Stella is getting her groove

Last night's sewing session earned an entry into my personal Book of World Sewing Records.  This dress was so tiny that American Girl fashions don't have anything on it.

My son's  preschool teacher was recently blessed with a new baby granddaughter, Stella.  Little Miss Stella was born at 32 weeks, at 2 lbs. and some change.  So my first thought was, "Oh dear!  I hope she's doing okay."  And then, of course, my second thought was, "Stella needs a pretty dress like any other baby girl, no matter how small it has to be."

I still wonder if it's too big?

Truthfully, I don't even know if she will be allowed to wear it.  I'm quite certain she's in the NICU, and they might frown upon her wearing something other than hospital wear.  But maybe they'll let her wear it for just a moment.  Long enough for Mama to be afforded that happy moment of dressing her real live baby doll in something sweet and pretty.  And one more moment to snap a picture.

Today's happiness:  I'm guessing most of you have daughters, and that there've been many  reasons to dress her up.  Give her a hug today because she's here, she's precious, and she's yours.  Then say a special prayer for Stella to have many more occasions to wear fancy dresses too :)

xoxo,

Andrea

"Have mercy on my out-of-state soul!"

Just when I think I'm a big-metropolis kind of girl living in a medium-sized city of 300,000, I find myself shouting commentary to all of the other Chicagoan drivers.  "I'm not a cab driver and don't prefer to drive like one!" or "Charlemagne (This is what I imagine my GPS girl to be named should she be a real live person.), give me a little more heads up next time!"  Usually Jeff drives, but he had driven the first five hours of the trip, and I thought I'd give him a break.  I should probably be more strategic with the break next time so as not to end up driving the crazy, big-metropolis portion.

He had a work trip to which I promptly tagged along.  Three day break from children--check.  Quality time with hubby--check.  Beautiful hotel--check.

I read that this artist also helped restore the Sistine Chapel.  Not sure that he was properly qualified.

Oh, and let's not forget, Chicago Fabric and Trim Show--check!  This show was like candy for anyone that loves textiles, design, or pretty little sparklies.  So, for you and your daughter's pleasure, I have found some Oh so cute! trimmings that will be adorning a La Modish fashions next fall.  It will be enough to make you wish you could fit into a 2T again.

Today's happiness:  Well, actually it was yesterday's happiness.  If you are in Chicago and are looking to have a completely spectacular dinner, check out Gene & Georgetti. It's an old Italian steakhouse.  The kind that makes you suspect that if you pull on the candle sconce, the dark wood paneling will rotate to reveal a room full of card-playing, cigar smoking mobsters.  And they have a really cute menu cover that hasn't changed since 1941.

It's also "air conditioned for your comfort"!

Handkerchiefs catch both sad and happy tears

I made a handkerchief today for a friend that just suffered a great loss.  It's not the first time I've done this--crafted something with my hands for someone else in need.  It's as though I automatically shift into crafter mode when I hear of someone's heartache.  I think it's an extension of my desire to show that the recipient is cared for beyond a mere "I'm sorry" or "I'm thinking of you."  But sometimes it's simply because I just don't know what else to do.

I was stressing a little while I was stitching the cluny lace onto the edge of the charcoal gray, pin dot hanky.  Not because it wasn't turning out right, but because I had so much other work to do.  And then I was reminded of the saying that when it's our time to go, we won't regret not spending more hours working, but not spending more hours with the ones we love.

And with that, I am sorry, J, for your loss.  Thinking of you.

Today's happiness:  What is it that you do?  Do you make a meal?  Babysit a child?  Take magazines to a hospital?  The obvious truth is that it really doesn't matter what you do so long as you do it.  Thank you for making the world a better place.

What?! Another freebie already??!

Yes, it's true!  Mark your calendars for the Junior League of Lexington's fourth annual 
Holly Day Market which takes place November 12th-14th in Lexington, KY.

The Holly Day Market features some of the region's top boutiques and vendors, so be sure to come by and check it out if you're in the area!  Admission is $8, but this is where the freebie comes in!  If you would like the chance to win two tickets to this awesome shopping adventure, simply post a comment on this blog or the a La Modish Facebook page on why you love the holidays.  You will be entered for a drawing that will take place Monday, November 1st.  

Of course, a La Modish will be represented at the Holly Day Market with a fine array of children's holiday fashions not available elsewhere.  Unless you pre-order like others have ;)

Happy shopping!

Today's happiness:  Sunday, November14th is kid's day.  Children can have their pics taken with Santa while wearing their holiday jammies.  Joseph-Beth Booksellers will also be at the Holly Day Market for story time that day.

Strawberry Wine, 17.....

Can't you hear it now?...........He was workin' through college on my grandpa's farm......I was caught somewhere between a woman and a child....it's funny how those memories, they last......

I was seventeen when Deana's song came out.  I do remember when thirty was old.  And here we are at thirty or beyond.  Really, the music's all the same.  We just listen to it on Pandora or our MP3 players instead of our shiny new CD's, right?

To demonstrate my love for you, I have voluntarily posted a picture of myself at 17.

So next week I will be the recipient of one of the greatest honors ever endowed upon me.  I have been asked to speak to some Sewing 101 high school students.  I'm being totally serious here.  I can't believe that I have the privilege of talking to one of the most valuable groups of people in this world.  Yeah, I'm going to talk about sewing.  But their teacher is astute enough to know that there's so much more to Sewing 101 than sewing.  I get to speak to them about how you don't have to be "trained" to love and excel at something.  If you work hard enough, it will take you places.  

In my own eyes, I am so very far from "excelling,"  But if a former seventeen year old can say anything that ends up sparking a fire in another seventeen year old, now that's success.

Today's happiness:  While going through an old box of photos for this blog post, I found some exceptional pictures of some of my friends from high school.  If you knew me in high school, be on the Facebook lookout :)

Need a good laugh? Or better yet, a costume idea?

I have a good friend that admittedly clicks on my Facebook profile from time to time just to see pictures of my daughter last Halloween.  It always gives her a good laugh.  So I thought you all might appreciate it as well :)  I got the idea while watching the Amazing Race last fall when they were having one of the Roaming Gnome challenges.  I turned to Jeff and said, "Look at his belly!  He's shaped just like a toddler."  And so Sabrina the Roaming Gnome was born:

My only regret about this costume was that no one noticed my son's mediocre bat costume.  Fortunately, the candy was so plentiful that I don't think he noticed.

Today's happiness:  Ebay delivered part of Sabrina's costume today!  Well, part(s).  Assembly required ;)  Will post after October 31st!

Bite your nails with me as we pull out a winner.....

So before I get to the part that you really care about, let me take a moment to say how amazed I am with you folks.  

Let's go back to sales training 101.  Set stretch goals for yourself.  "If you reach for the moon, you'll land among the stars!", right?  So a La Modish set the goal of 250 fans by the end of September.  That meant gaining about 70 friends in 3 weeks.  Well, you all blew that out of the water by getting over 250 fans in just 8 days!  Thank you to everybody for sharing the love of a La Modish with your friends.

And for the part you've all been waiting for.....congratulations to Sarah R. of Goldsboro, NC!  You are the lucky winner of the coveted candy corn dress!

Thanks again to everybody for joining in on the fun.  Be on the lookout for a La Modish updates soon!

Today's happiness:  a La Modish will be at the Holly Day Market in Lexington, KY, next month with a slew of holiday fashions.  Can you believe it?!  It's already time to be thinking about that.  Oh, gee!  Christmas card photos.....

The Jackie Dress.  60's style dress with reversible capelet.