SCOUT WINDOW

My talented, and hard working friend Kathleen Olsen has performed a miracle and opened a pop up store all on her own in one week’s time to help you with your holiday shopping! Not only does she have impeccable taste, but the store is GORGEOUS! Scout bags are the only thing I use to transport my belts because they are super pretty, durable and waterproof- AND- hold a lot of weight!

If you want decorative, cheerful storage bins, pretty tote bags, sturdy and stylish coolers with a strap- hip flooring and so so so much more, GO CHECK HER OUT! Because as it’s slated right now, she will only be there thru December’s end! Store hours- Thurs., Friday, Sat. 11-8 and Sunday, Tues and Wed. 12-6.

She is also carrying my cute keyfobs, and will be featuring some of my oliver green belts soon as well!

Park right at the end of Washington, cross the street and go into a wonderland of color and first class- funky and eclectic tastes of Kathleen!

She is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday- GO GET YOUR SCOUT ON GIRL! Go escape, shop and take it all in, COLOR, FUN, and a great sales girl!

Pink Dog House/Mini Bunny Barn

The Vision of Kathleen Olsen

R.E.D.

One of my absolute most favorite people on the planet, Rebecca Dolber, makes jewelry. It’s not  fluffy, ordinary stuff that every- day girls wear. It is earthy, aware, and worldly. She travels extensively globally to obtain eclectic little charms, beads, and little details that make her pieces distinctly original.

When you see her at craft shows, her tent is always bustling with people thinking, deciding, trying on and creating their own pieces that Rebecca puts together right before their eyes.

The Grove Stand at a Craft Show

What is wonderful about this process is that it involves two people. The artisan, Rebecca, and the client, who picks out precisely what they want. Rebecca artfully puts it together so it makes sense aesthetically and the client loves it because it reflects who they are.

Notice the message- the word- "evolve"

The charms and add ables are in the hundreds- and the dog tags, which I personally love and have bought for personal friends, because you can imprint a word that is meaningful to you and wear it as a reminder of who you are or who you want to be.

me and my arrow...

Thing is … She is ethereal, earthy, honest, raw and such a kind person. She has an ability to reach deep inside of you, if she chooses, and brings out the quiter, easier parts of who you already are and make you think just a little bit more.  She is comfortable in her skin, lovely, and so easy to be around. Rebecca is the true meaning of “Indie.” She is an independent spirit who lives life on her terms, much like I do, and I write this because I wear a piece of her, and a piece of me everyday, as I reach for my bracelets, necklaces or ring. I am reminded of what a gentle, uplifting and poetic spirit she truly is and how I wish to be and am in this life time.

 go here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thegrovestand - you will be glad you did.

my personal daily wear... from R.E.D. The Grove Stand

message....blue...

Am I nuts to like these? I sort of love “ugly” shoes. It’s my thing. I have great luck in the clearance section of TJ MAX and MARSHALLS at times because I like what every one else doesn’t. These shoes are $45 and unisex!

This borderline ugly shoe is reminiscent of the Wallabee, one of my all time faves!  http://shop.nativeshoes.com/v5fmsnet/OeCart/OeFrame.asp?PmSess1=2019&SXREF=65&CurPath=1

Natives are the NEW CROCS I would imagine. I like this color!

In fact, I rock Wallabees now, retro style with a little cornball flair. For example, here is a picture of me below taken last Friday:

Inside Beval Saddlery

I was in Beval Saddlery this am on Pine Street in New Canaan and I thought, “why didn’t I ever shop here.?” I think many people who don’t ride and or own horses will fore go shopping there thinking that there is nothing for them if they aren’t actively riding. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Beval Saddlery has so much to offer in terms of casual clothing for everyone! They have impeccable taste in stately attire! If you want a great tee shirt, they carry all the upscale brands, if you want to wear the softer breeches for everyday wear, go ahead girl, because they are so comfortable and hearty! If you need a preppy, or upscale gift that connotes first class taste, stop by! They carry totes, dog accessories, boots, cool sox, great polo shirts, belts, books, decorative items, and the store is full of a helpful and super kind staff! I love all the girls at Beval. They are welcoming, and are ready to assist with first hand knowledge about every item in the store! They carry oliver green d ring belts and my friend Grant’s customizable cutting boards featuring sailing cleats for handles, Soundview Millworks! Oh, and they carry Jennifer Brooks dog collars!

This place was an accidental find as I made my way to a consultation for hair extensions! Mind you, I was only considering them for the FRONT of my hair only, to make the front match the back. However, the woman who had the skillz was ridiculous in the price department. Can you imagine $1,100 for “75 pieces of hair?” Plus when she put those shits in, and she only put two in, it was so heavy and annoying! I don’t know how women do it!!! AND then she wanted $200 EVERY 3 months to move them up! She is on crack!!

I was driving home deciding that I would simply bobby pin my hair instead and hopefully my front would grow by itself! I then screeched over as I saw a consignment shop off the road and waltzed in to find a hilarious woman behind the counter in a polo shirt, perfectly SET hair and tons of commentary as I threw things in the dressing room. It was like the Saturday Night Live NPR skit only more ridiculous.

The other owners came in and then the three ladies were chiming in as I strolled out in each piece. I recall hearing, “NAH, that one looks like you are trying to be a teenager,” and the other woman chiming in, “We tell the truth here because we want you to look good.” ha ha aha.. “you should shorten that,”, “Oh my god, that shows off your “figure”, definitely get that one!”

I pulled outta there with some cute things and didn’t spend much at all. The place is clean, full of cuter things than your average consignment shop and the ladies are hysterical! I could definitely see a parody of these ladies.

3519 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890-1180
(203) 259-7627

The ones with the orange stripe, of course…

One thing I am consistently thankful and totally grateful for is the ever insatiable desire of mine to create! Thank God I always feel like I have something to do, something to think about, and something to make! I cannot begin to understand someone who is bored, or who says, “I can’t find a job”, or “I have no idea what to do!” Are you kidding me? There are a million and one things to learn to do, to make, to love, to be inspired about! If I could do one thing for someone it would be to instill creative inspiration or expression in them, may it be writing, sewing, crafting, photographing, building, ANYTHING! To hear of someone not doing a thing with their life breaks my heart into a billion pieces! It is imperative that you search for and FIND your passion in life and may it be helping others and helping yourself at the same time! Life is terribly exciting and the challenges of achieving your goals are the bread and butter of life!

I was reminded of this today when I took a visit to a ROCK STAR of the fabric designing world’s private home, Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom fame! To be in her presence is a total treat for someone like me! She is a total inspiration for crafting and learning about design. Her home is one of bohemian elegance and George, her dog, is an unbelievable lover of human kind. He gave me plenty of kisses and got to show off his chair to me.

Jennifer is of the same ilk as me regarding life and excitement. She loves what she does and now has a new book out called Girl’s World, which gives some great patterns for sewing up some girl’s clothing! Her home is like being in a live fairy tale! It is rich with color, texture, pattern, and products made of her beautiful fabric. I got to take a gander into her private stash of fabric today and it was indelibly wonderful.

I feel very fortunate to know some super stellar people and Jennifer is one of them! I cannot wait for all of you to see my new Sis Boom Belt Collection inspired by Jennifer Paganelli! It is going to be colorful, whimsical and totally girly! YAY! Saturated color with a vintage flair…. that is alright by me!

If you are in Utah this week, Jennifer will be at the Quilt Mart signing her book and stopping by the Free Spirit Booth to talk to the shoppers! That will be a great event indeed.

This is a quilt made of Jennifer’s Designs, DELICIOUS, right? It is like a candy store! Love it!! See! Quilting is not just for your grandma anymore, although I don’t quilt, I appreciate the art and the designers who create some unbelievable fabrics! They inspire me! Yay, it’s fucking summer bitches! Let’s sew, create and Rock!!

www.olivergreenonline.com will be there! come and shop for hard to find gifts, get a head start on your spring wardrobe, hostess gifts, and teacher gifts!