Moonfly Kids

I have these sandals, my favorite sandals, you know the ones.  You throw them on for running errands, playdates, Starbucks runs, walking trade show floors and the like. They seem to match every outfit, are super comfy, and never go out of style. No matter where I go, someone ALWAYS asks me about these shoes. I’m amazed because they really aren’t statement-making, bring-the-house-down Jimmy Choos or Blahniks.  Nine West, purchased while I was pregnant, and stretched out around the ankle from shoving my feet into them after I got too fat to actually bend down and operate the buckle. Don’t you wish you could know how fabulous your favorite pair of shoes is going to be BEFORE you buy them? So you can at least snag two pairs?

“Nicholas, can I ask you a question?”

“Ya, mama.”

“Why aren’t your animals playing in the tub with you?”

“Time out, mama, time oooout.”

“What did they do?”

“They ate all the soap.”

I’m packing up tonight and heading out to LA tomorrow for the LA International Textile Show held at the California Market Center. Usually I love going to the 3 day extravaganza of textile glory, but I’m not feeling inspired right now. Sigh.  I’m forcing myself to drive there anyway in the hopes that something spectacular will jump out and lift me from the doldrums.  Is it my imagination or are all the offerings just so “blah” lately?

The highlights will be catching up with Lady M of Fabric Hound and Lorraine of Bobinette. See you soon girls!

Last weekend I packed up the family and headed to Zion National Park, about 3 hours from Vegas. My DH and I don’t get to enjoy many of the climbing trips and campfire shenanigans we used to indulge in before Nick came along, so we take what we can get. The weather was gorgeous, high 80’s during the day and maybe about 50 at night.  Good, snuggly, tent weather, not too cold, not too hot.

Nick is always up at the crack of dawn, ready to explore.

We had a great little hike along the Virgin River just as the sun was coming up.

Then Nick proceeded to make mama some coffee. He’s a good boy!

Off to the Zion Visitor Center to catch a shuttle into the park.

Nick loves riding the shuttle, he gets to sit in his own seat like a big boy. I can’t tell you how psyched he gets about it!

We start up the Emerald Pools trail, a really short, pretty hike.  We make it about 1/4 mile.  That’s pretty damn good for us!  Nick is at that age where he won’t ride in the kid carrier, but he can’t really hike any distance.

We end up with the “Campground Curse”-no naptime due to over-excitement. So we just make the best of it and let him run around with the other campground urchins. He’ll collapse in the tent later.

My boy is lovin’ life!

I was tagged by my friend Krystal!

Here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Random, weird facts:

1. I only curse on days ending with “y”.

2. I once went six straight years without eating any meat or dairy products. I can’t remember why exactly.

3. I married an engineer, therefore I will always know the slope of our driveway and the definition of “acre-feet”.

4. I saw John Travolta eating sushi. In Cancun. I’m pretty sure he was wearing make up.

5. I’m afraid of the water. And Pai Gow. And pants that taper.

6. I had the most fabulous wedding. I walked down the aisle to a harp solo of “Stairway to Heaven”. Our first dance was a two-step to a duet by John Prine and Iris DeMent called “In Spite of Ourselves”. Of course everyone got shit-faced.

7. Nothing ever could have prepared me for the complete and utter chaos that is motherhood.

Seven people:
Fabric Hound
The Domestic Diva
Visual Adventures
Redhead Writing
Tote and Tee
Boutique Cafe

My dear designer friend Lisa of Downtown Joey is in need. Her daughter Marielle is very sick and looking for a kidney donor. If you would like to find out more about being a kidney donor to Marielle, please contact Joann Palmer of Children’s Hospital of Philadephia at (215) 590-2449.

Please give this serious consideration. A precious child’s life depends on it.

Lisa(right), me(center) and Lady M(left) in happier times, having dinner in the Village, after attending ENK Children’s Club in NYC.

Wow! Look at the beautifully styled spread in the October issue of Earnshaw’s. Funny, they picked one of my least favorite outfits in the whole Spring line.  If this style goes to production, I’m going to refine the ombre colors and placement.  I think it could be better.  Yes, I’m a perfectionist like that. Thanks to all my friends at Earnshaw’s for their excellent taste and keen eye for detail.

This PACKAGE! has been teetering on the edge of my cutting table since Monday. I know! Can you believe I haven’t had time to open it yet? I have been THAT busy around here.

But honestly, part of it has been procrastination. I have to admit, lackluster Spring sales, trouble collecting on Fall 08 shipments and the general tailspin of the economy really cut into a person’s creativity. Design inspiration comes from all that I absorb around me and lately, things haven’t been chipper. I’ve held off taking scissors to fabric, lest I come up with some ghoulish monstrosity that would send buyers running from my booth, screaming and tearing at their face-”my eyes, my eyes!” Now THAT would be bad for business. After all, I design children’s wear, the epitome of all things hopeful, cherubic and flowing over with eternal lightness. 

The inspiration wall in my studio is still covered with images from last season. I’m going to update it soon, soon, soon. I promise. One can’t really plan when inspiration will strike. 

And here’s what was in the box.  What was I thinking? Was I having a grunge moment?  What in the hell will I do with all this flannel? It’s slightly hilarious when I start receiving all the orders I placed at the last fabric tradeshow. Hilarious, mainly because there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.  I just order whatever catches my fancy that day. I don’t have a premeditated method to design my line, but somehow, in the end, everything seems to come out as one coherent collection.  Creativity is really cool that way-you internalize your influences, order away, then cut, cut, cut and sew, sew, sew.  Finally, you edit- ferociously.

And, out of yet another box, emerges this mish-mash of feathers (yes, feathers!), faux leather trim and medieval metal buttons. I remember the day I ordered this, I was in a Sex Pistols mood. Now how to reconcile Nirvana meets The Jam? Where the hell is all this headed?

 

But only after his chores are done.  Today, he put away all the silverware. Now where’s that shrimp fork Nick??

Today is a breezy 55 degrees this morning in Vegas, that means it’s time to break out the BOOTS!  I love boots, tall-tall, delicious leather-smelling boots.  Today, I’m sporting a pair from BCBG.

The cute little DVH dress is pretty much an afterthought. Paired with black tights (a girl’s best friend) and a just-in-case gray cable knit wrap cardigan from Vince. I’m ready for the world. 

 

 

I look a little pissed in this picture, but it’s not intentional. I hadn’t had any coffee yet and I was a little tired of taking a whole slew of pictures of my dog’s rear. He also stepped on my BOOTS! and left a big paw print. I left it there to remind me that I have big snuggly dog waiting for me.

I mean really, when I am I going to master this photography thing?