Rachel Red Lips

Buy more of my stuff!

2012-01-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

Seriously. Everything must go! Buy it here.

Buy my stuff!

2012-01-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

I pulled tons of my favorite vintage items from my closet to find new homes for. Will you take these lovelies off my hands? Shop til you drop HERE.

Vintage Coming Soon...

2012-01-25T20:09:00.000-08:00

I'm cleaning out my closet in a big way and will be posting lots of vintage goodies on Red Lips Vintage this weekend! Stay tuned, folks!

Pasty and Garter Land

2012-01-20T14:42:00.000-08:00

I discovered the joy of pasty wearing and making several months back at my first ever Burlesque show. The dancers in Portland are top notch and never fail to inspire me with their bedazzled bras, fringe covered panties, and barely there merkins - oh, the glory of handmade costumes! I spent quite a bit of time formulating the perfect base for these pasties (there was no way I wanted to put itchy felt anywhere near my twins) and am really excited to have finally come up with something sturdy and beautiful (check out the gingham backing!). Right now I am trying to figure out the best adhesive for fabric, since my experiments so far have ended up with fabric covered in glue stains. Any tips?

I was lucky enough to sew wedding dresses with Elizabeth Dye for a few months last summer, which had me dreaming up all sorts of wedding attire (not to be worn in my own future, oh no). A stash of vintage lace, trim and beads was all I need to get going on creating pretty little garters to be worn on that special day. Yep.

So, these are my first finished products, friends. I'm hoping to expand the range of sizes for everyone eventually so in the meantime, I would love to hear what you think! See my shop here.

Erica Tanov: Fall 2011

2011-12-28T21:56:00.000-08:00

Erica Tanov: Fall 2011 by Jona Frank from sarah caplan on Vimeo.

After seeing this video, I love Erica Tanov 10x more than ever. We carry a few of her loungewear pieces at Lille and I am constantly drawn to examine the details. Upon close inspection I discovered that the "Made in USA" tag says "Love your dog. Even if she's stinky." I don't have a dog, but dang, that's cute!

Yasmine Eslami

2011-12-12T23:02:00.000-08:00

I have been a lingerie crazy lady lately. Totally love the new Yasmine Eslami that arrived at Lille today. I wanna be french...

While the chiffon dries...

2011-12-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

Winter.

2011-12-01T23:12:00.000-08:00

Just ordered 5 yards of silk to make a long sleeved Peony dress and a Taffy blouse (from the Colette Patterns book). In the meantime, I'll be cutting up a beautiful vintage curtain to create a pencil skirt and I have a muslin sewn up from a vintage shift dress pattern that will eventually be made of shimmery olive green linen (I just need help fitting the bodice...or perhaps I will reference the Colette book, which is awesome/amazing/wonderful and beyond). Plus, yesterday I finished a chiffon tank top for Nico. Busy, busy little bee.

Oh, and just one more long over due update: I totally conquered the 30 day yoga challenge in October. I didn't miss a single day of class! It is amazing how motivating yoga babes and a sticker board with my name on it can be...

The Alex Sandwich

2011-10-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

This is the Alex sandwich, named after the guy who invented it...you guessed it. It's my favorite bagel, tomato, hummus concoction of all time. The only ingredients you need are bagels, hummus (I like King Harvest Sun Dried Tomato), tomato, and garlic.

Here's what you do:
Set your oven to broil. Slice your bagel in half & toast it. Spread on lots of delicious hummus over the entire surface & a few really good tomatos (these are from my garden). Now, mince up a clove of garlic. You can either add it on now for a milder taste, or wait until the bagel is broiled for a really nice bit of raw garlic, which is really good for you and oh so tasty. I opted to add it on before cooking because I didn't want garlic breath all day. Now, just broil your Alex sandwich until the tomatos are slightly cooked. Cool and enjoy!

PS. I went to yoga this morning! Day 1 of the 30 day challenge was a success. :)

30 day yoga challenge?

2011-09-30T11:23:00.001-07:00

The yoga studio I frequent has recently announced a 30 day challenge (!!!) for October. I already feel pretty ace (and a little sore) if I'm able to attend 1 or 2 classes a week with some home yoga thrown in...so the thought of a 30 day challenge is both daunting and uplifting. Looking at the schedule, it seems like I could probably make it to classes 5 days a week and do yoga at home for the others. There will also be a few days when I travel to Seattle for a best friends weekend but I think it would be fun to check out some studios in Washington, too.

I know I'm not the best at sticking with my resolutions (hell, I'm still trying to get my patternmaking plan off the ground) but was interested to know if any of you would like to join in on the 30 day yoga challenge? Ps. It starts tomorrow!

Joanna again.

2011-09-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

You know how much I love this lady's music and sense of style, but when I came across these stunning photos of Joanna Newsom while browsing this interesting blog it took my devotion to another level. She's such a babe in her floral bustier (totally reminds me of the Irene Gardening) and pink tutu, and so sweet and charming in short shorts on a country bike ride (but who isn't?). I have been hunting the internet for the music video...where is it?

Faux Suede Sandals

2011-09-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

Just as I am searching for a pair of synthetic ankle boots for winter, these faux suede beauties find me. I would happily wear a pair of sandals every day for the rest of my life if given the right weather. Vegan shoes are an especially tough find. They are either overly on trend, cheaply constructed or look too much like a trail shoe. I'm really excited by the darling selection of shoes at Vickerey, a vegetarian and vegan (with the exception of honey & lanolin in some products) online shop.

Alas, Portland is a grey, wet place and I must continue the hunt for boots. I bought a pair of vintage leather booties and the sole ripped off the first time I wore them. So friends, let me know if you see any cute vegan booties please!

Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto

2011-09-26T23:06:00.001-07:00

While most of my garden is withering away, the tomatos are still quite persistent. I've been snacking on an endless supply of cherry tomatos, layering delicious yellow taxi tomatos on slices of toast with hummus, and finally this evening whipped together a roasted tomato pesto over orecchiette with mushrooms and lentils on the side. I snagged the recipe from one my favorite food blogs, Oh She Glows, but roasted the garlic before adding it to the pesto and served it with a roasted tomato on top so we could savor in this simple summer delicacy.

Hatching a nearly impossible plan.

2011-09-11T23:21:00.002-07:00

I dropped out of sewing school after beginning my new job as a shopgirl nearly six months ago. I was feeling overwhelmed and burnt out and bewildered. These days, between selling panties, interning with a wedding dress designer, tending to my first garden, trying to be an active yogi, living with my guy and making the most of the few moments of sunshine this city has to offer, I have plenty on my plate. I'm generally happy but still am missing the motivation to learn and sew and create. Progress seems far out of reach, nearly unattainable.

Here's what I know: I need to learn patternmaking. Here's the (very ambitious) plan I've hatched to do it: work my way through Patternmaking for Fashion Design, taking each project one page at a time until I've completed the entire 796 page text. (Come on, you've seen that Julia Child movie...)

This already seems impossible. But it is possible, right?

Admittedly, the only thing I have ever kind of taught myself how to do from books is cook. I mix recipes, forget ingredients and rarely measure...far from the mathematical challenge that lay ahead as a novice patternmaker. So, friends, I'm looking to you for advice and encouragement. How many instructional books have you really read in entirety? Do you know anyone who is self taught? Any words of wisdom for overcoming discouragement as I attempt to conquer this text? Can I do this?

xo,
Rachel

Lille Lookbook

2011-08-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that I work at the most beautiful lingerie boutique? Well, I do and it's pretty wonderful. Sarah (lingerie devotee, designer & shop owner extraordinaire) put together a smashing photoshoot for Stella McCartney's new lingerie collection. I love the bright poppy red garter and the floral bustier so much. Check out the rest of the photos on Lille's blog or pre-order these looks right HERE.

Portland photographer Lisa Warninger (of Urban Weeds) took the photos and it-girl Skye modeled the looks to perfection. If you re-post any of these photos (and I hope you do), please link to Lille Boutique!

Inspired.

2011-08-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

Fabric shopping typically causes me to be an indecisive mess, but with dahlias on the brain, this choice was immediate!

Kangaroo Paws

2011-08-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

Recycled Hand Dyed Yarn

2011-06-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

I recently gave my pal this cashmere sweater vest from a clothing swap. The brilliant gal carefully took it apart, dyed it, and now it exists as two gorgeous skeins of cashmere yarn. I love the concept of recycling cashmere garments for the purpose of knitting anew! Not only does it prevent waste, but it seems to solve a moral dilemma that haunts me whenever I even think of purchasing super soft animal fiber yarn. Now this lace weight yarn (over 400 yarns per skein) is available for purchase on etsy for mere pennies! Click HERE to shop & check out more photos of Jenna's deconstruction process HERE.

Ginger & Violet

2011-04-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

Colette Patterns released Spring patterns today! Violet is a darling blouse with a peter pan collar and Ginger is a classic a-line skirt; both patterns have exceptional details and thorough directions that will allow sewists of all levels to feel confident whipping up wardrobe staples for Spring. These patterns make sewing a dream!

Check out the Colette blog (soon to be re-named: Coletterie) to see more photos from the Spring photo shoot, a wonderful collaboration between the Colette ladies, Anja of Clevernettle, and Brandi, our beautiful model! Plus, expect to see Violet and Ginger inspired tutorials coming soon to the Colette blog. Ps. Day in the Life of a Colette Patterns Intern and Cording Pintuck Tutorial are fun recent posts!

If you've missed me 'round these parts, you should know I've missed you, too! Alex, Stella, and I are just about to celebrate our one year anniversary of moving to Portland, and I can honestly say this has been the quickest, happiest year of my life. This city rules, and everyone should move here. (Even if it is still brisk in April!) The folks who live in the city of roses are so incredibly creative, ambitious, and open-minded; I am so proud and inspired by my friends! Right now, I am in weekly sewing, pattern drafting, and ballet classes, working two jobs, interning, biking, filling up sketch books, and genuinely enjoying each and every day. Hope ya'll are doing well, feel free to get in touch via e-mail if the RRL blog is quiet. :)

Love love and more love,

Rachel

Photos by Anja. Model: Brandi. Styling by Sarai, Rachel, and Caitlin.

Love day, lace, and dancin'

2011-02-15T14:07:00.004-08:00

Whether you're in a duo or flying solo, I hope ya'll had a snazzy Valentine's Day! I made peanut butter, chocolate chip, and coconut cookies for my sweetie and reveled in the prettiest rusty red silk underpinnings from Unforeseen Circumstances. My fascination for lingerie is growing everyday and I'm absorbing as much inspiration as my brain can handle! Admittedly, I didn't complete my winter break sewing challenge to make a set (although I did make a little bralette) and opted instead to first equip myself with pattern drafting skills. Now in week five of my pattern making class, I can tell it's going to take a lot of practice to master!

Since we're catching up, my internship at Colette Patterns is wonderful and I feel so lucky to be learning along side Sarai. She's opened my eyes to so many useful and beautiful techniques! If you dig the lace yoke in the photo above, check out my recent tutorial where I show you how to alter our Sencha pattern and sew a yoke with step by step instructions and photos.

And because yesterday was Love Day, here's a little present I've been putting together for a few weeks...it's not themed to get you in the mood or anything, but it just might make you dance!

Lacy bits

2011-02-09T17:03:00.000-08:00

Vintage inspired lace inset tutorial

Hello! Here's a look at a few of the lacy bits I've been whippin' up for tutorials on the Colette Patterns blog. Are there any tutorials you'd love to see over at CP? Lemme know!

Knickers with lace applique and trim tutorial

On the brain...

2011-01-30T13:03:00.001-08:00

source.

bodysuit by The Lake and Stars

Hannah and Landon Metz for Alexandra Grecco

Wait, there's more!

2011-01-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

Check out Anja and dalas' Valentine's video from our photo shoot! There's french music, and of course, ladies in their dainties. Andddd...click HERE to jump over to my Colette Patterns tutorial on surface cording!

Colette Patterns: Ladies in lingerie

2011-01-25T12:54:00.002-08:00

Hello hello! I'm elated to finally share these photos from a very spur of the moment Valentine's Day photo shoot for Colette Patterns. I'm still pretty amazed that plans for this lingerie shoot came to fruition in less than a week! From sewing to styling to modeling, I was able to join in on all the fun parts of bringing this vision to life. As always, it was a dream working with Sarai, whose color palette and sewing patterns are endlessly inspiring. Anja and dalas brought a wonderful sense of composition and camera know-how to the set and really captured the girlish fun that sweet Jade and I had during the shoot. We faux knitted, played go fish (with a set of vintage playing cards I received at an Apartment Therapy themed white elephant exchange), and embroidered (little pink hearts, of course). Caitlin and Sarai rearranged the studio and styled props to make the perfect set. You can't even tell that we're lounging in the middle of the CP sewing studio!

I learned a couple things about modeling during this shoot: be versatile in your movements, play off the other model's mood, have fun, relax, and breathe! (Thanks to Molly for the tips!) Oh, and my cousin told me that if it hurts or feels awkward it probably looks great, haha (which was definitely the case in the third photo from the bottom, luckily it only took one frame to get the perfect shot!)

Keep an eye out on the Colette Patterns blog for Nutmeg themed tutorials from yours truly...I have quite a few lacy DIY's headed that way! You can also check out extras from the shoot right here. Anddd, take a look at the front page of Colette Patterns. Yay!

Clevernettle 2011

2011-01-13T10:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we spent a few hours at the Clevernettle headquarters styling up Anja's shop photos and shooting them in a new way. It was awesome to see Anja so enthusiastic about her business, especially when we treat ourselves to lunch at Blossoming Lotus afterwards! Gotta love warm coconut chai and a smoked maple tempeh wrap. Yum!