Valley Vintage has begun thriving as a business. With our official one year anniversary as a business happening this month, I have no doubts that VVLLC will continue to grow and be something I will continue to love curating and running.

Jillian Lyons Designs on the other hand, has had a very troublesome year. Sales had progressively gone down. On top of this I had burned myself out last year from crafting. I took a break for a while. I had very little inspiration or drive. I think this is something many artists go through at one time or another. To make matters worse, I hurt my arm and wrist for a prolonged period of time at the height of the Holiday season. When 2015 rolled around, my precious JLD started to feel like it was dead in the water. I toyed with the idea of closing it. Putting all my eggs in the vintage basket seemed like what would eventually happen. But it hurt me deeply to have to publicly say my inspiration is gone and so is JLD.

Then Marissa at Sassy Mouth Photography tapped me to use some of my angel wings in a Victoria Secret inspired series of photo shoots. As I said in a previous post, I HAD to say yes. She was practically magical! I admired her work. So off I went.

Seeing her finished images moved me. I was finally ready to make wings again! The flood gates opened and I started creating. I also started posting new items to Jillian Lyons Designs for the first time in a year. It felt so good. Like an awakening of my authentic self.

Soon enough offers came my way. PopUp55 offered us the use of their wonderful pop up shop space for a 2 week run with a Spring theme. Assuming they meant Valley Vintage I started curating bright Spring colors in my mind. Then a surprise. Elinor Slomba, my contact at PopUp55 and New Haven's Project Storefronts said no. She was actually looking for Jillian Lyons Designs to bring in the Spring. I was surprised, nervous, worried. Even though I had new product, I wasn't sure if JLD was enough for the PopUp55 shop. or it's New Haven customers. I negotiated for both vintage clothing and my costumey accessories to have a presence there. Elnor said ok, but let's say Jillian Lyons Designs @ PopUp55.



So that brings us to the present. I have just wrapped up my two week long pop up shop event. What I learned from this, is that people liked Jillian Lyons Designs. I sold both old and new products. The things I felt weren't my strengths did just as well as the things I thought were shoe ins. AND the vintage clothes weren't the huge success I expected them to be. They did EQUAL business.

I learned many valuable lessons about working with a staff, what works for me in person versus online, how to better market myself in all respects. I learned so much that the powers that be from PopUp55 / Project Storefronts have invited me to share my experience and Etsy marketing tips at a workshop. So on April 23rd I will be at The Haven Collective giving a little talk about all of these things. This is happening from 7:30 - 9pm at 938 State Street New Haven. You can find more info HERE.

In my next post I'll be adding some of the gorgeous shots from our Pop Up Photo Shoot on the streets of NHV! For now you can find a few in the I Love New Haven blog, courtesy of Mr. Chris Randall.

You know what never ceases to amaze me? The small business brands that come alive in and around New Haven. I think the area attracts the best and brightest of Connecticut to come and share their passion. It's pretty fantastic.

The Haven Collective hosted a 3 hour event to welcome just such a brand, Cinder + Salt. Owner / designer Rachel DeCavage creates low impact printed t-shirts, ties and totes with unique graphics and slogans. I was drawn to a tote that had Makin' Moves emblazoned on it in hot pink lettering. I couldn't resist!



Cinder + Salt with Vintanthromodern Vintage create a unique marriage in The Haven Collective. The main focus has been put back on vintage clothing. But Cinder + Salt sprinkle in modern appeal with color and vibrancy. It also lends more men's oriented products to The Haven Collective's inventory. These skinny ties for example are ridiculously cool. Look at the spaceman! Love!




So if you happen to be in the New Haven area or are  looking for some new duds, hit up The Haven Collective! You're bound to find something with such diverse pickings in a trendy boutique setting.

Have you ever just met someone and instantly liked them? Marissa Balletti-Lavoie was that person for me. I met her about a year ago at an event and her personality really made an impression. Her business name, Sassy Mouth Photography was THE most fitting name I've seen in a long time.

So naturally when she contacted me and asked if she could borrow some of my Jillian Lyons Designs angel wings for a Victoria Secret style budoir session, I had to say yes! In return, she gave me my own photo session! I had been wanting to take some promtional and person shots. Marissa's plan, that we had to make me up like the kitty in my JLD logo. She had a little tiara, I snagged some items from my various collections. I literally practiced being a cat in the mirror for a few days.

My boyfriend and partner in Valley Vintage, Matt was game to do some shots together. I always think Matt is the most fun to take pictures of. He makes good faces, and he's a funny guy. I love to point my camera in his direction. I couldn't wait to see what she would do. The result? She made some magic. Here's a little sampling of a few of my favorites.










I also used my awesome powers of graphic design to make this flyer for our upcoming two week long pop up shop! I totally love it. This picture... priceless! I knew I needed some shots to promote with but this was just too good! I giggle every time I look at this flyer. I keep telling Matt he's famous. ;)

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. If you don't know about the cult following of this film, you have been living under a rock since 1975. It is probably the original cult flick. The greatest of the cult flicks. So when I heard that it was actually playing in my home town of Seymour, I about came out of my skin.


Seymour is located in a little burrow of Connecticut called the Valley. Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Oxford, Beacon Falls and Naugatuck make up the recently dubbed All American Valley. This is a mix of mostly blue collar and middle class who work hard, play hard and are usually in bed by 10:00. So color me surprised when I heard that the Seymour Strand Theater was not only encouraging full on costumes, but also selling bags with all the prop pieces you need for the flick - INCLUDING the messy stuff! Rice, toast, squirt guns, confetti, playing cards, you name it and it was in there for a mere $5! (I know, I can already hear you say whaaaaaatttttt from here.) However, this was NOT a midnight screening. Doors opened at 8:15 and there was a costume contest around 9:00. (Which yours truly did enter!) The flick was running by 9:30. All of us Seymorians were back at home by midnight. The freaks came out, but not as late as you'd think.

Prop bags. They were only $5!

I went into full on costume in a short period of time mode, for the second time in 2 weeks. I had to be Magenta. Like it wasn't even an option for anything else. I have a Magenta statue in my living room. I had the perfect idea for my own campy twist on it.

Our car had been getting fixed for the past two weeks, so I lucked out when we got it back in the nick of time for this event. I was able to run out to a local Ocean State Job Lot and buy 2 king size inexpensive pillow cases. I used these to make my apron for the show. I had a black top that had the right plunging neckline and cut for my not so sweet Magenta. Also a black short skirt I had hemmed a few years back. Fishnets are always in my drawer for costume emergencies! I also had a bevvy of false lashes. I went almost full on drag with my make up. Playing up Magenta's eye make up to the extreme and getting almost a Bianca del Rio version for my look. I was pretty pleased. I practiced my intense Magenta face on Instagram too! The response was just what I was hoping for.

Magenta make up test shot. Why yes, that is a doily on my head.

So off we went! It was great - until we pulled in, and I had a moment of panic. Everyone was in street clothes!!!!! We already bought the tickets. I painted my face like a fucking drag queen *panic* am I the only one who did this!?! I calmed myself and my boyfriend and friend helped talk me down a little. Fuck it, who cares. It's fun. That's right it's suppose to be FUN! So I said screw it, I'll be the freak then. I got out of the car and as I was walking across the lot I heard someone yell "Oh thank God!" I looked to my left and a Magenta and Columbia waved at me, half hiding. I waved back and said Yes!!!! Come with me! We'll go together! Instant friends were made and we all walked to the theater.

InstaFriends!

Now here's where things start getting wild. More and more people show up. A few more costumes, people started relaxing and laughing. Then this woman comes up to me and hugs me. She's thanking me for dressing up! She's a little tipsy and super excited about the show. She had been waiting decades to see it with a real audience. She loved Magenta and thanked me over and over for doing such a cool costume and make up. She literally grabs my face and starts reciting my Magenta lines. I admit I froze for a minute. I wasn't sure if she was going to kiss me, rape me, or was just super excited. That moment of what is happening here? She gave me a kiss on the cheek and thanked me for making her night and skipped off into the crowd. I shook off the nervous and thought, well, I guess that was ok. Then I took her picture!

Super excited virgin here! Know your assailant.

Just when I thought this night could not be any more surreal, my Aunt showed up! Aunt Mindy joined us in the crazy fun and brought her own prop bag and party hat! She took pics of me in the costume contest like a proud mama, which rocked! And even jumped on stage to do the Time Warp!

Aunt Mindy!

Magenta & Sleep Over Columbia

Psychedelic Riff Raff

Another lovely Magenta!

Pretty Magentas all in a row.

Inspector Mike led the crowd as our MC. He pulled a "virgin" on stage to teach her the Time Warp. Led us through what to expect, and encouraged everyone on stage to get in on the Time Warp.

The costume contest was a blast. Naturally the dude who showed up with the balls to dress as Frankenfurter won by a landslide! That dude deserved everything he won! That took.....balls, which you could pretty much see... I did not win best Magenta, but I sure as Hell acted like I did! Like a boss!

Guess who's ready for her close up now...

Presenting Seymour's own Frankenfurter!

Everyone was a pile of giggles.

So it was official, this was one crazy night. Who knew all this was hiding in my sweet little Suddenly Seymour. 

Well it's been eons since I have posted anything here. But with a New Year comes new goals for myself and for Jillian Lyons Designs. So with 2014 my hope is to be in more shops across the state of Connecticut and maybe even break out into other states. I also want to start doing one in person event a month. I am kicking that off in mere days with LOVE Haven 2014.

This stellar event is brought to you by Haven events. A collaborative group of ladies that includes Melissa Gonzales (Vintanthromodern Vintage, Gathered + Sown) Meg Kazukynas (23rd/1st) Kate Stephen (Kate Stephen Jewelry) Jemma Williams (Jemmanimals) and Sarah Scribe Bratchell (Bella Rev. Jewelry). I hope I didn't miss anyone! But these ladies bring forth an event like no other. Totally hip and taking place in the artful graffiti housed Trolley Square in New Haven. This show will bring you indie vendors, a DiY Craft Table, a fine art exhibit as well local DJ's, rappers, bands and spoken word poets.

Please be sure to stop by and say hello! Besides, after all this snow, you'll be glad you got out of the house!

I met Petra Szilagyi one afternoon inside of the English Building Market in a work related meeting. At the time we both were assisting Melissa Gonzales of Vintanthromodern Vintage. Petra was knee deep in vintage clothing and  accessories while designing a 1920's window display. I instantly liked her when she cheered upon hearing about the drag queen patrons who were buying up some of Vintanthromodern's wares. 

I LOVE HALLOWEEN! Like to a ridiculous degree. It is my favorite holiday. My kitchen is decorated for Halloween pretty much year round. (The only time it comes down is for Christmas!) Really I love everything about just the month of October. It's Fall in Connecticut and the leaves have started to turn those dazzling shades of red, orange and gold. This is also my birthday month. So the whole month is filled with horror movies, fun events and birthday celebrations!

Back in July I was already thinking about All Hallow's Eve. Sara Kenny, a friend and sometimes model ha an amazing idea for a photo shoot. I had said I wanted to do something period themed. Like Pride and Prejudice. Sara said she wanted to do period piece zombies. That was it. I was in, we had a plan and a photo shoot was born! Sara orchestrated the entire project. A huge team was assembled to take on this shoot. Sara brought in her best friend and friend to Jillian Lyons Designs, Shelby Threloff. Shelby brought in her mother, super dress maker Beth Threloff who also makes costumes for Wallingford's Trail of Terror! Shelby's boyfriend also joined in as our male model, Duke Davis, another alumni of the Trail of Terror. I added in Caity Taylor, a very natural model who has a regency look to her ala Pride and Prejudice to round out our modeling team. Having just graduated from UConn and about to start spending most of her time in NYC, I was lucky to book her! But I had an in - she's also my cousin!

This shoot took weeks to plan. We all messaged each other regularly. I designed pieces around the concept of period piece zombies. So for me the key ingredient was going to be the photographers and the make up. I wanted nice close ups I could use to promote my business for the Fall! Sara and Shelby were no strangers to the world of prosthetic make up. Being fans of cosplay and conventions of all kinds they jumped head first into this task. They brought on Deidre Deth for all of our prosthetics. Her work took about 2 hours, and so completely rocked my socks off! To add a touch of glamour make up artist Sarah Mrazik came in and applied a beauty to the zombies. Pretty zombies! Glamorous, period piece pretty zombies!

Deidre Deth and Sara Kenny.

Shelby Threloff is one adorable zombie!

Sarah Mrazik with model Caity Taylor.

Caity is ready for her close up now Ms. Lyons.

Deidre Deth creating a nasty bite wound for Duke Davis.

There was a serious buzz in the air the day of our shoot. Everyone dove head first into this project. Photographers Brooke Cadett and Shawn Baskum were brought in. We all met at a beautiful location chosen by Sara in the woods of Wallingford. It was perfect. Then the magic happened. Matt and I sat back and relaxed in the summer sun while Brooke captured some amazing shots.

All photos below are courtesy of B.Cadett Photography.

An amazing shot of Caity Taylor.

The best picture of the day!

You can find many of these items pictures in my Etsy shop! Thanks for reading!