Sunday Shop

Jennifer Mills of MillsDesignCo has a firm grip on what vintage is really all about: the love of fashion.
You won't find just any old thing in her shop. The things you find in her shop are things that aspiring designers have been striving to create for decades. 
These wonderful wing tip heels are something that you would buy first. Then you would search for the perfect complimenting dress later. They don't make shoes like this anymore. 

You can't tell me that this vintage wedding dress wasn't something you would plan a wedding around. Look at the lace detail. The back has beautiful buttons all the way down to the bottom of your bum. 

My favorite of her featured pieces is this leather belt. This belt would do fabulously with a button up shirt-dress and some cowboy boots. You could pair it with a plain sundress. You could even put it with a dark green cardigan and tan skirt. The possibilities are endless.


Do you have favorite places to dig for your fashion treasures?
I love going to estate sales. I have made friends with some people in my area who host estate sales so they usually let me have a sneak peek at the sale before everybody else :) I also go to a lot of yard sales and thrift stores with my Mother-In-Law. We started hunting for goodies together about five years ago and it became a weekend ritual! 


Are there any specific items that you love finding?
Oh goodness...are there any specific items that I DON'T love finding?! haha! Truthfully, I love everything! But I have a soft spot for apparel: clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories. I like luggage and housewares too, but not as much as I love clothes and shoes! 


What is your favorite time period for fashion?
I love the 1940's and 50's when the heels were thick and women were really beginning to venture out in their style. Dresses and shoes were unique and made with love. There's nothing better than the style of Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Grace Kelly....Those ladies really set an example for future generations and left their fingerprints on specific styles that will never be forgotten. I mean, who can look at a white halter dancing dress and not think of Marilyn?!


What started your passion for vintage?
Well, I've always loved old stuff! When I was a young teenager my Mom and I went to my Grandmother's house to help clean out the basement...I came across a big box of clothes from the 60's - 70's and fell in love! I spent all of 8th grade in my Mom's old polyester shirts and bell bottom jeans! All of my friends would say, "Wow! Where did you get that shirt?" I never told anybody that my clothes were 30 years old! As I got older, my passion for vintage clothes broadened from groovy jeans and bold patterns to more classy styles that I could wear out to dinner with my husband. Now, at 30 years old... it's become more of lifestyle than a hobby.


Thank you so much, Jennifer for participating in this week's Sunday Shop. 


-The Murfreesboro Etsy Team: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5505/murfreesboro-etsy-team

featured shop: MillsDesignCo.
featured shop's fb fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mills-Design-Co/106403369393877?sk=wall

Sunday Shop

We're going to change the "Feature Friday on a Sunday" to "Sunday Shop" from now on. It was just becoming too much to type. 
This week's Sunday Shop is:

Cuddle Bug Gifts boutique has the most colorful children's clothing on Etsy. The designs that you will find in April's shop are loud and fun and playful.

We'll be featuring some of her newer Easter-themed listings.

Why not start with a bunny? This adorable little bunny appliquéd shirt comes with  pink ruffled pants that make for a very sweet outfit that can actually be worn all summer.

The second I laid eyes on this Knot Dress, I fell in love. My favorite thing about it is that no matter which hair ties you child wants to wear, they'll undoubtedly match! A little girl could have a lot of fun in this wonderful mixed-pattern dress.

The Pillowcase Dress is as sweet as it is simple. It would look great on any little girl AND it has matching polka dot bloomers for the girl on the go.

Cuddle Bug Gifts boutique also does boys clothing.

April, what got you started when you started learning how to sew?

I started sewing by hand as a child making clothing for my dolls with leftover scraps from my grandmother. She sewed all the time making clothing for her, her grandchildren, and the house. My mother bought my first sewing machine for me when I was 16 and I had first started out redecorating my room with some pretty wild prints. It wasn't until I had my first child almost 3 years ago that I began sewing children's clothing and have never looked back. My sister and I headed to our local Hobby Lobby and picked out some fabric to make a basic pillowcase dress {that honestly was terrible}, I had sewed for years but there was so much for me to learn about making clothing. I am constantly reading about new techniques and trying new patterns. Embroidery and Applique are new to me (I have only been doing it for a year now) and I have really enjoyed adding special touches to my outfits.

How do you manage to find time to sew with little ones running around?

Haha, I wonder the same thing sometimes. I have two girls~one will be three in 4 months and the other turns 1 in 2 weeks. My oldest is pretty good if I put on a movie and she will watch it if I need to get some things complete, but mostly I sew during their nap time and after they go to sleep. This is my unwind time and sewing definitely calms my nerves after a long day.

Where do you come up with the ideas for your outfits?

My ideas come from different things and places. I will follow the bigger name boutiques to see what the latest fashions are~ to recreate at home at much more affordable price. I also will spend hours browsing fabric stores and online fabrics to come up with new ideas. With some wonderful fabric designers out there~how can you not be inspired!!

Cuddle Bug Gifts also has clothing for little boys along with the many great outfits that it has for little girls. Be sure to check it out the next time you need an original gift for a little one!

Thanks so much for sharing with us, April.

The MET: 

http://www.etsy.com/teams/5505/murfreesboro-etsy-team

featured shop: cuddlebuggifts
featured shop's fb fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/cuddlebuggifts