Back to School

Summer is winding down and it's back to school time. My boys changed schools this year and are attending a smaller, private school. We did the usual back-to-school shopping at Target and Wal-Mart. The Incredible Hulk was a favorite of my youngest boy, Noah. While my oldest boy, Walker, opted for less obvious accessories. My husband took this picture of them under our arbor before they left for their first day of school. Since I work out of the house I am not one of those moms who eagerly awaits the end of summer, glad to return her children to the academic world so she can finally start getting her life back. Often I feel like I am watching someone else's life whiz by at a fast pace. I look at my children and find myself trying to burn into my memory the sweet things of their childhood: Noah's cheeks are like cool, round ripe peaches with a little bit of fuzz on them I can only see when he stands in the sun. I watch Walker ride his bike with a crushed water bottle stuck close to the tires so he can make noise like a Harley. I still lean in close to them and smell their hair and skin after a nice bath in the evening. I love that they get chocolate ice cream on the tips of their noses when they eat ice cream cones after dinner. Yes, I am a mom who loves watching her boys grow up, but I also know it goes by way too fast. Before I know it they will be big, hairy eating machines who want to take my car!

Cycling In Style

Back in July, the 18th to be specific, I blogged about the growing bike trend I have been watching. Well, check out the trendy helmets from Copenhagen-based Yakkay. Called "Brainwear For Smart People," these helmets cater to design-conscious urban cyclists who'd rather not sacrifice style for safety. Created by a group of Danish designers, the helmet has ten interchangeable covers so you can set the style yourself. (Don't you just love it when practicality meets good design AND personalization is involved?) The simple shell helmet retails for about $120, while the covers sell for $6o. As more customers across the world hop on their bikes to reduce their gas bills, carbon footprints and waistlines, the market for innovative cycling products and services should grow at a healthy pace.

Working for Duncan Enterprises and having access to all the Tulip Fashion Paint and embellishments - like crystals and appliques - I would have to view these 'hat helmets' as a blank canvas just waiting to be artfully altered. Now that's what I would call a fashion statement!

Fall Accessories from WWD

Here are a few Fall 2008 trends from Women's Wear Daily Accessories magazine:

Empowerment Shrines

Did you make your list yet? Maybe you are not much of a writer and prefer to get crafty. Here is a perfect solution...........make an empowerment shrine! It's a 'Workshop in a Box' based on one of the Crafty Chica's most popular art workshops. YOU make it with love and glitter! It will inspire you to accomplish your dreams, whatever they may be. Want to write a book, travel to an exotic place, go to culinary school, or maybe lose 10 pounds? You decide, and create the shrine to keep you focused.

See Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica, in person on her Spread the Sparkle Tour coming to a town near you! It you go, expect to experience Crafts, Drama and Glitter!

Change Your Life, Make A List

I have been thinking about my life lately, wondering if I will "get out there" in the last half of my life and make it even better than the first half. Actually, I am already over the half-way mark unless I live to be 92. Not that the first 46 years I've lived have been uneventful or lacking in some way. I just think life goes by so fast and I wonder if I will have regrets about NOT taking more chances, or traveling more (just for fun, not business), or being creative enough.

Over the weekend I went to Montara, CA, with three longtime friends from high school. We took a quick road trip to see another high school friend and just hang out together. During some down time I picked up a Real Simple magazine (April 2008) my friend had on a table. Inside was an article about making a life list - listing things you want to accomplish, places you want to go, classes you want to take, etc. - basically taking inventory of your "incompletions" so that you will have no regrets. I realized I had seen this same idea - making lists - more and more frequently during the last few months.

I found an article on the Mighty Girl blog where the author talked about her list of "100 Things Worth Doing." It was the beginning of a list of her most memorable moments. On her list were things like "seeing van Gogh's, Starry Night" and "Cracking open a book with my name on the cover." When you make a list of memorable moments you really do have a snapshot of your life - all your accomplishments, adventures you've taken and fears you've faced. What a wonderful way to remind yourself just how interesting you are!

WebMD discusses how to make a life list, and the pros and cons of doing so. My friend, Kathy Cano Murillo -the Crafty Chica - forwarded info about a book called, The Complete Vision Board Kit: Using the power of Intention to Fulfill Your Dreams, by John Assaraf. It is about creating a wall display posting all of your hopes and dreams, a visual inspiration to see all of your intentions become a reality. I like that.

So, if you feel "stuck" or just ready to infuse some excitement (and courage?) into your life, make a life list or create a vision board. Live the rest of your life like you mean it!

Vests

Over the past few months I have been seeing vests being worn by men and women - very casual, very thrift store, very cool. I've also seen them on celebs and on the runways. Vests are a versatile way to add sophistication and polish to whatever you wear. I particularly like seeing a vest over a tee-shirt. It is another layer to the menswear trend that has been building over the past few seasons. Hats are way in, as are the brass chains worn in multiples around the neck, as well as the wingtip high heels we saw last fall for women. While out shopping last week (online browsing is great but I love the tactile experience, myself) I stepped into Urban Outfitters and saw all kinds of vests, neckties and even bowties for the under-25ers. Long vests were a feature at New York Fashion Week back in February 2008.

The latest copy (August) of VOGUE has an ad for Model.Live, a reality TV show on VOGUE.TV that features women wearing clothing with a menswear feel.

And then there is my favorite, Bill Cunningham's Fashion On the Street, that gives us an update of what the New York street crowd considers hip. The vest, on men and women, acts as an unfussy layer of contemporary style that brings sophistication to casual streetwear.