I’ve been wanting to show you the Remember the Days I had done for True & Elle West, and this deal on Plum District lit a little fire under my bum because you can get them at half price right now. I could gush on & on about the amazing work that Chloe does but I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves:

True Bug holding his <3

Elle West's ==> (Loved by Jenny & Gabe)

True & Elle's burlap wall

Not only do I love ours, but they make incredible baby shower, wedding or graduation gifts. They are completely custom and Chloe has incredible fonts & colors to choose from. I follow her blog where she posts recent designs she’s done and I have new favorites regularly! It’s funny that I mention that because when I went to her blog now to grab the URL I saw that she posted new RtDs today (I won’t get it in my inbox until tomorrow)!

Anyhow, I LOVE looking at them on our burlap wall and Emily mentioned (again) yesterday how much she does too… she has to stop and look (with a few deep exhales, awes and ”I just love them”s) every time she stops by… I’m betting she will be taking advantage of Plum District’s deal since she wants one for each of her 3 boys and her wedding. The deal is 1/2 off of the Fine Art Print and mine are the pricier ones done on canvas. But, the prints are still amazing and look incredible framed. You can also use your 1/2 off deal towards a larger purchase.

Chloe also does pet water color portraits at Mochie-Roo (which has nothing to do with the deal, but I told you I could gush!) and here’s a couple shots of my horse Honey:

My desk and some favorite photos (portrait of Honey)

Honey by Mochie-Roo

Emily & Elle West last week (I couldn't resist!)

So Chloe’s work is amazing and the Plum District 1/2 off deal is running for two more days. All you buy through Plum District is a promo code to use with Chloe, and you have 6 months to actually purchase your Remember the Day. I feel it my duty to share!

Here’s a teaser… you can catch a glimpse of the maternity/nursing dress I designed in the pregnant photo of me on the burlap wall (in True & Elle’s room). I’m having post pregnancy pictures taken in the dress this coming weekend and will share those with you soon (a real post- not just a tease). It’s looking like I might have some made to sell in the next few months and am sooo excited. I will keep you posted!

Warmth, JL

As lots of you know, G (short for Gabe) and I were married a little over a year ago. We eloped in the sense that we didn’t tell anyone until after we were married. We had talked about getting married at sunrise and figured the rsvp list would be rather small anyway, so we had a simple yet intimate ceremony at home.

True, G & I just after our sunrise ceremony; 1st day of winter 2010

We designed our own rings shortly after, of which the inspiration was drawn from Navajo Storyteller Rings. I had seen a woman wear one by Roland Begay as a wedding band when I was pregnant with True and thought is was so neat & different. Lucky for me G is a big fan of simple gold bands AND he wanted something completely original (in other words, that we designed)! So after a few rough roughs we agreed wholeheartedly and this is what we came up with:

The story of our ceremony.

The rectangular story board in the sketch shows the correct timeline, where the description sketches show the full moon before the sunrise in the mountain ranges. The story actually starts with the full moon  over the mountains and ends with the sunrise through the mountains which joins them up when made into a ring. So the lower sketch is actually wrong even though I drew the moon first… thank goodness Roland followed the story versus the mountain range sketch!

The night before our ceremony was a total lunar eclipse, and the first to occur on the day of the Northern Winter Solstice since 1638! We thought that was pretty darn cool and an interesting coincidence; we chose the Winter Solstice because it seemed special and significant with out being Christmas or New Years. That is what the full moon represents in our sketch.

Each cross and diamond symbol signifies G & I. I drew inspiration for those from one of my favorite photos of G (his senior picture for those of you who know him well) and the pattern on the shirt he is wearing.

The fire & rocks represent our ceremony. We exchanged vows by a fire in our backyard. You can see the pit and one of the rocks (well, we’re sitting on it!) in the first photo.

The scene ends with our sunrise… December 21, 2010, the first day of winter (Is there a warmer way to go into winter?!).

So, G surprised me just before our 1st anniversary with our rings. Roland Begay made them for us through Toh-Atin Art Gallery in Durango. Here are a few shots that don’t do them justice:

Our ceremony

The sunrise. 12/21/10 is inscribed inside the band.

Cross (set in rose gold and white underneath)

Mine.

I’m not the best photographer, but at least you get the idea of concept to fruition (which my self gratifying nature loves!). The rings are made of rose & white gold with yellow gold for the flame of the fire and the sun. The moon (which I didn’t capture well & isn’t shown) is in white gold; the crosses sit in white gold and the fire pit is made of it too. Roland did an amazing job, and I can honestly say that G executed the best surprise of my life (it’s tough to get truly & unexpectedly surprised not to mention in such a meaningful way)!

Want a Roland ring of your own? Look what I found while I was searching for a Navajo Storyteller description… it sold while I was writing this post!!! I kid you not, it was somewhere around eighty dollars! Awe well, at least we’ve got Toh-Atin . Though they don’t show any of his rings on their website, I’m fairly certain that they do have some in the store.

I have lots of bra sketches that we’ll actually get to wear someday too… well we won’t wear the sketches themselves, but you know what I mean!

Warmth, JL

My kids. They come first and that is that. For me anyway. There are women who put their careers first… meaning they walked the walk and got that degree and are certainly going to use it for awhile before they jump into parenthood. Mad props to them for sure; I’ve often wondered how things look from that side of the fence! Truth be told, there isn’t a darn thing in my life that has been done in say, the traditional order. Which is super funny because I am all about order.

Right now the kitchen floor is covered in about 2/3 of my son’s room’s contents. He is napping. I told him to put himself to bed while I was trying to calm his sister down. The mess suddenly had little importance when it was about the 3rd time ever in my daughter’s life that she was crying, I mean really crying. I had been helping True by lining his books up in his room as he brought them to me when I heard her cry from the kitchen followed by, “sorry sorry sorry sorry” in his most comforting voice. A couple seconds passed (a couple too many when you are expecting the holler following a breath from an infant who is really upset) and I still wasn’t hearing the screaming the initial cry had led me to expect. I hurried to the kitchen to find my son (True, who is 3) firmly pressing my daughter’s (Elle West, who is 2 1/2 mos) pacifier into her mouth. Her face was bright red (luckily not blue!) and she wasn’t making a sound… her breath/the scream had yet to come.

I quickly took the pacifier from her mouth and cradled her in my arms and her beautiful screams soon came, but not before my own that were directed at True. He was just trying to quiet her. Not something a 3 mos. postpartum Mom likes to see, or any mother for that matter. He had bumped her chair (I’m guessing he fell on her in her chair since a bump doesn’t usually make her cry) and he was trying to right his wrong. He really felt bad, both before, and after my screaming. I’m not certain that it wasn’t my screams that made her so upset… it took her a long time to calm down. Which makes me think that I may not have been that much of a comfort, but maybe a little scary.

Okay, so… the kitchen didn’t get picked up but both kids are breathing and sleeping. First things first. I’m not wasting nap time on the dishes either. Instead I’m taking a new approach to this blog as you might see from the category I’ve placed it in: Tales of an at home Mom designer entrepreneur. Instead of viewing blogging as work (because I consider my not in business yet business to be my work) in turn feeling like a chore (because who really likes work right?), I’m viewing it as me time. A release; a breath; writing (which I LOVE and do far too little of) and an investment in myself and therefore my business. I want to share myself with anyone who cares enough to read because maybe something I say will help them, and it helps me just saying it out loud. This business of kids can be a lonely lonely place to be even with the most super husband on earth and friends I’d give organs to. A lonely lonely place despite the endless jabber of a 3 year old, despite nursing my daughter every 3 hours ’round the clock, and despite the frequent company I have with me in the bathroom.

This is the year. 2012 will mark my business as open. I have a bra (one that I designed) that I wear nearly everyday. I had it made special for my great friend Aubrey who had twin girls in 2009. You can see them here (and my husband) in the photo taken at last year’s family 5k. I was certain that I would be manufacturing bras by the time I had another child (since I started on this when True was 5 wks old), but I found myself asking Aubrey if I could borrow her bra. How sad it that!! Boo hoo woe is me, but what is worse is that the bra is a godsend (I’m so thankful she lent it to me) and I’m not manufacturing yet when sooo many Mom’s would celebrate their bodies with this bra if I were.

So this is the year. I have a prototype for an awesome bra and I have a prototype for an awesome maternity/nursing dress (I will share photos of this with you soon), and I will get them available some how this year. The point of this post is not to tell you about the bra lines I envision (although I will sprinkle posts like that throughout) or to cry about not being a career woman (though I am looking forward to my day in the sun and some time alone in the bathroom). The point of this post is to introduce you to the newest member of our family Miss Gabrielle West Candelaria affectionately called Elle West. She joined this noisy life on November 12, 2011. First things first

Elle West's announcement

Her gorgeous announcement was designed by the incredible Chloe at Hello There, Design. Don’t hesitate to be in touch with Chloe regarding any custom card you may want and be sure to click on the link to see her awesome *remember the day*s. I will share True & Elle’s with you another day!

Here they are… my managers, pay checks, 24 hour company and loves of my life (my 1sts ;))… this morning before the incident!

True always wants to hold her even though she's "heavy".

They truly love each other.

I think their souls were friends in another life.

They were just waiting to reunite.

Together at last.

True wanted his boots in the picture. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Warmth, JL

Well, we are wrapping up the details of this year’s family 5k walk/run and it is shaping up to be another awesome event! This year we are fundraising for Best for Babes and our very own Durango Pregnancy Center. We hope to find sponsors to fund the entire cost of the event so that all the proceeds may be split between our two worthy causes! Last year we split proceeds between Best for Babes & Knickers 4 Africa. We are no longer excepting donations on behalf of Knickers 4 Africa due to a lack of communication. The physical donations (baby clothes, bras & new underwear) we collected at last year’s 5k and through the remainder of the year were returned to us by the post master (reason: “refused”). Emma at K4A has not returned my emails or followed up in any way since. I have no idea what she may have going on, but can not except donations on their behalf if we aren’t able to get them there.

I found Valerie at the Durango Pregnancy Center when trying to find a worthy place to donate our K4A goods. Such a worthy place it is and local at that! Their free services include:

• Pregnancy tests
• Education on all options *referrals for abortions are not provided
• Baby’s Mom Shop (some day will offer our bras )
• Community referrals
• Abortion recovery & help
• Pre-natal & parenting classes
• Relationship guidance

They also encourage breastfeeding and show the incredible video to clients called Simply Breastfeeding by Shari Criso. Shari Criso’s Co., My Baby Experts, happens also to be a Best for Babes Corporate Alliance! I was absolutely thrilled after I watched the video because then I knew that the Durango Pregnancy Center is exactly who we are supposed to be helping locally. I already knew, from Valerie (the Executive Director), that they support Mom no matter what and that she is there 1st priority- which is very in line with our mission to help each woman soften the challenges of breastfeeding by celebrating her body and satisfying her spirit of self. After all, Mom can’t take good care of baby or anybody else if she doesn’t care for herself 1st. So when I experienced first hand how they advocate breastfeeding, I was sold on our fundraising efforts!

The Durango Pregnancy Center is faith based and privately funded. They do not turn people in need of services they offer away (based on faith or any other reason) and are pro-life. They offer the support needed to grow & manage a healthy and happy family.

We are honored to spread awareness and fund raise for the Durango Pregnancy Center. Please visit their website for more information and like on facebook.

Warmth, JL

I’m a smidge later than I had hoped posting my monthly update. Dare I say that I’ve been working on taxes? So not glamourous, but true. The fantastic news is that they are nearly wrapped up for the time being and the Creative Flood is returning to my soul! That’s right! Chloe, Emily & I are about to make things happen. What kind of things you ask… Incredible nursing bras that’s what! “Yah, yah”, you say. Or, “I’ve heard that before!”. Well, stay tuned the next couple months as I give you glimpses into our JL Collection’s design process & inspiration, as well as introduce you to our next Nursing Mom’s Collection! Until then:

1.Love yourself, 2.Celebrate your body, and 3.Nourish your baby.

1. I bought my birthday present 6 months early and am so relieved that I did… this bag makes me so happy! It feels amazing to give myself something and say to myself, “I work hard, am a fantastic wife & mother, and know that there are far more important things in life than boots & bags… and those are just a few of the reasons why I love myself. I’m just going to buy the MZ Wallace bag now because even though there are more important things than things, for me, boots & bags are joys.” I’m reminded everytime I see it, get into it for something, or carry it that I love myself and that (in however twisted a way) that makes the world a better place.
2. Hmmm, did I mention spring fever? Hence the shopping theme to this months PBfNM slogan… Any who, maybe I will redeem myself here, I ADORE  TOMS shoes, their mission, their packaging and their creator & his blog. I also am a big fan of my feet and how well they work. Not to mention how healthy they are & where they take me; something to be Celebrated about my body for sure! On top of that, businesses like TOMS and people like Blake get me sooo optimistic and excited about what WE are doing! We are going to make it happen too, only we are going to help each woman soften the challenges of breastfeeding by celebrating her body & satisfying her spirit of self! One of the ways is by forever supporting Best for Babes in every way that we can. We get to do that right now… with out product, stay tuned for info on this year’s family 5k walk/run.
3. My True Bug is almost 2 1/2 and we no longer breastfeed. He LOVES avocados and I feed him a half with lunch regularly

How are you Loving yourself, Celebrating your body, & Nourishing your baby this month? No baby… well, how do you nourish the ones you love?

All my love, JL

Action shot

More action.

I like the white spot on the wall

Lots of love today, JL

G & I on our wedding day

Well, I personally am thrilled to be in the New Year. Don’t let that confuse you and lead you to believe that I am ok with NOT having nursing bras to offer as we arrive in yet another year. However, that is the reality of the matter. I am quite convinced that exciting things are going to happen this year in the way of PBfNM fruition. So much so that last evening as I was putting True to bed, I asked him if he knew how old he would be in 3 years. He replied with his usual “huh” (pronounced in such a way that it seems he is saying ‘how bout that’ and ‘yah’ at the same time). He searches your eyes for a clue and listens very intently when you continue to talk. So next I asked, “Do you know how old you are?”. He said ’2′ so clearly that I screemed with excitement which got him so riled you’d never know that I’d read him 4 books just minutes before. I managed to calm him back down to his “huh” state as I began to describe that he’d be going to school in 3 years. He knows all about buses & swings so he was busy putting the image together. As I started to lose him I asked, “Would you like Dad to take you to school?”. I got him back with that and he agreed that it all sounded like a good idea. 

In 3 years, G will take True to school and come home & stoke the fire,

because…

PBfNM will be a lucrative business affording him to do so. We will be hard at work softening the challenges of breastfeeding!

G, my abbreviation for Gabe, has his own construction business. When I asked him last night what he’d like to do (boy it sounds like I’m full of questions), he responded with ‘stay home with True & stoke the fire’. It was later cleared up that, THAT is what HE wants to do, NOT all he thinks I do! Anyhow, I’d like to provide him with the opportunity to do what he wants. He has made it possible for me to stay home with True and, in doing so, find my calling. Construction isn’t his calling and we are both tired of it (even though he’s good at it).  We at PBfNM have big plans and are dying to show you! 2 of us just happen to be Mothers to small children that we are lucky enough to raise full time, which makes a lot of extra work not really feel like a lot of anything. I often get frustrated with how slowly things are developing, including finding/saving the funds needed to get things going, but here are a few of 2010′s accomplishments; 

1. Flew to NYC in February to meet some folks (that I LOVE) in the industry & attend The Underfashion Club’s Femmy Gala.
2. In April my business plan won 1st place in The Leading Edge Entrepreneaurial Training Course that I completed at Ft. Lewis College in 2009.
3. Organized & put on one heck of an awesome family 5k walk/run to benefit Best for Babes and Knickers 4 Africa in June.
4. Read & began working through: Fashion Design Drawing Course… principles, practice, and techniques: the ultimate guide for the aspiring fashion artist. By: Caroline Tatham & Julian Seaman
5. Spent 2/3 of the year trying really hard to get a shot at a $250,00 grant from Pepsi’s refresh everything project.
6. Planned an amazing Sprinkle with Chloe for Emily & baby boy Albright #3 (Kurtis Kenneth).
7. Married the love of my life on the 1st day of winter, 122110.

The above are additions to watching True full time and working as G’s Office Assistant part time (at least). The point of all this is: I’m & We (Chloe & Emily) are still working diligently on this business. It just takes time. And since I finished proving it was a good idea, via all my research & business plan the last 2 years, now I’m in what I call Creative Hiding. I’m working the design drawing course I read so that I, with my own hands, can present my collections most clearly. Once I’m done with the JL Collection and know that the next step is RTW prototypes, We will find the money to get going… re: this year. I will post AT LEAST monthly to show our progress and to help you Celebrate your body! In this post I have attached some of my sketching from the past month. The captions may be vague so feel free to ask questions. Warmth, JL 

A favorite Elle Macpherson bra

Our wedding band design & family brand

Stained concrete

Mood board brainstorm part I

I was so thrilled to find this lovely package awaiting my return following the Thanksgiving Holiday.

A silk Marks & Spencer bra and panty set

 This is a donation for Knickers 4 Africa. I appreciate the thoughtfulness & beauty of it so much that I have to share. Sadly, there is no return address or note to indicate who this package is from. We will call the donor ‘Heaven in Houston’ per the postal stamp. We would normally send a thank you note & receipt but this post will have to act as our “Thank You!”.

Click on the photo above to learn more about donating to Knickers 4 Africa, and visit their site by clicking on their logo from the same page. We typically only accept brand new panties. However, this set is sooo gently used that I will send it as is and let Emma at K4A decide if she can pass it on to a woman in need.

Warmth, JL

PS- Our next shippment to Knickers 4 Africa will go out on Monday, December 26th. Ship us your K4A contribution to be sure to help a woman ‘Love herself & Celebrate her body’ in 2011!