Moving into Saint Ida has been such a huge transition for the Pleiades team. For 2.5 years we worked out of a basement, and while we are so grateful for our humble beginnings, it was clear we were growing out of our little studio.
So, in the Summer of 2018 we started the search for a new studio. Our hope was to find a place close to a main street in one of our nearby communities, so the team would be walking distance to coffee shops, restaurants, and other fun options. After several months we were feeling pretty discouraged. Everything was either far too expensive or just didn’t fit the mold of what we were hoping for.
Then something interesting happened.
One day while driving I started to pray. You see, Pleiades has never felt like it belonged only to me. From the very beginning I’ve felt like it was a gift from the Lord, a way to do more good in the world, and because of that I believed that God had a plan in store for us. As I prayed about finding a new home for Pleiades, I had a vision of a purple church. I thought about how amazing it would be to have a studio in an old church. I imagined how we could paint it purple - how fitting for Pleiades!
The next day I got a text from Tim. When I looked at what he sent, my heart skipped a beat. It was a picture of a purple church for sale! What’s amazing about this is that I hadn’t even told him about my vision yet.
When we went to see this purple church in person, we learned that it was the very first Catholic Church built in Lafayette, called Saint Ida’s Catholic Church. It was more than 100 years old! We were in awe of how open and beautiful the space was. And, we were beyond excited that it was in one of the exact locations we were hoping to be in. It was perfect. We needed it.
As we went through the purchasing process we realized that Saint Ida’s has a really special history. We learned that friends we love and care about have come to this very place over the years to worship, record music and create art on numerous occasions. Most recently, it was home to an old friend of ours who was using it as a recording studio. We loved that this building had such strong ties with the community. We loved that this has been a place where people have come to gather, be in community and be creative.
Before we began remodeling, we were able to dream a little with some of the previous owners who knew this space well. We asked them what they always wished for when they lived there.
We worked on integrating as much of their hopes and dreams as we could, including wooden beams on the ceiling, hardwood floors throughout, and an updated kitchen. We have also started working on fixing up the patio space to be a place for community to gather.
Saint Ida is such a special place. All of the things God was telling us to shape our business after is already rooted deeply in this sweet building. From the moment it was ours we envisioned using it for more than just our studio, and have since used it for community gatherings, worship nights and events for Reintegra. We believe this place is all His, and we are so grateful He is allowing us to be stewards of it. Our hope is that Saint Ida continues to be an anchor for the community that continues to tie us all together in a good and positive way.
(Our beautiful team - missing Elyse and Katie)
]]>We also know that many of you are looking for fun and creative new things to do at home during this season. We want to help!
One of the things we like to do is send a free custom coloring book with every dress you purchase to bring a little extra joy to your little one.
However, we want to make our most recent coloring book available to you as a free download so you can print as much as you would like to enjoy at home!
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Photographers from all over the world were connected through Rachel Keohane. Starting with her in the Smoky Mountains National Park, she photographed her daughter Ava in the Sea Glass Stella. From there, the dress traveled from one mother and daughter to the next. Each mom took photos of her daughter and the dress in locations that were special to them. The Sea Glass Stella has traveled everywhere from an Icelandic waterfall to the Jacaranda trees in Australia. I am beyond honored that the Sea Glass Stella was chosen to be the traveling dress and connect these families in the most magical way. Here is the breathtaking story of the Sea Glass Stella dress.
Rachel Keohane (Team Leader)
The Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Daughter: Ava, 7 years old
I was the first to receive the dress from Pleaides Designs back in May of 2018. Lynzi, the owner of Pleaides Designs, handmade us an absolutely gorgeous version of the Stella Dress. As soon as I saw the greens and blues of the fabric used, I knew we had to shoot at our favorite outdoor location, a mountain top field and the river in the Smoky Mountains National Park. My goal was to make this experience fun and playful for Ava so I told her to have fun, run and explore around the field and river. I’m so happy to have caught her jovial mood and the movement of the dress. Once our time came to an end we were excited to pass it on to the next little girl, Lilly in Ontario, Canada.
Lynn Ewing
Their Favorite Beach at the Scarborough Bluffs in Ontario, Canada
Daughter: Lilly , 7 years old
I received the Pleaides dress from Rachel Keohane in July 2018. My time with the Sea Glass Stella was magical. For our photos , my 7 year old daughter Lilly and I took a roadtrip to our favourite beach at the Scarborough Bluffs in Ontario, Canada. That day was sunny and warm with a slight breeze. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The beach was full of sunbathers. Lilly and I trekked out to the furthest spot from the barbequing, music, and laughter to savour the solitude of the water. Freelensing my images during full sun gave them the look and feel of pushed film. The following week I handed the dress off to Chelsea Kozlinsky who lives around the corner from me.
Chelsea Kozlinsky
Icelandic Waterfall in Vik
Daughter: Ellianna, 6 years old
Our time with the Pleaides dress was magical. We took it on a two week road trip around Iceland and stopped at the black sand beach in Vik first. We loved the way the fabric of the dress moved in the breeze. It was a chilly day, but we didn’t let that stop us. We then set out to find a gorgeous waterfall, surrounded by beautiful greens, complimenting the gorgeous color of the dress. It was just us and the waterfall and Ellianna twirled the evening away. As much as we loved our time with the dress we were happy to send it off for another little girl to enjoy. The next adventure for our dress would be in Michigan.
Holly Awwad
The Train Station in Imlay City, Michigan
Daughter: Charlotte, 4 years old
When I received the dress, I knew I wanted to make this a fun and colorful shoot. I was in love with the high – low skirt and the beautiful tiered colors....and so was my daughter Charlotte. I chose to shoot at a train station a few towns from where I live in Lapeer,MI. They have three brightly painted vintage train cars on display outside the station. Inside each car is a train museum. The colors of the cars played up the colors in the dress beautifully. When we arrived Charlotte immediately started exploring and climbing on the bright train cars, twirling and running in the beautiful setting sun. Please note these images were not taken on active train tracks. The cars were on display only and not connected or near any active tracks. We were sad to see the dress go but when I told Charlotte that we would be sending it to another little girl to enjoy, that made her happy! Next stop for our dress was in Milton,Georgia.
Holly Long
The top of the Arabia Mountain in Milton, Georgia
Daughter: Brooklyn, 6 years old
When the dress arrived from Holly in Michigan we were so excited! We had anticipated the dress for a while and it was so fun hearing the stories from the other ladies and their adventures with the beautiful Pleaides dress. I knew from the start that I wanted to make this shoot something to remember with my daughter and so I planned to shoot at the top of Arabia Mountain in Dekalb County, Ga. The hike up the mountain was memorable. On the way up we encountered two firefighters that had just finished their workout and they offered to help us carry some of our belongings up the rest of the mountain. So sweet! My friend Susan and her daughter Lily joined us as well. As soon as we got to the top we were taken back by the stunning view. Everything was so peaceful. The sky was wide open and the sun was shining. Brooklyn twirled and explored and we had a bunch of laughs together. The Pleaides dress was a perfect compliment to our surroundings and my daughter truly felt like a princess in it. We stayed until the sun sank into the horizon. As much as we loved our time with the dress we knew it was going on another grand adventure! Next stop was in Orlando, Florida.
Amber Hausler
In studio in Orlando, Florida
Daughter: Zoe, 4 years old
It was Early September when I received the beautiful Pleaides dress. The weather in Orlando, Florida was in the high 90’s with high humidity and daily thunderstorms. At the time I had pictured by daughter running or twirling with sunlight streaming through the dress. However, due to weather conditions, a lengthy dress and a strong little personality, I had to make this work for both of us. On the last day we managed to catch some pretty light. We were both so thankful for our time with the dress and super excited to send it to the next little girl! Next stop was the west coast of Florida to Nicole and her little one.
Nicole Houser
A Rain Sunset in Sarasota, Florida
Daughter: Lily, 3 years old
I received the Pleaides dress in late September in Sarasota, Fl. My 3.5 year old daughter was was the perfect model for this dress. She has always been such a huge girly girl and has loved to model beautiful clothes for me since she was a toddler. Spinning and dancing around in flowy dresses are one of her favorite things to do, so when I first opened this amazing dress, I knew she would be in love with it! The subtle blue ombre at the bottom was my favorite part, as well as the flow and spin factor. I had grand plans for taking this dress to one of our beautiful beaches, but I only had a couple of days with it since we were leaving on vacation and I never made it out that way. I decided to shoot on our street in our neighborhood in the evening. We were blessed with a gorgeous post Florida rain sunset. When our time ended with the dress we sent it to Victoria all the way down under in Australia.
Victoria Andrews
Late Afternoon in Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Daughter: Lola, 5 years old
I received the Pleaides dress in late Spring here in Australia after it’s long journey over the Pacific from the United States. My daughter Lola loves nothing more than dressing up, especially in a beautiful ‘twirly’ dress, so we were both super excited to be involved in this project! I chose to shoot late afternoon when the light was golden and warm to really make the most of the gorgeous floaty chiffon. We absolutely loved our time with the dress and were sad to see to see it go. It’s next stop was down the coast to Nic in New South Whales.
Nicole Kearney
The Jacaranda Trees in Newcastle, Australia
Daughter: Coral, 5 years old
I received the beautiful Pleaides dress from Victoria in Brisbane, Australia, which is just 800km to the north. My girl Coral was so excited when she first laid eyes on this gorgeous dress. Jacarandas bloom in late Spring along the east coast of Australia and I knew the pretty purple flowers would complement the pale pastel colours in this dress perfectly! So, I decided to shoot this series in NewCastle, Australia, where I grew up and where my parents still reside. The suburb has a lot of beautiful gardens and big old Jacaranda trees. The final adventure for our Pleaides dress was off to Bianca in New Zealand.
Bianca Owen
New Zealand
Daughters: Hosannah and Mayanah, 6 and 4 years old
It was Summer here in New Zealand when we received the Pleaides dress to photograph. Both of my daughters Hosannah and Mayanah were excited to wear the beautiful gown. We chose a couple of golden evenings. Mayanah wore it first. It was too big for her but she looked so cute hoisting up the skirt in the long grass. I have shared a photo of her under the trees, holding up her hands in the way she does when she does when pretending to be a pony, galloping and trotting through the field. The other image are of Hosannah on the swing. I loved the way the evening light was pouring through the trees creating haze and heavy shadows. I wanted to catch the dress in motion as it has such a beautiful layered tail, and it looked so gorgeous flying out behind her on the swing. We loved every moment we had with the dress. When our time to came to a end with it we sent it back home from where it first started with Rachel in Tennesse. Our traveling dress had made its final round.
To view all of the images and see the original story, visit the Traveling Dress Collective.
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1) Weather Station by Rose and Rex. This adorable handmade wood weather station teaches your little one about weather, but also allows for endless hours of play.
2) Butterfly wing set by LoveLane Designs. Lovelane creates the most magical and original play-wear, screen printed in brilliant colors on durable canvas.
3) Eclectic Handmade Owl by Dainty Cheeks. If you have never owed a Dainty Cheeks doll, then you are missing out. These whimsical handmade beauties are works of art.
4) The Mini Crosby Fannypack by State. We love this glitter filled bag by State Bags almost as much as we love the company's commitment to give back.
5) Wooden Camera by Bannor Toys. This adorable mini camera will bring your littles one's imagination to life, it looks super cute as shelf decoration too.
Do you need your new Pleiades dress on time for Christmas? Make sure to order it before December 20th (U.S. only)*! Shop our available styles here.
*Alaska, by December 18th; Hawaii, by December 19th.
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Don’t forget to participate in our Halloween Dress Up Contest going on right now until Halloween Day. We can’t wait for you to join us for our Velvet Belle Release on Wednesday, October 23 @ 12 PM EST. These dresses also make for lovely Holiday dresses! ]]>
Little Stocking Co Tights - The perfect stockings for Anna.
Mermaid Purse - For everything she collects on all of her adventures.
Princess Shoes- Pairs perfectly with any of your Pleiades Princess Dresses.
Handmade Embroidered Wand - The sweetest essential for a game of dress-up.
Jeweled Crowns - Sparkle on, princess.
We can’t wait for you to join us for our Princess Dress Release on Friday, October 11th at 12 PM EST.
]]>You can find our full Fall Bucket List printable below. Let this list inspire you and give you some fun ideas, but the best memories are made by creating your own adventure, so I left some open spaces for you to add to the list as well! Enjoy!
Also, don’t forget to join us for the release of our Fall Ballerina Dresses and Billie Jean Jackets on Friday, September 20 @ 12 PM EST. These dresses and rainbow jackets are perfect for family photos and all of your fall adventures. Here they are in action:
Thank you for all of your support!
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Our partnership with Reintegra has been part of the DNA of our company from the very beginning. Pleiades was born out of a desire to create some sort of revenue stream to support the causes and organizations our family really believed in.
When we met Andy, the Executive Director of Reintegra, we immediately knew this was something that we wanted to support. Reintegra’s mission is to help survivors of human trafficking in Mexico City thrive and take steps to reclaim their lives. Hearing about the reach that they have had and the lives they have impacted was incredible and we wanted to do whatever we could do to lift it up.
A portion of each purchase you make with us is set aside and sent to Reintegra. Essentially, this means that every time you buy something from Pleiades you are supporting survivors.
But, one of the things we love about our partnership with Reintegra is that it has grown beyond more than just financial support. We have had the opportunity to meet some of the women they support, host speaking events in our studio, and we are even going to Mexico City with Reintegra in September. On our trip we will visit with many of the survivors they support, and to begin dreaming and discussing how we can build on our partnership with them and support what they are doing in tangible ways.
We have been so grateful to hear and be a part of these women’s stories. There are no words to describe everything Reintegra means.
We appreciate your help in supporting Reintegra. You make a difference and we look forward to the many ways in which we can continue to shine a light in dark places together. ]]>For me, there are certain things that act as guides carrying me into a new season of life, whether it’s a new journal, a fresh set of pens or a good quote from a book that I can hold on to.
We have created a vintage inspired Pastel Stripe Shortie with the changing season in mind. Muted pastel colors paired with a classic silhouette will be perfect for your “First Day of School” outfit.
We have also picked out a few school day essentials with you in mind. We hope these items inspire and help you and your little one look forward to the new school year approaching.
Don't forget to join us for our Back to School Release on Wednesday, August 14th at 9 PM EST!
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Like so many people around the world, Hello Kitty was a huge part of my childhood. As I walked past our dresses and through the store I came across a small Hello Kitty notebook similar to one I had growing up. A flood of memories and nostalgia came over me when I picked it up, and brought back so much joy and comfort! That is the magic of childhood. A simple item like that notebook can instantly bring you back to all of those feelings and memories of being a kid. It's one of the reasons why we love Hello Kitty - they inspire the same childhood magic and nostalgia we hope to inspire with our designs.
The release party at the Hello Kitty Hollywood store was so much fun, and it was so lovely to meet some of you, take photos with you and get to know a little more of your story. Plus, we got to meet Hello Kitty herself!
We hope this dress is one that your daughters make memories in – memories that they cherish forever!
We can’t wait to release the Hello Hollywood Belle and Hello Kitty Pink Belle on our website this Friday, July 26. Be sure to join us right at 12 PM EST- these special edition Hello Kitty dresses will only be available this once!
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What are some of your favorite summer essentials? We would love to hear! Comment below. Also, stay tuned for our Daisy Windsong Release on Wednesday, July 17th.
]]>What does Se Mari mean?
It roughly translates to “three little animals” in Korean. It’s an homage to my 3 children because they are my three little animals.
How did you get started in handmade clothing?
I first launched my shop in 2015. It was just accessories at first - cute little stuff that I wanted to sew and knit. It segued into clothing after I felt confident that I could make some good pieces. It started really slowly.
Who taught you to sew?
My mom taught me the basics of sewing on her old 1970’s sewing machine after my first child was born. After I had children I felt this real need to create and make things for them.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from my childhood. I have always loved vintage things and vintage fabrics, but really anything that stokes nostalgia and reminds me of my happy 80’s childhood. I infuse a lot of that into what I sew. I take a lot of time finding old vintage textiles and converting them into things that look modern and can relate to times now.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to hang out with my family and friends. Whatever we do I just like being with them. I like to create. I love my work and it doesn’t feel like work to me.
What is the hardest part for you about owning your own small business?
Having no boundaries. I usually work around my kids - when they are at school and after they go to sleep. Sometimes I just get lost in it and don’t know how to turn it off. That’s a struggle for me.
What is the best thing about owning a small business?
Freedom to do what I want and control what I want to make and when I want to make it. I am able to set aside time for my kids and be their mom but do this at the same time. Some people have asked me to expand my business, but my top priority is to be a mom and be present for them while my husband travels. After my kids are a little more self-sufficient I will think about that.
What is the biggest oops that has happened when running your small business?
I make mistakes every day so it’s just a culmination of small mistakes. It’s a matter of owning up to them, brushing them off quickly and moving forward.
What is your biggest success?
I have done things that I truly like and I have always stuck by that. I will not sew things that are ugly and I won’t send bad vibes out to the world. I work with people that I know are good, passionate people. I recently had a pop up in California where I met so many girls wearing my dresses that I made in the wee hours of the morning. It was just so surreal and drove me to tears. I am passionate about my work and the quality and think I am successful in that way.
Don’t miss out on the extra special release of the Rainbow Heart Pinny TONIGHT, July 1 at 9 PM EST.
“I like things that are bright and cheery. Sometimes life can be really dark and if you can invoke happiness through bright colors that is the way I like to lean.”
-Ellyn Navarro (owner of Se Mari)
]]>We couldn’t believe our rainbow dress was featured on the Instagram page for millions of people to see. It felt like a dream! {July 2018}
(photo credit: @this.little.wandering)
Our first pop up shop was in Long Beach, CA at Sweet Threads. Meeting and connecting with so many of our loyal customers made this a truly special moment. {July 2018}
(photo credit: @shopsweetthreads)
While the wonderful moments far outnumber the not-so-wonderful, it's funny how heavy those low points can weigh in my mind and heart. For all the beauty that comes with being a mom, I find it hard to shake off the dust of the little clashes and conflicts that take place, the many mistakes I make, and the uncertainties, fears, challenges and trials I face on any given week.
If you are anything like me, the few things that seem to go “wrong” can easily make us lose sight of all that is going right. We can lose sight of the wins. The endless ways we are truly loving and guiding and teaching and serving and giving. This Mother’s Day we want to help remind all of our Pleiades mama’s how incredible you are and take a moment to celebrate that.
We’ve asked some of you to share what makes you a good mom, because the good things are something we don't talk about and celebrate enough.
Let’s celebrate together, lift each other up and inspire one another to raise confident and happy little kids! We’d love for you to share in the comments below as well! Tell us what makes you a good mom.
I am a good Mom because I was raised by the most selfless woman who taught me what love is. It wasn’t until I became a Mom that I really truly appreciated all my Mom has and still does for me. I remember as a child she was always there loving us unconditionally. As a teen I gave her many sleepless nights as she worried about me. She still doesn’t sleep well as she still worries about everyone and as a matter of fact, neither do I. I always strived to be the Mother she is but I have had many hiccups along the way. Always questioning if I’m doing things right, having Mom guilt over my career, trying to be Supermom which I clearly am not are just a few instances of my struggles. But at the end of a crazy day, when I read them their bedtime story just like my Mom always did with me, I see and feel the love from my kids which affirms I must be doing something right on this motherhood journey!
@laylanavery
I am a good mom because I am accepting, and loving. I am accepting of the good days, and the not so good days. Of the bad attitudes, and the sweet little nothings that come out of nowhere. The hardships we face as a family, and the great memories we all make together. I am accepting of WHO they are, and love them for who they will always be.
@handlingtheharriss
I am a good mom because being a mom is my number one absolute favorite thing in the world. I am a mom 100% of the time. There are no sick days, vacation days or days off. There's no lunch break, 15 minute breaks or time outs. Being a mom isn't a 9-5 job, it's a 24/7 job and I wouldn't have it any other way. Being my children's mom I am their world and they are mine!
@ceces_style
I am a good mom because of my village. There’s no way I could be a good mom if I didn’t have people supporting me to love on my daughter and be role models for her. But also a village that will jump in to co-parent with my husband and I so we can be the best versions of ourselves, get time alone, and time to pursue my career. It doesn’t happen without everyone that loves us and loves our daughter, Sylvia. It takes a village.
@katieqsnider
I am a good mom because I put my daughter’s needs and wants before my own.
@penelopecristin
I am a good mom because I am teaching my daughters at a young age to be proud of their heritage, of being descendants of immigrant grandparents and to love the color of their skin. It is diversity that makes this world beautiful.
@yo_soy_luna
We would love to hear from you too. Share with us in the comments below!
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With Easter coming up we have put together a thoughtfully curated "Easter basket" that will feed the minds and hearts of your little ones. We love these brands, because of what they stand for and what they offer. All of these shops deliver beautiful, responsibly made products that are bound to put a smile on your little one’s face.
And guess what? We're going to have a giveaway on our Instagram to give many of these items to one lucky person. It will will run April 1st - 3rd, so make sure to sign up!
What is your favorite thing about Spring? We want to know! Share in the comments below. Also don’t forget to keep an eye out for our Pastel Rainbow Challis release coming soon in April. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to get the details!
]]>All the qualities that Belle, Cinderella, Tiana and Rapunzel portray she also believes are within her just by stepping into a beautifully crafted design. She walks with shoulders back looking for anyone in her path to help, twirls with a smile, and believes truly all of those things we tell her over and over again. You are loved, worthy, beautiful, a gem unlike any other.
Our new releases are inspired by the magical qualities of these Disney princesses. When she puts this dress on we want her to feel like Tiana - kind-hearted but also hard-working and focused. We want her to identify with the traits of Rapunzel - spirited, adventurous and brave. Our hope is that when she tries on these dresses she is also thinking about putting on love, joy and kindness to share with the world.
Don't forget to join us for our Princess Dress Release TONIGHT, March 27th at 9 PM EST!
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Our inspiration for this showcase came from someone that we believe is truly the future of fashion design, 8 year old Addy.
We worked with Addy to design and create two dresses that are, quite honestly, a work of art! We invited Addy and a couple of her friends to our studio to design these two pieces together, and the results were pure magic.
Here you can see her process of brainstorming ideas from our theme, initial sketches and decision choices, to modeling her own creation.
How amazing is she??
Addy also sat down with us to share a little about her passion for design. As you can see from the photos above and the interview below, Addy is a beautiful reminder that our little girls are wonderfully gifted, remarkably creative and a real positive force in this world!
We will be offering the pieces that Addy designed on Tuesday, March 5th at 9PM EST exclusively through The Blackbird Project Facebook Group.
The Flower Power dress was a concept formed by Addy, with fabric selections made with the support of her friends who came to our studio to design together. Addy's talented mother, Taryn McElvany, helped bring her concept to life by providing the original artwork for the skirt.
The “Addy" dress is composed of the most beautiful silk textiles in shades of coral and pink. Addy picked these colors and textures herself as she wanted something feminine, strong and bright.
]]>While our Pleiades models were in the spotlight (and stole the show!), the real magic of the evening was watching the love, encouragement and support of their parents.
From the sidelines of the runway we saw how well you love your girls. We saw it in Alex’s confidence, in Anastyn’s joy, in Emily’s sweet spirit and in Amber’s drive. It was apparent in Shylee’s kind eyes, in Alika’s smile from ear to ear, in Amara’s focus and Atiyana’s poise. It was clear in Kennedy’s free spirit, in Layla’s gentleness, in Rhylan’s strength and in Alexa’s bubbling excitement.
I know some of that is her own unique spirit, but we know a whole lot of that is the love you pour into her. Undoubtedly, there are figures behind these dainty souls that are constantly encouraging, lifting up and loving on. I believe each time a girl feels that kind of love she has a runway experience of her own.
It was an absolute joy to share in the show with everyone and celebrate creativity and hard work. A big thank you to Ashley Crown Co. and Under The Evergreen for the handmade crowns and to Maya’s Curls for the custom floral hair clips that pulled together the look so perfectly. Thank you to all of the parents out there that give your daughters a runway experience daily. And thank you to all for your love and support of Pleiades Designs.
Coming up in early December, some of our one of a kind pieces that made their debut at Denver Fashion Week will be auctioned off for our 12 Days of Christmas. We will also have some very limited and special releases that include hand sewn on details and custom dyed pieces. Stay tuned for some beautifully crafted dresses coming your way! ]]>So, who could blame me?
All that said, things changed once the performance began. I remember how awestruck I felt by the movement of the dancers, the richness of the music, the striking costumes… the delicious snacks during intermission.
It’s one of those memories that I still return to in my mind during the holiday season. It reminds me of the delight and joy-filled wonder of my childhood.
It makes me smile.
As a mom, one of my greatest responsibilities I find joy in is that I get to help shape these kind of memories for my own little ones, and the holidays are such a special time for that. Whether it be the grandeur of a ballet performance, the charm of a meal with friends and family, or the excitement of choosing that perfect Christmas tree, these are moments that will continue to fill the heart of my kids for years to come.
Whatever it is that you do this holiday, know that you are making memories. So, let’s make it grand.
As a designer of children’s clothing, one my greatest joys is that I get to create beautiful things to enrich the memories of other children. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite dresses and accessories that your little one can wear for any and all events you have planned this holiday season.
Don’t forget, our Holiday Belle Dresses release Friday, November 2nd at 12PM EST!
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This Fall season we are obsessing over Boho! Natural textiles, warm earthy tones with effortless and flowey fabrics. We are so excited to introduce a new Bohemian Windsong Dress! This beauty is oh-so-perfect for transitioning from Summer to Fall.
To help share the vision for this dress, we pulled together an inspired collection of the best Fall pieces for you mamas. This collection of totally wearable favorites will match perfectly with your little one in her boho dress this fall.
Join us on Wednesday, September 12th at 9PM EST for our Bohemian Dress release!
As our kids head off to school, I want them to feel confident and unique. Our 2018 Fall Rainbow Collection pays homage to our exclusive rainbow print, but now in beautiful earth tones, gorgeous plums, warm cinnamons and muted pinks.
Here are a few of our favorite Fall accessories that will go perfectly with any of our upcoming Fall dresses.
Don't forget to join us for our Fall Rainbow Dress Release on Friday, August 31st at 3PM EST!
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We met up with an incredibly talented photographer, a fantastic shoot coordinator and a handful of beautiful little models on our second night to show off our new Flower Girl Collection in one of the most awe-inspiring places in the world. The photos we are showing off here are pure magic. The trip as a whole was one I will never forget, one I believe my children will never forget and something that will go in the books.
Embrace the silly. Let your ribs ache often. Dance when there is no music. Giggle in quiet rooms. Reach for her hand when your heart is so full it feels like it will burst. Kiss her.
Advise her but let her make her own choices. Support her, cry with her, create with her. Be someone she can always talk to, lean on or tell a secret to. Be her anchor when times get tough, her sails when she needs protection and her compass when she needs guidance. Respect her, admire her and appreciate her. Tell her she is the most beautiful girl in the room.
Above all else love her like we do, without reservation nor hesitation, exactly as she is.
Love her but leave her wild.
Laura's little one is pictured here wearing our Layla Ballerina Dress. To see more from Laura Parker, check out Happily Ever Parker!
Meet the incredible author, Laura.
I’m Laura! When I am not clocking into my 9-5 I am busy running a photography business, Laura Parker Photography, blogging over at Happily Ever Parker and being the mother to an almost four year old little lady, Presley, in addition to preparing for the birth of our second child in April! A little about me, I have an irrational fear of bears attacking me, I am happiest next to the ocean and we hardly ever leave our house without our beloved rescue dog, Finn. I lovingly call the San Francisco Bay Area home and my family and I truly enjoy all the amazing adventures that California has to offer - minus that high real estate price tag :)
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Sandy is a fashion and lifestyle blogger over at Sandy a la Mode. She specializes in sharing deals for women's clothing and stylish finds for her kiddos, with Mommy and me matching fashion being her specialty. Sandy currently lives in Utah with her husband and 2 kids, Austin (6) and Vivian (3) and along with blogging, has a full-time job as a Healthcare IT Consultant. She loves shopping (duh!), taking her kids to the park, and connecting with other mamas online and in person.
It’s pretty clear that we are all obsessed with rainbows around here, am I right? From primary color rainbows to pastel rainbows, Pleiades knocks it out of the park with their amazing girls dresses. My daughter Vivian (3 years old) absolutely loves twirling in Pleiades dresses and she pretty much feels like a princess when wearing one. She wore a pastel high low dress for her 3rd birthday unicorn party and it went so perfectly with that theme!
So in honor of our love for all things rainbow, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite rainbow products for kids. I’ve found a handful of cute rainbow pieces for your little one to wear as well as some things for them to use or play with!
Aren’t these all so cute? I definitely can see rainbows being in style pretty much forever! ;) To see an even bigger list of rainbow products for your kiddos, make sure to hop on over to Sandy a la Mode’s blog post!
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I caught up with Joy this week, and we talked about the challenges and trials associated with starting a successful blogging career and cultivating a captive online audience, while at the same time remaining true to your values. If you are thinking about starting a career in blogging, or hope to take your Instagram and Facebook following to the next level, read on because Joy has a lot of wisdom to share with you....
Lynsi: Joy, can you talk a little about how you got started blogging in the first place?
Joy: “For me it all started around community. Instagram as a whole was really just a way to connect with other moms at times when I felt alone. I remember being pregnant and searching #22weeks, just to get an idea of what other women were going through at the same stage in their pregnancy. Also, our daughter Kai is half Chinese-half Caucasian, and I would search out other moms who have mix babies just to help develop a sense of community. I continued to share into this community and share pictures of my daughter and my style and I will never forget the first time a shop wanted to work with me. That was kind of an “ah-ha” moment. I realized I could share something that I am passionate about and love, and use my creativity and ability to create content and leverage my influence for the better.”
Lynsi: Once you decided to start blogging and put your self out there, what were the challenges you ran into?
Joy: “I don’t think people realize how much time it takes. It is a constant balance to be a mom with a job and also keep a relationship with my followers and partners. I always want to answer every single comment, every single question and really connect with my followers and know who their children are and what we have in common, because the foundation of this is really the connections that we create and the relationships that develop.
Lynsi: I get a lot of questions and inquiries. As a business owner I am solicited often for collaborative work from bloggers and influencers and other brands, and while I love working with new people it can get overwhelming. And, sometimes it can even feel like a one sided attempt at receiving a product for free. As a blogger, what is your approach to this that has made you so successful?
Joy: “At every stage of my growth there has been a different emphasis and different struggles. When I was at 5-10K followers it required a lot of pitching and a lot of putting your self out there to find collaborations. I would pitch like 4-5 people a week. I would find PR emails and try to reach out to the right people for the exposure on pitching myself and gaining experience. My advice to anyone who is in this place is just to put your best foot forward. Go for it, and reach out to brands you really want to work with, and the worst thing that can happen is that they say no, and then you are right where you started. And when you do reach out, be personal. Explain why you want to work with that brand… what interests you about the specific partnership. This has to be all about a relationship and building your community, and theirs.”
Lynsi: When you started to really grow your account, what did you do to grow it and find partnerships?
Joy: “After 10K the world of influencer networks kind of open up to you that make things a little bit easier. I recommend sites like: www.revfluence.com and https://hashtagpaid.com/ and www.popularpays.com as they can be great places to connect with other influencers, brands and answer questions you have. This is more like a job application process as opposed to cold calling. But regardless, it is still important to be true to who you are. And you should not work with a brand that does not fit in with your own branding, community and the values that you represent.”
Lynsi: One thing that has been eye opening to me is that even really big brands spend a lot of time pitching other people/brands for collaborations and do receive a considerable amount of rejection. With that said, where do you see yourself going?
Joy: “I get most excited when I am given creative freedom to style and design content. These kinds of jobs are so fun to me, and I love conceptualizing an idea and seeing it come to life. I will always share pictures of my daughter and share my voice as a mom since that is where I am most comfortable and what my roots are. Also, I love working in video format now. Video allows you to really see family connections that don’t always translate onto a photo, so I plan to explore that space more.”
Lynsi: If you had to give advice to yourself two years ago when you were just starting, what would you say?
Joy: “I would say, stay true to yourself and remember why you are sharing in the first place. Stay true to your voice. Now, you will never find me sharing something that is irrelevant to my audience for the sake of a partnership. Respect your followers and build them up with your content and don’t be afraid to build into this community. The second thing I would say is, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You never know what doors will open up and the life long friendships that will develop by just putting yourself out there and being you.”
"When you put your self out there, and share your soul, it really feels good to know that there are people out there listening who relate and who maybe need to hear your story. By sharing we can all come together and find a deeper sense of fulfillment.”
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I will never forget the night of our first release. After months of work, branding, designing, setting up a website and social media we were ready to sell products to the world. That night only one piece sold… and it sold to a good friend who wanted to encourage us. Bless her heart. My heart however sank and I literally laid on the kitchen floor and cried. But it was in that moment that I realized a couple of things that I believe have shaped Pleiades and carried me through to this point: 1) This was the first time it really hit me how challenging this was going to be. Nothing worth doing really comes easy. And, 2) I knew with every fiber of my being that I have never wanted anything more in my life, and I was ready to keep going no matter how bleak our future looked.
That was 18 months ago, and at that point I would have never imagined that Pleiades would be where it is today. I started Pleiades with my dear friend Sara, and at that time we had only two goals in mind, make beautiful things and try to change the world. Seems simple right? We chose the petite but distinctly beautiful constellation as our brand name, not only because it held significant personal meaning, but because it is symbolic. A symbol of the light we wanted to shine. A symbol of the beauty we wanted to create. And, a symbol of my passion, joy and returning to the things that inspire me to create more and love better. At that time we felt prompted to use the bible verse Colossians 3:12-15 as our guiding principles and foundation to build upon:
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
In the weeks and months to follow something changed. While Sara helped us navigate those first and most challenging months, I ended up taking on Pleiades as a sole endeavor. With the support of my husband, Tim, we built up a small but very talented team. As obstacles came our way, and believe me, so many did, we leaned on the words of Colossians 3. Instead of running from conflict and failures, we wore humility. Instead of giving up when we faced mistakes, we wore discipline. Our goal has never been to be the best at anything. Rather, our goal is simply to be a vehicle for change and love, and partner with the nonprofit organizations we care about. We believe that if we can continue to do this, then we are right where we are supposed to be.
I cant wait to see what 2018 brings, but I am so grateful that you found us. I am so grateful that you are along for the ride and that together we can PUT ON LOVE in more ways than one.
Lynsi