#MakerCrush: Meet Carrie Caillouette of Half Hitch Goods

Sep 20, 2014

There’s no denying a maker crush. Symptoms include: You follow them on Instagram, you read their personal blog and your friends and family know exactly what you want for Christmas (hint: all their goodies). We have a lot of #MakerCrushes here at Brit + Co, and one of our local loves is Carrie Caillouette of Half Hitch Goods.

Carrie drove up to Fort Mason last weekend and parked her 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon at our Re:Make Festival. There’s NO WAY you could have missed her cool setup. And that’s how most of her weekends go! Carrie can typically be found somewhere in the Bay Area selling homemade, heirloom products from her “Rolling Shoppe.”

So what is in Half Hitch Goods’ super sweet Volkswagen van? Carrie wants to emphasize the power of intentional gift giving by connecting consumers with handmade products. Tell us more, right? According to Carrie, the secret to great gifting is finding personal things that have meaningful product stories, which makes them more significant.

She is totally on to something here. Some of the best gifts we have ever received weren’t mass-produced consumer products. We often cherish handmade jewelry pieces and products associated with memories instead of shopping malls.

Watching Carrie interact with customers at Re:Make, it’s clear that she loves what she is doing. “I feel like I’m playing more often than working,” Carrie said. We feel the same way!

She also shared a bit of advice for others that are looking to live the hashtag #iamcreative: “If you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working for it. There is always a big leap when moving into your passion as your life’s work.” Carrie recommends talking to other makers and your own creative community, and to get connected, present your ideas and ask for feedback.

How’s that for a mini pep-talk? We just love what Carrie is setting out to accomplish with Half Hitch Goods and the stories she tells through products. Be sure to check out her website to find out where Carrie will pop up next.

What do you think of Carrie’s “Rolling Shoppe?” Let us know in the comments below.

(Photos by Ashley Batz Photography)

Save the Date! Brit + Co Is Coming to NYC

Imagine a colorful world with all of your female idols speaking, creative workshops everywhere you turn, food that will make you salivate, must-see music performances and, most importantly, dozens of ‘grammable moments all around.

Historically, we’ve brought Brit + Co to life annually with Re:Make, a two-day event we’ve hosted in San Francisco attended by nearly 15,000 women.

But this year, we’re trying something new called #CreateGood! Not only will we be visiting our friends on the East Coast, but we’re also switching up the format. Instead of two days, we’ll be live for FIVE.

That’s right. This year Brit + Co will be hosting a new type of event in NYC from October 4th through 8th in the heart of SoHo: a fully immersive digital program culminating in a five-day pop-up experience with the theme of #CreateGood.

Our goal for #CreateGood is to enable women to walk away feeling like a more creative and confident version of themselves through speakers, workshops, live performances, and more. We want to show the GOOD women can achieve in all areas of their life, from good food to good style to good work and good minds.

We chose this theme because we believe it’s the right moment in time to pause and consider how we, as women, can both do good for the world, but also for ourselves.

Beyond all that, like all B+C events, we promise that there will be confetti, balloons, and color… SO MUCH COLOR. So make sure to bring your phone, because you’ll definitely want to take part in all the photo-worthy moments we’re creating.

Can’t make it to NYC in the fall? No worries. While we’d love to see you IRL, we totally understand you’ve got a busy schedule, girl. That’s why all #CreateGood content will be streamed to our audience across Brit + Co social channels for a fully digital experience. So, make sure to like and follow us STAT ;)

Stay tuned over the coming months as we share more details of our next-level lineup of activities, performers, and speakers joining us. Want to be the first to know? Sign up for our #CreateGood newsletterHERE.

Can’t wait to see y’all there!

xo, Brit

Are you planning on attending our pop-up in NYC? Let us know on Twitter using the hashtag #CreateGood. We can’t wait to party with you! And make sure to stay up-to-date on speakers, programming, and more right HERE.

Re:Make #CreateGood

Matty Healy Finally Responded To Taylor Swift's "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived"

I never thought we'd get a Taylor Swift album with multiple songs referencing Matty Healy, but after multiple listens, the internet is convinced The Tortured Poets Department(the first edition, at least) has a ton of references to The 1975 frontman. (Only time will tell if TS12 references Matty too!) One song in particular has sent everyone into a tizzy: "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived." Here's why fans think the song is about Taylor Swift & Matty Healy.

What has Matty Healy said about "The Tortured Poets Department"?

Image via Mauricio Santana/Getty Images

When asked what he'd rate his "diss track" from The Tortured Poets Department, Matty admits he hasn't actually listened to that much of the album yet (if he ever will). "My diss track? Oh!" he laughs. "I haven't really listened to that much of it, but I'm sure it's good."

Debbie Dedes, Matty's aunt, speculated right after the album drop that he wouldn't be affected too much by the music. “She writes about all her relationships, doesn't she? I don't think it will come as a shock to him at all,” she tells The Daily Mail. “He's very happy in his new relationship [with Gabbriette Bechtel] so I'm sure he will be focusing on that.”

Is "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" about Taylor Swift & Matty Healy?

Image via Francois Durand/Getty Images For Christian Dior

While Taylor Swift & Matty Healy never publicly dated until 2023, they were friends for years before that. In 2014, Taylor Swift went to her first The 1975 concert with Selena Gomez and Ellie Goulding. Then, Taylor was seen wearing one of their band shirts while Matty was spotted in a 1989 shirt. "I met Taylor Swift," Matty told Shazam Top 20 in November (via E! News). "That was really nice. We exchanged numbers. Let's see what happens."

Matty Healy & Taylor Swift continued referencing each other over the next couple years, and fans lost their minds when Matty revealed he'd collaborated on a Midnights song — even if he went on to say it was cut. After Taylor Swift performed "Anti-Hero" during a 1975 concert, and then split from boyfriend Joe Alwyn split in the spring of 2023, Taylor & Matty quickly connected. They went on to date from May to June. That brings us to "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived."

In the song, Taylor wonders if "rusting my sparkling summer was the goal" and talks about "your Jehovah's Witness suit" (Matty is famous for wearing suits during his concerts). She also mentions how the relationship "wasn't sexy once it wasn't forbidden" — which totally ties into the themes within "Guilty As Sin?" (about imaginary trysts she thought about while dating someone else).

"[These Matty Healy-focused songs] started out being like 'f*ck all of you, I love him, I’ll fix him, I don’t care what you say' to ending here basically saying 'alright yeah this guy sucks,'" one Reddit user says. "I think the order of these songs plays a huge role in this throughline of that relationship."

"Heavyweight rappers J. Cole, Drake, and Rick Ross all released diss tracks over the last couple of weeks, and none of them were as scathing as this one," another says.

How long did Taylor Swift and Matty Healy date?

Image via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

While Taylor Swift & Matty Healy officially dated during the summer of 2023, another song on TTPD, "Fresh Out The Slammer" makes me think they connected before then. Referring to her relationship as a jail, she sings about how she's connected with this person before she started dating her ex. "I'm runnin' back home to you // Frеsh out the slammer // I know who my first call will be to." (Does this mean "Illicit Affairs" from Folklore is actually about Matty Healy too?)

What other The Tortured Poets Department songs are about Matty Healy?

Image via Francois Durand/Getty Images For Christian Dior

It looks like "Fortnight," "The Tortured Poets Department," "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)," and "loml" are just a few of the songs that could be about Taylor Swift & Matty Healy's relationship.

The "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" Lyrics

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Verse 1: Was any of it true? // Gazing at me starry-eyed // In your Jehovah's Witness suit // Who the f-ck was that guy? // You tried to buy some pills // From a friend of friends of mine // They just ghosted you // Now you know what it feels like

Chorus: And I don't even want you back, I just want to know // If rusting my sparkling summer was the goal // And I don't miss what we had, but could someone give // A message to the smallest man who ever lived?

Verse 2: You hung me on your wall // Stabbed me with your push pins // In public, showed me off // Then sank in stoned oblivion // 'Cause once your queen had come // You'd treat her likе an also-ran // You didn't measure up // In any measurе of a man

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Bridge: Were you sent by someone who wanted me dead? // Did you sleep with a gun underneath our bed? // Were you writin' a book? Were you a sleeper cell spy? // In fifty years, will all this be declassified? // And you'll confess why you did it and I'll say, "Good riddance" // 'Cause it wasn't sexy once it wasn't forbidden // I would've died for your sins, instead, I just died inside // And you deserve prison, but you won't get time // You'll slide into inboxes and slip through the bars // You crashed my party and your rental car // You said normal girls were boring // But you were gone by the morning // You kicked out the stage lights, but you're still performing

Outro: And in plain sight you hid // But you are what you did // And I'll forget you, but I'll never forgive // The smallest man who ever lived

Tell us your hottest Taylor Swift & Matty Healy take on Facebook, then read up on The Taylor Swift Boyfriends You Love, And The Ones You Didn't Know She Dated.

Lead images via Francois Durand/Getty Images For Christian Dior/Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

This post has been updated.

music entertainment celebrity taylor swift pop culture

Here’s Why Brené Brown Believes Creative Women are Powerful

In case you missed it, last weekend was Brit + Co’s fourth annual Re:Make conference in San Francisco. One of our keynote speakers was a scholar, the founder of COURAGEWorks and the giver of one of the most inspirational TEDTalks of all time Dr. Brené Brown delivered a brilliant message about courage and vulnerability. Her quotes have been so inspiring, she recently collaborated with Sugarboo to launch The Brave Heart Gallery, which sells artworks of her quotes (also 20 percent of the proceeds go to a really good cause). Her most recent book RisingStrong explores how “falling gives us the power to write a daring new ending” and how processing the pain head on is can be strength. And according to Brené, when it comes being a creative woman, though not everything you do will be a success, daring to do it anyway is deeply important.

Being a creative in this day and age can at times be daunting — uncertainty about job security, the fear of rejection and staying in love with your passion after it becomes your job can be more than enough to turn people away. “When your vocation becomes your occupation, there’s always a little shift, so you have to protect it,” Brené tells us. “You have to keep the love alive so it doesn’t become just another thing you have to do, because then you can’t put the magic in it.”

And for creative women, we face an additional catalog of hurdles. “Creativity is kind of revealing a part of our soul, and we live in a pretty hostile environment,” Brené says, “so I think it’s scary to put yourself out there when there are so many critics and cynics out there today. I think that’s what make creativity scary, and I think that’s what make it powerful.” Rising in the face of adversity is certainly a strong statement. As our FLOTUS put it, “When they go low, we go high.”

And when you put yourself out there — yes, sometimes you’re going to fail. That’s okay. What you have to be careful of is letting your failures define you. “One of the big life stages at mid-life, anywhere from mid-thirties to late-fifties, the big developmental life stage is integration. We bring home all the parts of ourselves that we have orphaned because we don’t they fit in with who we’re supposed to be, we call them all home and we say, ‘This is me. The good, the bad, the tough, the beautiful.’,” Brené tells us. “I think that’s the gift of being my age, I have a very sensitive bulls–t meter so if you haven’t called everything home and made peace with those parts of us that are hard, that’s hard to be around.” And being able to pick up again after your fall — or even forgiving yourself for lingering down there too long — is all part of the process.

What do you think about Brené Brown’s advice? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(Photos courtesy of Brené Brown and Sugarboo)

interview Posts that contain video Re:Make iamcreative-article

Creative DIY Birthday Card Ideas Your Friends Will Love

As cute and clever as store-bought greeting cards are, there's something incredibly thoughtful that can be felt in a homemade birthday card from a friend or loved one. Not only does the act of creating DIY birthday cardsgive you the chance to slow down from the business of life and reflect on what you cherish most about the people you're celebrating, but the one-of-a-kind touch will be super memorable for your recipients as well.

Even if you're not the craftiest person, don't fret, because we've put together a straightforward guide on how to craft your own DIY birthday card for your besties and S.O.'s. Step into the world of DIY magic as we embark on a quest to create birthday cards that will leave your recipients in awe. From unexpected pop-up surprises to mind-bending interactive features, discover fresh ways to make birthday cards burst with fun and excitement. Prepare to unleash your inner artist as we dive into all the tips to help you craft unique and captivating birthday cards. And keep reading for some thoughtful text ideas to ensure that your birthday wishes are just as fun as the card design they're on.

Step 1: Gather Your DIY Birthday Card Supplies

Image via Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

Before embarking on your DIY birthday card adventure, gathering all the necessary supplies is essential. A well-prepared crafter is a confident crafter! So, let's make sure you have everything you need to bring your imaginative card ideas to life.

Start with colored cardstock or paper as the foundation of your cards. Choose a variety of vibrant hues to suit different themes and moods. Scissors are your trusty sidekick, enabling you to precisely cut out shapes, create borders, and trim your cardstock.
Grab glue or adhesive tape to hold everything together securely. Opt for a glue stick for a mess-free experience or double-sided tape for a clean and seamless finish.
Round up all the art supplies you have, from markers and colored pencils, or pens. These magical tools will be your gateway to adding personalized messages, whimsical doodles, and vibrant colors to your DIY creations.
Stock up on a dazzling array of embellishments for an added dose of flair and personality. Let your creativity soar as you explore the boundless possibilities of stickers, sequins, ribbons, twines, buttons, beads, and more. Watch your creations come alive with vibrant colors, textures, and eye-catching details. With these delightful elements at your fingertips, there's no limit to the magic your birthday cards can be infused with.

Step 2: Choose Your Card Design

Image via George Dolgikh/Pexels

The card design will function as the first impression that sets the tone for the entire experience. A well-designed card can evoke emotions ranging from joy and excitement to nostalgia and warmth, leaving friends and family in awe of the thoughtful gesture.

Handmade Watercolor Design:

Express your artistic side by creating a handmade watercolor masterpiece for a genuinely one-of-a-kind birthday card. Start with a blank cardstock or watercolor paper as the base, and let your creativity flow. Use watercolors to paint a vibrant and personalized design, such as flowers, balloons, or a recipient's favorite hobby or color palette. Add a heartfelt birthday message inside to complete the card.

Pop-Up Surprise:

Add an element of surprise and delight to your card with a pop-up feature. Cut out a simple pop-up mechanism using cardstock or colored paper and attach it to the inside of the card. Then, unleash your creativity by designing and cutting out fun shapes, such as cakes, candles, or balloons, and attach them to the pop-up mechanism. When the card is opened, the surprise element will make the birthday celebration of your loved one even more memorable.

Quilled Creations:

Quilling is a paper art technique that involves rolling and shaping thin paper strips to create intricate designs. Use quilling techniques to create beautiful and delicate patterns, flowers, or even personalized messages on your birthday cards. Experiment with different colors and shapes to bring your design to life and make it truly unique. The recipient will appreciate the time and effort put into crafting such an elegant and artistic card.

Hand-Stitched Greeting:

Consider incorporating those skills into your DIY card if you enjoy sewing or embroidery. Use a needle and thread to create hand-stitched designs or patterns on fabric or cardstock. You can stitch the recipient's name, a birthday message, or even cute motifs like balloons or cupcakes. The texture and charm of a hand-stitched card will make it a cherished keepsake.

Interactive Slider Card:

Create an interactive slider card to take your birthday card to the next level. Use cardstock to make a slider mechanism that reveals a hidden message or image as it is pulled. Write a heartfelt message or attach a memorable photo that slides out when the recipient pulls the tab. This interactive element adds a playful touch to your card and makes it truly engaging.

Step 3: Write A Clever Message

Image via June/Pexels

Elevate your birthday card by personalizing it with a heartfelt note to enrich the receiver's experience. Share warm wishes, inside jokes, or memories that make the card even more special and meaningful. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas for what to write inside your DIY birthday card!

"Happy birthday, queen of the hashtags! May your day be as fabulous as your Instagram feed."
"You're the avocado to my toast, the squad to my goals. Happy birthday, superstar!"
"It's your birthday, so let's turn up the 'Lit' level and celebrate like it's 1999... or 2023!"
"Birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake. Enjoy your special day!"
"May your birthday be filled with good vibes and a bottomless brunch. Cheers to another fabulous year!"
"Sending you birthday wishes with all the heart emojis. You deserve all the love and happiness today and always."
"Happy birthday to my favorite extremely online friend. May your Wi-Fi always be strong and your battery never die."
"Time to celebrate another trip around the sun. Let's make this year even more epic than the last!"
"You're not getting older, you're leveling up! Happy birthday, gamer!"
"Happy birthday, trendsetter! May your day be filled with selfie-worthy moments and viral-worthy adventures."

Step 4: Add The Perfect Finishing Touch

Brit + Co

As a bonus, consider creating a DIY envelope to complete the package. Choose decorative paper or repurpose materials like magazine pages or fabric scraps to craft a unique envelope that adds creativity and thoughtfulness to your handmade card. Personalize it by adding hand-drawn designs, stamps, or calligraphy for an extra special touch.

So, there you have it! DIY birthday cards offer endless possibilities for fun, creativity, and the chance to unleash your imagination. With just a few simple steps, you can create customized and sincere cards that will bring joy to your loved ones on their special day. Remember, the beauty of DIY is that there are no limits or rules. Let your creativity run wild, experiment with different techniques, colors, and textures, and, most importantly, have fun. Happy crafting!

For more crafty ideas, check out all of our DIY ideas on Brit + Co.

diy projects cards crafts celebrations creativity lifestyle

11 Paleo Desserts That Don’t Make You Feel Like You’re On A Diet

Paleodesserts typically avoid processed ingredients, grains, dairy products, and refined sugars – but that doesn’t mean they have to be bad. Sure, they primarily focus on using whole foods, but there are tons of paleo desserts out there that don’t feel like you’re eating on a diet at all.

Common ingredients in paleo desserts include almond flour, coconut flour, coconut oil, dates, and various fruits like berries or bananas. You can feel really good about eating these 11 paleo desserts. They’re nutrient-dense and perfectly sweet! From snack-sized bites to fully-fledged cakes, we’ve got you covered.

Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies are superior when it comes to paleo desserts, or any desserts for that matter. These addictive bites take on the flavors of pumpkin and chocolate, all without leaning on process ingredients! (via Brit + Co)

Cherry-Cranberry Almond Paleo Scones

These paleo scones are just as good as the ones you'd snag from your local coffee shop. Cherries and cranberries dot the sweet dough for a fresh touch, plus there's a delicious cranberry glaze to top it all off! These paleo desserts would work so well for serving a large party crowd – or, you could save the leftovers all for yourself. (via Brit + Co)

Fudgy Paleo Brownies

Though you might assume paleo desserts say 'no' to chocolate, this brownie recipe will instantly prove you wrong. The batter, made primarily from almond flour, coconut flour, and cocoa powder, gets balanced out in terms of moisture with coconut oil, eggs, and maple syrup. Dark chocolate is the key to this dessert's success! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Paleo Gummy Bears

Our list of paleo desserts wouldn't be complete without the more fruity snacks! These paleo-friendly gummy bears only require three ingredients and a gummy bear mold with a dropper. You can make any flavor you want depending on the type of fruit juice you use – just make sure it's labeled “not from concentrate” and is organic to abide by the paleo guidelines. (via Clean Cuisine)

Berry Paleo Banana Bread with Lemon Glaze

Banana bread is the ultimate treat you can snack on in the morning, afternoon, and at night. This paleo version is doctored up with even more healthy stuff like three types of berries and an addictively tart lemon glaze. Swoon! (via The Endless Meal)

Coconut-Coated No-Bake Energy Bites

For paleo desserts that you *don't* have to actually bake, energy bites are the sweetest solution. These can be crafted within minutes using a short list of ingredients: prunes (healthy fiber FTW!), almonds, chia seeds, and surprisingly, orange juice! Pop one in your mouth for a workday snack, or wait for bedtime to indulge in this daily sweet treat. (via Live Eat Learn)

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

This spoonable paleo dessert is also plant-based, gluten-free, and made with 5 ingredients. The creamy base is made with 2 ripe avocados, which get masked with the flavors of cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and the natural sweetener of your choice. (via Veggie Society)

Paleo Coconut Cream Pie

You may be a bit skeptical at just how good a keto, paleo, vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free pie could really taste, but we promise this one is ahh-mazing. The coconut flour, coconut milk, coconut whipping cream, and *actual* shredded coconut form the signature flavor without taking over too strongly. You'll wanna eat slice after slice! (via No Eggs or Ham)

Paleo Thin Mints

Wanna enjoy your fave Girl Scout cookies year-round? Look no further than these paleo thin mints that incorporate the minty, chocolatey flavors you love, without any harmful additives. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Paleo + Vegan Caramel Apple Slices

Us any apple variety you love alongside some melted dark chocolate and caramel to create these mouthwatering apple slice pops. You can go crazy with with topping 'em with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and the like, but it's really up to you on how to best enjoy them. (via Rachel Mansfield)

4-Ingredient Chocolate Chia Pudding

This chocolatey chia pudding is too tasty. With an ample serving of chia seeds, cocoa powder, almond milk, and maple syrup, this is a certifiably healthy paleo dessert. (via Two Spoons)

Subscribe to our newsletter for more healthy recipes sent straight to your inbox!

recipes dessert recipes desserts healthy recipes paleo recipes food