Lovies

Over the past month, we've been working day and night getting our Spring line out the door and Fall 2011 developed. Expect some site updates early in March and some sneak previews of Fall. No matter how early we start developing, there is always a mad dash to the finish and some unexpected curve ball. One tiny example, our sample sewer who never leaves the house, decides not to pick up her phone on the day we need to retrieve the samples!

During one of our crazy work sessions,  my husband sensed my high stress levels. He texted me this photo of my son Julian and his friend Paisley. There is nothing like a little pair of pony tails to remind you nothing is that big of a deal. Minutes later we were on our way to get those samples!!

 xx,

Deirdre
 

Mochi Time!

Over the past couple of years our family has resurrected the old tradition of making mochi for the New Year. It's one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, it honestly takes the cake on Christmas for me. No major expectations, no frenzy of wrapping paper and no major freeways. Just some good old eats and chats.

We spend about half a day, hanging out rolling mochi. Much of it to be bagged up and given to others. Some mochi are filled with sweet beans and others stay plain and get fried up for late night snacks. The mood is light and there is always some fish soup cooking on the stove.

Back in the day processing the rice for mochi was very labor intensive, they used crazy pallet tools to pound the rice. By all accounts it was a lot of work. I wish we could find this very cool photo of the my father in law wielding the pallet, while another spins the rice beneath him. You get the immediate sense that the two mochi participants better be in super synch. If not someone was going to get knocked unconscious.

Of course now we have three super cute mochi machines that take the danger element out of the event. So everyone can sip sake, beer and chat. Once the buzzer hits we all take our positions!

This year I'll admit I was lazy holding the baby and didn't roll much mochi, but next year I vow to be out there. Sipping sake with the best of them!

At the end of it all, we make this mochi offering with a tangerine on top for good luck. We forgot ours and I think that's why the year started off so rocky for us! (major stomach flu, followed by major dental work!) Yikes.

xx,

Deirdre

Mr. Santie Claus

xx,

Deirdre

Inscriptions

I am a book lover and giver. If I read a good novel it will not stay on my shelf for very long until I hand it off to someone worthy. Then I will demand we talk about it. When I get less busy (ever?) I would very much like to start a book club. With all this internet, I sure do miss talking about books.

I'm pretty discriminate with my children's books. I've discovered there are some real duds out there. When You Were Small is my favorite of late, it has just the right amount of whimsy paired with show-stopping illustrations. I finally got my son to love it and I take it as a personal victory. It's way beyond rad.

In another life I worked at a tiny independent book store in San Diego and amassed some of my favorite art books. I spent the better part of my wages on these titles. Of course I've learned a good book can be found most anywhere. I especially love these Family Of Woman, Family Of Man photography books from the seventies, they contain some heart stopping images. Keep your eye out for them at thrift stores and estate sales for pennies on the dollar.

Check out these cheesy titles I stumbled across at the Savers in Redwood City (which is so massive, it takes up a whole city block). Looking (and not buying them) just made me happy.

Lastly I've been doing some crazy organizing and purging. I recently came across a knitting book my late grandma gave me, seeing her handwriting sent me quickly into tears.  I don't have any plans to learn how to knit (I'm hopeless), but this one is definitely in my keep forever pile.

xx,

Deirdre

Tis' the Season

Come get eco-goodies in Berkeley! We will be showcasing some fall/winter 2011 at Convert on 4th Street. It will be a great lineup of brands, discounts and snacks!

HOLIDAY PARTY TIME!

Come celebrate the Holiday season with us! New artwork by Patrick Dunaway. Saturday, December 4th 4pm - 8pm Hot spiked Cider, Tecates, Sweet Treats, Friends and Fun! Plus, 20% off She-bible's new Winter and Fall items! Earlier in the day from 11 - 5, we will have bins full of $10 & $25 items!  Perfect for your Xmas shopping. xx Stacy & Deirdre RSVP HERE

Shorebirds

My mother in law organized a family trip to Pajaro Dunes a few weeks ago.  It was a blistery rainy weekend, that would have bummed many people out, but I couldn't have been happier to be sealed up in condo called Shorebirds with my loved ones. We were even able to steal a few moments between storms, to go outside to feed the ducks and make some sand castles. 

Due to the extra hands on deck, I got to sneak out to the Goodwill and found this amazing sunburst dish set. This is my zen. I paid $26 bucks for a 6 person dinner set, coffee cups, sugar container, salad dishes.  I doubt I would ever forget the trip, but since I have baby brain these days this dish set guarantees I won't. 

The fact that it's orange makes it all the more sweet. We've all been engulfed in Giant's fever!! They won the pennant on our stay and some major man-tears were shed.

xx,

Deirdre