Update: Almost Summer Ready

So, this is going to be a long post. Just preparing you now for it. Also, I apologize for the lack of photos. Next time, I'll have more photos.

1. New Stickers

So I wanted to make new stickers. I couldn't think of anything that had to do with the brand, so I decided to use the Flamingo design. I was playing with it to make it into something for a sleeve print, but I thought it would be better to be a sticker. Now, I have to make up new designs for the sleeve prints, but I'm happy with this. It's cool & it grabs your attention.

I think I'm going to make a bunch of more stickers in the future, but for now, just one or two more. Just for the variety.

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2. Iron-On Clothing Labels

In my last post, I mentioned the iron-on labels. I ordered more made because not everything is completely cotton. I didn't get the ones for the polyester/cotton blends, but finally tried one out to see what it'll be like.

I messed up on the first one because I didn't let it cool completely before I pulled it off, but I was impressed with it regardless. This one looks a little off center, so the next time, I'll just completely center it off the 'o' & not eyeball it. But like, look at how clean that is!!! Like, the branding is official! They not ready for this! COME ON SON! STOP PLAYING WITH IT!!!

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3. DBA

Okay, I did a DBA (Doing Business As) before I did my LLC. I never mailed in my paperwork for my DBA though. I have sent in my DBA & the state has received it.

"But Liddell, what does this mean?"

I'm glad you asked!

I can use "adorá" as my business name instead of my LLC. I was already doing that on clothes I mailed out, but it's legal now. I'm going to be using adorá as my business name for here on out, that is anything regarding my brand. I just got the shipping information so it'll be to be in four to six days. I need to hang up this & my formation papers on my wall.

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4. More Fabric Tags

I got more fabric tags. These ones are for the denim shorts.

I thought I made them big enough so I can sew them on as well as iron them on, but I don't think they're big enough for sewing. It's not enough space for it. This is for branding. I need everything to be branded & look as authentic and official as possible. The color for the font is actually Oxford Blue, but it's so dark it looks black. Next time, I'll make the tags longer & use a lighter blue. Maybe even red, who knows. Probably not going to use red though.

These are the shorts. Distressed acid washed denim. They stretch very well too. They'll be going on the inside on the waist band. In this photo, the patch is sewn on with white thread. That was the very first pair I did & I used black thread after that. I thought it would be nice, but when you're new to sewing, mistakes are very visible with such a contrast of colors.

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5. Gift Boxes

I think this is the time to get gift boxes together for the people I feel can help impact the growth of my brand. I made a list of influencers from different niches I could contact as well as people I've already met myself. I'm hoping I could get them to get the word out. I don't have a website yet & I haven't made a new Instagram page yet, so it'll be very interesting. I don't want to create traffic & have it going nowhere...I would like to wait, but I don't want to miss what could be. It's best I prepare for them. If I have to wait to send them out, yeah.

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What's Next

I'm still looking for a place to get prints. DTG printing is around, but if it's not the quality I need, it's not going. I put quality over everything but integrity. But I'm not stressing about it. I'm just going to pray & fast then watch God move.

I'm still waiting on the contracts for models & with artists to buy artwork. I already have a few pieces in mind with one artist I would had loved to work with. It's one of those things that it has to be business & left at that.

I don't need models anymore. A friend of family, really more like family, said they'll be willing to do it. They said it before, but I wasn't focused on any of this at the time. I kept them in mind though. Now, it's time. I still would like more faces. I want to be able to use a plethora of persons from different backgrounds. I understand what representation means & I'm doing this for the kids so all the kids need someone to look up to, even if it's not me or somebody who looks like me.

I need to start planning photo shoots now. Get some going just for promotional intentions, but if things are great, I'll be able to save some photos for future projects.

I have a lot of sewing to do. Please, pray I get through it all!

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Personal Reflection

My thoughts & ideas are normally misunderstood & it hurts. Sometimes you're just alone. You could be surrounded & still feel alone. There are people I love I can't talk to because the way they think. It's some people who, they say they want to work it out, but deep down, it's not that, it's they want some form of agreement that just them having control. I see people for who they are & I don't always fault them for what they do, but when it comes down to my peace, my sake, I'm not letting things get to me. I'm not even explaining myself anymore because if I've done it before & you didn't understand or do better, you not going to do it now. You don't appreciate my thoughts. People be thinking they have better ideas & they moves don't be working out for them. It's so wild. People so strange. I just want to do what I can & go somewhere you'll never think to look for me.

I need a vacation.

I need a pretty girl that's going to tell me I'm smart & show me love.

Honestly, I'm not looking for a relationship. I would like to go out on dates (eating out, go to the movies, coming over to ply video games, etc.), but I would like to keep it at just that. I just want friends. Like if I could go out to eat with three homies, or link with one person & go for a walk, that'll be cool. The idea of getting in relationship right now sounds like stress. I could be wrong, but I like to be proven wrong if it's my benefit. If not, I love being right. So it's whatever.

These things, these times, they won't be forgotten...just rarely mentioned. Sometimes, the tears will come even if you're not sad. It's not heart break, it's your heart stretching. Make room for the memories to come. For the joy & peace. For the love. For forgiveness. I hope beyond hope that it's better living. Trials build patience, patience builds character. Am I not patient enough? Am I not always in character? Can I be happy just to be happy? Not for the sake of other's, not for my own sake, but for the sake of it.

I can be happy. I will be.

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I wish you all success. I appreciate who ever took the time to read this. Have a blessed day. I love you.