Bristol, England-based Howkapow brings a smile to my face every time I visit them online. Their shop is full of innovative, fun, interesting work from breakthrough talent as well as a few carefully-chosen independent, family-run brands. There’s an ever-changing collection of unusual pieces at affordable prices, and their spring collection was just recently released so I thought I’d share a few of my favorites with you.
Check out be packs, started by outdoorsman Rory Rogan who set out to make the perfect pack to carry his gear. be packs works with the African Education Program, giving $10 from every sale toward youth education in Zambia where secondary school must be paid for by the student. Every twenty bags sold provides a child with a year of education, one meal a day for the entire year, and their school uniform. Stitched inside every be pack you’ll find a Hope Patch, which has handwritten messages by children in Zambia. Now that’s a lot to fit in a backpack. (PS: The bags are all made in the USA and are UV, water, and mildew resistant.)
I remember as a kid absolutely hating fiber tapestry art, especially the brown piece hanging in my aunt and uncle’s apartment. It just wasn’t art to me. Now I think they’re incredible and I can’t wait to try my hand at creating a piece of my own. Whether you love them or hate them one thing is for sure, these wall hangings are experiencing a trendy comeback.
I’m sort of a beauty product junky. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but it eventually got out of control and I had to put myself on a bit of a spending hiatus from the stuff. Thankfully I’ve learned to rein it all in, and one of the ways I’ve done so is by relying on a little DIY. I have all of the fantastic links below bookmarked for use in the near future! What’s your go-to home beauty remedy?
Poppy Barley could not have reached out to me about their made-to-measure footwear at a better time. I’d just returned from a conference where some errant cream puff filling had left my lone pair of knee-high boots stained beyond redemption.
The premise behind Poppy Barley is you design, you measure, we deliver. By creating made-to-measure footwear you’re guaranteed to have a great fit – and if you don’t they’ll go back and remake them! I was intrigued and all in.
About a week later their measuring kit showed up in the mail. Inside was a measuring tape, a foot measuring guide, and a selection of leather swatches. I got right to work figuring out numbers for all facets of my lower legs and feet with the tools Poppy Barley had given me, and entering all of that info into their site where I had already decided on the Uptown Boot. I went with Kaki on Kaki coloring because I believe a good medium brown boot can go with just about everything.
When my boots showed up several weeks later (as is to be expected with custom-make shoes) I was ecstatic. As I opened the box and removed the cloth bag containing my new footwear the warm scent of leather greeted me. I immediately took one out, slipped my foot inside, and zipped it up. Like butter doesn’t even do the experience justice – these bad boys fit like a glove.
They have the perfect amount of room in the calves, which is always my problem area when it comes to buying boots. They’re also the perfect height for this 5’2″ girl. My Poppy Barley boots really do look and feel like they were make just for me.
Disclaimer: I received product in exchange for this post. As always all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
Tie-dye is experiencing yet another comeback, but not just any tie-dye – shibori. Shibori is a Japanese process for resist-dyeing cloth by binding, folding, twisting and compressing. There are tons of ways to manipulate fabric for shibori, each one creating different designs and patterns. And right now it’s showing up everywhere in the home and on the runway.
I’ve been a fan of Austin-based Son of a Sailor since their start, and as they release their third handmade collection – LAND – I’m just as enamored as ever. William Knopp and Jessica Tata found inspiration for their latest work in the geographic forms and colors of the western frontier, leading to brass geometric forms and bold color choices. The collection features a variety of gems, intricate beading and metalwork, and an exploration of the lines and patterns found in nature. So perfect for spring and summer.
I look forward to Warby Parker‘s seasonal frames like some kids look forward to Christmas morning. After years and years of contact lens wearing that began in the 7th grade, I’ve reverted to wearing glasses most days. My eyes feel incredible, more relaxed than they have in years even after hours behind my laptop screen. And let’s be honest, I love all of the affordable stylish frames.
The spring 2014 collection features six everyday frames and three pairs of sunglasses. I went with the Marcel in Aurora. The frames are large without being too large, and round without being too round. In other words, they don’t overwhelm my face. And the dark tortoiseshell is a great dappled whiskey brown that makes my hazel eyes pop. It goes without saying that they’re become instant favorites – I’ve worn them every day since they arrived! Now I’m eyeing these Absinthe green Quimby frames for sunny days this spring.
Disclaimer: I received a pair of Warby Parker eyeglasses. As always, all words and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that keep Design Crush going!
