~ XOXO ~

" I like it when we share " www.gemmabear.etsy.com

"Cat and Dog Kiss" www.juliapott.etsy.com

"Love" www.naokosstoop.etsy.com

~ Me And My Shadow ~

what IS that???

~ Big Hug ~

I found this little fashionista in my "Mono Kids" (a Japanese fashion mag) This look is pure Japanese perfection and she knows it. Of course, she has MAJOR attitude and I LOVE it!
The line is called "BigHug" which is exactly what you want to do to this deliciously, comfy looking, double gauze bubble top. And it's perfectly proportioned to those great little stripey patched leggings!

Here's another look from BigHug's winter 2008 line. Normally, I'm not a big fan of this mother and daughter "matchy-matchy craziness" but I can totally see Devon and I workin' these reimagined, distressed sweatshirts with some awesome leggings and our moccasins :)

~ Relax ~

It's Sunday! Don't forget to set aside some time to pamper yourself. I've always been a big fan of the bubble bath (now that Devon is too, bath time is a little less relaxing, but she keeps it fun to say the least) The absolute best bubble bath (and believe me I've tried quite a few) is "Soothing Heat" by Aura Cacia with evergreen and eucalyptus aroma. It's heavenly!

~ Tiniest Hobbit ~

...or teeniest gelfling! You decide. Either way, I continue to be amazed by Devon's ability to always find the perfect prop for our photo shoots. Follow the link for more pics and to read about our newest item the "Pink Cottage Cloak"

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19870340

~ Hel Looks ~

Jermu (3)
"I'm wearing an eagle t-shirt and flower socks. My cap is yellow and there is some net at the back. I like red, cars and legos."
Roberto (2.5)
"Roberto doesn't like to wear girly clothes. He always wants to choose the shoes himself. He likes his long hair."

Mikko (34), Estrid (1) and Frida (29)
I first came across this site http://www.hel-looks.com/ in 2005 while doing trend research for private label clients. It's a great resource for checking out interesting street fashion. When I came across Jermu, I just had to share...LOVE the attitude! And am I the only one that thought that Roberto WAS a girl? I added the "Happy Helsinki Family" because I found their style to be so beautiful in it's simplicity...I mean, not many women can still look totally awesome with a shaved head!

~ Lil' Comanche ~

I bought a 50 yard bolt of this beautiful cotton Ikat fabric way back in 2000 (when I had my women's label) I envisioned a dramatic "tribal warrior princess" dress/kimono as a finale piece for my show (shown above photographed in Southern California) It used up about 5 yards and I've been holding onto the rest ever since. I never really considered using it for children's wear until I was shopping around Etsy for supplies and came across a listing for these great, fluffy, cotton pom-poms. Then it occurred to me that Devon needed her own "little warrior princess" coat. I used the pattern I drafted for the Bon Voyage Carcoat, eliminating the collar and turning it into a tie front closure using self binding and the finishing touch...pom-poms!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19783396

~ Cute Cardigan ~

Here's Devon in yet another great find from www.pinkcupcakevintage.etsy.com I know....I talk about that place WAY too much, but she just got some new sweaters in, so I thought I would share:)

~ Loungers and Lack of Sleep ~

Don't let these pictures fool you! Although she does seem to be the perfect picture of bubbly, crazy, exuberant happiness..she really gave me a run for the money today. I chased her EVERYWHERE, she cried over EVERYTHING... and I can see why, when you only let yourself sleep for an hour here and there (gotta be up so I don't miss anything!!!!) But she gets an A+++ for her modeling today, she does LOVE to be in front of the camera:) Check out more pics here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19701946

~ Devon Rose is Back ~

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19639199
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19640078

Devon and I have reopened the store and will be adding several new pieces, so make sure to check back often! http://www.devonrose.etsy.com/

~ Thinking about Jenny ~

Recently, Devon's developed a certain fondness for elephants... her new favorite toy is a squirty elephant for the bathtub, she LOVED "Horton Hears a Who," and if I ask her to point at an elephant in a book, she always gets it right (ducks too)

But all this talk of elephants got me thinking about Jenny again, the elephant from the Dallas Zoo. When I first saw her, I did not know about the huge controversy surrounding this poor creature. I remember I was so excited to see the elephant exhibit (this past September) but when I saw her backed into the corner of her small enclosure, rocking back and forth repeatedly (maybe to relieve boredom) but to me it looked more like she was trying to comfort herself... to me, she looked very lonely in there and it made me so sad.

My sister was the one who first told me about Keke (Jenny's companion that had died this past May) this prompted the Dallas Zoo to make a decision to send Jenny to Africam Safari Park in Puebla, Mexico. She was to roam freely on 5 acres of land that she would share with a future female companion. Sounds great to me, but this decision sparked opposition to Jenny's move by animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. They raised concerns that Mexico does not have the same animal welfare standards as the United States and also questioned the construction and the cars traveling through Africam. Also, opponents have said there are signs the three Asian elephants at Africam are in distress. This was the result of a video taken that shows them swaying back and forth – an indication of "depression in elephants, loneliness and frustration," (Which is exactly what I saw Jenny doing) They urged council members to send her instead to a 2,700-acre sanctuary in Tennessee where 17 other traumatized elephants are kept in seclusion.

But now it seems that the Dallas Zoo plans to keep Jenny right where she is. Plans are underway to build a larger $10 million dollar elephant habitat that could house as many as four elephants. This new habitat, part of a $40 million dollar African Savanna exhibit, will be completed in spring 2010 rather than mid-2012 as planned. Meanwhile, the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) is helping Dallas Zoo officials identify a new companion for Jenny. Supposedly officials were eager to have the new elephant in the zoo by November (in an article I read from this past August, however it seems that Jenny still does not have a companion) I hope I'm wrong... it would mean that Jenny has been sitting alone in that small enclosure (said to measure less than a quarter of an acre) for 8 months now. My wish for Jenny is that they find her a companion ASAP! It would make even living in that small space much more enjoyable for her until she can finally move.

~ Fabulous Find ~

I've been searching around Etsy for a new hat and found this gem http://www.terrygraziano.etsy.com/. Each of these hats can be worn so many different ways, it's like buying 10 pieces in one! After falling in love with her hats, I checked out Terry's profile and discovered that she had started making them due to the fact that the vintage hats she adored were always too small for her....which has ALWAYS been my problem! Every hat she makes is adjustable for a perfect fit:)

~ Day-off with Daddy ~

...checkin' out the view ...

....always a sucker for a cute duck....
...in love with the "Lovesac"...

~ New Zealand Moment ~

I've been meaning to get some good shots of Devon in her "One Tree Tee", to give to the designer. And she was definitely feeling her outfit yesterday.

The top is by www.freerangebaby.etsy.com and the pants are from www.lucysplace.etsy.com. Both are children's wear designers from New Zealand and are highly recommended by Devon :)

~ New Years Resolution ~

Usually, I'm not the greatest at keeping up my New Years Resolutions. Although my "NO Smoking Forever" resolution of 2007 is still intact (2 years= tobacco free!) This years is relatively simple in comparison, but will be extremely beneficial for Devons development...I'm putting a 3 hour limit per day on the television.

I came up with this one after learning about Viacom and Time Warner cables feud (and the impending loss of Devon's all time favorite channel, Noggin). I must admit that I kinda freaked out for a while afterwards. Not only had our DVD player decided to get stuck in loading mode forever, but now she can't even watch Yo Gabba Gabba, Blue's Clues, or even worse...no more Oswald:(

Imagine my total relief when I turned on the tele at 12:15AM on January 1st and was greeted by Oobi (oy! believe me, that will be the ONLY time Oobi will stir up that type of emotion!) And that's when it hit me, I'm totally addicted to television! And if I didn't do something about it now, Devon was sure to suffer the same fate. So, Devon and I spent our first day of the year running around town, checking out all the great sales (where we scored Devon's awesome new high top Pumas!) Then we hit up the bookstore for fashion mag inspiration and a new read...Kill Your Friends, by John Niven (supposedly the most exciting British novel since Trainspotting) Kill your friends? Kill your TV!!!

~ 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!