Thursday, August 30, 2012

25% off Labor Day sale at GrayDayStudio on etsy


Happy Labor Day weekend everybody!
I'm celebrating this last summer holiday with a big 25% off sale at my etsy shop GrayDayStudio!

There are some real bargains at the shop, with canvas totes ranging from $15.75- $13! Plus my original artwork is now even more of a steal! Thus it's the perfect opportunity to stock up on gifts for others, or better yet a little something for yourself!

Sale ends at midnight on 9/3

Links and Such



lol, word!

Hi all, how's your week been going? Ours has been VERY busy but very productive. We are still deep in our apartment search, which always turns a little pessimistic at the end of the month (fingers crossed though!). The Toddler's first week of 3 half days of school, has been great. No tears AT ALL, I had to remind her to kiss me goodbye the other day! We are also heading to the shore this afternoon for one last hooray for the long holiday weekend. I'm pretty excited. Here is this week's Links and Such post. Enjoy!


10 ways to extend summer
Funky little wood stove
Laurent Chehere's stunning photographs
NYC guide: 10 amazing ways to spend an afternoon
Daniel Firman's Balancing Elephant
Navy and metallic top
make shift mudrooms
thinking about this haircut for myself 
plush alphabet letters for our ABC addicted toddler
DIY knitted stool
article: empathy and apathy, two case studies

PLUS 25% off all weekend at GrayDayStudio! starting today the 30th of August!



Tuesday, August 28, 2012

A Love Letter to Summer... the last one of 2012?


I really wish there were 37 days in August this year, or 50... it just seems like the summer speed up right at the end and I'm not done going to the beach, playing in the sun, gardening... I haven't eaten enough soft serve or gone on enough bike rides. I didn't canoe, or chill in a lake... there's still so much more I want to squeeze out of the summer. This time of year and moments like this, remind me of a line from the Indigo Girls song "Mystery" where they sing, "I could go crazy on a night like tonight, when summer's beginning to give up her fight..." I love that idea, that visual... because that's the beauty of the seasons, their finiteness. And you bet that summer will fight it out in all her glory, until she graciously lets Autumn shine forth with her crisp days.  And so, here is my final Love Letter to Summer, I hope you enjoyed this series, and look for my Love Letter to Autumn weekly series starting next week!





 












Monday, August 27, 2012

Her first (half day) of school


We took the little miss to her first (half day) of school this morning. I was nervous how she would do with us leaving, since she isn't always too pumped at bedtime some nights... but she did GREAT!

I think it helped that she had been there twice already, once for the initial visit, and then for an open house on Friday where she played with the kids and teachers for over an hour. My nervousness came from how I felt like we hadn't prepared in her any way for school. In her 22 months she has never been watched by a non family member nor dropped off at any day care, but she surprised me and did great. Of course she had no idea what was about to happen unlike her fellow toddlers who were crying with the knowledge of imminent separation. Hey ignorance is bliss! So we hugged and kissed her as she played and checked out the fish tank and then we individually faded out of the room. And when we picked her up 4 hours later she was happy to see us but not clingy. Let's hope this sticks! ; )

She goes to school three mornings a week to start, and we'll add more on later as my schedule requires. Hooray for a great first day!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Links and Such


well it feels like I've sorta taken the month of August off from my daily blog posts... I'm lucky if I blog more than once a week... which in some ways might be healthier... but I always enjoy how my blog allows me to stay focused, to carve out some time for myself, to stick to a theme/or agenda... and so in the sun setting moments of thursday I offer up a Thursday Links and Such for your perusal. I hope you had a great week, and enjoy!

I like these splattered mugs, especially the one on the left
beautiful cardigan
paint chip quilt
I'm in love with this mourning broach 
recipe: Thai Basil Coconut Lentils
recipe: avocado egg salad
Love this Anthropologie wallpaper, would be cute in a powder room!
50 tips on making art with children
DIY mini smore grill
the ultimate guide to living off the grid 
make this Bird Mask, via Martha Stewart
beautiful potting shed
DIY birthday candles
PLUS more party ideas, it's getting to be that time of year... I have a 2nd birthday party to plan in October!




Monday, August 20, 2012

Monday Inspiration...


Hi All, Happy Monday... if that's possible...? no, no... that's not what this blog post is for- complaining... although I will advise you to not start your Monday as I did- having a half dream about how kick ass your life could be if you won the lotto, you're just setting yourself up for a fail of a day. Luckily I turned my day around once the toddler was napping (no coincidence there, who is this thing that is sooo loud and changeful!? where is my daughter?) during nap time is when I found my sunglasses I was missing since our return from Maine. I thought I might have lost them in Portland, which gave me visions of some Maine homeless dude passed out with my shades on. not cool dude, NOT COOL. But of course they were in a bag of yarn... DORK! But it made me grateful for the little things.

And there are a few blog posts I would love to share with you today, and perhaps this can still happen, the day is still young... but I'm not holding my breath. I do want to write a Love Letter to Summer, and then share a post all about how one SHOULD store their yarn, as I painfully discovered recently... sad town USA. Anywho until those future blog posts- take with you the above quote from Julia Child to start off your week! (Tremendously- what a great word!)

xo,
abs

Thursday, August 16, 2012

GrayDayStudio Shop Update: Sale & Fall Preview!



As the middle of August draws near (or is technically here?) I'm gearing up for Fall at GrayDayStudio!

This means my summer totes are now on sale! From $29 to $17.50! I might add more to the sale section as fall arrives, so stay tuned!


But Summer isn't over yet! I added two new bright garlands to the shop today as well.






I also have a new section called Fall Preview 2012.

Here you will find my new petite pom-pom garlands. Golden Ocher and Spiced Chocolate.
I wanted to add some fiber and texture to the shop, and the yarn plus garland combo was just too perfect. Expect more garlands of this nature to come.


I also have a series of Metallic garlands.


These garlands are quite something in person! Not only would they be lovely for a fall event you host, but I think they would look fetching wrapped above one's desk, adding a little bit of fun to your home office! 

And remember you can still use code 3GARLANDS for 10% off when you purchase 3 or more!

I also have more painted pillows and silkscreen bags that I will add to my fall line soon!!!

Till then I'll be in the studio,
abs




Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Shop Update: ABC Rainbow Posters at GrayDayStuidio


New at GrayDayStudio this morning, two fresh ABC Alphabet posters in pastel rainbow colors. 

Available with a tan background and with a dark gray background.

Poster info:

Our (almost 2 yr old) daughter is REALLY into the Alphabet. She sings "A,b,c,d...lmnop..." sort of like how she counts "1,2,3, 9, 10!"

So I wanted to make her a straight forward, clean, crisp, yet playful alphabet poster, one that would look cute in her room but would be educational just the same, without being too busy. In a pastel inspired pallet, sure to go with any room!

Plus stay tuned for my fall collection, coming to the shop later this week!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What I've Learned this week and it's only Tuesday... Road Trip Edition


(smiling in her sleep)

We took a road trip to Maine last week... which seems to be our only mode of transportation now that we have a toddler (cheaper than flying). And we have learned a thing or two along the way. I'm here to report back on this road trip theme.

* After our road trip to Maine in April, we learned that you have to leave either right at bedtime, or at 2am- your objective is to avoid as much of their wakeful time as possible. Sure, you might have to sit there in silence, but that silence is GLORIOUS and beats the alternative!

* That being said, have headphones (at least one since it's not entirely legal) or simply install one of those fake soundproof glass dividers like they have in limos.

* To piggy back on that, I had a towel that I rigged up between the two front seats to keep the sunrise from waking her up. (YES, the sunrise! We look forward to the days when we can take road trips at a more reasonable hour.)


* Have a bag of goodies with you to disperse to her in intervals. I had some of her favorite books, plus a sketch pad with crayons and stickers. Save the big guns for last. IE: I discovered a puppet was a fantastic tool. I had it attack her Dad during the last 45 mins of the trip, which she thought was hilarious and bought us some stress free moments.


* For this trip we bought a little tray for her, one that she could use to draw with, to play with her toys... as a catch all to avoid everything falling to the ground, and me having to CONSTANTLY retrieve it for her. I bought the "Taby Tray" since I read that kids even up to age 13 still used it on road trips. I'd rather buy something with a longer life span than something that would only suit her for a year. (the tray has a cup holder and a little crayon trough at the top.)

* When all else fails, sometimes ignoring her is what she needs. She can be too over sensitized, bored, etc... it's like when they can freak out in their normal environment, only times a million in the car... thus ignoring her is sometimes the best solution, it allows her to chill out and recharge.

* In order to avoid stopping, and thus waking her up, I think everyone needs what Daivd Sedaris refers to as the "Stadium Pal" i.e. a small catheter. joking, joking, kinda.

* If you're a super adult, than checking for major construction along your route is a responsible thing to do ahead of time... always said in hindsight as we are stuck in traffic.



* A plus- we eat healthier road tripping with a child- yogurt, fruit and lots of water.

* It's okay to leave your high standards at home... if the time calls for it and she's being a pistol, it's okay to give in and let her watch clips of Annie and Elmo on your phone, those 20 mins it buys you is like taking a long uninterrupted shower... (Although I never use screen time as a tool or bribe, when it comes to road trips, this rule goes out the window.)

* When driving at her bedtime, we imitate her bedtime routine- Pjs, books, certain songs, bunny, blanket, usually followed by ignoring her... as she grows more delirious and like a drunk sorority girl she will just sit there and request one song over and over and over again. No rational explaining seems to help her, just ignoring her until she moves on and has accepted that the dj has gone home.  Usually followed by holding "momma's" hand until she falls asleep. Adorable and uncomfortable, but that's the irony of motherhood right there- we sacrifice our comfort, etc for our children... but we win in the end with some nice little hand holding, and a sleeping child. ; )






Monday, August 13, 2012

A Love Letter to Summer: Sleeping outdoors...



As you may know, we went camping the other weekend with some friends in Maine. It was all too nice to be back in our old stomping grounds. Equally nice to camp in a place where humidity was not a huge hinderance. Plus it was really fun to share a tent with our 21 month old. Cute to wake up occasionally and see what she was snuggling up to, even if this meant a foot to my face on occasion. So for this week's Love Letter to Summer, I thought a little sleeping outdoors theme would be fun and hopefully inspiring! All images come from my pinterest board "Living without walls". Have a great start to your week!













Monday, August 6, 2012

Summer Vacation thus far, camping with toddlers, lighthouses, and seagulls


We are in Maine this week for a little family vacation. These opportunities are very rare, and I find it funny that we keep heading back to Maine instead of to a new place... but it's affordable, very familiar and we get to visit with our friends. We are having a lovely time. And I wanted to share some of our pictures from our trip so far! Above is the little Miss on Friday morning at Portland's Eastern Promenade. We scooped up some brunch on our way into town and ate it picnic style with this lovely view. A fabulous way to finish our long road trip and to soak in the sea air and sounds of the gulls. 

Check out more pictures after the jump!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

25% off Vacation Sale at GrayDayStudio!


Hey all, we are headed to Maine for a week, and I am VERY excited! We are going camping before chilling in Portland and we are sure to eat our fill of Lobster!

So to celebrate, I'm having a little sale at my studio shop! all work will ship on 8/13!

I'll be sure to blog occasionally during our vacation, so check back in to see what we are up to!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Inspiration for our VW bus makeover...




Now that we have our vw bus, the husband and I have been slowly scheming, on a nightly basis, our plans for turning our panel van into our ultimate dream bus! I started a board on pinterest to gather ideas and some practical strides have already been made. Above is a little round up of our inspiration. Fabric for the curtains, seat colors, built-in ideas, wood paneling, jump seat, fridge, etc etc. Hear more about our ideas and see my "before" photo series after the jump. 

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