An inspiring young designer - John Alexander Skelton

Trolling T magazine this weekend introduced me to this inspiring young designer John Alexandar Skelton. He takes vintage fabrics and molds them into divine and desirable one of a kind pieces. His clothing looks like scupltures from a time past and I can't wait to see how this talented designer develops--or even better if he doesn't and just keeps doing this very same thing!

Sometimes I wonder why fashion has to move and change so fast. I am all for the slow fashion movement, I wear pretty much the same things they just evolve with me and I add new pieces here and there, the time for a new wardrobe every season seems so wasteful and old. Slow fashion is smarter and with the absolute proliferation of way too much I like to give you collections that don't have an expiration date. They are just as good tomorrow as they were today. And nothing is more so than Pip-squeak Chapeau. As we photographed the new collection I was reminded how desirable each piece is to my senses. Mostly because I know I will use it - wear it ever day!

After all, that's what clothing is for right? To convey our personality and that doesn't change season to season.

Don't miss reading this article on John Alexander Skelton, he's a name to watch.
and shop Pip-Squeak Chapeau here

crystals, herkimer, quartz... are more!

Crystals have been a part of my life since my 20's when I worked with one of the most interesting and inspired woman of my life, well besides my mom. She was in her 70's and I was 20 but we became not only work mates but very close friends. She was the first person to actually listen to me, hear what I said and we would discuss so many different topics, for hours on end. I learned through her how to meditate, she taught me all about crystals and how to weave baskets - among tons of other things about life in general that she taught me. It was a key change in my life and came at a time when I had just started to work at Esprit (in the late 1980's) so my personal and professional growth was happening at the same time. My love for crystals still goes on and is always growing, but Emily will always be at the heart of that growth.

With the opening of my shop I have started to include lot's of crystals - making necklaces for customers who pick a crystal from my bowl of various sizes and different kids of crystals to large tabletop crystals to keep near your bed or at work to bring harmonizing energy.

If your birthday is in November you are also lucky enough to have Topaz or Citrine as your gemstone, it is said that wearing your gemstone will give you energy. I believe that each person has a stone that strengthens their spirit, or heightens an aspect to your life that you would like to work on or give energy to. Crystals are very personal and that's why I like to have people choose a stone from a bowl, the stone will call to you and you can carry it around for awhile to see if it's something you want to wear to give you energy.

When I get a new stone I like to wash them in the ocean water, then I let them soak by the window in the sun for a few days. This will clarify and clean your stone and it will have optimal energy for you. You can also bury them in the dirt if you need more grounding energy. Lately, with all of the super moons I have been leaving them in the moonlight outside. I do this with all of the crystals in my shop so that you can be sure they are ready and charged.

I have a few Margaret Solow crystals that are ready and waiting for you. Her stones are never heated or tampered with and left in their natural state. The raw sapphires I had from her were so alive with color it was hard to believe their natural beauty. The Herkimer is perfect for this time it is a perfect conduit of the universal life force, they are exceptional healing crystals and are used in meditations, dream and vision work (great to have by your bed at night, but might keep you awake with their strong energy) The Herkimer diamonds are the most powerful of all quartz crystals.

I also love this tourmalated quartz it is a super lucky stone has the luck of both the quartz and tourmaline, it also protects against unhealthy energies by actually deflecting negative energy. It brings balance to yin and yang energies. Yes, this is a great stone for just about anyone.

I am going to review more stones, crystals and gemstones to look at their properties and how you can use them to enhance your life and your mind and spirit.

Nonchalantmom Makers Market - December 9-10

We are hosting a Makers Market here at the shop over the holidays on Friday and Saturday December 9-10. The idea of a Holiday Market was so exciting when we opened our new store and quickly morphed into a Makers Market due to all of the Makers talent we have here in the shop. But for the Makers Market we are adding to our current mix with local Rhode Island talent and more... We are combining a good amount of some of our old favorites, like Lucky Fish and adding some incredible local makers that I am very excited to introduce to you. So in the coming days I am going to give you a small introduction to each of the makers we will partner up with in the shop. I will do my best to include the online folk, but the best way for this to happen is going to be via Instagram, so if you are not yet following 'nonchalantmom' on instagram ... get on there!

You all don't need an introduction to Lucky Fish so I am just going to give you a teaser and say that we will have an additional good amount of her one of a kind pillows, clutches, masks, coaster and tabletop items along with a healthy dose of her fantastic T's!

If you are becoming a Lucky Fish fan you might want to take one of her classes in her studio in Brooklyn - where you will learn how to create a print, make a screen, she also helps you develop your idea so it's a chance to share some time with an interesting group of women and be CREATIVE. Email me and I will get you in touch with her.

We will also have another CRAFTERNOON in the Springtime in the shop. The last one was so successful and we had such a good time that we are doing it again! (we just have to wait for the weather to get better so we can be outside again - we kind of make a big mess while printing).

Tomorrow, we will introduce you to more MAKERS!

In Store events coming up for November and December

We have quite a few events coming up in the shop. From Meditations to Candle making, to making your own holiday stocking! Please sign up for each class (just so that we can get an idea of supplies we need, etc...) and show up at the workshop! If you forget, check the blog or visit us on facebook at Nonchalantmom for more information!

IN-STORE EVENT SCHEDULE

tuesday 11/22 - 9am meditation for busy people

saturday 11/26 - small business saturday join us for some tea and cardamon bread and shopping!

saturday 12/3 - 12-2pm candle making

friday 12/9 - 12/10 - HOLIDAY MAKERS MARKET - 12-6pm
join us and some local makers for shopping and fun!

saturday 12/17 - 12-2pm make your own stocking!

We are also planning more meditations in the shop, we will release a December Meditation schedule after our 11/22 meditation. Each class will have a nominal fee for materials ranging from $5 - $10. We will be offering more information on each workshop as we get close to the dates. But get excited and let's have some fun!

MAKE :: CREATE :: REMAKE :: REPEAT!

are you STRESSED out?

Sometimes being stressed out is just a part of a landscape these days, I don't know anyone who isn't under pressure of the economy, a relationship that has become difficult and parenting in general - while the most wonderful ride ever can be so stressful that you can't see the forest for the trees.

I meet so many people, maybe because I dole out this information on my blog, it's the number one question - "What do you do for stress?" I have many things that I have found that work for me, but let's be honest there is nothing that takes it away, but there ARE some things that help you see the bigger picture and sometimes that helps more than anything.

My number one remedy for complete shut-down stress is Bach's Rescue Remedy (the drops). I have used them since it helped me with breastfeeding. It helped my milk to come in and I think I know why, Bachs Rescue Remedy just helps you to get above the panic/stress and to become calm, you can almost feel yourself climbing down from the tree. My kids are now old enough that the stress of a test can interfere with their sleeping and give them stress during the day at school (for my ninth grader). He will use the Rescue Remedy candies from time to time and that would bring him into focus (they come in a tin and are a tiny dose).

When my kids have trouble sleeping at night I make them a cup of Chamomile tea and they are sure to drop off shortly after. I also use Chamomile tea for a better sleep just about every night for myself. I've never had trouble getting to sleep, but my trouble is waking in the middle of the night, I feel like it helps me with that problem too. And exercise, I know that a good walk each day will always make for a good sleep that night - there is really nothing better than fresh air!

Today I was looking at Treehugger - still one of my favorite websites! I found this great post on terrific natural remedies for stress, so you don't need to take it from me... there's MORE!

It suggests Lavender, which I like too! and some terrific stretches that will help with stress and so much more! So let's take a vow, to decompress, take a walk and let it all GO.

link to treehugger article

Nico Nico marked down!

 

Two of my favorite customers in their stars and stripes!

We just marked down Nico Nico and if you take advantage of our 'thankyou' code there is an additional $25 off! Jump in here and get some of your favorite, soft and cozy organic cotton clothes on the planet!

shop Nico Nico here

 

Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend to Nonchalantmom!

We would like to give you $25 to spend in the shop!

Take $25 off orders $100+
(ends sunday 11/13)

Share with your friends... it's all in the family!

What next

Looking at my post from yesterday I am reminded of my optimism, which I will continue to have because it's all that keeps me going. In the meantime I will take this time to be quiet, introverted and cleanse. It could be easy to turn to other things (especially since there are more legal forms now in many states) but I challenge you to take this time to become stronger, ignite from within, maybe this will become an impetus to meditate, strengthen your mind body and spirit - to stretch, eat better and show this country where it's strength lies.

It was a very long night in the USA with the election of a new president. I've been on social media and there is a lot of complete shock and disbelief, and I have been hearing from many of my clients since the announcement. Indeed, if you are involved in many progressive ideas about the raising of our children, the state of our natural environment, women's rights, etc - then this election has been pretty shocking. But, it has me thinking as well. When I began Nonchalant Mom in 2004 the political climate was not very different from what happened today. My ideas for what I wanted to do with my business and how I wanted to present and run my business may have been a little more surprising and out of place then, but the core ideas remain the same. Needless to say, it was a challenge then, and is still a challenge now, to declare that you want your business idea to respect small crafts people and designers, that I want my business model to be a holistic benefit from the creators of many of my small labels I represent right through to the way I present the items I sell. I wanted to find things that showed respect between peoples and also respected the environment in the best ways possible. I didn't want to disregard the maker's and manufacturers of the things I sell/sold. I wanted to treat them with respect, I wanted them to treat me with respect and most importantly, I knew then that I was interested in small manufacturing, choosing to work with people who are respectful of their manufacturing process and people. I wanted to do something that felt right - something that felt good for both the people who make and provide beautiful things and for the people who would become my clients and buy and wear (or use) those beautiful products. And, though it looks like the social and political climate here in the USA (if not the world in general) is going to take a turn for some unsure outcomes - I felt it was and is very very important to remind myself and to remind any of you who follow and support my business I am invested in you as well. A good solid fight for the progressive ideals I built my little business on top of - a good fight for our children, for our family,  for our friends, and for ourselves to do and make things that we all can use and enjoy.

As always this also involves food so here's a good way to start - bring your lunch with you to work, play or to keep yourself from not eating snacks or food that is not good for your body. This photo is my lunch (well just one of the jars). I make brown rice a few times a week and we either use it for dinner and then I use the leftovers for lunch. I mix in roasted vegetables, nuts, steamed greens or even last nights leftover salad! I keep a jar of my home made tahini in the fridge to drizzle on top (that's the second jar) and I honestly can't think of a better, more satisfying lunch.

I heat it up in the morning so that it's at least luke-warm (which is fine and delicious too) by the time I eat it (yes, I could maybe use a thermos but I am a little too attached to these jars).

TAHINI RECIPE
(I personally don't measure anything but you may want to the first few times you make it until you come up with your own favorite recipe)

1/2 - 1 cup tahini
juice of 1 lemon (use more if it's not juicy)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
salt & pepper
add water to your liking - I like my slightly thick, but I know some people like it very watered down

blend in your vitamix or blender until smooth and creamy
keep in a jar for up to two weeks in the refrigerator (you will certainly use it before then!)

If you are really on top of things its nice to top your jar lunch off with gomasio (see link for recipe) or toasted seasame seeds or just about any toasted nut

get excited to VOTE!

don't miss your chance.....

Supermoons and a super DUPER MOON!

Did you see the moon on October 16th? If you didn't, you have another chance on November 14th and if you miss that you can see it again on December 14th - that's right this year ends with an amazing THREE super moons. I don't know about you but I don't remember this whole SUPER MOON thing when I was a kid, but supposedly there are 4-6 super moons a year on average. What is cool about the super moon on November 14th is that it will be the closest it's ever been in the 21st century! There won't be another super moon like this one until November 25th, 2034.

What IS a super moon you ask? (because I did too) Who best to ask but NASA. There is a full article here with many images of the super moon. But they explain it pretty well: "Since the moon’s orbit is elliptical, one side (perigee) is about 30,000 miles closer to Earth than the other (apogee). The word syzygy, in addition to being useful in word games, is the scientific name for when the Earth, sun, and moon line up as the moon orbits Earth. When perigee-syzygy of the Earth-moon-sun system occurs and the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, we get a perigee moon or more commonly, a supermoon!

But that doesn't explain this super-duper moon coming in November. On November 14, it becomes full within about two hours of perigee—arguably making it an extra-super moon (or what I call super-duper). So look up in the sky at just about 8:52am EST on November 14th, that's when it's supposed to reach it's peak. During the event, on the eve of November 14th the Moon will appear up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than an average full moon.

There you go.. easily explained right? Read the full article for more information. And watch the moon on November 14th and December 14th of this year. And now that you are so into the moon and it's mystical beauty. Check out our moon workbook by Modern Woman, where you can learn to set intentions for yourself and use the power of the moon in your intention setting. You will be easily walked through all the details in the book, she even gives you ideas on what kind of intentions to set. We are all sold out of workbooks for the 2016 year but we will have new workbooks for the coming year (2017) in December. They go fast so let me know if you want me to hang onto one for you, just drop me an email.

There are many beautiful pictures of the super moon, have you ever tried to take one yourself? Not easy, so I borrowed this one from the NASA website. I love it because it's the in the desert....  I will try to get one over the ocean this time!?

Before the Flood - Full Movie | National Geographic

This makes such a great family movie night! We did it last night and it's good to watch together with your kids, because they have LOTS of questions - believe you ME! They were full of questions and it made for a long after conversation.

The great thing is that it's on youtube - and its FREE! until November 6th

My kids have learned a lot of this in school but it was a good thing to watch together and hear their opinions on each of the subjects.

next up.... The Human Experiment....

FLASH SALE!

Flash Sale! 20% off orders $200+
use code: 'flash2016'
for a short time...

(cannot be applied to past orders)
may the force be with you....