Simple Birthday Crafting: Nature-Patched Handkerchief for Dad

Jacqui and Scott Scoggin, the married couple who comprise Slide Sideways, have always been two of our very favorite people here at Assemble (plus their designs aren't too shabby either!). I picked these little patches up at their booth at Urban Craft Uprising last month, with plans to sew them onto a bandana for my dad on his birthday. A regular outdoorsman, my dad always seems to go out hunting or fishing, wearing a handkerchief around his neck. These little patches made me think of him.

Screen Printed Nature Patches by Slide Sideways, available in their online shop, $14

After pre-washing the bandana, I used regular sewing pins to hold the patches in place, and merely stitched slowly around them with a standard needle in my sewing machine. Easy as cake! Plus oh-so-cute. I sewed three onto the handkerchief and left one floating for use on whatever he would like. Happy Birthday, Dad! We don't have these patches on our website, but you can definitely grab some from Slide Sideways on their website here.


Happy gathering!

Emily's Fashion Tips for the New (and On-the-Go) Mom

Constantly dealing with baby spit up and playing in the wet sandbox with a toddler prevents me from being too creative with my wardrobe. But that doesn't mean moms should be confined to a life of oversized hoodies and leggings. New moms should be able to feel cute enough to go out for coffee without much fuss, and still be comfortable enough to play at the park. So how do we juggle the need to be accessible to our kids and still feel like hip mamas? Here are a few common conundrums and my tips for getting by:

1, 4. Always running around? Ditch the bulky diaper bag. Especially now with two kiddos, I need both hands available and I run in and out of the house several times before getting on the road. Go for versatile slip on sneakers and a cute backpack. I opt for the Foldsack No. 1 and these comfortable Bensimon Tennis Shoes. Hey--check it out! Assemble colors!

2, 6 + 7. No time to shower? Use dry shampoo, a pretty scarf (this one's from the always subtly chic J. Crew), and some NARS lip gloss. I just discovered dry shampoo last year, and it's a miracle! And, the NARS makeup can be used as blush or eye shadow!

3. In-between sizes? Instead of black leggings, which are an easy habit to fall into while losing your baby weight, find high-waisted jeans with a little stretch. These high-risers from Madewell are my go-to pair.

5. I'm late already?! Get a watch - time moves faster with wee ones. Try to find an easily wipe-able band. I like this one from Breo.

8. Breastfeeding. I despise those wrap-style jersey nursing tops. Opt for button-downs (for easy access, yet full coverage) and choose a pattern, like this adorable one from the GAP, since they help hide messes.

Images as linked above.

Friday Finds: It Don't Matta' If You're Black Or White

We haven't done a product post in a while, so I thought we'd kick off your weekend with some fun black and white finds! The main reason for the black and white being that I've had Michael Jackson's "Black or White" stuck in my head for about three days now for some unknown reason. Regardless, don't miss the flashback video at the end of this post. For now, check out our favorite black and white treats!


1. A Mr. Raccoon 5x7 Print by Berkley Illustration! This raccoon spends his days in a science lab experimenting with ways to convert garbage into an alternative fuel source. Occasionally he will indulge in a snack from his test pile. $10

2. Saddle Shoes! I can hear my mother right now, lamenting about the fact that her generation did this first. Yes, yes, Mom, I know! But they're still awesome! I'm hoping to grab myself a pair of these sometime soon. These are Cooperative Two-Tone Saddle Oxfords from Urban Outfitters, $49. (I'm a size 7, Mom--you know, in case you were wondering).

3. The cutest Frying Pan-da ever. $54.99 from ModCloth.

4. The Alpaca Baby Baggu. I've been dying for a Baggu for a while now. My favorite is the striped canvas, but I love this nylon Alpaca too! $7 from Baggu.

5. You can never have enough Washi Tape! I love these Black & White Patterns from Chickydoodle on Etsy, $8.50 for 3.

6. A Boston Terrier Oval Plushie Pillow, for all of you Boston lovers. So cute, made with high-quality upcycled textiles, $70 from Three Bad Seeds for Assemble.

Now here's a treat for you, complete with controversial ending. Remember how state-of-the-art this was at the time??

Michael Jackson - Black Or White from Varol Maksutoğlu on Vimeo.

Sweet Teef

Are any of you fans of the fantastic blog, My Milk Toof? It's pretty much the greatest thing ever: the adventures of two little teeth, ickle and Lardee, and their goldfish, Carrot. So sweet, charming and authentically unique. Plus, I'm so glad to hear that the creator has made a book. What a great gift idea!


Photo via My Milk Toof
This picture is my favorite (I love raccoon-skin caps!):

My Milk Toof

Now of course I need the book, dang! These got me thinking of little ickle and Lardee. Brand new rubber stamps with new, awesome egg carton packaging from The Small Object. Look at that little toof! We have a bunch in stock right now at our online shop.

And for your sweet toof, check out this recipe from Smitten Kitchen for Pink Lemonade bars. I know what I'm making this week!!

The Business of Happiness

I was chatting with a customer the other day about what exactly we do at Assemble. It's a simple question on the surface, but when it gets right down to it, there is nothing that one NEEDS other than food, shelter and water, and we definitely don't sell any of that. (Well, sometimes we give out glasses of wine, but that's beside the point).

We sell beautiful products made by mindful, thoughtful designers and teach crafting techniques. No one NEEDS these things to survive and live, so what business are we in exactly? We are in the business of happiness. We love having folks come into our shop and to our website and squeal with delight at the little treasures they find that make them smile. And in the scheme of things, isn't that just as important?

This morning, I watched a documentary entitled Happy. It was so interesting learning about the elements that make up a human's happiness. So, I'm getting down to the simple things. Things that are pretty, things that I just like. Here are a few of them:



1. Matchbook Magazine: Matchbook is a monthly online-magazine that details everything about a beautiful life. Profiles of successful designers, makers and doers, plus fashion, factoids and articles make this one a favorite of mine to devour in twenty minutes.

2. A friend of ours owns and operates Bananafish Studios, and her stamp collection is inspiring and definitely happy. One of my new favorites is this "Today" stamp. Make a list, remind yourself to live in the moment, or document your day. Coming soon, $2.50

3. Coffee. Isn't this stuff just great? I like to mix it with Chocolate Soy milk. Mmmm.

4. Fiesta Ware has a brand new color: Flamingo! So cheerful and oh-so-chic.

5. The Small Object (new products coming soon in our shop!) has a new product out: this sparkly Gold Heart Pin, $12. From Sarah of TSO, "I created this heart pin for me. I needed it--a super sparkly gold glitter glitzy pin for my lapel to spread the love with whomever set their sights on me that day. It's like imaginary fairy dust folks and it feels good. Dress up the night! Shine on!"