waste time Facebook stalking (gotta make full of use of modern technology, right?)
revert to child-like games
treat yourself to yet another pair of shoes
I once asked my father if he was going to give up something for lent. He responded innocently through a thick Italian accent (in the way only he can do), “there are already so many denials in life – why should I choose to give up yet another thing?” I laughed. This is a man who wants nothing but to enjoy decadent meals followed by desert, to disappear for hours on a long walk, or to be a kid and play with his toy trains. Often what life requires – a trim waist, hard work, maturity – denies him of these simple things. Obligations can become laborious and exhausting. If you never let go to do what YOU want, you’ll go crazy. It’s good for the soul to lose the control and indulge once in a while. They say life is short, and at the end of it all, you want to be able to look back and know that not only did you work hard, but that you also enjoyed everything it had to offer.
click on images for sources
Drew-Jun 14, 2011, 6:12PM
I've definitely got the Facebook stalking down! And I'm in love with the cut tie dye rolling stones tee the girl is wearing in that picture...who knows where I can get a look a like?!
Fp naomi-Jun 13, 2011, 2:48PM
thanks for all of the music suggestions guys!I will definitely check them out!
I actually first heard about Nicole Vaughn when Jolyn, a reader, commented on one of my music posts about her. I went to her website to take a listen and I loved what I heard. A peaceful voice, relatable lyrics, and emotionally charged melodies are what make up her tracks. It just so happens that the singer/songwriter is also a huge Free People fan! She sent in an FPme photo that we recently posted on the blog (she’s the third one down). It’s hard to believe she’s not already a huge sensation. Nicole is one of the music scene’s best kept secrets that needs to be let out of the bag.
Nicole gladly answered a few questions for you all to get to know her better. She’s also made her song, “Stuck on You,” available for free download to you all! (Thank you, Nicole!) Read up on our interview with the inspirational woman and take a listen to her music!
Where were you when you wrote your first song?
I wrote my first official song on guitar at 13, I was sitting on the floor of my room with my guitar and a notebook of some poetry (not very good poetry), and sort of just started to put the pieces together.
What is your favorite song off of your most recent album, “Say It,” and why?
I think that my favorite song off of album would be “Everything We’ve Built” or the title track itself, “Say it”. These are the most personal and soul-bearing songs on the album and are extremely raw and honest in their story-telling and how I felt about the subject matter.
What is your picture of success?
Success to me would be to continue creating quality music and lyrics that I’m excited about and playing and collaborating with talented musicians that I admire. If I get some fans and make people smile, feel, connect, or dance along the way, I am happy. I’d also like to open for Wilco or Mason Jennings one day, but that might be pushing it ;)
What’s the last album you bought? What else is on your iPod right now?
I recently bought Paul Simons greatest hits, Dawes’ new album, and Barrett Johnson’s album “In Case I went Missing”. Some of my iPod go-to’s are: Mason Jennings, Neko Case, Cass McCombs, Alexander, Rolling Stones, Lissie, Muddy Waters, Bon Iver, Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Arcade Fire, Patsy Cline, Wilco, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Randy Newman, Sharon Van Etten…just to name a few! I love it all.
What is your signature look?
I’m not even sure, I think I’d have to ask someone else, hah! I just wear what I like and I’m comfortable in. Fancy stuff when I’m on stage, but lately off stage I’ve been really casual. I just like jeans, plain T, some turquoise or native american jewelry, and some boots. I like simplicity more and more these days.
What sort of hobbies do you have besides your music?
I love reading a good book, surfing, camping, going to shows, road-trips, hiking, running, rock-climbing, spending time with my pups, anything adventurous and spontaneous. I like to keep life interesting and unpredictable.
What is your favorite book?
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I’m a big fan of Steinbeck.
One thing you cannot live without is?
Guitar. Or my wonderful mom. Or my dogs. I mean that’s a pretty tough question. haha
What does Free mean to you?
Free means having a free state of mind, not being confined by status quos or trends-free of influence, loving what you love just because YOU love it! Doing what you want, because it’s what YOU want to do.
i have one more video from our call of the wild e-catalog to share with you today! our stylist talks about one of the looks and how it was put together – i’m so glad they chose this one, it’s one of my favorites :)
click on the image below to go see the items in this look!
Since I started at Free People, I’ve been noticing many cool tattoos around the office. I’m personally a big fan of body art – I think it’s a creative way of self expression, just one’s personal style. For this week in office style I wanted to show you all some of the cool tats I’ve been seeing on the Free People ladies. It was really fun hearing everyone’s story and why they chose to get their certain tattoo.
This intricate piece depicts a vestal virgin, the solar system, the sun, and a tree. Vestal virgin were powerful holy female priests in the Roman Empire. Apparently, they were something like witches. The bottom half where the solar system is depicted shows each planet, and it’s actual placement in orbit relative to the other planets. So cool!
Her middle name is based off of the Hindi word “sattvic” which means purity and harmonious balance in the world. On her middle finger she also has a lotus flower which is also representative of life and purity. I love how peaceful this tattoo is.
She based her tattoo off of album artwork from Incubus - It was drawn by the drummer Jose Pasillas in the band. She changed the eye in the center by replacing it with her grandfather’s eye. The idea is that he’s always with her and watching over her.
A feather to represent her last name which means “to write” (the feather is supposed to be like a quill). After she got engaged and would be changing her last name she and her brother decided to go and get the same thing. (my brother and I both have matching tattoos too!)
All of her tattoos are drawings by a friend of hers who lives in Brooklyn. I love the idea of putting a piece of one of your friends on you.
This tree is based off of a necklace that she and her mother always wear. It’s “their little family tree.”
When back packing through Thailand with her friends, they would always draw mustaches on their fingers and take pictures. Afterward, they all decided to get tattoos so that they would always be, “mustache photo ready.” Each has a different style mustache.
This is a word that she made up which is a combination of the words “god” and “given.” She said that if she ever has her own line one day that’s what it will be called.
-Mar 13, 2012, 12:40AM
lol, "goven"
Cindy-Jun 13, 2011, 3:54PM
Those are sweet tats, everytime I see one I feel the pain of the person getting it....
it’s no secret: we love the nightcap lace bell bottoms! there are so many ways to style them, and our store girls are pros- check out these lovely pics of them rocking our fave pants!
katie, mit at fp san jose, wears them with a strappy cami, ruffle hem cami and denim jacket and hat for a cute casual look.
here’s one of our denver sales associates, wearing them with the tape yarn beach sweater! love.
one of our customers, who dressed them up with a button-down crop top and hat!
from boston: sales associate stephanie is rocking the american flag scarf- she’s a hippie child and a dreamer! she looks super cute and casual, showing you don’t have to be over the top, and can totally pull them off everyday. and becka, the soon to be natick ASM, is wearing the grey in an adorable beach style with the pintuck lace square neck top!
i have an interesting twist for your thursday poll today! our videographer made this lovely video featuring model martha hunt demonstrating three great ways to wear the fp one smiles returning tube dress – check it out and then vote for your favorite of the three!
Actually, my name is Liz. I am a young designer, a recent graduate from Parsons The New School for Design, and a current associate at Free People in Soho, NY. I started crocheting these vests this past year and asked some of the Free People girls to rock them for me.
This past season I looked to craft and the charm in handmade objects for inspiration. I had just moved into my new loft in Brooklyn, NY and found my place was a collection of crafts. My most prized possession is a yellow chevron pattern crocheted blanket my mom made when I was young. I owe all of my talent to my mom, who taught me how to crochet. As for the vest itself, I focused on creating a piece that would complete every outfit in my closet. My style is that similar to that of the Free People girl. I look to Pamela Love and Erin Wasson for style inspiration, who both share that endearing, yet individualized free-spirited vibe. I feel like a vest is something you can wear year round: in the winter, I’m always looking for another layer and in the summer, it’s great with a tank and shorts or just over a bathing suit!
thank you so much for sharing liz!!! not only did you quote one of my favorite songs but the vests are amazing and i’m insanely jealous of your rooftop garden…xoxo
Libby-Aug 09, 2011, 6:18AM
I really love theses, they are so amazing, and like all have asked before me... Are they for sale!
-Jul 15, 2011, 2:16AM
IS THERE A CROCHETED PATTERN FOR THIS?!
I would really like to have it. :) Unless you're selling the patterns...
the makeup for call of the wild creates a look that is natural and sun-kissed, with an added glimmer of gold eyeshadow to catch the rays of the sun. Read more »
Kia Renggli-Jun 17, 2011, 8:40AM
I would love to do Makeup for Free People!!!!! Your blog and post are so addictive, LOVE free people <3
Emma-Jun 13, 2011, 4:05AM
I love the selection of tops you have on offer! do they do them in plus sizes? I bought some Cargo Pants and need a top too match!
in place of our usual wednes-diy, today i have something even better! tutorials showing you how to get the hair and makeup in our june e-catalog :) Read more »
jenny-Aug 25, 2011, 5:20PM
I dig it!~ Can anyone explain what's going on with the rest of her hair? Is there more than one braid in there or what?
we’re going to vegas, baby! we’re opening a store this fall at the fashion show mall! wanna work there? apply here.
may-Jan 30, 2012, 1:05AM
I also said to Madison, that I hope I wasn't bothering her. Because how she would follow me around the store and re-fold all the clothes next to me. And suggested that I should try the clothes on now because she's closing the store soon, when I still got half an hour. I wasnt gonna try clothes on but bobby the sales associate offered me a room so I said why not. But Madison was literally rushing me out. How rude. I am not about to spend my money with her, free people, just lost a sale. They should really look at the people they hire.
Ayayay!
may-Jan 30, 2012, 12:59AM
i just had the worst service at free people in las Vegas! Madison, the assistant store manager should get fired right on the spot for her bad behavior and negative attitude, only to discover at the end that she's no longer going to be working with the company. Which explained everything how she treated me in the store. I was misinformed about the closing hour I was told 8p. Then Madison, the assistant manager, was rushing me out the store. It was my first time in this store and very excited to check out the new store the products the people who works there, because I was also interested in getting a job there. But everytime I look at an item, Madison stood next to me and watched me, and re-folded the items I picked out. And she was irritated that I was checkin out free people's product. I started to feel unusual because I have never had anyone treated me like that in the store, and the way she was doing it did not embody what free people employees were, not in this store at least. She was very RUDE, UNPROFESSIONAL, and disrespectful. I cannot believe how she got the spot as a manager. She was awful. I'd like to speak to corporate and get this issue taken care of. This person is horrible.
She gave me such a bad experienced.
This situation happened on January 29, 2012 Sunday at 630p.
Madison and Bobby(ie) we're the associate that night.
Their store managers name is Kim.
I hope you do something about this. This is not what I thought of free people employees. I've read your blogs and expectation as an employee and how you can land a job at free people, b
But Madison, is not commited to her job, she's unhappy, and definitely not someone to get an inspirations from. I am extremely upset.
I am a loyal customer of anthropologie and urban outfitters.
And after tonight, free people in las vegas just gave me a bad vibe.
May
our e-catalog features some amazing new pieces from our beach collection! i’m a huge fan of beach – the majority of the fp items i own are from the collection – because they’re so easy to wear! they can be super casual and worn on the beach or you can dress them up for going out at night.
the crochet birkin romper and flume cardigan are made of the same laser-cut fabric that is amazing- it’s nice and light and let’s your warm summer skin breathe!
now hear more about the collection from the lovely designer herself – this video is adorable:
I love the real sexy design and the laser cut fabrics. It's real summer breezy. I don't have to worry about being hot ever..I just wish I could wear the beach suit out everywhere, but I think I would capture too much attention like Ginger and I am a little more(a lot more) reserved. But, I love the beach suit. I would definitely get it to wear alone in my house just to feel great in an incredible fashion!
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