Friday Flickr Favs {and major randomness}

Oh so pretty on this dark & dreary Friday (FRIDAY!) morning! We've had the strangest October weather this month; seriously cool, foggy & rainy, when usually it's hot and dry and the foothills are fighting those nasty wildfires. It's coming, I'm sure. We haven't even had our yearly Santa Anas yet, so I'm sure November will be a humdinger. I'm not complaining, at all. I love this weather.

And interestingly enough, I've been strangely disconnected from the web. It's interesting and strange to me only because for the last 11 years, I've been online constantly; updating my website, checking emails, communicating with customers, etc.

Of course I'm online at work, but in a different way. And when I come home, there have been (many) nights I haven't even checked my business email, my blog readers or Facebook. This is a huge turning point for me, and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I've been reading a ton, and knitting (photos soon). While I might feel so disconnected, on the other hand, I feel so connected to life, once again.

When I get past the fact that I have to be so much more organized about my free time on weekends (which means running every single errand, planning weekly meals, grocery shopping [the bane of my existence] & laundry), I feel like returning to work full time was the best thing I did. Would you believe, I am so much more relaxed. Seems like a huge oxymoron, but it's true.

The weeks fly by, and here it is Friday (again!) and I love having the whole (free) weekend in front of me! I've been cleaning out my studio - it's a frustratingly slow process, mainly because I have the attention span of a knat with regard to this particular task. If I could just close the door on this chapter of my life and walk away, I would. But my husband keeps opening it and asking if we are going to be able to ever park our cars in the garage again....

Soon, my love.

Completely crushing on...

What Goes Around Comes Around Natalia Jacket at Piperlime. I've been jonseing for a leopard print jacket for years and constantly check eBay & Etsy for vintage. I love the cut of this one, and that little collar treatment and the 3/4 sleeves gives it just enough character to almost appear vintage. Not so crazy about the price.

Even still. It's killing me.

More Etsy Sale Goodness...

Did you know there's jewelry too?

Made during one of my many breaks from sewing, and having decided it was a fun break, made quite a bit.

Too much fun. I realized today that there's actually more that I still need to upload. That will be my project next weekend...

But that's not what I wanted to say tonight. What I wanted to say is that all the jewelry ships for free.
That's right.
Free shipping on all necklaces and earrings...

On Etsy: the clearance continues...

I am positively thrilled with the lovely people who are taking advantage of my mega clearance sale on Etsy! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

When I decided to close my business, I had so much inventory that I seriously wondered if it would ever be gone. I thought I would be selling aprons for eternity. Alas, many local customers have come to my rescue and stocked up on holiday gifts. Smart cookies, my customers.

But the real star was my old Spanish tutor, who goes on a mission every spring to Nairobi. A few years ago, she purchased a few of my aprons to give to the women there, and apparently, they loved them. The next year, those 12 women met her at the airport, wearing my aprons. That just warmed my heart beyond belief. They were actually disappointed that she didn't bring more.

Last week, she came over and bought out my stock of half hostess aprons to send to them. I'm just beside myself, and made her promise to send a picture of them all wearing aprons! Wouldn't that be an amazing sight? Picture 120 women wearing your creation. I'm giddy just thinking about it.

Well, the sale continues - this morning I marked down the dishtowels to $14.00 for a set of two. All the quantities are listed, so you can buy as many sets as I have available. They're darling, really, and super absorbent.

Available here - while supplies last. I can say that now.

Saturday at the fair...

I am loving my weekends these days. Life is so much easier (and more relaxing) when you don't have to work 24/7. This was the first weekend in October, which meant it was time for the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair!

This was the first time in 7 years that I didn't do this fair, but of course, I had to visit. I'm glad too, because as a vendor I never had the opportunity to walk around. Even if a friend gave me a break, I'd shoot down the street and back because I never felt comfortable being away from my booth.

Saturday started with a sprinkling of rain, which turned to gorgeous sunny skies, as it usually does for this show.

I love catching Kelley unaware.

ahh, better!

Jill and Jana were there...and I stocked up on thank you cards! Jill has a great assortment of lovely stationery.

and of course Joelle.

It was so great to see my show pals! I thought it was going to be weird walking around a fair I always attended as a vendor. I thought I would miss it and be kicking myself that I wasn't participating (with my meager inventory). But I didn't feel that way at all. I was so happy to be moseying down the lane, without hurry, and without worrying about whether I was going to meet last years' sales or surpass them.

As a matter of fact, when we finished our loop, I sort of couldn't wait to get out of there. I think it was the crowds, which never bothered me as a vendor, but drove me crazy as a visitor (go figure). I can't wait to talk to my friends and find out how the event went this year. Because for as many people I saw, I didn't see that many bags with purchases. I hope everyone did well and had fun, because this was always my best show of the year.