Squarespace Blog
FOLLOW FRIDAY TWITTER SALE!!!
I love Twitter & i love my followers AND i love money in my paypal account and there isn't any! Ugh! haha SOOOO time for a sale! This rarely happens around here so lets make it count! Free US shipping on any regular price order TODAY ONLY (50% off international shipping)!!! Send me a message via etsy to either have the shipping prices adjusted OR if you dont want to wait I will refund the shipping charges to you right away. Whichever works best for you. Enter the code "ffTWITTER" to get the discount (or tell me when you message me for the discount :)
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Wordless Wednesday - Walk The Plank
We LOVE Ben as our little model, isn't he adorable! They came by today we we snapped these photos... I just LOVE this shirt and hope you guys do too! It will be listed in the next few days.
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Mentoring Mondays: Who I Am
Post 2 from the amazing Adam Thurston... LOVING this new segment :) And I know the followers are too!! Thanks, Adam, for sharing with my readers and I... even though we're so far away... it will be like we've been there all along... :) p.s. you can find his blog here... follow him :)
Mentoring MondaysTeaching you to be a lady while you teach me to be a dad.
Who I am.
Well, as stated previously, I’m your dad. The only one you’re gonna get. That is, unless the mailman and your mom come clean. So I figured it’d be a good idea for you to know a little about me. My name is Adam but you can call me “dad.” I’m an Aquarius and I like cars, music, and penning the occasional word to paper. What this means to you is that you can count on having a large wealth of music and instruments at your disposal. You understand, of course, that I’ll have to wait until you’re a bit older before I hand over my guitars but until then, plan on having your old man play and sing for you all the time. I can’t wait to show you some of my favorite songs. Even more fun will be when you discover some favorites of your own and show them to me. In time, I think you’ll find that music (along with writing literature) can be an ultimate form of expression and impression. It was so powerful it grabbed me and shook me dry when I was eleven and I’ve never since looked back. I think you’ll see much of the same. The great thing about music is that there is a tune for every mood you’re feeling. I could list some of mine but then I wouldn’t be letting you find your own. Oh, okay! Twist my arm, why don’t ya?! Here are some good starters: For the sunshines: Beatles (anything ‘63-’67) Their whole era was (and remains) utterly phenomenal but all of your basic rock and pop moods can be found there. For the blues: Hmm. So much to choose from. Let’s start with Otis Redding. The man could make a statue cry and he didn’t go out by OD’ing, shooting himself, or stabbing himself in the heart. We have plenty of times to go over the “tortured artist” arena. For the “I just want to rock out and go nuts!” Look no further than The Who. They’ll cover all the bases for you. If you’re ever in the mood of “I just want to rock out and go nuts but with a political bent,” then steer your attention to The Clash or Fugazi. Both are great but you’ll need a pair of Doc Martens to pull off the look. Come find me and I’ll buy you a pair. Cars. I’m not going to hold my breath but maybe you’ll be the next Danica Patrick and will want to help me drop a K20A into my car. If not, that’s cool too. Just know that you’re always invited to my wrenching sessions. Which brings us to our first Mentoring Moment: You’re never to not be allowed somewhere because you’re a girl. There are a few noticeable exceptions to this statement. I.e. men’s bathrooms/locker rooms, and Klan meetings. That said, if you want to wrench on the car with me, just say the word. Wanna throw the ball around? Just grab my glove. “But dad! That’s not girl-stuff,“ you exclaim. No problem, sweetie. One of the great things about our western, modern society is that you can be pretty much be whomever you want to be and still be a woman. Pretty cool eh?! Now there are some things I’d rather you NOT be. These include, but are not limited to, Nazi, racist, bigot, white trash, drug addict, stinking drunk, prostitute, stripper or cheer leader (which is really just an underage stripper without the pole). Alright, your mom just read that and said “Every girl wants to be a cheerleader!” Just heads-up, kid; your mom is crazy. Remember it’s just you and me. The only sane ones in the room. Moving on to reading and writing. These are two biggies for me, Maddie. Your Pop is not the smartest tool in the shed but these are so important in so many ways. When you start reading and what you read will become stepping stools for the rest of your life. Simply, the earlier you start reading, the smarter you’re going to be. You’re going to have that much more comprehension towards everything from books to conversations. Your reading level will be off the chart and your conversational and oratory skills will be unmatched. And all because we were reading Charlotte’s Web when you were six months old and crapping your pants. Pretty cool, right?! All you have to do is lie in my arms and drool and I’ll do the rest. As you get older, you’ll find that you like the art of stories and reading. The satisfaction of getting through a story without a television or a movie screen force feeding it down your eyes and throat. A book is always going to be your ultimate friend. Besides me, of course. You can take a book anywhere. You can read it anywhere. Except funerals. For whatever reason, that tends to piss people off. You can always fall asleep to a book and it’s always right where you left off in the morning. They’re great ice breakers for conversing with new people. (and you’ll always seem smart! Madeline FTW!) Also, the more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the better equipped for life you are! Look at your mother. She doesn’t read books and up until last year, she thought her car had two gas tanks. One main tank, and another for when that one was empty. “My car needs gas. It’s on it’s second tank.” “Second tank of what?” “It’s on it’s second tank. My gas gauge is on ‘R’ meaning it’s on the reserve tank.” “…Are you serious?” “What else would it mean?!” “Uh…maybe ‘Refuel.’” So, Maddie, that’s your mother. She’s really sweet and kind and can’t wait to meet you too. So hurry up and get here, will ya?! We have so much to show you.
-I love you, Madeline. -Your Dad
Swinger Sunday - Sometimes being GREEN sucks!
I was so excited to be asked to guest blog for Amber! Well, until I had to think about what to write, that is. RockerByeBaby is all cool and edgy and Amber has cool and edgy friends that do cool things.
I’m just a treehugging law school geek! I have no kids and nothing fun to write about!
But then I just asked myself “What is something you wanted to blog about but can’t on your blog?” And then it hit me: I wanted to write about why being ethical and green really sucks sometimes. So, what follows is the bitter rantings of a pretty square business owner. (: Sort of punky and rockery right?
So--- sometimes being ethical and green all the time sucks!
I own a business that really hangs its hat on being the greenest brand out there. We source organic US-grown cotton to make garments made in the US that are then dyed naturally and printed with waterbased inks. I, personally, have collaborated on some technology that makes our garments easily the most eco-friendly out there. We have our garments sewn by co-ops owned by refugees that are supporting their large families on their work with us. We never cut a single corner on greenness or social responsibility.
Yes, this all sounds great and I sleep easier at night and I love looking people in the eye when I truthfully tell them our supply chain and all that.
BUT what these standards do to my stress levels SUCKS. And sometimes I just want to VENT about it
Jodie, our designer, is a genius. She makes cool stuff. And so she sends me a design I love and I am like “YES!” and then send it to our printer and we can’t get the colors right because of the ec-friendly inks we use. So that is scrapped. Or Jodie and I will want to create a certain product but the co-op that does our work doesn’t have the machinery to handle it. So its scrapped, too. And we want to dye shirts but crunched up bugs and plants can only dye so many colors. So lots of color ideas are scrapped.
Our costs are super high because we are 100% USA made. We donate way over 30% of our profits. We basically donate whatever we have in our bank account. I do this because I feel obligated. I have a business that has a bank account, so I should be helping these people. We grow so so slowly because our margin is small and that margin goes to other people. I’ve never taken a cent from the business personally.
So we go to trade shows and these brands that put the “Organic” sticker on their booth have one garment made from like “organic bamboo” (which is very rare and therefore likely isn’t even organic and bamboo is like... as ecofriendly and polyester, oh, but I digress) and they are dyed in a shade of blue I know uses heavy metals and they are printed with white (which ALWAYS is done using plastic or a toxic wax) and they are acting like they are saving the planet. And I ask where they are made and they smile and say “China and India of course!” THEN because they have the organic stockers and are super cute and have low prices buyers flock to them. And THEN most buyers look at our pieces, that due to legitimate eco- and socio-constraints are more plain and expensive and the buyers think “Pfft.... no way.”
That SUCKS, right?
So on the weekends, as I chat with friends that are also in the kids industry, I realize how different our lifestyles are. They make blankets and clothing abroad for about $4 each, and wholesale for $40 and retail for $80. They are making draws from their business of over 100k a year and are very well dressed and groomed. They spend their day chatting and designing and paying a large staff and getting massages and going to expensive lunches. I spend my day in dirty jeans with a 8 year old t-shirt getting calls from our sewers that all their kids have the flu and they won’t be in all week and our stuff will be a few weeks late. And then calling retailers to explain. And dealing with sales smaller than similar brands due to our high pricepoint. And dealing with our school in Haiti that has barebones structural support and cash reserves to continue due to the additional people being fed by the rice and beans it stocks. And stressing about the slow progress of our new website because we have no money in our bank account (see previous sentence.) And stressing about how we will pay for our Fall catolog to be printed if I need to send our school in El Salvador a check. And figuring out how to pay Jodie her weight in gold (her worth, basically.) And digging out cans and bottles from public garbage cans to take home and recycle because, well, why did someone throw them in there in the first place?
Being green and ethical SUCKS! It makes me work my ass off all day long just to keep the business moving and grooving and for what? So some kids in Haiti can go to school? So some kids in Texas won’t have to drink water with pesticides? Oh. Uh. Actually, YES. So I calm down and buckle down and keep doing it.
But sometimes I just need to VENT! So thank you for listening.
Hi guys - its me... i know I mention pretty much, well, all the time... how much i love Kyle... she always amazes me... and this right here... this post is exactly why i wanted to start the Swinger Sunday... a chance for people to vent... spill it all here... get it all off their chest... Kyle asked me if this was too "bitchy" haha... I read it, and said nope, not bitchy at all... thats Kyle. Always working her ass off... Never getting a break... and I now see... not even taking any profits for her hard work. Giving SO much more than she gets... This girl deserves a medal. She is easily the most self-less person i know... every time I think im having a bad day, kyle and I rant on gmail... we usually have a 10 minute "bitch" fest where we freak out about what ridicules thing is going on in the stores... take a deep breath, and move on... But every time, i leave feeling better having had talked to her. Kyle, your amazing. I love you girlie!
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I’m just a treehugging law school geek! I have no kids and nothing fun to write about!
But then I just asked myself “What is something you wanted to blog about but can’t on your blog?” And then it hit me: I wanted to write about why being ethical and green really sucks sometimes. So, what follows is the bitter rantings of a pretty square business owner. (: Sort of punky and rockery right?
So--- sometimes being ethical and green all the time sucks!
I own a business that really hangs its hat on being the greenest brand out there. We source organic US-grown cotton to make garments made in the US that are then dyed naturally and printed with waterbased inks. I, personally, have collaborated on some technology that makes our garments easily the most eco-friendly out there. We have our garments sewn by co-ops owned by refugees that are supporting their large families on their work with us. We never cut a single corner on greenness or social responsibility.
Yes, this all sounds great and I sleep easier at night and I love looking people in the eye when I truthfully tell them our supply chain and all that.
BUT what these standards do to my stress levels SUCKS. And sometimes I just want to VENT about it
Jodie, our designer, is a genius. She makes cool stuff. And so she sends me a design I love and I am like “YES!” and then send it to our printer and we can’t get the colors right because of the ec-friendly inks we use. So that is scrapped. Or Jodie and I will want to create a certain product but the co-op that does our work doesn’t have the machinery to handle it. So its scrapped, too. And we want to dye shirts but crunched up bugs and plants can only dye so many colors. So lots of color ideas are scrapped.
Our costs are super high because we are 100% USA made. We donate way over 30% of our profits. We basically donate whatever we have in our bank account. I do this because I feel obligated. I have a business that has a bank account, so I should be helping these people. We grow so so slowly because our margin is small and that margin goes to other people. I’ve never taken a cent from the business personally.
So we go to trade shows and these brands that put the “Organic” sticker on their booth have one garment made from like “organic bamboo” (which is very rare and therefore likely isn’t even organic and bamboo is like... as ecofriendly and polyester, oh, but I digress) and they are dyed in a shade of blue I know uses heavy metals and they are printed with white (which ALWAYS is done using plastic or a toxic wax) and they are acting like they are saving the planet. And I ask where they are made and they smile and say “China and India of course!” THEN because they have the organic stockers and are super cute and have low prices buyers flock to them. And THEN most buyers look at our pieces, that due to legitimate eco- and socio-constraints are more plain and expensive and the buyers think “Pfft.... no way.”
That SUCKS, right?
So on the weekends, as I chat with friends that are also in the kids industry, I realize how different our lifestyles are. They make blankets and clothing abroad for about $4 each, and wholesale for $40 and retail for $80. They are making draws from their business of over 100k a year and are very well dressed and groomed. They spend their day chatting and designing and paying a large staff and getting massages and going to expensive lunches. I spend my day in dirty jeans with a 8 year old t-shirt getting calls from our sewers that all their kids have the flu and they won’t be in all week and our stuff will be a few weeks late. And then calling retailers to explain. And dealing with sales smaller than similar brands due to our high pricepoint. And dealing with our school in Haiti that has barebones structural support and cash reserves to continue due to the additional people being fed by the rice and beans it stocks. And stressing about the slow progress of our new website because we have no money in our bank account (see previous sentence.) And stressing about how we will pay for our Fall catolog to be printed if I need to send our school in El Salvador a check. And figuring out how to pay Jodie her weight in gold (her worth, basically.) And digging out cans and bottles from public garbage cans to take home and recycle because, well, why did someone throw them in there in the first place?
Being green and ethical SUCKS! It makes me work my ass off all day long just to keep the business moving and grooving and for what? So some kids in Haiti can go to school? So some kids in Texas won’t have to drink water with pesticides? Oh. Uh. Actually, YES. So I calm down and buckle down and keep doing it.
But sometimes I just need to VENT! So thank you for listening.
Hi guys - its me... i know I mention pretty much, well, all the time... how much i love Kyle... she always amazes me... and this right here... this post is exactly why i wanted to start the Swinger Sunday... a chance for people to vent... spill it all here... get it all off their chest... Kyle asked me if this was too "bitchy" haha... I read it, and said nope, not bitchy at all... thats Kyle. Always working her ass off... Never getting a break... and I now see... not even taking any profits for her hard work. Giving SO much more than she gets... This girl deserves a medal. She is easily the most self-less person i know... every time I think im having a bad day, kyle and I rant on gmail... we usually have a 10 minute "bitch" fest where we freak out about what ridicules thing is going on in the stores... take a deep breath, and move on... But every time, i leave feeling better having had talked to her. Kyle, your amazing. I love you girlie!
Favorites Friday - CUPCAKES4MADDIE!
Boy oh boy... little Maddie is growin' up... (not in womb Maddie, toddler Maddie....) Well, in less than 2 months from now we will be rockin' out at her Cupcake themed birthday party... OHHHH the possibilities... I already have a couple things on the way for a birthday gift... cuz well, im a little psychotic I like to go all out when it comes to themes... So doing the FF theme this week is my perfect excuse to shop a little... This cupcake page is all about the must-haves for Maddie...
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Take two... (The first to things I found, I bought... haha)
#1) SugarSpiceKid - Pink Strawberry Cupcake Invitation : Easily the CUTEST cupcake invite on Etsy.
#2) Hollywools - Vinyl Cupcake Bib : A Total must have for when Ms. Maddie gets to dig into her cake... wouldn't want to ruin her pretty little birthday outfit!
#3) SugarRainDrops - Cupcake Locket : Could there be a more perfect "first locket" for a little cupcake princess? I... Think... Not... ADORABLE!
#4) BeautifulCreationsM - Girly Girl Colorful Confetti : MUST HAVE! Beki.... you must get a few packs of these for tables... SOOOO cute! or at least the cupcake bar :)
#5) VintageLucys - Retro Cupcake Dress : I LOVE Vintage Lucy's and this would be SUCH a cute spring time birthday dress.
#6) Shelostit - Itty Bitty Cupcake : Every princess needs a pocket sized felt cupcake to carry around...
#7) HappyBabeeandBeeyond - Tasty Treats Crayon Roll : What 3 year old doesnt need one of these!?
#8) BananaBearBoutique - Cupcakes & Strawberries I Spy Bag : I really like these iSpy Bags... and I really want to get one for the boys... but in the mean time, might just have to get one for Ms. Maddie.
#9) UrbanFarmGirl - Cupcake : Ugh, i LOVE anything Kawaii... Now - cupcakes + sprinkle balls + smiley faces = *dies* from cute overload.
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Take two... (The first to things I found, I bought... haha)
#1) SugarSpiceKid - Pink Strawberry Cupcake Invitation : Easily the CUTEST cupcake invite on Etsy.
#2) Hollywools - Vinyl Cupcake Bib : A Total must have for when Ms. Maddie gets to dig into her cake... wouldn't want to ruin her pretty little birthday outfit!
#3) SugarRainDrops - Cupcake Locket : Could there be a more perfect "first locket" for a little cupcake princess? I... Think... Not... ADORABLE!
#4) BeautifulCreationsM - Girly Girl Colorful Confetti : MUST HAVE! Beki.... you must get a few packs of these for tables... SOOOO cute! or at least the cupcake bar :)
#5) VintageLucys - Retro Cupcake Dress : I LOVE Vintage Lucy's and this would be SUCH a cute spring time birthday dress.
#6) Shelostit - Itty Bitty Cupcake : Every princess needs a pocket sized felt cupcake to carry around...
#7) HappyBabeeandBeeyond - Tasty Treats Crayon Roll : What 3 year old doesnt need one of these!?
#8) BananaBearBoutique - Cupcakes & Strawberries I Spy Bag : I really like these iSpy Bags... and I really want to get one for the boys... but in the mean time, might just have to get one for Ms. Maddie.
#9) UrbanFarmGirl - Cupcake : Ugh, i LOVE anything Kawaii... Now - cupcakes + sprinkle balls + smiley faces = *dies* from cute overload.
