Storenvy

It's the most wonderful AWKWARD time of year, The Holidays. We all know this season will be filled with photographs including hesitant one-arm hugs that prove just how little you care for that one co-worker, obnoxious photobombs from passerbys and tags of your tipsy-self that make you wish you had updated your privacy settings a little sooner. Well, since this is going to happen anyway, we might as well embrace it, right?!

Storenvy and Tipsy Elves have teamed up to bring you #Holidorks, An Awkard Holiday Photo Contest. We're giving away AWESOMELY ugly sweaters from Tipsy Elves to the five people who submit this year's most AWKWARD Holiday photo. How to Enter:

Between 12/3/2014 and 12/7/2014 submit your most awkward Holiday photo (new or old) by posting to Instagram or Facebook.

You must use hashtag #Holidorks 

And tag @Storenvy and @TipsyElves. (Facebook, Instagram)

On 12/8/2014 we'll be announcing 5 winners who submitted the most awkward Holiday photo to win their favorite Tipsy Elves sweater. (You'll be the talk of all the Holiday parties this year.) Follow/Like us (Facebook,Twitter, Instagram) so you don't miss out on all the action. This ain't no reindeer game.

Shop Tipsy Elves on Storenvy

Hey guys, Jon here. I'm the founder of Storenvy, and a small business owner like you. I wanted to write a personal note and share a quick video I recorded about some big news that we have.

If you didn't realize it, Storenvy is a small business just like yours. We're a team of 10 people that work tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation of over 100,000 small and special online stores processing millions of dollars per month. We believe strongly in providing a completely free online store platform to the world's entrepreneurs, and we've done just that for 4 years (and loved it!). Investors have been kind enough to fund our efforts long enough for us to build a giant community (that includes you!), but operating solely on venture capital is not sustainable forever. We've got to be able to stand on our own and to generate real revenue in order to be a lasting business that will be here to support our merchant community long into the future.

Introducing "Marketplace Commissions"

Today we're announcing the Storenvy Marketplace Commission. When you make a sale in the Storenvy Marketplace, a 10% commission will automatically be deducted and go to help support and build the Storenvy website and community. Sales through your own store will be 100% free as always. And both you and Storenvy will benefit from any extra sales that you make organically through our social marketplace.

It was very important to me to create a business model and pricing structure for Storenvy that mapped our success directly to yours. If we just charged a monthly fee, we wouldn't have any incentive to drive you more sales. But this commission means we'll be putting energy into driving more customers and more sales to your business.

And if the Marketplace Commission just doesn't work for your business (you don't have the margin, etc), we've created a way for you to opt out of the Marketplace and still operate your custom store. You won't get any organic sales from the Marketplace, but you'll still be able to use our free store builder. We don't anticipate many store owners to skip the Marketplace. The Storenvy Marketplace drives millions of dollars a year in extra sales for our merchants and gets you discovered by millions of shoppers.

This commission will also allow us to make Storenvy better. And one of those improvements is launching in the next few days. Here are the details...

Introducing “Seamless Checkout”

Along with this new commission, we're announcing our new Seamless Checkout experience. (Check out the video for a demo). This new experience was designed to improve checkout speed and conversion rates and also optimize repeat purchases. When a customer checks out, we record their address and payment info so they may check out with only a few clicks next time. This checkout flow is mobile-optimized and also looks great on desktop.

Another great benefit is that these reusable addresses and credit cards will apply to the entire Storenvy Marketplace community. This means that customers who bought from any store in the past can reuse their checkout info on a new store. That's a win-win for everyone since even new customers who have already used Storenvy can check out quickly and easily.

A core component of the all-new Seamless Checkout experience is the fact that customers can pay with credit cards directly on the Storenvy website without hopping over to PayPal. Our credit card processing is powered by Stripe.

Seamless Checkout will launch in the next few days, and we'll begin Alpha testing Stripe with a few select stores. Once we're convinced that it's 100% rock-solid, we'll roll out support for the rest of the merchant community. At the end of this transition, Stripe will be the only payment processor supported in the Storenvy Marketplace. If you'd like to continue offering PayPal to customers in your custom store (in addition to Stripe-backed credit card processing), you're still free to do that.

Since Stripe will be the exclusive payment processor of the Storenvy Marketplace, every single store must connect to Stripe over the next few weeks or risk being removed from the Marketplace (and who wants that?). So be sure to link to Stripe at the top of your dashboard. It's easy and very secure.

Building for the future

I'm really excited about this big step forward for our business and what it means for our community. I know change is very hard, and we're here to listen to concerns or questions. We've created this FAQ to answer some of the basics. But feel free to reach out to [email protected]. if this doesn't cover it. We're on your team and look forward to building sustainable businesses together long into the future.

Sincerely,

Jon Crawford CEO/Founder, Storenvy

Commission, Stripe, and Seamless Checkout FAQs

Why a Marketplace fee of 10%? Why now?

Storenvy's revenue share model is based on aligning our interests with yours. It's simple: sales made through the Storenvy marketplace are charged a 10% commission of the total sale (including shipping), and the remaining 90% goes directly to you. There are no additional monthly fees, or fees to list products; just 10% simple and straightforward. With this revenue model, Storenvy doesn't get paid unless you get paid.

We're beginning this revenue-share model now so we can increase our resources to focus on growing the marketplace, acquiring you new customers and driving you more sales. This also helps us continue to build new features to make the Storenvy experience better for both you and your customers.

However, all sales made through your custom Storenvy store will not be charged commissions. After all, they're the result of the hard-work and effort you have put into marketing your own business.

Why is the Marketplace Stripe only?

Our reason for moving the Marketplace to a seamless checkout powered by Stripe payments is because this allows shoppers to purchase from multiple stores at the same time. If there were two payment systems, one store could be Paypal only, while another could be Stripe only. For the customer this would mean being sent to two separate transaction pages in order to check out from both stores and that is not convenient for any shopper!

We strongly believe, and data demonstrates, that by offering customers the option of checking out with credit cards, reducing steps to check out and leveraging Stripe's ability to enable one-click payments through our seamless checkout, we'll be able to bring more customers to our businesses and accomplish our goals for a more professional checkout.

How do I get paid?

If you want to sell on the Storenvy Marketplace, you will need to setup a (free) Stripe account. When a customer places an order with you, the money will be transferred to Stripe who will hold it for a few days before transferring it directly to your W pay credit card processing fees?

If you don't have access to a Stripe account, you can still make sales via PayPal but only through your custom store. You will need to setup a PayPal account. When a customer places an order, the money from the sale will go straight into your PayPal account. To withdraw money from your PayPal account, log into your account at PayPal.com and follow the instructions there. The balance in your PayPal account must be manually withdrawn, but you can do that at any time. You also have the option to get a PayPal debit card which allows you to pay for things using the money in your PayPal account. PayPal takes a small fee (also 2.9% + $.30) on each transaction.

Is Stripe payment secure?

The Storenvy Marketplace uses Stripe for the checkout process, which meets and exceeds the most stringent industry standards for security. To learn more about Stripe's secure infrastructure visit their security FAQs.

Custom Storefront's use either Stripe or Paypal (per the customer's selection) for the checkout process. If a customer picks PayPal, Paypal is one of the most accepted payment solutions on the web and because of this, Storenvy has the same payment protection as PayPal.com. Before entering any personal credit card information, you will be transferred to PayPal's secure servers. For more information on PayPal's payment protections, read PayPal's Protection for your Purchases.

For both Stripe and Paypal, Storenvy will never even see your financial information. Your information will only be processed by either of these payment platforms which place a very strong emphasis on security and keeping your information private.

What fees do Stripe take?

Meet Diansakhu Banton-Perry, DBP! Our newest “Person We Envy”! Diansakhu hails from a special place some call The ATL, The A, Hotlanta and known to most as Atlanta, GA. She has a thing for 80's rom-com fashion (Say Anything?) and prefers the Jack Dawson version of Leonardo DiCaprio over Jay Gatsby. We're feeling you there, we'll “never let go, Jack!” of Leo's adolescents.

In between watching online television and gathering up a meticulous list of Envies, we have reason to believe Diansakhu is prepping for deep space travel to the extrasolar planet Kepler-22b. Care to join? Read on to find out more. Storenvy: Where are you from and where do you live now?

Diansakhu: Atlanta, Georgia

Storenvy: What do you do for a living? Or what are you up to right now?

Diansakhu: I’m a junior in high school.

Storenvy: You have fantastic taste! How would you describe it? Do you have any style icons?

Diansakhu: I think my style comes from the reboot of 80's fashion,and things I like. I don’t really have an icon. I just get inspired by people I see every day, especially fashionable people and Tumblr. Bands, actors/actresses, sci-fi movies, my friends, and fashion blogs also inspire me.

Tri Me Rings by Knee Deep Denim

Storenvy: What's your latest obsession? Why?

Diansakhu: I really... really want some classic colorful New Balance sneakers. I don’t even like sneakers all that much, but I really want some. I think it’s because they remind me of my mother and those rom-coms in the 80's or something.

New Balance 5472 from Pirates

Storenvy: What are you typically up to on your spare time?

Diansakhu: Well, I watch a lot Hulu and Netflix, enjoy scrolling through Tumblr, drawing with Photoshop, making random pins and finding cheap stuff to buy online.

Storenvy: Create a mini playlist of your three favorite songs of the moment!

Diansakhu: This was a hard, but here we go!

M.I.A – Meds and Feds

Com Truise – Wasat

The Bloody Beetroots – Chronicles of Falling in Love

Storenvy: Describe yourself in 3 words.

Diansakhu: Artistic, Geeky and Amusing.

Storenvy: Three things you can't live without?

Diansakhu: My iPod, sketchbook, and the internet (of course).

Storenvy: What's your spirit animal?

Diansakhu: An alien from Kepler-22b.

For those of us who aren't astrophysicists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler-22b

Outer Space Patch by Mokuyobi

Storenvy: Who's on the lineup of your dream music festival and where would it be?

Crystal Castles

We Are Scientists

Tame Impala

Storenvy: Favorite item in your closet?

Diansakhu: Right now, a t-shirt that has a custom print of 20 year old Leonardo DiCaprio.

Leo Crop Top by HowDoIRock

Storenvy: What is your favorite Envy and why?

Diansakhu: I don’t have only one. I’m very specific with what I Envy, mostly because I plan on buying them one day. I only Envy things I know I would get if I came across it in a store, or if it was inexpensive enough.

Storenvy: What is your favorite Storenvy brand?

Diansakhu: I don’t have one. I tend not to pay attention to brands when I shop for clothes unless it’s for pants because I have go-to brands that I know will fit properly. Even then, I tend not to care.

Storenvy: Why did you join Storenvy?

Diansakhu: To find cool stuff and buy affordable clothes!

Meet Anna Curtis, this week's “Person We Envy!” hailing all the way from Zurich, Switzerland. From cheerleading and painting to cat sitting, Anna's up to some eclectic activities and we dig it all! Intrigued? Read on for more about Anna, including her latest obsessions, music envies, and Storenvy loves. Storenvy: Where are you from and where do you live now? Anna: I was born in New York and I’m half Welsh and half English, but I have lived here in Zurich, Switzerland for the past 12 years. Storenvy: What's your occupation?

Cat Collar Tips from pinpinfinds

Anna: I’m still in high school, but I have worked in a restaurant as a waitress and I’ve done a fair share of babysitting and even some cat sitting (best job I've ever had)! Storenvy: You have fantastic taste! How would you describe it? Anna: My taste ranges very wide. I go from grunge all the way to classy, but right now I really like floral dresses and other floral designs. Storenvy: What's your latest obsession? Anna: Recently I have been looking at jewelry, which, as it is, isn’t something I usually pay a lot of attention to. The jewelry I found is very simple. They are just different geometrical shapes, mostly triangles. Most of these are gold and my absolute favorites are the black triangular stud earrings dipped in gold paint. I especially love that you can wear them with whatever you want and they will still look great. Storenvy: What are you typically up to on your spare time? Anna: I cheerlead 2 or 3 times a week. The club I go to isn’t in the same city, so I spend a lot of my time on trains. If I have phone signal, I usually end up on various websites like tumblr and Storenvy. Otherwise, I spend a lot of my time (and money) on art and books. I love to draw and paint.

Storenvy: Create a mini playlist of your three favorite songs of the moment!

1. Frank Turner - Worse Things Happen At Sea

2. Ed Sheeran - I See Fire

3. Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent

Storenvy: Describe yourself in 3 words. Anna: Artistic, curious, self-aware Storenvy: 3 things you can't live without?

Pizza Phone Case from Vivid Please

Anna: Books, my laptop (I use it for everything), and pizza. Need I explain?

Storenvy: What's your spirit animal? Anna: The marten. All of the traits fit except not being a perfectionist. That comes up every now and then. Storenvy: Who's on the lineup of your dream music festival , and where would it be? Anna: Frank Turner, Ed Sheeran, Arctic Monkeys at Reading festival, but with fewer people (and cheaper tickets!). Storenvy: Favorite item in your closet? Anna: A floral pattern summer dress with open sides at the waist. Storenvy: What is your favorite envy and why?

Denim Dress from UZIP

Love a clean cut blazer and loafers but have a secret affinity for tanks and sneakers? You may be classified as what our next guest curator calls Bro Chic. You no longer need to choose between preppy and street. Christopher Rivera, of Gold and Guns, took some time to carefully identify these Bro Chic products so you don't need to pick sides. We also learned that Christopher can do more than put together a mean Storenvy collection, he may or may not be able to write with his feet. Read on if you're into quirky hidden talents and original style.

Where are you from and where do you currently live? I'm originally from Los Angeles, born and raised here. I'm still in LA too. I've been fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling and explore the world but I've never felt the need to leave Los Angeles and call anywhere else my home. It's perfect here, the weather spoils us! What inspired you to start your blog and what do you enjoy posting about most? I was inspired to start my blog for several reasons actually. First and foremost I started my blog because I truly believe in the power of social media and one's digital presence in our age. I have several friends that have their own blogs and noticed that it helped them reach a wider audience than just relying on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. As my day job I'm a stylist for celebrity red carpet events and editorials and in my spare time as a hobby I dabble in DJing and music production. I'm passionate about both so my blog is a way to help get my styling portfolio and music talent noticed. The second reason I was inspired to start my blog is because I felt men weren't represented well in the fashion bloggersphere. There are a few male fashion bloggers that I follow but to be honest, and I hope I'm not treading on anyone's toes saying this, I felt they were too identical and boring. Some of these dudes either wear way too many women's clothing or are trying WAY too hard to give their audience their best model faces. At the end of the day I pride myself on my blog being real and coming from a hard working individual that has been in the fashion industry since his late teenage years. I strive to be the male version of The Man Repeller if that makes sense? I consider myself a sort of male anti-blogger blogger. I blog about my outfits and fashion eye candy, but I always make sure to serve everything with a side of sass and crass humor. What does Bro Chic mean to you? The term Bro Chic was given to me by one of my close friends from college. It's the best way I describe my style. Bro Chic is mixing high and low but not simply based on price tags. There is a special art to it or at least I like to think so. It's mixing clean and streamlined elevated pieces with a bit of skate/street/surfer. But it's also knowing to keep accessories at a minimal. Nothing bugs me more than seeing a guy out in public with way too many accessories. At that point you can tell they are trying way too hard and it doesn't come natural to them.

Favorite place to shop? Oh my gosh so many! Truthfully I've been doing more online shopping than actually going to shops lately. I've been too busy with work to spend afternoons at the mall and thanks to Apple and the concept of the iCloud keychain I've found myself clicking away and ordering online more than usual. When I do go out and manage to shop some of my favorite stops include: Nordstrom, J. Crew, Bloomies and Barneys...duh! For online shopping Zappos, East Dane, Urban Outfitters and Ebay, that's my secret weapon!

Meet Alli Lovell, this week's "Person We Envy!" Rocking an electric blue 'do, this CHILLinoisan makes her style completely her own. Self-proclaimed "different," creative, and sarcastic, Alli dreams of being a cat in the name of round-the-clock sleep. When she's not napping, you can probably catch her painting, rocking out to metal, or browsing Storenvy! Queen of the internets? We think so.

Read on for more about Alli! 

Storenvy: Where are you from and where do you live now? Alli: I'm from Illinois and I've never moved.

Storenvy: What do you do for a living? Or what are you up to right now? Alli: Well, right now I'm just going to school! Storenvy: How would you describe your sense of style? Any style icons? Alli: My style has changed a lot through out my life and it actually changes very often. I think currently I'm a mix of indie and alternative? Maybe indie scene? Haha, I don't know! I guess I have my own sense of style. As for "style icons," I don't really have anybody in particular. Mostly just models I see on advertisements, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.

Storenvy: What's your latest obsession?

Rock On, Mickey by LOOK HUMAN

Alli: Fashion-wise, I think just summer clothes, like awesome tanks, high rise shorts, etc. It's been such a long winter (don't get me wrong I LOVE sweaters) and I just want to wear cute clothes in the sun!

Goodnight Moon Levi's by Knee Deep Denim

Storenvy: What are you typically up to on your spare time? Alli: Well I'm usually watching TV (I've been obsessed with The Fosters and L.A. Ink lately), or on the internet, painting, or listening to music!

Storenvy: Create a mini playlist of your three favorite songs of the moment!  Alli:

1. Memphis May Fire - Beneath the Skin 2. Pierce the Veil - Props & Mayhem 3. Attila - Rageaholics

Storenvy: 3 things you can't live without? Alli: Music, painting, books.

Storenvy: What's your spirit animal?

Meow Cropped Tank by ShopWanderlust

Alli: I think a cat honestly, I just want to be a cat so I can sleep all the time. Or a puppy!

Storenvy: Who's on the lineup of your dream music festival and where would it be? Alli: Well my dream music festival is actually Warped Tour! So I guess it's already come true! But I wish Pierce the Veil could be on the tour this year. I'd freak if Memphis May Fire and Bring Me the Horizon were announced! Storenvy: What is your favorite Storenvy brand? Alli: Probably Teenage Apparel, their stuff is so great (and so Tumblr)!

Right on, Alli! Thanks for chatting with us!

Shop Alli's Envy's here.

We are so excited to share that Jackie Yaeger, the NYLON newsletter editor, spent some time on Storenvy to curate a NYLON-themed collection! Jackie featured this collection in her latest City Find post for the NYLON newsletter. We are stoked to share this new collaboration with our community! See the items below and more by visiting her featured collection!

Fat Cat Sweater from Mr. Gugu & Miss Go

Half Moon Bangle from MIKINORA

AS IF Beanie from Lauren Alexandra

Meet Victoria Ashley, this week's “Person We Envy!” We're officially naming her Tofino, BC's “IT” girl because Victoria really has it all going for her. First off, she's got a killer sense of style and an eye for all things rustic and woodsy. She also calls a cabin in the woods her home ... in a surf town. Talk about having the best of both worlds. And get this - Victoria even has two first names! Granted, one is her last name, but she's #blessed either way.

We could go on and on about her impeccable taste in music, her rad job, or her love for Storenvy (we love you too, Victoria!), but what better than to hear it in her own words? Read on for Victoria's dream music festival lineup, MIA cat, latest obsessions, and much more! Storenvy: Where are you from and where do you live now? Victoria: I am originally from a very small rural town in Ontario called Arthur. After high school I moved to London, Ontario to study Fashion Merchandising. When I decided the program wasn't for me (with one semester left) I withdrew from my program, worked in retail for a bit, then I packed up my stuff and moved to Tofino. Tofino is a beautiful small surf town on the coast of British Columbia. It was pretty spontaneous but it was the best decision I've ever made. Storenvy: Do you really live alone in a cabin in the woods?

Hand Embroidered Cabin In The Woods from HOOPLA

Victoria: I really do live alone in a cabin in the woods! I used to have a roommate... His name is Elwood and he was the best cat a girl could ask for. Unfortunately, one day he got out and didn't leave me a note to tell me where he was going. I suspect he's on vacation somewhere. Storenvy: What do you do for a living? Victoria: I am currently the manager of Covet Boutique, an awesome little shop in downtown Tofino. I am also the Merchandiser of the store. Remember how I said "it wasn't for me?" Well turns out I absolutely love merchandising and everything that comes with it! My philosophy is that everything happens for a reason, and I am doing what I love without even knowing I loved it. Check out our Facebook page and Instagram to see all of the looks I put together daily! Storenvy: You have fantastic taste and sense of style! How would you describe it? Any style icons? Victoria: Well thank you! I guess I would describe my taste as rustic and woodsy. I find that I am really drawn to anything with a west coast influence: natural materials, cozy fabrics and knits, and vintage pieces. I've never really had a place of my own that I know I will be in for a long period of time, so Storenvy makes it easy for me to decorate my dream home without having the space to put all the stuff.

color block wool crew socks from PAKGD

As for my sense of style, I would say that it varies from day-to-day. One day I could be wearing combat boots, wool socks, flannel and a beanie, and the next I could have on a floppy hat and a maxi dress! I like being able to switch up my look and being on the coast, the weather usually dictates what direction I go in. I don't really have any style icons but the Olsen twins have always been killing it. Storenvy: What's your latest obsession? Victoria: My latest obsession has to be either rings or pottery. At Covet, we love to support local artists and lots of handmade products. Tofino has some great talent! Lisa Fletcher is a local jewelry designer and she makes the cutest mid-rings. We also carry pottery from a local potter named Daniela Petosa. She's known for these handmade mugs that are in the shape of birds. I can't get enough! I have some pending on order right now. Storenvy: What are you typically up to on your spare time? Victoria: I love crafting! Especially when i have a project in mind for the window display at the boutique or little projects for my cabin. During the summer I love to camp. I will actually be heading down the coast in a couple weeks for a camp/road trip and a music festival ... I might need to check out the Storenvy Pop-Up Shop. Storenvy: We'd love to have you! But for now, curate a mini playlist for us? Sigur Ros - Sæglópur Yes - Roundabout Gorillaz - People Storenvy: You have great taste in music! Who's on the lineup of your dream music festival, and where would it be? Victoria: My dream music festival would be on a beach in Thailand. Some bands would be Sigur Ros, Shovels and Rope, Modest Mouse, Andrew Bird, James Vincent McMorrow, Seapony, Wild Nothing...the list goes on! Oh, and it would be hosted by Amy Poehler. We would meet and become best friends. Storenvy: So perfect! We'd definitely be there. Now, let's talk Storenvy. What is your favorite envy?

Treasure Chest #7 from The Love Parcel

Victoria: My favorite envy is Treasure Chest #7 from The Love Parcel. I am also obsessed with terrariums right now and this little mystery box includes an awesome vintage terrarium and a box full of little feminine mystery items! She is so creative, it actually blows my mind.

Quirky and delightfully unexpected, Sharp Shirter tees feature one of a kind designs we can not ignore. The brains behind Sharp Shirter, Dan Lachman, turned his hobby that was meant to curb his video game addiction, into a life changing business. With that said, there should be no question as to why Sharp Shirter is the focus of our latest Storenvy Contest! We took a moment to chat business, Puffins, and keepin' it real with Dan.

PART 1. Sharp Shirter How did Sharp Shirter get it’s start? (who’s idea?)

Sharp Shirter began as a hobby when I was in 10th grade. My dad was trying to get me to stop playing video games so he suggested that making t-shirts might be a better way to spend my time. For the next 6 years Sharp Shirter grew slowly, but it wasn't until I graduated from college in 2009 that I jumped in with both feet. My parents let me take over their house in Maryland and for the next 4 years I conquered it room by room until I had about 10,000 shirts in storage. We all decided that was a good time for me to switch over to a real warehouse. Where did the name Sharp Shirter come from?

Honestly, it was just a name that came to me when I was brainstorming ideas in high school. I had no idea that it would have any relevance to the brand identity. Now that all the shirts revolve around animals & violence, I'm pumped that I went with it because it all makes sense.

Animals are a common theme throughout your products, which animal is your favorite and why?

Well, sloths were the cats of 2013 but I think they may be on their way out so I'm looking into up-and-coming animals. It's hard to pick out a favorite but I'm gunning for panthers.

What challenges have you faced running a small business?

EVERYTHING. Well, the biggest ones have to be 1) Inventory control 2) Learning how to schedule a proper work day 3) Understanding how to teach a role in your company and then not be a control freak when it comes time to pass the torch Do you have any advice for people struggling to go for it and start their own business?

Baby steps. Don't invest too much money into anything. There's a lot of temptation to go big fast but ultimately you need to find out the real demand in your product before you spend a significant amount of money. I learned that the hard way when I thought I had a good design and bought a couple hundred units of it. I sat on that inventory for at least a year. PART 2. Dan Favorite item in your closet?

My closet is virtually empty. I spend my time thinking about what other people are going to wear. What are 3 things you can’t live without?

Puffins (best cereal ever) The Room (worst movie ever) Puffins & The Room (amazing combination) What is your favorite non Sharp Shirter product on Storenvy?

A Sharp Shirter employee has been eying those galaxy bow ties HARD.

What is your favorite thing about the Storenvy platform?

When we were brainstorming ideas for company Christmas gifts we knew that we wanted to give everyone on the team something unique, something authentic, something that represented the love and passion that Storenvy brands have for their products. Quite simply something that had substance. After a few ideas we landed on teaming up with Storenvy brand Black House Project to commission backpacks for the entire team. We've been a huge fan of Nigel's work from the day he opened up shop. His backpacks are absolutely beautiful, his passion for every piece he makes is undeniable and the quality of what he does is unrivaled.

Nigel, immediately dove into crafting these works of art for the team. We realized shortly after that we wanted to make the backpacks even more “Storenvy”. Right around this time an amazing designer with some of the coolest patches, bags and hats we have seen opened up shop with us called Mokuyobi Threads. It only seemed right to pair these two amazing stores together for a truly unique product.

What we ended up with is nothing short of magic!

Meet Auburn Kelton, this week's “Person We Envy!” Hailing from Huntsville, Alabama, this graphic designer's got a hankering for the written word. In fact, Auburn's love for literary worlds inspired her to pursue art seriously. This isn't limited to visual art - she also crafts tea blends! If you're looking for tea named after your favorite book character, you know who to hit up. And for this, we've only got fandoms to thank. But don't confuse Auburn for a homebody; this girl's thirst for adventure transcends book covers. On a Saturday, you'll probably find her in the great outdoors backpacking, camping, canoeing, or caving. We're wondering if she preps by sipping on her Katniss tea blend. Either way, Auburn's made the world, fictional or real, her oyster. You go girl! Read on for more about Auburn, including a playlist she curated just for us! 1) Storenvy: Where are you from and where do you live now? Auburn: I’m currently in Huntsville, Alabama. 2) Storenvy: What are you up to these days? Auburn: Right now I’m into designing tea labels, quote graphics, and fandom art. It’s a fun life. 3) Storenvy: Wow, so you're a graphic designer and a fandom artist! Which fandoms inspire you to create? Auburn: Yeah! I’m drawn to books that have beautiful imagery because it makes it easier to picture scenes and characters in my head, as well as making for a more enjoyable read. I love classics, and I have boxes upon boxes of old books that I’ve picked up at book sales. While those influence my art, I don’t often directly draw characters from them, with the exception being Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins and The Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan are the books that actually influenced me to start really focusing on my art about 2 years ago. 4) Storenvy: Cool! Any current obsessions? Auburn: Tea, always. I create my own tea blends and I'm constantly drinking it. My sketchbooks are full of label thumbnails and ingredient percentages that I later turn into teas, mostly based on my favorite characters, through Adagio Teas. 5) Storenvy: What's your favorite childhood toy? Auburn: I think I had a Beanie Baby brown rabbit at some point that I absolutely loved to death. Literally. It’s probably falling apart in some corner of the attic now. 6) Storenvy: What are you typically up to on a Saturday? Auburn: Camping- some friends and I will take weekend trips and go backpacking, canoeing, or caving. It’s a lot of fun and I love every minute of it. 7) Storenvy: Curate us a mini-playlist of your three favorite songs of the moment! Auburn: 1. The Paper Kites - Bloom 2. Jamie Woon - Wayfaring Strangers 3. King Charles - Polar Bear 8) Storenvy: Right on! Now let's talk Storenvy. What's your favorite envy and why?

Terrarium Zine by Koyamori

Auburn: Probably Koyamori’s Terrarium Zine. Watercolors are one of my favorite mediums, and I especially love her work. Also, terrariums are some of my favorite things! They’re like little plays set up inside a garden. 9) Storenvy: What about your favorite brand?

We Are Stardust by The Love Parcel.

Auburn: Definitely The Love Parcel. I just think the whole idea is super cute and the variety of items is fantastic. I can’t wait to get my hands on my own little parcel someday! Whether I’ll be willing to part with it and actually send it to a friend is to be determined. 10) Storenvy: Why did you join Storenvy? Auburn: I originally joined Storenvy to buy some garden gnome earrings. I mean, there’s also this amazing color scheme, user-friendly layout, and the option to create your own marketplace store- but those garden gnome earrings from Tiny Love Stories is what did it. Oh gnome sweet gnome! Thanks for talking to us, Auburn!

If you're looking for gorgeous, whimsical accessories and jewelry with playful pops of color, featured brand Acute Designs has got your needs covered.

When we discovered that storeowner Regina, or Gina for short, was also the mastermind behind the lifestyle blog Acute Designs, it was a no brainer that she'd be the curator for our next Blogger Collection. From unique, everyday hair accessories to modern jewelry, one thing is clear: Gina definitely made the right decision quitting her day job to devote time and energy toward her passion.

A self-proclaimed “huge dork” obsessed with Mad Men, Regina couldn't resist curating a Mod-centric collection. Her timing was perfect! Mad Men enthusiasts will soon be bidding farewell to the series, as it's final season premieres this Sunday. Read on to find out who Gina's favorite Mad Men character is; it may surprise you!

Your blog has a lot of posts regarding lifestyle and beautiful wedding accessories, what is your favorite topic to blog about and why? 

I love sharing weekly snapshots (99% are of my dogs) and recipes (it's a great excuse to bake). I also really love my "books lately" posts where I share what I have been reading and so many friends and readers chime in with their own recommendations. I have received the best book recommendations from those posts.

What made you start blogging? 

I had a boring, cubicle job and wanted a creative outlet. I wanted to get into freelance writing and thought owning a blog would be a good platform for practice. The blog morphed into my handmade accessories business which has changed and grown so much over the years. I no longer work in a cubicle and spend a majority of my time creating and fulfilling orders rather than writing! It's funny how things work out.

If you could give 3 tips to new bloggers, what would they be?

Be authentic. A reader knows when you are trying too hard or not being yourself and it's kind of a turn off. Have fun! Be yourself and blog about what you want to blog about - not just what's in this month.

Make a fun or interesting "about me" page. The nosey person in me loves a thorough about me page.  Also, make it easy for people to contact you. You never know what someone might want to say :).

The design does matter. There are so many amazing designers out there who offer inexpensive templates for blogger and wordpress. Support a small business, spend $50 (or less), and buy one! It will make you look like you know exactly what you're doing....even when you don't. I wish someone would have told me this five years ago because my blog was scary looking at times!

Your Storenvy store is stocked with amazing accessories, when did you realize you wanted to start your own business?

See #2 :). It really just started once I became immersed in the world of blogging and social media, I had the thought, that so many others have had, of "I can do this." New businesses are popping up every day. There are some amazingly creative and talented people out there. I don't really consider myself either of these things! I just work hard and try to make smart decisions. Hard work and being nice to others in the biz really pays off.

How did you find inspiration for the collection you curated? Is Mad Men one of your favorite shows?

Oh my god - YES. I am a huge dork and obsessed with Mad Men. It is one of those shows that I heard about for years and I thought "I should watch it, but what if I hate it...I will feel like a loser." But one night, I decided to watch an episode. I finally closed my laptop four hours later and went to bed. Within ten days I had watched four seasons. I couldn't stop! It is such a beautiful show and so well-written. The writing impresses me every single episode. 

Who is your favorite character on Mad Men and why?

I should be politically correct and say Joan or Peggy and while I do love them....my favorite is Don Draper. It's strange because he does really bad things and makes horrible decisions but I love him and always, always root for him. I think this has to do with how well his character is written - even though he's a total jerk, we root for him. I also think maybe I am attracted to horrible men? I am sure my husband would not agree! 

What's your favorite mod accessory and why?

Meet Amber Saylor, this week's “Person We Envy!” Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, this stylish gal rocks a sleek, snow white pixie and head-to-toe black like no other. You might call Amber the ultimate “Modern Goth.” Her 700+ envies tell us that she's been killin' it in the style department since day one. Naturally, we were super stoked to chat with her about life, style, and music. What we found? Amber's just as rad as she looks! But get this- there's video evidence somewhere of her dancing maniacally to One Direction in an empty park. 'Nuff said.

Read on for more of Amber's Saturday night shenanigans and a mini-playlist she curated for us! Storenvy: Where are you from and where do you live now? Amber: Born, raised, and still living in Cincinnati, Ohio! Storenvy: What do you do for a living? Amber: During the week I am a stay-at-home Mom and on the weekends I work at a warehouse in Kentucky while my son is with his dad. Storenvy: You have such rad style! How would you go about describing it? Amber: Thank you! I had a friend refer to the way I dress as “Modern Goth” on a few occasions, so maybe I'll call it that. I wear a lot of black. Like, a lot. Whenever I wear colors, people actually joke that the world is ending. I also wear a lot of gray, white, and minimal prints. Even though that sounds pretty basic, I try to keep it anything but. I'm an avid believer in mixing the past with the present - anything vintage or new on the runway could catch my eye! Storenvy: What's your latest obsession? Amber: Bralettes, snow white hair, and platform gym shoes. Ugh, I cannot get enough. Ever since I saw Nicole Richie sporting what looked like spray painted white hair, I haven't been able to stop trying to find a way to get it! Platform heels usually aren't my style, but for some reason, I adore platform gym shoes or flats. Creepers are my favorite. It's also nice because I'm only 5'5” and the guys I date are 6' or taller. 

Black Creepers by Toxic Footwear

For bralettes, it's the simplicity and the clean lines, and in some cases, metallic or lace. Even if you're in a tank top and jeans with a bun, you can have a bralette peeking through and you've instantly added a bit of intrigue to your outfit.

Full Lace Bralette by Papers & Peonies

Storenvy: Now for the hard-hitting questions. What are you typically up to on a Saturday? Amber: More than likely, I'm up for day shopping with my son. Sometimes I think I dress him better than I dress me! Otherwise, I'm probably with my best friend goofing off and watching ID TV until the street lights come on. Then we're off on adventures, like visiting abandoned buildings or driving to places we've never been to just to say we have. We've also been known to visit empty parks, blaring One Direction and dancing like fools ... I have videos, it's embarrassing. Storenvy: We love it! Create a mini-playlist for us? Amber: 1. BOY - Drive Darling 2. Pity Sex - Wind-Up 3. Niki & The Dove - Somebody Storenvy: Now let's talk Storenvy. What is your favorite Storenvy brand? Amber: I'd have to say it's a tie between Love Junkee and Poison. Love Junkee was actually the first brand I remember absolutely fawning over ... for days. I couldn't stop. Poison, I just found recently. Both brands have an array of what would be considered “IN” now and then items that make them both stand out. Storenvy: Why did you join Storenvy? Amber: I remember coming across Storenvy and seeing so many different styles, brands, and items. I wanted to check it out and I'm so happy I did! We're happy to have you! Thanks for chatting with us, Amber!

Storenvy revamps pop-up to mirror online experience, curating collections and authentic and emerging brands and offering a brick and mortar opportunity

About Michael

I like getting my hands dirty, learning about crafts, and seeing the process that goes into making a product (be it physical or digital!). I also have a weak spot for red licorice. Prior to working at Storenvy I spent some time working for a small mom and pop shop helping them make their products and seeing what goes into running a small brand. After saying goodbye to them and Chicagoland, I spent the following year in NYC pursuing my own brand, making waxed canvas + leather goods, selling online and experiencing what it means to start, build and maintain your own brand. I also geek out over other small brands which I showcase on my blog Those Who Make.

Why I'm excited to be here

As someone who has spent the better part of the past 4+ years frequenting websites that help people sell/share their brand online, I really wanted to join a company that does just that and I was stoked when I found an opening at Storenvy! I feel everyone is capable of creating an awesome brand that they’re passionate about and these are the brands that I'm passionate about helping, sharing, and encouraging. 

Fun Facts

Favorite movie? My most recent fav. is 12 Years A Slave, although Zoolander will always be a close second.

Something people don’t know about you?  My birthday twin is Shaquille O'Neal

Favorite book?  I like books that have a lot of traveling in them : On the Road, Blue Highways, Harry Potter

Blue Bottle, Sightglass, Ritual or ______ [fill in the blank]?  Any of these : http://thosewhomake.com/tagged/coffee

Where do you see yourself in ten years?  Owning a dog + cat

Meet Megan Gov, this week's resident “Person We Envy.” Intrigued by her colorful, fun-in-the-sun Envies, we sat down with the true California girl to talk style, life, and Storenvy. What we found? Megan's got effortless style in the purest sense. Also, we're going to make a crazy guess that her middle name begins with a “G.” Read on for her interview and to find out why. 

Storenvy: Where are you from and where do you live now? Megan: I am from Davis, California and I am now living in Stockton, California. Storenvy: Describe yourself in three words. Megan: Optimistic, hardworking, trusting. Storenvy: Favorite quote? Megan: “Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow in” -Mahatma Gandhi Storenvy: What's one thing that people might not know about you? Megan: My mother messed around with my birth certificate, so my middle name is the first word of my last name. Storenvy: You have awesome Envies! How would you describe your style? Where or who do you get inspiration from? Megan: I don’t really have too much of an inspiration. I usually envy clothes I find nice, certain items that I find cute or interesting, or items that I believe that more people should see. My style? I am not too sure, I guess trendy or cute? Storenvy: What 3 products are at the top of your Storenvy wishlist?

Multiple Strap Back Bustier-Burgundy by Love Street

Compact Leather-Trimmed Canvas hiker Backpack by Vintage rugged canvas bags

I'll Eat You Up by LOOK HUMAN