Peace & Quiet

I had a frustrating day yesterday and was trying to avoid a glass of wine and turn to a more productive method of self care. I had not meditated in a few weeks at least and it was almost as if I had forgotten the amazing benefits of meditation. I sat down with my Buddha lamp, vision board and candles and put on my favorite meditation track and was pleased to find instant stress reduction. I'm not saying that it was easy, especially after my long hiatus, but meditating is truly the only way for me to feel 100% and I'm still feeling the effects 24 hours later. Drug/alcohol free my friends.

A lot of people have asked me how I meditate. I have taken meditation classes before but, have always felt like I knew what to do. I do have a special place where I sit. I've created a vision board and find it powerful to meditate right in front of this board. I also have a little altar with photos that are special to me, books I love as well as other meaningful trinkets. I always use my Kelly Howell mediation cd and have done so for the almost 10 years that I have meditated.

After sitting down I try to take very deep breaths. I was taught in my meditation class that it is important to only breath through your nose. My mother always taught me "in through the nose out through the mouth" when I was upset as a kid so I sort of jump back and forth between the two. Your mind will immediately begin to quiet down when the track begins playing. Then I try to look at the backs of my eyelids. Sounds weird but, when you try it things sort of start to open up. I follow the shapes, movement & color that I see with my eyes closed. Thoughts will come into your mind but, try to let them come and go. It can take a long time to have a really powerful meditative experience. I have had great experiences meditating for over an hour without much thought at all.

It's a meaningful part of my life and how I feel connected to God, other people & the planet. I find my whole life to be easier, happier & more meaningful when meditation is part of it. To summarize:

Lauren's Meditation Tips:

1. Create peaceful sanctuary; even if it's a corner of your bedroom.

2. Put on comfortable clothes & light candles

3. Use sound track to get started; can find these on itunes, in Target etc. Kelly Howell is my favorite.

4. Try to focus on your breathing and don't get frustrated if thoughts come into your head. You could end up sitting and thinking the first few times you meditate.

5. Create consistency but, not time requirements. I try to meditate as often as possible even if it is only for 2 minutes. I think that when you start requiring that you meditate for at least 30 minutes or so you are less likely to stick with it.

6. Enjoy this quiet time and keep a journal that records how meditation has affected other parts of your life.

Let me know how it goes!!

Trunk Show at Caramel

Lisa and I will be displaying our new Holiday Line at Caramel Boutique on U Street. The event will take place from 1-5 pm on December 13th. We are so excited to have the bags in Caramel and can't wait to see everyone there. We will be selling the newly designed Kris Clutch in addition to the Olson Portfolio & Olson Pouch. All of these bags make great gifts at fantastic price points.

Caramel & Bailey Trunk Show
1603 U Street, NW | Washington, DC
December 13th from 1-5 PM

Lisa and I were lucky enough to be asked to write an article for Handbag Designer 101 last week. We decided to write about eco-chic fashions in DC. Of course because it was for Handbag Designer 101, we stuck with bags and found some fantastic options in the city. You can check out our first article as Handbag Correspondents for HBD101 here!! Enjoy!

Tranquil Space Trunk Show

We are excited to be participating in the Tranquil Space trunk show again this year! I have done this trunk show twice and always have a wonderful time. It's great to be able to show our bags in a yoga studio of all places. Another great way to help promote our passion for health & wellness. I hope that you can all make it to the event!

The Economy's Effect on Fashion

Infomat is consistently one of my favorite websites when I am looking for specific research about the fashion industry. Whether I need to search for showrooms or sales reps or am looking to see what the trends are for the coming season, Infomat always delivers. Today I had several great articles come through my email. The first article is about the state of our economy and it's effect on the fashion industry. We are probably all feeling the need to think a little more about what we are purchasing, even if money isn't tight for you now, you may feel like hanging onto a little more than usual just in case.

There was also a second article about the recent Japanese textile show and it's focus on eco-labeling. There are so many ways to create an "eco-friendly" product (or unfortunatley create the illusion of doing so) that it's important that consumers are able to easily determine how exactly what they are purcahsing is eco-friendly. This article is a little wacky but, at least it's getting the idea out there. Enjoy!

Handbag Designer 101

Our dear friends at Handbag Designer 101 have posted a new article about handbags & the recession. They selected 3 hanbags that are a great buy and worth purchasing even when times are tough and Bailey was #1! Please read the article and click on our designer profile, read more and leave a comment! Thanks Emily!

Booties Booties Booties!

I just wanted to share my new favorite shoes. They are super comfy and look cute with shirts & pants. I've worn them practically every day since buying. Hint - buy 1/2 size larger than you usually wear. Visit Nordstroms.com to buy!

Wine, Women & Wise Buys

We are so excited to be participating the Wine, Women & Wise Buys on October 23rd from 6-9pm. The event is hosted by Mary Ellen Rotondo and will be held at her home in Alexandria. The vendors include Bailey Handbags, Dolce Collection Jewels & Gifts J. McLaughlin, Arbonne, In the Pink, Grace Edward Designs, Paperworks & Mary Ellen's Very Own Gifts! Please view the Evite for more information about the event. All are welcomed and we hope to see you there!

Vitamins!!

I have struggled with fatigue for a long time and have found a few things that really seem to help. Exercise of course increases my energy level tremendously. In addition to that, and the first step in supplements, is taking a great multi-vitamin. I love the pre-natal (good for everybody, even if you're not planning on having a child) vitamins from the Healthway Stores in Virginia. They have their own brand that I have taken for several years. It's less expensive than New Chapter and prevents me from feeling like I'm going to fall asleep at my desk in the afternoons.

I stole this from Oprah

I have thought about this topic a lot and I think it's put really well in the following quote pulled from Oprah's website. She has a newsletter based on the book 'A Course in Miracles'.

Whatever your talent or abilities, He can use them. Our ministry becomes a joyous experience for ourselves and others as we let a mysterious force direct us. We simply follow instructions. We are allowing God's spirit to move through us, using our gifts and resources however He sees fit, to do His work in the world. This is the key to a successful career.

—Excerpted from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

Recycle Denim Maniacs

Lisa and I attended the Recycle Denim Maniacs event at the House of Sweden last Friday and had a fantastic time. The event began on the rooftop, overlooking Arlington and the Kennedy Center. We had the honor of viewing all of the art work that was created for a line of Nudie Jeans T-shirts benefiting Amnesty International. Each piece of art represents a human rights violation. The art work was amazing and I was extremely excited to find that everyone got a T-shirt in their gift bag!!

After the cocktail hour upstairs we were escorted down to the lower level of the House of Sweden for the Recycle Denim Maniacs fashion show. This was put together by Swedish designers and used denim in order to create avante garde looks. Clever Swedes.

Clothing & Conscience

I'm going to start out by writing a little bit about the truly important part of the two day event at the Swedish Embassy called Clothing & Conscience. I showed up really interested to learn about eco-friendly fashion and ended up learning so much more. A panel of 5 speakers discussed topics ranging from dying jeans with natural indigo to the social injustices that workers in the clothing industry face around the world. I found myself thinking about how easy it is to disconnect yourself from what may or may not be happening around the world in order to provide you with affordable clothing. It's not the first thing you think of when you go to buy a new pair of jeans. But, if you're consuming something that has caused human/animal/environmental suffering on the other end aren't you responsible?

There was a lot of talk about responsibility and I think this was the most enlightening part for me. I think that I, like most people (maybe it's just American's) believe that the government or other large organizations are responsible for making large changes in terms of protecting people and the planet. The speakers disagreed and spoke about the importance of individual activism (when awareness and responsibility merge) and it's importance in change. I thought about my own life and the ways that I could make a difference. Because, if you think about it, major change is made up of many small individual efforts.

I have finally selected a gorgeous eco-friendly faux leather for our Spring '08 line. Now that human rights are on my mind, I'm working on getting some concrete information about the people who make the materials and their working conditions. Hopefully I'll have good things to report.

Eco-Iconic

Here's a really interesting article about environmental concern as a trend and how it's ended up in so many different aspects of our culture.

http://www.trendwatching.com/trends/ecoiconic.htm

Olson Portfolio

Here it is. The Olson Portfolio. We will have the large size featured here as well as a smaller size measuring about 7"x11". The bags will be available at Treat by the beginning of November!!

Re-do

I have taken some serious time away from my business and I'm finally at the point where I think I can say it's been a good thing. I started a new job a year and a half ago and haven't had a whole lot of time, or energy (mostly energy) to pursue my handbag dreams. It wasn't until recently that I felt the urge to get moving again and have been taking it slow.

I spent a lot of time over the summer working through The Artist's Way with a group at Convergence in Alexandria. That book, the people I met through the group and the time I spent taking care of myself has made a huge difference and has also made me think that I may want to pursue my dream of owning a successful (by my definition) handbag company again. I was really amazed at the transformation. Who knew that writing in a journal for about thirty minutes a day could make such a profound difference in one's life. It's taught me to go for what I want but take care of myself first and foremost. Something I've struggled with for a long time.

So, I'm taking baby steps and considering sharing the steps I take on my blog. I thought an interesting newspaper piece would be following a small business as it gets started. Learning about the people, the struggles involved and the excitement as the vision begins to take form. So, instead of waiting for a publication to decide to write about my little business I'm going to do it myself.

Currently I am adding two new bags to the line. The first is a great portfolio that can hold a lap top or all of your files & paperwork so you show up at meetings looking chic and organized. The second is the small pouch. It's essentially the same as the large portfolio but much smaller and can be carried inside a larger bag or as a clutch. So excited and can't wait to see how everyone responds to the new bags!