Me in Melange

candids...

Some of my favorite pics from our little melange photos shoots are the candid ones.  Not posed, just  natural and fun... good way to be in life.

Check out the very start of spring 2010! signed, me {CA}

Colors and the powers that pantone!

Have you ever wondered WHO is it out there dirving the color trends for the season?...is there a "color summit" between all the designers, or is there an annointed  "color queen" that simply dubs a color "du jour" and everyone follows in her path?  Truth be told, I have no idea exactly how it is done.  It is all very mysterious, and very EUROPEAN, because apparently that is where all the color trends come from.  What I can tell you, is that the Pantone pallet becomes the universal tool by which the trends move forward.  A printer's pallet of colors, this book of every color and tone is the bible-du-color.  Just ask someone for Pantone 5519 and you'll know EXACTLY what shade of turquoise you get.  How brilliant.  Splashes of violet, yellow and turquoise balance out the soft pink champagnes, olive greens, and soft tuscany brown.

The spring forcast of color for 2010 is very exciting indeed...it calls for exciting splashes of color, set against modest neutrals (so those of us who are color adverse can safetly dabble in color.)  This is a fun pantone article that will give you the inside scoop to a handful of designer's inspirations, and there "it" pantone color for spring 2010.  Fun reading!  I say, bring on some color to brighten these dreary winter days :-).  Signed, ME {lv}

it's raining babies!

At least in my world... I just counted and I have 4 girlfriends due in March (and Jess is having twins!)  and another great friend that I just found out is preggers, due at the end of this summer.  So exciting!!  Especially because baby gifts are the most fun to shop for!  Here's a short helpful list of some of my favorite gifts to give..

#1... rock n' roll babies.  perfect for babes who's momma does not want them clad in pink or blue.  These unique onesies and tees are a favorite in the shop and completely organic and sweatshop free.  Lila just grew out of her "dad tattoo" onesie, so it might be a 'one for you, one for me' type of situation.

#2... sophie the giraffe.  This little french guy is the BEST teether around, not to mention adorably cute!  I had to get one, just to see if it was worth the over 500 amazon reviews stating its greatness.  And indeed, it did live up to all the hype.  One of L's favorites... we never go anywhere without Sophie!

#3... a spa gift certificate.  The mom-to-be will ALWAYS appreciate this special gift meant just for her!  In the sea of blankets, onesies, and all things baby, what momma wouldn't love a little somethin' somethin' for herself.  A fresh mani/pedi or a prenatal massage is just what the doctor ordered!  If you're in Eugene, go see our friends at Gervais.

#4... noodle and boo skincare. All new moms are usually obsessed with keeping their babies skin as soft as can be. right?  it's not just me.  Noodle and Boo creates heavenly products, all natural and made with their super sensitive skin in mind.  Not to mention that it smells delightful... I love it!!  (and the cute packaging is always a plus. :)

#5... a stuffed toy like these from Allen Ave.  maybe it's just my childhood coming back, but stuffed cuties are always well received and no kid can really have too many.  We love these bright and colorful little guys and so will baby!

 

Wrap a few of these up in nice reusable storage basket such as...  this lacey number and you've got yourself a gift that is sure to shower some love for baby and momma!

congrats to all the mom-to-be's, especially our very own, Jess... we can't wait to meet the twins!!  signed, me {CA}

Bring on the Hudson!

I am ready to channel my inner indie-rockband, london style, with a splash of California cool... waiting anxiously for these babies to arrive in the store and then into my closet!  signed, me {CA}

Back from LA, once again....

I've just finished a journey down to LA for 3 days to finalize spring/summer orders, and check out some pre-fall styles.  First, let me just say, that despite working like a DOG for three days straight, it was STILL like a vacation :-).  Why?  Because of course I had no children with me, no laundry to do, lunches to pack, or anyone else's dinner to worry about.  It was practically a vacation :-).

I am very excited for spring, and can't wait for some of the goodies we've ordered to come in.  On my favorites list:

Stewart + Brown:  REALLY cute spring/summer groups.  You guys will love it.  We did lots of dresses, and more of their must-own layering long tees!

Velvet:  Alway a favorite of mine, I thought this spring was particularly fun.  Trunk show will happen in the next couple of months!

Eileen Fisher:  My favorite deliveries are February and March...I wasn't as excited for the June and July shipments I saw this market, but I can tell you that the September colors are a lapis blue and forest green.  We'll have a trunk show in March which will be loads of fun!

Flip-flops:  I found the most adorable, AND well priced leather flip-flops --they are great, and such a great price you can get 3 pairs without feeling guilty.

Anni Kuan:  Her line looked great for spring--she definitely had some dresses that I personally thought were amazing....I need some summer weddings to pop up!

Wendy Kaitlin:  Remember Wendy Hill, well, this is her new partnership, and it was full of really great styles...we have a March shipment of tops and two dresses that I loved!

We are picking up a couple of lines that probably don't have any name recognition, but are really adorable, and very, VERY well priced.  We have lots of dresses coming in for spring/summer...easy throw on dresses in great colors that will make getting up in the morning a pleasure.

For denim, the strongest silhouette was the "jean legging".  AG does a great one, Sevens does a great one...and we are also bringing in Paige and Hudson this spring.  I'm very excited about the new denim lines, they had some great styles!

Oh, and how can I forget...Trina Turk jewelry (LOVE), and handbags.  These two things were my favorite from all of Trina this season, which says a lot because there were some darn cute things on our orders for Feb/March/April! 

 

More to follow...

Signed, ME {lv}

Getting your affairs in order!

With the start of 2010, I'm on board with a new desire to get things organized, functioning well, and moving smoothly.  The end of the year always gets so hectic and things, at least in my house, start to get a little overwhelming.  After the chaos of the holidays I usually spend the next 2-3 weeks getting everything back in order.  I've done most of the house, room at a time, and I've saved my closet of course, for last.  I started last night....but I started small, I think that is the key.  Don't overwhelm yourself with thoughts of tackling the entire thing at once.  First day, go thru your socks, underwear, and bras.  That alone took away.  I went thru the sock drawer, pulled out everything that was missing a mate, or had a hole in it, or otherwise wasn't useful.  Same with my bra and undie drawer (which badly needed it, despite not having nursed in over a year, I had an abundance of nursing bras clogging it up). 

Tonight, I move on to tanks and tees.   It feels great to get the whole thing done, but it does take some motivating to get it started.  So here are my words of advice...start small, and be methodical.  Pick one thing to do every night, and stick to it.  The finished product will be a well functioning closet which will make you happier, and your life easier (albeit tiny increments, but they add up)! 

Signed, ME {lv}

Happy thoughts for 2010!

I was listening to NPR the other morning and they were having a whole discussion/debate on "how people stay happy".  They had all different kinds of theories...from the layman, to the professional.  Larry David (actor/producer) said, "you need a job you like doing and sex".  Then there was a doctor who said that you need, simple, to think, "happy thoughts", and THAT will create happiness.  Hhhhmmmmmm.  O.K., well, I'm looking down at my beloved AG Tomboy jeans that I'm wearing and my Om Girl thermal tee from earlier this season and they are giving me some happy thoughts :-).  Apparently this particular "happiness school of thought" believes you can actually cure illnesses by methodically conjuring up "happy thoughts" (changes your body's chemistry). 

I have spun this into a whole new reason to re-evaluate my closet and perhaps give myself a mini shopping spree.  I've concluded that everything in my closet should make me HAPPY!  I should feel good, and think a nice positive happy thought when I put it on.  I think I've probably done pretty good in that department, but my plan is to purge and evaluate this weekend.  I'm on the road to good health and happiness-ville :-)!

Signed, ME {lv}