shop spotlight || the measure [all the numbers]

If you're looking for the most adorable vintage-inspired sunsuits and one-of-a-kind sundresses, The Measure has seriously got you covered. Perfectly suited for a playful childhood, each piece that Kiki [owner, mama of twins & genius behind it all] creates is made with so much love and care that you'll buy one and want the entire store! Then you'll write her 10 emails trying to convince her to make them in your size. Or you'll just convince your husband to have 10 more babies.

Either way, The Measure is where it's at. 

|| grey + peach floral & fauna sunsuit ||

One of my favorite parts about blogging is all the incredible women I meet through my Shop Spotlight collaborations -- the other Mamas who I find I have so much in common with, and who I connect with initially through a screen but then with whom I build a connection through the heart. And I love how much of a person's personality comes through when we email back and forth and they share their story with me -- their journey, their thoughts in their own words....I have had the pleasure of sharing so many different stories, all of which have pushed me deeper in love with the shop and products, and Kiki's story is no different.

"Hiya, I’m Kiki. I’m a WAHM to 4 year old twins. It’s difficult to know where to start, writing a bio. I mean, *I* started 35 years ago, as a surprise. (Blizzard of ’78 + boredom = me. Ta-da!) First I was little, then I got bigger. My mom taught me how to sew when I was 6, and I wanted to make my own patterns, even from the beginning. Drove her crazy! Even though it was something I grew up doing, I never imagined this would be my life. Possible career choices I mulled over (some more seriously than others): trapeze artist, world traveler, Peace Corps volunteer, midwife. 

Life had other plans for me though."

"During college I became pretty ill with what seemed like lots of random symptoms. It actually took over 8 years to get a correct diagnosis. I have something called POTS, which mostly means my body doesn’t regulate its autonomic nervous system very well. Blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and breathing - they all tend to go a little haywire if I stand up for too long or do too much physical activity. I went to school to become a teacher, and I am certified to do so, but I was unable to stand up all day like you need to. Overdoing it means I pass out. Like, out, on the floor. It’s awesome. *sigh*"

|| running through the meadow set ||

"So there I was, college degree (that had taken me 8 years to get!), and not able to hold a job. I was frustrated, and bored, and I started making things. My mom’s sewing machine? Found it! Commence sewing clothes for my friends that were having babies. They seemed to like them, maybe other people would too! I opened an Etsy shop in 2008 and suddenly I had the means to make some money. I was creating useful things, I felt productive, it was perfect!"

"My original Shop name was All the Numbers. I named it after something my mom said to me every night at bedtime, “I love you ALLLLL the numbers!” Like, I love you sooo much. I opened up a second line, called The Measure, when I started to do wholesale in 2009. As it stands now, The Measure is the retail shop, and though I gave wholesale a real try for three seasons (line sheets, sales reps, cross-country buying trips, trade shows in NYC), ultimately it was too hard for me to do on my own. I was eating, breathing and sleeping the business, always with a mile-long to-do list, and I was way in debt. I had just had enough. So now I am back to just selling to mamas, and it is so so lovely. I have time to get to know my customers, and picnic in the park, and sometimes do collaborations. Best decision ever."

|| ivory counting tank ||

"I don’t sew very much anymore, mostly samples. I work with a small sew shop in Boston, and they make it possible for me to offer many more units than I would be able to sew on my own. I have a fabulous assistant named Julia, without whom the business would surely collapse. She does all the shipping and inventory and bookkeeping, and she keeps me and my scatterbrain on track."

|| Some random facts about me ||

» I’m really tall. 6 feet.

» Most of my best friends I’ve met over the internet. On three occasions I’ve flown to hang out with people that I’d never met in person. And every time it was awesome.

» I grew up on the ocean and the story my family told was that I learned to swim before I could walk.

» My husband and I were both English majors and we have more books than we know what to do with. I love Faulkner, and Shakespeare, and David Mitchell and David Foster Wallace.

» I really love pie. And good beer. And records. We listen to records a lot.

» I try to lie on the ground as much as possible during the warmer months. Look up at the sky. Makes me remember how vast it all is and how small a lot of my problems are.

|| red wings dress ||

what the measure is known for || Vintage sunsuits with a signature triple ruffle butt & whimsical childhood dresses as well as a wide variety of tops and bottoms all designed & created by kiki

what sets the measure apart || Just look at each piece -- that is what sets it apart! When I first connected with Kiki, I just couldn't get over how unique her pieces were! Her sunsuits are seriously like retro rompers with the volume turned up...WAY up, in the absolute best way possible. Her dresses are elegant and sophisticated but totally still down to earth. Does that even make sense? Well, at least it does in my head. 

my favorite products || In addition to all the incredible pieces that Kiki sent me, these have been catching my eye lately: running through the meadow 2 piece set, ivory counting tank, the navy stripe sunsuit & the upcycled french blue dress [which is sold out but still so beautiful that I had to include it]

|| strawberry sunsuit ||

quality + craftsmanship || The intricacy that goes into each piece is beyond words -- from the perfect button holes to the ric rac back straps and buttons, to the ruffles on the butt...each and every one is so well made; just the feel of the products in your hands tells you of the quality each offers. Kiki has got some mad talent to turn plain fabric paired with her creative vision into works of art.

overall opinion || I'm obsessed, can you tell? All the sunsuits and dresses have held up to all the wear and tear of childhood [which as you mamas know, is a lot] and Olivia seems so comfortable in everything she has worn from The Measure. I love the fit and design of both the dresses and the sunsuits.

sunsuits || The sunsuits are inspired by vintage design and are offered in a wide variety of retro prints and colors. Each sunsuit has two ric rac straps that can be crossed in the back and buttoned at 3 different lengths near the waist, which allow for them to grow with your child. In fact, I am certain Olivia will be able to wear these pieces next summer, because even with her growing taller, they will still fit. And if they don't fit, I will have to have more baby girls who they will fit, because I am going to wear these down to the very last thread. The straps can also be worn uncrossed, for a different look or for an older child. I also love how breathable the sunsuits are -- I never worry about Olivia overheating even on an extra hot day, because she is wearing such a light, open piece. They are perfect all summer long and into fall with a cozy cardigan thrown on top.

dresses || Dresses from The Measure are full of flow and movement, perfect for a breezy day at the park or beach or an afternoon photoshoot. They are lightweight but crafted of high quality cotton. Her sundresses are asymmetrical, which is a look I just love. The straps are adjustable through loops in the back and the fit is generously made to be worn over several seasons. How cute would this typography dress be paired with black leggings and a floral bonnet in early Fall? Um, melt me.

|| typography sundress with white floral trim ||

value + recommendation || The sunsuits and dresses that Kiki sent for V are all pieces we will cherish forever. They will never go out of style because they are a style all their own -- timeless and classy yet playful, which are the exact words I would use to describe Olivia. Via will even be wearing a special piece from The Measure for her 15 month photos in August. The dresses and sunsuits are as unique as each child wearing them and certainly worth every penny. Just to see your little lady in one of The Measure's creations is such a joy, and watching Olivia stand in the backyard, tiny toes in the green grass, glowing from the sunshine & wearing a vintage-inspired sunsuit...in my mind, that is the essence of summer.

coupon code || BLESSEDNEST15 || save 15% off your total purchase || Valid 7.18-7.24 only
start shopping here

giveaway || one lucky winner will have the opportunity to choose any [in stock] item from the measure. to enter, simply complete the steps below in the rafflecopter. giveaway will run from friday july 18 through thursday july 24. happy friday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway