what's new

A few new pieces. TRI.bal + bellaLUNA. Jewel tones, natural stones, recycled copper.

a good morning

Our typical weekday morning starts with school preparations (make breakfast, pack lunch, etc) but after dropping Kaya off at school we take time for a little bit of 'coffee & cartoons', that's what we like to call it (we even have our own song).  Mama has her coffee while doing some things she needs/wants to do and little bit here enjoys some cartoon time, we're both happy.  Then we play.

But on the chilliest Sunday morning of the season and Papa's home, we build a fire. With a fire always come s'mores. For breakfast.

to sleep

Did you know that how you sleep can say a thing or two about your personality?  I just read that myself, when clicking around this site I often visit.  You can read here for a little more.

I sleep on my back mostly. I flip from side to front to side sometimes but I always end up on my back, 'the soldier'.

hmm...

My favorite quote of the moment. I found it somewhere here on the wide world web. Not sure where or who even said it but if you happen to know please share.

HAPPY SUNDAY YA'LL

inspiring dreams

As I mentioned in my last post I have been dreaming of making dreamcatchers with antique doilies, my favorite fabric scraps and some of the most special found feathers. I have a growing collection of circles of all sorts and sizes to show for it. Well, after seeing my Aunts lovely creations and taking one home I was inspired to complete one I started many moons ago, as well as adorn the very special one she gave me and make it my own.  This is one of those moments when you finally get something done you have been wanting to do for a while but never get around to... AND IT FEELS SO GOOD.



And to top it off no.1 of my dreamcatcher collection has already sold.

note // I don't know if my new lovely home accessory is going to make it to the spot I had originally imagined, it just looks so nice with the light, center stage in the main room.

dreaming of dreamcatchers

Yesterday was my Uncle's birthday. My mom called me up and asked me to meet her at their house with my little man to surprise him as a gift, so we did of course. Well when I rounded the corner into their sitting room and set my eyes on my Aunt's newest creative endeavor, she had beautifully displayed in the corner, I squealed with delight.  Her breathtaking crochet skill fit around a circle frame, made from scratch I tell ya, with her own two hands.  Dreamcatchers like this, or a similar idea, is something I have been dreaming of making (and slowly doing a bit of) myself but with antique doilies that are already made and wrapped on circles made of vines and roots. This takes it to a whole 'notha level.  And the best part is she was so lovingly generous that I actually got to take one home with me and call it mine. (insert squeal here)




 Mine (the one the talented artist herself is holding in the first picture) will be decorated with found feathers and fabric fringe and hung on the wall above our bed (though it looks pretty good just like it is hanging over the lace curtain over the window).

So much talent. I love my family, creativity is in our blood!

Nola Sewn is home sewn

I was clicking around from here to there in my own sort of quiet meditational routine and I just happened upon this article of a locally owned thriving garment factory right in New Orleans. What a happy accident or synchronicity as some might call it.  My heart is raising with the idea of getting to that place/time as a designer. It is wonderful to know that New Orleans has a source for me to go into full production when my business has grown closer in that direction. The idea of having someone produce my clothing line (more that one or two of each style) just opens up the flood waters of creativity.  Until now it seemed much more difficult to produce my own collection when considering travel to San Diego or Los Angeles where I have already wet my feet with such networking. The words of these ladies who have joined forces to fill a gap in the Nola fashion industry just make me all the more excited to get to this place in my journey as a designer.  Being so close to home it will still feel a bit 'home'made and that is important to me.

Kind of embarrassing that I didn't already know they existed but oh so excited for my fresh, new discover.  Maybe it's perfect timing?!?!

inspiring that dreamy haze

So some time ago I posted that dreamy haze photo inspiration and today I was gladly noticing how this pic I just took of the forest boys is capturing that feeling quite similarly.  I like that ( insert happy smile here)!

These pics here I like a lot too and the lovely work of this here photographer, her dreamy haze inspiring work recently found here. It's like, for me, I feel so much more emotion in these photos, with a hint of history. There's just something about it I love.

Cowboy

Lately my little hunk of a boy has been in this cowboy phase. It is a precious moment that I have happily documented with instagram and even a wonderful video, a moment that I am thrilled to have caught on tape (thanks iphone).  This age has its challenges indeed but geez does he make my heart feel like its gonna explode.

What is it about princesses and cowboys? It's just what little girls and boys do.

Stay tuned for his halloween costume that he barely takes off since I finished making it. Hint // what do you get when you combine superman and a cowboy...

note // I am not a big fan of him playing with toy guns. The one in image one just showed up, though he was super excited about it, it lasted for about a day then it 'disappeared'. I much prefer a stick that happens to look like a gun but I like a sword best.

sweet friends

I spent a beautiful autumn Sunday morning with some great friends. Friends for the whole family.  I was about as pregnant for Sage as she is now for her second baby boy when we spent a summer living in a tent on their new undeveloped land in California.  Her sweet family is just another reason we need to make a trip out west real soon to visit and see all the progress they have made to their magical land in the Sierra Nevada foothills.  Their not sleeping under the stars and cooking over open fires any longer. They have made so much amazing progress.

The boys play so sweetly (mostly).  It was a pleasure to capture their blossoming friendship.

I was especially happy to catch that precious moment of brotherly love. His baby brother isn't even born yet and he already has so much love for him. So beautiful, SO SWEET!

hmm...

This is so me (insert silly smile here)!  HAPPY SUNDAY YA'LL!

an assortment of lovely

Here is a peek at my biggest wholesale order yet.  An assortment of lovely. I am pretty darn excited about it.  It's a happy day, I hope yours is too!

i am nominated

Well here I go again, back to work and nerves.  On Nov 17 at the Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans I get 5 minutes of the spotlight with 3 of my very best looks.  Oh what will I choose that is the question.  Did I ever mention that it can be quite challenging for me to make decisions?!  I am trying to remind myself how much fun it was to see my work walk the runway last time back in July.  It was exciting. Though all that time preceding I was questioning if all the nerves and anxiety were even worth it. Then it ends and it's like you want to do it all over again. Well here I go doing it all over again just a bit different. Only 3 looks with only 5 minutes and it will be judged (50%audience participation/50%prominent locals chosen as judges) to possibly be the winner of the title RAW New Orleans fashion designer of the year and the winner represents our city in the RAW national finals.  Sheesh!  I will have fun because that is what it should be. I will not let the nerves and anxiety take over. Man to be totally free of 'internal freak out' and just be able to put my self/work out there free and clear of all the junk (doubt/fear/dread) I often feel in such situations. Well I guess that's why I am doing all of this because like I am always telling my soon to be 8 year old practice makes perfect!

Ya know it's interesting because for me in these 'judged' situations I naturally lean to trying to consider what it is the 'judges' want to see and doing this can often deter one from their own true style.  This has of course happened again but I noticed it immediately and my internal dialog says that's not what it is about, it is about me being me and true to who I am as a maker, a designer (always weird for me to use that word to describe myself I guess that would be self-confidence ?)  Any hoot do any of you ever feel that way?  So I will work to channel myself (free and clear) and that is what I will put out there just like I do here (except here I can hide behind the whole virtual thing it's not face to face).  Kinda scary! But exciting! All for the practice and the fun of it. Everything else is bonus!

"Soar with my true spirit being the air that empowers my flight." Me

A big thanks to those of you who may have taken a minute or two of your time to cast your vote and an extra big hug for all of your support with everything and for appreciating me for me!!

Wish me luck!

impromptu

My niece came home from New Orleans for the weekend. While we sat across from each other visiting and telling stories to catch up I admired how much she looked like Cleopatra and decided to have a quick impromptu photo shoot. I was feeling tired and not very inspired unfortunately because it was perfect early evening light. I'm kind of kicking myself now for not taking the time to make the absolute best of it (ya know how that goes) but I did get a few shots that I like ok...

here are two new designs inspired by the phases of the moon...bella luna f/12

rag braid + chunky stone

earthy agate + bullets and leather fringe

agate + crystal

note // if you see something you like but can't find it in my shop please let me know because I would love to make it or list it especially for you.

the punkin patch

My little man and I had a fun morning out at the Punkin Patch.  He had a blast running about from here to there and back again.  I enjoyed watching him.