Red Currant is an online clothing store for women. Featuring modern pieces with a vintage flair, we believe that style is more than just clothing -- it's an art, an intricately woven tapestry of your life. So why should you live your life in ordinary, boring clothes? Each piece in the shop is unique and carefully selected, because, after all, we only want the best for our customers.
We only feature five items at a time in the shop; each piece is limited edition and we only have a few of each. Which means the shop will get updated more frequently, so be sure to check back often.
Founded in 2011 by myself and my dear friend Meg, Red Currant is the perfect place to purchase that special piece of clothing. Go on, check it out and let us know what you think!

I took one photograph today. As the sun was setting behind clouds threatening rain, I snapped a shot right as my battery died. (I'm awful at remembering to charge that thing -- and of course, right when I need it, it's empty.) One thing I've been learning about photography is that it can't be forced. Of course you can look for things to capture, but when the creativity isn't there, it just isn't. And honestly, in the midst of a crazy day of classes and homework and work, it's okay to put down the camera and do what needs to be done. I took one photograph today. And that's okay.

clutch from my mother's time in india.

This weekend, I devoted Saturday afternoon to decluttering my mess of a room. Four bags of trash and a three hours later, I was left with a neat, clean living space. And during that time, I not only simplified physically, I cleared my mind at the same time. That time was oh so good for my soul. I realized that while the saying that a messy room is the sign of an artistic mind (which I still think is true, but that's beside the point), it's so amazingly freeing, both mentally and physically, for everything to have a spot.

first fire of the season

Despite the fact my birthday falls on the first day of autumn, spring and summer are my favorite seasons. And if you'd ask me a few months ago, I'd have taken lengthening days and bright colors over the spicy tones of fall any day. But lately, it's made my heart so happy to don sweaters and boots, to drink hot chocolate and knit (yes, I am most definitely eighty at heart) at the end of the day. I relish the crisp mornings and cool nights, temperatures that make me reach for a cozy blanket and a good book to unwind at the end of the day, a sweet escape from the trials of everyday life.

And with the arrival of autumn comes the craving for baked goods. Like homemade oreos. It's no secret that I have a soft spot for the creamy filling sandwiched between chocolate cookies, crunchy and flavorful and delicious. And homemade oreos? Simple, cheaper, and better for you.

homemade oreos
adapted from smitten kitchen's homemade oreos


ingredients for the chocolate wafers:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg


ingredients for the filling:
1/2 cup (1 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (or powdered sugar)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract


directions


Preheat oven to 375°F and set two racks in the middle of the oven.
In a food processor, or bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. While pulsing, or on low speed, add the butter, and then the egg. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.
Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.
To make the cream, place butter in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy.
To assemble the cookies, in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon-size blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with cream (makes 25-30 sandwich cookies). Eat with a tall glass of milk and enjoy!

Also, thank you, thank you, thank you for the amazing feedback from Red Currant. We feel so blessed and overwhelmed in a good way to have such wonderful support!

xoxo

It all started with an email in early August. After the initial excitement and anticipation, the following weeks passed in a flurry of preparation and activity, photoshoots and laughter, late nights and web designing. In what seems like much longer but has really only been seven weeks, this collaboration between my dear friend Meg and me has blossomed from simply an idea into reality. And we couldn't be more excited.



We're so pleased to announce the grand opening of Red Currant, an online clothing store for women. Featuring modern pieces with a vintage flair, we believe that style is more than just clothing -- it's an art, an intricately woven tapestry of your life. So why should you live your life in ordinary, boring clothes?
Each piece in the shop is unique and carefully selected, because, after all, we only want the best for our customers.

coco, styled

It's funny, putting together this launch felt like the preparation for the birth of a baby. But in a way, Red Currant is our baby. It's been nurtured and nursed, had countless hours spent working on it -- and now it's born. Tiny and exciting and new. 

clementine

 And as a little grand opening special, if you like our facebook page, you're automatically entered in a drawing to win a 50% off coupon code. Don't miss your chance to get half off of anything!

Our labor of love, Red Currant, is finally here and we're so glad. Go on, visit the shop and tell us what you think!

-carlotta

After getting up multiple times -- first to get some socks, then for hot chocolate, and a third time for a blanket -- I'm settled here in the chair next to the bay window. The girls are sipping hot chocolate, leaving milky brown mustaches on their upper lip, and the dog is stretch out on the window seat, watching the front yard. It's fifty two degrees Fahrenheit and raining outside, a slow, steady, soaking drizzle -- and I'm dressed accordingly in a woolen sweater and jeans (why yes, I do get cold easily). Fall has arrived and I'm happy.

Other happy things, because sometimes random is good:

birthdays.

Jeremiah's eleventh birthday was Monday, but we're celebrating today. Which means presents, chocolate chip pancakes, and hiking in the rain. We bundled up, packed food, and set off. The landscape was transformed by the drizzle, mysterious, rugged, and alluring.

ever wondered what I look like in a yellow over sized rain coat? well now you know.

And when we came back home, frozen, ruddy cheeked, and laughing, we had cake and hot chocolate.

I quite like birthdays. And rainy days.

gardening.

I don't garden often enough, but each time I feel the soil sifting through my fingers and reap the bounty of my efforts, I wonder what keeps me away from it. There's something beautiful about the process of gardening, nurturing seeds into leafy plants.

flowers in my hair.

top and belt: thrifted / jeggings: american eagle / boots: my mother's / hair clip: unknown

visual recipes.

This gorgeous video featuring a beet cake recipe is my newest videography crush. Actually, everything by tiger in a jar is my newest crush.

school.
Three weeks in and school has yet to be a major source of stress for me. In fact, I'm finding myself enjoying it. The satisfying feeling of a stack of completed homework, discussions in class, sweet new friends all make my heart so happy. I'm so thankful the Lord answered my prayers -- I was so anxious over my work load and the amount of stress I thought I'd have this year.

apples and bottles.

As much as I love photo journalism, sometimes it's nice to get creative set up a shot.

What are some things that are making you happy?

-carlotta

p.s. monday, september 19th. the big reveal of the project I've been slaving over the past few weeks. be excited, y'all.