Happy to be home

Happy to be home, albeit it on bedrest for ??? weeks or days the last 12 hours have been another lesson in change and taking life as it comes. Yesterday afternoon, was a bit hard to think about following the Dr's orders and imagining what the next days and weeks would look like. With the couch bed set up downstairs, fresh flowers and a pitcher of water it was quite a lovely little refuge on any other day. Coming home though, and thinking about what I would normally be doing in the late afternoon with the kids, working later in the evening on the computer and just hanging out with the Mr. took a bit of reflection. This morning, some how it started to connect.

There is a reason for all of this I can't help but think, another reason to sit and recognize that life is evolving again.
Having an opportunity to slow down, and connect with the changes in our life, surrender a bit and not be in control, realize how to connect with the people in our lives and not just be doing all the time is actually a welcome gift.
Of course I have come up with some thoughts for the next few weeks...how can I let go at work, but be of help in some way; taking the time to really connect with the Mr. and the kids when we are together, reading a stack of books that I have had for awhile ( and of course ordering a few new ones ) getting in touch with some friends I have not kept up with, posting tons of stuff on this blog that I have been carrying around for ages, queing up a list of movies on blockbuster that I have always wanted to see and waiting hopefully for 4-6 weeks for these amazing girls to arrive. Imagining life with them...

Here is to the next adventure....and the first book on my reading list! The Little Bee by Chris Cleave ( thank you T ! )

Gratitude

What a crazy few days it has been...All good now, and just in the waiting mode for more news but a little scare with the twins has put me in the Hospital for a few days with some likely bedrest to follow. Seriously, I feel incredibly thankful and am filled with love for my husband, our family, close friends and all of the people who are just here to help. Another moment to just pause and reflect on priorities.

With an amazing team of partners at work ( and an old dear friend who is one of the most intelligent, honest and motivating people I have known ) now at the helm of our much loved company in the last few weeks, I am reminded again at how important it is to know what you want, speak from the heart, understand the life journey you have committed to with your partner, trust and rely on others and know what you are truly best suited to do at different points in life. My husband ( and first true partner ) Our friends Tina and Greg ( business partners ) Everyone on the team who believed in our vision and made changes to join the team, and now most recently Chris.

To all of them I send my love and gratitude.

Image from Bedlam of Beefy, Floral design by the magnificant Erin Rosenow

Proud

There are a few things that I would step back and allow myself to say I am really proud of.
In this post, I am sharing two. Pretty remarkable for me.

First, proud of my amazing family and the ability for me to finally see what a rich and full life can be filled with. Over the last 6 years, following my heart without a lot of knowledge and experience and with a true partner we have begun to create a life with meaning. It is at this point as well, that I can acknowledge who I am, how to become my best self and what our world can look like everyday. More details to follow.....

Secondly, to have created a concept and started a business that has begun to take shape as I imagined it in my mind.
Despite our timing ( who could have known! ) as we stay true to the vision, partner with people who are smart, creative, thoughtful and fearless, we can create something great.
Quietly we have been working to tweak our website ( with bigger plans in the work for later this year ) and I must say, I am really proud.
Have a look, tell a friend, let me know what you think.

One Kings Lane

So not supposed to be shopping ( and truly I am not, and have not been in awhile ) Unless it is for the kids or at a major discount.
When my friend Melissa from Ruby Press, introduced me to two great gals that were launching a new online sample sale site, I was intrigued. After talking with Allison and Susan, I could tell that it was going to be FABULOUS. A great roster of brands at 70% off retail...based on what I heard, I am super excited for the launch.
So here we go, One Kings Lane..and to entice us all to be added to the waiting list, they are giving away an HERMES throw. You'll be notified of their sales via email!

I told you they had style!!

A treasured Spot

One of our favorite getaways, San Ysidro Ranch...came across this image in the early morning hours, and the memories came flooding back.
Our first weekend away ( after 2 weeks of 4 hour phone conversations ) an anniversary trip a year later, and last year a surprise trip for my fortieth. Though not in our current budget, looking forward to discovering other beautiful spots or revisiting some old favorites for an afternoon lunch, romantic dinner or just the amazing memories in my mind.

Always amazed how a Saturday afternoon drive and visit to a place of beauty can be as relaxing as a weekend away...

Time out, taking stock and giving thanks

Awake early on my birthday..after a little getaway ( thanks to a friend ! ) for the night at the Inn at Spanish Bay.
Words could not express how surprised we were when he presented us with a night at Pebble Beach, a day of golf for the Mr. and a fantastic spa treatment for me as a baby present ( in his words-what do you get 2 people who own a kids clothing company??)
As one who is often not so good at receiving gifts ( but love finding and giving them ) I was overwhelmed.

At the end of a long week, full of business and board meetings, kids getting sick, some emotional ups and downs, and the next phase of some major life changes, I started to think it might be a better idea to go at another time. Somehow, waking up in the wee hours of the morning Friday am, I knew that what I really needed was to get back to who and what mattered to me and to us, and not focus on how others chose to be, live or act. There was no anxiety, or agnst, but rather a reaching back out to how and who I wanted to surround myself with.
As the very early morning hours, turned to morning, I found myself slowing reconnecting. No need to judge, but a need to acknowledge, a need to be without others permission, it is all right there.

Getting to the Inn at Spanish bay around 4 on Friday, we took a walk along the gorgeous coast line, had drinks by the fire and listened to the sound of conversation and bagpipes as the sun set. Laughing and thinking forward about what we might be like at the ages of 60,70 and beyond. I am lucky to be married to this man who makes me laugh, makes me cry and makes every day more real.
Saturday morning, waking up, lounging and taking another walk on the coastline..a day of golfing and a trip to the Spa. Finding myself with a bit of time in the morning, I decided to head over early and planned to read and lounge about in what I expected to be a relaxing enviornment for a bit..calling a friend on the way put a smile on my face.
When I pulled up, I was blown away. The Spa was beautiful, tranquil and so aesthetically charming that I felt like I was transported yet again...As I walked up to the desk to check in, I could not help but think about how to extend my time here...

At every turn, a gorgeous, simple enviornment for relaxation..every detail perfection. A sitting room with a huge fire pit, dark wicker chairs and spectacular herb plants along the window, a garden filled with Lavendar in terra cotta pots and piles of white towels by the pool, snacks and water with the perfect amount of fruit to add a cleansing taste..and the treatments...
As I got my lavender pedicure, a conversation opened up with the woman next to me...we started talking about children ( her first weekend away from her 6 month daughter ) her IVF treatments ( at the age of 25 ) and her experiences as a new mom and lessons already learned..(Then we moved on to the Oscars, Sienfeld and Angelina Jolie ! ) In 60 minutes, a connection and learnings..


A few hours later ( ok, 5 ) after 2 treatments ( I had to add my first pre natal massage ! ) I left to pick up the Mr. from his day of golf. As we drove home later, and talked about the world, the economy and our lives...I was struck again by how lucky we are and what really maters. As some have said, when you are clear about what is important in your life, it is easy to make decisions ..when you create and take that path, stay on it..and when you need a moment to recharge take it..finally, when you need help ask for it, and when you are thankful, say it.

The moments

Easy these days to get caught up in what is not...Who would have thought ( and then fill in the blank ) On the other hand, find myself amazed by what is and the joys and gifts around me every day. Don't want to sound corny, but I am really incredibly full of love, thankful, humbled, challenged, proud and trying to take each moment and day as it comes.

So a few weeks ago, we did our first ever photo shoot, with our dear old friend Jo. Never having done this, we were somewhat laid back in our approach-Scott was out of town, so it was a busy Saturday with the usual playdates, sleepovers and weekend to dos. Sunday Morning, everyone gathered at our house. The kids were excited about the day and had planned the mornings treats ( hot chocolate, mini muffins and fruit ) and some of the clothes they wanted to wear. The gang started to show up, friends, Jo, her amazing husband and at last, the fun began. What basically started up as a giant playdate in the park, has ended up as a photo archive of so many things. Our beautiful kids ( our oldest is only in a few shots, as we don't make clothes for the over 10 set ), moments with their friends, a set of memories that only Jo could capture, a story telling about our concept and brand that unfolded over the day and within her images, an opportunity for her amazing talent to be seen by more people, and a moment to reflect on what we have worked so hard to build over the last few years.
With an ongoing to do list of what we can do better to the side, a moment to take pride in all that we are, all that we treasure, and all that we have done.


Check out Jo's work here