian Eno!) to Rasputin. It was a blast, and I'm really thankful that they took time out of their trip to make a stop!

And to continue in the Etsy Week tradition.. Meaghan has an Etsy shop that you should really look at! Check it out here..

To finish off Etsy Week, I will be posting another Etsy designer interview as well as a shop preview this weekend! I have been doing more than coffee drinking and conversing, I promise. I'll show you evidence of that tomorrow.

But it's always fun to take five hour coffee breaks from Etsying with seriously cool, well rounded, crazy interesting individuals from Montreal.

as I watch ghostbusters and dream of james joyce, I post to you all about the benefits of online shopping and my etsy expectations

photos by Neil!

Dress, flower necklace (used as headband) - Ruche

40s fringe shoes - Thrift

Suitcase set - Antique store

More job/unpacking chaos and more internet withdrawals. I think work sucks the creativity out of you, which is why I think no one should ever have to work. Let's boycott 40 hour work weeks and cubicles. Let's watch Office Space and wear old clothes. Forget college and societal expectations. Read A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man instead.

Tonight, we're headed to a hippy coffee shop to watch a friend of ours play some music, and this is what I'm wearing. I just received this lovely dress and headband (technically, a necklace) from Ruche, a wonderful online store that you should definitely check out. Also, I had to show you all this light blue suitcase set. I stole the makeup case from Ash, who left it at home during college which, to high school me, meant she no longer wanted it. :) The other, I found later at an antique store. Old suitcase sets are the greatest.

I'm also happy to announce that this Monday starts Etsy Week! My Etsy Store will be opening on Monday, July 20th, and I have decided to give you a preview this upcoming week, as well as show you why I personally love Etsy.

I'm really excited about this store. I've decided to update my shop every Monday and to give every week a new theme, based on a trend or a certain fashion era that I love. What are your favorite trends and styles right now? I'm all for your inspiration and ideas.

300 mph finger breaking, no answers making, battered dirty hands, bee stung and busted up, empty cup torrential outpour blues

Photos by Rhi!

Red, white and blue dress - gift from Rhi, thrift

White 80s flats - thrift

Bow headband, floral ring - Forever21

Well, Neil and I are officially Nashville residents! We moved in on Monday, and as soon as we were there I called an internet provider. As it turns out, they aren't free for an appointment until a week from today. Nine days without internet. I've been hurting without this life-giving connection in front of me. Thank the Lord for coffee shops.

It has been a hectic beginning. We jumped into work and after full 8 hour days, we haven't made a lot of progress with unpacking. It has been fun, and crazy, and fun. Our Darth Vader bust is sitting quietly in our new living room next to a nice 70s burlap lamp I found at an Illinois antique store. And the bathroom and kitchen are put together. That is about it. It will be a wonderful day when every item is put in its proper position and I have a good one hour to take pictures of it all. You will definitely be seeing the finished product.. just give us three weeks and 200 gallons of coffee. Each.

These pictures were taken at my grandparent's house during the rainstorm.. the one that flooded my grandma's garden, the one Rhi, Drew and I narrowly missed during the drive. Even though the light was patchy, Rhiannon managed to take some lovely photos, and I had to show them off here. Thank you, awesome sister!

sisters!

photos by Drew!

on Rhi -

Floral dress, belt - thrift store

Purse, shoes - etsy

necklace - antique store

on me -

Gingham dress - thrift store

Crocheted socks, belt, red hair bows - Forever21

Shoes - Urban Outfitters

I'm taking a packing break to tell you about my weekend! I have to sneak this in fast before the guys come home and take my stuff away. This weekend was, by far, one of my favorite 4th of July celebrations.

A lot has happened this past week with Neil's dad in the hospital, our dog dying, moving plans, and family coming over.. All of the chaos, some good, some scary and sad, has really helped me to appreciate the present. What is happening right now. It made the time I spent with my sisters this week even more memorable and meaningful, as well as with the rest of the family - with Neil's, with mine. I've always been a person to focus on the past or future and I've been teaching myself how to stop. It's important to me now to get the most out of what's going on around me now, and not to reminisce too much about what's happened, or to worry about or idealize what's to come.

Although I admit, I can't wait for Christmas. The whole family will be together and even after seeing my beautiful sisters just recently, I miss them already!

I'm so glad Rhi and I got a chance, in the middle of everything, to take these pictures! We found beautiful areas on the way up to my grandparent's house and made a couple stops with Drew and Rufus. We also narrowly missed a rainstorm that flooded my poor grandma's flower garden (their ducks were swimming in the yard! Every once and awhile, we would see them float past the windows). 

It ended up being a beautiful day. The sky was washed out with the rain, and everything took on this pretty muted green color. All of the rain made the house feel cozier than usual, and it was a comfortable, calm end to the 4th of July weekend. My grandpa talked politics, and Neil set fire to some bananas in the kitchen. Business as usual, of course.

Hope everyone had a good and safe and crazy celebration!