This week we are hosting a pop-up in Nantucket. Hosting something of this scale is a first for us. It was a ton of work to design and implement but something I got incredible creative fulfillment from.
On this project I was given the space and budget to not worry as much about cost or logistics. My tendency to have a bit of a scarcity mindset, to worry, to try to hand-make everything myself to save money, was gently discouraged this time. My role here was purely to be creative and have fun. I felt a true sense of freedom and it was wonderful!
My team and I had so many crazy ideas of things we could do to bring the story of our brand to life on this beautiful island — a carnival theme! Our own candy shop! Ruffled curtains everywhere!
These are a few of the custom, creative details that I loved bringing to life the most.
1. Our Head-In-The-Hole
I couldn’t get this vision of a seaside carnival out of my head (our pop-up location is right on the water). I had a silly idea and did a bit of research (and found it has a quite unfortunate name!) We made our very own head-in-hole based on a photo of Bri and I (the crazy one I shared in last week’s post). The amazing artist Frankie Phillips brought it to life.
I love our crochet scarf on the swan’s head. This was truly the interactive element of the pop-up that got the most engagement.
2. Our Candy Shop
Growing up spending time in the summer in nearby Cape Cod, salt water taffy was something I always looked forward to. I wanted to create our own candy shop in the store, a place where kids could come in with their moms and fill pretty striped bags with all different flavors. I can’t decide which I love more, the bags or the custom salt water taffy boxes my team designed. Both are so pretty to me. We gave out these boxes as little gifts at our events.
3. Crochet Everything
Our unifying motif for the pop-up was the crochet flower on our signature crochet flower dresses, Helena and Hetty. If there was any way possible, I really wanted to crochet our signage because I thought it would be so unique and convey the love of craft and detail that is so central to my design ethos. The way these turned out just blew me away!
I could hear the subtle groans when I then had the idea to custom make crochet placemats for our launch dinner. With napkins to match — ha! They came out so gorgeously!!
4. ACK!
Our Brand President Mariel thought it would be special to create a signature colorway of our best selling Dina tote for the week. My team worked on a red gingham pattern and found the exact right font to embroider ACK (the airport code for Nantucket) on the front. I’ve been using mine constantly!
The pattern is a pop-up exclusive for now, but if you love it, please let me know for future!
5. Ruffles and Stripes
Visiting the space in April, we thought it would be pretty to decorate the deck outside the shop. What about a million yards of ruffled stripes festooning the balcony? Why, of course!
6. Little Things
It’s the little things I love the best, every detail inspired and unique. Below, a few of the smaller elements I love so much:
Sandbags: when we realized we needed sandbags to weigh down our clothing racks, we had them custom covered in my fav designer fabric from Howe London. This is one of my most favorite details of all (people actually asked if they could purchase them!). I love putting time and attention towards something unexpected, infusing something with creativity and care that others might overlook.
Paperweights: I saw these in a shop, my friend and coworker remembered and went back to buy one for me. Then we bought even more from the local shop to weigh down our napkins during our events.
Custom Tees: we worked with brand friend Nikki Chasin on a long sleeve reissue of a red gingham Florida Woman Tee, just for the pop-up.
Bracelets: so many cute summery string bracelets at our check out.
Lamp: had to bring a mini Hey Murphy lamp or it’s not an LR shop!
What The Girls Are Wearing: how cute is my retail team and the way they styled their looks!?!
Five Styling Trends I Noticed:
1. Deck shoes!
I know Nantucket has a penchant for prep, but so many people here are wearing dock siders in such cool, modern, and NEW ways. Case in point, Grace Harris in our version:
2. Dresses Over Pants
This is one of my favorite styling tricks and I chose to wear it when the weather turned a tiny bit chilly for our opening event. Loved the way my bright pink dress looked over striped pants.
Madeline Swanson also wore the trend in pattern on pattern with our gingham dress. She has incredible style!!!
3. Good Vintage
The history of this island and a reverence for the past is probably part of the reason why vintage and vintage dressing are a big part of the ethos here. How chic does my friend Aaron from The Perfect look in our crochet dress over vintage Valentino lace pants? It’s that dress over pants trend again!
She incorporated vintage again the next day when we hosted a shopping event with The Perfect. This is actually a vintage LR bag from many years ago. Love how she put this look together with vintage denim.
4. Baskets (of course)
Baskets are such a huge part of Nantucket style dating back to the lightship baskets that have been made here for hundreds of years.
The Perfect have just launched a collection of painted lightship baskets. And I need to get my hands on one of these baskets from Erica Wilson where you can needlepoint a custom motif on the top! Erica Wilson’s daughter came to our dinner and I had the best time chatting about crafts with her.
And of course our collab baskets with Underwater Weaving made an appearance.
4. Layered Jewelry
All the women I met seem to be wearing a jumble of interesting necklaces from vintage charms to shell necklaces to beaded necklaces. I loved seeing how everyone layered their precious and unique pieces.
I loved a shell necklace Alexa was wearing from Lia Burke Libaire. And my friend Sarah Cannova (a UVA friend and former owner of one of the first stores to carry Loeffler Randall back in the day) had a cute assortment of pieces around her neck.
I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to write about as our pop-up is just getting started! We are here at 7 Easy Street in Nantucket until Tuesday, July 28th. Please come visit us if you can! We have lots more treats and surprises in store.
Five Things I’m Loving This Week
1. I am a sucker for a window box so I’m in heaven on this island.
2. This jacket has pockets in the exact right place and right size to hold my phone and everything else, meaning I can skip a handbag when I wear it.
3. This Etsy shop will make custom cut work embroidery curtains or pillows. Such a dream!
4. I just bought this skirt and I love the wacky stripe.
5. I got to meet the amazing Kaitlan Collins and sit right next to her at our dinner! I taught her how to cross stitch during the craft portion of our event — because of course there was a craft portion! She is fun, funny, and the best seat mate!
And One Thing I Hate:
When my husband strolls out of the bathroom on vacation with MY toothbrush in his mouth. So gross!
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