Christmas in July

I'm already excited for the holiday collection. I've got most of it semi planned out in my head and I couldn't resist doing some designing now. Of course, everyone else in the fashion world has already completed their holiday collection but most of my orders are immediates so I don't put the collection together until mid August or so...

These pictures don't do these earrings justice (in fact the pictures make them look a little like we've got 2 pairs of eyeballs spying on us) but in person, they feel solid and sparkly- perfect for that holiday party you are already planning your outfit for. Okay, maybe not quite yet, but I can just about hear the Jingle Bells and smell the cinnamon pine cones already...

The Kindness of Strangers

Dear Stranger,

I want to say thank you.  Last weekend while out of town & at the beach, my husband was bitten severely on the hand by a dog that was trying to attack our dog, Lucca. As soon as it happened, our world went into chaos mode. As much as I tried to keep it together and figure out a way to get my injured, pale husband, confused dog and beach gear to the car in record time, I felt like I was falling apart.

We had made it across the beach and up the stairs to the road and not one person- despite all the stares- stepped into help. And then, out of nowhere, you stepped in. You saw me frantically sitting my husband down at the top of the beach stairs, arms overflowing with towels, beach bags and blankets with a 135lb dog in tow, dropped all of your things and said, 'let me help you'. You held my dog and sat with my husband as I ran to pull around the car.

I never got your name and I don't remember a face but your calm and reassuring nature stuck out to me so much so that I actually made note of it in my head amoungst the thousands of thoughts racing through my brain. You gently suggested I give my husband some water and reminded me to type the hospital into my GPS before pulling away. Im pretty sure you smiled and said 'Ok now, have a good day' or 'everything will be fine' as we pulled away.

Sometimes it's the kindness of strangers that gets us through an experience like that and so we'd like to thank you for being our kind stranger.

Sincerely,
Mimi and Lu

Pretty Shiny Sparkly - The Emma Ring

Sometimes we compromise comfort or practicality for fashion and design.  We love a design so much that while it might not be the most practical piece, we can't part with the design.  But who says you can't have the best of both worlds?

The Saffron Ring is a great piece with a look all it's own, however, for some gals with 'on the go' lives, free hanging charm rings just aren't practical for all day wear. Insert Pretty Shiny Sparkly. Style blogger, Kristina Medhus loved the Saffron Ring, but presented me with a vision on making a more wearable version. With her vision in mind, I went back to the design process and began to rework the style. After a week of collaboration, we emerged with brand new style- the Emma Ring.  Featured on her outfit post, "Pretty in Pink Pleats', the Emma Ring is wearable and durable yet still carries that delicate and intricate essence of the Saffron Ring.  
I love that custom work and collaborations get me as a designer to think about a piece in a new way or in a way I hadn't previously considered. The Emma Ring (co-designed with Pretty Shiny Sparkly and named after Kristina's adorable cat!) is a limited edition piece currently available on our website.  Take a peek- I think you will find it as special as we do.

Playing Make Believe

I'm decorating a house we haven't moved into. In fact, we haven't even found one. Yet, I've found myself stuck on Anthropologie's website putting together my imaginary house.  It's my favorite part of their brand- the home section. I will, reluctantly, admit I have a shoebox of knobs I've slowly collected from rummaging through their store sales -bought with the 'I'll use these someday' mentality- and truly believing that- but secretly liking them just as much sitting in the box. We do have to move soon, so the itch to redo and redecorate has started to creep into my brain. We've had no luck (yet) in finding our new home, so until then, it's scouring the internet till midnight on a Friday playing make believe with my online finds.

Cupcake Cravings

I came across this Creature Comforts blog post and it got me obsessing about cupcakes again.  I'm not a cook.  God bless my husband who politely compliments my cooking, even though Im pretty sure I put breakfast sausage in the pasta last week.  I'm not a baker either, but I've always enjoyed trying.  Even as a kid my mom would find me in the kitchen at midnight covered in flour, pans spilling outta the sink, baking away. Sometimes (okay a lot of times) I'd forget an ingredient or mix up a measurement and, well, things don't always taste the same when you use baking powder instead of baking soda or forget the eggs completely.
So when we came across the book "A Baker's Field Guide to Cupcakes" at a Crate & Barrel Outlet store a couple years ago, my baking wheels starting turning again. The recipes are pretty intense but the outcomes are incredible! Granted, it often took 8 hours over the course of 2 days to come up with 10 cupcakes but (almost) always worth it. Yes, sometimes Im still up at midnight pouring over a recipe, but nowadays I always remember the eggs.

Picking out what recipe I'll attempt for the Fourth--(better start tonight so we'll have them by Sunday!)