Also speaking of Serendipity, we are switching things up a little bit here, and for the next couple of weeks I will get to help out with packing your trunk shows and orders back in the good old 435 warehouse! I’m pretty excited to be back to where I first started back in my days of being “The Intern” and to get to help spread my love of Serendipity with you! While I’m away across the parking lot, Carrie will still be here to help you with any of your Platinum questions and concerns, and I know you all will just love her!

I think that is all I have to say for now, except that I hope you all have an exciting and fun-filled weekend! I’m having movie night at my apartment with some of my friends tonight (we’re watching the Lion King- awesome huh?!), so I’m pretty excited for the weekend to start! Talk to you all soon!!

Love, Desi

Q:  Tell me a little bit about yourself.

A:  My name is Jennifer Freeland and I’m from Midland Michigan.  When I was growing up I had these big dreams of moving to Chicago, becoming an incredible interior designer and then…………………….. I met my husband and it was just love at first sight.  We’ve been married 9 years.  Nine blissful years.  We have one daughter named Vivian who just turned 7.

Q:  How long did you and your husband date before you married?

A:  Oh my gosh it was fast!  We dated less than a year and got engaged at 9 months.  I actually knew I was going to marry him after our first date.  We were sitting at Ruby Tuesday’s eating dinner and I’m looking at him thinking, “I’m gonna marry this guy.  He’s smart, he’s funny, he’ll take good care of me………So, I knew I was going to scoop him up and we’d get married. {lots of laughing}

It’s just so funny because we are such opposites!  He’s totally type A and if you could see my office right now you’d see open drawers with socks hanging out and dirty laundry everywhere.  I’m just all over the place.

Q:  What would you say is the one thing that drives him crazy about you?

A:  Yeah, my cleanliness.  It just drives him nuts and it doesn’t help that Vivian is JUST like me.  Poor guy has to deal with both of us!!   It’s just not that big of a deal to me.  I mean, life is just too short to worry about messes.  {laughing}

Q:  You said so many nice things about your husband, what is his one flaw?

A:  Oooooh.  That’s tough.  I’ll have to make sure he doesn’t read this.  {laughing}  No, seriously, I just can’t think of anything.  I mean, besides the fact that he wears way too much athletic gear (he’s a coach), I think he’s perfect.

Q:  So, tell me what kind of a child you were growing up.

A:  Ooooh, I was very, very dramatic.  I just always had a huge imagination, I was full of drama and always had some sort of “problem.”  My poor, poor parents.  But, I think at the same time, I was also very thoughtful and well behaved.  Have you seen that movie Ramona and Beezus???  I am SO Ramona.

Q:  Would you say that you are still that same girl?

A:  Yep, I’m still that same girl.  Just married and have a child.

Q:  Now what is your daughter’s name?

A:  Vivian.  We really wanted her to have a unique name, because when I was in school, Jennifer was THE name in 1975. I know this because I was one of 5 Jennifers.  I was always known as Jennifer N.  I just didn’t want her to deal with that.

Q:  When it comes to Vivian, if you could leave her with one piece of wisdom, what would that be?

A:  I think…………..to always be honest and to always believe in yourself and to always BE yourself!!

*LOVE THAT*

Q:  Tell me your Matilda Jane story.  We all have one.

A:  Yikes.  It’s a long one.  I’ll try to make it short.  Well, like I said, I graduated with a degree in Interior Design from Central Michigan University.  I knew that once I moved back to Midland there wasn’t going to be a job for me because it was just so small.  So, I actually wasn’t sure what I was going to do.  I went back to school because I am the type of person that HAS to work.

I worked part time for my neighbor and also in litigation.  Litigation just did not seem like my personality because I’m a bit of a “free spirit” and not much of an office type.

So, one day I was looking for the perfect outfit for my daughter for our family photos and my photographer says, “Have you ever heard of Matilda Jane?”  Well, I hadn’t.  So, I went home and looked it up and fell in LOVE!!  That’s how I met Allison, my trunk keeper, and I just loved her.  I always had the best experience with her.  I would go to her Open House and I would leave thinking “she is just the coolest person.  And I totally want her job.”  {Laughter}  So I asked if they were hiring and they weren’t at the time.  I just kind of forgot about it until she contacted me in the Fall.  She asked if I was still interested and I was like “OH MY GOSH.  YES, YES I AM.”  I am just so thrilled that I have this creative outlet and I am SO, SO excited!

Q:  What are you looking forward to most about being a TK?

A:  I think the relationships and the fact that I get to be around these beautiful clothes every day.  Not to mention, my daughter loves it and is so excited for me.  She loves being part of this.  I really think it will give us a good opportunity to hang out and bond.  She loves everything about helping me right now.

One of my goals is to spread the Matilda Jane love to upper Michican.  I might be in Midland, but I just want to fill all the little girls closets in Traverse City, Harbor Springs, Petoskey……….  I absolutely love Northern Michigan and I can’t wait to share it up there.

Q: What is your favorite piece of Matilda Jane clothing?

A:  Oh man.  Definitely the knot dresses.  I’m going to have huge issues when Viv grows out of them.  Plus, I think every single person should own a pair of the adult Ruffle pants!!!

Q:  How would you describe your perfect day.

A:  Definitely being busy.  I love to be busy, but I think it would start by working out, a stop at the local coffee shop to get my Chocolate Chai made with soy, read a book, a little shopping, ALL in a big city.

Q: What city would you choose?

A:  You know, I love to travel and I’ve been to a lot of cities, but I’d have to say Chicago.  I love the feel of it, the energy, the sky scrapers, the bright lights.  EVERYTHING!!  It’s definitely one of my favorites.

Q:  So, I think friends are such an important part of our lives.  Who is your best friend and why?

A:  This is going to sound so cliché, but it’s definitely my husband, Justin.  He’s my biggest supporter, my biggest fan and he gives the best advice.  Yep, definitely Justin.

Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?

A:  Hmmm, well, my parents loved to travel.  They would pack us up and we would drive to Northern Michigan.  I have to say I never camp now.  Never, EVER, EVER!!  But, we would pack up the station wagon and head up north for the weekends or the Summer.  I loved being on the water in the fresh air surrounded by trees.  That’s my favorite memory.

Q:  Who is the strongest female influence in your life?

A:  (short pause)  I think I would have to say Vivian.  Just because I want to be a great role model for her and I always want to be the best example to her, as a Mother, as a wife, as a sister, as a daughter.  I want to be someone she can look up to.

Q:  Okay Jennifer, now the questions are gonna get easy.  Favorite TV show?

A:  UGH!!  I’m a reality TV fanatic.  The Bachelor, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,  I love Tory and Dean!!  They’re my favorite, I love them!

Q:  If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A:  Pizza!!  I cannot get enough pizza.

Q:  The one item you would wear EVERY SINGLE DAY.

A:  That would have to be my Willow.  It’s my go to comfort jacket.  I wear it all the time with everything.

Q:  Do you have a favorite blog or website you hunt down every day?

A:  Well, I do visit the Matilda Jane blog every day, but there’s also this local Mama that has a website called Brown Paper Packages and she’s just so inspiring.  She has 5 kids, 2 sets of twins, and comes up with all of these incredible ideas.  She makes everything look so easy.  This gal is SO with it!!

Q:  Do you have anything else you would like to share with the readers of MJ?

A: You know, I just have to give a shout out to the best kept secret in Midland.  I would not be doing what I’m doing now if it wasn’t for my amazing photographer and friend Rene at Captured Photography who is just so wonderful.  Rene and Rachel are amazing photographers and the reason I found Matilda Jane.  Rene is hosting my launch party and I am just thrilled!!  I’m so excited for Serendipity and a wonderful season.

*There is truly no doubt in my mind that Spring 2012 will be a stellar season for you, Jennifer.  You have an energy and a zest for life that shines through and a love for this company that will take you far.  Let’s give our Midland, MI Trunk Keeper some love and our very best wishes.

However, today’s post is about something I am even more excited about. I feel like a little school girl when the “Habitat” subject comes up. I have so much love for them and the things they do and feel so honored to be organizing some events in order to reach our goal of $30,000. Last Year, with all of your help, we were able to raise nearly $13,000.  That is OUTSTANDING and we are so grateful. We could not have done it without all of your support and I know this year will be even more successful.  All of these donations went to building the home for Trinell and her three children. She is so sweet and appreciative and on top of that one of the hardest workers on the job site. We are all excited to meet the recipient of this years Women Build I am sure she is just the same. Below is Trinell and her children on the day of her dedication. I can only imagine what that day meant to her.

This year we will be hosting an online auction  in March and trust me you will not want to miss it. There are so many cute items from different vendors that will be available. I won’t spoil it for you today,  but I can say that there is a wide range of items that are all AMAZING. Thank you to those of you who have donated items so far.  Your generosity is heart warming. Which brings me to my next subject.

We are also hoping to gather about 50 photographers who are willing to donate a session to go up for auction in March. In return, Matilda Jane may include your contact info in our first Matilda Jane Clothing Publication that will be mailed out in April to roughly 50,000-100,000 people. If you are interested please email me (Kayla) at matildajaneinfo@yahoo.com with your website. (Spaces will be limited due to the space available in the publication and not every photographer will be selected for the publication.  Photographers chosen to be included in the feature will be hand-selected by MJC….more details to come.)

On top of those big announcements, Matilda Jane will also be co-sponsoring the annual Habitat Tea in April. This luncheon is their main source of funds for the Women’s Build in September and has been very successful so far. If you are in the area, we would love for you to join us. In order to attend the event, Habitat requires a $2,500 donation which includes 5 volunteer spots come September, and a table of 8 at the Tea. This year the Tea is April 21st at 2pm EST. I attended it last year and it was a blast. Children are welcome and each year they have a theme they run with. This year the theme has not been sent but with Denise’s brain behind some of the ideas you know it will be nothing short of cute. If this is something you are interested in as a company, family or friends you can contact me also and I can get you that information. We hope to see some of you there.

There will be some more details to come at a later day, I just couldn’t hold back the details that I know as of today. Told you I was excited.

Lastly, I haven’t done a give-a-way in awhile and after the conversation Lynette just had with Kiara we thought today would be the perfect time. This one will be hard so the winner will win Lynette’s two Favorite pieces from Serendipity.

What is Lynette’s one obsession/hobby she partakes in every year?

XOXO

Kayla

I’m in the middle of editing the new GLT photos Kiara took for the Platinum site and every few minutes I’m on Facebook, I’m on Twitter, and I’m back on Facebook…

Seriously, I can’t stop! I might get in trouble if I don’t get the release of Serendipity out of my mind.

But why would I want it to flee my thoughts? I’ve been waiting for this day for….well, what feels like forever.

And reading your thoughts and comments on it is all I want to do!! The good and the bad.

Of course, all the while telling myself to learn from the bad and to really focus on the good.

At least for today!

And as each of you see Serendipity in all it’s wonderful glory today,

I hope you fall in love.

I really do.

Because these items are not just clothing to us, they are pieces of Denise’s and my heart.

Every. Single. Item.

And I can’t help but think,

We are doing something different than just designing clothes for your little beauties.

We are creating wearable LOVE.

Ha, maybe it’s just me.

Enjoy Serendipity, those of you that can catch your breath!

Love, Sam

Is it so crazy that one can be filled with so much happiness to share something that she can not possibly find the words? And as we are about to launch Serendipity, I find that may be the only word that I can use  to describe it.

As my brain wanders to 10 yrs back, I was walking out of the beauty shop (funny word, I know) with my newly dyed pink hair and holding the CUTEST business card I had ever seen. So excited all the way home because I knew I was going to call that guy Matt, who designed the card, and get some of my own for some clothes I just started doing for art fairs.

 I got home, looked at his site (One Lucky Guitar) and totally got nervous. Yup, he is amazing, and picking up the phone to call someone like that freaked me out. I mean he had CD covers and stuff on his website, and my ipod is empty. There would be no common ground.

But I did call and I was wrong.

Matt says it best and more professionally…. ” One Lucky Guitar’s marketing relationship with Matilda Jane Clothing dates back to 2004 — when the soon-to-be thriving clothing company was a side-project-(to-a-side-project) steadily gaining steam in a spare room of Denise DeMarchis’ home, and the nascent OLG was a side-project-(in-case-the-whole-music-thing-didn’t-work-out) in the kitchen of Matt Kelley’s Columbia Avenue apartment. Sparks flew. It’s no understatement to say that OLG’s work for MJC put the company on the map in a big way. (How you read that is up to you; both ways are true.) These days, the two companies are neighbors in downtown’s Bricktown quadrangle (Clay/Brackenridge & Lafayette/Douglas).  “

And today here we are working side by side, Me, Matt and Sam. Our very own company. Our very own gig and a whole lotta of unknowns.  What I do know is OLG and MJC have a tried and true recipe for stirring up passion. Passion in all of us who create the pieces, photograph it, or be the one photographed. A passion is the driving force behind The Good Ones Clothing line.

 With my whole heart and soul I would have to say The Good Ones is serendipitous.

A meeting. A chat. A text.  Here we are ready to share a clothing line for boys that will have them chatting it up with the mailman waiting for their package. I cannot wait to share it with you.

So many details to share: a website, a Clothing Line launch, and many, many friendships. Stay tunes to the new The Good Ones site, FB page, Twitter for all THE GOOD information.

And when you go to One Lucky Guitar’s site, you will also see they have a place in their heart for Turnstone too!

And there’s my secret!

and on a side note, and a very girly one at that!

To clarify, Megan B is Megan Blackburn

Lots of anticipation is brewing! I can feel it….but guess what? So I got to read The Sandbucket form front to back!  Seriously, it is such a breath of fresh air.  Ha, it should be on the news cuz all those regular stories get depressing a bit. The Sandbucket is full of just good stuff that will make your heart full.  I’ll even give you permission to make fun of my interview, which I think is kinda fun. Oh, so fun cuz it reminds me so much of growing up with my  brother Doug. I LOVE HIM! I love all of my family but this interview just reminded me lots of Doug.

Ha, I just realized there is also something in the above phot0 that reminds me so much of someone I LOVE beyond words. You’ll have to look good. But for a random 10 of you who can name what it is and who the person is behind the memory I’ll give you each my favorite Serendipity outfit.

I think I could sit here all day and play with Serendipity. The colors, the textures, and just the way it flows! It is breathtaking, and you do know it is our biggest collection to date. I think it is broken into 3 collections, I think. It’s funny how I don’t know all this anymore. I used to know everything but as we grow it seems my job gets more defined to (ha, I wanted to type ..more defined to focus on googling but..) it seems I am more focused on design, Platinum, and FB! Ya, we all do FB but having it on your phone makes it a little more addicting. OK, now do you want to know something you don’t already know….if you love collection one, wait till you see collection 2! And if you want to see something that you haven’t already seen wait till Tuesday. Ya, this week is gonna be BIG TIME (Joe’s watching Big Time Rush, but I must say I like Zeke and Luther better!)

Oh, hold up…you guys gotta let me know if you like the new Platinum packing cards, stickers and such? I feel like it looks like a candy store over there.

One more day till The Sandbucket launches, 2 more days till a secret (no babies, just a little secret, not huge, just little) is revealed, 3 more days till Serendipity launches and 4 more days and I may find my mind.

Check out out THE SANDBUCKET

Oh,, and here’s a little bit about one of my favorite ladies!

“My name is Sandi.  When I was about three years old my brothers and sisters started calling me Sandi Bucket, Sand, Sand Bucket and eventually just Bucket.  I thought this name was awful and would cry and complain to my Mom to make them stop calling me that.  My wise Mother told me if I would just stop complaining about it and pretend that I didn’t mind, well then they would eventually forget and stop calling me that.  Well, next month I turn 40 and am still referred to as Sand, Sando, Sandi Bucket and Bucket.  I have long stopped complaining about it though.  Instead, I think of it as a term of endearment.  Now when I am referred to as such it is always from someone who has known me since childhood.   Someone that loves me, someone that I love.   So I do hold the name of Sand Bucket dear to me.   However, the magazine is certainly not named after me.

When I was trying to come up with the mission of what I wanted this magazine to accomplish I knew I wanted it to be a place of ideas gathered from wise women from all over.  I thought about what it was that could hold treasures and pictured someone walking along the beach.  Whenever I am at the beach with my children they gather up all sorts of treasures and carry them along in their sand buckets.  Plus, the fact that one has endless possibilities of what they can create with a simple sand bucket.  And so here is where the name of the magazine was dreamt up.

As I grow older and learn more, I realize how much I do not know.  In no way do I want this magazine to look like a “know it all- this is how life is done” magazine.  Rather, my dream is that it can be a collection of experiences from women from all over.  Life lessons that we can share and learn from together.

The first issue will be released in January of 2012 for both online viewing and print.  It will be filled with articles from real people of their experiences.  There will also be a number of fun articles of diy projects as well as fashion and just plain fun.  I hope you check back to this blog regularly as well.  We will have lots of fun posts for this holiday season.  And don’t forget to go to our facebook and be our friend to stay updated!”

I just wanted to share a little story about last weekend here at 433.  As I am sure many of you know we had a massive sale that started on the 6th and ended on the 13th.  Then Platinum Pass on the 14th. Needless to say,  after a full week and a half of pulling orders, we had a ton and I mean a TON of packing to do. The four of us Paltinum Girls; Kiara, Desi, Viv, and I all worked Saturday and Sunday packing each day for 6 hours.  I can not even begin to tell you what a great time we had doing it.  I mean  we try to always keep things light and fun around here at 433, but these 2 days didn’t even feel like work…it really felt like hanging out with friends.  It  started when we decided to all pack at the same table, which was a bit tricky figuring  out how we were all going to fit. Usually only one or two people  pack at a table. It was a little crowded but we made it work. We listened to some music, 80′s pop, which Kiara was surprised that she actually knew most of the songs. Seeing as  she wasn’t even born in that decade…..lol.  I caught her dancing  a couple of times. I wont lie, I did reenact Pat Benatar’s Love Is A Battlefield video.  At one point we all did some version of the Thriller.  Time flew by. It was the fastest 6 hours I have ever worked. We did get alot accomplished; I think secretly we were all racing to see who could pack the most packages….lol.

             ……A saturday view from Desi’s perspective

Its strange for me sometimes, being the oldest in the group. They make me forget how old I am until I mention something that was popular when I was younger and they have know idea what I am talking about….lol.  It  amazes me that we all have our own personalities, but can blend so well as a group.  We can get so much accomplished when we put in a group effort.  I feel lucky to be surrounded by such a awesome group of girls. So I guess this is a thank you to my Platinum Girls,  who make working overtime on the weekend fun.  I love them all!

                                                                                                           …Viv, Kiara, Me, and Desi

xoxo

<3

Carrie

Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

A: My name is Tracy Jackson-Wilson and I’m 34 years old.  I’m married to Chad and have two daughters, Emma Kate who is 6 years old and Piper Jane, 3.  I have a rescued pug named Pugsley (very original ) and a cat who was also rescued, named Kiki Rodriguez.  Not sure where they got that name. 

I’ve been a stay at home Mom for 7 years and before that I was a court reporter.  I have 1 brother and 3 sisters (one of which is a twin sister).  So, mom had 5 of us and we jokingly refer to ourselves as the “Jackson Five.”

Q: So, this is your first season with Matilda Jane.  What made you apply for the job of a Trunk Keeper?

A: First, the amazing clothes.  I fell in love during House of Clouds.  Since I’ve always had a hard time getting my daughters to wear cute clothes it was a no brainer.  Once we found MJ, it was never a problem getting them to wear it.  It was like wearing their jammies.  Nothing itchy/scratchy , everything was comfortable and cute at the same time.

Q:  What do you look forward to most about your first season?

A:  I’m really excited about meeting my Jane’s, my customers and creating relationships with them.  I’m really looking forward to seeing the little girl’s faces when they try on something adorable or when they receive their fabulous packages.  I’m excited to hear how much they love it.

Q:  What is your favorite childhood memory?

A:  Hmmmm, let’s see……..Well, I’m from the coast and it was always really, really hot there, so I would say just about EVERY weekend we would head over to Biloxi to hang out at their water parks.  I can remember the begging.  “Just one more slide!!!!”  Which always turned into 5 more for my parents.  It’s funny to think about that now.  These were the days before sunscreen and I am fairly fair, so I remember all of those AWFUL sunburns, but it was always so much fun for me.

Q:  So, what do you hope your children remember most fondly about you when they are grown?

A:  I guess that I was always there.  You know, school functions, recitals etc.  That’s something I never really thought about, but my Mom passed away when she was 50 and what I really remember is that she was ALWAYS there.  She was always involved!!  That’s how I want them to remember me.

Q: How long have you been married?

A:  It will be 11 years in April.

Q: What is your husband’s best quality?

A:  He is VERY patient.  And I am not!  (Laughing)

Q:  Now if I were to ask him what your best quality is, what would he say?

A:  Hmmm (laughing)……….Definitely not that I’m thrifty.  That wouldn’t be it.  (Pause)  I would say, probably my sense of humor.  We make each other laugh constantly.  To us, everything can be turned into a joke.

Q:  Describe your best day sans children.  It doesn’t have to be fancy, but what would you do if you had a day ALL to yourself?

A:  First, I would go running.  Then I’d probably go buy a great book, rent a room at a Bed and Breakfast on the beach and just sit uninterrupted for hours.  (Laughing, because we both know that some days all you need is a little peace and quiet.  No touching, no questions, just a little “me time.”

Q:  Do you have a favorite blog or website?

A:  Yes!!  I’m completely addicted to it and check it every day. www.tatertotsandjello.com.  They have the cutest ideas.  Crafting, printables and DIY’s.  I just LOVE that blog!

Q:  Favorite movie of all time.

A:  Gone with the Wind

Q:  Favorite book.

A:  The Time Traveller’s Wife.  The book was waaaaay better than the movie ever thought about being.

Q:  So, you said that your husband wouldn’t describe you as “thrifty.”  Tell me, if you were only allowed to splurge on one frivolous item, what would that be?

A:  Definitely shoes!!!  And I have passed on my love of shoes to my girls.

Q:  One food you could not live without.

A:  Carbs!!!  I could not do Atkins.  I get cranky and you do not want to be around me if I have not had my carbs.  (laughing)

Q: Do you have an all-time favorite Matilda Jane piece?

A:  Oh yes!!  It’s the Piper Peasant Dress.  My daughter’s name is Piper, so of course I had to have it.  It is my all time favorite, and it will most likely be worn by my grandchildren.  (laughing)

Tracy, here’s to a wonderfully “serendipitous” first season with Matilda Jane.  The memories, the fun and the laughter; the beauty and the friendships made.  You definitely fit right in!