Today, we are going to be introducing a group that focuses on making strides in the movement for women's rights when giving back to their community. The Rockabettys is a non-profit group of women that focus on promoting other women all throughout the Sioux Falls area. Whether it is hosting events or donating money to women in need, the Rockabettys do whatever it takes to help empower women in their community! It is so inspiring to know that women in our community today are still making great improvements to our society, and showing what it truly means to empower women.

Let's learn a little bit more about them...

Chelsea's Boutique: How did the Rockabettys start?

Rockabettys: The Bettys started with a few women who loved commemorating the pinup era getting together and creating ways to give back to the community-specifically the fellow females in the community.

CB: What is your mission/goal?

RB: The overall mission is to promote women and women's organizations in the Sioux Empire through educational scholarship, donations, volunteerism, and fundraising.

CB: What is the significance or meaning behind the name Rockabettys?

RB: It was formed off of the word rockabilly-which basically describes a kind of music and lifestyle in the 1950s. Make it a female version, and you've got rockaBETTYS.

CB: What kind of philanthropy work and events do you have coming up?

RB: Coming up we have a good ol' fashioned bake sale at Urban Archeology in downtown Sioux Falls. We'll be selling homemade baked goods and Betty merch to help fundraise money for our scholarship and donation efforts. We are looking forward to having a few members in the PowerWalk for Dress For Success on September 27, as well as a few various other volunteer opportunities.

CB: Is the group exclusive or can people who are interested join?

RB: We encourage anyone and everyone to join! We love meeting new women with a similar passion to give back to their community-even if you don't tote the red lipstick regularly.

CB: In what ways do you empower women through your organization?

RB: I hope that we empower women by providing them with resources to live better, and proving that every woman out there is beautiful. I hope that we display acceptance, friendship, and community. As we further our work in the community, we hope to provide many more opportunities and events for women to help further our mission.

CB: How has being involved in the Rockabettys affected you all positively?

RB: The main way the group has affected me is getting closer to many amazing women that I can now call good friends. Having a group of peers that share your desire to help the community is a great thing. It has also helped me with public speaking and self-confidence, and being open to the community about women's issues.

CB: Where do you see the Rockabettys going someday?

RB: In the far future, I would love to see different communities popping up with their own version of a Rockabettys organization! But in the near future, I hope to really lift our scholarship program off the ground and offer many more unique public events that can really bring women in the community together.

CB: What is the most memorable experience you've had while in this group?

RB: This spring, we got to volunteer with an organization called Days For Girls, which is a national group that provides feminine hygiene kits and teaches girls and women in impoverished communities about health and hygiene. There is a local chapter that helps craft these kits and it was a pleasure to work with them. Hearing about their work and the many girls who are forced to stay home from school simply because they have their period and are not able to hygienically take care of themselves was heartbreaking. It was a cool experience, and I hope to work with them many more times in the future.

CB: What do you think makes your organization stand out the most?

RB: As a newer group, I feel like we are still expanding and developing who we are and what we want to accomplish. The upside of that is that we are always interested in new ideas and looking for help in carrying out our mission. I think that helps us stand out as we are always doing something new!

Photo from a recent calendar shoot

Just for Funsies:

CB: What era of vintage style is your favorite?

RB: I do love the big skirts and red lips of the 50s era, but I'm also a fan of fashion from the 20s (even if I can't personally pull it off).

CB:What is a fashion item that you couldn't live without?

RB: I bet most Betts might say their favorite tube of lipstick, but my favorite item would probably be mascara. I gotta have a little pop to my eyes!

CB: If you were to reach into your purse what are 5 things you'd pull out?

RB: Fun question!

1. The obvious is my wallet (cash/cards/etc.)

2. My planner-if I don't write it down, I'll probably forget it!

3. Mints or gum-usually mints.

4. Chapstick and/or lipstick.

5. A compact mirror.

CB: Who is your favorite fashion icon?

RB: I can only pick one?! I think it would be between Audrey Hepburn and Liz Taylor.

Did you know our fearless leader- Chelsea- is also a member of the Rockabettys?! She says, "The group focuses on everything I am so passionate about, so it just makes complete sense for me to be involved with them!"
If the Rockabettys sounds like something that interests you, visit www.siouxempirerockabettys.org to check out their merchandise, send them a message, or donate today. Join the Rockabettys and help empower women all throughout your community!

~Erin

Photography by: Suzie Richards Photography - 39 weeks large

My capacity for love changed in a matter of seconds on July 16th, 2015. After 26 long hours of labor that ended in an unexpected cesarean, our daughter - the most beautiful creature we've ever seen - came into the world at 11:35pm. Ophelia Elizabeth Squyer was 7lbs15ozs at birth and 20in long.
The pain, the impatient week waiting for her to come, (I was 7 days overdue) the botched epidural that didn't do anything for me...I would do it all again. In a heartbeat (*cough cough*in five years...).

Photography by: Suzie Richards Photography

My husband Paul has been nothing short of extraordinary, as I knew he would be. Nasty man watched the entire surgery and everything prior! I figured he would've passed out at the first sight of blood. ;) You never realize just how sexy your husband can possibly be until you see your creation in their arms. It really is a beautiful thing. I grew up a daddy's girl and watching her with him already makes my heart melt.

Photography by: Suzie Richards Photography

Introducing: Ophelia Elizabeth Squyer. We call her Opie. She is the love and all of the light in our lives. Her aliases are: Princess Turtle, Princess Peach and Little Love. She's constantly sucking in her little bottom lip and Paul instantly dubbed her 'Turtle'. Poor thing is going to have to grow old with that. Haha!

Photography by: Suzie Richards Photography

So far, we know that she loves music. She LOVES to dance with daddy - all around the house. She's very relaxed. She doesn't fuss much and, when she does, she's easily soothed and brought back to her 'normal' state.

Her name is the name of our favorite song by a group that goes by the name The Band. If you're my age, or the age of my siblings and I, this was likely a musical group that your parents enjoyed listening to (written in 1975). The verses all end with the line: "Honey I'd die for you..." and that just stood out in our brains. Paul and I both knew right away that it was the perfect name for our Princess. (The name is also from Shakespeare's Hamlet - for you literature buffs. Paul has a degree in English, so I'm sure that stood out to him as well. Who doesn't love Shakespeare?)

Turtle Princess. Photography by: Suzie Richards Photography

Our hopes for Opie are that she may lead her life with love first: the genuine understanding that all people deserve respect and all objects are replaceable. She will be a well-mannered little lady that will (if she's like mommy) enjoy eating dirt just as much as she enjoys glitter. We hope she never fears failure, never-ever stops exploring and is forever asking questions.

Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know.

xoxo, Becky (& Paul)

If you see her at the boutique with me, don't hesitate to say hi! We love for our little lady to be social and you are more than welcome to hold her and say hi. She will make you melt, I promise.

"Brand Sparkling New" onesie from Auntie Chelsea...because of course.

<3

You have this beautiful little number, but now you're not sure how to wear it. 

Don't fret! Here's a step-by-step video of 5 different ways to wear it! :)

Hi everyone! My name is Erin, the new intern here at Chelsea's Boutique. If you have been in the store recently and seen someone sitting in one of the chairs in the back with a Mac computer, it was probably me!

Just to give you some background info about me...I am originally from the small town of Le Mars, IA (maybe you Blue Bunny ice cream fans have heard of it?), but I am staying here in Sioux Falls just for the summer to save up for next summer when I plan to study abroad in Italy.

This fall I am going to be a sophomore at Iowa State University where I study Apparel Merchandising and Design. I took this internship here at Chelsea’s because I wanted to learn about the odds and ends of running a small business, as I hope to own my own clothing boutique someday down the road. 

Since I am still just beginning my studies, I am not entirely sure of what I want to do right out of college, but my dream is to become a costume designer for a theater company. I was really involved in speech and drama all throughout high school, and I even plan on joining Iowa State’s Costuming Club this upcoming semester. Just for your amusement, below are a couple pictures of me in my favorite roles throughout my high school years. :)

                                        

    

   

   

My biggest passions include the arts, blue grass/folk music, travel, staying active and of course... fashion! Fashion has really become a big part of my life because I got to experience first hand how clothing can affect your self-image and confidence. This is the main reason that has influenced me to chose the major that I did, because I realized that I wanted to help other women feel beautiful and confident in what they wear. Another aspect I love about fashion is all the unique styles throughout other cultures, and how pieces of clothing can have such interesting stories behind them. This has inspired me to eventually take my education abroad to Italy, South Africa, and hopefully more places!

Here at Chelsea’s Boutique I work a lot with the marketing of our social media accounts, including revamping our Pinterest page and working on some blogs and fun videos for YouTube and Instagram! I am so lucky for this great opportunity to intern here, and I can’t wait to meet all you lovely ladies!

~Erin

"Life is too short to have naked nails..." Well, here at Chelsea's Boutique, we agree with that statement! That's why we have recently started selling nail polish for you lovely ladies, so your nails won't have to be bear any longer!

We know that doing your nails can sometimes be messy, time-consuming, and downright frustrating! And getting a manicure can get pretty pricey. We've all been there! So today on the blog, we are gonna show you a super-easy tutorial on how you can spruce up your nails for this summer!

For this DIY nail tutorial, you are going to need two nail polish colors of your choice. We chose a lavender and light blue for a fun pastel, summer look. Then, you will need some sort of base and top coat. For our base layer, we chose "Hard as Nails" polish by Sally Hansen, and our top coat is our very own Madly Matte polish that is now available in store :)

And for extra supplies, all you are going to need is a bottle of nail polish remover/acetone, Q-tips, and foundation sponges.

First off, you will apply your base coat of choice. Today we are using a nail-strengthening polish for our base coat. If you are a nail biter or have brittle nails, we highly suggest some sort of strengthening base coat. Also, base coats help your nails clean up nice, especially when you like to use a lot of vibrant colors that like to stick around on your nails. No one wants that!!

Second, apply your first color of polish. Make sure that it is the color that you want to be on top of your nail (closer to your cuticles). You may have to apply more than one coat depending on how transparent your nail polish is. Then, wait for the coats of your first color to dry.

Next, grab one of those handy-dandy foundation sponges. Take the color that you just applied to your nails and paint a line of that color on the top of the sponge. Then, take your second color of choice and paint a line underneath your first color (as shown in the pic above). This second color of polish will add the super-cute ombré effect to your nails!

Note: Make sure the lines you painted onto the sponge are wide enough to cover your whole nail.

Then, once the first color has dried properly, take the sponge and lightly dab the colors onto your nails until you get the ombré of your liking. Make sure to cover the entire width of your nail! You will have to reapply the lines of nail polish onto the sponge after doing each nail to get that vibrant color.

Note: Don't worry if your nails look a little smudgy afterwards. Your top coat will fix all that ;)

You are almost there! Looking cute!

Now, it is time to clean up those beauties! To clean the extra polish off the sides of your nails, you can either use Q-tips or, if you want to use the rest of that sponge, you can dip the sponge into the nail polish remover and use that instead. Now you don't have to waste a bunch of Q-tips! For ease of use, we poured some nail polish remover into the cap of the bottle and just dipped the sponge in there to avoid spilling.

Then, just carefully wipe at the edges of your nails to get the extra polish off.

Tip: If you don't want to risk messing up your nails, you can just wait for your nails to dry completely, and the extra polish should come off when you take a shower!

Adorable!

Now that they are all cleaned up, it is time to add the finishing touches!

Next, take your top coat of choice and, once your nails have dried a bit, apply it on top! Today, we are using a top coat that gives your nails a super sleek, matte look. However, if you prefer the glossier look, feel free to use a regular top coat!

Lastly, it is time to step back and take a look at your new super-easy, gorgeous DIY manicure!

We told you, it really is that simple! And now you are going to look even more fab than usual and everyone is going to be complimenting you on those new nail beauties of yours :)

If you want to check out these pretty pastel colors we used for the tutorial today, come and visit us at Chelsea's Boutique in Downtown Sioux Falls, 321 S Phillips Ave!

Xoxo,

Erin 

(The newest Chelsea's Boutique intern) 

The 4th of July is one of our favorite holidays! What's better than hot weather, lightweight clothing and a drink on the boat with friends and family? I can't come up with many things. Check out these looks, and click on their links! - all available at Chelsea's Boutique. 

I love our Eve Top - it features a slight flare, a twist on the common stripe and little butterfly seams in the back! Adorable with white denim or some little shorts. Looking for a casual tank? Karmen is just what you need then. This long-lined tank top has a unique arrow screen print and would look FABULOUS with some of our flash tattoos! 

I see this over your adorable flag swimsuit. Just enough of a tie-back to accentuate that tiny waist of yours, the Beth top will match anything on the boat. 

After a long day in the sun, I love to enjoy a couple beverages on a patio somewhere! Maybe you have a dinner date in the evening or just need a simple and easy little dress to put on to spruce up a little bit. Katherine and Dot are both still simple and light but will dress up any little pair of flats or flip-flops!  

Don't forget to accessorize! Floral headbands, flash tattoos and some American flag sunnies will finish off your perfect outfit. :) Lena maxi and Aubrey top. 

You look darling, darling. 

What's your go-to 4th of July outfit? Share with us on IG: @ChelseasBoutiqueSD we want to know all about your fashionable weekend - have a safe one, fashionistas.

xoxo, the boutique babes

For these looks, and all of the rest of our beautiful 4th of July pieces: CLICK HERE  

I take pride in the fact that our beloved downtown is evolving into something more beautiful (in my 25-years-young opinion) than it has ever been. Each day I am reading and researching the newest project that is going up for proposal, conversing with business peers regarding their plans and watching new entrepreneurs take a leap-of-faith into the wonderful community that is DTSF. I grew up in extreme central Sioux Falls and I've lived within a 6 block radius around the main Phillips Ave strip for my whole life, other than college. When I was growing up, the only place we were allowed to frequent 15-20 years ago was the soda fountain at Zandbros after school - but only with mom or dad. I can imagine that if you're older than me - this notion was only further exaggerated. 

It's a beautiful thing, what our downtown is becoming and...

I feel boldly enough to state that a lot of this change is due to the young art community within our city.  This month's Women in Our Community feature is on the beautiful and inspiring Jessica Miller Johnson. She singlehandedly researched, opened and is now running JAM Art & Supplies located on the corner of 6th and Phillips. The shop is 'committed to providing Sioux Falls artists with low-cost art making materials' but also provides our youth and adults with various classes revolving around all sorts of art forms. JAM Art & Supplies is a non-profit creative wonderland started - from scratch - by ONE outstanding lady: Jessica.

A little about you & the workplace…

Chelsea's Boutique: Begin by introducing yourself briefly.

Jess: I’m Jess Miller Johnson, a Sioux Falls artist and founder of JAM Art & Supplies. I was born in Iowa, moved to Sioux Falls when I was eight. I went to Harvey Dunn, Patrick Henry, Washington High School, and Augustana College.

CB: Describe what you do for a living. What is your job, job title?

Jess: I am Founder, Executive Director, and President of JAM. I do a lot, but not everything, just mostly everything. I run day-to-day operations, answer millions of emails, put donations away, plan events, talk with customers, and plan our next steps.

CB: If we were to ask, “what is a ‘day at the office’ like for you?” how would you respond? 

Jess: Oh! Make coffee! Count money! Bills, bills, bills. Talk to customers. Answer emails. More customers. More emails. More bills! Sit down. Stand up. Coffee! Music! Artists! Volunteers! TRAFFIC! 

CB: There’s no doubt that JAM has received a lot of well-deserved recognition lately. Explain to us what JAM is. 

Jess: JAM Art and Supplies is a Goodwill for art supplies. We sell the supplies that we take as donations when people are cleaning closets and their studios. We are also advocates for Sioux Falls artists by providing supplies, but also information via social media and our website.

CB: You also have an amazing team full of writers and artists. How do they come into play for the shop?

Jess: Oh man, the writers are little butterflies that fly in with great ideas, leave, and sometimes fly back with blog posts. We are grateful for every post those butterflies produce. Our blog post writers come into play for the shop because the more blog posts we produce, the better the traffic is for our store. As for artists, we’re continually keeping our ears and eyes peeled for new artists in Sioux Falls. I am constantly collecting business cards to hand off to Amy Jarding, our Inspired Interviewer. These artists are our customers, but we try to help them in anyway we can.

CB: When did you dream to open this nonprofit begin? In addition, tell us a little about some of the obstacles you had to face when opening a nonprofit on your own.

Jess: I originally started dreaming about JAM in 2005! I was living St. Paul going to art school there and would visit Art Scraps, a nonprofit Creative Reuse Center. I couldn’t get enough of the space and always wanted to pursue my own cheap art supply store. The biggest obstacle I faced when opening JAM was my self-doubt. Anytime a person does something big there will always be the big, bad ego down playing a person’s ability. My ego was an obstacle, but so was the actual knowledge I need to start a nonprofit. Everything I have done was first Googled.

CB: Why is it important to you to have something like this in our beloved city? 

Jess: For me, it’s important to have JAM in our city because my husband and I are raising our daughter here; I have a need to impress her, but also expose her. And the other kids! it’s important to expose kids to artists in town, it’s important to show them that there are artists here! Plus we want to show them that there is a place, a need, and value in their creativity here in Sioux Falls.

(...I would like to briefly add in that her daughter Dessa is absolutely amazing. Such a beautiful little soul - just like mommy!)

CB: What are some things that JAM does around our community to contribute?

Jess: Explicitly, we do quarterly supply drives where we hook up with local nonprofits that have a need for art supplies. But for me, the most important work we do is advocating for artists through First Friday Reviews, Inspired Interviews, and our ever evolving website.

CB: What is your greatest personal accomplishment revolving around JAM?

Jess: My greatest personal accomplishment revolving around JAM is networking. Without networking there would be no JAM.

CB: Nonprofit you say...so, does that mean we can send over some volunteers and helpers? How does one go about contact to be involved in your project?

Jess: Oh man, do we need volunteers! We have a monthly Volunteer Training Hour so, if someone is interested in finding out about our next session email jamartandsupplies@gmail.com for more information! 

Some about you, personally…

CB: Jessica Anne Miller (JAM) tell us a little about your family and home life. You have a beautiful little girl and she’s commonly seen at the shop. What are some of the things you do for fun in your spare/free time?

Jess: In my free time while my daughter’s awake I’m usually playing with her. We like reading and playing outside most. While my daughter is sleeping I am either making art or in our yard dreaming up new ideas. We have a beautiful yard that was consumed by years of weeds so we’re slowing chipping away at taking back the space. We have a desire to create a yard that wows people with special gardens and secret trails. It will always be a work in progress. But I think that’s what gardening is all about.

CB: If you had to comprise a list of your top five priorities, what would they be and why?

Jess: These five priorities are important to me because of science. 

Love: The Science of Love

Contentment: The Grateful Life: The Secret to Happiness, and the Science of Contentment 

Honesty: The Science of Honesty: Lying Less Improves Health and Relationships

Health: The 22 Best TED Talks for Fitness, Health, and Happiness

Art: Study Says Making Art Is Good For Your Brain, and We Say You Should Listen

CB: What is the number one (or what are a couple) thing that inspires you on a daily basis?

Jess: The breeze, my daughter, and art.

CB: Do you have a fashion inspiration? 

Jess: Oh this is embarrassing, but it’s Kirsten Dunst from the movie Crazy/Beautiful. 

CB: What is your go-to daily outfit? 

Jess: Jeans and a t-shirt

CB: Being extremely artistic yourself, who are some of the top artists that inspire you and why? Do you find yourself grabbing your creativity from them?

Jess: Peter Milton for his detailed fantasy drawings. Egon Schiele for his application of color and lines. Danny Gregory and Frederick Frank for their inspiring zen-like “everyday” drawing approaches and their books on the subject.

CB: What are some of your personal goals to accomplish in the near future - not including work?

Jess: I’m preparing for an art show in August at Rehfeld’s, so I preparing new art work for that show. The goal is to show off my drawing skills. I have a couple goals revolving around my daughter’s second birthday in August. Including finding plans to build a playhouse in our yard and to repurpose a tv stand into a little play kitchen for her.

For funsies...

CB: Beer? Wine? Liquor? What’s your after-work drink of choice? 

Jess: Wine. Right now it’s Pinot-Grigio for the summer. 

CB: Chapstick or lipstick? 

Jess: I like chapsticks with color.

CB: Heels or flats? 

Jess: Flats! Although, I have a pretty nice collection of heels that I never leave the house in.

CB: If you reached into your bag/purse, what are the first five things you’d pull out?

Jess: Business cards, keys, wrappers, cell phone, and books that carry around in case I get a second to read.

If you're interested in helping JAM Art & Supplies, I would strongly encourage you to head down there and see for yourself what they're all about. You can find all of their hours, etc on their website or Facebook pages. They also do a wonderful job of keeping us informed about awesome art-happenings - you can find those HERE!

We are creative souls down at Chelsea's Boutique and being apart of a creative community is a beautiful thing. Keep up the fantastic work, Jess!

If you know someone that deserves to be featured on our Women in Our Community blog, shoot us some information to info@chelseas-boutique.com! We love our #womenempoweringwomen. 

xoxo, Becky