hibernation mode...

i have been gradually entering hibernation season with gusto.  cleaning out closets, reorganizing drawers and putting away summer/fall clothes.  with the weather getting colder and the days getting shorter it has reminded me to stock up on a few of my favorite cold weather items for me and the kiddos.  as you know, i like a product that can do more than one thing; and if i can use it for kids and grown ups alike, even better!  
l'occitane shea butter:  it is a bit expensive, but well worth it when you have kids with eczema patches, cracked hands, and chapped lips.  put it on your and your kids cheeks and lips before a romp in the snow.  i keep travel sizes in every bag and car we have.  a little bit goes a long way.  don't use too much or you'll  feel a bit slippery. 
smartwool socks come in a close second for me.  warm, washable, and natural fibers in sizes for the whole family; my kids love them as much as i do.  my feet are always cold, and i am not about to start wearing my ugg boots in the house (i know they make slippers too, but they don't come up high enough for my cold bones!).  midwestern winters really make this a worthy investment.  don't forget to check out their other products too, they make much more than just socks.
ugg boots: say what you will about these super popular boots and accessories, in my book they are simply great.  mine have lasted four years already, the baby booties were passed through 2 kids and could last at least one more.  my daughter has worn hers for two years (buy one size up and you'll make it through two years).  i am willing to invest in more expensive products when they last and ugg boots certainly have for me.
cetaphil gentle skin cleanser for my face, body, kids, and hubby.  some people love it and others hate it, but it works for me.  it keeps our family's skin in tip top shape and soft as can be.  use it with or without water.  
so hunker down and enjoy the cold weather for the great stuff it brings in to our lives: skiing, snowball fights, snow angels, hot chocolate by a fire, snow men, sledding, ice skating etc...lots of fun and cherished times with our family.  happy winter to all!

say yes to baby carrots!

i have been a fan of yes to carrots skin care for many years.  their products have great ingredients, feel beautiful and most importantly, they work!  their baby line has been out for some time, but i am always resistant to trying new baby products  with my brood full of allergy ridden, eczema inflicted children.  my youngest is the least effected by these conditions, so i figured i would take the plunge and try it on him...the result: amazing!!!  yes to baby carrots gentle foaming shampoo + body wash has colored me impressed; 100% natural, petroleum, sls, & paraben free.  key ingredients include organic carrot oil, organic melon, and vitamin e.  here's the kicker: it is truly tear free!  my little guy loved the suds and proceeded to take a handful of them just before he rubbed his eye.  while i grabbed a clean wash cloth and braced myself for the screaming that was sure to follow, i realized that he was perfectly fine...really, no screaming, no tears, no red eye, nothing!  


bravo, yes to carrots.  amazing, conscientious products that don't cost an arm and a leg...that's right folks this amazing product only costs $7.99!  check out all of their amazing products through the link posted below.


yes to baby carrots

if loving custom projects is wrong...i don't want to be right!

i have had quite a few custom orders lately and i am absolutely loving it.  i feel as though they give me new challenges and insights in to my creative process.  from using fabrics that i normally wouldn't to adding new pieces and shapes to old patterns.  it's extremely humbling and rewarding to know that i can help make someone else's ideas a reality.  okay, enough with the sap...back to the sewing room!

svan fan...

okay, so i am a little slow on the uptake sometimes.  i recently needed a new high chair for my little guy and came across a great deal on a svan that i couldn't pass up.  after putting it together i discovered that the tray didn't fit.  a frustrating situation that led me to realize that i definitely chose the right chair.  after calling scandinavian child and explaining the situation, they immediately sent out the replacement parts that i needed.  perfection!  
the foot rest keeps him sitting in the correct position, the tray is easy to clean and store, and the front shield keeps him seated. the only downside to this seat versus a bulky plastic one is that you cannot recline the seat to give baby a bottle after his meal.  no big deal for me, but some might really feel they need that option.  
all in all, i love my new seat and my friends do too!  one of my friends recently used it for her son while at my house and can't wait to get one of her own!  for more information just click on the link below:
http://www.scichild.com/

no guilt for shopping with gilt!

these discount shopping clubs are very quickly becoming a danger to my pocket book! gilt offers great discount on all sorts of designer products for women, men, home, and children. they even have a wine club and vacation discounts. from kate spade to maclaren and everything in between, you will find great deals on amazing brands. you need an invite to join so i have posted it here...
http://www.gilt.com/invite/gryndesign

flexibath is too cool!

i came across this nifty new baby tub from the easywalker people. it comes in cool color combinations and folds almost completely flat for easy storage. made from polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomeric means that it is free from pvc, phtalates, heavy metals, and other harmful materials. safe for the environment and your baby. the tub has a non slip bottom and is recommended for ages 0 months to 4 years. it is ample in size, which may make it a bit difficult to bathe little ones that cannot sit up yet. all in all it is a really great design in both function and appearance. flexibath-usa.com

abc123...

just finished a new quilt for the abc123 collection and love how it turned out. the kids loved the rocket! my oldest is not happy that it is being posted for sale; so i asked him how many quilts can one baby have? he really didn't have an answer for that.

new car seat cover!

so i have been totally procrastinating with making grant new covers for greta's car seats. in fact, i almost had myself convinced that i would be perfectly fine with him sitting in a pink seat with butterflies on it; although i was still pretty sure that my husband wouldn't be. anyway, the fabric store had a half off sale on home dec fabrics and that was just the inspiration i needed to kick it in to high gear. i ripped apart the old cover and made the new one pretty much identical to it. i think it turned out pretty well and i really love the fabric. one down, one to go. unless brown with pink polka dots starts sounding cute for a boy!

teflon cool mom: cortney novogratz

i have to admit, i have a bit of a girl crush on cortney novogratz from the new show 9 by design on bravo. she and her husband robert novogratz are ubertalented designers that renovate (this word does not do their talents justice) properties then sell them; all with seven, yes 7, kids in tow!!! they move often and run their own company. i don't know how she keeps all of these balls in the air. i am in total awe of her and completely envious of the new home they recently moved in to. the building is beautiful (now, thanks to them), the decor is impeccably put together, and the view is absolutely breathtaking. she has a no nonsense, brass tacks mentality that is completely refreshing to those of us who have a low tolerance to the typical drama monger moms that are usually on reality shows. check her out as well as information on sixx design at the following website: 9 By Design | Bravo TV Official Site

sprout

i finally finished my first piece to my new collection sprout. love the strawberry dots with the green fabric; and i think that the navy piping really frames both colors well. if you remember, i posted a pic of the fabrics for this collection some time ago, only problem was that when i went to iron the strawberry dots i discovered that the bolt that i purchased from was defective and had flaws and holes running down the center of the fabric every 10 -15 inches or so. i returned to the store only to find out that the pattern had been discontinued and there is none left in the company (curses!!!). being the girl that i am, i did not let this stop me. after much searching i finally found some online and voila! sprout was finally born...let the sewing begin!

soft clothing

i just came across this totally adorable and genius kids clothing line. created for children who are extra-sensitive to the texture and feel of clothing. soft clothing was design with the needs of all children in mind, including those with sensory disorders, developmental disabilities, adhd etc... they use flat seaming, ultra soft 100% combed cotton, wide collars, encased elastic wastebands, printed (tagless) labels. bravo! to jessica ralli (special educator) and suzy kogen friedman (mom and caring family member to a child with autism) for creating beautiful clothes for beautiful children! http://www.softclothing.net/

being a mommy!

sometimes you just have a moment where you can't actually believe that you are a mom, much less that your kids are not only turning out alright, but are amazing individuals. i just downloaded our pictures from spring break in savannah and found myself having one of those previously mentioned moments. just one of those moments that give us a chance to realize how truly lucky and blessed we really are...

lifefactory

we all know that lifefactory took environmentally friendly, glass baby bottles to a new, very hip level. what i didn't realize is what a great teether they make as well as glass bottles for grown ups. the teether can be worn by mom as a bracelet so it is always close by. the grown up glass bottles have the same type of silicone sleeve as the baby bottles in more sophisticated colors. the mouth of the bottle is also wide enough to accommodate ice cube, fruit slices, tea bags etc... extra bonus: no metallic taste!

so thank you lifefactory, for making it a bit easier, and more fashionable, to be green. www.lifefactory.com

sweet home savannah!

i can almost taste the vinnie van go go's pizza already! only a few days until i will be back in savannah for the first time since graduating from scad. i can't wait to see the city; such fond memories. from what i understand the city has changes a bunch in the last 13 years (i went to college when i was 12). we get to stay right next to city market. a day at the beach (tybee), a day at the nature reserve and a day around town! yoo hoo!!! i will recap when i get home. until then...

guilty pleasure = tori and dean: new season!!!!

okay, i know that i may get a bit of flak for this, but i am anxiously anticipating the new season of tori and dean on oxygen. it starts on april 5! i however will not be able to see it until the 9th when we return home from vacation since my loving hubby will probably not want to watch it with me in the hotel. just a guess...

pacifier clips are here

just listed my new pacifier clips on etsy! i think they are totally cute and go perfectly with my gryn collections. i used gryn green ribbon for the attachment loop. just grab your baby's favorite paci and use the loop to create a slip knot. works great and does not pop off of the pacifier like some of the other velcro attachments do. the clip is nickel plated and has plastic "teeth" for a snug hold that won't ruin the fabric it's attached to. hope you like them!

baby boot camp;(

this week is baby boot camp for my littlest one. having spent the last several months sleeping in his bassinet in our bedroom, it is now time to officially move him in to his crib and let him "cry it out". not a fun time for any parent, in fact he is crying it out for his nap as i type. i find that i am much better at this if i keep myself busy. why does it seem to get harder with each child rather than easier!?! maybe it just seems to... our minds do seem to protect us from tragic events from the past.

mini boden@nordstrom

thrilled to find out that mini boden has teamed up with nordstrom! babies, boys and girls lines can all be found in the nordstrom children's department along with, believe it or not, hanna andersson. what is this world coming too... nordstrom kids shoes, hanna pj's, and mini boden clothes all in one place!?! AMAZING!

the force (for babies)...

okay, every mom i know is in love with target and most of us think that their most recent featured designer, liberty of london, is amazing; but i had to highlight the most adorable chewbacca star wars t-shirt i found for my littlest one (he's eight months old). totally 80's inspired and nostalgic, it brought me back to my own childhood instantly. this find comes on the heels of discovering a new line of star wars board books at barnes and noble. our baby loves looking at yoda and gets a kick out of luke too. no, i am not ashamed that i am raising my kids to be sci-fi geeks (i have yet to find a live long and prosper baby t). it could be worse...right!?!

i heart zulily

found this great website that features mom and kid products at huge discounts. zulily (the link is posted at left) hosts "events" that offer up to 70% off merchandise for moms, babies, and kids. not only that, you can get an extra $10 off when you invite your friends! they feature emerging new brands as well and the tried and trues. check them out and let me know what you think! they currently have some great personalized art work by lex modern: totally adorable!

link to etsy posted

sorry i wasn't more specific about the etsy link i posted. i have it posted along the left side of this page right underneath the current fashion pic of my daughter. thanks for asking! if you want something that i don't currently have for sale in my shop either convo me through etsy or email me at gryndesign@comcast.net. i love doing custom orders!

spring has sprung!

totally in love with a custom wrap i just did. i am usually not in to pink or purple, but someone asked me to create a wrap for a gift to a soon to be mom who liked these colors as well as betsy johnson. perfect item to create on one of the first over 60* days of the year. the kids got to play outside and i actually left the slider open for a couple hours today! Yeah, hope it stays just a little bit longer!

gryn shop on etsy now open...

yahoo! gryn shop on etsy is now open for business. only a couple of items are listed currently, but i am working fast and furious to get more items on and ready to purchase! check it out when you get a chance and let me know what you think.

i am a bunny

just snatched up an oldie but a goodie illustrated by Richard Scarrey (remember goldbug?). I Am a Bunny has some of his most beautiful illustrations for you and your little one to enjoy.

new items in raffle basket

finally got my act together and finished the set that i have been working on for the 10th anniversary celebration at my son's school (cardinal joseph bernardin catholic school). i decided to put in a quilt, wrap, 3 pk. burp cloths, bib, and pacifier keeper. this was the first time i made a pacifier keeper and bib with one of my collections and i love the way they turned out. can't wait to make both of them in other fabrics for all of my collections. i also included a teething ring, 2 pk. pacifiers, and a large pack of links to hang toys from. wrapped it all up in a great little fabric crate i found at target! gotta love that place! hopefully it will help raise a ton of money for our school and bring a smile to someone's face!

Annie Jr.

went to see Annie jr. with my daughter last night and had one of those magical parenting moments that take you back to your childhood. this was her first play and she absolutely loved it. sat wide eyed and silent for the full two hours (a magical moment in itself). we had first row seats and part of the magic for her was that she new one of the orphans in the play (this was a grade school production). the other thing that amazed me was how far grade school plays have come since i was a kid. this production was far more than i had expected! great props, amazing acting and singing, and really good costumes. they filled the house at a large high school auditorium! the kicker was that i remembered all the words to the songs!?! good to know my memory hasn't gone yet!

new IHS ratings for boosters

i was thrilled to find out the the IHS published new ratings for booster seats. they actually tested 60 boosters and created lists for best bets, good bets, and not recommended. being that i love my maxi-cosi rodi xr, i was more than relieved to see it on the best bets list. IIHS research: booster seats

bunnies are in season

finally done with my second installment of "chick yellow" collection. this time i decided to use a bunny for the critter. guess it's just the time of year when we start thinking of spring, easter, and the like. i'll be ironing my new fabrics today and totally excited about starting to work with them. As much as I loved the alexander henry birdseed fabric, the coordinating polka dots i picked for the yellow collection were very difficult to work with. too much slip to them. hope you like the new fabrics; will post when done with collection.

charley harper love!

i am a big fan of charley harper and was giddy when my sister stumbled across these needlepoint canvases at purl : search : results (www.purlsoho.com). the only problem is trying to pick which one (or two, or three...)!?!

getting old...

went to my sister in-law's house tonight to celebrate my nephew's 22nd birthday. couldn't help but feel old. when my husband and i started dating he was 9, his sister 7, and his brother 5. recalling a time when i had to tell the youngest that his shoes were on the wrong feet at the mall made it even worse. now of course we can't reminisce in front of the three of them; they would be embarrassed and look at us in a light that would make us feel even older still. well, i guess that's the way it goes as time moves forward: the young get older and those of us over 30 stay the same age!

Little Dancers

my daughter is four and in love with all things having to do with ballet, pink, and frilliness. don't let that fool you though, she is as tough as nails too, thanks to her eight year old brother. i was waiting outside her dance class this morning as i listened to another mother (who had infinite patience i might add) trying to coax her little one in to joining the class. in the background, i heard the booming voice of the wrestling coach across the hall. "you guys better get your heads in to this or i am going put you in to a purple tutu and send you to practice with the four year olds across the hall." now granted he did not realize that there was an angst ridden little girl outside the door that was trying to work up enough courage to enter the room that he just insulted, but come on! then i realized that even in 2010, we still look at little girls as though they are delicate and fragile. let me tell you, you have to be tough, mind and body, to be in that ballet room. ballerina's are some of the strongest athletes out there. so lets stop using girl references to insult our boys and lets stop allowing our girls to hear it. and yes, i thank my lucky stars every day that my eight year old is not the least bit interested in wrestling!

New Stroller from Baby Jogger

anyone who asks my opinion on a new stroller is automatically turned in the direction of baby jogger or maclaren. i have a model from each company and love the fact that both brands have an uncomplicated folding mechanism and both are very lightweight. i just noticed that baby jogger came out with a new stroller (city micro stroller) that seems like it would be perfect for someone who loves their big baby jogger but wants to take it with them everywhere in a trunk that doesn't have room for it. still has front wheel suspension and sealed ball bearings and can hold a child that weighs up to 50 lb! not your typical umbrella stroller if you ask me. i can't wait to get my hands on one, but i have to talk my hubby into it first

updates...

i haven't posted in a while since i have been super busy and apparently lost part of my memory along the way. things totally forgotten lately include, but are not limited to: dentist appointment, bib for teething baby, friend's birthday, church date for son's first communion...yes that's right i am currently in first place for the mother of the year award! needless to say, I have not been able to get a whole lot done with my sewing, but did get an order for some pieces from a collection that I have made before. i finally found more matching fabric so it should be fun!

we are having a play date over today, so I should probably be picking up the house instead of blogging right now. those who know me would tell you that when it comes to housework and exercise, i become an expert procrastinator and can find an abundance of things that must be done before the aforementioned tasks. alas, today i do need to get down to business and get the housework done.