My Day at the Beach

On my recent travels to beautiful and relaxing Wells Beach, Maine I discovered a fabulous use for my Dahling wristbags...

They're small enough to fit in your beach tote...

...and big enough for the essentials you want to protect and have secured in your tote...

...fits right into your tote so you're all ready for a sunny fun day at the beach!

AND I also discovered that a wristbag really comes in handy going out later in the evening after a day at the beach when you may have gotten a little too much sun on your shoulders.

Check out these sunny little wristbags at http://www.shopdahling.com/

Happy Summer! XO- Gretchen

My New Best Friend...The Dahling Mini Wristlet!

So, you know that Dahling Mini Wristlets are supercute...but did you also know they are extremely functional? Here are some ideas for where to wear and how to use the Mini Wristlet:

1. WORK. You know when you have that extra long 4 hour meeting (ugh) and halfway through you realize you really wish you had your lipgloss or maybe some candy to ease the pain? Well, if you had a Mini Wristlet you could have all those sanity-savers at hand without bringing your whole handbag to the meeting (which may be a little weird!).

2. GOING OUT. So, you're going out and you don't want to be lugging around your big bag all night. The Mini Wristlet fits your cards, cash, lipgloss, gum and etc all nicely around your wrist so you can dance, chill & just have fun.

3. HOME. It may sound weird, but I like to have everything near me as I settle in either at the computer or sewing machine or tv. I always have my mini wristlet nearby with my necessities. Ok, yes, I'm also lazy and don't want to get up to get ANYTHING! Hey, if it works...

4. SCHOOL. When you are running to class (for the thousandth time) and you just need to grab your books, keys and those few little must-haves- keep them around your wrist and you'll never be late again (ok, well, maybe "never" is a strong word....let's say you may not be quite AS late!).

5. WEDDINGS. If you are like me and are inclined to shed a few happy-tears at weddings, what better place to stash those tissues than in a bright and cheery little wristlet? Way less inappropriate than stashing them in your bra...it's a win-win!

6. TRAVEL ORGANIZER. I love my Mini Wristlet because it's easy to find in my large bag...I keep the important little things inside and even can use my own key clip to attach it securely to the strap! Very necessary.

Not to mention that they are so darn cute! The new prints & designs I have found are some of my all time favorites! Basically, that's why my Dahling Mini Wristlet is my new best friend!

SO...what are you waiting for?? Click here to find yours!!!!

XO- Gretchen

[Gidget Girl Dahling Mini Wristlet pictured above. Available online at shopdahling.com $18]

Where to Shop, dahling!

Dahling Accessories now available at the following boutiques:

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VERDE

108 S. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107

P: 215-546-8700

http://www.verdephiladelphia.com/

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ART STAR

623 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123

P: 215-238-1537

Visit Art Star on Facebook

www.artstarphilly.com

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NICE THINGS HANDMADE

1731 East Passyunk Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19148

P: 267-455-0256

Visit Nice Things Handmade on Facebook

www.nicethingshandmade.com

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BEST FRIENDS

26 Main Street

Phoenixville, PA 19460

P: 610-933-1781

Visit Best Friends on Facebook

http://www.shopatbestfriends.com/

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HELLO BLUEBIRD

609 Penn Avenue

West Reading, PA 19607

P: 610-750-6642

Visit Hello Bluebird on Facebook

www.hellobluebird.net

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SURFACE

Artists Cooperative

201 Elmwood Street

State College, PA 16801

Visit Surface on Facebook

http://www.surfaceartistcoop.com/

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...and Dahling Accessories are always available at the online shop!

Dahling Shops...nice things handmade!

Nice Things Handmade is a super cute new boutique gallery owned by Elissa Kara that features amazing finds that are all handmade and fabulously unique. A huge thank you to Elissa for featuring Dahling Accessories this spring in the front window! Come by for a visit and say hello! Nice Things Handmade is located at 1731 East Passyunk - Philadelphia, PA. For more info make sure to join the fun at www.facebook.com/nicethingshandmade XO- Gretchen

Dahling Shops...hello bluebird!

Yesterday evening I ventured up to West Reading, PA to visit Hello Bluebird, an arts boutique that just opened up this past September, owned by Alex McCarty. As I started down Penn Ave in West Reading, I was happily surprised. Little shops and restaurants line the strip with twinkling lights adorning the trees. Hello Bluebird is right in the middle of the newly renovated historic shopping district. The mission of the shop is very cool. Alex began this new venture to form a community of artisans and crafters who feel that shopping can be guilt free, affordable and socially conscious. A majority of their products are sold on consignment so that you are directly supporting crafters and allowing them to do what they love. They also believe that business can be built on a community rather than a marketing scheme.

The walls of the boutique are bright blue and poppy red...and there are cheery treasures EVERYWHERE! It is relatively teensy, but you could literally be there for hours looking at all the fun goodies tucked in every nook and cranny. There is honestly a little bit of everything- clothing, accessories, jewelry, candy, beauty products, paper goods, art prints, children's clothing...really everything! The best part is, it's all handmade by artists and designers from all over the country.

I brought Alex some of my bags to sell at the shop...and let me just say that Dahling Accessories fits right in with her colorful and eclectic wares. If you are in the area- please stop in to see her and say hello. She's a sweetheart and will gladly help you find the hidden jems that are destined to be your's! Visit their website for more info at http://www.hellobluebird.net/ XO- Gretchen

For more info check out this article feature. Photos from article by Brad Bower

What's YOUR motivation?

A good friend asked me recently what my inspiration was, what motivates me continually? What's my passion? It really made me think and at the beginning of a new year, it was good to put it on "paper" (or computer!).

So, my question to you as an artist or designer is...what's YOUR motivation? What's that thing you wake up for each morning? Your passion? What drives you to do what you do?(PS. You can have more than one...I do!)

SO, click here and come on over! Don't be shy...do tell! What's your's? XO- Gretchen

Dahling Be Mine!

Well, it's just a few more weeks until Valentine's Day. Here are some Dahling Valentine's picks (click on image above) for you or a friend! So much better than flowers...you can never have too many bags! Love and hugs... XO- Gretchen

It's a Dahling Winter!

Well, winter is upon us... it may be a little dull outside, but that doesn't mean your wardrobe has to be. Check out the new Dahling Accessories bags to help you warm up your wardrobe available now on Etsy and collections also available at http://www.shopdahling.com/ ! Get them while they last- these are all limited edition!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Dahling December Giveaway results are in! AND THE WINNER IS...Theresa K of VA! There was also a bonus prize winner- Emily A of TN! Congratulations to you both and a special thank you to everyone who entered! I hope everyone has a fabulous New Year and make sure to check in at http://www.shopdahling.com/ for the newest, latest and greatest! Lots of love! XO- Gretchen

NEW Dahling Mini Wristlets...I'm in love!

New this month in the Special Edition section of my shop (aka my Etsy shop) - Dahling Mini Wristlets! We used to make them a few years ago and I had a special request to start doing them again...I'm so happy I did! I'm totally in love! These little guys are SOOO cute! 5" long by 3 1/2" high- they are perfect for your phone, iPod, keys, lipgloss, as a wallet...anything little. This is great to stash in your larger bag and be able to just grab and go. The wriststrap is ideal, especially if you are like me and have a habit of losing things. The best part is they are adorable. The worst part- how to choose which to make your own? Solution- get one of each! Enjoy!

Dahling December Giveaway!

Well, it's officially the beginning of the Holiday Season, and in the spirit of giving, Dahling Accessories is giving away a super-cute handbag! The winner will receive their choice of either the Penelope Bow Wristbag, the Cassie Bubble Wristbag or the Janis Ruffle clutch! ($54 retail value)

There are 2 ways of entering the giveaway-- #1-Submit your contact info (name/email) on the Dahling mailing list form at shopdahling.com (and while you are there, if you would like to be on the mailing list for future giveaways and specials throughout the year, just select "yes" on the drop down box) OR #2- Email me at info[at]shopdahling.com with your name and email address. The winner will be drawn at random on Thursday 12/31/09 at 8pm.

One entry per person.

Start the New Year off in style, dahling! Good luck!

XO- Gretchen

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with those you love from Dahling Accessories! Check back on Friday for the start of our weekend offers and specials! Lots of love! XO- G

Lolo Dahling's New Blog!

So, you know about my history from my entry about how Dahling Accessories came to be. You may have been wondering- "So what about Lolo?" Well, Lolo (aka Lori) moved Southwest, out of the congestion and craziness of the city to a little more chill life and she's started a brand new blog herself, bestowing her beauty, style and general life expertise to all who will hear! So, here it is! www.lolodahling.com Teach us oh wise one!

XO-G

Cookie-Cutter Syndrome

Did you ever go shopping in a store and see a sweater, or a dress, or a top and do a double-take because you could've sworn you saw the same exact thing in another department store? Did you ever wonder why? Was it some freak accident, or maybe just a fluke? From working in the fashion industry for many years, this is something that is pretty common. That, my friend, is how you get Cookie-Cutter Syndrome. So, how do you break free from this homogenized, Stepford-wife style mess? Where's a girl to shop?

Vintage is always great- and you can get some really quality pieces for not a ton of cash (unless it's vintage Chanel). You can also check out some great local boutiques for unique finds. Another option is searching for fresh, independent designers- featured on sites such as Etsy.com. If you've never gone on Etsy, you must. Etsy is an online portal of indie designers, jewelry, home goods, vintage...it is very cool. While you're there, check out Dahling's new shop at www.shopdahling.etsy.com or of course on www.shopdahling.com. So, go on Sister! Break the Cookie-Cutter Syndrome of style and just bake some cookies instead! Oatmeal chocolate chip maybe? Yum!

You got questions? I got answers! : "Do you do custom?"

From time to time I get questions about doing custom bags...and the answer is yes, but there are a few guidelines. If you would like to change one of the existing collections’ bags- such as, you love the Cassie Beltbag but really would like it with a wrist strap or you really like the Janis Ray Hobo Bag, but you don't do leather and want a fabric option. I can definitely try to accommodate your requests. Ask me and I’ll let you know if it’s possible. Please note that there may be a small custom fee added to the price of your purchase depending on how complicated the request is.

I also do special orders, such as bridesmaids gifts for weddings, or I've even done matching clutches for the bridesmaids to wear in the wedding instead of carrying bouquets (now that was fun!). Those are a little more involved, but definitely a fun and unique idea.

For any questions- please go to the contact page of my site and I can help you.

For custom orders, depending on how involved the order or request is, I will quote you a date...it could be anywhere from the normal 7 days up to 4 weeks, depending on the order size and complexity.

Fashion Plate Feature...Joanna M. Holmes

Being a fashion student is hard work, especially when you are in the Masters program for Fashion Design at Drexel University and working as a Fashion Intern at the mercy of a busy Design Department at big-time television retailer QVC...who would think there would be time for anything else? Meet Joanna M. Holmes- super fashion student extraordinaire! A few weeks ago Joanna was featured in Arts of Fashion- an international, innovative design competition held at the Grand Hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Her pieces were amazing and absolutely worth all the hard work and sleepless nights she sacrificed. Bravo! Check out her pieces below and click here for the video of Joanna from a television interview about the competition

For more about Joanna M Holmes visit her online portfolio at http://www.joannamholmes.com/

Photos credited to Photographer David Gehosky

The things you find when you Google...

I just was in a Googling kind of mood and look what I came across...some press from Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philadelphia this past May. What a nice little surprise! Check it out...




AND...from venuszine, a little write up about Lolo + Gretch Dahling! I gotta Google more often.

My First Love...Illustration

If you read the bio on my site, illustration runs in my blood. My father was a professional Illustrator my whole life growing up, back in the days before Photoshop, when advertising was done the "old fashioned" way. I took to drawing at an early age and my dad was my mentor. I would run out to his studio whenever I needed pointers on how to draw a nose, or eyebrows, or anything really. Illustration was what I thought I wanted to pursue in fashion. Things have changed a bit in the industry- there are still a few illustration opportunities out there, but not as many as back in the day. I ended up in design instead but I will always go back...to my first love!

See below for some examples of my illustration and click here for the link to my dad's website to check out his work (try to find the portrait of me!)

Illustrations by Gretchen J Miller - Reproduction is prohibited

Vintage Fabric- LOVE!

I love vintage...that's just a given. Over the years I've collected a bunch of vintage fabrics. There is
just something about vintage that calls to days gone by and gives me a feeling of home. It's like
having a little piece of the heritage of fashion that you can actually own. I absolutely love it! Check
out some pieces from my online shop...you could own a little piece of the past too! XO -G

Best Friends First Friday Event!

Just in case you weren't able to make it, we had an event at Best Friends in Phoenixville, PA for the first friday of November. It was a little chilly out, and not too many people ventured through town, but Best Friends was where the fun was at! Check out the pics!