A full-time photographer and a mother of two, Kristin Smetona considers Orange.Sweet.Orange her passion project.  “Seeing people embrace a product that has brought them together has been very cool. It’s a joy to see the city and neighbors come together over something like a T-shirt.”

- - - -

Orange.Sweet.Orange

When photographer Kristin Smetona looked around Orange, she noticed something missing.

“Why don’t we have swag for our city?” she recalls thinking.  “Orange has so many iconic graphic elements, and it’s such a unique place.  We needed something that celebrates that.”

That inspiration became Orange. Sweet.Orange, an online boutique Smetona launched in spring 2023, dedicated to citrus-inspired apparel and home décor that celebrates Orange’s character.

The idea began with a single design—a Hawaiian shirt.

With her background in photography, art and graphic design, Smetona created a pattern featuring palm trees, oranges and the iconic Old Towne fountain.  Her first test subject?  Her husband, Dustin.  The second?  Mayor Dan Slater, who proudly wore his custom shirt to the Orange International Street Fair.

“I figured if Slater’s on board, then I’m on the right track,” says Smetona.

From that first shirt, Orange. Sweet.Orange blossomed into a collection of clothing, jewelry and home décor inspired by local landmarks—like the historic Wells Fargo building and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

“These are the things people recognize and love,” says Smetona.  “They make Orange, Orange.”

Her products quickly gained popularity—especially the mugs, men’s shirts, table runners and signature map necklace.

“That necklace has been so special,” she says.  “It has been customized for the Woman’s Club and the Chamber of Commerce.”

Lesly Adams is an original customer, who comments on the uniqueness of Orange.Sweet. Orange.  “I love that it’s a small business created by someone who has a true love of our city and wants to enhance the greatness of our community,” she says.  “It’s creative and there’s nothing else like it.  I love that I can call Kristin and say I need a bunch of Christmas gifts for a group, and she will design something.”

For Smetona, Orange.Sweet. Orange is more than a business—it’s a passion project rooted in connection.

“I wanted to create something that endears neighbors to each other,” she says.  “If you see someone wearing a shirt with oranges on it, you feel connected.  You both love this place.”

Her holiday collections have become favorites, featuring Christmas mugs and décor depicting the city’s tree lighting, the nativity and festive scenes from the Plaza.  An Orange blossom jingle bell ornament is a popular gift, as is her jewelry line made from actual orange blossoms.

Smetona’s boutique is online at OrangeSweetOrange.myshopify.com and some of her products are featured at Wine and Wax. Followers of Orange.Sweet.Orange on Instagram will learn when she has the occasional pop up, such as at the Orange Home Grown Farmer’s Market.

“Our mission verse is Jeremiah 29:7—‘seek the good of the city wherein you are called,’“ says Smetona. “That’s what Orange. Sweet.Orange is all about— celebrating community, creativity, and the sweet spirit of Orange.”

Orange.Sweet.Orange
949-648-3781  /  instagram.com/Orange.Sweet.Orange