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!