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We wanted to let everyone know that Gabrielle from Design Mom is hosting Nie Nie Day on Thursday, August 28th….She has invited fellow bloggers, etsy artists and anyone interested to set up silent auctions for this special event and everyone is invited to shop! An effort to help support Stephanie, Christian, their four children and their family during their recovery. We wanted to help spread the word. If you are interested, click on the above, and join in!

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A few months ago, my husband introduced me to the world of blogs. Alright, it was actually a year or so ago, but I am a bit stubborn. I think he knew that I would be inspired, would learn and would connect with some really talented people. He was right. I found myself drawn to a few different bloggers, with the same excitement that I used to have flipping through magazines. In the morning, or late at night, I was able to read and research and discover so many wonderful people and ideas. That takes us to this weekend. Back from opening our sixth store in San Diego and having some meetings in Los Angeles, I was a bit exhausted on Sunday evening. In front of the computer, I found myself catching up on blog posts from earlier in the week. I was saddened to read that Stephanie Nielson and her husband had been in a serious private plane crash on Saturday evening. Stephanie has been an amazing source of inspiration to many, on every level. At the center of who she is, is a woman who loves with no limits…her husband, four children, family and friends. What is in her heart and mind is how she lives her life. Her posts and photographs ( she is an amazing photographer ) are a view into her daily life which is full of adventure, creativity, love and kindness…No hesitation in sharing her feelings, dreams and hopes and most of all indirectly what she is grateful for. In the days since the crash, her family has gathered round comforting her, her family and those who have become her friends and community. For some reason, I can’t stop thinking about how she and her family have lived their lives and aspire to do the same. To live from love, with courage and conviction, to celebrate and experience life to its fullest, to laugh often and to just be. She and her husband are no longer trauma patients, but they say the recovery will be long…To her, I send my thoughts and love. To her children and family strength and prayers. I carry her love of family, of life and living in my heart and give thanks to her for sharing with all of us. A few months ago, I finally started

Earlier this week, the new school directory came in the mail. I coveted it the way I used to wait for the August issue of Seventeen Magazine, or more recently a copy of Domino Magazine or September Vogue. The excitement of finding out who the kids teachers were, who was in their class and sharing stories from oldest to youngest about a teacher, a friend or a memory from grades and years gone by. Tucking it away until we would all be together that night, I was beginning to get excited about the school year and the conversations we would have over the next few days. And then a pause…excited as I am about a new school year, and all that it brings ( Chaos quite often! ) I sit with the realization that the summer has gone by at lightening speed. That there are weeks to enjoy and days at the beach, berry picking and afternoons at the park and pool…that the late nights of summer are going by way to quickly. So now, it is about being in the moment..these last weeks of summer, and some last minute days off.Late nights watching the Olympics, early mornings watering the container garden and the sound of the birds waking us all up. Time to stop, and enjoy what is now.

Reading one of my favorite blogs this morning, Poppytalk and was so excited to see that she is doing a great Back to School event called School Days…Partnering up with Old School they are going to have some amazing retro treasures…Hope to pick them up for the store..Check it out!

We just wanted to say a huge thank you to Gabrielle over at Design Mom. We read her blog regularly and then today…She featured us!! Check it out, and post some comments-we would love to know what you think.