Summer is the perfect time to hit the hiking trails and reconnect with the great outdoors. Find the nearest forest preserve or “hike” an urban landscape and get to know a new area near your home. Whether it’s a beautiful view or a building you never noticed before, when you explore on foot, you’ll be surprised at what you discover.
The key to a successful hike is the right gear. These lightweight and loose fitting denim shorts from Rachel Jane NYC will... → Read the rest of this article

Sarah Safranski
Sarah is a metalsmith, jewelry designer, and owner of the Etsy shop
Lilacs&Ginger, sweet and spicy handmade treasures. She works primarily with sterling silver and vintage finds. Connect with Sarah on Twitter:
@LilacsAndGinger.
Summer is going by fast, but there’s still time to hit the beach and soak up the sun. One of the hottest trends in swimwear this season is the retro look, featuring high waists, ruched tops, and draped bodices. While it may be intimidating to sport the same beachwear as pinup girls and classic beauties, this season’s suits flatter all body types and will surely set you apart from the crowd.
This red one piece from The Red Dolly recreates this season’s... → Read the rest of this article

Sarah Safranski
Sarah is a metalsmith, jewelry designer, and owner of the Etsy shop
Lilacs&Ginger, sweet and spicy handmade treasures. She works primarily with sterling silver and vintage finds. Connect with Sarah on Twitter:
@LilacsAndGinger.
Please welcome new columnist Sarah Safranski to Try Handmade! She’s going to be treating us to a weekly column on how you can create popular styles using handmade wares. Looking to recreate a particular style? Let her know in the comments, and she’ll see what she can do :)
:: Erika
Having grown up in the Midwest, the summer months meant three-day weekends and road trip adventures. Our destinations were always peaceful and relaxing, but packing up the car and... → Read the rest of this article

Sarah Safranski
Sarah is a metalsmith, jewelry designer, and owner of the Etsy shop
Lilacs&Ginger, sweet and spicy handmade treasures. She works primarily with sterling silver and vintage finds. Connect with Sarah on Twitter:
@LilacsAndGinger.