the way i see it

If ever a wever..... the Meadowbrook Faire is the one because.....

When is the last time you felt WONDER-Ful ?

I'm not sure if i have ever blogged about the fact that I attended five different grade schools before my parents decided to send me to that "artsy" Waldorf School.

AMEN! I found myself in my element FINALLY.  It was important that my own kids attend and I have not once regretted the decision to send them. 

The magic of Waldorf lives inside of the preservation of imagination and and one of the basic tenets is to leverage the state of "wonder" to inspire learning. No matter where you find yourself (inside it's gardens, walls, classrooms, drawings, or events) you can't help but surrender to that feeling, and the amazement that comes over you when you experience it. 

If ever there were a more inspiring place to feel it; it's the annual Holiday Faire.  

Prepare for a feast of the senses with a truly unique community who embraces all things made from the heart and hand of true craftsmanship. Food, toys, clothing, gifts and furnishings-  don't be surprised if you make the Faire a destination each year to kick off the true feeling of the season as well as the ability to preserve it throughout the holidays.

 

Here are just a few of the things that happen and can be expected... I hope you'll come or find a waldorf school in your area- chances are their own Holiday Faire is right around the corner!

• Each room of the school is transformed into a wonderland of the holidays including gifts, baked goods, craft making, Thanksgiving farmers market, advent wreaths, a beautiful room filled with special books, and a "Bee" room... ( amazing!)
  
• The central room is filled with affordable handcrafted or specialty toys and gifts made in America, Germany, and beyond. Almost anything you buy would be considered "unique" and surely something you would not find lining the shelves of American stores. Plan on finding something for almost anyone on your list especially hard to buy for people!
  
• You don't have to spend a dime to have the time of your life.  Experience the sights, smells, tastes, sounds & textures of the Faire simply by walking the halls and smelling the roasted peanuts & popcorn, cinnamon and spices, pies, baked goods... and fresh pine of course! Listen to wonderful music and enjoy seeing the open delight and excitement on the faces of children as they:
• Ride ponies, create crafts, visit the gnome cave, view the marionette show, chase the pocket lady (who is the hit of the faire and the pied piper of children with her coat of many pockets that turn up trinkets and treasures into the palms of outstretched little hands...)
• Big kids come too- lots of activities including ultimate frisbee and free form hackey sac! It's a social event for everyone!
  

I hope too see you there this year and please bring your friends and family and REPOST! SHARE this post on FB and SHOUT from the rooftops! The Holiday Faire is here!

 

November 20th (Saturday night) is for adults only from 6pm- 9pm

November 21st (Sunday) Faire opens at 10:00 am- 4:00 pm and is open to all.

WHERE: EASY.

GOOGLE MAP IT! (already did it for you just hit the link!)

300 Kingstown Road
West Kingston, RI 02892
(401) 491-9570
meadowbrookschool.com‎

134 Spring Street

A few things I miss about having my retail store on Spring Street in Newport Rhode Island:

Jimi, Sarah, Terri, and pretty much everyone I worked with (god we had fun.) Fibber Mghee's closet, Betty Ann, my wonderful (and I do mean wonderful) customers and ......drum role:  GERMAN WOODEN TOYS. 

What is it about these toys that just light me up inside?  I have them all over my home, and I know my children love them but you know who they are really for right?  Yup. Yours truly.  It seems reasonable to have them out everywhere in the house because they double as decor and I have young children but I honestly dont see that changing even when they are older and no longer at home! How embarrassing...I mean- how do I explain to my boyfriend that I have a German wooden toy fetish?

In all the years I had my store I have to say that every day I opened that door and walked over the threshold I still had the experience of wonder that made it special to me.  I rest assured that countless others had a similar experience who maybe could not quite put their finger on what made it a special place, but take it from me.... it was the German Toys! Cheers to all who loved it!

OH- PS: We have a facebook page and you can fan us and keep in touch!

Per usual - every christmas I place a small order for German toys and will no doubt put my order in soon so if anyone would like to order something- please let me know! I'll post some of the images in the next few posts of the items that will be considered! Stay tuned and as always I welcome any comments or feedback in the comments section below!

Add It Up.

I am so very impressed with so many of the artisans on Etsy.  I thought this gift I came across was simple, beautiful, and brilliant for kids.  Great way to inspire imaginative play, as well as visual math skills- a subject that I was always struggling to understand as a child. In addition to simple adding and subtraction skills there are 21 eggs in all and would serve to teach primary and secondary color skills and the list goes on!  Take a spin on Etsy for some handmade gifts this christmas and suprise and delight someone special in your life with something truly unique and support these wonderful craftraprenures!

What's Important

The way I see it.... good friends are the most precious and  important people in the world.

 

Women Rock

Last night I had the opportunity to meet with a small group of women around the subject of a new product launch for a product I am helping to develop.  It's always amazing what collaboration brings out of people.  The insight, suggestions, support, and inspiration that comes from including other viewpoints is astonishing.

I love leaving an experience like that filled with possibilities, and also having had the opportunity to understand and entertain another persons thoughts and ideas.  As always with a good group of woman we manage to stuff the margins or momentary pauses full of other of-the-topic- but-not-too far-off-the -topic  "did you know? " and  "have you seen? and "by the way" so that we can share and connect and collaborate on multiple levels.  I just LOVE my species :) 

Women ROCK. 

There's no place like OM.

 

Sure, you've heard of activism but what about craftivism?  

This sweet little collection of Om's created by designer Miquette Bishop  was inspired to offer hope, healing, and help to anyone who may just need sweet relief in the form of a small hat wearing being ( what IS under that hat?) who just might be the only one who can offer some. 

Om's are hand crafted and each one has a unique and powerful story to tell.  Recently featured on Etsy's spotlight as a top pick for a reasonably priced anytime gift, I was also inspired to learn that Miquette decided to create her Om's as her own way of maintaining hope and promoting healing.  Her husband Peter Zuerner of Zuerner Design has struggled for years with Lyme disease and after a particularly difficult year of frustration and despair finally decided to create something that might offer hope and a smile to anyone, anywhere. 

Om's range in price from $14.00- $24.00 and 10% of all profits go a myriad of needed causes.

Collect them all and be notified as they are released by signing up on Om's facebook page and twitter feed  including the Celestial Om's, Healing Om's, Birthday Om's, Encouragement Om's, You Go Girl Om's and soon you'll be Oming them all!

and don't forget to bookmark the site at www.ilovemyom.com

20/20 is overrated.

20/20 is overrated.....I love this BLOG.