"Me" Time

I get up every morning at 4:30 - yes, that's a.m. - to have some quiet time. While sipping on my first cup of coffee of the day, I list an item on LivvySue (have you seen our new flouncy skirts?), check my Facebook account, and then knit and listen to podcasts.

True, I should be getting up and working out (those extra 5 pounds gained from the endless buffet on the cruise are still clinging to my hips). But I've found this hour or so in the morning is exactly what I need to start my day off right - running can wait for evening.

There's something about the stillness of early morning hours that is calming. Knitting is meditative in and of itself - the rhythmic clicks center me. In fact, this is the only time of the day that is mine and that I control - each knit, purl, and cable. Even if the rest of the day is a chaotic mess, at least I had this time, which makes the rest seem more tolerable somehow.

Some of my favorite podcasts to listen to during this "me" time are:

Never Not Knitting: Instantly connected to the host, Alana, who has a daughter about Olivia's age. She has impeccable pattern taste, and I've found myself knit-stalking by casting on several of the same projects she has done. 

Knitmore Girls: This "mother-daughter knitting production" is chalk-full of great information on technique. Plus, I secretly hope some day Olivia is as in to knitting as I am and will want to hang out with me like Jasmin hangs with her mom, Gigi. 

Stash and Burn: Jenny and Nicole are hysterically funny talking about their weakness for buying yarn. Completely relatable, they are the most in touch of any podcast as to what it means to be a young knitter today. 

Search on iTunes to listen for free.

Bon Voyage

I was barely home in February. Work kept me on the road, and then we went on a cruise the last week of the month to celebrate our 5-year wedding anniversary (where did the time go?). I'm happy to be grounded and getting back to normal - as normal as life can be with a 20-month-old ruling the roost.

Traveling is the perfect time to sneak knitting in. I hit a couple great local yarn stores while in Boston and Chicago. A Good Yarn in Boston is located on a corner of a busy college-town street. Their selection was fantastic - many of my favorite brands like Noro and Rowan and some new to me like Claudia's Handpainted. I ended up buying what I know - Rowan 100% cotton to make Olivia a summer top from this Fruit Loop pattern.

Zora's Yarn in Chicago is located in the front part of the owners home. How lovely would it be to be surrounded by all that fiber goodness? She carries Malabrigo, which I had heard was the end all be all kettle-dyed merino wool but had not touched it in person. Well, let's just say it's everything they said it would be; I walked out with a sweaters worth to make the Lush and Lacy Cardigan.

In LivvySue news, we are thrilled for our new Kimono top to be featured by fellow blogger Elle Bella. Please check it out and post a comment on her site. We're also on her Etsy favorites. Thank you for the kind feature!

Cool Recent Purchases and Gifts

I've been lucky enough to be the recipient of some cool gifts recently. My best friend from college sent this amazing birthday gift - a double-sided necklace from Pick Up Sticks Jewelry. Both sides have my initial "S" in black and white motifs. The hammered frame around the charm gives a quirky handmade quality. Buy one for yourself or your best friend online at TooQT.

Another great gift was a French ad screen printed scarf from my mom bought on Etsy from MaryInk. It's made with super-soft spicy red fabric. Every time I wear it, I get tons of compliments. 

I've also been doing some shopping myself in an effort to refresh my breakfast nook. We have an L-shaped bench for seating on two sides of the kitchen table. About three years ago, I covered them with the colors I was into then - reds, browns, and yellows. Now, I'm ready for a change toward softer colors and ordered a bunch of pillow covers from Marie's Cozy Cushions on Etsy. She sells two covers for $20 - a great deal. Orders ship from England. 

I stumbled upon a new Etsy seller - Byrdie Graphics - which specializes in decals for your home. Her classic modern style is exactly what I'm trying to achieve in my home. It's sophisticated yet approachable. I ordered Birds on a Cherry Blossom in copper brown that I plan to position to look like it's coming out of one of my kitchen windows. Once we return from vacation in early March, we'll repaint the kitchen and put up the decal. I can't wait. I'll post pictures of our redecorating efforts as we make progress. 

Sneak Peak... Shhh!

Not much time to write. It's been a crazy day full of mishaps. One trip to Target where upon arriving realized I forgot my debit card and had no other way of paying. (I did, however, have my Starbucks gift card. So, it wasn't a total waste of time. Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte. Yummy!) The next trip to Target ended with me, a crying feverish baby, and a flat tire. Ugh! Thank goodness for random acts of kindness. A total stranger helped me change the flat, kneeling on his coat in the wet parking lot. I tried to give him a $20 for his trouble - or at least for dry cleaning - but he wouldn't accept. Makes me believe in, or at least remind me of, the decency in people.

Anyway, mom is busy sewing. We're getting ready to launch a line of kimono shoes and tops. Packaging is complete with a Chinese takeout box. How cute is that? Check out the sneak peak picture above. Kimono tops and shoes will be available in sizes 0-6 and 6-12, perfect for baby shower or newborn gifts! They're so darling, it almost makes me want to have another baby just to dress her in it!.. Okay, let's not get carried away.

Check back often for new postings. My goal is to post a new product every day. 

livvysue.etsy.com

Have a great week, readers.  

Let's Have an Up Kind of Day

Do you Fly? I do. No, I'm not talking about mode of transportation from here to Florida (although flying is far better than 18 hours in the car!). What I mean is are you a part of the 500k Flybabies? I am.

If you haven't heard about Flylady, bear with me. This might sound a little crazy, but I promise you it has changed my life and can change yours too. 

At it's core, the Flylady is a system of routines to help perfectionists be okay with imperfection. The focus is on housecleaning but extends to fitness, fashion, and parenting. The idea is housework is not something that is done too you - not a punishment. It's just something that has to be done and actually "blesses" your family. Parents who model this attitude can instill a healthier approach to chores and responsibilities in their children. 

I used to think I had to spend 5 hours every Saturday cleaning my house. Half my weekend was gone by the time I finished! Since I work full time, I don't have the luxury of being home much during the week, and evenings are my precious time with Olivia. Flylady taught me that I can do one thing for 15 minutes every day to improve my house and do things today that will make tomorrow easier. The system allowed me to find time to open LivvySue Boutique with my mom. I just work on it for 15 minutes a day, and presto! a children's clothing and accessories business is born. There's a lot more too it, and more can be found on Flylady's website. 

Healthy parenting is a big part of the Flylady system, and her company dropped a CD this fall called Up Kind of Day full of songs to inspire kids to develop routines, eat their veggies, be kind to others, and more. Each song as a specific message delivered in a non-preachy, super motivating way. Even parents will enjoy listening with their kids. We literally listen to the CD every day after work/school. It's become part of our routine. The last song we listen to is the 2-minute Cleanup, which is Olivia's signal it's time to pick up toys and head upstairs for a bath.

Clips of the songs can be found on here and the entire album is just $9.99 to download on iTunes.

In addition, the Flylady and Friends network has a weekly podcast called Give Your Children Wings to Fly. In lieu of finding time to read parenting books (because time for that is non-existent), I listen to this podcast while I work out. Kelly, Flylady's sidekick, hosts the show and has tons of excellent advise on how to teach kids to keep their little lives clean and organized - a key to a successful life. Every episode is chalk-full of excellent tips and tricks; I learn something new every time I listen. Check it out on iTunes by going to podcasts, type in Flylady Kelly. Subscribing is free. 

Potty Talk

Going back to the roots of CMM, I have a product recommendation - the Boon Potty Bench. 

At Olivia's 18-month check up in December, her ped recommended we buy a training potty to have in the house for Olivia to get used to seeing and try sitting on, but not to actually use. Most girls are apparently able to potty train by age 2. 

A co-worker recommended the Boon model, and after seeing it I ordered immediately. I was suckered in by the multi-functional features and general coolness of the product. If you have to deal with wiping butts and endless conversations starting with "Do you have to go potty?" it may as well be done in style. 

Boon's Potty Bench is way more than a toilet. It's a toilet, toilet paper roll dispenser, book storage, and step-stool (no pun intended) all in one. Two side compartments flank the seat area perfect for storing tp, wipes, and toys and books to keep little ones occupied while they do their business. Then, when they are finished, the seat has a non-slip cover that functions as a step-stool, perfect for reaching the sink to wash hands. The sleek design comes complete with what they delicately call a "deflector shield." Basically, it is for keeping pee from spraying all over your powder room. Brilliant.

There's lots of potty talk going on in our house now. We're replacing our old cussing habits with new potty words. While it's not as much fun, I will be very happy to free up the money spent on diapers each month. The cost of the Boon was the same as what I spend on a jumbo box at the warehouse club - $34.99. Shipping was about 10 bucks but the order arrived in two days. Even better, 10% of Boon's profits are donated to children's charities. 

New Year, New Goals

Whew! Survived the holiday madness thanks to hours of therapeutic knitting. I've been a knitting fool these past two weeks, the longest I've been off work since maternity leave. 

Finished...

//All holiday gifts including two handbags

//Socks for me (Monkey sock pattern in Noro Kureyon yarn)

//Socks for Olivia (Most Basic Toddler Sock pattern in Crystal Palace Yarn in Panda Cotton Print... not a big fan of this color-way, but Santa chose it for me)

//Hat for me (pattern from the amazing Boutique Knits, Sideways Grande Hat)

//Pants for Olivia that ended up WAY too big for her

Looking ahead to the new year, I set goals to push my knitting and sewing skills.

1. Join local knitting group

2. Take sewing class

3. Knit a pattern using the entrelac technique

4. Sew a dress for Olivia

5. Learn how to line knitted handbags

What are your goals for 2009?

As a side, keep checking LivvySue Boutique. New fashions will be posted soon that we're so excited to debut!  

Happy New Year!