~ Handmade Holiday ~

Here are just a few of the wonderful handmade gifts Devon and I scored for the holiday season...my mom knitted Devon's adorable bunny sweater...
...and she made this little cutie too!
This is my "I love New York" charm bracelet that my sister made for me. You can check out more of her beautiful creations @ www.deerhoundjulie.etsy.com

~ Vacation at Home ~

Devon and I are taking a little break from the store to have time to explore, play and work on new pieces. We will be reopening after the New Year. Have a happy one :)

xoxo

~ Devon's Holiday Adventures ~

Devon in her Christmas outfit from http://www.pinkcupcakevintage.etsy.com/ and our teeny tiny tree opening presents on Christmas day at my sister's house

Devon and Christopher

(I'm so grateful for the awesome networking power of facebook, which enabled me to reconnect with Christopher, a dear old friend of mine from The Art Institute)

playing soccer at Jackson's birthday party

Devon and Jackson (the birthday boy)

Devon was a busy little lady this holiday season. She attended her first birthday party for Jackson (the adorable son of an old classmate of mine, also from The Art Institute)

~ Hurray for Hats ~

YAY! Devon finally got over her "no hats" phase... just in time for the cold weather!

My mom knitted the grey/white hat, which looks so adorable with those pom poms bouncing around her head :)

~ Stand Tall ~

"DON'T KEEP YOUR GOODNESS LOCKED UP IN YOUR SOUL!

DON'T KEEP YOUR DECENT QUALITIES ENTRAPPED LIKE A PRISONER!

EACH KID HAS A RIGHT TO STAND TALL AND BE HUMAN!

EVERY CHILD IS FREE TO SOUND THE ECHO OF THEIR HEART!

IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE VERY PERSON YOU ARE;

IF YOU ARE PROUD OF BEING HERE ON EARTH

THEN GET OUT OF THE CHAIR

AND HOLD UP YOUR HEAD!

STAND HIGH AS MOUNT EVEREST

AND SOUND THE MESSAGE!

LET PEOPLE KNOW

YOU'RE A PERSON OF LOVE!

MAKE EVERYBODY ASSURED

IN YOUR OWN WAY

YOU'RE SPECIAL!

BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS

THE BEST THEY CAN BE.

THE BEST YOU CAN BE,

STAND TALL AND BE YOU!"

~excerpt from a poem entitled "Stand Tall and Be You" by Sky Prince Ireland :)

~ Pretty Thermal ~

Our newest piece is the perfect compliment to our "Long Winters Nap" leggings....

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18826640

It's a simply pretty (and comfortable) top with a pair of jeans. Or wear it around the house with our leggings as an adorable pajama set! Great for layering up in the cold weather :)

~ Perfect Layering Piece ~

Our "Long Winters Nap Leggings"

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18274675&ref=em ......they look great with everything and keep your little one toasty warm!

~ Super Sweet Stocking Stuffers ~

pOOmplasticks Lollipop Earrings

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17060859

Minimanias Flower Frosted Cupcake
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15096906

Dolittledesigns Butter cookies needle felted in a mini tin
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17530358

Blueberrybandits Mischievous Candy Corns
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17526113

Goldilocksbarrettes Chocolate-filling Holiday Petit Four Barrette

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17859886

Hollystotts Lemony Yellow Cupcake Sweatband
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15914500

~ Holiday Hoots ~

Mirabels "Snowy Love Owl Christmas Cards"http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17906433

Deejanns "Christmas Owl Gift Tags"http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_19&listing_id=17900732

Tweet Baby Designs "Hoot Owl Chistmas Stocking"http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_6&listing_id=17748212

Fantastic Toys "Snow Hoot Owl"http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16458691

~ Thanksgiving For You (and poochie too) ~

Little Pie's tiny turkey treats for your best friend:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_12&listing_id=17774833

Here's the dish I'm making for Thanksgiving (a nice alternative to your usual mashed potatoes) and can be made 1 day ahead:

Sweet Potato and Apple Puree

2 1/2 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams), peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 350F. Toss first 6 ingredients into large bowl. Transfer mixture into 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Cover with foil: bake until vegetables are almost soft, about 40 minutes. Mix in apples. Cover and bake until sweet potatoes and apples are very tender, about 30 minutes longer. Cool slightly.

Transfer mixture to processor and puree until smooth. Transfer to microwave safe bowl. Cover and chill.

Stir cream into sweet potato apple puree. Microwave on high until heated through, about 4 minutes. Serve hot.

~ Thankful ~

For all the memories,

the kisses and hugs

for inspiration and bare feet on the rug.

for sisters and brothers,

for fathers and mothers being there for one another.

letters from dear friends in the mail,

seeing the wag from my puppy dogs tail.

feeling the blue sky up above

finally understanding what it means to love.

cherish the things that you're thankful for

the people who love you, the ones you adore :)

~ for Devon (from mommy)

~ Pretty Kitty ~

Our newest blouse....BTW, Devon was such a wonderful model today! I love you, boo:)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17596456

~ One Of A Kind ~

I got these adorable buttons handmade on Etsy @ Primitive Pursuits. Check out her beautiful creations here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5069403

Our newest piece, the "Garden Party Dress" is one-of-a-kind ...so cute and ready to ship:)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17511718

~ Holiday Dress ~

Here's Devon in our Festive Floral dress, my favorite on her so far. It's perfect for the season, as it has that holiday feeling without being overtly "Christmas"
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17374788

~ Fall in Love with Quarry ~

Make sure to check out my sister's new Etsy boutique, Quarry! Stocked full of beautiful handmade items that are created using new and vintage materials, so many are one of a kind. She also occasionally has vintage offerings which are handpicked with care. These are just a few of my favorites so far...make sure to stop by often as she will be adding many new unique pieces:)

http://www.deerhoundjulie.etsy.com/

~ Be Happy ~

It takes a BIG person to accept full responsibility for their own happiness.

It takes an even BIGGER person to accept full responsibility for their own unhappiness.

But it takes a spiritual GIANT, who upon realizing any degree of unhappiness, decides to be the change they seek - in spite of having to endure the "same old, same old" that may still linger on for awhile.

~ Floral Frocks ~

These are the first two samples for a large project that I'm working on for a customer in Singapore. I'll be slowing down significantly on my Etsy boutique for the next two months as I need extra sewing and shipping time to complete this order. I'm not normally a fan of using such "girly" and popular prints but I have to admit, Devon looks really cute in these!

~ Devon's Halloween ~

I think she ate some candle or something...

...meeting her new best friend...
...little bit of dancing...
..and LOTS of running around...

~ Feeling Alone ~

Do you know what happens the instant I become a brand new "someone" ?
You know, the moment I begin to play, grow, and become more than I was, within the jungles of time and space?
I feel alone, disconnected, like I'm missing something. Even though I'm none of those things.
And neither are you.

(my message from the Universe)

~ Tiny Sweets ~

I'm such a sucker for children's pretty hair pins. They always let people know "Hey! I'm a girl!" keeps the hair outta the eyes and really pulls Devon's whole "look for the day" together. These are the absolute cutest I've seen on Etsy so far. I mean, how could you not fall in love with "Felix the Frog"? Check out Tiny Sweets boutique for more super cuteness...

http://www.tinysweets.etsy.com/

Since I refuse to dress Devon in pink and pretty florals all the time, people tend to mistake her for a boy (maybe the short hair has something to do with it) I don't know. To me, her face has such strong feminine features that I have to believe that most of these people are just generally unobservant. I mean... have you seen those eyelashes? I'm jealous ;)

~ Girls Can Be Boys ~

These corduroys are the perfect match for Devon's Snuggletime Sweater, but on their own they look like knickers for rowdy little boys

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16530607

Devon wore them all day long running around outside the loft (which is all concrete and asphalt) She bit it ...a lot, but no scratches on those little knees! The denim patches proved to be quite durable (and the pants still look brand new) She figured out how to keep her balance walking down the incline of the ramp which leads to the parking lot. She was so proud of herself when she made it all the way for the first time, she threw up both of her arms and let out a victory squeal!

~ SnuggleTime ~

I've never seen Devon ham it up quite as much as she did in our new "Snuggletime Sweater"

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16461325

funny, because for the first few minutes she complained about the turtleneck (pulling on it and making yucky faces) not used to having that type of collar on. But after that, she realised how soft and cozy it was. She snuggled up in my lap (totally posing for the camera) even rolled around on the floor for a bit and did some headstands for her finale :)