Gift Rebelle This Valentine's Day!

Luxurious velvet and red hearts: what's not to love?

Shop the entire Rebelle collection in the online boutique now, and gift your sweetie a set she'll never forget! There's something for everyone in this range, from the versatile Ribbon Corset, to the devastatingly sexy Bralette and Thong set, to the High Waisted Knickers (a must for curvy figures).

Nicole wears the Rebelle Bralette and matching High Waisted Knicker. Photo: Kelly Puleio

Got fit or styling questions? Send us a message and we'll help you pick out the perfect gift: one that's sure to please for years to come.

Modern Love Editorial by Antonette Streeter

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, what better way to plan a special date night for the one you love? Just in time for the most romantic time of year, photographer Antonette Streeter followed around models Laura and Devon (a super sweet couple in real life too!) for a date night out in San Francisco's North Beach. Laura wears Evgenia Lingerie paired with vintage pieces from her own collection. Lipstick by Elizabeth Street Cosmetics and styling by Michelle Byrnes.

Night Garden Bralette, Ribbon Corset, Modern Bow Knicker

Night Garden Bralette, Tap Short

Night Garden Bralette, Deco Romper

Night Garden Bralette, Deco Romper

Night Garden Bralette, Deco Romper

Night Garden Bralette, Tap Short

Night Garden Bralette, Tap Short

Night Garden Bralette, Ribbon Corset

Night Garden Bralette, Ribbon Corset

Night Garden Deco Cami

Night Garden Deco Cami

Night Garden Deco Tee

Bralettes & Bow Ties: A Valentine's Day Party with Zelma Rose and Rue Magazine

Valentine's Day is a lingerie designer's time to amp things up a bit and with the launch of the new collection, I really wanted this year to be a special one. When HCH PR maven Camille and I started brainstorming party ideas way back before the holidays, we had only an inkling of how awesome the final outcome would be. Lucky for me, Lisa of Zelma Rose was totally on board to team up as my co-headliner for Bralettes & Bow Ties! Lisa's handmade bow ties and pocket squares are pretty incredible and undeniably dapper - not to mention she makes bright, beautiful and expertly handcrafted cross-stitch jewelry! Rue Magazine co-hosted Bralettes & Bow Ties and a week after our special night, I'm still delighted with the outcome.

Credit: Portraits to the People

Bralettes & Bow Ties was the perfect opportunity for me to sew up a full size run in all the new pieces from my Deco and Cotillion collections, get a bunch of friends and colleagues together, talk shop, try some lingerie and bow ties and drink some cocktails. Photographers Sarah from Portraits to the People and Cristal Veronica really elevated the whole experience with their gorgeous shots. Thanks a million to the dashing Borden Ornelaz for his expertly crafted cocktails, Rebecca Taff for hair and makeup, Camille Schmidt for her PR know-how, Marianne and Richelle for modeling my lingerie and Morgan for being the evening's go-to girl. For more images, be sure to check out both photographers' galleries here and here.

Credit: Cristal Veronica

Sad you missed it? Not to worry - many more HCH events are in the cards for the year, so stay tuned to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to be the first to know about them.

Credit: Cristal Veronica

Credit: Portraits to the People

Credit: Cristal Veronica

Credit: Portraits to the People

Credit: Cristal Veronica

Credit: Cristal Veronica

Credit: Portraits to the People

TOMORROW! Honey Cooler Handmade & Pop Antique at Dark Garden!

That's right, the corsetry atelier famous for cinching the ravishing Dita Von Teese among other beauties of burlesque is hosting a Valentine's Day trunk show tomorrow (Saturday Feb. 1st) featuring lingerie by yours truly and the beautiful millinery of Pop Antique. This is the first public event in which I'll have a wide range of sizes and styles from my new Deco and Cotillion Collections available for purchase!

Scope out the full details and RSVP on the Facebook page - we would love to dress you up and make this year's Valentine's Day a truly elegant one!

Join us for champagne punch and prettiness from 4 - 8pm at Dark Garden, 321 Linden Street in Hayes Valley. See you there!

Ready-to-Ship for Your Valentine's Day Gifting Pleasure!

I've been a busy bee - working diligently to have more pieces ready to ship for Valentine's Day than I've ever had before. I'm proud to say that almost everything from the first official HCH collection is ready to ship in all sizes, so if you've been eyeing anything particular, now's the time to snap it up for yourself or your sweetie. If you missed my last roundup of ready-to-ship pieces, check it out here!

Make sure to double-check item listings carefully, because stock availability changes quickly during the V-Day season - each of these items is available on Etsy and BigCartel.

Left: Pink Deco Bralette, Pink Deco Garter Belt, Black/Red Brocade Ribbon Corset,

Pink Deco Knickers Right: Black Deco Bralette, Black Deco Garter Belt,

Black/White Brocade Ribbon Corset, Black Deco Knickers

(Photography by Her Lovely Bones)

Left: Black Deco Camisole, Black Deco Garter Belt Center: Ivory Deco Chemise,

Ivory Deco Garter Belt Right: Black Deco Chemise, Black Deco Garter Belt

Black Deco Sleep Mask, Deco Skull Camisole, Black Deco Knickers, Black Deco Garter Belt

Left: Ivory Deco Tap Shorts, Ivory Deco Garter Belt, Right: Black Deco Tap Shorts, Black Deco Garter Belt

Want it Now? No Problem.

The Valentine's Day season is upon us, which means that I'm sewing like the wind to build my stock up for trunk shows. More than ever, I have so much to offer in the HCH Etsy shop and many new pieces from the Deco and Cotillion Collections are now ready to ship immediately in all sizes!

Here are just a few, with many more on the way.

Cotillion Knickers, Cotillion Chemise, Cotillion Bloomers

(Photography: Her Lovely Bones)

Red Petersham Ribbon Corset, Pink Petersham Ribbon Corset, Green Petersham Ribbon Corset,

Ivory Petersham Ribbon Corset

Left: Pink Deco Camisole Right: Ivory Deco Bralette, Ivory Deco Garter Belt, Ivory Deco Knickers

(Photography: Her Lovely Bones)

I'm so excited to offer a full S-L size range for the first time. However, if one-off is more your style, all one of a kind pieces (marked OOAK in the shop) are ready to ship immediately, as always.

Happy shopping!

Honey Cooler Handmade at Dark Garden on Saturday February 9th

When I first moved to the Bay Area, I was just beginning to explore sewing and fashion/costume design as a career path. My love for Victorian clothing inspired an obsession with corsets, so the second I discovered that Dark Garden existed, I hightailed it there. Like everyone who steps foot in Dark Garden, I was instantly blown away by the creativity, craftsmanship and inspiration behind the atelier. Proprietress Autumn Adamme is so intensely talented and passionate about her craft, and it shows.

My humble beginnings as a really bad sewer and corsetière have given way to something I never dreamed, and now I am beyond blessed to be selling my insertion lace lingerie at one of the most well-known lingerie boutiques on the West Coast. If I'm ever having a bad day, I remind myself of just how far I've come and landing a trunk show at Dark Garden is quite a milestone.

So, I hope you'll share this big day with me! Tomorrow night, Saturday February 9th from 4 - 8, I'll be at Dark Garden at 321 Linden Lane with a lovely stash of lingerie, including lots of pastel pieces that haven't yet been seen in the shop. I, along with the Dark Garden staff, would love to help you pick out something perfect for Valentine's Day for yourself or your sweetie. See you there!

Where Are All the Skulls?

Flying off the shelves, so to speak!

In probably the most delightful surprise of the past month or two, my Skull Deco Camis have become quite popular... so popular in fact, that I sold out of all but one at last week's private trunk show! They are my favorite pieces to sew, and my most time-consuming, so it's been a challenge to keep up with demand. But never fear, there are two new Camis on their way to the Etsy shop, and they'll be making their in-person debuts at Dollhouse Bettie this Friday.

Bellinda Deco Cami

The first is above, a new take on an old classic, bias-cut and sewn from a gorgeous navy animal "print" silk jacquard. Bellinda sports a dragon crown too - one of my favorite laces.

Keep your eyes peeled on the Etsy shop for more newness, and don't forget to swing by Dollhouse Bettie on Friday and Dark Garden on Saturday for two delicious trunk shows featuring my pieces!

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

I just hit a huge milestone - 400 Facebook followers! Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to commemorate this achievement by thanking YOU! Yes, you, my friends, followers and fellow lingerie lovers. Your support and affection for HCH makes my world go 'round, and I figured I'd show my gratitude by throwing a giveaway.

From tonight until Friday, February 1st at 6pm PST, I'm offering the chance to win a 20% off coupon code to the HCH Etsy shop. Possible entry methods are below, and the more entries you make, the more chances you have to win!

Entries:

1. Tweet about the giveaway. An example tweet: I just entered the @HoneyCoolerHM Valentine's Day giveaway! Score 20% off anything in the shop - find out how here: http://bit.ly/XKWkOq
2. In the comments below, tell me what you'd buy from the shop if you won the code.
3. Join the mailing list.
4. Invite your friends to follow HCH on Facebook too by sharing the giveaway details.
5. Add HCH to your favorite shops on Etsy.

For every entry you make, comment below to let me know. That may mean making multiple comments! Include your Twitter handle or email address for each entry so I have a way to get in touch with you if you win. The winner will be chosen at random. Email addresses shared in the comments will not be used for any purpose other than winner verification.

Good luck!

Dollhouse Bettie Trunk Show on Friday February 8th!

Don't miss this one! Honey Cooler Handmade and Dollhouse Bettie are teaming up to present a trunk show that's practically guaranteed to land you with the Valentine's Day gift of her (or your) dreams.

Join us on Friday, February 8th from 5 - 9.30pm at Dollhouse Bettie in the Haight. I'll have a bunch of new pieces in my stash, plus Dollhouse Bettie has a fresh collection of lovely bits to share, including the gorgeous Mille Fiori collection (pictured above right). Sip some champagne with us as we help you find the gift that will make her feel like the gorgeous leading lady she is this Valentine's Day.

Hope to see you there!

I'll Let You in on a Little Secret...

She'd rather get silk than paper this Valentine's Day (and who are we kidding? You'd probably love seeing her in it too). Chocolates get eaten, roses fade, and cards get tucked away into dusty shoeboxes. Change up your routine and give her a pair of Honey Cooler Handmade's sexy, flattering Knickers this Valentine's Day - they're the gift that keeps on giving, and will make her feel like the goddess she is!

Check out what's new in my Knickers & Bloomers section of the Etsy shop - there will be many more pairs to come in the next few weeks, and stay tuned for details on local trunk shows featuring HCH lingerie.

Top row: Maura Knickers, Hattie Knickers,

 Bottom row: Josephine Knickers, Mimi Knickers

Honey Cooler Handmade at Cupid's Corner in Austin on February 11th and 12th!

Still searching for the perfect Valentine's Day gift? In Austin next weekend? If so, you're in luck!

Cupid's Corner is a Valentine's Day pop-up shop organized by Glade Hensel of Glademade and Carissa Leos of Studio C Textiles, showcasing awesome design talent from all around the country! (Click here to see a Pinterest preview.)

Head on over to Cupid's Corner to check out a bright selection of HCH pieces, one of which is sure to suit even the most discerning sweetheart.

A bit more about the event:

What is it?
A 2-day consignment pop-up shop dedicated to all things “Love” featuring artists and designers from all over!

Why?
Because we know finding the perfect gift is a challenge, and we want to make it easy. 

When?
Feb 11th and 12th
Noon-6pm 

Where?
Hypercastle Studio
1807 E 22nd St. 
Austin, TX 78722
Hypercastle studio is a home studio where Glade Hensel makes Glademade cards, and has been featured in the East Austin Studio Tour for the past 3 years. 

A Valentine's Day Makeover

The Honey Cooler Handmade shop has a new look for Valentine's Day. Check it out!

And while you're at it, sign up for the mailing list. There's lots of exciting news ahead and it's the perfect way to stay on top of what's going on in the world of HCH!

HCH in DList Magazine, January 2012

I've been trying to keep my cool over having my lingerie featured in DList Magazine's January 2012 issue, but why even try? Just in time for Valentine's Day, the magazine's "Home Alone" spread is gorgeous and I was so excited to see my Kitty Bow Belt and Luna Garconne Tap Shorts on a lovely model in a fantastically styled shoot. Click on the below photos to see larger versions.

On model at right: Kitty Bow Belt

Luna Garconne Tap Shorts

Many thanks to Kayleigh Capelle and the DList crew for featuring Honey Cooler Handmade this month. The entire magazine can be viewed online here.