Visiting Chicago For The First Time…

Chicago is a city I fell in love with, there’s something about the tone of the city that brings a new feeling to me. I’m British and exploring American cities is always a great adventure.

While we were there attending Pitchfork Festival we ventured around the city to get a true taste of what Chicago was about. We stayed at The James Hotel right on Ontario Street giving us easy access to make Chicago our own.  There were a number of nights we stuffed ourselves with Chicago Dogs and Deep Pan Pizzas and took late night strolls along the Chicago River – winding down after a hectic day at the festival. I met up with some of the store managers of our Chicago store they made me feel more connected to the city telling me tales of their lives living there.

 Chicago we love you, you’re a windy city that’s mighty pretty.

Photo Credit ~Nathan Kula

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Office Style: It’s HOT

It is hot as hell here in Philadelphia today – advisory warning and all. It’s the kind of heat that makes you not even want to get dressed, but, of course, that’s not socially acceptable. One has to put something on to go to work, and these ladies (and gentleman) did quite a good job of it today. Today’s office style is all about how we’re battling the heat – crop tops, billowy fabrics, light colors, and shade. How are you staying cool?

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And Toby just wanted his picture taken… :)

Thursday Poll: Vintages Loves Graphic Tees & Tanks

I’ve been on the hunt. The hunt for the perfect vintage graphic tee that is. Little did I know – there’s a whole pile of them sitting in the vintage loves section on our website – and they’re selling out fast!

Vintage tees have become a must-have wardrobe staple over the past few decades – taking on a role as the perfect throw on item since there are so many ways for them to be worn. They can look cool and relaxed, edgy and vintage, all at the same time. Throw one on with denim shorts for a casual look, or pair them with (vegan!) leather pantswedges, and loads of jewelry for a night out.  Now, just to decide which one I like best…..help me out?

Vintage Beach Boys Tee

Vintage Guns N’ Roses Tee

Vintage Just Buffalo Tee

Vintage Just Buffalo Tee

Vintage The Jacksons Tee

Vintage The Jacksons Tee

Vintage Sleeveless Harley Davidson Tee Tee

Vintage Sleveles Harley Davidson Tee

Vintage 94 Rock Tee

Vintage 94 Rock Tee

[polldaddy poll=”5253171″]

Doe Run Farm

Last week I was lucky enough to go on a phenomenal field trip with other Free People and Urban Inc. interns. We were invited to visit the 400 acre Doe Run Farm in Chester County, PA. It’s almost unfair to even call the place a farm; it was more like a country oasis for animals and humans alike. We visited the cows, goats, and sheep which they house and milk for cheese. All of the cheese is made on premise. We got to see where it is made, and then for lunch we were able to try a bit for ourselves (it was amazing, of course). They also sell the cheese around local Philadelphia farmer’s markets – our farmer’s market here at the home offices sells it every other Wednesday. The farm had a beautiful pond, lots of gardens, and we got to see a bit of the luxuriously rustic house itself.

I already posted some style photos from the trip here, but checkout the rest of my photo diary from the trip. =P

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Boutique Fashion from Jen’s Pirate Booty

Calling all “sandy” girls! We have an exquisite collection of pieces by Jen’s Pirate Booty on our website right now that scream summer and beach!  The timing is perfect as we just launched our Endless Summer shop and these pieces are the epitome of summer styles that can be worn and loved all year long.  In addition to being the perfect beach cover-ups, they can be styled in different ways to wear as casual weekend attire or even dressed up to wear out on the town.

Our buyer told me that she fell in love with the brand because of the soft, flowy fabrics and amazing silhouettes that are bohemian but in a modern way.  The pieces are undeniably summery, right down to the fabric they are made in – light and gauzy, or peek-a-boo patterns with sun-like shapes. Most pieces come in one or two sizes, with the idea that they will look different on each girl that wears them.

On that note- here are some of our home office ladies wearing Jen’s Pirate Booty in ways that could totally work beyond just the beach!

The perfect outfit for a casual summer day. Denim cutoffs and the janis crop top – the color of this one is amazing!

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The warrior robe looks awesome worn over top of a dress and would look just as cute over a bathing suit on the beach when you need to cover up!

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Our buyer loves the eclipse babydoll tunic because the silhouette is unexpected in this type of fabric.  It looks adorable styled with cowboy boots and a floppy hat!

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The poetic kaftan is my favorite – I love the dusty rose color and the fabric is so light and soft! It looks really cute with one of our floral bralettes peeking out from underneath.

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The treasure tank is super cool – it has two very long tails on either side that you can leave hanging or knot together to create different shapes.

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shop all jen’s pirate booty.

which of these pieces is your favorite?

Free People Book Club: Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins

I looked into all of your suggestions for the book club and decided to pick Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins! I’ve mentioned my love for this author before on the blog, and have always considered doing one of his books, but I actually just happened to re-read jitterbug perfume and felt like the time was right.

Tom Robbins has a way with twisting and spinning words to create vivid scenes that awaken all of your senses. The way that he tells stories is magical, and even the most impossible scenarios seem very real, and very possible. In Skinny Legs and All he convinces you that a can of beans, a spoon and a sock have feelings and can move on their own. And in Jitterbug Perfume he imagines that you can live forever, if you set your mind to it.

The book is quite a ride – I hope you’ll come along with me.
Stay tuned for inspiring quotes and imagery in the coming weeks :)

p.s. for those of you who are new to the book club, click on the library category and you can go back and see posts from previous books like on the road and the perks of being a wallflower.

Guest Post from Tolly of Austin Eavesdropper!

another guest post from one of our austin friends, tolly of the blog austin eavesdropper! tolly is awesome and i wish we had more time to hang out with her in austin, she’s so much fun :)

The 5 Things I Love About Austin, Texas

By Tolly Moseley

Free spirits. Hippie maidens. Band groupies and mustache-wearing gents. These are our kin here in Austin, Texas, where Free People came to play recently.

When I found out that Austin band The Happen-Ins would be the stars of Free People’s July 2011 catalogue, and that they’d be shooting at some of our favorite clubs in town, I squealed in delight. Where better to celebrate the delicious lazy days of summer than in Austin, a city where even the suited CEO’s loosen their ties for a rock concert? Where you can take your lunch break at a swimming hole, or bust out vintage cowboy boots regardless of seasonality or dress code?

I had an awesome time meeting the Free People girls when they came to town for The Happen-Ins show, and wanted to show them everything there was to see here in Austin. I also want to show you. Here are my 5 favorite things about my beloved city, a place I hope you get to visit sometime:

1. Even when we’re fancy, we’re a little hippie.

It’s true. We can’t resist vintage. The entire zip code of 78704 in South Austin has been officially zoned for the selling of hip, recycled clothing. I’m kidding. But the great thing about Austin is that we never see an occasion NOT to rock a gently used frock, be it SXSW or a gala. So if you’re ever here and have a hankering for vintage, check out some of my faves: Feathers Boutique (for boots), Laced with Romance (for dresses), or tweet my girls Homebody Vintage for accessories/home stuff.

2. We like to play dress up.

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Austinites love a good dress-up party. That’s me above, dressed as David Bowie. Isn’t the resemblance striking?

3. We make things.

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DIY is huge here. That applies to crafts, food, and even businesses. I wish I could tell you I knit-tagged that whole car above … but I didn’t, it’s the handiwork of Knitta Please, one of our local craft artists. You’ll find her knit-tagged objects scattered about all over Austin, from parking meters to statues, and they reflect how much we adore handmade – not to mention the creative spirits behind it.

4. We can’t get enough live music – ever.

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In terms of survival, music is second only to air. For Austinites, I mean. We’re the city who invented Austin City Limits (the show and the music festival), Spoon, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and of course The Happen-Ins! Stroll down Red River at night, by The Mohawk, Club DeVille, Stubb’s, Emo’s … and your ears will fill with honest-to-goodness rock n’ roll, screaming guitars and pounding drums. This city is a music-lover’s dream, and if you’re ever here, chances are a friend of a friend of a friend is playing the same nights you’re in town. If we’re not a musician ourselves, we’re probably dating one.

5. We welcome visitors and vagabonds with open arms.

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I have a personal belief that Austin chooses people, and if you’re reading this post, chances are she’s chosen you, too. You can find me here, and if you ever venture down to Texas for a visit, I’d love to show you around. We’ll bask at Barton Springs Pool, eat tofu and/or bacon (we are equally enthusiastic about both), and find multiple excuses to play dress up.

All photos by Tolly except for last one (Austin Motel sign) which is courtesy of Ellen Jo Roberts.