Full Circle
January has already been a wild ride. My typical January looks like extra rest, more down time, and honestly, the after-Christmas burn out. My office is a mess, I can't even look at a fabric or my Ruffle Couture emails. I am bombarded with people who have received a scarf as Christmas gifts, reaching out, asking, "How do I wear this?!"
This January, friends, I am on fire. I am so so excited about this next season. I have been investing time and money and energy into growing and learning and trying to show up as my best self. I blogged last month about finding what my new purpose is and I'm really digging in and trying to figure this all out. I'm getting a better sense day by day. It's funny how I keep going back to how Ruffle Couture started and am seeing how relevant it is right now. I didn't expect that in trying to navigate the future of my business, I would keep being pulled to re-evalute and explore the beginning.
Ruffle Couture started seven years ago. I was a 23 year old stay-at-home mom and newlywed with two baby girls. Most of my friends and peers at that time were graduating college and traveling and starting big-girl jobs. I was ridden with jealousy of the freedom and disposable income of my peers. Husband worked terrible hours and I still hadn't really found my tribe of mom-friends quite yet. I felt too "mommish" to fit in with my high school and college girlfriends, and not legitimate enough to hang with the real minivan moms.
I've always been creative (mostly through my music up to this point) and, while I sort of knew the basics of using a sewing machine, I hadn't really used one since my mom taught me when I was 7-years-old. I asked Husband for a sewing machine for Mother's Day and the rest is history. I mostly started with little girls' headbands (inspired by my girls) and moved into the bridal market for a while. I loved making beautiful veils and headpieces for brides and getting to be creative. Meeting with brides was my favorite, but I eventually burned out on weddings.
On a personal level, I was very consumed with losing baby weight and feeling frumpy all the time. I was unhappy with my post-maternity wardrobe and how I didn't fit into anything. Not to mention, my pre-baby wardrobe was that of an underage bar-hopping college party girl, so that wasn't really working for me regardless if I could fit into those clothes again - ha! I loved fashion, but was wearing mostly oversized tee shirts and loose stretchy pants to hide. I just needed a couple of things in my wardrobe to make me feel put together and get my mojo back.
Unfortunately I had Anthropologie taste on a Target budget (or rather a Target Clearance Rack budget). We were young with a mortgage, two kids and one income. Don't feel bad for us, Husband made good money, but we weren't yet on our debt free journey and we were buying things we really couldn't afford. Most of my new mom friends I was making were in their early 30s and I was comparing my beginning to their middle and feeling all kinds of jealous. (Wait. I'm 30 now, does this mean I'm in the middle?!)
Anyway, with my love for accessories and anything just a little extra (because, as I've been told, I can be a little extra sometimes) I somehow, long story long, started making scarves for myself because I both couldn't afford to just buy myself frivolous things like accessories and had different ideas of how I would like them to look. Anything I gravitated toward was way out of my budget. I didn't go into this expecting to start making them for others or selling them...which should have clearly made sense to me, being that I had a handmade accessory Etsy shop....
As I was making ruffle infinity scarves and learning as I went, I would see my friends out wearing them. I would do double takes from afar and think, is that one of mine? Is that a Ruffle Couture? It can't be, it looks so different on her! I'd get closer and realize it was. Somehow, they looked different on everyone and I absolutely loved that. I would be so inspired by what other people were pairing theirs with. Some would wear theirs over a dress and some would wear them with yoga pants and look instantly polished. It was dreamy for me. Every time I would see someone wearing a Ruffle Couture, it felt like a huge compliment. My scarves somehow translated and related to my peers my age and my mom friends who were older than me. I had spent so much time feeling like I didn't fit into either group, yet this product I had created fit beautifully into both worlds.
The scarves evolved and I would come up with new ideas over the next few years, even up until now. My focus has always been to come up with designs that are customizable for each person. Every woman and girl could wear theirs differently, just by bringing their own sense of style into it... which is what I was doing for myself all along. Do you see how this is all finally coming together for me?
So how is this relevant to you and my shoppers right now? Great question! You guys! YOU are what makes my scarves special. YOU are why people are stopping you at school pickup, the grocery store and Starbucks saying, "I love that scarf! Where did you get it?" YOU brought my need for creativity and freedom into YOUR story. This is what makes this all so fulfilling for me!
Quick side note here. I LOVE when you send me a quick text or private message telling me how many compliments you got on your scarf today. That means you are going out into the world looking polished and special. If nothing else, I hope I have at least helped you feel that way - beautiful, bold and confident. All things I longed to be in 2010 and still do today.
I don't necessarily love being attached to my sewing machine late into the night, or trying to keep a clean, Pinterest worthy office. I cannot follow a sewing pattern to save my life (I go rogue. Everytime. I march to the beat of my own drum for better or for worse). But what I DO LOVE is praying over each person before I ship them their scarf. I love imagining you making it your own and bringing it into your everyday life and your own sense of style. I love giving you a big, soft hug and wrapping you up in warmth with something tangible I can ship across the country. I love welcoming you into my story and, mostly, I love becoming a part of yours.
Right now you might be thinking, Wow, Anna, that's really sweet and great. But that still doesn't mean I know how to wear your weird scarves.
Fair enough.
There are two different Ruffle Couture shoppers. The ones who start putting one on and think "I just don't think I'm doing this right" (when, btw, you totally are). I have recently come to realize most of you just need me to tell you that and grant you permission to leave your house wearing your scarf your own way. Then there are the ones who wear their scarves in completely new ways I've never even dreamed of, and totally rock it.
To the former, you should know that there is no wrong way to wear these. I'm so serious about this. I get emails and private messages all of the time of photos where people are saying "I don't get it. This is what it looks like." I look and think, and...? because I think it looks great on you! To you who need it, I am granting you permission right now and saying, YES! THAT IS CORRECT! Now, play around and move it to where you feel comfortable. You don't need to wear it exactly how I wear it for it to be correct. Be free! Throw whatever rules, you thought there were, out the window. That being said, I am making it my personal goal in 2018 to provide tutorials to show you the many ways I wear mine just to help you become more comfortable. Because I want you to feel bold, beautiful and confident above all else.
To those of you blowing us all out of the water with your unique style, and allowing my scarves to be a part of that, you inspire me everyday. Please keep tagging @rufflecouture on Instagram and Facebook. I love seeing these posts. You are my best word of mouth advertising and I am so grateful!
So long story long, this is about you. You are what makes a pair of jeans, boots, a hat, a scarf.....whatever it may be you are wearing.... You are what makes it bold, beautiful and confident. If your clothes are not making you feel that way, then it's time for something new, my friend. Don't wait for your perfect body or a bigger clothing budget. If you think I'm putting too much emphasis on clothes, then you are maybe missing the point. Find what it is that makes you feel the most you. No one else on this planet can wear or do exactly what you wear or do the way you do. You are a gift. Show up as your best self, because the world needs that of you.
This January, friends, I am on fire. I am so so excited about this next season. I have been investing time and money and energy into growing and learning and trying to show up as my best self. I blogged last month about finding what my new purpose is and I'm really digging in and trying to figure this all out. I'm getting a better sense day by day. It's funny how I keep going back to how Ruffle Couture started and am seeing how relevant it is right now. I didn't expect that in trying to navigate the future of my business, I would keep being pulled to re-evalute and explore the beginning.
Ruffle Couture started seven years ago. I was a 23 year old stay-at-home mom and newlywed with two baby girls. Most of my friends and peers at that time were graduating college and traveling and starting big-girl jobs. I was ridden with jealousy of the freedom and disposable income of my peers. Husband worked terrible hours and I still hadn't really found my tribe of mom-friends quite yet. I felt too "mommish" to fit in with my high school and college girlfriends, and not legitimate enough to hang with the real minivan moms.
I've always been creative (mostly through my music up to this point) and, while I sort of knew the basics of using a sewing machine, I hadn't really used one since my mom taught me when I was 7-years-old. I asked Husband for a sewing machine for Mother's Day and the rest is history. I mostly started with little girls' headbands (inspired by my girls) and moved into the bridal market for a while. I loved making beautiful veils and headpieces for brides and getting to be creative. Meeting with brides was my favorite, but I eventually burned out on weddings.
On a personal level, I was very consumed with losing baby weight and feeling frumpy all the time. I was unhappy with my post-maternity wardrobe and how I didn't fit into anything. Not to mention, my pre-baby wardrobe was that of an underage bar-hopping college party girl, so that wasn't really working for me regardless if I could fit into those clothes again - ha! I loved fashion, but was wearing mostly oversized tee shirts and loose stretchy pants to hide. I just needed a couple of things in my wardrobe to make me feel put together and get my mojo back.
Unfortunately I had Anthropologie taste on a Target budget (or rather a Target Clearance Rack budget). We were young with a mortgage, two kids and one income. Don't feel bad for us, Husband made good money, but we weren't yet on our debt free journey and we were buying things we really couldn't afford. Most of my new mom friends I was making were in their early 30s and I was comparing my beginning to their middle and feeling all kinds of jealous. (Wait. I'm 30 now, does this mean I'm in the middle?!)
Anyway, with my love for accessories and anything just a little extra (because, as I've been told, I can be a little extra sometimes) I somehow, long story long, started making scarves for myself because I both couldn't afford to just buy myself frivolous things like accessories and had different ideas of how I would like them to look. Anything I gravitated toward was way out of my budget. I didn't go into this expecting to start making them for others or selling them...which should have clearly made sense to me, being that I had a handmade accessory Etsy shop....
As I was making ruffle infinity scarves and learning as I went, I would see my friends out wearing them. I would do double takes from afar and think, is that one of mine? Is that a Ruffle Couture? It can't be, it looks so different on her! I'd get closer and realize it was. Somehow, they looked different on everyone and I absolutely loved that. I would be so inspired by what other people were pairing theirs with. Some would wear theirs over a dress and some would wear them with yoga pants and look instantly polished. It was dreamy for me. Every time I would see someone wearing a Ruffle Couture, it felt like a huge compliment. My scarves somehow translated and related to my peers my age and my mom friends who were older than me. I had spent so much time feeling like I didn't fit into either group, yet this product I had created fit beautifully into both worlds.
The scarves evolved and I would come up with new ideas over the next few years, even up until now. My focus has always been to come up with designs that are customizable for each person. Every woman and girl could wear theirs differently, just by bringing their own sense of style into it... which is what I was doing for myself all along. Do you see how this is all finally coming together for me?
So how is this relevant to you and my shoppers right now? Great question! You guys! YOU are what makes my scarves special. YOU are why people are stopping you at school pickup, the grocery store and Starbucks saying, "I love that scarf! Where did you get it?" YOU brought my need for creativity and freedom into YOUR story. This is what makes this all so fulfilling for me!
Quick side note here. I LOVE when you send me a quick text or private message telling me how many compliments you got on your scarf today. That means you are going out into the world looking polished and special. If nothing else, I hope I have at least helped you feel that way - beautiful, bold and confident. All things I longed to be in 2010 and still do today.
I don't necessarily love being attached to my sewing machine late into the night, or trying to keep a clean, Pinterest worthy office. I cannot follow a sewing pattern to save my life (I go rogue. Everytime. I march to the beat of my own drum for better or for worse). But what I DO LOVE is praying over each person before I ship them their scarf. I love imagining you making it your own and bringing it into your everyday life and your own sense of style. I love giving you a big, soft hug and wrapping you up in warmth with something tangible I can ship across the country. I love welcoming you into my story and, mostly, I love becoming a part of yours.
Right now you might be thinking, Wow, Anna, that's really sweet and great. But that still doesn't mean I know how to wear your weird scarves.
Fair enough.
There are two different Ruffle Couture shoppers. The ones who start putting one on and think "I just don't think I'm doing this right" (when, btw, you totally are). I have recently come to realize most of you just need me to tell you that and grant you permission to leave your house wearing your scarf your own way. Then there are the ones who wear their scarves in completely new ways I've never even dreamed of, and totally rock it.
To the former, you should know that there is no wrong way to wear these. I'm so serious about this. I get emails and private messages all of the time of photos where people are saying "I don't get it. This is what it looks like." I look and think, and...? because I think it looks great on you! To you who need it, I am granting you permission right now and saying, YES! THAT IS CORRECT! Now, play around and move it to where you feel comfortable. You don't need to wear it exactly how I wear it for it to be correct. Be free! Throw whatever rules, you thought there were, out the window. That being said, I am making it my personal goal in 2018 to provide tutorials to show you the many ways I wear mine just to help you become more comfortable. Because I want you to feel bold, beautiful and confident above all else.
To those of you blowing us all out of the water with your unique style, and allowing my scarves to be a part of that, you inspire me everyday. Please keep tagging @rufflecouture on Instagram and Facebook. I love seeing these posts. You are my best word of mouth advertising and I am so grateful!
So long story long, this is about you. You are what makes a pair of jeans, boots, a hat, a scarf.....whatever it may be you are wearing.... You are what makes it bold, beautiful and confident. If your clothes are not making you feel that way, then it's time for something new, my friend. Don't wait for your perfect body or a bigger clothing budget. If you think I'm putting too much emphasis on clothes, then you are maybe missing the point. Find what it is that makes you feel the most you. No one else on this planet can wear or do exactly what you wear or do the way you do. You are a gift. Show up as your best self, because the world needs that of you.
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