Sunshine Yellow Summer Maxi Dress

By A Mused Blog @Amusedblog

As mentioned in yesterday's post, I recently visited a local Gravenstein Apple orchard in celebration of the 45th Annual Gravenstein Apple Fair, on August 11-12 in Sebastopol. The Fair is the largest fundraiser of the year for Sonoma County Farm Trails - and their mission is to keep farms forever in Sonoma County. To learn more about the event, please see my previous post.
For the shoot, I wanted to create an opportunity to show off two fellow California-based female creatives and their talent. Being able to work with, and collaborate with fellow creatives is always a treat! I especially appreciate both women's hands-on approach to their branding and business model, as well as their steady determination in all their accomplishments.
Misty is a designer whom I met several years ago while attending MAGIC in Las Vegas. It has been so fun for me to watch her clothing brand grow and expand over the years. One of her recent major milestones is that her brand Larke Designs is now sold through Anthropologie. Such a huge accomplishment, and I as a friend couldn't be more proud. What's even more incredible is that a co-worker recently stopped me and asked if I "liked Larke dresses; and did I get mine from Anthropologie?" It's safe to say that yes, I both like and love Larke designs; and I am so very proud of Misty for all she has accomplished thus far. I know she has many exciting things ahead of her!
Julia is a local Sonoma County jewelry designer based in Forestville. We first connected over Instagram, when she reached out mentioning how we always seemed to on the same wavelength with our day-to-day activities and local haunts. She kindly sent me two pieces of her custom, handmade jewelry: a set of beautiful chandelier earrings, and a rose quartz bracelet. I love the earrings because they lightweight and don't tug at my earlobes. They're dainty enough to not have a lot of weight to them, but also the perfect size to start a conversation and attract plenty of compliments (which they do)! The bracelet is special to me because rose quartz is one of my favorite stones and the perfect shade of pink.
I paired my Larke dress with a pair of rose gold sneakers from Rockport shoes. Rockport (which is connected to Cobb Hill) has been a long time sponsor and supporter of A Mused Blog. I am so thankful to this brand for the support that they have shown me over these past many years! I am proud to work with them as a company because of who they are as a brand, and also because the shoes are incredibly comfortable; I always bring at least one pair with me to Paris (or travel in general), as I know I will be doing a lot of walking, and will also want to look stylish in the process. Apple orchards are no exception ☺
Photography: Rachelle RawlingsDress: Larke DesignsJewelry: Topaz and PearlShoes: Rockport