hats

Cute Husband says I should blog today, so I'm gonna. But, friends, I gotta tell you, I'm still dog tired and the only thing I can think to blog about today is hats. Hats and this story which aren't related even in the least (but, seriously, how does someone hack into someone's blog and start changing things?? Or, rather, why on earth would someone do that?? So upsetting. That poor girl's tweets last night had me all riled up while I was stuck in the post-Caps game traffic jam, I tell ya.) So, back to hats. It's cold out there, y'all, and I think I might need a new hat. I have one, but it's a smoosher and I already have "volume issues" with my hair so why am I going to smoosh the few strands I have down even more than they already are just to go outside? I mean, right? But, seriously, with this windy take on winter the world has suddenly brought upon us, smoosh just might be my new 'do.

hat one | hat two | hat three | hat four

happy happy merry merry

Happy Holidays, sweet friends! As of this afternoon, you'll be able to find me curled up in a corner, reading a book and drinking some hot chocolate - with a few breaks in between to chat with family and play with my sweet nieces and nephews. I'll catch y'all on the flip side! (Man...do people even say that anymore?! Because, well, I do.)

Remember that the 15% off code "merry" can still be used on the Laurel Denise website until December 31st (not applicable to the 2011 planners).

more calendar news

I know, I know, all I do is write about the 2011 Calendar on this blog. But, the calendar is from Charlottesville and it certainly has been a labor of love so, technically, it fits the "from cville with love"-ness, don't you agree? All orders - that's right, every single one of them - have been packaged and shipped and the last bunches were hand delivered to ups yesterday afternoon (followed quickly by me jumping up and down in happiness...alone in a crowded parking lot) - the first few of you should be getting your copies today! I'm really in love with the changes we've made and I can't wait to hear what you all think! Thank you so much again for your patience in receiving the orders some of you placed weeks ago. It's been a roller coaster of an adventure getting these produced and putting each and every single piece together individually. To my sweet friends (Brett, Nathaniel, Marcy, Tiffany, Luan) who helped Cute Husband and me out, I can't thank you enough! You seriously saved my life and kept my hair from turning gray. Or falling out. Or both, one followed quickly by the other.

what to wear no. 121710

Y'all...4:30am came early (again) this morning...and with a weekend of work ahead (with an important holiday party interlude on Saturday night where I can throw on some mascara and heels and remind myself that I have the capacity to wear more than just pajamas everyday) and a day today that will be absolutely full of mass calendar production, comfort is key in this morning's fashion post. Absolutely key. So is warmth because, holy goodness, it's cold outside. And, really, at now 5:15am that's all she wrote, friends...once I can talk of nothing other than the calendar and the weather, it's time to end a blog post, don't you think?

warm ugg boots | leggings | infinity scarf | shirt | laurel denise create rtag necklace

calendar city

Absolute. Calendar. Mayhem. over here, friends. The Room has been completely taken over by boxes and small stacks of paper all lined up along every flat surface of our home. I've got to tell you guys, this new size is ca-uuute. I'm loving it - thank you again for the suggestions! The punching machine is punching away and things are a'happening. Not as quickly as I'd love, of course, because, oh, there was a slight (and by slight I mean huge) printing error...this one, I feel it necessary to point out, was not my fault. Because, really, usually is it my fault. Especially when it comes to something being printed. So the Cute Husband and I will work tirelessly (and probably pull our first all-nighter since college) to get these done and out to everyone by Saturday. Thank you again for helping to spread the word!

Here's a direct link to the 2011 Laurel Denise Calendar!

holiday craftacular

Come one, come all, come shop at the Holiday Craftacular show at OpenSpace today from 10-5. There are 16 vendors and some seriously awesome stuff there. I've already purchased a few items and can't wait to get in this morning and buy a few more!

ps - Seriously awesome poster design by Creed Design. He's brilliant.

what to wear no. 121010

Okay, I own none of this. Well, technically I have some black stretchy pants. But how fun would this festive and sparkly and fancy outfit be to wear to the Craftacular Show this weekend? It would be very fun indeed. The show, in case it's not already on your calendars, is at OpenSpace (right next to the downtown ACAC in Charlottesville) and runs from 4-8 tonight and 10-5 tomorrow. I hope you'll stop by and say hello!

sparkly shirt | black leggings | shoes | laurel denise heart cuff | laurel denise joy necklace

lavender happy place

So, hey, hi, wow. Missed me? It's literally been insanity here, friends. 4:15am wake up calls (not on purpose), working into the nights, trying to remember to stuff some sort of food into my mouth a few times during the day and also trying to produce something people will be delighted to open on Christmas day. In short, um...wow? I know I post about Soap & Paper Factory, oh, every other day or so it seems, but I'm really obsessed. (I promise this is related to my first few sentences.) Just got a huge package yesterday that I ordered for various Christmas presents and I smelled the lavender room diffuser and decided that, right now, I need to keep it for myself (sorry, sissie, you'll get another fabulous item in your stocking, promise). It's the most calming scent I've ever smelled. No joke. And I do believe it's the reason I slept (mostly) through the night last night. It will be moved throughout my house to be positioned exactly right next to me - from desk to production table to other production table to bed. Last night I actually considered turning the fan off because I thought maybe the fan, pointing away from me because it's sometimes a tad chilly in this room of ours, was taking the deliciously calming lavender smell away from me. Me, turn off my sacred secret to sleeping soundly, for a scent? This, my friends, is what we call Huge News and also something that never ever happens. And something that also didn't happen last night, but I considered it! The thought actually crossed my 3:00am mind! And that is what I call blog worthy news.

studio tour no. 12210

Holy gracious, friends, it's been a busy few weeks (months?) and, looking ahead a bit (one of my favorite activities), it just keeps getting busier and busier. Catalog production (have to separate them all out for the sales reps and staple the line sheets and put stickers on them and and and), fabulous sales rep selling kit production, general last-minute store holiday production, 2011 Calendar re-design and, you guessed it, production. I included a picture above of my work station's state of, um, mess for the past few weeks. Decided to give you all the real deal for that instead of doing my little close-up shots that hide the real mess. Yes, that's Biggest Loser you see on my hulu.com computer screen. I watch it and tear up while I work. Fact. So, okay, anyway, so very many exciting things happening here at laurel denise, I'm feeling very, well, happy and blessed and stressed with a splash of overwhelmed all at the same time. Is that allowed? I sure hope so. Oh Christmas, why can't you fall in April or May when I might actually be able to relish and soak in your goodness? The good news is that I've had Cute Husband's Christmas presents planned for months now - well...I've had them tagged in my delicious sidebar. That counts, right? - so he won't be left severely lacking on Christmas morning due to my being busy with work.

A few good sales a'happening at laurel denise:
-use code "heartcalendar" for free shipping on the 2011 Calendar until tomorrow (Friday 12.3.10)!
-use code "merry" for 15% off of all items on the website (minus the paper stuff, friends, sorry...)

A few post script thank yous:
Seriously I can't thank you all enough for helping me to spread the word about the 2011 laurel denise calendar. The response has been out of this world and I'm so very, very appreciative. I really can't thank you all enough. Many, many xoxo's to all of you!

Also? Thank you to C Mag for featuring this little bloggy blog in your fun Charlottesville blog reads article! So very sweet to see the mention this week. I might have blushed. Okay, I did blush.

A little event reminder:
Laurel Denise goods will be sold with (and by) the fabulous Carrie Saxl at the Downtown DC Holiday Market starting tomorrow! Location is F Street between 7th and 8th streets (by the Verizon Center - go caps!). I hope you all will stop by and see all of our delicious goodies for sale. By delicious I mean beautiful. You shouldn't actually eat this jewelry. Bad for digestion.

stores shipped this week:
-Dearborn Market: Holmdel, NJ
-Lilly Barrack: Albuquerque, NM