Here’s another post brought to you by my friend Sarah Lorsung Tvrdik of Fash Flood where she shares style inspiration, hair and makeup tutorials, and images from her fantastically beautiful life. She agreed to unleash her styling expertise on some of her favorite pieces from our 2011 dress collection. Last month she showed how to style our Nicole Dress for a formal event, and this time around she is sharing how to create a more casual look with the same dress. Remember that you can order each of our dresses in your own favorite color!

Hello Lasertron readers! I’m back again wearing the Nicole dress for an easy day-to-night look.

I recently wore this dress for a day trip to Kansas City, Missouri for my second wedding anniversary. Have you ever had one of those trips when you weren’t sure what to pack because of the quickly transitioning weather? That was definitely this trip. When I packed it was bright and sunny in Omaha and barely cold at all. In Kansas City it was chilly, overcast and even a little rainy.

For this casual daytime look, I paired the Nicole dress with a sunny vintage sweater cape, swirly purple Missoni for Target tights and camel colored Leifsdottir flats. I didn’t initially plan on the wearing the tights, but I had to out of necessity since it was freezing!

This look turned out great for my day trip because I was able to wear the dress for both the daytime -when we went shopping and drank a million cups of coffee, and for dinner -I just threw on a dressier vintage beaded cardigan and heels and was good to go. In my previous post, I wore this dress with a petticoat, but this time I wore the dress alone and the skirt still had plenty of volume.

A little about our trip; we went to one of our favorite restaurants in Kansas City, the Blue Bird Bistro (lots of vegetarian/vegan options) and then ran into a Día de los Muertos themed exhibit around the corner from the restaurant. For anyone unfamiliar, November 2^nd is Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. You can read more about the history of this day here.

Nevertheless, I’m not sure exactly what this place was, as it was closed for the day but it seemed like some sort of cultural center. I loved all the traditional, multi-colored flags and had to sneak into their courtyard for a few photos. There was even a Día de los Muertos Steve Jobs shrine in the courtyard (not pictured, we thought it would be a little weird to pose by it).

All in all, this dress was great for traveling and kept me from stopping back at our hotel to re-do my entire look to go from day to night. Visit the shop at Princess Lasertron to read more about the Nicole dress!

Until next time,
Sarah of fashflood.com

P.S. Like this style? Read about another stop on our trip on my blog.

This post was written for me by my friend Sarah Lorsung Tvrdik, purveyor of style and beauty at her style blog Fash Flood. She’s truly a local fashion plate and a longtime inspiration to me since we first met in 2005 when our boyfriends (now husbands) were roommates! She introduced me to MAC cosmetics, my beloved hair dresser Rebecca, the worship of Miu Miu footwear and the show Mad Men. I owe her so much, and even more after she agreed to unleash her styling expertise on some of her favorite pieces from our 2011 dress collection. She first took home our Nicole dress in Emerald Green, which is beautiful on her. Remember that you can order each of our dresses in your own favorite color! Here is the first in a series of Fash Flood x Lasertron posts written by Sarah–The Emerald City!

Named after one of my favorite local models, the vivid, emerald green frock known as the “Nicole” dress is my pick for the first of many Fash Flood x Princess Lasertron posts to come. (Note of Bias: This *might* have a little something to do with being a redhead)

For this series, I’ll be demonstrating how to dress each piece ‘up’ for formal events and how to dress it ‘down’ for everyday use. This dress was the perfect choice to begin with because of its saturated hue (a HUGE fall trend) and fabric; being made in 100% cotton makes anything more versatile, and I was excited to find that you can even wash this dress at home–on gentle, of course.

I paired the Nicole dress with a few of my favorite vintage accessories (All of my vintage accessories are my “favorite”, btw) like this magenta satin sash from Coriander on Etsy, black and white hat and gloves, white cat eye shades and glittering Christian Louboutins (my wedding shoes, eek!).

I’m also wearing a crinoline made by Princess Lasertron underneath the skirt to add volume. And let me tell you, once you go crinoline, you can’t go back. I want to wear this sucker under every skirt I own. Such a great versatile item that I can’t believe I lived without.

Hair was kept simple in an off to the side braid, which seems to be a newish trend in the bridal world; favoring simplicity over the hard-headed up-do’s of the past. At my own wedding, a few of my bridesmaids chose braids or side ponytails which I loved.

To finish this look I mixed MAC’s ‘Girl About Town” with “Impassioned” lipsticks and added a little lime green shadow (MAC’s “Bitter”) and finished it off with a dramatic cat eye liner (Lancôme Art Liner in “Noir”) and Lancôme’s Doll Lashes mascara.

This look is perfect for any non-traditional bridesmaid, to wear to your own bridal shower or even to attend the formal wedding of a close friend or relative. Did I mention this dress has pockets? You don’t even need a clutch, just tuck your favorite lipstick in the pocket and dance your pretty little heart out.

Thanks again to Megan and the Princess Lasertron team for letting me try out this lovely dress. I’ll see all of you lovely readers next time, when I use this dress for a casual look. In the meantime, you can check out my blog at fashflood.com.

xo, Fash Flood

The morning after my runway show, Kat and I went on Morning Blend, a local morning TV show.

Kat wore the hot pink crinoline I made for her dress–I love how she paired it with a simple t-shirt and boots. It’s a piece that you can wear so many ways and she made it fit her style exactly.

Here’s also a preview of a photoshoot we did with Daniel Muller and Esoteric Velvet. I can’t wait to see the rest of the set–all I need to say is that we set a guitar on fire!

Photo by Daniel Muller

xo
meg

_____________________________________________________________________

The value of the time and knowledge my friends have shared with me is worth more than I could ever afford to pay them in my life. So much of my happiness and personal growth was catalyzed by the gifts people have shared with me. Like when my photographer friend helped me take some pictures of my products for free. Or when my friend Rachel showed me how to make pom poms out of coffee filters. Or when my friend Eric takes me for pizza even though he doesn’t eat any. When my mom makes cookies for my parties.

Share your favorite Radvent prompt with a friend and talk about your responses together.

_____________________________________________________________________

Writer and Rad Woman Wendy Townley has been following along with Radvent this year and has shared a few of the prompts on her personal blog. I saw her today at a party and we sat together and talked with a few of our friends about this project and what we have gotten out of it. It’s easy to say that you will write every day, but it’s so hard to think of good post ideas on your own after a while. It’s great to write every day, but what if you have nothing to say?

And even if you don’t write. We don’t all make time to every day (this entry is late). Even then, I like to have a question or a suggestion to roll around in my mind as I’m waiting in traffic, brushing my teeth, walking to get coffee, rinsing my hair in the shower…and hopefully if nothing else, that is what you can take from a journaling project like this.

Wendy has shared a lot of laughs and hugs with me, and she also offered to share a free copy of her book with one of you!

My friend Wendy offered to give away a free signed copy of her book Nerdy Thirty to one of my readers this week, and to win, just leave a comment on this post. As always, it’s open to international readers and the winner will be chosen Friday (Happy Christmas Eve to you!). I’ll even throw in a felt-covered journal and a few other goodies from my stash here at CAMP.

Photo by Steve Gordon Jr. …And peep the cover designed by my bff Downs Design!

Nerdy Thirty is a slim, easy-to-read little volume full of humorous essays that recall Wendy’s personal experiences with painful awkwardness and nerdiness from her childhood up until the big three-oh. She is one of my personal role models as a woman who doesn’t ask for credit, doesn’t show off or brag–she is just amazingly accomplished and successful on her own and is a shining example of a person in control of her own destiny! She doesn’t ask for permission or check to make sure it’s okay with the crowd before she moves onto reaching her next goal and I love that. As I read her book, I feel myself nodding and smiling at her stories–some of which are so familiar to me. I think every person can see themselves somewhere in Wendy’s essays and laugh along, feeling kindred spirits in the nerdy masses.

Comment to enter the giveaway for a copy of Nerdy Thirty by Wendy Townley and some goodies thrown in from me!

______________________________________________________________________

Click on the thumbnail below to download a printable .pdf of today’s radvent journaling prompt! Or check out the graphic on Flickr.

Are you writing your own radvent responses in your journal or blog? Feel free to share the link–they are awesome sources of inspiration for everyone!

For months now I have been so excited about the opening of Birdhouse Collectible, the amazing new interior design shop full of one-of-a-kind pieces to style, furnish, and decorate your space. Curated by Jessica McKay, the coolest interior designer in Omaha, Birdhouse Collectible is the perfect source for affordable and original pieces hand-picked by Jessica and her expert design team.

The Birdhouse Collectible team goes to market in different cities to find vendors. Most of the furniture is found at auctions or through estate sales, and they are the only place to find handmade pieces by local furniture designer Peter Cales (who created beautiful meeting tables at both CAMP and Birdhouse!). They also contact small vendors scouted on Etsy and through other blogs.

The aesthetic at Birdhouse is a mix of shabby chic, Anthro, rustic log cabin, and upcycled vintage–truly eclectic and easy to integrate into your own aesthetic.

Every time I visit, Jessica has rearranged or redecorated the showroom in a new and interesting way that inspires me to experiment with my own spaces in my home. There’s always new inventory coming in, whether it’s a vintage reupholstered
swivel chair or a collection of lab glass-inspired vases.

One of Jessica’s strengths as an interior designer is creating spaces that truly reflect the personal style of her clients. Visiting Birdhouse Collectible is like shopping with your own personal stylist–I always leave with something that is within my budget and perfect for my space, and plenty of ideas and inspiration for my next furniture arrangement or color scheme.

Follow Birdhouse Collectible on twitter and add Jessica’s blog to your reader–she is always talking about tips for your space, sharing super inspirational photos of homes she has redesigned, and giving readers a peek into the design business. I love it!

The Birdhouse Collectible showroom is open Saturdays from noon-6pm in the Mastercraft Building at 1111 N 13th St!

Go find something special here. It’s my favorite place to buy things for my home, hostess gifts, and browse for inspiration.

xo
meg

My final Omaha Fashion Week post comes at a very sad time for our community as we learned that Jessica Latham, owner of Bellwether Boutique in the Old Market here in Omaha and mama to three-year-old Avery took her own life last night. She was charismatic, extraordinarily beautiful, a role model and inspiration to so many people as a businessowner, mother, and friend. I always regarded her as the cool chick I wanted to be. My heart is very heavy and like many others, I’m still in a state of disbelief. I wasn’t close to her but I knew her socially and I hope that her family feels the cloud of sympathy and deep, heartfelt love surrounding them.

Not to put a pall over this post. Jessica was an outspoken supporter of fashion as art, which is one of the biggest themes celebrated each year by the Omaha Fashion Week organization. From the moment you walk into Nomad Lounge for each party or show throughout the week, you notice design and art as a running thread throughout the events–painted mannequins (by local artists including Jordan Becker and Nicolette Biskamp), the use of vintage sewing machines, and the sculptural and architectural beauty of the space itself, which also lends its walls as gallery space for local artists.

This year’s formal theme was “piecing together raw talent,” (punny, although I’m not sure it represents the expert design and regional authority they wanted to connote) and the designers this year definitely combined to form a motley representation of the Omaha fashion scene. From the futuristic designs of Dan Richters to the folded origami-like newspaper creations of 17-year-old Claire Landolt, the interpretation of fashion through different media shared the spotlight with the more traditional offerings–long flowing gowns from designer Buf Reynolds, vintage-inspired silhouettes from me, and sexy swimwear from nationally-known designer Michaela Cawley, and dozens of others. I really commend the OFW organizers for making an effort to include all of the designers who wanted to put themselves out there to be seen.

I wanted to wait a few weeks to write this to process the outcomes and calm down from the stress and excitement of the entire event. For me, it obviously wasn’t just that week–I applied to be in the finale show in February, organized my runway show in March (in just two weeks), then spent all summer preparing for the big week in September. I also had some tense moments with the OFW organizers and needed some time to consider my words for this post.

Two weeks later, I am still receiving comments both in person and through social media about what a great success that week was. A lot of things were done well and resulted in an awesome experience for both the designers and audience.

• WOWT Channel 6 did an amazing job with their involvement in producing the show and creating an amazing video of the final runway event. I love that those who couldn’t attend got a chance to see the event on tv and that designers had a chance to watch their shows later in a well-produced lovely little package. (Here’s my show–thanks WOWT!)
• I loved the section of photographers at the end of the runway. It gave each photographer a great vantage point. I loved seeing the same subjects through each photographer’s artistic interpretation.
• The OFW organizers displayed some BRILLIANTLY quick thinking when the forecast for the open-air finale show called for rain and 40-degree temps. They rented tents, heaters, and moved the show from the open street to underneath an overpass adjoining the venue. Brilliant solution to a problem that was completely out of everybody’s hands.
• Everybody who attended the show as a guest commented to me about how well-organized the show was and that everyone was able to get a good view of the runway. I’m glad all the attendees felt they got bang for their buck.
• Next year’s even is planned for August–no competition with New York Fashion Week and it’ll be warm! GREAT idea.

There were also some elements of OFW that could be improved upon for next year.

• I wish that each of the 15 designers for the finale show could have received a few free VIP tickets for their families or friends. I wanted my elderly grandma to have a nice seat, but not for $100. Maybe I’m acting overly entitled. My mom ended up winning free VIP tickets through a contest so that was awesome.
• The lack of urban/streetwear design was kind of a bummer. I did hear a lot of screen printers and streetwear designers complain about not being included in the week, but I’m not sure they knew that they had to actually reach out to someone to be included. I think if more designers with that aesthetic approached the organizers with ideas about how to integrate a more organic, multicultural aesthetic into the week, they would be well-received.
• As a behind-the-scenes person, I often felt that there was a lot of over-management within the OFW organizational ranks. Too many cooks in the kitchen.  Maybe a task manager needed to give clearer directives to workers, maybe they could have sought more community involvement to lighten their burden, I have no idea what went on behind-the-scenes there so I can only speculate.  I felt like some details (e.g. model casting, choosing music) were overcomplicated to the point of making needless extra work for everybody.  I will speak only for myself and say that some of the miscommunications I received through the organization were just so confusing and embarrassing that it made me question whether I wanted to go on with my participation. This clearly isn’t something perceived by attendees (in past years, when I wasn’t a designer, everything seemed nothing but well-organized), although word gets out. In any case I know each year brings improvements in the organization and I am looking forward to next year, and being part of the solution rather than the pain in the ass I was this year.
• It may have just been the cold, but I heard lots of complaints about the length of the finale show. It was too long. I’m never sure about the “intermission entertainment” either…in future years, maybe just have a dj. Or, I loved the graffiti mural artists of OFW year 1–maybe that could come back. Simplify. People just want permission to get up, walk around, talk–they don’t want to feel obliged to watch a performance. Just my opinion.
• As I alluded to before, in the future I would love to see more integration between the Omaha Fashion Week identity and marketing and local designers and branding experts. We have a vast network here in Omaha of graphic designers, programmers, web coders, and people who want to use their connections to help increase Omaha’s bright shining spot on the map. The OFW workers have enough to-dos on their lists, so I encourage these local business and thought leaders to come forward and volunteer their ideas rather than wait to be called on like a kid in the back row.
• If models are going to smoke, they need an cigarette receptacle outside AWAY from the door. Nothing is more disgusting than lipsticked-on toxic cigarette trash all over the sidewalk, or the smell it carries into the workspace.

I had a lot of nerves coming up to the finale event–none about the success of my runway show, but that the atmosphere of chaos and disorganization backstage would throw off my composure. I couldn’t have been more wrong–everyone had their shit to-geth-uh. I made friends with other designers and models, and met several new media contacts. Most importantly to me, the event was an opportunity to bring my models and team together and experience kind of a sisterly (and brotherly, with Steve, Eric, Greg, and Dave) bond with so many women and men who believe in me, love Omaha as much as I do, and wanted nothing but success for the entire endeavor.

I work hard for the money, not for the personal connections, but I didn’t realize they would be just as valuable to me. Today I was reminded that they are the most valuable and important. Bellwether Jessica’s impact on Omaha should be celebrated and her personal passion of vintage quality and local work influenced so many stylemakers now. I can’t wait for next year’s Omaha Fashion Week because I think our community has been so stirred to create an experience for our region that will stand up against the major fashion events all over the world.

So thank you. Thank you Omaha. Thank you readers and fans for your posts and retweets and for spreading the word about my work. Thank you.

All photos by Mike Machian

I love all the planning that went on behind the scenes–a gray and yellow theme, the girls coordinating with Dave and my mom to have my favorite snacks, a sweet playlist and a casual atmosphere. If I were to imagine the best baby shower I ever went to, all of my friends would be invited regardless of gender and nobody would have to put their butt in a chair and play a game. It’s the perfect approach to party planning and Sarah and Kristal were awesome hostesses!

“Welcome to Earf” is a Will Smith quote. Can anyone name that movie?

Kristal made vegan cupcakes so Dave could have them too.

My good friend Eric Downs came and even designed this little Alice graphic and printed it on his wrapping paper! He is moving into CAMP with me next month and I think he is as excited as Dave and I are about this kid. Anyway I framed the graphic and it’s hanging in her room until we get some other pictures!

My friends Jen and Jenny got us these onesies and Jenny actually took the time to embroider one…

Isn’t that mindblowing? She even replicated the typeface I use for my branding. I can’t believe the thoughtfulness, I have the coolest friends.

My mom and dad came and gave us lots of vintage toys which I love. One package held a big stack of Little Golden Books…remember those? This one is called “We Help Daddy.” Surprisingly (?) it’s not sexist at all and the message is very cute.

This book is titled “I Can Fly” and the girl in it is a little naughty…

We got a lot of yellow rompers and dresses. I’m stoked on this one because I have a dress just like it. And yes I will be the mom that dresses her kids to match her.

My little friend Tatiana (her sweet mama was one of my models) helped Jenny keep a list of the gifts and drew me some pictures too.

LOVE this chair. It’s the one I sat in for the Omaha Magazine photoshoot!

Dave and I were sitting on our porch today, eating leftover pizza, talking about how lucky we are to have such kind and generous friends. We were so surprised when Kristal and Sarah offered to have this party for us, and it was a much-needed chance for us to reconnect with all of our pals for a last time all together before our life takes this huge turn around the bend. As one of the first couples in our friends group to have kids, it feels nice to know that they aren’t bailing out on us, know what I mean? They are all just so thoughtful. It was the best day.

Photos taken by Jon Tvrdik and my mom. More here!

Joi is my partner in the Princess Lasertron by Dress Forms dress line launching this September, and she was recently honored by sewing machine manufacturer Baby Lock as their newest national spokeswoman (or “spokessewer,” as Joi puts it). After Joi won the Passion for Fashion competition at the last American Sewing Expo, Baby Lock identified her as an up-and-coming “design star.” She will also be adding a new program called “Love of Fashion” to the already popular “Love of Sewing” series taught by celebrity Nancy Zieman.

This picture is from a photoshoot she recently did for an industry magazine cover–I don’t know if I have the green light yet to talk about that but seeing Joi’s progress makes me so proud of her and grateful for her guidance and help on the dress line! I first met her almost three years ago when she created my wedding dress and she is just a huge influence on me.

So yeah not to beat this horse to a dead, glue-y pulp, but I need to fill you guys in about the runway preview event next week. I’ll do this in list form because this entry has been pretty paragraph-y so far:

• It’s Wednesday, March 31 at 6pm. Show starts at 7:30.
• I will be showing five new pieces.
• One of my looks will be auctioned off and the winner gets to take their pick.
• Tickets are $50 through Saturday with discount code “designer” at checkout. After that, they are $75 with the code. Click here to be taken to the event page where you can purchase a ticket.
• That includes snacks and an open bar! So worth it.
• I would sort of kill for an open bar right now.
• Proceeds go to the Omaha Women’s Fund.

If you can make it to the show, I’d love to see you. I also think it’d be super cool to have a big crowd of my friends to support me, the work Joi is doing, and all of my amazing models. And if you can’t go, no big deal.

I was going to wear my favorite Karta dress and I was elated that it still fit me, but after I got my hair and makeup done and Dave came to help me zip it up, the zipper split.

While Dave worked hard googling “split zipper” and trying to fix it, I moped for half an hour or so because I couldn’t find anything else that fit and was remotely formal. But I think I did a good job of prettying up this big tent-y dress from Ryu. And luckily it was comfortable.

Dress: Ryu
Belt: Kimchi Blue
Tights: Forever 21
Shoes: Etienne Aigner

The theme was “masquerade” so we went as kitties.

What did you do to ring in the new year? Quiet and relaxed or crazy and wild?

This is how I started my weekend. This is the first thing I was greeted by.
Max the Cat made by Jennifer Murphy sat on my table during her snowman clip ornament class. I am so in love! Look at his sweet face. I wanted to take him home, but someone else beat me to it!

This is me with Jennifer after her class. This is also me awake at 9am. For maybe the 3rd time in my adult life.

Pam Garrison’s Holly Days Countdown wreath class was fun–she spread out ALL these vintage materials and supplies on a front table for us to run our hands over and pick through. It felt like kindergarten.

Pam also passed around two of her inspiration journals and each page was so awe-inspiring. This was my favorite so I snapped a little photo…I felt like a little thief there shyly snapping one photo of this page and then dropping my camera in my bag. I wish I could draw like that.

In my last class of the event on Saturday afternoon, I was with Jennifer again making a little pom pom bird in a shadowbox. Here are all of the projects from our work table…

I sat next to Meg Duerksen

Things I don’t have photos of because I figured I’d just nab some off Flickr later:
…Jo Packham’s keynote speech that brought me to tears. I wish it could have been about 30 minutes longer and I wish we could have had time to ask questions.
…Kaari Meng‘s expert jewelrymaking class
…All of the bella swaps, where the ladies created handmade items ranging from charms to books to aprons to share with their friends
…The opening class hosted by Fiskars
…The generous swag bags made of vintage fabric and stuffed with amazing goodies!

Finally, here are some final pictures of the projects I made:

xo