a foot of refreshing dirtiness

My apologies for not delivering the substantial entries previously promised! I am presently taking a much needed brain break from writing up business proposals (actually quite fun)! I've no desire to jinx the outcome of my proposal so I wont be mentioning what it is that I am proposing until the green flag has been put out but if you could be so generous as to cross your fingers I would be very much indebted to you! I've done little more than work on business projects (and read subway horror stories) since returning home but after getting this next batch of items in the shop will hopefully be able to slow down and enjoy some of New York's free summer entertainment offerings. New York friends what are some of your favourite summer activities? Last Sunday we ventured out to The Rockaways for a beach picnic and have been taking leisurely sunset strolls over the Williamsburg Bridge (when my feet are not exploding with summer blisters). Which brings me to my next question, where on earth do you find comfortable, affordable, fairly manufactured footwear (a tall order I'm sure)? My modest collection of second hand shoes have been thoroughly destroyed living here (and I mean thorough, I don't think I have one pair of proper walking flats without generous holes in the sole leaving my feet with a handsome layer of filth at the end of each day). I'd love a proper pair of sandals as I accidentally ripped the straps off of my only pair while hiking in Arizona. I am a bull in a china shop when it comes to apparel, absolutely hopeless.

Pictured above are the latest shop listings of the sparkly and shamelessly girly variety (or rather, will be the latest shop listings once I've put them up which should happen shortly after writing this). I know I said that I would try to keep shop talk to a minimum on this blog but the shop has been a bit slow so far this week and the extra eyeballs would be great! Also will be putting a few older shop items on sale! I think I'm getting the hang of etsy, I hope I am.

Hawaii Part Two: Water

(and one cheesy vacation picture for good measure)

We stayed in Kaua'i (nicknamed The Garden Isle) for seven days and O'ahu for two at the end of our trip. Kaua'i was, without a doubt, the most beautiful place I've visited. We spent the first day learning about the island and exploring a few spots before settling down on the beach and watching the sun set and chickens scramble all around us (most glorious, am now wishing we had room for chickens in our small brooklyn abode). The second day we were up before the sun and off to tour around the island exploring canyons and waterfalls and ending our day with delicious fish and tropical drinks. The third day we went on a kayak trip down the river and to a spot where we hiked to the "secret falls" and later to our very own swimming hole with a rope swing (I was awful with the rope swing and repeatedly lost my top). The fourth day we drove to the north side of the island, visited a beach (where we found George Clooney making his latest movie magic), poked around in a cave and finished our day at a family Luau where Landon and Liam learned how to wiggle their bottoms. The fifth day we went to the beautiful botanical gardens and spent hours roaming the grounds admiring the pretty foliage. The sixth day we took a boat up the coast to the Na Pali Coast (incredible) I spent the majority of the trip ralphing overboard but was able to contain my fluids long enough to peer at the fishies below while snorkeling. The seventh day we took a helicopter tour of the island (anything I could say about that would be insufficient in detailing the outrageous beauty that surrounded us). It was a perfect trip!

tiny trips

we've just returned home from a glorious three day visit in beautiful connecticut at the family home of our dearest Wray. i can't wait to share with you the photos of our farm visits, owl encounters, cheese chopping, forest romps and bed of three. the photos above are from last weekend in wonderful montauk. we've been very fortunate to get our bottoms out of the sticky city for the weekends but now i'm feeling ants in my pants to get busy again with pens and paper and sewing machine so i've decided to put together a little craft night for any NY residents interested. let me know if you'd like to join us for a craft potluck this thursday and i can send you some more information about the night.

(the giveaway stories are wonderful! you still have a week to submit so get writing if you haven't already!)

days we spent in the sand

we spent yesterday eating a variety of cheese covered products, squatting in caves and poking squishy sea creatures on the rocks. i had intended to be equally productive/lively today but i seem to have put out my back during my one day ever of "vigorous" physical activity. i am an old lady.