The Moms behind Rare Dirndl

Today is Mother's Day and that means its time to take a break from blogging about construction and thank some very special people in my life. Starting with Grandma Kathi! 

The one who taught me how to sew, use patterns and listen. She was someone who always valued what I had to say even when I was young. She is the hardest working woman I have ever met. She lets nothing stop her from doing what she needs to do. Every time I go over there she always has sound advise and reminds me to stop worrying about the things I can't change and just do my best. (Even though she is doing plenty of worrying herself, but I think that is a mom thing). She is such an inspiration and I strive everyday to just be little bit more like Grandma Kathi. 

(Quick side note, because I'm sure people are wondering… we call our Grandma's Grandma and not Oma because when I was born, I still had great-grandma's and they were called Oma)

Grandma Kathi and I after teaching me how to starch underskirts

Next is Grandma Rosina, another fighter. She is more like a girlfriend than a grandma and is always willing to come over and help me prep for shows and sometimes just help me clean my mess of a studio. After loosing her best friend and husband in 2011 she could have fallen into depression, but she, like Grandma Kathi, is an amazing woman who has since found ways to cope with her loss and lucky me it involves coming over and folding fabric and keeping me organized. These past few weeks have been hard on me and now she's the one calling me to see how I'm doing! She's got a fabulous fashion sense and has taught me all about trends and taking fashion risks. Between the two of them, its no surprise I'm a designer.

Mom, Grandma Rosina, and I at Navy Pier's Neighborhoods of the World Event in April 2012

Last but not least is the mom that everyone wishes they had... my Mom! She knows me better than I know myself and has always supported me. She is the most selfless person I've ever met and I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for her. She works full time, (always has) is a full time mom and is full time awesome! I could talk forever about how jealous you should be that she's my mom and not yours, but I'll keep it short and sweet. With her help, I've been able to take my dreams and make them a reality. She is my biggest fan and I'm hers. If I can be half the mom she is then I'll be a happy woman.

My Mom and I at the German Beer Fest in Atlanta last summer. 

 Happy Mother's Day - I love you Mom(s)!



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Plumbing, Check! Framing, Check!

Today the plumbing and framing were completed!  The space is starting to resemble the space I envisioned! Except for the drinking fountain of course... i did not envision that, but the plumbing is in and ready for water.

The bathroom floor is also reenforced and nearly completed. Very happy that I don't have to worry about falling though anymore!

We're getting there! Can't wait to see what next week brings!

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The Facade is a Changin'

Christian and I stopped at the building yesterday on our way to Coles (to get a refrigerator and oven) to take a few more measurements for the cabinets and we noticed... No Door!!! Yay!

I wanted a small double hung window with shutters instead of the ugly 2nd door and so thats what I'm getting! I'm so excited about it! But as usual... "So the picture window lintel is in very bad shape, we will need to replace that." - of course... like mom said the tug boat is the contract and the cruise ship its pulling is the add order. Good thing I planted my money tree last year... ugh....

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Arrival of the Dumpster and the Hole in the Floor!

Yesterday was the arrival of the dumpster! It looks super fetch in front on Lincoln and I cannot wait to find out how much it costs! But it is very necessary considering there is way too much garbage and they've already started tearing up the facade. 

No more ugly siding, just ugly bricks!

The newest addition

 They have also been busy framing out the new walls and bringing in the electric. We still need to get ComEd to come in and bump up the service to 400amp service, but its starting to take shape and my mom can finally get a betting vision of what I have been talking about for the past 4 months.

But of course, there has got to be something unexpected, and that would be the rotten bathroom floor. Its getting re-framed so no one ends up in the basement while doing their business, which is a very good thing... but also a bonus expense.

New hole in the floor!

What will the rest of this week bring... probably new surprises, but I'm in a better state of mind and I'm ready for anything (well almost anything)

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More coming down than going up!

I kinda figured this would happen and yesterday, I was proven correct. After going over all the plans with my contractor Paul from Service Construction of Illinois, Inc I left my studio in their hands. Upon my return I saw this:

WHA?!?

Turns out... It would be easier to take down the other walls and rebuild them, than try to add to them. And then theres the toilet room and sink. Something by the sink must have been leaking for a long time because the floor is rotted nearly all the way through to the basement! So theres a large gaping hole in the floor. But no worries... best to get all this taken care of so when customers need to pee they don't fall through the floor, you know?!

I can't wait to go back today and see whats going on and see how much the city is going to charge me for a dumpster! 

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Tomorrow it begins!

Last week, I enlisted the help of my wonderful boyfriend (who is sweet enough to help me with this giant project) and Alex (who really likes tearing shit up) to tear down the bathroom wall. It's not really much of a bathroom... I'd call it a toilet room, since thats all that was in there. We are going to make it bigger to include a sink (what a concept) and maybe a nice plant!

bye bye toilet room wall!

 Today I put the building permit! YAY!!!!! (only took 2 months and $1,300)

And tomorrow at 7am the work begins! Cannot wait to see the progression and get this studio boutique up and runnin'!

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Permit Approved!

To all my blog followers who were sending happy thoughts my way on Thursday... THANK YOU! It worked. The city finally approved the plans for the construction and now I just have to pay a few fees and we can start. (always fees...)

From inside facing Lincoln Ave. (pre-demolition)

From Lincoln Ave. looking in (pre-demolition)

So excited to start the construction and finally get going! I'll be blogging as often as I can, keeping you updated on all the new, fun, and crazy things that happen along the way as we create a studio boutique where Hard Industrial Chicago meets Cozy Alpine Lodge.

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