Fashion Star Inspiration

I have recently fallen in love with the tv show Fashion Star!

On the show, a number up-and-coming designers create designs every week. Their models show off the clothing on the runway, then 3 department store executives (from Macy's, Saks 5th Avenue, and H&M) bid on their designs. 

Only one department store can purchase each design, if they desire, so the bidding can get pretty high sometimes. 

If none of the stores bid on a design, that designer is up for elimination (one is eliminated each week). If a store purchases a design, the clothing will be available for purchase online/in-store the next day! 

How cool!

Four years ago, when I was a senior in high school, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I drew dress designs and even entered the Passion for Fashion scholarship competition at the Art Institute of Indianapolis, for which I designed and made a formal dress. 

I LOVED IT!

I didn't win, and I didn't go to college for Fashion Design. Instead, I attended Grace College and earned a degree in Business.

Since then, I have designed dresses, but I haven't made many. 

And I miss it so much!

Watching Fashion Star inspired me. And my husband.

After watching it the first time, I fell asleep thinking about designs. I woke up thinking about designs. While working the next day, designs swirled in my head. 

My husband wants me to go on Fashion Star. Seriously. He now says it at least once a day. He wants me to realize my dream of being a designer.

Now I'm researching how to sell designs to stores. I'm not sure it is possible, but I'm looking :)

Today, while bouncing ideas off my husband, I realized that my Etsy shop is where I can be a designer.

Etsy has been broadcasting amazing online labs today! One session was about getting found by magazines and blogs. I learned that those publications like to feature designers that can basically mass-produce their products, not just have several one-of-a-kind items.

If I want to promote my new designs (yes!!!! I have new ideas!!!!!), I need to make sure I can make many of the same thing--maybe with different color and size options, but the same design.

So, I think that's what I'm going to do :)

Here's the plan:

1. finalize 2-3 designs (for now)

2. make size charts

3. choose a few fabrics that can be easily purchased again

4. create!

When I finish step#1, I'll let you know :)

Vegan Chocolate Cake

I really should call this "Brownie Cake". Because that is what it tastes like! Yum Yum Yum!!!!

No dairy, no eggs. Can easily be made with gluten-free flours (see note*).

(From "The Joy of Cooking" cookbook, by Irma Rombauer)

Whisk together in a large bowl:

1 & 1/2 cups flour

1 cup & 2 Tbsp. sugar

1/3 cps & 1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Add:

1 cup cold water

1/4 cup oil

1 Tbsp. vinegar

2 tsp. vanilla

Whisk until smooth. 

Spread into greased & floured 8" pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Top with powdered sugar or icing.

*Note: I made this with half almond flour, half wheat flour, and it was incredible! I used 3/4 cup almond flour and 1 cup wheat.

For a completely gluten-free cake, I recommend the following (add a few Tablespoons more flour if batter is too runny):

3/4 cup almond flour (and choose one option)

&

1/2 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup amaranth/potato/quinoa flour (your choice)

OR

1 cup all-purpose gluten-free four