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What an interesting week! With fewer daylight hours, an afternoon of snow (oh yes Virginia, there is snow in New England) and a distinct crispness in the air to match the grey skies, we've found a few moments to gather with friends, share a few laughs and just enjoy each other's company. In the "craziness" of the past few days, we've found these moments of serenity make us more grateful for our lives than all the money in the world. To understand the joy of each day try this - listen to the crunch of leaves under your feet, breathe in and exhale - see your breath?, run your finger along a frosted surface, share a meal you made at home, knit brightly colored socks, and smell the smoke rising from your or your neighbor's chimney.

The positive side of what happened to the economy last fall (and through 2009) is we all had an opportunity to assess our lives. The happiest stories we've heard have been about people who were laid off, and with a family to support had not thought about taking a chance to do something they'd maybe always dreamed of. Now they were being given a chance. That's right, a chance ... like the man we know who was let go from a communications firm when they downsized and he went to work at a bakery. He loves it and while he is not making as much, he is rich with life. A woman we know lost her job event planning and has been walking dogs. Last time we saw her during one of our morning walks, her biggest concern - how to manage her time with so many clients.

So rather than shopping at malls or online sites for name brands, people are looking to craftsmen. The words craftsman and artist are part of our vocabulary now. At Children's Couture we are fortunate our clients (really our extended family), who have ordered from us since we opened shop, are knowledgeable about our distinctive edge as well as the attention to detail and quality we put into each and every piece. In addition, they know they are getting a "story" behind their purchase, one that will last as long as the piece ... which is for generations to come. Their children even notice, and like, the difference!

In addition, Mary-Alice listens to all who buy from Children's Couture. Some of the ideas for the items we sell come from customer requests, like our cool new hair ribbon barrettes. Have you ever heard of a department store creating an item just for you? Granted, those places serve their purpose but when gifting an item to a loved one, is there anything better than the experience conveyed by an apparel piece or collectible Mary-Alice has crafted in her studio/showroom full of color, fabric, and inspiration?

Garden Party Purse/Two-Tone with Hair Ribbon Barrettes

For those of you who are not near enough to visit the showroom in person (Thursday thru Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), visit the Children's Couture website. It is easy to use, a few clicks of the mouse is all you need to browse the Apparel and Accessory pages to see all of our styles. Then a quick click on an individual image will bring you to the details for that piece; sizing, price and fabric suggestions. For the more adventurous types, explore the Fabrics page and use your imagination to combine any of the premium fabrics with the apparel/accessory style of your choice.

Customer service is a top priority at Children's Couture so never hesitate to ask a question, make a comment, or if you need guidance with your order, Mary-Alice is available to help. Enjoy!

Cozy Cord Handbag with Cheshire Hat

Precious Little Things

This morning's walk was a treat for us and a chance to take advantage of the fewer daylight hours. Our walk was fun, full of love and laughter. We get so busy, so sometimes a morning walk is the perfect rebuttal. A precious little thing we can savor.

With November here (did you remember to set your clock back!??) our season is about to get really busy. With neighbors beginning to hang holiday flags, turkey orders being placed (or at least thought about), and Thanksgiving recipes abound in our favorite magazines it is time to break out the holiday lists. We are and so are our friends and customers. Who to get what for, sizes, favorite colors, and so forth and so on. Every year we get busier, but we love it. Mary-Alice is happiest while meticulously stitching and sewing, designing and brainstorming the next pairing in her design studio.

Lately she has been working on precious little things which seem to make not only her but her clients giddy. Children Couture's miniature hats have certainly been garnering a lot of attention lately. Originally Mary-Alice designed them as holiday ornaments, but we are told by customers they are used as well for dressing up a doll and attaching to a package. A wonderful surprise! An added bonus, the ornaments can be made in any fabric selection to go with one's home decor, express a personal style, or to coordinate with a holiday decorating theme.

Please come visit us. Mary-Alice would love to see you!! Showroom hours have been extended to include Sundays!! To accommodate clients during the busy holiday season, the Children's Couture Showroom hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment to fit your schedule.

Watch a master craftsman at work, purchase gifts for your girls and holiday ornaments for your home decor, then explore the beautiful Lakes Region of New Hamphsire.

Children's Couture is located at 445 Province Road, Route 107 in Belmont, NH. Showroom and Design Studio phone is 603-524-8801.

We look forward to seeing you!!!

The Year I was a Fairy Godmother

This photo sits on Mary-Alice's living room shelf next to books from her childhood. It is was taken when she was in the first or third grade; who can remember!??! She'd managed to get the role of Cinderella's Fairy Godmother in the school play. Her mother sewed the costume; lace, tulle and a lovely hooded cape, then created a magic wand from a dowel painted silver, a doily and some glitter. Feeling so, so lovely she wore this for the following Halloween. Happy Halloween to everyone.

Stay tuned and see what Mary-Alice has been up to at work with Children's Couture ... next week we are back posting about the Studio and Showroom.

Extended Showroom/Design Studio Hours!!!

In anticipation of the approaching winter the folks at Children's Couture are splitting wood, airing out blankets, and oh joyous shopping time extending visiting hours to include Sundays!! To accommodate clients during the busy holiday season, Children's Couture has extended showroom hours to Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST or by appointment.

Watch a master craftsman at work and explore the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, one of the prettiest areas in New England year-round.

Children's Couture is located at 445 Province Road, Route 107 in Belmont, NH. Showroom and design studio phone is 603-524-8801.

We look forward to seeing you.

Halloween Costume

Halloween costume inspirations.

Great ideas from Martha Stewart for Halloween masks! As cat lovers particularly fond of this one!!

Top image Bleubird Vintage. Middle photos Design Mom. Next to bottom photo Cup of Jo. Bottom photo Martha Stewart.

Do Good Feel Great

Some pieces are meant to be kept forever, held on as heirloom pieces passed down generation after generation possibly being lent to one's dearest friend or relative after time. Children's Couture pieces tend to be in that category. However, so many other pieces are not - relics taking up valuable space. Rental space one might think, and who pays rent on an unused space? Well, Mary-Alice finally decided it was a good enough time as any to tackle the clearing out of the clothes and shoes closet. The switch from summer to fall/winter can no longer be denied so into storage trunks go sundresses, sandals, short sleeve blouses, and capris. Into garbage bags went pieces that have not been worn in two years, pieces that no longer fit, and pieces that well just never did fit just right and/or fit the right occasion.

Rather than toss those garbage bags into the trash we carted them off to Goodwill. As the popular saying goes, "one man's trash is another's treasure," or something along those lines. Goodwill Industries accepts clothing, children's toys, furniture, computers and appliances in good/working condition.

A place we've donated suits to in the past is Dress for Success, a nationwide organization that provides professional wear for those who may not be able to afford the "polished look" for an interview. They also accept slacks, jackets, blouses/tops, shoes, and accessories.

Whatever you do, donate a piece or two and help someone out this season ... it won't cost you a dime and will provide someone else such a sense of "relief" ... that is definitely worth a million bucks!!

A few photos from the dearly departed Domino Magazine on taking advantage of closet space. Now that Mary-Alice knows which items she is sticking with she can have fun redoing her closet. Who knows what spring cleaning will find! Just remember to give, give, give to charities what you don't need. In good condition of course!!

Rare Bird of Fashion at Peabody Essex Museum

As creative individuals who appreciate culture wherever we go and are especially keen on those slanted in a fashionable direction we scan museum websites from time to time in search of the next show we need to see. We say need, because when you are as passionate about a craft as we are and respect so much what other designers and muses are doing it really is more of a need than a want. A new exhibit we were so excited to read about and as thrilled to share is at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA through February 7, 2010 is Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel

The exhibit presents more than 80 dramatic ensembles from the personal collections of legendary tastemaker and style icon Iris Apfel. Known for her eclectic mixing of haute couture with costume jewelry and exotic baubles, Apfel has inspired bold developments in the fashion industry through her spirited irreverence and pitch-perfect taste. Now in her 88th year, she continues to challenge visual culture with radical juxtapositions of disparate influences. These spectacular and unexpected wardrobe combinations are exhibited with inventive staging and playful displays that underscore Apfel's inexhaustible creative spirit.

Visit the website for details on visiting the museum and the fun interactive game where you get to create your own Iris inspired paper doll and print the results. So Iris and so fun!!