Meet new intern Emily!

Hello to all, I’m Emily W. I am entering an internship at Blackbird Attic for fun and the experience. One day I hope to be a fashion buyer or fashion show coordinator. I’ve grown up to love fashion and I am intrigued with what people are wearing. Personally I would say I don’t have a specific style because one day I like to wear something dressy and the next simple and casual. I am only a sophomore in high school, but I have already started working on my fashion career. I hope to start my studies at Johnson and Wales during my senior year. I feel I have a personable and unique personality that people enjoy being around. Besides fashion, I play travel soccer and like to just hang out with my friends. I hope to get plenty of experience during my internship. Fashion isn’t just a career, it is a way of life for me.

Below are a few of my picks from Blackbird Attic's current inventory:



This Cabin Creek sweater (size medium/large) is a favorite of mine because it is so uncommon. The sweater is comfy and can be accessorized to look chic and stylish. It’s warm and perfect for a winter day of relaxing. You can pair it with black pants and your favorite chunky necklace.



This Mossimo skirt (size 6) gives a more dressy look and is perfect for a night out on the town. The gradient of colors is very pretty, and sweet, yet sexy. Add a black top and a collection of bangles for a special touch.



Plaid button ups (size large/xl) are a must have for men these days. They are fashionable yet low key. This shirt can be paired up with jeans and moccasins for a indie look, or under a sports coat for that perfect date night look. It’s casual and comfortable which every guy wants.

City Trip

We decided to make a trip to the city for a post-Valentine's/kind-of Valentine's date; as to avoid crowded restaurants and because I have *Tuesday* off at the store. The trip on the train is pretty incredible with the mountain, snow and broken up ice landscape. The warmth from sunlight against a window is one of my favorite things, and combined with the view, it doesn't make for too bad of a commute.

It's a strange thing. Heading to the city. I don't have to make the venture every day like many Beaconite - New York City workers. So to me.. it still brings up some opposing feelings, a mix of familiarity and foreignness. Not too long ago, once upon a time the summer before last summer, we were making the opposite trip. Now we're the people from upstate.

As for our trip, we went to a fondue place in the East Village called Taureau, where I was impressed with combinations that most fondue places do not offer. Then to the movies at Union Square, and lastly, met up with my friend at Beauty Bar, who I have not seen in half a year! How does that happen. Some photos..

The Field House

I came across this Seattle store name and description in Lucky magazine and I knew I had to check it out. They are a twist on an old timey general store with a nod towards simpler times,

"The Field House is reminiscent of general stores that were once at the heart of rural towns across America. Its shelves are stocked with a wide variety of merchandise, including classic work wear, vintage goods, basic groceries and candies, flowers, and perfumes and candles. It captures the history, geography, and folklore of times past, when goods were less disposable and had more meaning, a time when people canned their own food and took a moment to converse with strangers."

Yeah you probably see it too, the inside photos definitely look a bit Urban Outfitters-esque, but I can see how they differentiate themselves and it really makes me want to open a similar concept store one day! Love it.

Love / Hate Event

This past weekend we held our Love / Hate event. We accepted anonymous letters and put a typewriter out for use in accomplishing this task. Weren't exactly sure how to display the letters, but (seen below) is what came to play the night before. Worked out very nicely. It's so fun reading the different letters. I would love to do another similar event in the future. This was one of the more unique events I've held, and now my brain is ticking, thinking of new ways to top it. Feel free to comment if you have any event ideas!

One thing that is in the works is a one year anniversary event. Yes. I have been here almost one year. I cannot believe it either. So much has happened, yet I feel somewhat in limbo. I guess a business is always improving and changing though. But can you believe I don't have a proper logo yet? It has to be just right! Just right is tough though.. I think I need to start pestering my boyfriend (who can draw) so we can sit down and come up with something, because it's about time.

Anyway, now that i am outing myself as a bad business owner, enjoy the photos of the event below. I am waiting on some shots from the dance party that was held at The Coffee Shoppe. I present.. the letters:













Rearranged the shop a bit. That's a Liberty of London Shawl on the shelf. Below are a few gold clutches and these lovely fur collars that someone found in their mother's old hope chest. Variety of vintage purses on the shelves.



Not the best shot of these, but I (and some friendly-friends) labored over sewing the heart garland seen above. I used Valentine theme scrap book paper and old newspaper. It's a nice mix to go with the light/dark theme.



Apologies for the angry look, but here I am taking a non pink and red approach on valentine's day, while still keeping with the cutesy theme. I am wearing a vintage gold heart with floral print necklace (no close up shot, but it's one of my heirloom pieces), a black sheer polka-dot top over a tank top from Urban (bought years ago, but still holding on to), a floofy (sorry, I like this word) ballerina skirt from Forever 21, some cute tights with a bow print (Etsy), plus my vintage black boots and a cardigan to stay warm.

Hope you enjoyed the post! Come check out the show if you're in the area. I don't have an event planned for March, so I may be keeping this up till at least 2nd Sat in March.

In the Works

I have a couple events in the works.. first:

BLACKBIRD ATTIC, in association with THE COFFEE SHOPPE proudly present a fantastic, interactive, proactive evening of art, romance, mayhem, and exposition of the soul, in which your courage to tell that special someone how much you really love them, or your need to stick it to that someone who makes your skin crawl with hate, is our focus and product. The best part of it all, they don't ever have to know its you.

If you find your...self seething with joy or despair, elation or depression, butterfly kisses or middle fingers, then we have an outlet for you. We're here to help you craft a work of passion, be it hate or love; an anonymous proclamation of yourself through the magic and mystery, and nearly lost art called "typewritten word".

Wander into Blackbird Attic and The Coffee Shoppe February 6th through the 10th to participate. We will have type-writers and paper ready and at the go. We're inviting you to stop by, sit down, and pour it out like they did before the interwebs, through a letter. Straight and forward narrative, avant garde, poetry, or anecdotes, everything goes.

You can let them know what you've always wanted to let them know with out letting them know that you're letting them know.

Submissions end on Thursday, February 10th.
All letters will be collected, and displayed on February 12th.

Opening reception will be held at Blackbird Attic 442 Main Street Beacon NY from 5 p.m - 8 p.m. in which the all the letters will be unveiled. Then, after decking yourself out in some of Blackbirds serious threads, stretch and limber up, and join us at The Coffee Shoppe as we celebrate, read a few selected entries, and dance the love/hate away.

"There's nothing in this world so sweet as love. And next to love the sweetest thing is hate."

---h.w. longfellow

And a sewing class!

Blackbird Attic, the Coffee Shoppe and local designer Allyson Vermeulen are excited to announce a very affordable opportunity to enhance your sewing abilities.

We will be sewing a wrap dress, following Collette Patterns Crepe Dress pattern. If you know how to sew but have never followed a pattern before, this is a great place to start! You will learn basic principles of garment construction, interfacing and finishing techniques.

Students will come to class with pattern pieces already cut from their fabric of choice. (The instructor will be available during studio hours or by appointment in the 2 weeks prior to class to assist and answer questions for this part of the process) There is an alternate pattern available for men (Collette Negroni Short Sleeve Button-Down)

Basic sewing knowledge and a portable sewing machine are required.

Class Fee -$75 For two 3 hour sessions.

March 7th 7-10pm
March 14th 7-10pm

$38 deposit is required at sign-up. Space is limited. Please bring deposit to Blackbird Attic 442 Main St, Beacon NY. ASAP.

E-mail info @ blackbirdattic.com with questions or for more information.

More Important Information:

Please purchase pattern (*and tools/supplies listed on pattern envelope) online prior to class:
http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/crepe
Alternatively- http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/negroni

Fabric should be light to medium weight cotton.

Studio Hours:
Monday 2/28, Tuesday 2/22 and 2/28 from 7-10, and Saturday 2/26 from 11-1, or by appointment.