Lesley Graham

ORGANIZING MATILDA'S ROOM

2012-02-01T08:15:00.000-05:00

Ok, holler if you hear me. The toy/book/clothing situation at my house is outtacontrol. I basically just keep Matilda's room in a state of constant chaos because as soon as I clean it, it looks exactly the same as it did before. My little one is a vivacious, curious soul. Wouldn't change that for the world. Just trying to figure out how to make her room work for her. This weekend we are planning on gutting and reorganizing her room with shelving + hooks and fun storage bins specific to different things like: art supplies, dress-up clothes, instruments, etc. I want to be able to bring a basket down, have her play her heart out and then be able to clean up the aftermath in a hurry. The main dilemma right now are the books. They are everywhere! I love them so much, I just don't want to see them (and their jackets that are always removed) on the floor. Matilda's room is such a happy place when it's clean. Solutions welcomed!

top left/ bottom right

WIN!

2012-01-31T07:54:00.001-05:00

The lovely and hilarious Bridget is hosting a Tiny Fete giveaway today over on her blog. Tales of Me and the Husband is one of my all-time favorite reads and an obvious choice for me to advertise with. Hope you'll enter to win a $40 shop credit. I would love it!

In other news... did anyone else watch The Bachelor last night?! Please discuss.

A WEEKEND IN THE WOODS

2012-01-30T09:20:00.001-05:00

Hello! We just got back from the woods of Alabama and I'm feeling so rejuvenated. We had an incredible time at my Grandparents' beautiful woodland home. It is one of our favorite places to escape to. Sam especially gets completely lost in nature and goes on these long hikes and Guinness wears himself completely out. I usually end up reading and chatting with my Grammy and Lynndaddy and Matilda is obsessed with taking rides on the gator (which she's done since she could hold her head up). We even got to spend a night with Jake which was awesome. He's such a fun uncle.
We ate a lot of amazing food so I'll be sticking to proteins and veggies this week. Ha. No one makes better pancakes than Grammy. We also had some incredible margaritas here when we went in to town. Before we left we rolled all of Matilda's piggy bank money and picking out a toy was on the agenda. We have never done this before, so I didn't know how it would play out. She was so decisive (unlike her Mama). She went straight to a doll and said "This is it." Amazing! I was so proud and it made me realize how much she is maturing and that I should really give her more chances to make decisions and choices. She has great taste.

I felt so inspired while I was there with some downtime to draw and read. I feel ready to conquer the week. Speaking of this week... I have something fun to share tomorrow so stay tuned!

FRIDAY READ + NEW CARRYALLS

2012-01-26T21:19:00.000-05:00

Happy (almost) friday! I've added some new carryalls to the shop. Lots of bright canvas that can be customized if you would like a different color. Stripes and satin arrows are also making an appearance. I'm having so much fun dreaming up new color/texture combinations.

We are off to the woods and so excited about it. Hope you all have a very beautiful, relaxing weekend and check out pugly pixel for my friday reads. The lovely Katrina taught me how to make pictures move and lots of other things about photoshop. That lady is my hero.

TOSS IT IN SMOOTHIE

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sam got me a Vitamix for Christmas the year before last and it is something I use every day. It is definitely an investment and I have a lot of friends who've splurged on one as well. Any high powered blender will do the job, but I highly recommend treating yourself to one of these bad boys.

My body has been craving raw produce and smoothies are one of the best ways to sneak it in. I worry so much about Matilda getting all of the nutrients that her growing body needs and most of the time the girl does not want to eat. Lately, unless it's bread, she's not touching it. However... she will crush a smoothie. Woohoo! This smoothie in particular is a "everything but the kitchen sink" recipe, with the coconut milk making it nice and creamy. The color was the prettiest mint green. It was awesome.

"Toss it in" Smoothie - 1/2 c coconut milk
- 1/2 a lemon
-1 carrot
- ginger
- 1/2 cup raw brocolli
- handful of kale
- 1 orange peeled
- 1 green apple
- 1 cup of frozen berries
- 1/2 a frozen banana
- ice

I am working so hard to keep up healthy habits. Matilda and I did sun salutations outside yesterday in the warm sun. Oh how I have missed the sun. We also snuck in a walk and coffee date with friends. I'm really trying to find a life/work balance. It has been a little crazy 'round here. I feel like I'm hitting the pillow harder than ever. Downtime mostly consists of tv (this and this in case you want to chat about that) and I'm craving God-rich solitude. Luckily, we are heading to the woods this weekend. Couldn't have come at a better time.

PARTY GIRL

2012-01-24T13:20:00.000-05:00

I was recently commissioned by the lovely Tiffany to create a dress for her daughter's first birthday. I am always incredibly honored to be able to create a garment that will be a part of such a special day. Those photos from a first birthday are so special. Love birthday parties! This dress was inspired by a picture Tiffany found on pinterest (thanks pinterest) of some dresses I made for two little cuties a while back. This dress (the Ava dress) is now in the shop. Tiffany wanted something bright and colorful and I am happy to work with you if you would like more options than the swatches I have listed. Just convo me!

RAINY MORNINGS

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

The mornings have been so quiet around here. Mostly because our house is dark and still with the incessant rainy, grey days. I sort of love having the house to myself in the mornings when everyone else is still asleep (including our dog, Guinness). I get up and read (I'm currently reading this, this, and this) and have my morning cup of coffee in peace and then I'll hear this little voice talking about her "satchel" (a frying pan that she thinks is a satchel, which she picked up from Tangled) and reading her variations on her favorite books. Yesterday it was Angelina and Alice, which I must admit I love just as much as Matilda. It's these little moments that I'm trying so hard not to miss in the midst of our chaotic days.

Also, I wanted to mention that we had the best veggie tacos here. Give this little gem a chance.

FRIDAY READS: THE BEAUTY DEPARTMENT

2012-01-20T08:07:00.001-05:00

As far as beauty blogs go, The Beauty Department deserves to stand alone. Created by Lauren Conrad's team of beautifiers: Kristen Ess (hair) and Amy Nadine (makeup), the site is FULL of info from how to create your own Missoni-inspired nails to how to calm frizzy hair during the winter. Seriously, you name it, they cover it. They also preach the importance of what you put in to your body and how that affects your skin/hair/everything. Have fun! Hope you all have a relaxing weekend. It's raining all weekend here, so that means pajama day at our house! - Lesley

WINTER ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

2012-01-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

This soup is the perfect compliment to the gray, cold weather we've been having in the south. This is the time of year where I start to get the winter blues and good soup is usually a pretty great cure. It's also a lovely way to get in your vegetables. You can also puree this soup for those who don't like to look at the vegetables they're about to eat cough-Sam-cough.

Winter Root Vegetable Soup
based on the winter soup recipe in The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook (thanks Mom!)

1 medium yellow onion

3 cloves garlic

4 t ginger (I grate mine with a microplane)

4 carrots

1 medium turnip

1 small head of green cabbage

32 oz chicken stock

2 t tomato paste

salt and pepper to taste

Chop the onion, mince the garlic and ginger and add to 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter in a large pot. Stir frequently and let cook until the onions are translucent (about 10 minutes) then add the carrots and turnips (both diced as chunky as you like them) and cook until they are "firm tender" another 7 minutes or so. Then coat with tomato paste and add the cabbage (cut in to strips about 1" thick) and chicken stock. Salt to taste and let come to a boil. Then let simmer for 20 minutes. Add more salt and pepper to taste and finish off with fresh squeezed lemon juice if you like! Enjoy. - Lesley

WRAP IT UP

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Finally all of my packaging for Tiny Fete has arrived and I was able to put it to good use for a recent order. I am so thankful to have orders. I've been busy! Yay! Last week was surely a test of insecurity, but I'm feeling better. It's amazing the power that insecurity can have. I was all kinds of doubting myself in all areas of my life. This video was a nice little nudge to keep pushing forward (thanks Lindsay!).

Matilda had her first morning at a really sweet mother's morning out program that I found. It killed me. She was so excited to get out the door to go to "school." She was skipping down the hall with her backpack on. She said, "Mama, I'm gonna be a real kid." Tearing up as I write this. Sheesh. Parenting is not for the faint of heart.

I also had my first meeting with Rachel at the shop and it felt great to be out and have a little time to get things done. Then we got home and a nap was not happening. Just rolling with the punches and doing what I can to keep calm and be kind and firm at the same time. Tricky business. Napping and parenting aside, something else that has really been troubling me is people in my life who I thought would be really supportive but aren't (just to clarify I do NOT mean supportive monetarily). I have so many awesome people cheering me on that I shouldn't care, right? I wish that were true. Gotta keep loving people anyway. God is teaching me that daily. Hardest lesson in life is learning how to not focus on ourselves and to forgive always. 70 x 7. - Lesley

STYLE INSPIRATION 02

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

Miss Lana Del Rey is sort of this glamour puss bad girl (me to a tee, bah!) that sings some of the moodiest, most addictive music I've heard in a long time. She's totally the "I've never heard of her, oh wait she's everywhere now that I have" girl of the moment. She was on SNL over the weekend and her album hasn't even come out yet. "Born to Die" is slated to be released at the end of the month. She made her own videos and put them on YouTube and voila - overnight success. Isn't she gorgeous? She reminds me of a edgier young Julia Roberts. I can't stop listening to this song. - Lesley

image sources unknown

LIMITED EDITION VALENTINE'S APRONS

2012-01-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day is a little less than a month away and I would love to make your sweetheart their own heart pocket apron! There are two options: Limited Edition Valentine's Day apron + Heart Pocket Aprons. If you're a friend on facebook you'll get a coupon for 15% off. Convo me before you purchase an apron for the code.

CATAPULT!

2012-01-16T09:02:00.000-05:00

This weekend we had some low-key family time, which was just what we all needed. We went to see Beauty and the Beast 3D (amazing!) and we tried to do things that were totally all about Matilda since we can be so busy, I'm trying to be aware of her need for special time with us.

I am so thankful for a creative husband. Sam is always challenging me to step outside of the box and always comes up with these really silly, fun things to do with Matilda. He took her to the "orange store" and got supplies to make a catapult. Right?! So fun. He picked out neon pink duck tape to make it with because he knew us girls would be in to that. I was able to get the entire house cleaned because they were outside playing with the catapult for hours. I love seeing the two of them having a blast together. It's awesome. - Lesley

Do you have any fun/creative things to do with kids that you want to share?

LOVE.

2012-01-13T14:18:00.001-05:00

I put together my very first treasury over at Etsy. Perfect topic to start with, no? Valentine's day makes me really happy. Sure, it's manufactured and can make you feel crappy when you're single, but look at those colors! They are a instant dose of happy on this cloudy, wintry day. I put together a mix of kraft paper goods (I am in love) with sparkly hearts, cute pencils, and other adorable ways to say "I love you." If nothing else... treatyoself. - Lesley

FRIDAY READS: LAY BABY LAY + SEED FACTORY

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! When it comes to nursery design, it really doesn't get any better than Lay Baby Lay. Joni has a knack for putting together the most darling/cool rooms with themes that aren't at all cheesy. She finds the greatest prints, furniture, etc and even provides inspired paint colors. Where was she when I was pregnant? You'll love it.

Seed Factory is the best children's store in Atlanta (yes, I am partial) and I love penning the blog. I hope you'll check it out. There is a little bit of everything from "what's new" to our inspirations to recipes, etc. - Lesley

What are some of your favorite children's design blogs?

SETTING GOALS IN CALENDAR FORM

2012-01-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

I am a visual person. Period. When I think of business plans and forms I start to get sleepy. Boring. I wanted a way to track my growth as a freelancer and shop owner (and human being) in a way that was a little more stimulating and exciting. I'm working in monthly goals in order to keep myself from feeling overwhelmed and bogged down by my "big picture." Dreaming and then working backwards to see how to accomplish those dreams gives you an attainable way to make things happen! Goals are hugely important, because they work as a way to track progress. One foot in front of the other style. Each month I've listed ten goals that are s.m.a.r.t. goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely), including everything from growing my etsy audience to spending a certain amount of time away from the computer each day. It's important to me to not get too swept up in the internet and what other people are doing because it stifles the creative spirit. Ya dig? - Lesley
(studio picture swiped from my instagram)

How do you set goals for yourself? Download your own January Goal Calendar here.

ps I'm guest posting over at my good friend Kathleen's blog. I'm talkin' bout what I've learned my first week of working from home.

PACKAGING: KNOT & BOW

2012-01-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

I've had a lot of fun putting together my packaging for Tiny Fete. One of my favorite things in this world is pretty packaging. I love ribbon, paper, stamps, stickers... you name it! I picked up several goodies from Knot & Bow. Aren't her supplies perfect? I think so. - Lesley

MY GIRL LOVES A TUTU

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you so much for all of the encouragement yesterday. Bottom line is I love being at home with Matilda. My girl is quite the tiny model these days and as you can see... she's quite comfortable in the role. I've been wanting to make a tutu for a while that was a little more non-traditional, but still super girly and fun. I've been naming my pieces after Matilda's friends. The Parker Skirt is named after Matilda's super cute and very stylish friend Parker, with a nod to Parker Posey in Party Girl. Anyone? Nothing says party quite like a tutu. The skirt is made up of layers and layers of tulle tied off with a silk bow. I've been really digging the neon trend that is happening right now, so a pop of bright pink made the cut. The skirt can be customized so just send me a note if you'd like. - Lesley

even more photos here!

FIRST WEEK HOME

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Well, my first week of "working from home" has come and gone and I've documented a lot of it on instagram. Not gonna lie, it's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster - elation! fear! excitement! frustration! insecurity! Part of my frustration stems from how slowly people seem to be adjusting to my move. I knew that this would be a possibility and I firmly believe that I made the right call for me long term, BUT it's still bumming me out a bit. Patience, not so much my strong suit. The fear comes from worrying that I won't be able to help support our family. All of these crazy feelings aside, it has been a joy to spend all day with my little girl. We told each other repeatedly that we were the best (Matilda fully in on the joke which was hysterical), we sang Adele at the top of our lungs, we danced in the kitchen. We also had some tantrums, power struggles, etc but I am the boss (at least that's what I keep telling myself, ha!). Just so, so thankful for the opportunity to have this time together, to spread my wings. Leaning on God big time and trusting that we made the right decision. - Lesley

FAVORITE GREEN SMOOTHIE

2012-01-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of healthy blogs, I wanted to share my current favorite smoothie with you guys. I've had several emails from friends asking me for more healthy recipes, so here goes! I've been tinkering around with this recipe for about a year now and this green smoothie is hands down my favorite. It's sweet and tangy and gives you instant energy. I swear it's magic. Place all of these ingredients in a high-powered blender in the order that they're written, with the lemon juice going in first. Blend until smooth. The kind of kale that you use really makes a difference. I LOVE Lacinato and Dinosaur kale. Happy drinking! - Lesley

FRIDAY READS: HEALTHY EATS

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

My New Root's Winter slaw/ Green Kitchen Stories' Portabello + Peach burgers

Each friday I want to share two awesome blogs that have something in common that you can check out over the weekend. If you are like me and over-indulged in the holidays and are trying to get back on track to eating healthy, check out two of my favorite reads: My New Roots and Green Kitchen Stories. They are both chock full of great recipes and loads of useful nutritional trivia. Sarah has even put together a 21-day comprehensive detox action plan online over at Whole Living Magazine's site (another fave). This is just tapping the surface of my favorite healthy blogs. A lot more great blogs to come. Happy weekend! - Lesley

A WINDY AFTERNOON

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

4:20 - Play with sticks as wands in the back yard.
4:30 - Run and try to catch the sunlight.
4:40 - Pack up and head in to town.

5:05 - Play games with the mirrors we passed.
5:15 - Dance in the alley.
5:20 - Hole up in a doorway.

5:30 - Go inside and warm up.
5:45 - Watch the cars drive by.
6:00 - Head home for dinner. <3

Matilda is wearing her signature dress, available here.

STYLE INSPIRATION 01

2012-01-04T12:40:00.002-05:00

Elle Fanning is a dream boat. If I was a teen I would totally be hanging these pictures from Teen Vogue on my wall. I used to have a wall completely covered in magazine clippings. I ended up turning it into scrapbooks that I still have. They are full of pages and pages of Jordan Catalano and Angela Chase. I can't wait to show them to Matilda when she's older so she'll think I'm cool. These style inspiration posts will be my new online (very grownup) way of scrapbooking. - Lesley

PRETTY PROTECTION

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

I love that Christmas time comes with lots of surprises. Sam was very sneaky this year. After a party Matilda was overtired and playing with my phone (last resort) and when I tried to get it back she threw it on the ground. Crash. This was the second time that I've had a shattered screen. Boo. This time there were tiny bits of glass all over the top, resulting in bloody fingers. Sam ran out to do some errands a few days before Christmas and came back with... a new phone! This was truly a huge surprise, I was very prepared to just keep using the broken phone until I could find a used one. He's so good to me. I catch myself being caught off guard with how great he is and how much I love him all the time. - Lesley

These are a few of my favorite cases. That polka dot Kate Spade case is my #1 with the rockin' aztec case at a very close second. My friend Jodi tipped me off on Society 6. So many tiny works of art.

1. Select your color Pantone case / 2. DG Aztec No. 1 case / 3. Scales case / 4. Kate Spade Gold Polka Dot case / 5. Root's Bamboo case

Which one is your favorite?

TINY FETE

2012-01-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

One of my biggest resolutions that I didn't share yesterday, is to get my new shop up and off the ground. Tiny Fete (a little party) is my curated collection of treasures from dresses + aprons to bags for you. Each garment or item is available in hand-picked fabrics for you to choose from. The collection is inspired by celebrations, sparkles, natural textures, shiny hearts, florals, polka dots, confetti, lemon yellow and sorbet pink. Matilda is clearly my muse and biggest inspiration. I wanted pieces that could be enjoyed without a lot of fuss, with easy care.

I am so excited to be focusing my efforts on growing this brand that has been on the back burner for so long now. It's a big dream that I'm excited to make a reality. It feels good to be putting myself out there. I've got lots of secret ~~mini~~ resolutions that I'm pushing for. More pieces will be popping up in the shop soon. Wish me luck!
- Lesley

ps Lots of fun out takes here, you'll see how Sam got that big grin out of Matilda.