World Cup Dirndls?! Actually just "In Bloom" Dirndls!

With the World Cup in full swing, the Rare Dirndl Design Studio windows are all set up with dirndls representing Group G: Germany, Portugal, USA, and Ghana! How did I have time to make 4 dirndls to represent each country? I used the In Bloom Dirndls and Vest and it was super easy!

Germany vs Portugal

The first game on Monday had Germany playing Portugal! 

Our German representative in the window is wearing the In Bloom Dirndl with an Off-the-Shoulder Blouse with gathers, Yellow Semi-Circle Skirt and a German Flag themed custom apron!

Our Portuguese representative is wearing the In Bloom Vest with the Sweetheart Blouse with Lace, a Black Semi-Circle Skirt and Portuguese Flag themed one-of-a-kind apron!

USA vs Ghana

The next game was the USA versus Ghana!

Our American representative in the window is wearing the In Bloom Vest with the Sparkle Organza Blouse, Royal Blue Semi-Circle Skirt, Modern Bavarian Scarf, and an American Flag themed custom apron! 

Our Ghanaian representative is wearing the In Bloom Dirndl with a Black Blouslette, Red Semi-Circle Skirt and one-of-a-kind apron (the fabric I used celebrates 50 years of independence... I bought the fabric in Ghana when I was studying abroad in 2007!)


All of these pieces are available online! [except the Portugal apron... which is just pinned for the window and the Ghana apron... which is mine ;-) ]

Click Here to get stared building your own In Bloom Dirndl look to represent your country! But if you are a little confused as to how this dirndl works… why its so versatile and what makes it the perfect dirndl for Oktoberfest or any other occasion, watch this video!

This weekend I'll be keeping a close eye on the games in order to update the scores in the Design Studio Window. If you have any questions or would like more details about the In Bloom Dirndl, simply reply to this e-mail.

Happy World Cup!!

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Rare Dirndl Customer Spotlight: Cathy Kling

Cathy Kling - West Harrison, IN

My love for Oktoberfest celebrations started when my family would gather in Minster, Ohio for their annual event. My ancestors on my mother's side originated in Prussia.

When I met my now husband, David (whose ancestors came from Germany in the 1800's and settled in Cincinnati Ohio) it became apparent we were a good match.

David and I have made it our mission to seek out and attend every Oktoberfest within the greater Cincinnati area (Germania being our favorite!) We have been to Frankenmuth, Michigan and hopefully Munich one day! With that being said, we decided what better time and place to get married but at our own Oktoberfest with family and friends, and since the original event started with a wedding between Prince Lugwig and Princess Therese in 1810... we thought what a great idea!!

Now came the difficult task in finding the perfect dirndl. I searched many websites with little to no interest on what I found. Until one day I came across the Rare Dirndl website and I finally found what I had been searching for, the perfect dirndl aka "The Pit and The Pendulum Dirndl"!  It was truly an Aha moment!! I loved it and so did David. That design was everything that I was looking for and I received many compliments on our wedding day.

Our wedding was truly a wonderful day and I'm so glad I found that dirndl! (and I've already got my eye on another)








Do you want to be the next Rare Dirndl Customer Spotlight? As the winner you will recieve a $50 Coupon Code for any online purchase, a feature on the Rare Dirndl website and blog, and a gift package worth approx $100!! Click here to get all the details!

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Ask the Dirndl Designer! - 5 Most Common Questions!

This past weekend was one of Chicago's most beloved street festivals, the Maifest in Lincoln Square. I also had the Rare Dirndl Design Studio doors open for anyone who wanted to stop by and shop! It was a lot of fun and as usual… when people find out that I design a line of fashion forward dirndls for a living, the questions start rolling! It got me thinking that after 5 years of doing this there are pretty much 5 most common questions so I decided to answer them for you via video!

Watch this video to learn the answers to the most common questions I get asked. The very last one is the best one (and I was only asked that once, but it's probably my favorite question ever!!)

Do you have a question that I didn't answer? Feel free to write it in the comments and I'll be sure to answer it for you. Have a fabulous week!

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2014 Maifest Dirndl Sale

It's Back!!! Don't miss out!

Restaurant Review: Kiko's Meat Market

When I moved into the Lincoln Square area, I was immediately intrigued by a small restaurant on the corner of our block, Kiko's Market and Restaurant. Although, Kiko's is a Bosnian restaurant, so much of the menu is familiar to me since I'm of Donauschwaben descent. I decided to do my next restaurant review on Kiko's since I think the food is slightly similar to German food and I was craving my favorite dish this afternoon ;-)

The atmosphere in Kiko's is very unique. It is a family owned restaurant that has been serving Bosnian food since 2003. When you first walk into the restaurant it's glaringly obvious that this is a hot spot for Chicago Serbians. Most people will look at you with those, "I don't know you… what are you doing here" eyes, but once you are seated (in the summer there is a lovely outdoor area) the strange looks subside and everyone continues to speak in their native language to their family and friends. 

My first experience was ordering take out with my dad while we were doing construction in the studio, but my second was a really great one. My boyfriend and I met my parents there to celebrate my dad's birthday and we were on a mission to try a variety of things. Before we ordered we were served fresh baked bread served with two spreads. One was ajvar, a veggie spread made from eggplant, roasted red peppers and garlic… it was incredible and I was concerned that I would fill up on bread, but considering the other spread was kajmak, a salty/buttery cheese spread… I was ok with filling up on bread. Soooo good, and really unique… both things I've never tasted before.

Pastrmka na žaru in my own kitchen!

For dinner, my mom couldn't pass up the Sarma and my dad was more than excited about the Gulaš (we figured it was like goulash), Christian had wiener schnitzel and I had the Pastrmka na žaru (rainbow trout). This dish was noted as being a favorite on the menu and I love fish, so I figured it had to be good. It turned out to be a whole roasted trout served with rice (or fries) and krautsalat. Luckily, ever since my trip to Ghana, I've had a love affair with fish served whole… so this dish looked AHmazing! And it tasted amazing too! It came with an intense garlic/parsley oil (super tasty, but über garlicky) and it was simply delicious, I don't really know how else to describe it! The fries were pretty good and the krautsalat tasted just like Oma's! 

I also tasted everyone else's food (duh!) and the sarma was very similar to my Oma's however, the goulash was different, but still really good. The schnitzel tasted like schnitzel… but I was more obsessed with my fish and the bread! 

In the market waiting for my take out

Tonight, I decided to order for pick up (for no other reason than I was too comfy in my sweatpants to put real pants on). I again ordered by favorite fish dish, but this time I got to enjoy it in my own kitchen. When you order for take-out, you have to pick it up in the market section. It's a little market where you can get Bosnian specialties and I indeed got some for myself! I got a jar of ajvar, fresh made kajmak, and some chocolate (including a Kinder Bueno… my all time fav).

If you want delicious food that has slight German undertones and you're looking for something different than the typical sauerbraten and schnitzel, but you don't mind being treated a bit like an outsider, I highly recommend Kiko's Market and Restaurant.

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Finding Inspiration: Disney's "Frozen"

Last week I decided that I needed to take the evening to relax a bit. It's been a bit hectic lately with 2 wedding parties, dance group outfits and getting ready for the Fall/Winter photo shoot (ya… we're thinking ahead)… so I spent the evening with one of my favorite movies, Disney's Frozen. I had some dinner, poured myself a glass of wine and thought… "I love the outfits in this movie, I should do some sketches!" So I did! And I made a quick video of me taking the outfits that Elsa and Anna were wearing and turned them into Rare Dirndls. Check it out!

If you really love either of these designs and want to have it made for you, feel free to shoot me an e-mail erika@erikaneumayer.com and we'll make it happen!

This is Part 2 of the dirndl sketches video series which features inspiration from Elsa's Ice Gown and Anna's final dress from the movie Frozen.

You can order any of the four Frozen Dirndls by e-mailing erika@erikaneumayer.com Pricing for theses Dirndls are as follows:

  Elsa's Coronation Dirndl - $435
              -matching blouse - $98

Anna's Coronation Dirndl - $375
              -matching blouse - $40

   Elsa's Ice Queen Dirndl - $389
              -matching blouse - $89

        Anna's Finale Dirndl - $385
              -matching blouse - $79

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Best Way to Wash the Edelweiss Cut-Out Tee

Candice asked yesterday "Erika… What is the best way to wash my Edelweiss Cut-Out Tee?" That's a fabulous question and I'm sure other people have that question too, so here is the answer for all to see!

The Edelweiss Cut-Out Tee is a pre-washed 100% cotton shirt with a hand cut boat neckline, screen printed Rare Dirndl Edelweiss Logo on the front and a large edelweiss cut-out on the back.

It's a super comfortable shirt for over a bright tank, bathing suit or nothing at all (if your feeling bold)! It is a delicate shirt since it has a bunch of strategically placed holes, so you might be nervous to wash it, but not to fear, I've written it out step-by-step care instructions for your Edelweiss Cut-Out Tee. 

1. Put your shirt into a mesh delicates bag that you would usually use for fancy schmancy undies, bras or stuffed animals (I'm not the only one that washes stuffed animals right?) 
2. Wash on a regular cycle with like colors, or on a delicate cycle if you can. 
3. Either lay it flat to dry, or you can put it in the dryer on the low/delicate setting. 
4. Once it comes out of the dryer, you might think it looks stretched out, but it's not… it's perfectly fine. You might want to considering ironing it since the cut edges of the shirt will curl a bit. However, it's not necessary (depends on your personal style and if your super German and have an unnatural love for ironing)

Thats it folks, easy peasy! 

If you don't have an Edelweiss Cut-Out T-shirt… now that you know how to clean it, you should get one! Click here to get yours before they're gone (only 4 smalls left). If you have more questions please feel free to comment below! 

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