Happy Holidays Everybody!

Simone LeBlanc Gift Boxes

this is the cozy home box

Most of the blogs I write are things that I come upon that I like and figure you would like too! I could have sworn I had already written about these lovely gift boxes from Simone LeBlanc - but there you go, I have not. I love giving gifts, finding the perfect thing, taking my time months in advance. Maybe it's just part of having a store, but I love it. My husband has a terrible time thinking of gifts, so I turned him onto Simone LeBlanc. She started her gifting company in 2011, and a native of Los Angeles she has the perfect crowd, she makes gift boxes for celebrities, corporations and even a new mom! But it's her execution that I love, each boxes is well thought out, perfectly packed and makes the perfect gift, always.

the welcome winter box (complete with cashmere blanket)

So if you are out of steam in the gifting department, check out her website and just choose one of her gift boxes. Complete your order with address etc and you are DONE! You have just sent the best gift possible, in a gorgeous box all ready to go!

new mom box

There is a box for just about everything, for Him, for Her, for a Family, for a new mom, Detox... it's all there just gift with your wildest dreams.. or to tell a friend you love her very much!

website: Simone LeBlanc

The BELLs are ringing...

These MQuan bells make such a great gift for that person who is hard to buy for... that hippie friend, the person who likes to linger in their garden... that lover of the earth, yes ME!

THAT person would love an MQuan hand made ceramic bell! These bells are made by hand in upstate NY and made with LOVE.

shop here

looking for a great gift!? Pictli

I recently found these guys and it's been my go-to for the perfect family gift! I don't know about you but there is nothing better than to give the gift of a photo and these days with Instagram and Facebook we all have a giant log of photos just waiting to be framed!

Pictli is SO incredibly easy - it takes just a few minutes to order a stack of your favorite shots which arrive to you framed faster than you can say... SHAZAM! I love them and I can't wait to give these wonderfully framed photos to our family and friends! You can also expect personal and sweet attention via email, so don't worry you are in good hands.

You can use code: 'launch1512' and get 25% off until TOMORROW 12/18/15.

www.pictli.com

P I N K :: the color for 2016!

You think I have a website that is as all-powerful as mine (haha) and DON'T know that the color of the year was going to be PINK... Yes, well I was lucky and stocked up on PINK just because I like it (well if you are friends with Ryan Roche you MUST already like pink right!). I did have a feeling it was a big color and probably just going to get bigger, but I had NO idea it would be THE COLOR OF THE YEAR!

So get your PINK while it's HOT! (but to be sure... it's NOT HOT pink) it's SOFT pink

Get the story on Pink here from Pantone

NEW :: How to Make a Pom Pom with Loome

YES you can make all of these! Even if you are not the most talented crafter in the world... yes, that is what the Loome is here for.. to rescue you! (and they make a FANTASTIC gift!)

The moment I saw these wonderful Loome's I know they were just the ticket for a little special gift this Holiday Season. And we got them just in time! These little Loomes make (among other things) pom poms (as in this helpful video), tassels, friendship bracelets and so much more! Watch their videos (they have a how-to video for each of the items) and get INSPIRED  this Holiday Season!



Watch all of the How-To's and you will become a PRO in no time. I can make about 15 pom poms while I wait for Franny's backetball practice! and during Sander's soccer game (1 1/2 grueling hours) I have learned friendship bracelets and tassels. I know, I know.. I DID get these for my kids but I swear you will love it too!

Watch all the how-to videos on YouTube by subscribing to the LOOME feed

and get your Loome from me HERE :)

Happy Days are here AGAIN!

Scarf Sale!

It's so crazy warm here on the East Coast that scarves are not really necessary... YET... but as soon as that cold wind appears you want to be READY with your new warm and trusty, cozy SCARF.

Use code: 'scarf' and take 25% percent off your purchase.

and they make the perfect gift... because a wise friend once told me "sometimes all you need is a new scarf!" - and I wholeheartedly agree!

Love & peace

link to scarves here

POP up! Holiday Market! Whatever you want to call it we are doing it!

Each year I visit my friend Laura's HOLIDAY sale in NYC, it's so much fun, I see all my friends and it's just a good time to shop and and find unique gifts for friends and family. Well this year I am going to be part of the sale as well! (BRAINSTORM why didn't we do this earlier!)

I hope you are able to join us and meet some fun people, creating and doing fun things! I will bring lots of gifty-type things, some of the crazy stuff and some of the just darn great things I carry in the shop. I'm going to fill my car and drive on down and I look forward to seeing you all!!

It's SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH ONLY
from 11:30 - 5:30
at Laura Rosenthal Casting
225 Broadway - suite 200
(between Barclay & Vessey Streets)
New York City

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!
and don't forget to say HELLO!

Happy Holiday Shopping

black crane

Black Crane is one of my favorite collections for myself and my store, I wear most of it ALL of the time and I feel great. It's simple and easy, and it makes me feel put together all day. We just took markdowns on the Fall collection so there are some amazing STEALS at the moment - add to that the 'extra25' and you can kill it!

But I will admit, while I like the photos that I take for my website, I LOVE the photos of the website No. 6, yes, as in those wonderful No. 6 clogs! They also have a shop that is lovingly curated in the most amazing way. They also have the Black Crane collection and when I saw it on their beautiful model... well I just HAD so share these photos with you. I love their model, she is super chic, has the most gorgeous hair color (changes quite often) and she is just so perfect in my opinion (in a non-perfect way).

painter dress in black (grey) or purple

this poncho just arrived in the shop

in white or black - essential and easy

Any way you look at it Black Crane will do it!

shop Black Crane on Nonchalantmom
shop No. 6 store (and don't miss the yummy shearling clogs!)

Can You Dig This - fantastic Doc!

I can't wait to see this movie! It's showing tonight in Newport RI at the Jane Pickens if you are a local - and what better a movie to see just before Thanksgiving! If you aren't a local, find this movie and see it!

It's going to change the WORLD!

happy gardening

RMS beauty - green friday special

Just because I am a lover of the RMS beauty products - just for today - they are offering 20% off for GREEN FRIDAY - use code: 'greenfriday'

and if you don't know about RMS beauty you can read our interview with the amazing Rose Mary Swift where she tells us more about herself and her products, they are so natural you could EAT them! (but I don't think they would taste good, haha) I feel good about using her products and never worry about any harmful chemicals. When you are using something each and every day you want to be sure they are 100% natural.

This is one of my favorite products - the Buriti Bronzer it always makes you look sun-kissed in the most natural way. I also like the UNcover - easy and perfect for every day.

enjoy!

link to RMS here
link to my interview with RMS here

Join us!

Each year is different and no matter how many times I take notes like... nobody shops in October or don't buy those weird pillows ever again, I usually forget and each year I wing it on my whims and just buy what I want for my store. People ask me how I know what works for Nonchalantmom, and after I think for one moment I almost always say "I DON'T" -- when I have interns helping me I tell them to follow their heart and not the trends, now if the person is talented and knows what's out there they will do great, if not they better hope they have a BIG wallet because this whole deal is not easy.

Did I just call myself talented, nope... I just have talented friends! I fill my store with things from people I love, people who have talent and usually NOT a big wallet. Which usually means that we run ourselves a tight business. We constantly remind each other that we are all in this together and it just so happens we all LOVE what we do. Lately, I have heard a lot you all about how much you like what we are doing here so I think I am very lucky, best customers and best, most talented people making great products.

This is a tricky time of hear, we have so many new things arriving every day, the UPS man is like Santa Claus to me. The above compilation photo is new things together with some things we have had around the store for awhile and these are some of my favorite gifts.

ITEMS: (starting from top left)
Matta Indian shirt - (not on the website yet but up soon in the Matta section)
Wovenplay - tiger necklace
MQuan Studio - flower bell
Beck Sondergaard Scarf - Mill scarf
Jess Brown Doll - circus doll (I just noticed that this doll is not on the website! email me if you want her)
Clare V - leopard flat clutch (coming soon on the website)
Village Common - natural, small batch made room and body spray
Fredricks & Mae - horse hair key chain

and use code 'extra25' to take 25% off your entire purchase!
shop now!

and remember us when you SHOP LOCAL - we like that and we work with only local people we love!

new Melissa Joy Manning jewelry

I was introduced to Melissa Joy Manning through my neighbor, Angela. Angela has a way about jewelry that I really love, she changes her pieces every day, she always, ALWAYS looks amazing and elegant (even picking up the kids and the bus stop!) and she inspires me to try to look good every day. Because let's face it, when you live in a small town, work from home a big part of the time and have a penchant for jeans (yea that's me) you COULD actually not dress up very well each and every day - but Angela does! She kills it in Pip-squeak Chapeau, Melissa Joy Manning and now Black Crane!

I just hold her hands and look at her bracelets, rings and all that, because she wears it all at once and it's amazing. Melissa Joy Manning is a perfect connector for Angela and her style, it is the opposite of bling, it's like taking a part of nature and wearing it in the most elegant way. I happen to choose small pieces from her collection, cause that's just me and the way I feel about Nonchalantmom. But, you can visit her website and find giant pieces of stone, gems and a combined use of metals that will make you drool. All handmade in her studio in California and New York City from recycled materials, in a sustainable way, she's a woman who does things right and is making it work for her.

these gorgeous earrings are Imperial Topaz

Her inspiration is always nature, a sunset floods an arid desert landscape with hues of fire. Ice clashes with an Icelandic sea in a symphony of textures and color. Her jewelry echoes the intrinsic beauty in the world around us. She is inspired by cultures, landscapes and nature, Melissa designs her pieces in ways that highlight the found beauty of the materials she uses. And I'm telling you, it's very evident when you look at her jewelry and you feel it when you wear her pieces - they become a part of you.

black druzy necklace w/mixed metals and the delicate circle, triangle or oval rings

I am a bit crazy about her new collection, these pieces will make any jewelry lover envious. But my favorite person to get started on Melissa Joy Manning jewelry are those who usually don't wear anything. It's the perfect start, and hey let's face it, there is nothing more un-fussy than 14k gold - you don't even have to take your pieces off because you can wear them 24 hours! Now that's my kind of joy!

I hope you enjoy this new collection. click here to see the new pieces.

Ikea and 100% sustainable cotton benchmark

You know I am a fan of Ikea, and one of my most vivid memories as a kid was when we went to Sweden to visit family we would make a trip to Ikea and get new duvet covers for our beds, so exciting! (ha!) This was a different time and duvet covers were not really available here in the US. I don't know how but my mom kept some of them and now my kids use them! And they still look great and very modern.

I just wanted to make my personal connection here because recently Ikea announced that they have reached their 100% sustainable cotton target. No, all of their cotton is not organic (some of it IS) but throughout the store they have reached a 100% sustainable benchmark. As of September 2015, 100 percent of the cotton the company uses for its products comes from more “sustainable sources.” Ikea is the first major international retailer to achieve this. What does this mean, well in 2010, Ikea worked with nature conservation group WWF to create the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) with the goal “to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future,” as noted on the bettercotton.org website.

for the source of this story and to get more information check in with LeSouk - their article is here

Just another reason to love Ikea!