As we close out our 5th year of business, we have some big news-- we’re moving! But not to fear, we’re still and always will be an Oakland business. We’re heading into a new chapter for the business and our retail footprint. You might remember that I shared our big-picture vision for Viscera in a previous blog post that laid out my plan for a new business model (that actually harkens back to the old ways of production). In short, Viscera will be a vertically integrated business-- designing, producing, and selling everything in-house. Slowly and steadily we’ve had a larger portion of our inventory made locally, but with the limitations of our current shop, we wouldn’t be able to fulfill our vision without making some major changes. Moving is the first bold step in forming the business into what we’ve always wanted it to be! We’re on the path to Viscera 2.0.
We will be closing our 1542 Broadway shop at the end of November while we work on building out our new location, targeted to open in Spring of 2020. For the Holiday season we will be online only, but not to worry, we will still have the same products you know and love. A major strategy for us in being able to sustain our own in-house production has been to diversify the business by leveraging e-commerce and wholesaling to other retailers. We’ve successfully done both grown both of these channels this year, but a break in our brick & mortar operations will give us the bandwidth to focus on growing our online presence so we can continue to support a physical location in 2020. The retail landscape has changed and this is our chance to adapt and grow. To celebrate this new chapter, in typical fashion, we’re having a party! Join us on November 29th for our 5 Year Anniversary/Moving Sale/Small Business Weekend Party. I hope you can join me in celebrating the last five years and sharing some of the excitement for what’s coming next.
Of course, like all new things, this shift is scary. Thinking back to opening the Broadway shop in 2014, I wasn’t sure if it would work, and I had no idea what I was doing, but I trusted my gut and here we are five years later! In those early days, I was terrified because I didn’t know if things would go wrong, but in that naivety, I also didn’t know how many amazing things would come if things went right. I didn’t know that on the other side of that fear would be our amazing community of makers, creatives, and supporters like you. There was energy, excitement, parties, projects, friendships, and we built a magical space for the convergence of so many good things. As we enter this new chapter, I have some of the same feelings I did in 2014, but this time I have the experience to tell me that there are even more amazing, beautiful, and joyful times on the other side of the unknown.
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The Casual Kimono from Argaman & Defiance has become a cool weather staple here at Viscera.
Living in California, we don't exactly get as many chances to wear our comfiest sweaters as we would like. All of that changes as soon as Daylight Savings rolls around. And to keep the spirit of the season, we are extra excited to don our chunkiest black frocks. If you can't beat nature, might as well join in and cuddle down with a wonderfully dark sweater or shawl.
Is there anything quite as warming to the heart as the flicker of candlelight on a dark night? Lighting a beautifully scented candle on a cool night during Daylight Savings feels almost ritualistic on cool nights. Candles relax us at the end of a long day and offer us space to inhale, exhale and just slow down. What's not to love about a reminder to relax and enjoy the present moment?
Take your self-care routine to the next level with our Rosehip Oil set, handmade moisturizer and spot-treatment that nourish and balance skin with plant-based ingredients. Perfect for the dry days of daylight savings.
One of our absolute favorite topics at Viscera is self-care. And what a better time for some self-care than during the long, cool nights of daylight savings time? We get an extra few moments either in the morning before starting our day or at night before bed to listen to what our body needs. Take daylight savings time as a reminder from nature to slow down and care for yourself. If everything in nature gets a chance to slow down and stop blooming, then so do we.
]]>1.) Natural Fragrance with an intense side
Chances are your Scorp-friend loves to make a statement and leave an impression. Help them do just that while also caring for their skin with this all-natural, handmade line of fragrances. The Ember Collection from V by Viscera truly captures the depth and intensity of smoke and incense in each of its three fragrances, Sweet Plume, Obsidian Smoke and Citrine Haze. Your Scorpy friend will surely enjoy rolling on these dark, smoky scents created by special essential oil blends.
2.) Clothing that is dramatic, draping, sexy and definitely black
Bring on the dark, sexy drama of a long black dress for Scorpio season. Our Rohe Dress is the perfect example of Scorpion's delight. We are talking full-on witchiness with a super sexy slit. As a Scorpio myself, I have one this to say and is it "YES!" to this dress.
3.) A beautifully unique purse
As masters of mystery, Scorpies need an eye-catching bag that is large enough to store all of their secrets. The Fiona Bucket Bag from Me&D is the perfect example. Made with genuine suede and boasting a genius hook-on wristlet strap, it is the perfect mysterious satchel for a fashion-forward Scorpio.
4.) Pour-Over Black Coffee Kit
Not sure if I mentioned this enough times yet but intensity is a key word for Scorpios. Fulfill their caffeine needs with a perfectly simple and portable Vietnamese Coffee Kit- perfect for the Scorp on the go. These coffee kits from Copper Cow Coffee come in a variety of flavors and styles but we prefer our coffee, as you can guess, black. Like our souls.
Scorpio season can be an intense one, but I hope to take some of the pressure off with these gifting tips. Always remember that your Scorpio friend will love anything you get for them because behind the hard exterior, we love attention and gifts (don't tell the others I said that).
Love,
A Scorpio who cares
]]>Embrace the season of the witch with a flowing black dress like the Hybrid Dress from A.Oei.
Accompanying this quieting, in all its whimsical splendor, is Halloween. I personally love Halloween because I see it as a time where many themes and ideas that are typically kept under the bed, so to speak, are embraced and celebrated. Ghosts? Goblins? Six extra pieces of candy before bed? Bring it on during Halloween!
There's something eerie, yet relaxing about a dark, candlelit room. This hand-poured MacBailey candle adds a level of luxury with its cozy scent.
So how does a sophisticated adult like yourself embrace the spirit(s) of Spooky Season, you ask? By embracing your own spooky side! Get out on a Thursday night in your ghoulish best or spend a Friday night in, relaxing in a candlelit room. Or maybe even attend a party! We would love to see you this Halloween at our downtown Oakland store for a spook-tastic Halloween Party.
However you decide to spend the rest of this magical month, I hope you fit in at least a little time to get spooky.
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1.) A generously sized Zodiac clutch
This genuine leather pouch is made in Emeryville by Me & D Leather. Each pouch within the Copernicus Collection features a different zodiac constellation. This one, of course, featuring Libra. This clutch is the all around perfect size for any occasion. Fill it with makeup and toss it in your bag, or add the essentials for a night out. Comfortably carry your phone, keys, cards, money and much more. Perfect for your Libra friend who probably wants to bring several options of lipstick and lip-gloss on a night out.
2.) Rosehip Oil Set
As stated earlier, Libras have amazing taste and truly appreciate the finer things in life. This skin-enriching duo are sure to please. Made by hand in our shop with 100% plant-based ingredients, The Rose Gold Face Oil hydrates your skin, making it soft and radiant. The Naked Stasis acts as a spot treatment for problem areas. Your Libra friend is sure to appreciate something beautiful that helps them look and feel even more beautiful.
3.) Hand-Painted Casual Kimono
This hand painted "casual kimono" from Argaman & Defiance does double duty in the Libra department. Not only is it hand-painted, making each piece one of a kind (major Libra points) but it's neutral colors make it so it can be worn over just about anything. Making your Libra friend's life easier by giving them one less decision to make in their day is a gift in and of itself.
4.) Relaxing Herbal Tea
These herbal tea blends are the perfect gift for the Libra who just wants to wind down at the end of their day. Too many decisions in a day? Too many people not appreciating the aesthetics of their work? Too much small talk? Your Libra friend will seriously thank you for helping them relax and chill.
Are you a Libra? What sort of gifts do you have on your wishlist? On behalf of all of us at Viscera, happy birthday, you amazing peacekeeper, you.
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The Face Pillow from Confetti Riot is a cozy, screen-printed work of art that makes us want to snuggle up on the couch for the rest of Fall.
It's no big news that productivity and "busy-ness" are held in high regard in our society. We have all been taught to find our value in how much we are able to get done in a day. This is where nature comes in to remind us that not even the birds and the trees are in full work mode all of the time. The shorter, crisp Autumn days remind us that not only is it okay to rest for a time, but it is productive to do so.
Nothing says rest like a cup of herbal tea from Goodnight Darling, Co.
While you pull out your favorite knits and sip on your warm pumpkin beverage, take a moment to breathe and enjoy the slowing down. It's what nature intends if only for a moment.
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In the heart of downtown Oakland, we feel a drastic range of temperature throughout the day as the sun makes its way over the Cathedral Building.
This weather can be very confusing to dress for. Looking outside and seeing the sun shining bright could make you reach for shorts and a tank, but seasoned Bay Area residents know better.
The secret to always being prepared for the unpredictable weather of the changing seasons is not only layers, but breathable layers. Having layers in cool linens, raw silk, or natural cotton is a must because not only to these fabrics keep you warm in a cool breeze, but protect your skin from intense sun rays. The breathable quality of these fabrics allows for plenty of ventilation, minimizing your perspiration (major plus!).
These raw silk blanket scarves from Argaman & Defiance feel like they were made for Bay Area Autumns.
For Autumn, our favorite item to layer with is a big scarf or shawl in a breathable fabric. There are countless ways to style a versatile piece like this. And when you don't need it, they are small enough to stash away in your purse for when you need it next. No matter where in the world you are, step into this unpredictable Fall weather knowing you're prepared for just about anything.
]]>For our customers who have been with us for a while, one thing is quite clear about a Viscera closet- we are all about neutrals. Now while we are proud to say that getting dressed in the morning is no mind-boggling task for us neutral lovers, we know what you’re thinking. “Don’t you want a little variety sometimes?” The answer we have to that is simple, there is already a variety in the different shades of black and tones of grey for us to choose from. And the best part- almost every single one of them goes together.
To take you a little deeper into why we are nerding out about different shades of grey, I got some help from some experts on color theory. (Check out their article here) There are hundreds of greys and blacks that add dimension to our simple color palette. We can attribute that to shade tint and tone. Shade is what we call the level of black in a hue. Tint is a hue with different levels of white added to it. And tone is used to describe the level of grey added to a hue, which lowers the intensity of the color. Think back to an elementary school watercolor paint swatch. If you take the black paint and add a little bit of the white, it does not make the black color grey right away, that would take a lot of white paint. Rather, adding a little bit of white to the black paint makes a lighter tone of black.
The next time you are outside during a sunny day, take a closer look at the shadow you are casting. As you may notice, the shadow isn’t 100% the same color or “shade” throughout. The shadow you are casting creates different shades of whatever color the pavement is depending on how close you are to the sun and pavement.
Thinking about shade and tone within our closets can be a great way to add drama and dimension to one of your go-to outfits. Find a grey that feels warm to you and try pairing it with a cooler grey for some monochrome contrast. Not only can you mix and match tones and shades, but fashion allows us to experiment with different textures too!
So next time you find yourself second guessing your simple closet, remember that varying tint, shade and tone can help your closet be both stress-free and dynamic.
]]>Spouse - A Neck Tie, Ring, or Jacket
For a spouse you'll want to get something long-lasting, personal, and timeless. A crisp new neck tie, a classic, minimal ring to go with any outfit, or a durable leather jacket (or vegan leather!) to get through the winter months in high-style. You guys made it through another year! Treat your partner with something classic.
Brand New Friend or Co-Worker - Chocolate, Magazine, Art Print
This gift can be less personal and it should be something easily consumable (it could also work if you need a gift for a teacher). Decadent, locally produced chocolate is always a safe plan. If they're an art-oriented type of person they might also appreciate an independent magazine or a bold art print to decorate their workspace.
Teen Niece/Nephew - Black Leather Notebook, Graphic Sweater
For that picky, but special young person in your life. Something to get them through the spring semester, like a simple, black leather notebook for keeping track of school projects. If you know them well enough to gift clothes, Viscera carries a line of typographic sweaters and cutting-edge marbled bombers by WHICHKIM that'll impress your niece or nephew.
Close Family - Parent/Sibling - Shoulder Bag, V by Viscera Fragrance
A family member will appreciate a gift that they can carry or wear that will remind them of you - a gorgeous shoulder bag to carry with them or a special V by Viscera fragrance in one of their favorite scents. Something to remind them that you are thankful for their presence in your life.
BFF - Neckerchief, Earrings/Ring, Dress
Best friends are like family and might even be close to you than all your family members combined. Similar to the family member, your BFF will appreciate a small, accessorizable gift to remind them of your friendship. A piece of delicate jewelry, a silk neckerchief to spruce up their wardrobe, or a Made in the USA dress for them to wear when you go out. If you want to go the extra mile, gift them a private shopping spree courtesy of Viscera.
Yourself - V by Viscera Skincare, Body Chain, Jumpsuit, Candle
After you've done all the hard work of buying gifts for your loved ones, it's time to think about yourself. Practice self-care with something from V by Viscera's line of skin care. Or be your best self in a comfy jumpsuit or minimal-glam body chain over a simple black dress. You deserve it!
Pet - Dog Leash
This gift is self-explanatory! Out of everyone your unconditionally loving pooch deserves a holiday gift the most, don't you think?
1. Onyx Exchange Candles
We've been carrying Onyx Exchange for over a year now and we're completely obsessed with their scents and love the fact that they're soy and natural. These candles are made in Indianapolis and the scents are formulated with essential oils.
2. Cozy Socks
Sockwell and Goodhew use all natural fibers and are made in Chatanooga, TN. They're made with USA-grown wool. They're ultra soft and are great for boots.
3. Modern Shibori Scarves
These scarves and neckerchiefs are to die for. They're had sewn and dyed in Berkeley, CA out of a silk charmeuse. They put all other scarves to shame
4. Tummy Tuck Leggings
We love M.Rena's "tummy tuck" leggings. They're made with a super soft and stretchy material that are perfect for everyday go-to leggings or to wear to yoga. We love how they fit plus they keep your legs warm on those breezy days.
5. Melissa Water-proof Boots
Hate getting caught in the rain with your nice leather booties? We've got the solution. Melissa's rain boots are perfect solution. They're made of an eco-friendly rubber and are 100% waterproof.
]]>We've all come across the tempting discount on already cheap items at big box stores. 'What, that purple and green chiffon top with sequins is only $11? I'm sure I could find some occasion to wear it, right?' WRONG. You don't need it, it's a waste of your money and, more importantly, your time. Sure, it's just one item but before you know it you'll find yourself falling into the rabbit whole of cheap things that might come in handy one day.
Okay, so now you're saying sure it's easy to ignore the ugly impractical thing that's on sale but what about normal staple items? How could you go wrong with something like a $32 slacks from a big box store? This "practical" item too is a money sink. Let's say you buy said pants and you wear it once a week and it lasts you 4 weeks before it starts to fade or tear (which we all know is optimistic). Each time you wear those pants it's cost you $7.40. Sure, that sounds cheap enough but now that your staple slacks are ruined you'll need to make another trip to the big box store to replace it. You do this little dance to "save money" every month and in a year, you've spent $384 on a pair of poor quality pants that probably didn't look that good to begin with.
Now let's look at the alternative to this scenario: you go to a local shop where you're greeted by a smiling face and you get help finding a pair of pants that actually fit you. At first, you're hit with sticker shock, "$200 for black pants?!", how is that reasonable? Let's break this down to cost per wear to find out what they really cost. Let's say again that you wear these pants weekly and they last for a year because they're good quality fabric and finished well so they aren't falling apart. $200 divided by 52 wears break down to $3.85/wear. On top of being cheaper in the long term, you look better and feel more confident. No more fidgeting with a poorly cut inseam!
Now comparing the two, the cheap fast fashion pant is almost twice as expensive as the $200 pair of pants. This price is only one of the many reasons you should swear off fast fashion. In addition to being a huge waste of money and time, fast fashion comes with a litany of other problems both ethically and environmentally.
Now that we've talked about the actual cost of fast-fashion, let's talk about how to make sure your purchases are worth your hard-earned dollars:
Will you swear off fast-fashion with us?
Ari
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