Lilac Row at VIMD & a Giveaway!

I wanted to share a few pictures of our booth at the Vintage Market Days: Urban Fairytale event. I can literally take no credit for our booth... my mom was a rockstar and came into town a day early while I was recovering in the hospital to get everything set up. Then my friend Sarah jumped in and helped with some finishing touches and they basically ran everything!

I can't tell you how excited I am to have Lilac Row be a part of Vintage Market Days. We had to skip out on the May event this year, because I was just too overwhelmed with building our house and I didn't want to stress about it. Since we've been at the event since the beginning, I really wish we hadn't missed out this spring, but such is life! The two amazing women who organize the event have done such an awesome job and work so hard for their vendors and shoppers.

The warehouse before all the vendors set up.

 

  

 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to shop and say Hello! If you haven't Liked our Lilac Row Facebook page yet, now is the perfect time! I've put together a little giveaway over there for your chance to win one of these fun linen and stripe Oklahoma pillows. Don't miss out!



 

 

 

 

Recent Client Projects {Lilac Row}

The past few months have kept me very busy with custom client projects. I have been loving it! My businesses (Lilac Row and coco & moss) are such amazing creative outlets for me. My ultimate dream/goal with them is to generate enough regular business to be profitable. :) It's a lot easier said than done, but I know we'll get there! Anyway, having someone come up with a project for you to execute, rather than dreaming them up on your own every day is really refreshing, creatively. It gives me a nice weekly balance of working on a "big" client project, coupled with all the little odds and ends projects I have half-completed at any point in time. I'm just really thankful.

Now, on to the pics!

BEFORE

AFTER

 

This awesome vintage hutch was a Craigslist find for a friend of mine. It was just what she was looking for to use as extra storage in their play/family room. (Sorry for the bad iphone pics!)

 

I also worked on some coordinating pillow covers and ruffled seat cushions for the same client. Her MIL had made the original seat cushions for their daughters' table and chairs, so I used one to make a pattern for the new cushions. I think they turned out so cute!

Next up was a fun project for a client's daughter's room. She already had a stack of fun Amy Butler fabrics and wanted a ruffled chair cover for a desk chair they already had. I also sewed a coordinating bench seat cover, but I can't find a picture anywhere!

 

And finally, I just finished refinishing another pair of Bergere chairs. After posting the first pair I made over on Facebook, a friend mentioned she would be interested if I ever came across another pair of similar chairs. She knew just what she wanted- something bright and fun!

BEFORE

AFTER

If you would like help refinishing and/or reupholstering a piece of furniture or have a sewing project to tackle, I would love to help! Contact me at thelilacrow {at} gmail {dot} com.

Learning as we go

 

So this weekend, my mom and I set up a Lilac Row booth at our local Flea Market. We have a pretty decent flea market here in town each Saturday. We really didn't want to set up a ton of big stuff like furniture, so our plan was to have a bunch of our jewelry, some Coco & Moss aprons, handmade signs and smaller items for sale. Which is what we did!

Overall it was a good time, but not as great as we were hoping. It was pretty busy, but there were so many vendors (which is great for shoppers!), that it didn't seem like any of the vendors had amazing sales.

As for us, I think it's pretty clear that we should save the jewelry portion of our business for more women-centric events. DUH, right??  :) We did sell quite a bit of jewelry, but let's be honest- who goes to a flea market to buy boutique style accessories?? Not me!

Oh, well, live and learn! And I did post a few more jewelry items on the Lilac Row Facebook page yesterday- go check it out!

Introducing: coco & moss

The shop is open!

 

 

I've been working feverishly the past few weeks, trying to get everything ready to open my new little Etsy shop, which I've named coco & moss.

 

 

For today's opening, I have the shop stocked with adorable girls ruffled aprons. Each is one-of-a-kind and there are lots of fun patterns and colors to choose from. I was really inspired by spring and new beginnings for these aprons, wanting each one to feel fresh and bright. I had a hard time deciding which one I wanted to keep for Evie Girl!

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy looking through the shop and I would love it if you would share with all your friends, Pin a pic, email, tweet, favorite the shop or whatever to help me get the word out! :) I'll be starting on some additional products to list this week and will be sure to let you all know about them along the way.

 

 

 

a new routine

It has been an adjustment- this whole not working thing.

I've really had to be purposeful and plan ahead and make lists for myself to keep on track and not waste time. Because being home all day, every day (even with a toddler), leaves you quite a bit of time to sit around watching the telanovellas in your sweats. Which is frankly the last thing I want to do. But I'm finding if I brainstorm a few projects or ideas and make a list for myself of things I hope to accomplish on a certain day, I stay on track and feel productive. Of course there's always lots of time in there for play-doh and tea parties with the munchkin.

All of that to say- I am now striving to treat Lilac Row as my "job". I love it and am thankful for the opportunity to be creative in my work.

 

 

For whatever reason, January is our best-selling month. I have no idea if that's a retail trend or not. But we are very thankful and feeling blessed this month. It's really encouraging and has lit a fire under us to get creative and come up with some great items for our booth.

 

Have I mentioned how much I love this? It's the perfect, varied creative outlet for me. My real dream is to someday have a retail space of my own for Lilac Row. A cute little shop with a workspace in the back. This lady has given me serious inspiration and food for thought as she pursues the same dream.

 

All of this to say... I'm getting there. I'm figuring out my new routine, my new normal in the day to day. And it's good. Starting each morning with time in my bible and putting on praise & worship music while we eat breakfast and tinker around in the morning helps me get focused and prepared for the day.

 

A shower would probably help as well, but baby steps here, people. ;)

 

 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a hand knit infinity scarf and a pair of Lilac Row Coral Drop Earrings! 

the mommy guilt.

Gah. Today has been a day. And it's only noon.

As I've mentioned before- I work from home. And only part-time, thank goodness. But with this job and projects for Lilac Row, it's days like this that I feel like I just woke up and blinked and half the day is gone. And- oh, yeah!- my daughter is running around in the background, fending for herself.

Oh, the guilt. I just put her down for a nap and I can't even tell you how many days I have literally counted the hours in my head until the next time she will go to sleep... so that I will have some uninterrupted time to cross something off my list. 

I feel horrible even typing that out loud.

That's not the kind of mother I want to be. I want to be present. I want to be fun. I want to answer her the first time she asks me to "hold you mama" or "mama help you?", not the 5th.  I don't want her to remember me sitting in front of this blasted computer all day long.

But it's so hard to fit everything in. Sometimes I just physically don't know how to do it. Does anyone? If so, please enlighten me.

And here's the thing- I'm pretty sure I know what my problem is. I take on too many things. Self-imposed, not other people requesting things. It's just me and my little over-active, over-achieving mind. Which is selfish. My time is not only my own. It's my husband's and it's my daughter's. And above all? It's God's.

I feel like I need to fall on my knees and just cry and ask for forgiveness right now. I have been so, so selfish lately. Everything I do- each thing I make a priority- is of my own choosing. Not once have I stopped to ask Jesus if this is what He wants me to be doing at his particular moment. And far too often I do whatever the heck it is I want to do, rather than considering what my husband wants or needs. Even if that just means sitting on the couch next to him, holding his hand- without my phone or a project in the other hand. I mean, how hard is that?

And my girl? Well her needs are far more apparent. And sure, I meet them.. food, diapers, hugs, play. But largely with only half of my attention. Always thinking of something else. Of all that I need to do. And is any of it more important than that sweet baby and her request to "hold you mama"?

Absolutely not.

today is a good day.

Yesterday was a little rough for me. I'm not really sure why.. I definitely had some heavy things on my heart. We have some big decisions ahead of us and a busy season of life coming up. I don't know, maybe the weight of it all was making an impact, but I cried no less than 4 times yesterday. Seriously. For basically no reason I could explain.

It's so fun being a woman sometimes.

But today? Today is good. Evie is spending the day with her Grammy so that I can get a bunch of stuff taken care of around here. My sewing machine and I have been BFF all morning. Music is filling the house along with the yummy smell of dinner cooking in the crock pot. I am breaking for a quick bowl of homemade tomato soup and there's no guarantee that I'll shower or actually get dressed for the day. But that's fine with me.

So what am I sewing?

1. Evie's Halloween outfit. She'll be an owl and I'm making the whole thing. Cue the cuteness because, folks, I am impressing even myself with this one. :) Hopefully it turns out the way I hope!

2. A slew of pillows for the VMD Holiday Affair.

3. A ruffle Christmas tree skirt for the event. I have everything cut out but am contemplating using my glue gun instead of ruffling, pining and sewing. Yeah... definitely going glue on this one.

I also need to decoupage some pumpkins for a work post and hope to cut out some Christmas stockings for the event. Oh, and laundry. Don't forget the laundry.

It's all craftastic in here! All of these holiday projects get me so excited for the season. 

What are you up to today?

Project 52:26 {opportunity}

thankful for...

opportunity

This past year has been so much fun, working on our booth.
I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to start this little business. It has given my mom and I the chance to work on something together, sharing an excitement and love for hunting down and refinishing items. It's been the perfect outlet for our creativity.

I am also so thankful that we had the opportunity to be a part of a bigger event and for future events. Taking our business "on the road" was new and exciting and I loved being able to share that with a good friend and my husband. I am excited and thankful to see what lies in store for Lilac Row down the line.. what new opportunities await.

* * * * *

Read more about my Project 52.

Linking my Project 52 with:

styleberry BLOG

 What We're Sayin'

Oh The Places We'll Go 

Englexas 

Wicked Kate

Project 52:5 {Job Flexibility}

thankful for...

job flexibility
 

This week marks the second week of officially working from home.

Part time writer. Full time mama.

I am so thankful and blessed to be in this position, but am still trying to find that perfect balance. Frankly, there aren't enough naps in a day to get everything done that I can't do while Evie is awake.. so we're getting creative, taking Grandmommy up on her babysitting offers a few afternoons and just figuring it out as we go along.

Structure and flexibility.
Multitasking.

These are my mantras during this time of transition and my planner is quickly becoming my new best friend. I am so thankful for this opportunity and my continual prayer is that I keep my priorities straight.

* * * * *

Read more about my Project 52.

Linking my Project 52 with:

styleberry BLOG

 What We're Sayin'
Oh The Places We'll Go 
Englexas 
Wicked Kate

Officially a SAHM

Yep, that's me!

A Stay At Home Mom!

Well...

I was..

... for about 26 hours or so the other day...

:)

Here's the deal. When I was pregnant with Evie, I knew I didn't want to go back to work full time. Thankfully I didn't have to and after maternity leave I was able to go back part time. Make that two days a week and one from home. Total score. Totally blessed. Fast forward to Thursday afternoon, when we had a mandatory meeting and I had a feeling something was up. Basically our department was being completely downsized. They barely scraped by from getting the complete ax. That was my last day. I wasn't expecting to hear that, but neither was I totally shocked or devastated. I think I just had peace about our situation and where I should be- whether that was staying home full time with Evie or finding another part time position. But I did really like my job.. and my bosses.. and the flexibility. They are/were very family friendly and I know I had a good thing going. Not everyone is so lucky.

So yesterday, hubby and I were out to a late lunch and discussing what I should do. Neither of us wanted me to simply find another part time job just for the sake of a job. But at the same time, if I can be contributing financially in some way, I am more than happy to do so. I do, after all, still have some school loans to pay off. Ugh. And as much as I love being at home with my girl and always pictured myself as a stay at home mom, I must say it has been good for my sanity to get out of the house those two days a week. And, you know, talk to people who are able to sit up on their own and don't spit up on a regular basis.

Not long after getting home from lunch, my former boss texts me to see if I have time to talk. Okay... sure. Well, long story short, the one gal that they were financially able to keep on was fired on Friday morning. Seriously. For something totally unrelated and slightly unethical. I don't want to get into any specifics, but needless to say we were all shocked. She didn't do anything illegal or too morally wrong.. just not something she should do in our particular field. And she got caught. In her (slight) defense, I don't believe her intent was malicious.

ANYWAY...

So they offered me my job back. Just as it was. I took about 20 minutes to think about it and talk it over with hubby before calling her back to accept. I thought about asking for more money, but since funding was the reason everyone was laid off in the first place, I didn't think it would go over too well. :)

So after an oh-so-brief hiatus, it's back to the grind next week for me!