Where the Wild Things Are

Love the book, can't wait to see the movie. The two reviews we read, and we purposely don't read many, said the adaption of this children's classic will be felt by adults and "features moments of transcendent beauty and profound silliness." We're in!!

Quality vs Quantity

Recently a friend shared a story about shopping for boots. She had been looking for a pair of grey boots for a while, not intensely just now and then peeking into shops. The other night after dining with friends she walked past a shop with what she thought was the perfect pair and for only $59.00! Half-way to the register she paused and recalled a conversation we had not that long ago about investment pieces and put them back. They were not real leather and she was about to go on a trip where there could well be a shop with the perfect pair, albeit more expensive, and that pair would have a story attached. The purchase would become an experience and the feel of the real leather crafted by a master craftsman would add a personal touch.

We have a lot of customers who return to us for the same reasoning our friend used. They are choosing quality over quantity. Spending more, but investing in a piece that has an "organic" story behind it and will last a long time. Fortunately our pieces are reasonably priced and machine washable so our customers can enjoy them without even a tinge of guilt.

Recent economics have caused consumers to pay attention more than ever to what they are spending their money on. Rather than purchasing three blazers they can only get one, same thing with shoes, jeans... Each circumstance has cause for different reasoning, but in the end we hope fine craftsmanship and an experience/a story will win over the short term.

P.S. we got this photo from our friend who found the perfect boots in a small shop, finely crafted and real leather.

Touring the University of Virginia, Vacation Photo Album

While in Fredericksburg, we took a drive to Charlottesville, VA, home of the University of Virginia. David and Beverly's granddaughter, Jocelyn, is a first year student there and gladly met us for lunch, then provided a wonderful guided tour of the beautiful UVA campus. She has only been there for a few weeks but was so knowledgeable about the campus, architecture and it's founder, Thomas Jefferson. Impressive!

Photos from our tour with Jocelyn:

Boston Children's Museum

This sounds like fun!

NATURE EXPLORE TRAVELING EXHIBIT: EXPLORING TREES INSIDE & OUT

October - December, 2009 at the Boston Children's Museum

Nature Explore Traveling Exhibits help children discover nature through multiple perspectives and will inspire them to get outdoors, explore the wonders, and develop connections with the natural world.

While visiting these exhibits, children can experience a glimpse of the wonders that await them outside their own backyards and neighborhoods. These interactive exhibits use multi-sensory and innovative visual spatial experiences to bring a taste of the outdoors inside.

The Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation have developed the Nature Explore traveling exhibits based on years of Dimensions’ research on visual-spatial learning, along with an understanding of what is appropriate for children ages 2 – 8.

Visiting with Relatives

Mary-Alice here. After just one day at Bethany, we get back into the car for a sidetrip to visit relatives, David and Beverly Brumbaugh, in their new home in Fredericksburg, VA. Though I always tell them they are not old enough to be my parents, I do fondly refer to them as my "parents without punishment" as they have always been a part of my life and I am grateful for that. They recently moved from Arlington, VA to Fredericksburg, VA where we spent two days enjoying their gorgeous new home. It is beautiful, spaceous and not far from the historic downtown of Fredericksburg, with cobblestone streets, chic boutiques and charming restaurants.

Historic Fredericksburg, Virginia

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Bethany Beach sunrise ... what a way to start the day! A quick walk along the beach reveals many "treasures" thrown

up onto the shore as a result of a recent hurricane passing by out to sea ... shells, seaglass, rocks smooth as silk, and what appears to be a mini shipwreck. Taking time away is heaven on this beach.

Bethany Beach Sunrise

Miles to walk before I sleep

Oops...shipwreck on the beach

Back From Vacation

Please pardon our absence from posting the past two weeks as Children's Couture has been on vacation, at long last. Our destination: The Delmarva Peninsula, specifically Bethany Beach, Delaware, where Mary-Alice's relatives generously offered the use of their townhouse, just a block from the beach. With the car packed we headed south to Victorian Cape May, New Jersey (the southern tip of NJ), a charming town of Victorian houses and shops. But no time to sightsee here as our goal was to catch the the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which would transport us across the busy mouth of the Delaware Bay to historic Lewes, Delaware (the northern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula).

Full disclosure, Mary-Alice is not fond of long bridges and prone to motion sickness. Not to worry, the ride was uneventful. During the relaxing 90 plus minute ride we spotted dolphins and seagulls playing amongst the many tankards and shipping vessels that travel through these busy shipping lanes.

Prior to arriving in Lewes, Delaware, on the ferry, we passed a noteworthy spit of land jutting out into the sea; Cape Henlopen State Park. Once we depart the ferry, we headed out to explore the picturesque shoreline.

Let's Rock n' Roll (and roll!!)

Leaving Cape May, NJ

Delaware Bay Shipping Lanes

Another ferry heading north

That a way captain!!

Hat on Holiday

Our friend Sharon was kind enough to send us this picture of her on vacation in Maine wearing her new custom made Shaped Brim Hat. Sharon saw the hat on a child, got our information, and phoned us to see if we could make her one. Voila. Just a reminder we can make all our hats for adults. After all why should only children have fun hats!! Oh, and please send us pictures of you and your Children's Couture on vacation. We love receiving pictures!!

Design for Charity

Starting this weekend Children's Couture will participate in New Hampshire ShowHouse 2009, an event to help raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lakes Region. A fun event, it brings together some of the most talented decorators and craftsmen in New Hampshire for a good cause. Creative talents working together with the intent of creating amazing looking rooms to inspire viewers. Between September 19 - October 18 the show home will be open to the public (buy your tickets in advance) so anyone can see the results, and of course do good! Depending on timing you might even score some good decorating advice for the price of admission. Not bad!

We are proud to be among the designers invited to help decorate a room in the house by providing apparel and accessories to use in the little girl's bedroom being decorated by Lorie Taylor of Lake Style Interiors.

The house is located in Laconia (The Weirs) New Hampshire. Please see the showhouse website for details on dates/times.

Cupcakes

I am fascinated by Martha Stewart. During approximately the same time it takes me (Mary-Alice today) to get up and brew a pot of coffee, she has painted her kitchen, started a quilt and made puppets (and really likely designed a mobile puppet theatre). Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating and she only finished one puppet.

I consider myself a master gardener, but not the most cooking-friendly person. In a pinch sure I can help out and find it fun, a sort of expedition. With summer over and fall soon to be under way I'm looking forward to holiday festivities and cupcakes (don't the two go hand in hand??). This all said it seems like a good idea to share some of these "fancy cupcake" photos from Martha Stewart.

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

Devil's Food Cupcakes

Coconut Cupcakes