~ 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!

~ 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.