Nonchalant Mom News

It was the Summer of 2004, with a rough idea of what I wanted to do and with some amount of courage, I started Nonchalant Mom. It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve come so far with my original idea to create a shop where the focus would be on just about everything the mainstream wasn’t focused on - a place where children’s and women’s fashion would be about the handmade and ethically sourced. Working with other young moms who were creating something good while knowing you had to pay fair, living wages to those who worked for you. I had all of these friends making great things and I knew that everyone would want them if they just knew about them. I knew if I combined a thoughtful shopping experience with information on parenting in a more natural and healthy way that other parents, like me, would want to be a part of it. I know that there is a new and young audience out there who is still craving that information - they want it from a trusted friend, and that’s what I became. When I meet other parent’s now with kids my age I am so humbled by the praise of how they used my information and shopped in my store for themselves and their kids. This “new family” community is so strong and thriving today and it’s so exciting to be a part of it. It’s with great pride that I look back over these last 15 years and say that my idea for something modest, something conscientious, something caring, something creative, and something unique has continued to grow and didn’t buckle under the weight of challenges big and small.

But, now the time has come for me to move on. With my family, I’m going to be moving this Summer. I’ll be moving away from Rhode Island after 15 wonderful years here! With this impending move, I’ve started thinking that it might also be time to move on from my original idea for Nonchalant Mom. My kids are no longer little, both are now teenagers (no more free models) and, with that, my interests have evolved too. I’m finally ready to get back to my own creative endeavors - meaning that I want to return to making my own art and jewelry. It’s not that I think the idea of  Nonchalant Mom is finished, on the contrary, it needs someone NEW to take over the shop, to bring to it a new freshness and spirit. I think it’s time for someone new to put their own fingerprint on it, take it further, and bring it a new life! With that in mind, I’m now seeking someone interested in just that - taking over the business and moving it further forward. There is much
potential for Nonchalant Mom, whether it be in the form of a brick and mortar shop, or online - even BOTH. There is the idea that
Nonchalant Mom can stay here in  Rhode Island in it’s current location, or move on to another location far and wide. The main thing that Nonchalant Mom needs is someone who is looking (just as I was all those years ago) for a challenge. Nonchalant Mom needs someone who has the creative energy and enthusiasm to build something unique. It is perfectly suited for that person who wants something they can call their own, who wants to have their own business, whether it grows BIG or remains modest. Of course, it will help if you have some business acumen. There are many things that can be done with the business, many directions to take it or even rename it, but the base is there. You only have to have a dream and some passion. Nonchalant Mom has grown over the past 14-15 years and now incorporates a following both for the actual shop and in it’s online presence! I’ve met so many wonderful people in this journey and I’ve done much of the hard work
necessary to get it off the ground and gain recognition and loyal following. There’s no definition to the type of person who may want to take this on - you could be young or older, single or married, with or without kids. All it really needs is someone who wants to make something special for the future.  And, maybe most interesting is that it won’t take a lot of money (or at least as much as you might think) to take it over. This business isn’t about money as much as it is about doing something you love and making a difference and creating a
community. I’m really hoping that there might be someone out there with the same kind of principles, and same kind of verve that I have had for the business all these years. And, I’m willing to help you! So, if you think that this might be the thing you have been looking for in your life, then let me know and let’s discuss it. Who knows, it might just be YOUR dream come true...... share this with a friend if you know someone who is looking for something that will be incredibly rewarding in their life!
love, carina

There's a new AIRSTREAM available

If you're like me anything that has to do with camping and my ears perk up! so when I heard rumblings that there was a new LIGHTER Airstream (it's aptly called NEST) on offer I got pretty excited. And yes, it's true... the cost is approx. $45k which still sounds steep to me, how about you!? They managed to cut the weight in half but not the cost. But at least it's good enough for dreaming.....

It seems just enough room to travel comfortably, well more than comfortably if you ask me! I think I still might have to go for the Scamp! But it looks incredible - see the full story here.

ARTIST SERIES :: Nikki Juen

opening reception

Friday, February 9th - 5-7pm

drinks, hot tea and light snacks

Nikki Juen is one of our excellently talented local artists who takes every opportunity to share her knowledge through teaching and lecturing. I honestly don't know where she finds the time to create her art as well, but I am sure that it is essential to her process. Nikki is a strategist and national organizer of Brick x Brick, and a founding member of Public Displays of Affection Collective - it's possible you have seen this work with particular focus at the last two Womens Marches of 2017 and 2018 - taking a stand to visually represent the incredible number of social crisis our country is experiencing today. She is also a founding faculty member of the MFA in Graphic Design at Vermont College of Fine Arts her research focuses on the body as media as well as the contemplative mind in higher education. Her classes and workshops explore the development of the individual through the cultural roles of art and design in society.

I am so excited to introduce Nikki's works on paper, join us for an opening reception with the Artist as she will share a cocktail and discuss her process and give us a wider knowledge of her work. Friday, February 9th from 5-7pm and we will continue to show her work through February.

This Artist series began in 2017 when I realized that most of my friends and patrons were Artists and my shop was the perfect showcase for art, in our open and minimal shop. In these winter months when it's cold outside we welcome everyone into our warm shop for some great conversation, laughs and loving camaraderie. I hope you can join us and don't forget to bring your friends.

nonchalantmom

556 Kingstown Road

Wakefield, RI 02879 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

We look forward to this day in our family, we take the family time (dinner) to do some learning about Dr. Martin Luther King and his values. Last year my daughter was lucky enough to have a teacher at her Middle School who teaches Kingian Nonviolence - in a way that went directly hand in hand with who Franny is as a person, she found this to really ring true with her heart. She asked me to join a monthly parent group which teaches the principles and I can say that it has changed me life as well. I am not far into it yet but the ways of conflict resolution have helped me so much in my home and in my work.

The approach is quite simple, and when you get into it the approach is so well thought out and practical that we can all gain from learning from the ways that Dr. King took to approach nonviolence. I consider myself well educated about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - I've seen countless movies and show's about him but until I learned from my daughters teacher, Mrs. Robin Wildman, about Kingian Nonviolence, I feel I did not know the essence of what he was doing. Now going back to see, listening to stories, I hear the references to the movement.

The Triple Evils of POVERTY, RACISM and MILITARISM are forms of violence that exist in a vicious cycle. They are interrelated, all-inclusive, and stand as barriers to our living in the Beloved Community. When we work to remedy one evil, we affect all evils. To work against the Triple Evils, you must develop a nonviolent frame of mind as described in the “Six Principles of Nonviolence” and use the Kingian model for social action outlined in the “Six Steps for Nonviolent Social Change.”
(taken from the website: www.thekingcenter.org)

The Six principles of Nonviolence will pull you in but it is the six steps to social change that will help you start to use this method for yourself, in your family and in your community. I will take this opportunity today to learn more and try to pass on more of this social change that we all need today, but most importantly - use this method in your day to day life to create social change in your community.

SIX PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE
Fundamental tenets of Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence described in his first book, Stride Toward Freedom. The six principles include:

1. PRINCIPLE ONE: Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. It is active nonviolent resistance to evil.
   It is aggressive spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
   
2. PRINCIPLE TWO: Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding. The end result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation.
   The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community.                                                                                                      
   
3. PRINCIPLE THREE: Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people. Nonviolence recognizes that evildoers are also victims and are not evil people.
   The nonviolent resister seeks to defeat evil not people.
   
4. PRINCIPLE FOUR: Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform. Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation.
   Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and transforming possibilities.  
   
5. PRINCIPLE FIVE: Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate. Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as the body.         
   Nonviolent love is spontaneous, unmotivated, unselfish and creative.
   
6. PRINCIPLE SIX: Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.
   Nonviolence believes that God is a God of justice.  
   

 SIX STEPS OF NONVIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE
The Six Steps for Nonviolent Social Change are based on Dr. King's nonviolent campaigns and teachings that emphasize love in action. Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolence, as reviewed in the Six Principles of Nonviolence, guide these steps for social and interpersonal change.

1. INFORMATION GATHERING:To understand and articulate an issue, problem or injustice facing a person, community, or institution you must do research. You must investigate and gather all vital information from all sides of the argument or issue so as to increase your understanding of the problem. You must become an expert on your opponent's position. 
2. EDUCATION:It is essential to inform others, including your opposition, about your issue. This minimizes misunderstandings and gains you support and sympathy. 
3. PERSONAL COMMITMENT:Daily check and affirm your faith in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence. Eliminate hidden motives and prepare yourself to accept suffering, if necessary, in your work for justice.
4. DISCUSSION/NEGOTIATION:Using grace, humor and intelligence, confront the other party with a list of injustices and a plan for addressing and resolving these injustices. Look for what is positive in every action and statement the opposition makes. Do not seek to humiliate the opponent but to call forth the good in the opponent. 
5. DIRECT ACTION: These are actions taken when the opponent is unwilling to enter into, or remain in, discussion/negotiation. These actions impose a "creative tension" into the conflict, supplying moral pressure on your opponent to work with you in resolving the injustice. 
6. RECONCILIATION:Nonviolence seeks friendship and understanding with the opponent. Nonviolence does not seek to defeat the opponent. Nonviolence is directed against evil systems, forces, oppressive policies, unjust acts, but not against persons. Through reasoned compromise, both sides resolve the injustice with a plan of action. Each act of reconciliation is one step close to the 'Beloved Community.' 

Based on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in Why We Can't Wait, Penguin Books, 1963.

All of this information is from the website: www.thekingcenter.org - and don't miss reading about The Beloved Community! And remember it is possible for your schools to teach this as a grounding principle - it takes a dedicated teacher, one who will not waver. We are so lucky to have this taught in our school in our area, it is solely the work on ONE teacher, it's taken her ten years to work on bringing this approach throughout our schools, how lucky are we!

Let's MARCH

myself, Jann and Carole at the Womens March on Washington 2017

 Just about this time a year ago we (all women) made history, it felt good to participate in democracy. If you didn’t march last year, you have another chance, if you are not happy with what is happening with your government it’s your right!
Get your friends together and make your voices louder, bring your signs, get your message out there and don’t worry, each city will have their own march - check with www.womensmarch.com for marching locations - this years march is about getting out the vote!
Womens March is January 20th - see locations in your city - larger Marches are expected in Washington DC and New York City.
Las Vegas March is January 21st
If you want a fistacon t-shirt we have some on the website, or just get a white t-shirt and write your own message on there!

Funny enough, it’s also the anniversary of making my necklaces... previous to the march I was making them for friends and family, then I brought them with me to the march. I made a few necklaces for everyone (we had a bus of 50 people) and found that it was all about the power - amplifying our power from within. This was when I realized that it wasn’t just me who needed this... we all do! Maybe it's because until I'm are comfortable with power I need a reminder of how powerful I am, of keeping my strength, and growing it. My crystals are not the answer but they help me to remember, every day!

use code: ‘power’ for 25% off my crystal necklaces

I’m making more, to bring with me, so adding new pieces every day! I hope you can place your order and get your piece in time for your march! Or just take this opportunity to get yourself a crystal that you have been looking at... I have a renewed stash of crystals, my favorite part is finding crystals to make the necklaces with - so if you are not seeing what you want please drop me an email and I will make anything you need!

I took my new stock of crystals down to the ocean at sunrise this morning and did a nice mediation and laid them out in the water to take in the clean ocean water. They are in the sun and will take in the moon in the clear sky tonight. It's my happy place. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make these lovely pieces.

click here to see my current stock or email me if you want something in particular.

conscious city guide

I stumbled upon this wonderful website Conscious City Guide which lists events going on all over the world, with one thing in common - these events are all good for you, good for your soul and good for you as a human being, they are 100% created to make you feel better about yourself and why you are on this planet. AND I am pretty sure that some events are free others have an option to purchase a ticket. With headline words like: RETREATS, MOVE, INSPIRE, NOURISH, CREATE, GLOW, and CONNECT you can easily find something going on near you, there are completely obscure or large events - it's all good. I would suggest a visit and see what's going on near you, this is new so I predict it's just going to get bigger and bigger!

Or maybe you want to list your won event... host a meditation!

 a bit about the founders Mel Nahas and Kiki Falconer -

we are women who woke and want the world to wake.

we come from many fields with a unified mission: to raise consciousness.

we have come together to collaborate because now is the time to unite, to gather our tribe and allies.  

the earth needs us. we need us
I am excited to see this community grow! Perhaps if you are traveling it's nice to check and see if there is anything interesting going on in your destination.... more to do, always more to do!

Conscious City Guide

navigating this new landscape....

Because my circle of friends includes lot's of makers and shop owners, when we get together we can't help but talk about "what the heck is going on....", yes this has a lot to do with politics but I try to steer my conversations to something we can have an impact on... our businesses! In this age of something crazy happening just about every day, be it large and horrifying, or small and trivial but none the least absurd, it's hard to keep focused on our businesses. We all feel compelled to care and help and well... try to figure this shit out!

I think the biggest change is the dwindling number of small shop owners like me who have a business that is sincerely our job and what we do to keep our family going, THESE are the businesses that I like to talk to - to see what they are doing to stay alive in this time of upheaval and change. There was a time when a great tragedy would render silence from me and others with businesses - but today, there is a necessity to keep going, keep working, do what we can - I really like the way that Jess Brown pulled together with her friends and neighbors in Northern California to create an auction (btw it ends soon so if you haven't got in there yet get yourself in there and shop the terrific maker wares with 100% of proceeds going to California Fire Relief - click here for more information). But if we are quiet our businesses will die, and that's not good. In my small town there are so many shuddered businesses, large and small, it's incredible and I honestly wonder what our small towns are going to look like if we don't keep the small guy in business!

I have taken a lot of time, and I certainly still do not have it figured out, but I have decided to change my business. When I started in 2004 the idea for my shop was quite unique mostly because it was a 'boutique' online, but I knew I needed to include my information on raising healthy children in a macrobiotic way (that was the smart part) because that information was just not on the internet at the time... well THAT'S changed! You can get so much great information online but sometimes it's not from a friend, like me (I hope I have become a friend after all these years!) so I want to keep it going, friendly recipes and links to people I trust to help you make choices in the larger landscape of the internet that's out there.

I am also changing my shop - my kids are growing up - they are now 12 and 15 years old! As I talk to most of you, your kids are growing up as well. I am getting back into my creative life, it took a lot of courage but I am so happy to have made the move into making things again. I spent many years making clothing and sweaters but now I am moving into new horizons... so exciting for me. I have been making pottery here and there for the last five years and I am finally moving into something I am proud of so offering some of my pottery pieces in the shop (unfortunately they sell pretty quick here in the shop so not much makes it online - I'm working on that). The pottery has also brought me closer to making my own artwork, which is still a bit of a work in progress and when it evolves fully you will be the first to know.

When we opened our first shop in our small town eight years ago I shared the space with a friend who made jewelry, she introduced me to a bit of beading, which was fine while I had little kids running around, but I was very intrigued by the art of jewelry making and my friend is a master - she came from a prominent family of jewelry-making here in Rhode Island (did you know this was the jewelry making capitol years ago-before it all moved to China) - she has been a voice for me and such a strong mentor, Robin Mollicone has created a jewelry collection that is as much her as it is at the forefront of new ideas and art-jewelry. Her jewelry speaks to a whole new generation of people wearing something 100% made by hand and unique. Robin helped me take my ideas and make something concrete, she showed me that you can make every single thing by hand if you are willing to work hard and she took me to my first gem and mineral show... I was hooked!

Enough about me but it's safe to say there will be quite a bit in my shop that I have made myself... especially if you visit our shop in person, I have made scarves, ceramics, jewelry, bags, terrariums... If I have an idea I will make it. I will continue to carry my favorite designers - the ones I can not do without (Lucky Fish & more...) as well as newly found, unique, and very special things be it for home, jewelry, clothing... you name it! But what I am not going to do is have collections of clothing for Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter - because I just don't shop that way anymore for myself so I don't think you do either. I feel pretty secure in the thought that you want things that can't be found somewhere else and I want to have my shop filled with things that will make you happy, healthy and more secure in yourself. I want your home to look like place you love to be in and I want to help you make yourself strong and powerful (you probably already are but I'll help you to be MORE so!)

It's a slow process but you will see new things and that's the point, but don't be afraid to drop me a line and let me know if you like it... or if you don't! And if you don't get enough of me here on my blog then follow me on Instagram where it's easier for me to post frequently and keep you going - either @nonchalantmom or @carina.schott for my jewelry and pottery making escapades!

California Fire Help

My friend Jess Brown got together with some of her friends to create a website of artists and makers - 100% of all the proceeds go to help victims of the California Fires. Check out the website here: www.californiafirehelp.com

The donations keep flowing in and as long as they are coming in she will keep the website going. So far they have raised $19,000 with 100% of sales to Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund.

(I even have a piece on there :)

Swedish Death Cleaning... it's not what you think

When I read this article in TreeHugger it just rang so true to me, at some point in my life my mom just began referring to things as "when I die, you can have this bracelet"... but it's not just one thing, it goes through just about everything - dishes, pots, pottery, christmas decorations, you name it. It's a private thing and I am sure my sister gets it on her side as well, however my sister does not appreciate the finer things in "stuff" like I do - so I'm pretty sure I get it more often than she does. So when I found this story on 'Swedish Death Cleaning' something inside me perked up. Part of me thought that it was going to be about some kind of hard-core cleanliness cleaning type thing, which of course is possible with Swedes, but it's not... and there is a book about it, written by a Swede of course, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, by Margareta Magnusson.

In Swedish, the word is "Döstädning" and it refers to the act of slowly and steadily decluttering as the years go by, ideally beginning in your fifties (or at any point in life) and going until the day you kick the bucket. The ultimate purpose of death cleaning is to minimize the amount of stuff, especially meaningless clutter, that you leave behind for others to deal with. Who can resist doing something called Death Cleaning anyway....

I think that a big part of this is cleaning up your life so that your family doesn't have to deal with it after your death, practical right. Magnusson says that the first secret to effective death cleaning is to speak about it always. Tell others what you're doing so they can hold you accountable.
She writes: "If you vocalise it, it will come. Or something like that." Pass on your belongings in order to spread the happy memories. The second key point is not to fear death cleaning:

"Death cleaning isn’t the story of death and its slow, ungainly inevitability. But rather the story of life, your life, the good memories and the bad. 'The good ones you keep,' Magnusson says. 'The bad you expunge.'"

Finally, Magnusson encourages those engaging in Swedish death cleaning to reward their efforts with life-enhancing pleasures and activities, such as going to watch a movie, spending time in the garden, or eating an enjoyable meal. Besides, you need to enjoy yourself after purging all those belongings. I am pretty sure I would enjoy this book, but I'm not ready for it.

I have to say that personally I can't picture this happening with me, if you know me and you've seen my home you know I love all my 'things' and can't imagine life without all of these memories around me. You can pick up anything in my home and I have a story behind it... many of those stories include how I hide any of my thrift shopping from my husband.

And don't tell my husband about it... I will never hear the end of it.

link to purchase book here 
link to full article on Treehugger here

WASTED! The Story of Food Waste...

I don't care how careful you are to use the whole plant in your cooking this is going to open your eyes! What a great movie for all Americans to see - it's not shaming, because maybe you didn't even know this but this movie will teach you how to eat the whole pant... it's okay and even delicious!

This movie is in Theaters and On Demand now....

Have you ever thought about living on a boat!

It's a particular dream of mine, my boat (in my dreams) would be docked somewhere in the Mediterranean, not in front of Barclays London - but anyway.... I used to draw my converted tugboat on napkins when I lived in San Francisco - I promise you there was more than one drunken drawings of my lovely boat and I can still make that sketch if you ask me (it involves a hammock). So when this beauty came up on the Dwell blog I started to count my money, unfortunately I didn't make it... Maybe next time!

The details on this boat are amazing, the rustic outside compared to the quite beautiful and luxurious inside - pared down to the essentials but still, somewhat luxurious (I mean there's a queen size bed for gods sake!).  So the price quoted by Dwell... $424k! Not bad... two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living space and even outdoor living space. I mean it takes a very special life situation to live on a boat, but who knows, maybe that's YOU!

click here to see the full story on Dwell

Matcha Latte Recipe

Here it is folks... I've had a few frantic texts requesting the recipe so here you go!

So yes, this is my new JAM as the young kids say (haha) - bye bye coffee... HELLO MATCHA! I've been telling you all for years about taking Astragalus for your immune system, but since I have been drinking Matcha instead of coffee in the morning there is no need! My allergies are at bay and I have no need for coffee. This is terrific! I also think it's good for our bodies to switch things up. I think it would be optimal to fast each month or so... but I never seem to get that done. In the mean time just drink this... it's super delicious!

I got my recipe from my niece while we were on our summer vacation in Colorado.  She made them for us every day so when I got home I ran out and got everything - I will say this, this stuff is NOT CHEAP but it's a big initial investment but it will have you set for a long while. I think it's also a good idea to mix things up a bit and come up with your own recipe. Mine is different every day so let's say it's a variation on the below recipe.

MATCHA LATTE
you will need a blender or vitamix - if you don't have a vitamix go out and get yourself one it will change your life!

ingredients
1 tbsp + hemp seeds - to make the milk
1 tsp + matcha (finely ground matcha green tea - it's basically a powder)
1/2 - 1 tsp morniga (again finely ground leaves) - immune booster
1/2 - 1 tsp ashwaganda - I love the SUN POTION brand - their website has all the benefits listed and they are many!
1/2-1 tsp collagen
my neice uses 1/2 a date I like a whole date
(she also adds cashew butter or something and I will do that if I am not going to have breakfast but if it's just a drink I leave that out)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp vanilla (just a few drops)
1/2 - 1 tsp cinnamon
filtered water
... I think that's it, however you can add anything!

take the hemp seeds and about +/-2 cups of water and blend those into a milk. It will get a bit warm and this is good to help mix in the tea. You can also make the whole thing warm/hot with hot water! (my sister likes it like that but it's too thick for me)
When you have your milk put in your other desired ingredients and blend for a while so that it gets warm and a tiny froth. I pour over a 2-3 ice cubes so that it's not too thick - I guess I like it watered down (I'm a weakling). When I drink it it's not cold but not hot either... healthy!

I can't wait to hear from everyone... tell me how MUCH you love this!

natural disasters and otherwise

In the past I have been silent when it comes to these natural disasters, I think I do what everyone does and I try to get all of the information, from the REAL press - yes that would be the free press that we have here in our country, we are so lucky to have it - we can complain about it all we like but when something like Hurricane Harvey comes along we can see what's going on, we can come together and help as much as we can from afar and we can send our prayers because we are seeing the devastation. Doing what we can, that's the name of the game and not just closing our eyes to what is going on in the world around us. This could be a moment to donate to the RED CROSS and it could also be a moment to find a pet climate change project and donate to that... these both seem viable to me. In our short lives on this planet we have been through our share of natural and not natural disasters, Sandy, what was the name of that fricking snowstorm after Sandy which was equally devastating and left us with no electricity for a week in the wintertime! And then there is the reason we left NYC... we were just blocks away from World Trade Center. So we do know how the government can help because FEMA provided us with water when we were afraid to drink the water in lower Manhattan and they gave us a place to go to get information. I was pregnant at that time so I was a bit on 'high alert' in my mind about being careful about my health - they handed out face masks, they were kind and helpful. That meant a lot at that time and when you are in a situation such as this you have now idea how much having somewhere to go, someone who has answers - how much that helps.

Now I am going to go into the flip side because I am also a business owner and only another business owner knows how something like this can affect our business. It is pretty devastating when you are a small business - so while we have our minds on what's going on in Texas, we are also trying to keep our businesses going in the best way possible. We donate as a business and a family but after listening to many MANY NPR fund drives I have realized the benefit of using my business to raise money wherever I can so here we go...

Donate to the Red Cross and get a match of your donation from Amazon -
I have checked around and I think this is the most effective way that we can help Texas in the immediate situation and get the most bang for your donating buck. Now that Whole Foods (a favorite) has combined with Amazon (not a favorite) we can use the Amazon resources to get double the impact, they will match your donation through the above link.

Dontate to the Red Cross - get funds directly to Red Cross as efficiently as possible, the website gives you a choice of what you want your money to go towards - Harvey Relief, your local Red Cross or other choices.

All Hands Volunteers - A network of volunteers to help - hands on - in a way that only people can, over 200,000 volunteers have helped over 500,000 people so far through All Hands Volunteers.

Houston Humane Society - maybe you don't want to help humans and you only want your funds to go towards helping animals

The Houston Food Bank - This will be essential in the coming days so help them replenish their shelves by donating.

Or find your way to help as you can. We will be donating 10% of our sales in the coming week to the Red Cross - doing what we can to help, don't worry too much about who you are donating to just donate!

love to all - carina

Young Explorers

Just wondering what little kids would do all day if they wandered around alone? I think that's what the creators of this beautiful story were thinking. Jacob Krupnick followed these kids on a beautiful silent journey as they walk around their neighborhood. The kids are so natural in their habitat and I could just watch this all day long...

I think more stories will be added over time.

click here to watch Bejla and Tristan make their way around the town.

South Hampton :: interiors

Through July 31st get yourself to see the interiors project by R & Company (another mailing list you might want to get your name onto) They have this fun instillation with works by The Haas Brothers, Wendell Castle, Rogan Gregory, Carlo Hauner, Greta Magnusson Grossman, Joaquim Tenreiro and Jeff Zimmerman at Jeff Lincoln Art + Design. It looks fun and should be filled with wonderful inspiration.

Jeff Lincoln
200 North Sea Road
South Hampton, NY

zenbunni - new moon: rabbit report

I don't know about you but the newsletters I choose to get have become a slim group of lovely happy emails that I am actually excited to get... I look forward to them - some for their graphic beauty and some for their delightful information. ZenBunni is a bit of both, this is a youthful couple who always enlighten me about things be it - biodynamic chocolate or the moon phases (I think they have a lot to do with each other...) - and I also just like who they are and how the move in the world. If you have a friend that is going to California I have one suggestion, ask them to bring you back some of their chocolate! Or you can sign up for their chocolate club (yes, you heard me right there's a club for chocolate and why are you not ALREADY part of this club you may ask!) I have been trying to bring their chocolate into the shop for a while now, but haven't gotten around to it, I promise to try to make it a priority! But for now sign up for the CHOCOLATE CLUB: 


On each Full Moon you'll receive a variety of ZenBunni chocolate goodies not available in shops + other delights ranging from Biodynamic Seeds and Teas, the highest quality skin care products, hand crafted art pieces, and endless more collaborations with Makers and Earth Friends.


Now, doesn't that sound delightful! It's $39per full moon cycle and so wonderful. Don't miss signing up for their new moon rabbit report, it's a check-in and for instance the one I got today reminded me to check-in with natures cycle. I think the summer is a very busy time for everyone, carting our kids from camp to sleepovers, etc... and we rarely take the time to give to ourselves, slow down, walk into the garden and find the wonder that is growing in our back yards. We ask our kids to do it, but sometimes we forget to do it ourselves. They reminded me to take a nap in the afternoon, which I shall do tomorrow just because they told me to - they used the term "self-nourishment" and I like that term!

enjoy and I hope you sign up for their newsletter! (and I HOPE you have signed up for mine too!)

click here to visit their blog
or
click here to visit their website

IRENE PEUKES

racer top tied to reveal a burst of color and beautiful back of top

I know it's late in the season but Irene Peukes works on her own calendar and I respect that - besides I love these pieces all year round. I know they are not for deep winter but I'm telling you will use these pieces for just about anything and travel - just fold them up and throw in your bag and you are ready for anything!

gorgeously fitting with a racerback shape

Irene Peukes takes a different approach to fashion, and I like her approach. She works together with weavers to create these beautiful pieces, crafted and created on the loom. Each piece a work of art in it's own, so much so that each piece has the mark of the weaver on the bottom hem of the garment where their signature is stitched. These garments don't hang like a sac, they have folds and pleats, she adds a tie here and there so that you can leave it open or tie for another shaping of the top or dress.

Gorgeous pieces for a womans body.

shop on the website here

What the future looks like for Nonchalantmom - hint: it's sunny and bright!

I think some people think that being a shop owner is one of those jobs that doesn't really count, maybe it's a job that is just a bunch of fun or maybe there isn't a lot of talent involved.... you know what I mean. I've always been a bit "shy" when I'm at a party and everyone is talking about what they do for a living and I do my best to keep my name out of the conversation. But really these days I feel like it takes so darn much talent that I'm proud of myself that I am still in the game, when so many have fallen by the wayside, I'm still here. It is not easy to navigate the retail landscape, and these days, well... it's just not what it used to be - there was a formula, buy wholesale bring it into your shop and get as many people in to see said wholesale item and sell it, wait 90 days and put whatever is left on sale, it was followed and we were all fine. But not anymore!

I should take some credit here as I was one of the first to internet-tise the local shop, but the absolute upside down of retail these days is so very hard to understand, much less try to make a living at it! For a couple of years now, I have been in - "what the heck is going on" and "what are we going to do?" mode and I must say that we tried it all - but I do know this... it's not about the S A L E, that's the beginning of the end, it might be hard for you the consumer to hear that because the consumer has been reaping the benefits of all the retailers not knowing what else to do so just go on sale and then maybe you will be able to pay your rent. I watch, I listen and I hear what's going on - with my closest friends also shop owners we are all having the conversation about what and where do we go next.

I am still not sure where it is we will go, but I do know this - it's changing. And these are the things that I am thinking about:

- I know where I want to spend my money, I know WHO I want to give my hard-earned money to and I know what their face looks like - I want to know the person who made it, designed it, had the idea, sewed it, polished it, found it, pieced it together - yes, that person who MADE it.

- I want to go to my local grocery store and find things on the shelves that are well-designed, have less ingredients (and I can READ them), and I now will be good for me - I don't have to question that very basic thing that makes it a FOOD. And the only place I can do this is the Farmers market, my local co-op or Whole Foods (lucky you if you have other options in your area).

- If a company is making something somewhere else, they are being socially responsible about it. They are spending time in that place and helping the people realize that what they are making are appreciated by consumers and sharing that benefit. But, I am always checking to make sure there is sincerity in this outreach and it's good to do your research here and know the people you are dealing with on food, clothing and home items.

And most of all there is no place for greed in this bright new world, that's the world that I want to help create with my business and it's what I want to foster and grow. It's the people I want to be with, these are the people that I want to walk into my shop and I want to spend time with them. Because otherwise this project is just not so much fun or meaningful.

So back to my shop, because things ARE changing. You are not going to see my shop full of Fall 2017 collections, my vision is that you are probably going to get a few new things for yourself in the next season and I hope to have those things for you. I am going to focus on more seasonless clothing, wear-now clothing, less is more and special pieces are yes... special! I will have just a few, I am in it to sell through it and move on. Since I am not going deep into clothing I will have other special items that I think you will like and peek your interest. Slowly introducing incense to make your room more enveloping and luxurious. Oils and scents that will help you move through your day in a calm and awakened state. Jewelry that will make you feel like you are your own person, a unique individual even if you are wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Things for your whole family so that they can be proud of what they wear. I hope to teach you to mend your things that are broken, make your current clothing more YOU and maybe even make some of your own jewelry. And if that all works out we will add lots of exciting things that will bring a smile to your face and make your body heal itself.

I do feel that second had has a place in this landscape, I have always been a huge fan of second hand - - one persons trash is another persons treasure! It's so terrific to give life to what might otherwise be thrown away and since I have a lifetime of experience at this I am pretty choosy and I think I am pretty fair about how to price things. I hope you find treasures for yourself in the flea market section of my shop.

I am going to continue to deepen and make more jewelry, pottery and some other projects that I can't wait to get my hands into, I want half of my shop to be things that I have made myself (that's a long term goal!) and surround that with vintage, talented makers and designers, and things I find along life's journey. Because we are all in this together and I can't wait for the next chapter to unfold. Now that I have created my own website I am so much more flexible to move and change on a whim. I am sure that some of you have ideas for me and I am always happy to hear from you, it's been so special to meet so many of you in my shop, many people that I have known by name for 14 years and now getting to know with your once a year visit to beautiful Rhode Island.

now THAT'S the future!

Hedi Lamar : icon, immigrant, inventor

I haven't seen this movie yet but it looks terrific (but I'm a fan for biographies) - it seems she was quite the scientist and had a lot of great ideas. There's an interview with her from 1969 on utube which is terrific. She is the kind of person who wasn't wasting any time in their life, using every bit to find and do more. Her interests are vast and she even helped her boyfriend, Howard Hughes build a faster aircraft with ideas she had about the wing span, which she picked up from watching birds and  fish and there you go... Howard made his planes faster.

watch the clip here

and this fantastic clip from the Merv Griffin Show

She seems like a fascinating woman.

The Heat Dome

Yesterday during On Point on NPR with Tom Ashbrook (June 22, 2017) there was a fantastic discussion of the Heat Dome that has settled over the South West - with temperatures in the 125+ degrees. One man who works at the airport was working in 118 degree heat overhead and the tarmac was a stifling 180 degrees! The discussion of Climate Change has been going on for awhile, but this program was interesting because it suggested solutions that we will all have to become more aware of as time goes on. From shaded areas, which you are finally seeing more and more of in places like Las Vegas - but are also needed everywhere. It was a great discussion with Charles Redman in particular, he runs the School for Sustainability for Arizona State University, his second moniker is even more interesting: Professor at ASU’s School of Human Evolution and Social Change - how's that for an interesting title, I don't even know this guy and I like him. 

It's something that I put a lot of stock into and I think many people overlook - SHADE! I use it throughout our home and I know my family thinks I'm nuts but I have a system to keep us cool and we don't have AC. It's a series of open windows, shades, etc... The most important planning when building a home is placement of your home with regards to the sun and placement of windows and overhangs (how large or small is the overhang). Watch how cool air moves through your home and use it to keep your home cool without AC. Find the cool breeze and help it to move through your home. For instance in the morning there is almost always a cool breeze at our front door which lasts until about noon or just after, as soon as the sun hits that area I shut the door. 

Your biggest helper is SHADE - our school PTO raises money year after year, and year after year I suggest trees around the playground so that there is shade on the playground, year after year everyone laughs at me - and then we end up buying more technology for the school - it's frustrating but one of these days someone is going to listen and think it's a good idea. Parking lots, why can't they have trees!? It drives me NUTS!

It's a great discussion and I for one, am happy that people are starting to think about these things. It was good to hear this program - some interesting conversations were started.

here is the link to listen to the show on NPR
and type "solar" into my search to find more things I have posted on this subject - this is not a new obsession for me, I'm constantly having this conversation.