The French Market (link party): Frock Stock

When I first came to Chicago to get a degree studying opera I found myself in a city ripe with fashion. The vintage and indie styles I came upon were nothing like the glam-valley girl or beach bum-chic I was so used to back home in Southern California. The city's classy fashion was exciting and I found myself getting a job in retail so I could afford these indie gems. I loved thrifting, estate saling, even trolling the sales sections of labeled stores like Top Shop and Anthropologie, always looking for something that I called "affordable adorable."

My quest eventually led me into the land of indie boutiques. While working in this oh-so-exclusive world, I began to see items exactly like the ones on my favorite online boutiques but for half the price. How could this be? I wondered. Were these beloved indie brands like Tulle and BB Dakota really being so drastically marked up online? I realized that because boutiques were off the beaten path, not-so-mainstream girls who wanted mainstream prices were getting left out if they didn't live in a big city or know how to track down the right places. Thus, the idea for Frock Stock was born.

My business model became focused around price point. I knew I had to bring girls like myself vintage-inspired and indie clothing for a price they could afford, which is why I have no set profit margin. I know what broke college kids can afford because I AM a broke college kid. I don't put things on the site that are a quality or price I wouldn't pay for myself. I figure when I do things like give bloggers discounts or do giveaways on my blog if I'm only coming out even, I've still achieved my goal of making some girl out there "affordable adorable" too. That is my wish with this store. Frock Stock is not my place to make loads of money off of. I already have a career in opera waiting for me one day. Frock Stock is not my career, but instead my collaboration with all women who share my passion for vintage-inspired clothing.

Start date:

We only just started in September, 2011. The store is small now but our inventory and customer base is growing everyday!

Visit Loren's Blog, Shop, and Twitter! Let's show her some love!

..................


Don't forget to link up your Etsy shop/product/ giveaway!! Thanks for coming to the Market today! =)


xoxoxo

A retro modern ABCs book by Paul Thurlby

When I found this retro modern ABCs book by Paul Thurlby, it was love at first sight. Then, I found the author's website, and that was it. I had to have it. I found it around September, but the book wasn't out in the US at the time. The pre-order option was open, so I did. His book started being sold on Amazon.com, so I got it as soon as it came out. It's beautiful!! Mom and kids are just so excited!! Josiah and Abi Liv LOVE it.

Hope you love it as much as I do!!

PS: Don't forget to link up your Etsy shop/product/giveaway at The French Market link party on Monday! Have a sweet weekend!

XOXOXO

She

Her smiles come with the sunrise...

She hugs tight and melts my heart...

She loves to eat her toes...

She's her brother's biggest fan...

Her laughter makes us all laugh...

She's more than I ever dreamed of...

My baby doll

My little lady

My Abi-liscious

My sunshine

My girlfriend

My love...

Blouse: Old Navy
Jeggings: Target
Shoes: Old Navy

The French Market Link Up Party

Yes Teacher!


Welcome to the Market, again! Today, I'm SO happy to introduce you to Sarah, from " Yes, teacher!" One day I was reading her BLOG, and I loved a story she shared about the very first card she sold when she started her SHOP.  I asked her if I could share it today since I thought it would be such an encouragement for many of us, and she kindly agreed. Thank you, Sarah!


 All of us entrepreneurs know how it feels when we create our products. We invest our time and effort in them, we try really hard to make it look unique and special, we leave a little bit of us in each one of them. They have great meaning to us. I believe this is such a sweet story, and it reflects many of us for sure. Read it and show Sarah's BLOG some love!! Enjoy!

Sarah @ Yes, Teacher!

Hi there! My name is Sarah and I blog over here and sell handmade cards here. I'm a special education teacher by day and a crafter by night! My husband and I (along with our dog and three cats) live in Texas.

 Here was the very first card I ever sold:

My shop had only been open for three days - the first sale came on my BIRTHDAY! So I was truly beyond excited. There may have been squealing. My hubby came into the office (where I was pointing at the computer monitor) to give me a hug and congratulate me!

A couple things I notice here. First, I had no idea what to charge for shipping - a dollar wasn't nearly enough to cover that expense. Second, my completely non-descriptive title ... what's up with that? Third, my picture is not great quality. It took about six months for me to get the hang of great pictures with lots of natural light.

One more touching thing I remember about that day: my husband was relieved. He confessed to me a little later that day that he had this whole elaborate plan with a fake email address, and a fake paypal account -- he was planning on buying something from my shop anonymously if I didn't get any sales after a week or two and got really discouraged!

I seriously married a sweetie pie!

What do you remember about your first sale?

XOXOXO

Thanks Sarah, for joining our Market! Visit her here:

SHOP: www.yesteacher.etsy.com

BLOG: http://yesteachercrafts.blogspot.com/

TWITTER: www.twitter.com/yes_teacher

Scarves and Ponchos

                                                                              Source: lookbook.nu via Holly on Pinterest

                                                                                 Source: lookbook.nu via Holly on Pinterest

                                                                       Source: thepapersun.tumblr.com via Caroline on Pinterest

                                                                  Source: freepeople.com via Modern Chatelaine on Pinterest

source

 

                                                                         Source: the3rdvoice.blogspot.com via Adeline on Pinterest

                                                                                Source: myrevelment.com via Sue-Z on Pinterest

                                                                                       Source: modcloth.com via Lisa on Pinterest

                       

The French Market: Taradara

Monday's here! Eeek! I'm so excited to promote our very first Etsy shop at The French Market today. Please give a big hand to our dear Tara, owner of " Taradara" and an amazing and talented lady! Link up your shop/ Etsy store, etc, and head over to her blog to show her some love! Thanks, girl, for being part of our market! 

I'm Taradara {yes, people call me Taradara} and I sew ...

 a LOT.  

My Etsy Shop is full of artsy fartsy fun stuff that is truly unique and one of a kind.  

You will find iPad covers, kindle covers, wallets, business card holders, bracelet cuffs, coffee cozies, and much more.

  Creativity is really a wonderful outlet for me. 

 We have 2 young boys who are all boy!  So, I seek my inner girliness within and sew pretty accessories.  A mom has to do what a mom has to do!

As a Mompreneur, it's important to have support and to give support.  I embrace other moms who are like me and try to support them with any information they might need to empower them to keep going.  

My iPad covers and I recently won the 2011 Moms in Business Unite Inventor's Showcase in Denver, CO.  

So, I encourage others to get out there and go for it!  You never know what might happen!  

Be inspired!!

Visit Tara here:

BLOG:  taradaramadeit.com

SHOP:  taradara.etsy.com

TWITTER:  @taradaramadeit

FACEBOOK:  taradara

* Tara is offering 15% off to all of you, friends! This offer is good till Oct, 31st with coupon code FRENCH15*

Missing my family

As many of you may know, I was born in a little province up north in Argentina. Andrew and I decided to move to the States 3 years ago, right before Josiah was born. We felt like it was time for us to come here after having lived down there for a year and a half. So we came. There was peace in our hearts because we knew there was a plan for us here. There still is. To be quite honest, I thought it would get easier to be away from home with time. It has been 3 years now, and I miss my family, friends and city as much as I did the first day we got here. Specially on days like today. Today is mother's day in Argentina. When I realized that, I automatically started thinking what I would be doing if I was there right now, how would my day go?

- Mom and I would have a big breakfast, maybe with some cake or special pastries to start celebrating early in the morning.

- The phone would start ringing (it rings all day long on mother's day). My sister and brother that live away would call bright and early. Friends and family would call throughout the day as well. Time to reconnect with everyone.

- My brother would come over with roses and presents. He never fails to bring flowers to my mom. I love that.

- Mom and I would read cards and open presents. =D

- We would just hang out at the house, start planning for lunch, call all our mom friends and family. Or maybe, in a spur of the moment, my brother would come with his car ready to take us all to a camping site where he would grill some awesome meat for all of us to eat by the river.

- In the afternoon, we would be stopping by my auntie and uncle's house. Hang out with the cousins, start thinking of dinner.

- My aunt would make homemade pasta. She is the best at that. We ALL love to go to her house because she's always cooking in bulk! =)

- My uncle would play his acordeon while we're all just sitting and chatting about how we would save the world... we have the best ideas to save the world... =)

- We would come back home after midnight, play some cards and go to bed.

I miss my family so much. I miss them even more on Sundays. I miss them a lot today. However, something that I've learned is that my home is not a physical place. It's not an address or an X on the map. Home is where He is. And I know He's right here with us. So every time I feel gloomy or missing them to tears, all I have to do is look in His eyes. He's my home. Andrew is my home. My babies are my home. It certainly hurts to be away. But I can't wait to see what He has prepared for us.

xoxoxo

Link up Directory: my new project

So, I've been working on the organizational part of my little blog a lot lately. I'm kinda sad since there's so much new design I want to do, but my computer is acting up and won't let me finish my projects. So, since there's nothing I can do about that at the moment, I can still work on other things, like this little puppy project: A link up directory.

For a while, I've been trying to have a list of link up parties that I can have quick access to in order to meet new bloggie friends. If you've been looking for something like this, please feel free to bookmark this page. I made it a tab so that you can go straight to the list.

If you have a link party that you'd like to promote, please send me an email at: hellofrenchbird@gmail.com with all the details I request. I'd love to make you a part of it!

This is what it looks like:

MONDAYS.................................................................

The French Market  @ The French Bird ----------> Free advertising, Etsy shops, products, reviews, etc.

TUESDAYS.................................................................

We Encourage @ Call me blessed ----------------> Inspirational, encouragement, faith.

WEDNESDAYS.............................................................

THURSDAYS...............................................................

Inspiration Workshop @ Gussy Sews -------------> Different themes every week.

Small Style @ Mama loves Papa -------------------> Kids outfits! (too much cuteness =)

FRIDAYS...................................................................

SATURDAYS...............................................................

SUNDAYS..................................................................


Do you want to see your name here? Send me an email at hellofrenchbird@gmail.com I can't wait to get to know more of you!

xoxoxo

Pretty Turquoise

                                                                         Source: brunchatsaks.blogspot.com via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                        Source: 27.media.tumblr.com via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                         Source: etsy.com via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                         Source: None via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                        Source: houseofturquoise.com via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                        Source: houseofturquoise.com via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                        Source: google.com via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                        Source: postroadvintage.com via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                         Source: creaturecomfortsblog.com via Pamela on Pinterest

                                                                         Source: kamyager.polyvore.com via Pamela on Pinterest

To be completely honest, this was not Plan A for a post today. I had around 250 cute little pictures of my baby Abi Liv modeling her cute little outfit and cute little shoes. But my evil computer got in the way. Yeah, for some reason, none of my editing resources were working today. Or yesterday. Or the day before. So today, I'm very thankful to Pinterest for saving my blog day. I used to underestimate the importance of Pinterest in the world. Now I get it. Sorry P. I have to say, once I started pinning pictures, I couldn't stop! Pinning roll! It feels like shopping online kind of... Anyways, I hope you loved these pretty things as much as I do! 

And yeah! I do have a Pinterest now! You're more than welcome to follow me here.

Have a sweet Friday!

xoxoxo

Living from the heart, by Andrew (the hubs and guest post :)

Live from your heart. It's a phrase we've probably all used; it's quite the romantic notion, but what does it mean? 

I could say, "In my heart, I don't feel like being decent to so and so, and after all, I don't want to be hypocritical."

I can also go a little deeper into my heart and say, "I want so desperately to love my neighbor that I am going to search out a way to see good in so and so. I am going to seek a new perspective so I can love this person." 

In both cases, you can make the argument you are "living from the heart," so which would you like to choose? 

Matters of the heart can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes it seems the first choice is your only choice, no matter how much you wish you wanted the second. I have come to believe that the heart is one of the most mysterious and powerful forces in this life. It can take you out of the game or cause you to soar to new heights. Something so important deserves our attention.

What is in your heart? If you think you know, try digging a little deeper; you'll be amazed at all you find.

- Andrew

Welcome to the French Market

I'm so thrilled to say WELCOME to all of you this morning! Every since I started blogging, it has been one of my desires to be able to help "baby blogs" and businesses grow and prosper. We understand how it feels to start your own business, because we did so 3 months ago. Making this decision wasn't easy (especially for my husband, since he's the provider for this home). But it was something that was burning in his heart for so long that, when he got a major pay cut at his previous job, that's what we needed to make the final decision. 


That's how SteinMedia was born. (Hubby's business). Later on, came BleuCloud (my previous blog). And today, The French Bird. (my little business). Here are a few words of encouragement for you:


"I started writing when I was 14 years old, and began doing it as a service just over 4 years ago. Many times I had to choose a job I did not love over my passion. Today, after 3 months of writing to fully support our family, I can see the blessing and provision in stepping out when it was time to step out. That decision can be a difficult one to make, and you may never know the right time. As one just on the other side, I want to encourage you in your endeavors, and offer our support to help you along the way." 

I have to say, I LOVE to see him doing what he loves. Writing. He thrives in it. He does it with a passion. But it can be scary at times, and that's ok. We're so thankful to the Lord for blessing our own business. It really feels like having a little baby. You watch it grow, you want to make the right decisions and take good care of it. Every single new client is so cherished!! 


For this reason, I wanted to open the doors of this blog and this "market" so we can help each other out, so we can support fellow bloggers and help them achieve their goals and make their dreams come true!


I just want to say WELCOME again! And I pray that every business, etsy shop, product, creation is blessed and prospers more than you can imagine!!


So it's officially OPEN! I can't wait to check out all of your fantastic creations!!!! And remember, if you want your product to be featured, I have 5 spots open for every Monday of this month!


Join us!

How to promote your product: The French Market

source

THE FRENCH MARKET
I'm starting a new link up party called "The French Market". Every Monday, you will have a place where to link up in order to promote your business, product or giveaway. It's going to be just so fun to have all your products together in one page. When my visitors come, they will find themselves in a little market where they can get to know all of you, my talented friends!

SAVE THE DATE

On top of that, I'll be featuring up to 5 different products every Monday. So, if you're interested in advertising at the French Market, please contact me at : hellofrenchbird@gmail.com and save your spot for this free advertisement opportunity!

PRODUCT REVIEWS

I'd love to review your products!. If you think your clothing items, accessories, baby/toddler products suit The French Bird style, please send your request to hellofrenchbird@gmail.com.

( I reserve the right to promote products that align with The French Bird style).

I can't wait to see all your beautiful creations on Monday!!!

Have a lovely weekend!

xoxoxo

My toddler's games + adventures

To be a mom is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But it's also the MOST FUN AND FULFILLING role that a woman can have. One of the things that I've been cherishing the most is to watch Josiah (2 1/2) grow and start reasoning more, learning new phrases, carrying more complex conversations with us and acting like an older kid. A couple of days ago, Andrew and I were involved in a very deep conversation. We were so engrossed in it that, for a moment, we totally didn't think about our little boy's whereabouts. All of a sudden, he comes in our room... all WHITE...covered in flour. He looked like he was attacked by a gang of flour packs.

Flour is one of Josiah's favorite things to play with. He will go to our little outdoor table with his cars and spend hours there making them roll through a little mountain of flour. Many times, I let him play with it since it's so entertaining for him. But this time, he realized we were distracted and just couldn't help it. He silently sneaked into the pantry, grabbed a brand new pack of flour, took it outside and dumped the whole pack in the table... and became the happiest kid on earth.

What to do after seeing that smile? SMILE WITH HIM! ( and later on, hose down the little deck, of course =)

xoxoxo