My first fashion show NYC FW 2012

Last week, I attended the WHIT FW Fall 2012 show. It was FUN! In full disclosure, it tweaked my confidence bone. I'm a mom of two, I work out of my home office, we moved out of the city…could I possibly fit in with this crowd? As a wise friend told me, "no one fits in with this crowd!" HA!

After I chewed on my nails for a minute or two, I dove right it…aaannnd decided I had to go shopping. So, 'round all my favorite places I went. And, came up ZERO. It's true, I panicked. Then, as another wise friend answered simply to my flurry of texts, "you're over thinking this. Put on something that makes you feel great, and just go and be you." 

wow, I've got some great friends, don't I?

With my head and heart together, I made one more stop, because I always find something I love that is SO totally me in this store. GenaLisa. It's a lingerie store, but she's got all sorts of goodies and she's an outfit guru. After Gena poked a little fun at me, "Rebecca, I know you've got some clothes in your closet!" She pulled together an outfit idea that was just right. for me. It wasn't over thought, it wasn't over done. I was comfortable, AND I felt cute and sexy. And, best part? I wasn't thinking about the outfit anymore. I was back to having fun. I felt just like me.

I know I've spent a long time on this whole outfit thing. But, your clothes are wearable art, really. Well, it is for some of us anyhow :) As an adult, you pick your clothes as a reflection and/or an expression of who you are inside, or who you want to seen as. When I put on the outfit, I felt fully that me on the inside was meeting the outside, even if in just a small way. Granted, I knew I had to open my mouth and chat as well!

It's true for baby clothes too. When you pick-up your first little outfit for your baby, what are you thinking of…dreaming of? Your sweet little baby's chunky little arms and legs? How it would feel to hold your baby in these clothes? Your sense of humor? Your aesthetic taste and style? It's more than that, you're not only picking baby clothes as a reflection of your style, it's also about you as the parent you are and want to be. You select organic, or socially responsible, or environmentally credible, or a brand that supports a cause you believe in…The kind of person you dream your baby will become, your hopes and dreams, and what that looks like to you. 

Make no mistake. Buying clothes is a very emotional purchase, and never so much as buying for your child. But, that is only half of it. Much like my FW week outfit, the clothes are just the outside. Beyond that, you actually have to open your mouth and BE you. And with baby clothes, beyond the clothes, you actually have to BE the parent.

I am so proud, and beyond thrilled, knowing our line stands for more than just cute clothes (which they are), deliciously soft high quality fabrics (which they are), beautiful artwork (which they have). This line is a point of connection with your child. An opportunity for you to embrace the moment and be YOU, as a parent with your child. 

So, wow, I thought I was just going to post some pictures this morning! But, here it goes, my night at the fashion show! If you have it, play: The third of the storms. - Mike Simonetti, Capricorn Rising. Just a little mood music!

the outfit.

tank top, leggings and necklace all from GenaLisa.
shirt from my closet!

the boots.

harley davidson boots from GenaLisa. I ADORE them!

the city.

sun was going down as I turned off the west side highway 

the place.

it just looks like you're going to have fun here

the floor.

next stop: THE MOON!

 the stage

funny little story here. I didn't know what the "s" meant.  

the ceiling

i loved the pattern this made

the runway.

show hadn't started yet, everyone beginning to gather

the people.

WHIT clothes were awesome! also fun to see the outfits finding their seats :)

the room

I was lucky to be able to join the WHIT room.
did I mention this is my brother and his partner's brand? 

the view.

my brother checking things out

 the press.

flashes going off everywhere!

 the woman.

me

the show is over.

one of my brother's partner's, lots of talking and celebrating

 the end.

the full moon shining over my driveway as I arrived back home

More Snuggles and Less Struggles

After my second, Jonah, was born, it wasn't just interesting or clever that all things baby/children be easier...It was VITAL to the happiness of my family. You accumulate a lot of "stuff" with one child. With two, it can feel a bit like YOU'RE the needle in the haystack of baby items...trying to find yourself.

One tired Mama

The question that kept popping into my head while I rummaged around trying to find something, during a quick (yeah, right) 2am diaper change, as I tried to efficiently (again, yeah, right) to change his diaper and/or clothes for the 10th time in a day, while my husband helped out and I crossed my fingers Jonah would end up in something resembling an outfit (again, again, yeah right)...
WHY? Why is all this stuff such a pain in the A**??

Don't they KNOW how little time I have? Don't they KNOW my 3yr old daughter is pulling at my pant legs and completely impatient for my attention while I dress my baby boy? Don't they KNOW I don't have time to iron little bits and pieces down on a shirt every time I wash it? Don't they know the little snaps suck, they're impossible to line up when you're sleep deprived (and otherwise), and make my husband crazy? Don't they KNOW my baby is squirming and twisting while I dress and change him? Don't they KNOW my baby doesn't like to almost fully undress in the middle of a sleep bc his diaper is soaked?

My career, before I left it in the traditional sense, is as a graphic designer for newborn, infant and toddler clothes. I create all those patterns that go on the clothes, the graphics, appliques and embroideries. It's basically children's illustration with a talent for making a full print out of it. So, as a mom working in the industry I was a "they." I KNEW as a mom what I needed, and I KNEW as a member of the industry that it wasn't being done.

There are plenty of gadgets and gizmos with a bent towards making life easy as a parent. Some of them work. Most of them depend on your personality, and more importantly your child's. But, what I didn't see, haven't seen, is anyone addressing what we do with your little ones several times a day. We dress them, we redress them, and we change their diaper again, and again, and again. Baby clothes are pretty much the same, with variances on aesthetic. But, what about the clothes themselves??

As a mom, I needed something that no one was giving me. I needed simplicity. I needed ease. I needed more snuggles and less struggles. So, one sleepless, squirmy, unhappy-baby-night my mind started chewing on it. Okay, let's start with removing the problem...what if there were NO snaps, NO zippers and it takes 30 seconds or less to dress and/or change your baby in any position your baby wanted? What would that  look like? Whoa. I would LOVE that! I bet other parents would too!

So, I started drawing. I started looking at all the staples I used for dressing my children. I considered what was frustrating, what I always complained about, what my mom friends complained about, what I saw emails, postings, etc. complaining about. Most importantly, I talked to Moms and Dads. It occurred to me that moms will put up with a lot for cuteness. Dads don't care. Changed? Good. Moving on.
I believed I could marry those two view points.
Keep it looking super sweet. Keep it super simple. Yeah, that's smart!

So far, there are 10 garments designed and ready to go. I'm starting with my first garment, the sleep and play. Why one? Because I value simplicity. I'm keeping it simple as I kick things off.

I affectionately named the sleep and play,  Little Hammies. They very well may be named Little Hammies. Named this because they are very flattering to your baby's cutie-pie little chunkle butt. I promise I will post pictures and videos. I want to get you all involved in the process. I'd LOVE, love, love your feedback and thoughts. This is FOR YOU.

Also, your baby and/or child is going to love it. It's waaay super comfortable. All my prototypes have been in my son's age, much to my daughter's dismay. I got one sample that was way too large. She found it and put it on herself, with no explanation. I couldn't get it off her. My son loves it because dressing him is no longer me pinning him flat on his back, alternately singing songs like a lunatic and begging him to stay still (babies don't like radical emotional swings like that, do they? LOL). He could sit up. He could stand up. He could sit on my lap. He could keep reading his book. He could be on his belly.

My first core value in this venture adventure is...Simplicity. In ALL things. Can you imagine if dressing and changing were easier? There would be less tears (for parents and kids). If there are less tears there is less stress. Less stress is more time to tickle, giggle, talk, find toes, and point out a sunbeam on the wall. More happy moments, added up to create more chunks of stress free time with your little one.

Simplicity  = more snuggles and less struggles.

What are your favorite things you have purchased that make your life easier as a parent, or person?
How would you feel if you had more time to just enjoy your children?
What did you think would be a great product, and in the end it wasn't?
What does simplicity mean for you as a parent and as a family?