Gift Cards!!!

We've been open for almost 2 months now and since day one, people have been requesting gift cards. Without further ado, I present our new card and matching envelope:

Hi...I'm The Perfect Gift

The next time you are looking for something to give that special someone, think SPUN Sustainable Collective gift cards. They are available in any amount and never expire! Just come by after January 3rd because that's when we'll have it all figured out.

Meet the Collective: Twig

If you're like me then it takes a whole lot for you to switch makeup brands. The last time I tried a new line was probably 5 years ago! And even then I felt like I was making a BIG mistake.

So when the lovely Cara Hellings of Twig Cosmetics joined the collective, I felt pretty horrible for not being able to support her line. Her packaging was adorable, her story was great and did I mention that she's super nice? I mean, she really has everything going for her! I am a horrible humanbeing for not giving her line a chance! But then I did.

Last week, while dusting the merchandise in the shop, I tried on one of the Twig lip stains. The "Azalea" color looked rather nice on me and stayed put all day. It had a minty fresh scent and it didn't dry out my lips.

Twig Lip Stains $20

The next day, I decided to go through the powder foundations and see if any of them were even my color. I mean, I already tried on a lip stain so might as well see if Cara did a good job with the other products in her line. I tried the "3W" powder foundation which she notes as being a warm medium color. I usually use the other powder foundation brand which advertises on tv and like the coverage that the minerals give me. Twig also gives that UV protection that a girl my age needs. I used a little on my forehead and then under my eyes. Wow! It not only does it blend really well but doesn't give me a shiny face like the other brand I thought I loved. I don't even need to use a lot because just a little dab on my brush gives me a whole lot of coverage. It didn't feel heavy so I moved on to the rest of my face and my neck. It was still morning so the big test was whether or not it can stay put all day until it's time to wash it off.

Twig Powder Foundation $35

The answer is YES! Not only did it stay put but it looked exactly like it did when I first put it on that morning! I am hooked! Congrats to Cara for doing an amazing job of convincing me that Twig has what it takes to make me switch brands!

Come by the store and check out Cara's line of chemical free cosmetics. The line includes lip stains, powder foundation, liquid foundation, setting powder and cheek powder. I know that Twig will make you switch from your brand just like it made me! xoxo, Sara

Pike and Pine Holiday Shopping Weekend

The best part about opening my store has been all the support that we receive from everyone in the neighborhood. Not only have the local residents been wonderful but we also love all the surrounding businesses! One such business is Babeland which is located right on Pike Street on Capitol Hill. More than just a shop, they also hold workshops and help educate the public about safe sex.

Aside from their hard job as a one-stop sex shop, they are sponsoring a fabulous holiday shopping event this weekend!

Come by SPUN Sustainable Collective this Saturday December 11th (because we're closed on Sunday) to receive $25 in credit for each $100 you spend! The credit is good on any purchase you make in 2011 so you have time to use it. And be sure to visit all the other wonderful shops nearby too because it's nice to support local: Holiday Shopping Weekend

Book Signing Cancelled

Sorry folks....we decided to cancel this event but will be holding it in January instead! Will you still come?

Our First Book Signing!

I'm not only excited for this event but have been litterally counting down the days until we're able to annouce it!

Come join us on Wednesday December 8th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at SPUN Sustainable Collective for a delicious evening with darling food writer Lorna Yee. Lorna will be sharing her experiences while writing (and developing, making and tasting recipes) "The Newlywed Kitchen".

Yeah, and she's pretty too!

Copies of the book will be available for sale and Lorna will be signing them just for you! The book is a collection of mouthwatering recipes mixed with love stories worth remembering. Grab one for yourself or as a holiday gift. It's not only good for newlyweds but for anyone who enjoys cooking!

Nibbles from the book and refreshments will be provided. We hope you can join us! Please RSVP here or via the Facebook invite.

To follow Lorna's culinary adventures, read up here:

http://cookingthroughchina.com/
http://www.seattlemag.com/ (Eat + Drink)
http://www.thecookbookchronicles.com/

About "The Newlywed Kitchen" excerpt from Publishers Weekly:

"Seattle food writer and experienced entertainer Yee shared a love of cooking with her husband (the two met on Internet cooking forum eGullet), and spent their first year together writing and collecting recipes that she presents in this well-rounded collection geared to similarly-inclined newlyweds. With Seattle Bride editor Basye, Yee organizes her volume in too-cute newlywed-themed chapters like "Carry Me Over the Threshold" (starters & snacks), "Who Gets the Remote?" (comfort food), "Losing the Newlywed 15" (healthy sides), and intersperses her recipes with brief interviews of culinary couples. The collection includes some simple, tasty dishes suitable for novices, including Apple French Toast; Pancetta-Wrapped Pork with Gorgonzola Sauce; and Prosciutto, Sage and Parmesan Pinwheels, a parmesan-crusted grilled cheese destined to become a staple. On the other hand, Yee's from-scratch Chicken and Chorizo Empanadas, Orange-Cinnamon Honey Sticky Buns, and Piña Colada Pancakes with Buttered Coconut Rum Syrup call for time, patience and confidence. Fellow eGulleteers will be drawn to gourmet fare like Creamy Langoustine Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce and a Slow-Cooked Lamb Ragu, both of which prove tasty and impressive..."

Shop Small Business

Here at SPUN, we're delighted to take part in the first ever Small Business campaign brought forth by American Express. Although I'm not usually a big fan of Amex from the small business side (because their fees are higher than any other credit card), I can appreciate their decision to help us little guys. So will we see you today?

Black Friday Deals

Okay, okay....whether or not you believe in the hype that is "Black Friday", I think we can all agree that it's nice to save a little money. So to celebrate the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, whatever you call it, we are passing along quite the list of savings! Think of it as a little thank you for helping us get the word out!

Come shop and support independent artists! Today and tomorrow (saturday) you can save on the following:

SPUN: 30% OFF
Jesica Milton: 20% OFF
The Raven & The Writing Desk greeting cards: 20% OFF
THINKNOW jewelry: 20% OFF
Valentina Vitols photography: 25% OFF
Plaid Doctrine bags: 20% OFF
TWIG cosmetics: 20% OFF
Cameron Levin: 25% OFF (sample styles only)
Weathered Silo ornaments: 20% OFF

Thank you for shopping local and we hope to see you soon!

xoxo,
Sara

Launch Party tonight!!!

See you there Seattle!

RSVP on Facebook

If you're not in town, you can follow the fun on Twitter by searching #SPUNsc

Thanks again for believing in us! We can't wait to celebrate with you.

Meet the Collective: Valentina Vitols

Have you met Valentina Vitols yet? If not, you need to get into the store and meet her ASAP. She is one of the sweetest, most kind-hearted people I have ever had the honor of meeting.

Hey there pretty lady!

The sole photographer of the SPUN Sustainable Collective, Valentina hails from Caracas. It was in Caracas where she decided to follow her passion: become a full-time travel and documentary photographer and creative writer. An avid traveler, she volunteers as a Photography Instructor for children and youth at Esperanza Viva, a home for youth in Puebla, Mexico, through Aver School. Also, she's gathered documentary work from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Costa Rica, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, United Kingdom, Venezuela and the US.

Valentina has worked with clients in Caracas, Miami, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Vancouver BC and London, UK. Her work has been shown in several cities in the United States and in Caracas, and published by Helio Magazine (Peru), Restaura Magazine (Chile), Seattle Magazine, Seattle Metropolitan (online), Edible Seattle (online) and Refrigerator Soup. She also published a book, “Buenos Aires, Diario de Viaje”, in 2008.

Currently, the Seattle resident conducts photographic tours in Seattle for Shutter Tours. She makes sure she is always surrounded by good, warm coffee, chocolate, farmers market, great chefs and food lovers and water to enjoy with her husband Ryan.

That's not Ryan.

Valentina will always be surrounded by great company at the Collective. Happy to have you!

xoxo

Jess

All photos by Valentina Vitols, except for the photo of Valentina Vitols. That one's by Zubair Lawrence.

Opening Day!

So today was opening day. Don't be sad or pissed if you didn't know! It's just our soft opening. But now you can come in and see all of these fabulous designs for yourself!

We're open 11:00am - 7:00pm daily.

Our grand opening launch party is next Wednesday, November 10th from 6:00 - 9:00p.m.

More details and RSVP on Facebook!

a before pic...almost ready!

we're open!

Tete Couture headbands! dibs on the purple and blue. already bought another

Valentina Vitols Photography

Jesica Milton Designs

SPUN!

don't worry i'm still stalking

trying on a Tete Couture design. i took this one home :)

WE'RE IN DAILY CANDY!!!!!!!

The sweetest kind of candy!

Meet the Collective: Plaid Doctrine

Are you excited for the SPUN Sustainable Collective yet?!?

Let's keep this train rollin and introduce you to another member of the Collective. This amazing lady takes her style and creative eye to something practical yet incredibly hard to find in fashionable, trendy form.

I present to you Suzanne Park and Plaid Doctrine!

Plaid Doctrine founder Suzanne Park is on a mission to rid the world of boring, black, clunky laptop bags.

The Plaid Doctrine debut collection features vintage-inspired bags built for modern times — with high performance fabrics (made from recycled bottles) and prime vegetable-tanned leather. Using water- and stain-resistant materials, they don’t have the “recycled look” suffered by other eco-conscious bags.

Suzanne’s collection also includes locally sewn, eco-friendly iPad sleeves and purse organizers.

To minimize its carbon footprint, nearly all of Plaid Doctrine’s materials are sourced domestically, and 100% of its goods are manufactured in the USA.

Suzanne lives in Kirkland, loves Cadbury Mini Eggs, and wishes she was a better banjo player.

You are doing the tech-savvy, stylish world a great favor, Suzanne. THANK YOU!


xoxo
Jess

Meet the Collective: Cameron Levin

Greetings SPUN fans!

While Sara is busy teetering on the edge of madness, I'm stepping in as HBIC (head bloggess in charge) to fill you in on all the greatness that is coming to SPUN Sustainable Collective. Sara is one of my nearest and dearest friends and it's my pleasure to be blogging for all of you who are supporting her as well. I'm so happy to see her making her dream a reality and could not be any more honored to guest blog for her. HI!

Stalker!

Enough about me. I'm not nearly as talented as our next featured designer, Cameron Levin.

Cameron Levin is a Seattle-based fashion designer and fashion writer. She designs couture cocktail dresses and ballgowns that are all hand-draped and made out of fine, natural and sustainable fabrics. She has been featured in Seattle Magazine, Seattle Fashion Week, Seattle Met Magazine blog, the Seattle Art Museum and her "Jewels" collection was featured in an oil painting series by popular Seattle city-scape and portrait artist, Ethan Jack Harrington. Her newest collect, Yarok, Hebrew for "green", will be featured in the 3rd annual EcoLavish Fashion Show, the Pacific Northwest's only "green" fashion show - and now you can find her designs at SPUN Sustainable Collective.

photo by Arthur Schwab. model: Anna Cain

Cameron works exclusively with fine, natural textiles, and hand-sculpts and constructs her own designs. All garments are available in any size, with the requisite of a client fitting. Prices vary. She is also available for select commission works.

photo by Arthur Schwab. model: Anna Cain

To read her shopping and fashion-related works, visit Seattlepicks.com and Seattlest.com.

Cameron's got you covered for all of your holiday party hopping this season. Check out her collections online - then swoop into the store and view her designs up close & personal!

xoxo

Jess

New Store = Giving Birth

It turns out that starting a new store is pretty much right up there with one of the hardest things I've ever done! Yes folks, it's harder than giving birth via c-section and more difficult than starting a fashion line. I had no idea that there would be so much to do and so many things that go into it. Call me ignorant, but shouldn't it be about the same as doing a remodel on a house? I mean, I've done that a few times and sort of hoped that it would be that easy. I stand corrected.

So I'm really not sure whether or not the store will be ready by November 1st (original launch date) but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Don't worry, you'll be the first to know once I've got this date nailed down. In the meantime, here's some pics of the store as it stands today:



We have lights!



The dressing room is going to be amazing.

What do you think of the store so far?

xoxo,
Sara

Meet the Collective: Jesica Milton

I'm super excited to have the lovely Jesica join us in the store! She is not only an extremely talented lady but also a kind hearted and sweet friend.

Hailing from San Jose, California, Jesica Milton moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.  Three years later, in 2008, she founded her sustainable women's day to evening wear company with an emphasis on femininity, minimalism and versatility. Her line has been featured in Seattle Magazine as the featured 2009 Seamless in Seattle winner, Seattle Metropolitan, Lucky Magazine & Audrey Magazine. Jesica's collection is manufactured locally in Seattle, Washington. In a conscious effort to reduce our environmental impact, she purchases surplus fabric from larger manufacturers, and has also instituted a textile recycling program. Fabric left over from garment production is sent away to be recycled into paper, mattress batting and carpets. Larger pieces are given new life as cummerbund belts.


Jesica Milton Cummerbund Belt


Not only will you be able to purchase the JM Cummerbund Belt at SPUN Sustainable Collective, but she will also be featuring her best selling Sweetheart Dress and Interlock Top (my personal favorite):

Jesica Milton Sweetheart Dress



Jesica Milton Interlock Top

 

I hope that you stop by the store and check out all of Jesica's designs and of course pick up a few pieces for yourself!

xoxo,
Sara



Let the Construction Begin

Today was the first official day of the store! All that really means is that the lease on the space officially starts today so we have to get cracking! I had to meet the contractor and sign off on the final plans for the build out of the store. Here's some pictures of the inside of our new space as it is right now:

I realized that there are lots of people walking by during the day on Capital Hill. So I decided to get busy on a little craft project and cover the windows with kraft paper. I had a lot of fun putting up some descriptive words to help let people know what's in store. Here's a quick look:

If you're in the neighborhood, please walk, drive or bike by the store and let me know what you think of the windows!

xoxo,

Sara