Chels Wears: Winter Romper

Scarf & Leg Warmers: WalMart | Cardigan: Old Navy | Boots: UrbanOG | Romper: Forever 21 | Tights: Target

I have been on the hunt for a romper for what feels like forever. It's not an easy thing to come by when I'm slightly taller than the average female and have curves for days. My friend Theresa (Hi, Tiny T!) has the perfect frame for rompers and I always get so jealous around spring/summer time when I see her in one. They just seem so care free and can easily be casual or dressy that I have wanted one forever.

Then, without warning, here comes Forever 21 Plus to the rescue. I honestly should have known better and looked here first but just recently found this little number at the Millcreek Mall and am so excited. Obviously, too excited to wait until spring to wear it, so thank you, tights and leg warmers! I probably should have gone a size down because the top half is too big (like show everyone my goods, too big) but nothing a safety pin can't fix, and wearing a scarf over it all day helped keep everything in check. And I'm certain that my butt will always be too big to properly fit into any kind of shorts, so the fact that I actually stayed covered in this is a win for me. 

Also, for anyone wondering what is going on with this hat...it's actually Eric's. Which means it's much too big and the wind wasn't helping. Needless to say, I did not end up wearing the hat all day even though I love it so much. I was handmade by my friend Kait. And these pictures were taken a week ago, so by now we have about twice as much snow...joy.

Writtenforyou Giveaway!

So...I am obnoxiously excited to bring this giveaway to you all today! Writtenforyou is a small business that offers an extensive line of products with handwritten cursive typography on each piece, and is owned by my dear friend Rachel. And (honestly) while I was browsing her etsy page and thinking, "We should pair up for a giveaway," she sent me a Facebook message about doing that very thing. So here you have it! 

Rachel and I used to be camp counselors together so I'm fairly certain we have an unbreakable bond of sorts and I am so happy to be hosting this giveaway with her and showcasing her products for you guys! I love her products and think her handwritten designs are so refreshing and beautiful. Here's a brief interview with her so you can learn more about writtenforyou!

When/why did you start writtenforyou?
Writtenforyou was officially created in November of 2011, but the ideas and passion started a few years ago while I was still in school. Thanks to some great friends, I had some opportunities to work on custom projects, which inspired me to sketch more and seek out other project opportunities. I quickly learned that I love sketching and writing in cursive. Eventually I realized that this wasn't just a hobby but what I really wanted to invest my time into. I have always believed that we need daily reminders of love and friendship through written words and writtenforyou has given me the chance to give these reminders to others.

What kind of ink & paper do you use?
My favorite type of paper is linen card stock and classic crest 110# card stock. I use pigma micron drawing pens, which are my absolute favorite.

Are any pieces you sell not handmade?
The only thing I do not do by hand is the screen printing of my cell phone cases and tote bags. I am a one woman operation and work out of a very small one bedroom, so I don’t have the resources or time to do my own screen printing. I work with a great company that does really quality work.

What are your goals for writtenforyou?
My dream is to open a paper and home goods boutique with the very talented Lisa Moore (https://www.etsy.com/shop/youandmepaperie), as well as go full-time with my shop. I’d love to expand to letterpress, screen printing, and create more designs and products for weddings. But at the end of the day, as long as I’m creating, that’s really all that matters.

Anything else you'd like to add...
I love what I do and am so thankful for what it has grown into. This shop changed my life in such a wonderful way and I am so excited to see where it takes me in the future.

Now here's your chance to get your hands on some writtenforyou products! 

Contest ends Tuesday, January 28th - be sure to enter daily for the greatest chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a sponsored post, I received a free matte, but all opinions, as always, are my own.

Fine print: Winner is not allowed to use winnings towards a custom order or THIS piece, let's not kill Rachel's hand!

Boutique 208: Pop-Up of Fabulous

Do you know what's awesome about downtown Pittsburgh? Well. There are quite a few things that could be considered but, in my opinion, it is that downtown is the hub for Pop-Up Projects. I blogged before about Dream Cream Ice Cream, another Pop-Up Project, located on Liberty Ave, and now I have to talk about Boutique 208, which is right around the corner on Sixth Street.

Looking in the window at Boutique 208. (Both photos shamelessly borrowed from the Boutique 208 Facebook page.)

Boutique 208 caught my eye the minute it was finished and ready for business. It is across the street from Heinz Hall and connected to the Robot Repair Pop-Up Project, which draws a bit of attention, since no one really understands that Robot Repair is really just an art installation, not an actual store. So all this time, when you might have been roaming around downtown over the holidays or standing outside waiting for a show to start at Heinz, you were probably over-looking the most fabulous of all the Pop-Up Projects.